USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 10
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LOUIS N. STEPHENS.
Louis N. Stephens, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser who owns and operates two hundred and eighty-seven acres on section 2, Bloomington township, was born upon that farm August 17, 1865, of the marriage of Hugh C. and Mary A. (Burrell) Stephens, both of whom are deceased. The father was born in Indiana and first mar- ried Miss Ferguson, who accompanied him to Decatur county, Iowa, where she passed away in early womanhood. She was the mother of two children, of whom one died in infancy, the other being the late T. T. Stephens, whose death occurred recently at Davis City. The father followed agricultural pursuits and entered from the gov- ernment the farm which our subject now owns. He passed away in 1871 when only thirty-seven years of age. His second wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Mary A. Burrell, was born in Indiana. but accompanied her parents to Decatur county, Iowa, when but eight years old. She died in the fall of 1912 at the age of seventy-nine years. She attended the Baptist church and took a commendable interest in its work. She was the mother of five children, as fol- lows: James, a resident of Bloomington township; Burrell, who is living in Dent county, Missouri; Louis N .; Madison, also a resident of Dent county, Missouri; and Mrs. Ida Gravatt, of Bloomington township, this county.
Louis N. Stephens was reared upon the homestead and during his boyhood and youth attended the common schools in the pursuit of an education. Upon reaching man's estate he decided to follow the occupation to which he had been reared and he has met with gratify- ing success as a farmer and stock-raiser. He has continued to reside upon the homestead and now owns two hundred and eighty-seven acres of excellent land, from which he derives a good income annually.
In 1893 occurred the marriage of Mr. Stephens and Miss Sadie Bedell, who was born in Wapello county, Iowa, of the marriage of the late D. E. and Martha Bedell. Both parents were reared in Wapello county and continued to reside there until about 1879, when they removed with their family to this county. The father was a soldier in the Civil war and passed away about 1893 at an advanced
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age, while his wife survived until 1909. To their union were born eight children: Mrs. Carrie Earl, of Ottumwa; John, who lives in Missouri; C. M., deceased; Susan, who resides with our subject and his wife; W. H., of Wapello county, Iowa; Sadie, now Mrs. Steph- ens; Jesse, of Missouri; and Belle, the wife of E. H. Whetstone, of Fort Madison, Iowa. Mrs. Stephens grew to womanhood in this county and here her marriage occurred. She has one son, Loren W., who celebrated his fifteenth birthday on the 28th of April, 1915.
Mr. Stephens is a democrat and loyally supports the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. His fraternal affiliation is with the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at Decatur City. Both he and his wife belong to the Elk Chapel Methodist Episcopal church and their influence is always on the side of right and progress. His has been a life of well directed indus- try and his prosperity is the merited reward of energy and good management.
J. P. HAAS.
J. P. Haas, manager of the Farmers Grain & Seed Company of Lamoni, was born on the 10th of January, 1868, in Henry county, Illinois, a son of Frank and Mary (Guinter) Haas, who emigrated to this country shortly after the close of the Civil war, coming here from the vicinity of Berlin, Germany. They took up their residence in Illi- nois and the father engaged in the coal business and also worked as a carpenter for some time. In February, 1880, he removed with his family to Greene county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, to the operation of which he devoted his energies. He continued to reside there until his death, which occurred in 1905, when he had reached an advanced age. His widow is still living and resides at Cooper, Iowa. She is a devout member of the Catholic church, as was her husband, who took an active part in its work. They were the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Maggie Myers, of Greene county, Iowa; J. P .; Frank, who is a barber in the capitol building at Des Moines; Mrs. Ida Pittman, who is residing at Cooper, Greene county; and Mrs. Minnie Powell, of Grand Island, Nebraska.
J. P. Haas was twelve years of age when the family removed to Greene county, Iowa, and he continued his education in the district schools there. He remained at home until 1893, in which year he removed to Decatur county, where he began farming on his own ac-
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count. For many years he concentrated his attention upon the cul- tivation of land and still owns one hundred and twenty-five acres in the southwestern part of Fayette township. He also recently pur- chased four hundred acres just west of Lamoni, which he operates to- gether with his son-in-law, Loren Truman. At one time he was in the hardware business in partnership with his father-in-law, John Hatcher, an association that was maintained for two years. On the 31st of October, 1913, the Farmers Grain & Seed Company was organized and Mr. Haas was made the manager of the concern. The headquarters are at Lamoni and the officers are as follows: Eli Hayer, president; S. S. Keown, vice president; Oliver Hayer, secre- tary; and D. P. Steckel, treasurer. The directors are: O. L. Weld, Robert A. Hart, John Strecker, O. M. Rew and J. S. Teale. The company is incorporated and is capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars. It handles grains and all kinds of seed and has erected a well equipped elevator at Lamoni. Its business has grown steadily from the start and Mr. Haas has proved an aggressive and judicious man- ager. He understands all phases of the business thoroughly and is recognized as a factor in the commercial life of Lamoni. .
Mr. Haas was married in Greene county, Iowa, to Miss Mollie A. Hatcher, who was reared in Cooper. They have three daughters: Flava, the wife of Loren Truman; and Myrtle and Jeannette, both at home. Mr. Haas gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Yeo- men. He has many admirable traits of character and has won the respect and esteem of all who have come in contact with him, whether in business or social relations.
O. L. FRAZIER.
The success of the Farmers Bank is due in no small measure to the efficiency of its cashier, O. L. Frazier, who was born in Akron, Harrison county, Missouri, on the 1st of January, 1869, a son of S. R. and Melvina J. (Severe) Frazier, both natives of Ohio. While living in Missouri the father followed agricultural pursuits, but after his removal to Davis City, Decatur county, engaged in the general merchandise business and also operated a flour mill. He passed away on the 28th of April, 1908, but his widow survives. They were the parents of four children: O. L .; Clarence S. and Glenn R., who are operating the mill formerly owned by their father; and Hazel, the wife of Leigh R. Howell, of Omaha, Nebraska.
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O. L. Frazier was reared in Davis City and after completing the course offered in the local schools attended business college at Des Moines, Iowa. Upon leaving that institution he entered his father's store and was employed there until August 1, 1902, when he and his uncle, J. A. Frazier, of Leon, bought out the interest of E. D. Dorn and Son in the Farmers Bank of Davis City. Our subject became cashier of the institution, a position which he has since held, and his uncle is vice president thereof. The assistant cashier is A. F. Rad- nich. The institution is a private bank owned by J. A. Frazier, O. L. Frazier, A. F. Radnich and Dr. J. W. Wailes. The capital stock is ten thousand dollars and the deposits now total eighty thousand dollars, which is proof of the confidence which the people of Davis City and the surrounding country have in the sound judgment and integrity of the owners and officers of the bank.
Mr. Frazier was married on the 23d of August, 1905, to Miss Myrta Howell, whose birth occurred on the 5th of July, 1879. Her father, Professor J. M. Howell, is the supervising editor of this his- tory of Decatur county and her mother was in her maidenhood Miss Sarah C. Burris. Mr. and Mrs. Frazier have had three children : O. L., Jr., who was born on the 3d of October, 1906; Marjorie, whose birth occurred on the 27th of August, 1909; and Mildred, who was born August 3, 1911, and died March 23, 1913.
Mr. Frazier is a republican and for five years was clerk of New Buda township. He is an enthusiastic Mason and belongs to the chapter and commandery of the York Rite of Leon and the Mystic Shrine at Davenport, Iowa. He also holds membership in the Order of the Eastern Star and is likewise affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He takes much interest in religious work and is a member of the gospel team of the local Methodist Episcopal church, to which he belongs. He is one of the leading financiers of Davis City and his worth is recognized in banking circles of this sec- tion of the state.
JAMES BRAINERD HORNER, M. D.
Dr. James Brainerd Horner is of Scotch-Irish parentage, and is a native of Wisconsin. He was born July 18, 1849, near the well known summer resort, Lake Geneva. The beautiful park now known as Kay's Park, just across the lake from the Young Men's Christian Association Conference Park is a part of the homestead that his father, Samuel Horner, received from the United States government.
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DR. JAMES B. HORNER
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
While yet an infant, James B. Horner removed with his parents to Marshall county, Illinois, and thence in 1855 to Appanoose county, Iowa, to the farm near Moravia, where his boyhood days were spent. Though but a child of five at the time of the removal to Iowa, the doctor retains a vivid recollection of many of the incidents of the long journey across the Illinois and Iowa prairies in the old-time covered wagon.
Dr. Horner's early education was received in the district school. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching thereby earning the money to cover the expense of a two years college course in the Wes- leyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. After leaving college he continued teaching and reading medicine with the late Dr. E. M. Reynolds of Centerville, until 1871 when he entered Bennett Medical College, Chicago. He was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. on the 29th of March, 1882, having interspersed his medical course with eleven years of successful practice. He has never ceased to be a student in his attitude toward his profession. He has given especial attention to the study of diseases of the eye and ear, and has been signally successful in his treatment of such dis- eases. In 1896 he took a post-graduate course in New York city. He has been a member of the Decatur County Medical Association for thirty years, serving the association many times in the capacity of president. He has also been honored three times with the presidency of the Iowa State Eclectic Medical Society. He is a member of the National Eclectic Medical Society, and attended the annual session of that organization, at San Francisco in 1915.
In the same year that he began the study of medicine he was united in marriage to Margaret Lorena Arnold, the youngest child of Lewis and Margaret Arnold, pioneer settlers of Monroe county, Iowa. When he entered Bennett Medical College he was the father of two children. His family had increased to five when he received his degree in 1882. The fact that he was able wholly through his own efforts, to give himself his literary and, later, his medical educa- tion, while caring for his family bespeaks the energy and resolute determination that have contributed largely to his success and achieve- ment. He began the practice of medicine at Moravia, but, through association with his brother-in-law S. W. Hurst and Samuel Bow- man he removed to Decatur county in 1875, locating at Davis City. His name is intimately associated with the early history of the in- corporated town. The writer thinks he may have been the first mayor of the town, if not, he was among the first to serve in that capacity. Vol II- 7
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Those were the days that tried men's souls, in the little border town. The southern part of the county, especially along the banks of Grand river, was infested by a band of outlaws and rowdies, who strove to make a rendezvous of Davis City. The conflict between law and order was a sharp one, and one that entailed much personal danger on the officials who stood for a clean town. The stories and tales which the Doctor recounts of those early days, would fill a volume with material of greater interest to the average reader than anything found in the pages of this biography.
For twenty-five years Dr. Horner resided in Davis City, prac- ticing medicine and in every possible way serving the community as an enterprising citizen should. In 1900 he purchased the practice and residence of Dr. John Hansen, of Lamoni, and moved with his family to that place, where he still resides with his youngest daughter. The death of his wife occurred September 9, 1911.
As a man and physician Dr. Horner enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him well. His skill as a trustworthy physi- cian is recognized throughout Decatur county and other parts of southern Iowa and throughout northern Missouri. He has gained material prosperity, but he values yet more highly the standing which he has attained in his profession, the personal esteem in which he is held by his fellow practitioners and the wide opportunity his pro- fession brings him for service to humanity.
In politics, Dr. Horner has always been stanch in his support of the principles of democracy. Although he has taken an active part in the affairs of the democratic party, he is a patriot, not a partisan. He served eight years upon the pension board, during both the Cleveland administrations, and was appointed again to the same position at the beginning of Wilson's administration.
Dr. Horner has always been an interested student of the Bible. He is broad in his religious views, although he has never severed his connection with the Presbyterian church, with which he united in early manhood, and which he has always supported as he has had opportunity.
Very soon after Dr. Horner took up his residence at Davis City, he became a member of the Masonic blue lodge, and was instru- mental in the organization of the blue lodge at Lamoni soon after his removal to that town. He has served as worshipful master for a score of years or more, during which time he has perhaps conferred more degrees and buried more Masons than any man in the county. He is also a member of the chapter and the commandery at Leon. His eldest son was a member of the blue lodge, and two daughters
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are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, with which order his wife was also identified.
To Dr. and Mrs. Horner were born seven children: Florence Mabel, superintendent of schools of Decatur county; Ernest Eugene, who died February 22, 1907; Maggie Lillian, who died at the age of five months; Lewis Hurst, who married Coral Smith, of Lamoni, and who resides near Davis City; Grace Gertrude, now Mrs. D. J. Walker, of Lamoni; Georgia Arnold, now Mrs. A. H. Smith, of Lamoni; and Helen Hildred, who keeps the home for her father. Dr. Horner is justly proud of the "third generation" with whom he is a great favorite. They are Dean Eugene and Margaret Ernestine, children of the deceased son, Ernest E. Horner; Lewis Brainerd, Elizabeth Grace and James Brandon Horner; Raymond Horner Smith; and Lowell Jerome Walker.
A. F. RADNICH.
. A. F. Radnich is the popular and efficient assistant cashier of the Farmers Bank of Davis City. He was born here on the 14th of October, 1878, a son of Stephen and Sarah (Boldman) Radnich. The father was born in Hungary on the 20th of September, 1828, and the birth of the mother occurred in Pike county, Ohio, on the 17th of May, 1845. In 1848 Mr. Radnich served in the war in Hungary and was taken prisoner, being held for some time. Eventually he and several others escaped and made their way to America. He landed in this country March 7, 1850, when about twenty-two years old, and located in New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed for some time in the east. Later he went to New Orleans and worked at carpentering there until he removed to Garden Grove, De- catur county, Iowa. He engaged in business as a contractor for sev- eral years, but subsequently turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, buying land near Davis City. He added to his holdings until he became the owner of six hundred and sixty-six acres, which he operated until his demise. For ten or twelve years previous to his death he was the president of the Farmers Bank of Davis City and since he was called to his reward there has been no president of that institution. At the time of the Civil war he gave indubitable proof of his allegiance to his adopted country by serving with the Home Guards. He was president of the school board for fifteen years and took an active inter- est in everything relating to the welfare of his community. He resided
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in Decatur county for many years, as he arrived here previous to the Civil war and continued to make his home here until his death on the 13th of September, 1912. He lacked but seven days of being eighty- four years of age and his life was not only one of length of years but also of worthy accomplishment and public-spirited service. His widow survives at the age of seventy years and resides in Davis City.
A. F. Radnich was reared in Davis City and attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. He remained upon the home farm until he was of age and then for four years followed agri- cultural pursuits independently. At the end of that time he removed to Davis City and accepted the position of assistant cashier in the Farmers Bank. He has since held that office and has demonstrated his ability to discharge efficiently the duties that devolve upon him. He owns some stock in the institution, of which he is also a director.
On the 13th of November, 1901, Mr. Radnich married Miss Gertrude Craig, a daughter of Thurman and Ella (Parmley) Craig, natives respectively of Decatur county, Iowa, and of Michigan. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Radnich was one of the earliest settlers in this part of Iowa and her father was for many years actively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Decatur county. He and his wife are now living retired in Davis City. Mr. and Mrs. Radnich are the parents of two children: Francis A., eleven years of age; and Paul D., seven years old.
Mr. Radnich casts his ballot in support of the candidates and poli- cies of the republican party, which he deems the party of reform and progress, and he has served ably as a member of the city council. Much of the principles that guide his conduct may be gathered from the fact that he belongs to the Masonic order. He has earned a place among the able and discreet financiers of Decatur county and has the respect of all who have had dealings with him.
WILLIAM WALLACE BLAIR.
William Wallace Blair was an early settler of Decatur county and became well known here, especially in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, as he was a minister of that denomination and editor of the church paper published at Lamoni. He was the fifth son of James and Fannie (Hamilton) Blair and was born in the town of Holley, Orleans county, New York, on the 11th of October, 1828. His parents were of Scotch-Irish descent and both of his grand-
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parents served in the Revolutionary war, while his father fought in the War of 1812. The latter removed with his wife to Orleans county, New York, from Blandford, near Worcester, Massachusetts, and in 1838 the family home was established in Illinois, in the vicinity of what is now the city of Amboy. At that time there were few settlers in that part of the Prairie state and Chicago, one hundred miles dis- tant, was for a number of years their nearest grain and stock market. As it was first of all necessary to break the virgin sod, to erect log cabins in which to live and to care for the crops, upon which depended the food for the family during the winter, it was several years before schools and churches were erected and the conditions of life were in all respects those of a pioneer region in the middle west.
William W. Blair grew to manhood in Illinois and as his strength increased assisted more and more in the improvement of the farm. In 1854 he left home and engaged in commercial pursuits at East Paw Paw, Lee county, Illinois. After passing through the financial crisis incident to the unexpectedly early close of the Crimean war he settled on a farm which he owned near Amboy but in April, 1859, he entered the active ministry of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ.of the Latter Day Saints and for twenty-six years labored in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massa- chusetts, Rhode Island, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Colorado. He met with success in his work and did much to further the growth of his church. In April 1885, he left the ministry and located at Lamoni, Iowa, where he was for many years identified with the editorial office of the Herald publishing house, the official church pub- lishing house. He exerted a great influence through his connection with that concern, which publishes not only the Herald but also religious books, and gained a reputation as a clear and forceful writer. He believed that the power of the press was greater than that of the pulpit and it was for this reason that he abandoned the ministry and entered the publishing field. He was devotedly attached to his church and was at all times ready to defend it against unjust asper- sions, the one object of his life being to promote its advancement. However, his complete loyalty to his church and the vigor with which he stood for his convictions did not mean that he felt any bitterness toward those who thought differently than he. On the contrary those who were associated with him found him a broad-minded and liberal man of progressive ideas who was at all times kindly, courteous and considerate of others.
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On Christmas Day, 1849, Mr. Blair was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Doty and they became the parents of seven chil- dren, five sons and two daughters. Fannie C. died at Amboy in 1860 but the other children survive, namely: Charles E., who is manager of the Supply Store at Lamoni; Minnie B., the widow of D. F. Nicholson, who was one of the most active and most successful busi- ness men of Lamoni; George W., who is mayor of Lamoni and is also engaged in the real-estate business here; William A., who is the manager of a department store at Galien, Michigan; David H., who is connected with a large wholesale millinery house of Kansas City; and Fred B., who is manager of the electric light plant at Lamoni. The wife and mother died in June, 1912, and those who had been closely associated with her felt that her church and her community had lost one whom they could ill spare. She was a devout Christian and her unselfish love for others prompted her to assist those who needed aid and many remember her kindness with gratitude. She was an active worker in the church and was president of the Mite Society, an efficient organization of women whose purpose is to care for the poor and to supply funds for the prosecution of the work of the various departments of the church.
Mr. Blair gave his support at the polls to the democratic party but never aspired to public office. He was a man of much ability and energy and his influence was widely felt in his church and his demise, which occurred in 1886, was sincerely mourned.
JOHN O. MCKIBBEN.
John O. Mckibben devotes his attention to the pursuits of gen- eral farming and stock-raising and is the owner of a valuable tract of land embracing two hundred and fifty acres in Garden Grove town- ship. His birth occurred in this county on the 25th of May, 1872, his parents being John and Harriet (Hurd) Mckibben, both of whom were natives of Franklin county, Ohio. They came to Decatur county, Iowa, in 1857 and in the spring of 1865 purchased the farm which is now in possession of our subject. John McKibben, Sr., operated the property until 1900, when he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to town, spending the remainder of his life in honorable retirement. He passed away on the 26th of November, 1913, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won many friends during the fifty-six years of his resi-
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