USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 54
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When a young man of twenty years Mr. Aebly was married in Portage county, Wisconsin, to Miss Harriet Rogers, a native of Sullivan county, New York, who was reared in Wisconsin. He then rented land and thus carried on farming for some time. In 1871 he came to Iowa and looked over the state to a considerable extent in search of a favorable location. Subsequently he settled in Clay county, where he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres, constituting the nucleus of his present fine farming property. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place. He broke the sod and put in maple, elm and box elder seed. Today he has a fine grove of trees, so that no longer is his place a tract of treeless prairie, but on the contrary this portion of it pre- sents the appearance of a native forest and it seems hardly possible that from his planting. have grown trees of such size and beauty as are today seen here. He also put out an orchard of eight hundred apple trees, two hundred cherry trees and other fruit, but later all these were eaten bare of leaves and bark and were thus killed by grasshoppers. Subsequently he planted another orchard, which was destroyed in a storm. Still undiscouraged. for he displays a most resolute spirit in the face of difficulties, he planted a third orchard, which is now in bear- ing and contains a variety of fine fruits. Mr. Aebly has also erected a large and comÃnodious house, which is conveniently arranged and constitutes one of the attractive features of his farm. He has also built three barns, one of which has a good basement, and he has erected other outbuildings, giving shelter to grain and stock. He has likewise fenced his place and as the years have passed he has extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises three hundred and sixty acres, all well improved, constituting one of the valuable farm properties of this section. He has a stationary engine and feed mill, a wind pump and water works and, in fact, all the evidences of progressive farm life at the present day are here seen, indicating the owner to be one of the enterprising agriculturists of this locality.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aebly have been born six children: Henry B., who is married and resides in Spencer: George, who assists his father in carrying on the home farm; Jacob, who is doing for himself: Fred, who is connected with his brother George in the farm work; Maggie, who was formerly a teacher but is now at home; and Grace, who became the wife of William Galbreath, a farmer of this county, who died in February, 1908, leaving a daughter, Nellie May Gal- breath, now living with her grandparents.
In politics Mr. Aebly has been a lifelong republican, supporting each presi- dential nominee of the party since he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
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His sons are also advocates of the same party. While he has never been a poli- tician in the sense of office seeking, his fellow townsmen have called him to posi- tions of public trust. He served for four years as justice of the peace, was later road commissioner and is now filling. the office of township trustee. He has like- wise served on the grand and petit juries a number of times. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He is loyal to the best interests of the community and his efforts in its behalf have been far-reaching and beneficial. He and his wife joined the Free Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as class leader for several years, but they now attend the Metho- dist church at Langdon.
Mr. Aebly is a self-made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He started out in life empty-handed. In fact he was very poor in his youthful days and it has been only through his untiring industry and perse- verance that he has worked his way upward. His sons are now associated with him in his business dealings and in addition to tilling the fields they are making a business of raising and feeding stock, including hogs, cattle and sheep. Mr. Aebly is also a stockholder and was formerly a director in the Cooperative Creamery Company of Langdon. For thirty-eight years he has lived upon the farm which is now his home. The development of the county is a familiar story to him and he relates many interesting incidents of the early pioneer times, when Clay county had but a sparse population and all of the evidences of frontier life were here to be found. Work-earnest, persistent work-has been the source of his success, enabling him to pass on the highway of life many who started out more advantageously equipped. He is now one of the substantial agriculturists and his life history may well serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
DAVID C. WALLACE.
The success which David C. Wallace is now enjoying is the result of close application and intense and well directed energy. He early realized the fact that there is no excellence without labor and has therefore based his advancement upon energetic effort guided by mature judgment. He is widely known throughout Clay county as a partner of the Moulton-Wallace Company, owners of a well ap- pointed department store in Spencer. New Hampshire numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Sanbornton on the 19th of October, 1846. As his paternal grandfather died in early manhood, little is known concern- ing the ancestral history of the family. His wife, Nancy Wallace, however, passed away at an advanced age. Their family numbered three sons and four daughters: Edmund. Reuben, Ephraim G., Hannah, Alvina, Mary Jane and Nancy.
Of this number Ephraim G. Wallace, a native of the old Granite state, was the father of our subject. He was a mechanic and acted as foreman of different establishments, principally in knitting works in New England. He wedded Sarah Jane Ames Clark, who was also born in New Hampshire, while her parents. David H. and Charlotte M. (Burley) Clark, were likewise natives of the old Granite
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state. Her father devoted his time and energies to general farming and passed away in middle life, but his wife reached the extreme old age of ninety-four years. In their family were four daughters: Mary Ann., Sarah J. A., Jerusha S. and Amanda E. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim G. Wallace was blessed with four sons: David C., of this review : Ephraim L., a resident of Franklin, New Hampshire ; Alberto B., deceased ; and Roscoe G., a merchant of Chicago. The father died in Franklin, New Hampshire, in 1904, at the age of eighty-five years, and his widow is still living there at the very advanced age of eighty-seven years. Both were Christian Baptists and their many sterling traits of character gained for them an enviable position in the regard and confidence of those who knew them.
From the foregoing record it will be seen that David C. Wallace comes of a family noted for longevity and it is probable that his years of usefulness will yet be many. Although born in New Hampshire, the greater part of the first decade of his life was spent at Lowell, Massachusetts, after which the family home was established in Franklin, New Hampshire, where he remained until 1869. The opportunities of the middle west, however, attracted him and with the hope of bettering his financial condition in this great, growing section of the country, he made his way to Chicago. He had obtained his education in the public schools and in an academy of the east and following his arrival in Chicago he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the firm of Bullock Brothers, dealers in boots and shoes, with whom he remained for thirteen years. He then felt that his savings and his experience justified him in engaging in business on his own account and he opened a shoe store, which he converted into a general store, conducting it until 1900.
In that year Mr. Wallace disposed of his interests in Chicago and came to Spencer, opening a general store at the corner of Main and Third streets. In 1903 he consolidated his interests with those of L. H. Moulton and the present Moulton-Wallace Company was organized. They have a large double store, which includes various departments : boots, shoes, groceries, dry goods, etc. They employ a large force of clerks and from the beginning have enjoyed a constantly increasing trade, for their reliable business methods commend them to the patron- age of the public, while their stock is such as proves most attractive to the gen- eral class of purchasers.
On the 8th of August, 1876, Mr. Wallace was married to Miss Lucelia B. Skinner, who was born in Dupage county. Illinois, and is a daughter of Charles and Caroline (Martin) Boswell, both of whom died during her early childhood. She was then adopted by Selinus M. Skinner and took his name. She was one of four children, the others being Sarah Pearl, Carrie Louise and Ellen E. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have been born four children: Milton Gould, Eva E .. Isabel and Laura R. Of these Milton died when ten months old and Eva E. when but three and a half years of age. Isabel is well known as an elocutionist and is now connected with the Ridpath bureau. Laura is at home. The parents belong to the Episcopal church and Mr. Wallace is a member of Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M., Chicago Chapter, R. A. M., and Apollo Com- mandery, No. I, K. T., of Chicago, while both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and
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while living in Naperville he served as alderman and in other town offices. While he is always interested in matters of citizenship and supports all measures which are sources of municipal and civic virtue and pride, he has at the same time been most diligent in business, improving his opportunities to the best advantage. He is now regarded as one of the representative residents of Spencer and wields a wide influence.
CUMMINS CLAPPER.
Iowa largely owes her progress and wealth to her agricultural interests. His- tory has ever given proof of the fact that the most prosperous countries are the ones which offer good opportunities to the agriculturist. More than a century ago George Washington said. "Agriculture is the most useful, as well as the most honorable, occupation of man," and the truth of this statement has found verifica- tion in all the ages. Living a life of intense and well-directed activity. Cummins Clapper, residing on section 10, Riverton township, is numbered among the active and progressive farmers and stock-breeders of that part of the state. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, January 13, 1871. His father, James S. Clap- per, was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and was born in 1834. There he grew to manhood and married. He was a son of Philip Clapper, one of the carly settlers of the Buckeye state. Amid the conditions and environments of pioneer life James S. Clapper spent his youth and after attaining, his majority married Margaret Plants, likewise a native of Muskingum county. Turning his attention to general agricultural pursuits, he became a prominent farmer there and is still the owner of a well improved tract of land in the Buckeye state. He is a hale and hearty old man of seventy-four years and on the 19th of October. 1908, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. Twelve children were born unto them, eleven of whom reached adult age, six sons and five daughters. The youngest, Elmer, is now with his brother on the farm.
Cummins Clapper spent his youthful days, as do most farm boys who divide their time between the pleasures of the playground, the duties of the schoolroom and the work of the home farm. After attending the district schools Mr. Clapper continued his studies in the high school. at Chandlersville, Ohio, and when he had put aside his textbooks he gave his father the benefit of his services and continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until 1891. That year witnessed his arrival in Iowa and, taking up his abode in Cedar county, he rented land and car- ried on farming on his own account for several years.
As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Clapper chose Miss Mary C. Sleater, whom he wedded on the 13th of January, 1896. She was born and reared in Iowa and pursued her education in the schools of Cedar county. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm in that county, where they lived until the spring of 1902, when they came to Clay county, and Mr. Clapper purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He at once began to till the soil and cultivate the crops, and today has a valuable property, equipped with all the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. His farm
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is enclosed with a woven wire hog fence, supported by cedar posts, he being one of the first to put up this kind of a fence in the county. He was also the first to introduce clover for pasture and hay, although it is now generally cultivated in the neighborhood. He has set out an orchard and has made other substantial improvements. The farm comprises one hundred and fifty-five acres of land, which is rich and arable, and responds readily to the care and labor he bestows upon it. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here, he breeds pure-blooded Poland China hogs, beginning this business in Cedar county. He now has some of the best Poland China stock in the state and also raises high grade shorthorn cattle. His pure-blooded registered male is at the head of his herd. His stock-raising interests are constituting an important branch of his business.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clapper were born three children: Sadie, George and Margaret. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is an estimable lady, who, like Mr. Clapper, has won many friends in this locality. Politically, he is a republican, where national issues are involved, but locally casts an independent ballot. He has never sought office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he is. meeting with signal success. Thus he has become one of the enterprising and substantial farmers of his adopted county.
WALLACE B. CRUVER.
Wallace B. Cruver has been engaged in the grocery business in Spencer since 1881, or for a period of twenty-eight consecutive years, being first identified with the trade as an employe of his father, while later he became proprietor of the store which he is now successfully conducting. Throughout this entire period he has maintained a reputation as an enterprising merchant and a reliable business man, his commercial methods being at all times commendable and trustworthy. A native of the neighboring state of Illinois, he was born in Lake county on the 26th of December, 1862. The family has been distinctively American in its lineal and collateral branches through various generations. His grandparents were Daniel and Ruby (Price) Cruver, natives of Pennsylvania, where the former fol- lowed the occupation of farming. Believing that his opportunities would be bet- ter in the middle west, he removed to Lake county, Illinois, establishing his home near Diamond Lake, where he continued to engage in the tilling of the soil. He died at Lake Zurich when about seventy-two years of age, while his wife was more than seventy years of age at the time of her demise.
Their family of four children included Salem P. Cruver, who was born in the Keystone state and on attaining, his majority wedded Miss Hannah A. Pelton, a native of New York. Her parents were Joshua and Esther Pelton, who were likewise born in the Empire state. Her father was a farmer but died in early manhood. Her mother lived to be about seventy years of age and, marrying on general farming in Illinois until 1871, when he removed to Lake Zurich and again, became Mrs. Hawthorn. Following his marriage Salem P. Cruver carried
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there engaged in merchandising, conducting his store for nine years. In 1880 he came to Spencer, where he established a general store, which he conducted until 1890. In that year he disposed of his other stock in order to confine his attention to the grocery trade and was proprietor of the store until 1901, when he was suc- ceeded by his son Wallace. His remaining days were passed in the enjoyment of well earned and well merited rest until he was called to the home beyond in August, 1908, when seventy-six years of age. His widow is still living and has now reached the age of seventy-one. She is a member of the Free Baptist church, to which Mr. Cruver likewise belonged. Those who knew him-and he had a wide acquaintance-gave him warm friendship and entertained for him kindly regard because of his many sterling traits of heart and mind. As a busi- ness man he contributed to the progress of the city in commercial lines and in other ways gave his support to movements for the general good.
In a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, only three are now living, the sister of our subject being Sylvia C. Cruver, of Spencer, who is his senior, while his younger brother, Curtis L. Cruver, is now in Chicago. Upon the home farm in Lake county, Illinois, Wallace B. Cruver remained until nine years of age and then accompanied the family when they took up their abode at Lake Zurich. There he continued his education in the public schools until he became a high school student. Since 1881 he has been known as a factor in commercial circles in Spencer, at which time he became a clerk in his father's store, remaining as his assistant until 1901, when he purchased the business, of which he has since been sole proprietor. He had thorough training and broad experience before he undertook the management of the store alone and, well qualified for his task, he is now meeting with creditable prosperity in his chosen life work.
On the 18th of September, 1894, Mr. Cruver was married to Miss Bertha Richey, a daughter of Gasper T. and Charity (Casner) Richey. Mrs. Cruver was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio. There are two children of this marriage, Marion and Wayne. The parents attend the Congregational church and Mr. Cruver gives his political support to the republican party. Their sociability and their hospitality has made their home the center of a cultured society circle and they have many friends in the community where they have now long resided.
W. D. WATSON.
The agricultural advantages offered by the state of Iowa are in many respects superior to those offered by adjoining states and for this reason farmers in large numbers, who for many years have followed that occupation in other quarters. have disposed of their interests and removed to this state and engaged in general agriculture with splendid success." The soil is in every respect adapted to the various crops, and is particularly excellent for pasture land, enabling one who desires to engage extensively in stock-raising to follow that business to great advantage. Among others who have heard of the superior opportunities offered here is W. D. Watson, who for a number of years has been cultivating a tract of
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land which he has highly improved and from which, since his occupancy, he has been reaping bountiful harvests which, from year to year, have enabled him to place himself in prosperous circumstances. He farms by modern principles and his land is as well kept and productive as any in the township.
Mr. Watson is a native of the central part of Scotland, where his birth occurred October 10, 1856, and a son of John and Ellen (Dawson) Watson, his father having been a farmer in his native country, where he departed this life June 1I, 1891. He was one of the stanchest of Scotch Presbyterians, and was well known throughout the community in which he lived as an ardent supporter of his faith and as a man of high, moral purpose, whose religious ambition and use- fulness in enhancing the moral and spiritual status of the community will long be remembered. His mother, also a native Scot, who passed away there, had the following children: James Sterling, who follows agriculture in Scotland : Anne, who resides there; Helen, who also lives in Scotland; Effie, deceased; and W. D.
WV. D. Watson was educated in his native land, where he received an academic course of training which he had completed at the age of sixteen years, when he returned to the home farm and engaged in its active duties until he was twenty-five years old, at which period of his life he came to the new world, locat- ing in Cedar Rapids, Linn county. Here he hired out as a farm hand and in that capacity worked five years. In 1888, coming to this county, he rented a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 27, which, through his enterprise and good management, he has greatly improved and in general farming, and stock-raising on a small scale, is keeping pace with the general prosperity of the community. Since his occupation of the land he has met with excellent success in producing crops, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Gilletts Grove.
On January 19, 1888, he wedded Miss Sarah McPherson, a native of Sterling., Scotland, to which union were born: Ruby Eleanor, William Waldorf and Helen Beatrice. Mr. Watson is loyal in his support of the republican party, and while he is not an active politician he keeps himself well-informed in regard to the para- mount issues of the day, and takes great interest in the success of his party. For the past twelve years he has served efficiently as a trustee of the township and belongs to the United Presbyterian church, of which his wife is also a member. Mr. Watson is a man whose high moral character, religious ambitions and industry have placed him in high standing in the community, and he is acknowledged to be a substantial and representative citizen.
JACOB RAVELING.
The life record of Jacob Raveling, a well-to-do farmer of Peterson township, is a splendid example of the value of German thrift and industry. Starting out in life with practically nothing, without either influence or apparent prospect but possessed of saving qualities, perseverance and patience, he set his mind upon success and by hard labor he succeeded, in the course of time, in laying by suffi- cient means with which to purchase his farm. He has since labored and the har- vests year by year have placed him in his present affluent circumstances.
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Mr. Raveling was born in Germany, August 20, 1860, a son of Henry and Sevie (Hendrick) Raveling. His father, having come to the new world in 1882, settled in Plymouth county, Iowa, where he resided in retirement until he departed this life in 1905. His widow is also a native of Germany, but they were united in marriage in this country and she still resides in Plymouth county. She was the mother of nine children, namely: Tina, of Minnesota; John, a farmer of the same state; Henry, who follows agriculture in Lyon county, Iowa: Tjffie, a farmer of Plymouth county, Iowa ; Hilka, who became the wife of Peter Tjaden, an agriculturist of Plymouth county, Iowa; Jacob; George and Peter, both farmers in that county ; and William, who follows the same occupation in Minne- sota.
Jacob Raveling had no educational advantages beyond those accorded him in the common schools of his native country, where he remained until he was twenty- seven years of age, in the meantime serving as a soldier in the German army. He then came to the new world, locating in Plymouth county, Iowa, where he resided until 1898, during which year he removed to Clay county and has since resided here. Upon arriving in the United States he was compelled to seek employment at once in order to meet his daily needs and was engaged as a section laborer on the railroad. In that position he worked for some time and by modest and sober living and practical economy he managed to lay aside the greater part of his earnings and when he gave up railroad work he had sufficient money with which to buy land. From time to time he added to his possessions until at present he owns two hundred and forty acres on sections 24 and 25. Peterson township, and a quarter of section 15 and keeps the entire tract under a high state of cultivation From time to time Mr. Raveling has improved his property until he has as fine a farm as there is in the township and it is provided with a comfortable residence, barns, modern machinery and all conveniences requisite to carry on the work suc- cessfully. He produces large quantities of hay and grain, gives some attention to stock raising and is accounted one of the most industrious and substantial farmers in the community.
In 1881 Mr. Raveling wedded Miss Lena Frasa, and unto them were born the following: Mary, who became the wife of Carl Larson, a farmer of Buena Vista county, Iowa ; Henry, who engages in farming in this county and married Mary Boese ; George, Sever, Sophie, Annie, Peter, Ben and Clarence, all of whom reside at home with their parents. In politics Mr. Raveling gives his support to the republican party and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the German Evangelical church. He is a substantial citizen who merits the respect and confidence of the entire community. His present prosperity is due to his own exertions and careful management, and he is now comfortably situated in life.
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