USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 51
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ADAM SIMINGTON.
Adam Simington is one of the early settlers and the extensive landowners of Clay county, who owes his success, not to any fortunate combination of circum- stances, but to the fact that he has worked earnestly and persistently to attain it. He is now located on section 34, Freeman township, where he has a valuable and well-improved farm, his possessions altogether aggregating six hundred acres in this county. He was born in Canada, near Sovereign Bridge, July 4, 1860, and is a son of William and Margaret Simington, who were natives of Ireland. The father devoted his entire life to general agricultural. pursuits. He, too, was born on the Emerald Iste and, on crossing. the Atlantic to America, settled in Toronto, Canada, where he engaged in farming. About 1872 he came to the United States. He had investigated business conditions in Iowa and believed
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that in the western portion of the state, where settlements were then compara- tively few, he might have opportunity to attain success more quickly than he could hope to do in the Dominion. Accordingly, on crossing the border, he made his way to Clay county and secured a homestead claim of eighty-eight acres in Freeman township. Here he at once began to plough the land and cultivate his crops, for which he found a good sale on the market. Thus his financial resources annually increased and, from time to time, he added to his property until he be- came the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. The last few years of his life were spent in the home of his son. Adam. He died in Montana while on a visit in that state, passing away in April, 1902, when eighty- one years of age. His wife had died about three years before. She was a con- sistent Christian woman, holding membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Simington also belonged to the same church. Unto them were born twelve sons and two daughters. Eight of the family are now living: William, who resides in Canada ; Samuel, living in Orillia, Canada ; Jolin, whose home is in Albert, Can- ada ; James, a resident of Spencer ; George, who is located at Red Lodge, Mon- tana ; Adam, of this review ; Noble, who is living in Colorado; and Eliza, the wife of Moses McClelland, of Orillia, Canada.
In the country of his nativity Adam Simington remained until twelve years of age and began his education in the schools there. He came with his parents to Clay county, Iowa, in 1872, and here continued his education as a public-school student. On his father's farm he was reared to manhood and was early trained in the best methods of tilling, the soil and caring for the crops. He started upon an independent business venture by working by the month as a farm hand, and by his industry and economy was at length enabled to purchase his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he bought from his father and im- proved with a good house, barn and granaries. He added to this place all the accessories of a model farm property and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He now owns six hundred acres of land in Clay county and his ex- tensive property holdings are the visible proof of his life of industry, thrift and careful management.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Simington was in her maidenhood Miss Eulalia Drake, a daughter of Joseph and Betsy Drake. Her father was a soldier of the Civil war. Both he and his wife became early settlers of Clay county and here remained until they were called to the home beyond. They had a family of five sons and three daughters, of whom five are now living: Frank, Edward. Chester, Charles and Eulalia. The last named, now Mrs. Simington, was born in Northfield, Minnesota, December 23, 1863, and by her marriage be- came the mother of eleven children: Minnie, Edward. Maude. Oren, Bessie. Ernest, Clarence. Gladys, Elmer, Bernice and Charley. The eldest daughter is now the wife of William Roseaeker and they have two children, Elmer and Elsie.
Mr. Simington votes with the republican party, in support of principles which he believes are most conducive to good government. For several years he has been a school director and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart friend. He is always interested in the progress of the community and has been an in- fluential factor in many measures for the general good. Great changes have occurred since he came to the county-thirty-seven years ago. At that time the
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homes were widely scattered, for there was but a sparse population. Today there is hardly an acre of uncultivated land in the county and the farms present a splen- did appearance, showing what has been done by a class of enterprising, resolute agriculturists. The work of Mr. Simington has constituted an excellent example for others to follow and his record proves conclusively that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
ELI B. HERRINTON.
In this day of close competition the successful business man is he who watches every opportunity and uses every honorable chance to further his inter- ests, basing his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity and unfaltering industry. In this manner Eli B. Her- rinton has gained a creditable position as a prosperous general merchant of Greenville. He was born in Belvidere. Illinois. March 27, 1867, and is a son of Alva and Sylvania (Barlow) Herrinton. The father was a son of Joseph Her- rinton, a native of Connecticut, who wedded Mary Risley and followed the occu- pation of farming as a life work. The maternal grandfather was Eli Barlow, a native of New York. He became an carly settler of Kane county, Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farming and thus provided for his family. He married a Miss Moore and died at the age of fifty-nine years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-three.
Alva Herrinton, while of New England ancestry, was a native of the state of New York and became an early settler of Illinois, residing on Bouns Prairie in Boone county. There he followed the occupation of farming and with char- acteristic energy brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. In 1883 he came to Iowa, settling near Shellrock, in Butler county, and after a residence of ten years in the Hawkeye state passed away in Mason City in 1893 at the age of seventy-one years. His widow, also a native of New York, yet survives him and now resides with her son, Eli B. Herrinton, in Greenville. She is a consistent member of the Methodist church, to which her husband also belonged, and their close conformity to the teachings of the church made them worthy Christian people, helpful and charitable in their relations to their fellowmen. Their family numbered seven children, of whom three are yet living: Eli B., of this review ; Mary, the wife of O. A. Bowen ; and Minerva, a practicing physician of Appleton, Wisconsin. The last named is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and was in medical school for six years.
In taking up the personal history of Eli B. Herrinton we present to our readers the record of one who is widely and favorably known in this part of the state. He spent his boyhood days in Boone county, Illinois, being reared on the home farm until sixteen years of age, while in the district schools he acquired his early education and later became a high school student in Belvidere. Through the periods of vacation he worked on the home farm, giving valuable assistance to his father until twenty-five years of age, when he started upon an independent business career. Thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial and profit-
MR. AND MRS. E. B. HERRINTON
THE NEW YOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENCX TILDEN FOUNDA IONS
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
able, he removed to Portland, Iowa, where he opened a general store. Later he resided in Waterloo, Iowa, where he engaged in the wholesale confectionery business and thence went to Spencer, where he established a grocery store. In 1894 he arrived in Greenville and opened a general mercantile store, which he conducted for six years. On the expiration of that period he assisted in organiz- ing the Greenville Bank and was its cashier for more than two years, after which he resumed general merchandising and still continues in this field of activ- ity. He was postmaster here for eight or ten years and was very prompt and efficient in the discharge of his official duties. He also bought and shipped stock for several years and thus various interests have contributed to his success, bringing him a substantial income. He is now prospering in his undertakings as a general merchant, carrying a large and well selected line of goods which is proving attractive to the general public-a fact indicated by his liberal patronage.
On the 23d of July, 1892, Mr. Herrinton was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Stewart, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Townsend) Stewart. Mrs. Herrinton was born in Shellrock, Iowa, to which place her parents had removed from Wisconsin, becoming early settlers at Shellrock. Her father, who died in August, 1907, when sixty-one years of age, was an honored veteran of the Civil war. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Herrinton has been blessed with three children : Fern, Keith and Stewart. Mr. Herrinton belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and also holds membership relations with the Elks, Modern Woodmen and Odd Fellows. Politically he has ever been a republican and though he does not desire office he is loyal to the interests of the party and does what he can to further its success. In community affairs he is ever found helpful and progressive, supporting many measures for the public good. He has made for himself a creditable position in commercial circles and his name is now an honored one throughout the community by reason of the progressive spirit and unfaltering commercial integrity which he has displayed in all his business transactions.
WILLIAM H. WEBB.
William H. Webb is one of the prominent business men and landowners of Clay county. He became a factor in the agricultural life of this part of the state thirty-five years ago and his residence in Clay county dates front 1877. Through- out his business career he has manifested the substantial qualities of industry, well directed perseverance and unsullied integrity and thus he has gained for himself substantial prosperity as he has carried on his undertakings.
Mr. Webb was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, October 7. 1840, and is of English lineage. He is a son of Henry Webb, who was born in England, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Grace Stevens, an English lady, and in 1848 sought a home in the new world, first establishing his residence in Pennsylvania, where he was employed as overseer of some mines for six or eight years. Thinking that he would have still better business opportunities in the recently developed but rapidly growing middle west, he made his way to Wisconsin and was engaged
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in merchandising in Linden for a number of years. Subsequently he became a resident of Lafayette county, that state, and carried on business there. The year 1874 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, at which time he took up his abode at Clear Lake, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1884 at Spencer. His widow survived him for almost twenty years and passed away in the fall of 1903.
William H. Webb spent the greater part of his youth in Wisconsin, and the common schools afforded him his intellectual training. He received good business discipline in his father's store, continuing with him until he had attained his majority and thus gaining intimate knowledge of modern business methods. He later turned his attention to farming, which he followed for a year or two and in order to establish a home of his own he was married in Clear Lake, Iowa, on the 30th of September, 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss May Goodwin, a daughter of the Honorable James Goodwin, one of the well known and promi- nent citizens of Iowa, who occupied a leading place in the business circles of Spencer for some years. Here his ability and well known loyalty in matters of citizenship led to his selection for legislative office and for one term he represented Clay county in the general assembly. As his financial resources increased he made judicious investment in property and became the owner of several hundred acres of land in Clay county, so that he was classed with its prosperous citizens.
Following his marriage Mr. Webb engaged in merchandising at Clear Lake for a few years but in 1877 took up his abode permanently in Clay county, locating on the farm now owned and occupied by his son. Roy Webb. He began there with two hundred acres of land, which was largely undeveloped and unim- proved. Upon him therefore devolved the arduous task of breaking the sod, . harrowing the fields and preparing the land for the plow. He also fenced his farm, erected substantial buildings thereon and in course of time made his place a valuable tract, the rich soil responding readily to his care and cultivation. As the years brought him abundant crops and his financial resources increased through their sale, he added to his holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres of very valuable land in Clay county. In 1899 he left the farm and removed to Spencer, where in 1900 he lost his daughter, Ann Grace, at the age of fifteen years. In the fall of that year he removed westward to Gettysburg, South Dakota, and established business at that place. He also opened a general store at Evarts, carrying on both enterprises for three years, then he sold out and returned to Spencer. In 1906 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 26th of July of that year, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family, because she had displayed in her life a kindly and helpful spirit and had therefore gained the warm regard of those who knew her.
Since the death of his wife Mr. Webb has devoted his time to the supervision of his business and landed interests in the Dakotas. He owns some four thousand acres in Roberts and adjoining counties and in the control of his property displays keen discernment and enterprising management. While on the farm here he was extensively engaged in breeding and dealing in shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses and became widely known by
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1
reason of the extensive business which he carried on in those connections. He is one of the public-spirited men of the county and has aided materially in the promotion and development of the best interests of Spencer. He was one of the largest contributors to the fund for the erection of the new Methodist Episcopal church, his donations reaching three thousand dollars. He acted as chairman of the building, committee and the church was named Grace Methodist church, in honor of his daughter. This was also his mother's name and Mr. Webb felt the church to be largely a memorial to both. In politics he has been a life-long republican and has endeavored to further the public interests by his stanch advocacy of the party, for he believes that it contains the best elements of good government. He has been elected and served in various positions of honor and trust and has ever proved loyal to' the duties devolving upon him. He has led an active life, stands as a man among men and is recognized as a gentleman of tried integrity and worth. No history of this part of the county would be complete without extended reference to William HI. Webb.
ROY G. WEBB.
Roy G. Webb needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. The family name has figured conspicuously in connection with substantial progress in Clay county for many years and the subject of this review is now classed with the representative agriculturists of Summit township, his home being on section 36. In all of his business affairs he is energetic and progressive and as a farmer and stock-raiser is doing. a successful business, being now the owner of some five hundred acres of arable land which includes his father's old homestead.
Mr. Webb is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Clay county on the farm which is still his home, his natal day being September 3, 1878. Here he was reared, and the public schools largely afforded him his educational privileges. His course in the Spencer high school was supplemented by two years' study in Mount Vernon College, and thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties, he later joined his father in South Dakota and assisted him in the management and conduct of his stores there. Like his father, he manifests notable enterprise in carrying forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes. In 1903 he returned to Clay county and to the old home farm, and has since given his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, being one of the active, wide-awake and alert farmers of this portion of the state. He makes a business of raising, feeding and fattening stock for the market, handling. cattle, sheep and hogs. He now has a flock of six hundred sheep, about one hundred and fifty head of cattle and a large number of hogs. He fattens and ships several carloads of stock each year and this brings him a substantial annual income.
A wedding ceremony which was performed in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on the 2d of October, 1900, united the destinies of Roy G. Webb and Miss Mabel Growther, who was born in Correctionville, Iowa, but was reared and educated in Sioux City. They now have one daughter. Lola May. The parents are
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members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church at Spencer, to which his father also belongs. In its work they are much interested and are generous contributors to its support. Mr. Webb has never sought nor desired office, yet has always given unfaltering allegiance to the republican party and its principles. He has been identified, however, with the schools in an official capacity, serving as president of the school board for several years, during which time he has done effective work in upholding the standard of public education. Prominent in Masonry, he belongs to the lodge and chapter at Spencer, while he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He has served as an officer in both the lodge and chapter and is loyal to the teachings of the fraternity which is based upon the principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness.
C. P. BUCKEY.
C. P. Buckey, cashier of the First National Bank of Spencer and vice president of the Bank of Everly, Everly, lowa. possesses the alert, enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west, and in his present business relations is contributing in substantial measure to the success of what is today one of the strongest financial concerns of this part of the state. He was born in Maryland, near Frederick City, on the 9th of November, 1850, and represents one of the old families of that state. His grand- father was there born and was of French descent. He died when only twenty- four or twenty-five years of age, while his widow, Mrs. Maria Buckey, reached the very advanced age of eighty-seven years. She married a second time.
J. M. Buckey, the only son of the first marriage, was born and reared in Maryland, and there followed the occupation of farming for some time. He wedded Miss Harriet Buckey, who was likewise a native of Maryland, and was one of a family of four children, her sister Evelyn being older than she, while Isabel and Daniel were younger. Her father married again after losing his first wife and there were several children by that marriage. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Buckey began their domestic life in Maryland and subsequently moved to West Virginia, settling near Charlestown. The father, however, spent his last days in Frederick City, Maryland, where he died in 1886. His wife passed away in 1875. Both were members of the Episcopal church and were greatly esteemed by those who came in contact with them in business or social relations. Their family numbered four children, who still survive: Clarence P., of Spencer ; Kemp, who is living in Baltimore, Maryland; Hattie, the wife of T. B. Wilson, a resident of Chicago ; and Ridie L., the wife of Benjamin Riley, of Baltimore.
Clarence P. Buckey spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native state, and then accompanied his parents to the vicinity of Charlestown, West Virginia. He was reared upon the home farm and attended the private schools and also the parochial school at Frederick City, Maryland. He then supple- mented his preliminary education by study in Claymont College. in West Virginia. Lessons of industry, enterprise and perseverance were early impressed upon his mind and in the course of years have borne rich fruit in his labors. When his
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education was completed he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of Graff, Bennett & Company, iron manufacturers, with whom he remained for two years, but believing that the opportunities of the middle west were greater, he came to Spencer, in May, 1876, and here entered the Clay County Bank as assistant cashier, filling the position until 1882. In that year he removed to Montana, where he spent a year, after which he returned to Spencer and began business on his own account, purchasing a stock of groceries. He was also postmaster of Spencer during President Cleveland's first admin- istration, and following his retirement from the office he entered the Peoples Savings Bank as cashier. Later the Clay County Bank, the Peoples Savings Bank and the First National Bank were consolidated, and since that date- 1901-Mr. Buckey has been cashier of the institution, which is known as the First National Bank. He is now thoroughly conversant with the bank business, and his enterprise, thorough understanding of banking principles and his infal- tering devotion to the concern with which he is connected have constituted important elements in its growth and success.
On the 17th of October, 1888, Mr. Buckey was married to Miss Mattie De Hart, a daughter of William and Mary De Hart, of Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois. There are two children of this marriage, Clarence and William D. Mr. and Mrs. Buckey are communicants of the Episcopal church, in which he is serving as junior warden. In his political views Mr. Buckey is a democrat, and, keeping well informed on the issues of the day, is always able to support his position by intelligent argument. For some years he served as a member of the city council and exerted his official prerogatives in support of various measures for the public good, his labors constituting an element in municipal virtue and advancement. Wherever known he is respected for his unfaltering allegiance to the principles of honorable manhood as manifest in business and social relations and in public-spirited citizenship.
THOMAS J. HURT.
Thomas J. Hurt, who is contributing largely toward the financial worth of Dickens, Freeman township, Iowa, was born in Bedford county, near Bedford City, Virginia, on June 18, 1875, a son of John F. and Margaret E. (Morgan) Hurt, natives of that state and parents of the following children: Lizzie, wife of G. D. Harmon, of Midway, Tennessee; Sallie, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Jacobs ; Bertie, deceased, who wedded Robert Kirk; John P., of Fresno Flats, California; Flora, who was united in marriage with Ira A. Bowles, of Mosheim, Tennessee; Oscar, of this place; Virginia, who wedded Jacob R. Bowles, of Midway, Tennessee; and Thomas J., our subject. The elder Mr. Hurt was a merchant in Davis Mills, Virginia, and from there he removed to Tennessee and went into the business of tobacco raising at Little Chucky, where he died in 1888 at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him eighteen months and departed this life when forty-five years old. He was a Confederate soldier under General Robert E. Lee, engaging in active service for two years,
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during which time he was commissioned as captain of a company. Toward the end of hostilities he was taken prisoner in Virginia and was held for six months, being released at the close of the war. The paternal and maternal grandfathers were also natives of Virginia.
When his parents removed to Tennessee Thomas J. Hurt was an infant, and he was consequently reared there, acquiring his education in the common schools. He left that state in 1893, repairing to Nebraska, where he went to work on a farm in Gage county, and followed agricultural pursuits for two years, at the expiration of which time he formed a partnership with M. Van Moyer and went into the harness business. While in Nebraska he served for a time as clerk of the township in which he resided. In the year 1900 he came to Dickens and estab- lished himself in the business which he has since been successfully following.
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