USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 55
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GEORGE EILER.
George Eiler, for a number of years a prominent agriculturist of Douglas township, this county, is the owner of an extensive tract of highly improved land from which, through industry and perseverance, he has produced bountiful crops and placed himself in prosperous circumstances. He was born in Waukesha
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
MRS. GEORGE EILER
GEORGE EILER
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
county, Wisconsin, October 3, 1852, a son of Phillip and Fredericka (Knoche) Eiler. Phillip Eiler was a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was reared and for some time operated a mill. He came to the United States at an early date and for a number of years was engaged in agricultural pursuits near Albany, New York, from which place he came to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, in 1845, living there until 1868, and then repaired to Cedar Falls, this state, where he resided on a farm until his death in the fall of 1883. In politics he was an old time whig, and upon the dissolution of this party he became a republican. He was also a member of the German Evangelical church, in which he was an active worker. He maintained an excellent reputation throughout the community and was numbered among the substantial and representative citizens. He was mar- ried in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Fredericka Knoche, also a native of Germany, who passed away in Cedar Falls in 1905. They were the parents of the following children : George, of this review; Caroline, deceased ; Daniel, an attorney at law at Ackley, this state ; J. P., deceased ; Mary Louisa, deceased; and Sarah Eliza- beth, who became the wife of C. H. Plumer, county recorder of Black Hawk county.
George Eiler acquired his education in the common schools of his native county, and then engaged in the daily routine of the farm, until he was twenty- four years of age, when in 1876 he engaged in farming for himself, at the same time living with his parents. Although his profits were small, through rigid economy he saved the greater portion of his earnings and before long had suffi- cient money to buy eighty acres of land in Black Hawk county, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He had been so successful in his farming operations that he had increased his holdings from eighty acres to two hundred acres, and in 1894 he sold this farm and the family removed to Cedar Falls. He then started out for himself, going to Palo Alto county, this state, where he bought a large tract of land which he improved and then sold, and in the spring. of 1895 went to Sioux Rapids, thence to Barnes township, Buena Vista county, where he lived until 1904, and later in the same year located on the southeast quarter of section 25, Douglas township, this county, where he has since resided. He has a comfortable residence, outbuildings, and other conveniences on his farm, the land is highly cultivated, and the attention which he has given his property has made it one of the finest and most productive in the township. From year to year he adds to his possessions until he now owns a quarter of section 36, this township, and two hundred and forty acres in Lake township, as well as a quarter section in Potter county, South Dakota. In addition to these farm hold- ings he has become the owner of considerable valuable real estate in Sioux Rapids. He is also concerned in a number of other enterprises, one of which is the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company in which he is a stockholder. He has gained quite a reputation as a stock buyer and feeder and as a shipper of an excellent grade of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.
On January 20, 1880, Mr. Eiler was united in marriage with Miss Mary Emma Wardin, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when a girl and who resided in Black Hawk county at the time of her marriage. She died December 3, 1904, leaving to mourn her loss a husband and two children, namely, Wesley and Daniel Webster. The latter is married to Amy Isadora Buland, and CLAY 28.
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they have one child, Glen, who was born September 22, 1907. Mr. Eiler is loyal to the republican party in national and state politics and since coming to this township has been affiliated with school work in the capacity of school director. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he is steward and trustee. For a number of years he has belonged to the Court of Honor at Sioux Rapids. Mr. Eiler is not only industrious and enterprising, but is also a man of high moral character and is highly esteemed both as a farmer and busi- ness man throughout the township.
T. H. JONES.
The commercial interests of Spencer find a worthy representative in T. H. Jones, proprietor of a department store of that city. He is accounted one of the most progressive merchants there, employing modern business methods in the development of his trade and carrying a line of goods that makes his establishment one of the most attractive stores of Clay county. Moreover, in matters of citizen- ship, he is progressive, having ever been loyal to the interests of city, state and nation since the days of his early manhood, when he responded to the country's call for aid and joined the Union army.
Moreover, Mr. Jones is of that type of men which President Roosevelt states is the strongest element in our American manhood-the man who is born in the east and reared and educated in the west. Mr. Jones is a native of Avon, New York, his natal day being November 10, 1842. His parents, Joshua and Hannah Jones, were also natives of the Empire state and the former followed the occupa- tion of farming as a life work. Removing. westward to Wisconsin, he made his way to Racine in 1850, and in that locality purchased a farm, which he cultivated and improved until his death, which occurred when he was but fifty-four years of age. His wife survived him ten years and died at the age of sixty-four. They held membership in the Baptist church and Mr. Jones was called to various town- ship offices, wherein he proved a competent and loyal incumbent. The family numbered eight sons and two daughters, of whom four are now living: Esther Ann, the widow of Ezra Search, of Racine, Wisconsin ; William W., a resident of Sacramento, California : Thomas Harvey, of this review ; and Mary Elizabeth. the wife of Peter Etchells, of Racine, Wisconsin.
T. H. Jones spent his youthful days on his father's farm in Wisconsin and was early trained to habits of thrift, industry and economy-habits which have borne rich fruit in later years. After acquainting himself with the common, branches of learning in the district schools he began earning his own living by working as a farm hand by the month. He was only eighteen years of age, how- ever, when he enlisted as a soldier of the Civil war, being enrolled in 1861 as a member of Company H, Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for fourteen months and was then discharged on account of ill- ness. Returning to Wisconsin, he cultivated rented farms for two or three years, after which he was married and in 1870 came to Clay county, Iowa. Here he secured a soldier's claim of one hundred and sixty acres, in Summit township,
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and partially improved it. At the time of his arrival here the county was still a frontier district, with much land unclaimed and uncultivated, while the progres- sive spirit of the cities had advanced but little beyond the conditions of village- hood. After carrying on farming pursuits for several years Mr. Jones removed to Spencer, where he conducted a restaurant for some time. He afterward estab- lished a grocery store and with this as the nucleus has developed his present en- terprise, until it is today a large department store, in which he furnishes employ- ment to thirteen salesmen. It is now one of the most extensive mercantile inter- ests of the county, attractive by reason of its well-selected line of goods, its taste- ful arrangement and its reasonable prices. Mr. Jones demands that the most honorable business policy shall be followed at all times and he is not slow to reward faithful service on the part of his assistants.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Jones wedded Miss Mary Jane Secor, a daughter of Dorence and Permelia Secor. They have two sons in the family, Charles E. and Theodore M., who are with their father in the store, and one child died in infancy. The elder son married Lillian Hardin and they have two children, Dale G. and Charles H. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Congrega- tional church and has won many friends during the period of her residence in Spencer. Mr. Jones is a popular and valued representative of Spencer Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Annett Post. G. A. R. Politically he is a republican but has not held local offices. preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, capably conducted, are bringing to him richly merited success. His worth is widely acknowledged, his business enterprise having gained him distinction in commercial circles and his business probity stands as an unassailable fact in his life record.
J. C. JOHNSTON.
J. C. Johnston, who has large agricultural interests in Clay township, this county, and whose perseverance and grit have stood him well in turning the soil of this state to the building up of his financial worth and prestige, was born in Delaware county, this state, August 15. 1857, a son of David and Hepisoph (Joyce) Johnston. His father, a native of New Brunswick, Canada, came to Iowa in the early '6os, locating in Delaware county, where he remained for some time engaged in agricultural pursuits and then removed to Buchanan county, thence to Buena Vista county, and finally to this county, where he resided with the subject of this review until he entered the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown. He served in the Civil war for three years, enlisting at the first call for troops, and participated in many important engagements, finally receiving an honorable discharge. After the war he worked as an agent for various firms in the sewing machine business and was well known throughout various parts of the west. His mother was a native of London, England, was united in marriage in Canada. and departed this life in Sioux City, Iowa, in April, 1889. She was the mother of the following children : William, a well known farmer in Curtis, Nebraska : Frank, a fireman on the railroad, his address being Pipestone, Minnesota : John, who has
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
extensive agricultural interests in Buena Vista county ; Anna, who became the wife of Charles Tulan in the butcher business at Breckenridge, Minnesota ; Jane, who is united in marriage with Henry Hawkinson, conducting an ice and coal enter- prise in Sioux City, Iowa; Mary, deceased ; and J. C., our subject.
J. C. Johnston remained under the parental roof in Delaware county until he was sixteen years of age, in the meantime acquiring his education in the common schools, at which time, ambitious to mingle with the business world for himself and become self-supporting, he hired out with various farmers in Buena Vista county, and at the age of twenty-three years undertook contract farm work, which he followed for several years, but in 1880 he came to Clay county and began to follow the occupation for himself. Success attended him from the beginning and from year to year his prospects became brighter and his interests more extensive until at present he is the owner of four hundred acres of the finest agricultural land in this county, his farm being located on sections 28 and 29. This property was in a crude state when Mr. Johnston took hold of it, but since his occupation he has put upon it all necessary improvements, including a fine dwelling house, substantial barns, outbuildings and all conveniences requisite to carrying on successful farming. He engages in general agricultural pursuits, raising large quantities of hay and grain, and deals in live stock on a small scale. He also owns a quarter section of valuable land in the state of Texas, which is especially adapted for fruit growing, and in addition to his farming interests possesses considerable real estate in Sioux City. Although the affairs of his farm are pressing and demand the uttermost attention he has found time to engage in other lucrative enterprises, being a prominent stock holder and a director in the Northern Rural Telephone Company, having erected most of the telephone wires in the southern part of this county.
In 1882 Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Gusta Johnson, daughter and only child of Neils and Tillie Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, and were there united in marriage. Coming to the United States in 1869. they first located in Keokuk, Iowa, but subsequently came to this county, where Mr. Johnson located land and carried on farming successfully until his death. July 18, 1904, aged ninety-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston one son was born, Irwin Pearley, who departed this life in 1908. At the time of his death he was twenty- four years of age and was in his third year at Morningside College. Sioux City, when he was taken sick with pneumonia. Upon recovering somewhat he was sent to California for further improvement, and remained there two months, when he returned home and then went to Phoenix, Arizona, where he stayed for a brief period. He was then compelled to come home to submit to an operation, from which he partially recovered, but his health was broken and he lingered in a debilitated state for three years, when he suffered a general collapse and died February 4. 1908. His remains were interred in Peterson cemetery.
Mr. Johnston's political views have always been on the side of the republican party and being a man well informed upon the issues of the day, he has come to the conclusion that the principles of the republican party are best adapted to sub- serve the general interests of the country, and consequently he has always been loyal to, and profoundly interested in, the success of that party. He has been a member of the township school board, chairman of the school committee, a mem-
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Daughters of Rebekah, to which his wife also belongs. Mr. Johnston is a man of remarkable intelligence and broad views and he has done much toward securing public improvements and he merits the respect and confidence of his fellow countrymen.
FRED M. STAPLES.
On the list of wide-awake, progressive business men of Spencer the name of Fred M. Staples has figured since 1901, at which time he became proprietor of a hardware and plumbing. establishment. He had previously had wide experience and thorough training in commercial lines and brought to his work in Spencer the qualifications of a successful business man who knows that close application and unremitting energy are the salient features in success. He started upon the journey of life in Marquette county, Wisconsin, his natal day being March 30, 1866. His father, William S. Staples, was a son of the Rev. Platt R. Staples, a Congregational minister, who was born in New York. His life was devoted to the work of the church and in preaching the gospel his influence was of no restricted order. He was married four times. The grandmother of our subject was in her maidenhood a Miss Sperry and of this marriage there were born two children. William S. and Mattie, the latter the wife of Horace Gove.
William S. Staples in early manhood became a clerk in a store in Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, but put aside the pursuits of business life to aid his country in the Civil war, joining Company K of the Forty-second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was a private until the close of hostilities, when with a creditable military record he returned to Wisconsin. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Frances Mason, was a native of Connecticut, but in her early girlhood her parents removed westward to Wisconsin, settling at Briggsville, where her father conducted a hotel. He died well advanced in years, while his wife passed away in middle life. They had but two children, Charles P. Mason and Mrs. Frances Staples. The latter is now a resident of Whitehall, Trempea- leau county, Wisconsin. Her first husband died in 1869. leaving three children : Fred M., of this review ; Clifford D., who resides in St. Paul, Minnesota; and Marcia T .. of Washington, D. C. After losing her first husband Mrs. Staples became the wife of J. Augustine and unto them were born several children, of whom three are still living: Bessie, Frank and Clarence.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Fred M. Staples in his boyhood and youth. He was reared in Adams county, Wisconsin, near Kilbourn City, and was only three years of age at the time of his father's death. He was taken care of by different friends until he was past four years old, and in the district schools obtained his elementary education, which was supplemented by a high school course. Subsequently he went to South Dakota and, locating at Carthage, there worked by the month at various pursuits. He afterward spent two years. 1889 and 1890, in a general store in Minnesota, after which he returned to South Dakota and engaged in buying grain in Canas- tota. He also dealt in implements as a side issue and in 1894 he further extended
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the scope of his business interests by opening a hardware store in connection with the implement business. There he carried on mercantile interests until 1901, when he came to Spencer and entered into partnership with C. H. Cure as owner of a hardware store. A year later he bought out his partner and has since con- tinueu the business alone. From time to time he has enlarged his stock, which is now extensive and constitutes the basis of a profitable and constantly increasing business.
On the 4th of June, 1892, Mr. Staples was married to Miss Jennie A. Gun- ning, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Gunning and a native of Darien, Wisconsin. They have three children: Robert Sperry, Mildred Ina and Ruth Elizabeth. Mr. Staples belongs to Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M., and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while at the polls he endorses the republican party and its candidates. He does not seek office, however, for he prefers to give his undivided attention to his business affairs and his labors are attended with a measure of success that indicates his excellent business ability and executive force, his strong purpose and laudable ambition. He had no assistance at the outset of his career but realizing that labor constitutes the key that will unlock the portal of prosperity, he has never hesitated to apply himself persistently to his work and thereby has gained recognition as one of the prosper- ous and prominent merchants of Spencer.
FRANK A. SQUIRE.
Frank A. Squire is one of the native and prosperous farmers of Riverton township, living on section 6, and on an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it. Forty- four years have come and gone since he arrived in Iowa, at which time he took up his abode in Mitchell county. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Clay county in 1872. At that date comparatively little had been done in the way of developing the county and bringing it to its present state of progress and im- provement. His birth occurred in Waterloo, Wisconsin, February 29, 1858, so that from youthful days he has lived in Iowa and throughout all the years has borne his share in the work of development here. His father, John B. Squire, a native of New York, was born in Onondaga county February 23, 1834, and in 1843 removed to Wisconsin in company with his father. Austin Squire. In the Badger state he was reared to manhood and after attaining his majority was married there to Miss Harriet Vanderpool, a daughter of A. Vanderpool, one of the first settlers of Jefferson county. There was only one one-horse team in the county at the time of his arrival and marked trees indicated the trail through the forest. Following his marriage John B. Squire and his bride began their domestic life on a farm in Jefferson county, where they lived for some years and. during that time, two children were born unto them. In 1865 they again became pioneer settlers, this time establishing their home in Mitchell county, Iowa, where they resided for seven years. In 1872 they removed to Clay county, where Mr. Squire secured a homestead claim of eighty acres. Not a furrow had been turned
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nor an improvement made upon the place, but soon the track of the shining plow was seen across the fields and in the furrow was dropped the seed that in due time was to bring forth a rich harvest. Later he erected a commodious and comfort- able residence, building new barns, and altogether made a home, having one of the attractive farm properties of the locality. There he died in the year 190i, while his wife survived him until the 8th of October, 1908. The county thus lost two of its worthy pioneer settlers, who had taken an active part in the early develop- ment and progress of this part of the state.
Frank A. Squire arrived in Clay county during his youthful days and assisted his father in breaking the sod and tilling the fields. In the course of time he took charge of the home farm and carried on the place for a considerable period. His education was acquired in the common schools and reading, expe- rience and observation added to his knowledge, making him a well-informed man. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity, devoted entirely to gen- eral agricultural pursuits and, in the control of his business affairs, he has shown keen sagacity and marked enterprise.
On the 7th of October, 1885, in Summit township, Mr. Squire was married to Miss Dora Searles, who was born in Oregon, Wisconsin, and reared and educated there. She engaged in teaching school for twenty-five years in Clay county, being thus identified with the schools both before and after her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Squire has been born a daughter, Josie M., who is now a student of the Spencer high school.
In his political views Mr. Squire is an earnest republican and keeps well- informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has supported every presi- dential nominee of the party since reaching his majority. He has been a resident of the state forty-three years and for thirty-six years has lived on the farm on section 6, Riverton township, now his home. His place of one hundred and twenty acres is a well developed property and its carefully tilled fields reward his labor by abundant harvests. He has seen the railroad built through the county and the work of transformation carried forward until the district today bears little resemblance to the region to which the Squire family came so long ago. In all the work of improvement Mr. Squire has borne his full share and the fact that many of his stanch friends are those who have known him from his youth is an indication that his life has ever been an upright and honorable one.
J. W. LEMASTER.
J. W. Lemaster, an agriculturist of Clay township, has since 1870 resided upon the farm which is now his home, having in that year entered the land from the government. He was born in Johnson county, Kentucky, April 9. 1845. a son of Joseph and Ellen (Wheeler) Lemaster. The parents were also natives of the same county, where they spent their entire lives. That they were representa- tives of old American families is indicated in the fact that among their relatives were those who served in the battle of King's Mountain in the Revolutionary ·war. The Wheeler family was founded in Kentucky at an early epoch in the his-
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tory of that state, the father of Mrs. Ellen Lemaster having been the first perma- nent settler on the Big Sandy river. Joseph Lemaster, reared in the county of his nativity, afterward became a prominent factor in the life of his community because of the extent of his business interests and activities. Much of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and merchandising. Unto him and his wife were born nine children : Shephen, Fannie, Mary, Isaac. Katherine, John and William, all now deceased ; J. W., of this review : and Daniel, who resides on the old homestead in Kentucky.
During his youthful days J. W. Lemaster made an interesting discovery, while chopping down a beech tree. After felling the trec, which was of great age, he examined the bark and found cut deeply into the tree the words "Daniel Boone. 1783." From the growth which had come up around the letters it could be readily seen that the name had been there for many years and although the records do not state that Daniel Boone ever visited Johnson county, it is never- theless probable that the great hunter cut the name in the tree himself. The portion of the bark containing the inscription was cut from the remainder and is said to be in the possession of some family in that section of the state.
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