USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 11
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dence here. For many years he was a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged, the latter passing away in that faith in 1896. To them were born six children, as follows: Frank T .; Mary E., who is the wife of George King; Mattie L., deceased; Sarah B., who gave her hand in marriage to A. P. Kirby; Elizabeth H., the wife of W. R. Richards; and John O., of this review. On the 24th of August, 1900, the father married again, his second wife being Martha L. Mckibben, who died in 1914.
John O. Mckibben attended public school at Garden Grove, sub- sequently pursued a normal course and later entered Elliott's Busi- ness College of Burlington, Iowa. He then returned home and has since been successfully engaged in farming on the place where he was born and reared. In connection with the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle. His property comprises two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land in Garden Grove township and is excellently improved with a hand- some residence and ample barns and outbuildings. There is also an orchard producing a variety of fruit.
On the 12th of September, 1900, Mr. Mckibben was united in marriage to Miss Nellie A. Thomas, a daughter of H. B. Thomas, of Decatur county. To them have been born five children, namely: Ruberta L., Julia H., Martha L., Norman N. and Esther.
Mr. Mckibben is a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs and in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. He enjoys an exten- sive and favorable acquaintance in the county in which his entire life has been spent and is widely recognized as one of its representa- tive agriculturists and esteemed citizens.
AARON A. COZAD.
Although he has retired from the work of the farm Aaron A. Cozad, of Pleasanton, is still actively engaged in business, taking contracts for cement work. He is also one of the owners of the Pleas- anton Telephone Company. His birth occurred on the 16th of Feb- ruary, 1845, in Indiana, and he is a son of Alice and Emeline (Swank) Cozad, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. The father removed to Indiana in an early day and there engaged in
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farming until November, 1854, when he emigrated to Decatur county, Iowa, with his family, entering eighty acres of land in Morgan town- ship. He began improving his farm and devoted his time and ener- gies to its operation until his demise, which occurred in 1868. His widow survived for many years, dying in 1901.
Aaron A. Cozad was a child of nine years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this county and he acquired the greater part of his education in the local district schools. He remained at home with his mother and gave his time to the operation of the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age. He then rented land, which he cultivated until 1877, when he purchased eighty acres on section 24, Hamilton township. As soon as possible he cleared his place and made improvements thereon and as his resources increased he purchased additional land, becoming the owner of two hundred acres, which he operated until 1895. He then rented his farm and removed to Pleasanton, where he purchased a good residence. How- ever, he was unable to live in idleness and turned his attention to the cement business, specializing in the building of sidewalks. He is still so engaged and has done much work of that character in Pleas- anton. He and John Painter are the sole owners of the local tele- phone company, known as the Pleasanton Telephone Company, and this concern is in a very prosperous condition.
In April, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cozad and Miss Elizabeth Gammill, a daughter of James and Ann (Clark) Gammill, who were born respectively in Pennsylvania and Ohio. They settled in Decatur county in 1852 and the father farmed here until his demise in 1885. The mother died in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Cozad was born a daughter, Hattie, who is now a stenographer in the Methodist Hospital at Des Moines, Iowa. In January, 1903, Mr. Cozad mar- ried Mrs. Hattie Hutchison, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Dreese) Walker, natives of Indiana and pioneers of Mercer county, Missouri, where they arrived in 1852. The father followed farming during the remainder of his life, passing away in October, 1914. The mother survived until March, 1915. By her previous marriage Mrs. Cozad has three children: Francis, a resident of Minneapolis, Minne- sota; Elsie, the wife of Sherman Kindred, who is living in Colorado; and Otto, a farmer of this county.
Mr. Cozad is a republican and throughout his life has manifested much genuine concern for the public welfare. During the Civil war he gave indisputable proof of his patriotism by serving in the Union army, being a member of Company K, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted from Leon when seventeen years of age and
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served for three years. He was taken prisoner at Allatoona, Georgia, and was held for three months. He keeps in touch with his comrades of former days through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. His religious faith is that of the Christian Union church. Energy and sound judgment have always characterized Mr. Cozad and in his life he has achieved much, not only gaining financial independence, but also aiding in the development of his county along both material and moral lines.
FREDERICK W. NEWCOMB.
Frederick W. Newcomb is a member of the firm of Foreman, Teale & Company, of Lamoni, who in addition to dealing in farm implements of all kinds have the agency for the Ford automobile and also retail flour and feed and who likewise buy and sell real estate. The birth of Mr. Newcomb occurred in Adams county, Iowa, on the 25th of March, 1876, and he is a son of Ralph and Adelina Ce- cilia (Perry) Newcomb, early residents of Iowa. In 1897 our sub- ject removed to Decatur county and engaged in the lumber business for a number of years. He became interested in the implement trade many years ago but upon selling the lumber business returned to the farm and remained there for a time. On again taking up his resi- dence in Lamoni he became a member of the firm of Foreman, Teale & Company, which was established in 1902. They carry a large and complete assortment of agricultural implements, are also agents for the Ford automobiles and handle automobile accessories and for more than a year have dealt in real estate, buying and selling outright. They also maintain a retail flour and feed department and the various phases of their business are all prospering. The success of the com- pany is due in no small measure to the business experience and sound judgment of Mr. Newcomb and the careful attention which he gives to the conduct of the affairs of the firm. They employ two or three men steadily and their trade is constantly increasing.
Mr. Newcomb married Miss Fannie Lyons, of Adams county, Iowa, a daughter of W. S. Lyons, an active and prominent business man of Corning, who was at one time county clerk, and who is now one of the largest dealers in grain, flour and feed in his section of the county. Mrs. Newcomb was reared and educated in Adams county and by her marriage has become the mother of three daugh-
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ters, Harriet Adeline, Dorothy Louise and Elizabeth Jane, all resi- dents of Decatur county.
Mr. Newcomb is a democrat and has been a member of the city council and has also served on the school and park boards. He is also a trustee of Graceland College at Lamoni and is one of the stal- wart friends of that growing institution. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years he served as superintendent of its Sunday school. He is an unusually well in- formed man, as he had excellent educational advantages in his youth, being a student in Simpson College, and as he has throughout his life read widely and observed closely. His advice and opinion carry weight and he is generally a leader in movements whose aim is the betterment of the community along material, moral or civic lines.
JUDGE JOHN W. HARVEY.
Judge John W. Harvey was not only a recognized leader of the bar of Decatur county but for eight years served as judge of the third judicial district, proving able and impartial in the administra- tion of justice. He was also an important factor in the development of banking in his county and his life was one of great usefulness to his community. His birth occurred in Wells county, Indiana, on the 16th of September, 1840, and his parents were John and Annie (Guth- rie) Harvey. The father died when our subject was but five years of age and the following year the mother and her six children removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where John W. Harvey grew to manhood.
In his youth he recognized the advantages of a good education and through his own efforts was able to attend Iowa Central Uni- versity at Pella. He had previously taken a preparatory course at Indianola and was willing to make any sacrifice in order to achieve his purpose-that of securing a college education. While still a student at the university he enlisted as a private in Company G, Eigh- teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, joining the army on the 7th of July, 1862. After serving as a private and as a noncommissioned officer he was made first lieutenant of the Eleventh United States Infantry and in the fall of 1865 he received a captain's commission. For some time after the close of the war he served in the commissary depart- ment of the army but in 1866 was discharged from the service. He led his company in many important battles and his record as a soldier was a most commendable one. Upon his return from the army he con-
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tinued his interrupted education at Iowa Central University and after a year of further study was graduated from that institution. He then matriculated in the law department of the State University of Iowa and in June, 1868, received his professional degree.
Not long afterward, at the request of the late Major J. L. Young, Mr. Harvey located in Leon and formed a partnership with Major Young, which was continued for two years, at the end of which time the major withdrew from the firm to enter another line of business. For some time Mr. Harvey continued alone in the practice of law but later was again associated with Major Young, the partnership being maintained until Mr. Harvey was chosen judge of the third judicial district. He served upon the bench for two terms, or eight years, and gained an enviable reputation for fairness and integrity. He not only possessed a detailed and exact knowledge of law but also had that attitude of mind that enabled him to consider only the merits of a case and to rise above all prejudices and predilections. He in- sisted on the members of the bar respecting the dignity of the court but in his rulings was invariably fair and he held in full measure the respect of the attorneys who practiced in the third judicial district. Following the expiration of his second term as judge he formed a law partnership with R. L. Parrish and for eleven years the firm of Harvey & Parrish continued in existence. They represented many important interests and the court records show that they won a large percentage of their cases. When Mr. Parrish was elevated to the dis- trict bench Judge Harvey continued alone in practice until he admitted his son, James F. Harvey, to a partnership. The firm of John W. Harvey & Son was formed in 1901 and it continued until the demise of the father in 1913. For fifty years Judge Harvey was a resident of Leon and in that time was connected as counsel or as judge with most of the important cases tried in the local courts. He won a wide reputation for his success in the settling of estates, as he was gen- erally able to adjust matters between the heirs and avoid taking the disputes into court. For many years he was prominently connected with the banking interests of his county and from 1894 until his demise was president of the Farmers & Traders State Bank of Leon. He was also for a number of years interested in banks at Lamoni and Mount Ayr.
In 1868 occurred the marriage of Judge Harvey and Miss Emma Eaton and to them three children were born: Charles, who passed away in 1892, when nineteen years of age; James, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Raymond, who died in 1891 when an infant. Mrs. Harvey is still living and is highly esteemed by all
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who know her. In 1914 she presented to the city a tract of land on South Main street consisting of three full blocks, to be used as a park. This has been named Harvey Park and a landscape gardener is now at work transforming it into a beautiful spot. The city has been liberal in its appropriations to make the park come up to the anticipations of the generous donor. A brother of Judge Harvey, Jerome L. Harvey, of Leon, a sister, Mrs. Clara Phifer, of Manitou, Colorado, a half- brother, Taylor Fry, of Montana, and a half-sister, Mrs. Mary Cold- ren, of Oberlin, Kansas, also survive him.
Judge Harvey gave his political allegiance to the republican party but always placed the public good above partisanship. He was always ready to do all within his power to promote the advancement of the community along material, moral or civic lines, giving gener- ously both of his time and money. His kindness and the attractive- ness of his personality bound many to him by strong ties of affection and he ever considered friendship inviolable. A lover of good literature, he found much enjoyment in the fine library which he owned and his happiest hours were those spent at home with his family. He was a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic and took much interest in everything relating to the order and to the veterans of the Civil war. At the time of his death the Decatur County Bar passed resolutions, in which, among other things, it was said: "By his removal the state has lost a learned jurist; the county in which he lived an honorable and noble citizen; the bar (of which he was the senior mem- ber) a courteous and obliging brother and his family a loving, faith- ful and devoted husband and father."
DENNIS R. SLAUTER.
Dennis R. Slauter, whose residence in Decatur county covers six decades, has been actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and now owns three hundred and fifty-four acres of valuable land in Burrell township, making his home on section 36. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 6th of June, 1841, his parents being William and Eleanor (Mus- grove) Slauter, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father re- moved to Indiana in a very early day and followed farming in that state until 1855, when he drove across the country to Decatur county, Iowa, here entering and improving a tract of land. The operation of that property claimed his attention until the time of his demise, which
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occurred in 1862. His wife, who survived him for about a third of a century, was called to her final rest in 1895.
Dennis R. Slauter was reared and educated in his native state and in Decatur county, being a youth of fourteen when the family home was established here. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for ten years. On the ex- piration of that period he bought a tract of twenty-one acres in Bur- rell township and as time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed industry and capable management, he aug- mented his holdings by additional purchase until they now embrace three hundred and fifty-four acres of rich and productive land. He now resides on a tract of seventy acres on section 36 and leases the remainder of his property, owning two excellent farms which are splendidly improved in every particular. He has always been prac- tical and progressive and the prosperity which has crowned his efforts is well merited.
Mr. Slauter has been married twice. In February, 1866, he wedded Miss Martha Schaffner, a daughter of Mathias and Harriet Schaffner, who were natives of Ohio and pioneer settlers of Decatur county, Iowa, coming here in 1855. In this county the father car- ried on farming throughout the remainder of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Slauter were born thirteen children, namely: John, deceased; Dora; Larkin; Mary; Clara; Frank; Ida; Edward; Fred; Lloyd; Samuel; Gertrude, who has passed away and Birdie, also deceased. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in November, 1898, and on the 3d of September, 1903, Mr. Slauter was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Amanda J. (Cornell) Wykoff, the widow of Frank Wykoff and daughter of William and Mary (Neely) Cornell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respectively. Mr. Cornell, an agriculturist by occupation, was successfully engaged in farming in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania throughout prac- tically his entire business career. His demise occurred in 1879, while his wife passed away in 1910. To Dennis R. and Amanda J. Slauter have been born three children, Forrest, Evangeline and Violet, who are attending school at Davis City. By her former marriage Mrs. Slauter had five children, as follows: Madge; Fred; Don; Bertie, who died in infancy; and Laurence, who passed away October 14, 1910, when seven years of age.
In his political views Mr. Slauter is a democrat, loyally support- ing the men and measures of that party at the polls. He has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the
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respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
J. W. ROWELL, D. D. S.
Dr. J. W. Rowell, a most active and successful practitioner of dentistry in Leon, who has been identified with the profession here since December, 1882, is a native son of Iowa, his birth having oc- curred in Union county, January 8, 1864. His parents, N. W. and Anna E. (Ownby) Rowell, were pioneers of Decatur county, both having been brought here in their childhood days. The father was born in Ohio but came to Iowa with his parents when but a boy. He studied law in the University of Ohio, at Athens, and was admitted to practice in the early '60s. He has become prominent in the legal profession and at one time served as county judge of Decatur county, while for two terms he was a member of the general assembly. Al- though he is now in his seventy-ninth year, he is still actively engaged in practice at Afton, in Union county. this state. He is a republican in his political belief and a Methodist in religious faith. His wife, who is a native of Virginia, is also identified with the Methodist church, and both are highly respected in their community.
Dr. J. W. Rowell was reared in Union county and at the usual age entered the public schools. He supplemented the education there acquired by a year's study in Simpson College, at Indianola, Iowa, and having decided upon the dental profession as a life work, he entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom with the class of 1888. He at once opened an office in Leon and in the years that have since come and gone he has built up a splendid clientage. His office, which is now located in the Exchange National Bank building, is equipped with the most modern appliances known to the dental fraternity and his practice has grown to such an extent that he now employs an assistant. The doctor has demonstrated his ability in a profession which demands not only scien- tific knowledge but also mechanical skill and ability.
Dr. Rowell was married to Miss Grace Curry, who was born and reared in Leon and who is a daughter of E. W. Curry. Her father, who was a prominent attorney of this city, also took a very active part in politics as an adherent of the democratic party, being well known in political circles throughout the state. At the time of his
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death, in 1896, he was serving as a member of the democratic state central committee. His widow survives and makes her home in Leon. Their daughter, Mrs. Rowell, was accorded liberal educational ad- vantages, having pursued a course of study in the Ladies Seminary at Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. and Mrs. Rowell have one son, Edgar, who is a high-school student.
Dr. Rowell is a republican in his political views and affiliations and in religious belief he is a Methodist, both he and his wife belong- ing to the church of that denomination in Leon. He is likewise prominent in Masonic circles and belongs to the Shrine at Daven- port. He is also a member of the State and National Dental Asso- ciations and in 1914 served as president of the Corning District Den- tal Society. He has ever held to high ideals in his professional serv- ice and his ability places him in a prominent position among Iowa's dentists.
HARRY R. LAYTON, M. D.
Dr. Harry R. Layton, of Leon, is the dean of the medical pro- fession of Decatur county and has built up a practice that in im- portance is second to none in this part of the state. Born in Lee county, Iowa, on the 11th of September, 1853, he is a son of Cap- tain J. M. and Cora (Raymond) Layton, natives respectively of Dearborn county, Indiana, and of Connecticut. In 1862 the father went to the defense. of the Union, becoming a private in Company E, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He saw much hard serv- ice and his loyalty and bravery won him successive promotions until he became captain of his company, although he was in the army but little more than a year, being mustered out in the fall of 1863, on account of severe wounds which he had received in the battle of Perry Grove, where he was thrice wounded. Upon returning home he en- gaged in the plastering business, which he followed the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and took an active interest not only in the affairs of his post but in everything pertaining to the old soldiers. His demise occurred on the 4th of September, 1901, and his wife passed away in 1878. To them were born five children: Charles; Dr. Harry R., of this review; Frank; Elizabeth, who married George Hurst, of Leon; and Mar- garet, who died at the age of seventeen.
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Doctor Layton received his elementary education in the public schools and later attended the Fort Madison Academy. After reading medicine for some time he entered the Keokuk Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1874 with the degree of M. D. On the 4th of May of that year he located at Leon and opened an office for the practice of his profession. During the forty-one years that have since elapsed he has continued in practice here and has gained a wide-spread reputation as a skillful and conscientious physician and surgeon. He has practiced in Decatur county longer than any other physician in the county and is held in high esteem by his professional brethren as well as by the general public. He is a member of the Decatur County Medical Society, of which he has served as secre- tary and president, and he is also identified with the Iowa State Medi- cal Society.
On the 6th of November, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Layton and Miss Martha M. Post, of Decatur county, and they have become the parents of two children: Orr H., who died in in- fancy; and Raymond G. Doctor Layton gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never desired to hold office. He is prominent in local Masonic circles, belonging to Tripolis Command- ery, K. T., of Leon, of which he has been commander, and being also identified with the Mystic Shrine. He is a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church and is serving on its official board. No movement which has as its aim the upbuilding of Leon and Decatur county appeals to him in vain. Those who know him respect him for what he has achieved not only professionally but also in the service of his community.
JOHN BOYD.
John Boyd, a progressive and efficient farmer of Richland town- ship, was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1832. His father, Thomas Boyd, who was of Irish descent, early settled in Highland county, where he carried on agricultural operations. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1867 when about sixty-three years of age. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Annie Miller, was born in Pennsylvania of German ancestry. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her demise occurred in 1864 when she was sixty-three years old. They
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