USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 12
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JOHN BOYD
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were the parents of six children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. His brother Allen enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1862 and died in a hospital from the effects of wounds received at the front on the 15th of April, 1865, the day on which President Lincoln died.
John Boyd attended the district schools of the Buckeye state and in his early manhood taught school for a time. In 1852 he came to Iowa with his parents, the family first locating in Wapello county, but in 1855 they removed to Decatur county and took up their resi- dence on a farm in Richland township which they owned. Our sub- ject continued to follow the profession of teaching in this county during the winter months, while the summers were devoted to farm work. In 1878 he purchased an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres on section 28, Richland township, and thereafter gave his entire time to agricultural pursuits. He carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising and his labors yielded him a good financial return. His widow owns one hundred and sixty acres of land a mile north of Grand River.
Mr. Boyd married Miss Elizabeth Annie Bullock, who was born in Decatur county, Indiana, December 11, 1841. Her parents, Curtis and Martha (Zeigler) Bullock, emigrated to Iowa in 1850, locating on a farm in Keokuk county, whence they later removed to Missouri. Mr. Bullock was a successful farmer and also an ordained minister of the Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged. Both passed away in the Iron state, he in 1898 when in his eighty-third year and she in 1892 when in her seventy-sixth year. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Boyd is the second in order of birth. Her brother George enlisted for service in the Civil war in the Eight- eenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1862 and served until the close of hostilities. He was in many important engagements and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He held the rank of first sergeant. John W. Bullock, another brother, enlisted in the Thirty- fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1862, when but a lad of sixteen years, and served throughout the war.
Mr. and Mrs. Boyd became the parents of seven children. Henry Russell, who was born in 1862, is farming in Ringgold county and is president of the bank at Tingley. He married Miss Margaret Edie and they have four children. Martha J., born in 1866, is the wife of Henry Bryant, of Richland township. Curtis A., who was born in 1869 and is farming in Grand River township, married Miss Susan Fear and they have three children. Ida Ellen, born in 1873, has for the past eight years been teaching in the Ames high school. Vol. II- 8
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Nora J., whose birth occurred in 1877, is cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Grand River. Frank and Laura, twins, were born in 1881. Frank, who is managing the home farm, married Miss Mary Judd, and they have one child. Laura is the wife of Boyd Gale, by whom she has two children. Mrs. Boyd has nine living grandchil- dren. She is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her many admirable traits of character have gained her the esteem of those who know her.
Mr. Boyd was a republican in politics and took the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, although he never sought official preferment. In his work as a farmer he was prompt and energetic and not only gained success for himself but also contributed to the development of his locality along agricultural lines. His demise, which occurred August 4, 1901, was sincerely mourned, and his mem- ory is yet cherished by his friends.
GUY PACE REED, M. D.
Dr. Guy Pace Reed, of Davis City, is one of the leading repre- sentatives of the medical profession in Decatur county and has given especial attention to the practice of surgery, in which he is very profi- cient. He was born February 18, 1875, in Putnam county, Missouri, a son of David P. and Harriet F. (Tarwater) Reed. The father, who was born in Ohio, was of Irish, German and Turkish descent. The paternal grandfather, William Reed, was born in Ireland in 1760 and married a lady of Turkish birth. David P. Reed was an agriculturist by occupation and for fifty-two years resided upon a farm in Putnam county, Missouri, which he entered from the gov- ernment. His last years, however, were spent in Mercer county, Missouri, where his demise occurred in 1902. His wife was born in Missouri, of German and Scotch ancestry, and following his demise removed to Gravity, Iowa, but passed away at Shenandoah at the home of her son, Dr. D. W. Reed, in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. David P. Reed were the parents of ten children.
Dr. Guy P. Reed attended the district schools and later completed a course in the high school at Powersville, Missouri, after which he entered the University of Missouri at Columbia, matriculating there in 1895. He remained in that institution for one year and then became a student in the New Medical College at Keokuk, Iowa, but after a year entered the St. Louis College of Physicians & Surgeons, completing the three years' course in 1899 and receiving the degree
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of M. D. Some time later the course was lengthened to four years and he returned and after further study was graduated in 1901 with the M. D. degree. He then went to Vienna, Austria, and took a five months' course in the Allgemeine Krankenshaus, or General Hospi- tal. Upon returning to the United States he located in Davis City, lowa, and in the intervening years has built up a large and distinc- tively representative practice. He also conducts a well equipped sanitarium on the second floor of the building in which his office is located and gives much attention to surgical work. Although he devoted many years to preparation for his profession he has never allowed himself to believe that his student days are over, but on the contrary is constantly seeking to add to his knowledge of both med- ical and surgical science.
Dr. Reed was married February 8, 1900, to Miss Edith Shelby, of St. Louis, a daughter of Joseph and Victoria (Cissel) Shelby. Her father was for many years a farmer of Perry county, Missouri, and was living there at the time of his demise. His widow survives and makes her home in St. Louis. Dr. and Mrs. Reed have two children: Roe B., who was born July 2, 1901, and who is now a student in the Davis City high school; and Shelby D., whose birth occurred November 16, 1905, and who is attending the Davis City schools.
Dr. Reed is a republican and was for one term mayor of Davis City, while for several years he has held the office of city physician. Fraternally he belongs to the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. He holds membership in the Decatur County Medical Society, of which he served for one term as president; the Iowa State Medical Society, in which he is well known; and the American Medical Association. He has the confidence of the general public and of his colleagues in the profession and personally he is very popular. He is prominent in county and state medical circles and his practice has grown steadily since he first located in Davis City.
THOMAS TEALE.
Thomas Teale, president of the Farmers & Traders State Bank of Leon, is prominent in financial circles in this part of Iowa and is also known because of his connection with public affairs as for two terms he served as a member of the house of representatives of
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the state legislature. He was born in Greenwich, England, June 10, 1842, of the marriage of Frederick and Letitia (Hamm) Teale, who in 1843 emigrated with their family to America. They first located in New York but later removed to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are living. Six sons served in the fed- eral army during the Civil war, all of whom returned alive although five, including our subject, were wounded.
Thomas Teale grew to manhood in Illinois and received liberal educational advantages. He continued his studies while serving in the army, which indicates his determination to secure a thorough edu- cation. He enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private and remained with that command until wounded at Shiloh. Being thus disabled for further service he was honorably discharged and returned to Illinois. At the close of the war he came to Decatur county, where he had resided for a time in 1860 .. At that time he made his home at Decatur City but upon returning to this county he secured land near what is now the site of the city of Lamoni. He turned his attention to the improving of his place and in the fall of 1879 erected the first business house in Lamoni, in which he conducted a general store for a number of years. Later he turned the management of the establishment over to his son Bert, who was connected therewith until 1894. In 1888 our subject came to Leon, where he engaged in merchandising as a member of the firm of Young & Teale, whose place of business was on the west side of the square. That firm continued to conduct the store until 1890, when Mr. Teale sold out his interest, Mr. Young becoming sole proprietor of the establishment. Mr. Teale then entered the banking business in Leon and in 1894 organized the Farmers & Trad- ers Bank, a private institution, which later became the Farmers & Traders State Bank, under which name it is now conducted. Mr. Teale has been president of the bank since its organization and its steady growth has been largely due to his excellent management. His son, Fred E., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, is cashier of the institution. The bank owns the building in which it is located and which it has remodeled, making it one of the best bank buildings in the city. The upper floor is given over to offices. In 1892 our subject established the Commercial Bank of Lamoni, which he sold before establishing the Farmers & Traders State Bank at Leon. He is also heavily interested in the Farmers State Bank of Lamoni, which his son Ora manages, and the Iowa State Bank of Mount Ayr, which is conducted by his son Bert. Mr. Teale has con-
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siderable real estate, owning a store building which he erected in Lamoni and a number of farms in the county. He understands busi- ness conditions thoroughly and is quick to recognize and take advan- tage of opportunites which many others fail to see. He is recognized as one of the most successful bankers of the county and his advice is often sought on matters of finance and investment.
In 1867 Mr. Teale was married in this county to Miss Lucinda Graham, who was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and accom- panied her parents, Theodore and Lethee Graham, to this county soon after the close of the Civil war. She passed away in 1877, leaving four sons: Fred E., Ora and Bert, previously mentioned; and Charles, who is engaged in the implement business at Mount Ayr. All are married and our subject has several grandchildren.
Mr. Teale is a republican and has twice been honored by election as representative of his district in the state legislature, serving as a member of that body during the twenty-first and twenty-second general assemblies. In that capacity he proved capable and public- spirited and made a very creditable record. He attends the Presby- terian church and his wife favored the Methodist church. He is a loyal member of Leon Post, No. 261, G. A. R., and through that organization keeps in touch with others who fought for the preser- vation of the Union. He is widely known and all who have been associated with him hold him in the highest respect and esteem him for his genuine worth.
G. S. FOREMAN.
G. S. Foreman, senior member of the firm of Foreman, Teale & Company, of Lamoni, who deal in implements and in real estate, was born at Lawrence, Van Buren county, Michigan, on the 14th of March, 1868, a son of John and Lucy (Setchell) Foreman, both of whom were natives of England. They were married in that coun -. try and remained there for several years, coming to the United States just before the outbreak of the Civil war. They located in Michigan, where the father gave his attention to farming. In 1876 they came to Decatur county and settled one mile south of Lamoni, the father operating a farm for six or seven years. He then removed to Lamoni and in 1881 became the owner of the hotel here now known as the West Hotel and conducted that hostelry for about two years, after which he sold it and purchased other property. He is still residing
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at Lamoni, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife passed away in April, 1905, when seventy-five years old. He belongs to the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, as did his wife. To them were born six children: Julia Inman, who died in 1910 in North Dakota; Mrs. Clara Harrington, who is living near Decatur; Joseph, proprietor of a cafe at Lamoni; Mrs. Waltenbauch, of Cainesville, Missouri; Mrs. E. C. McCook, of Pendleton, Oregon; and G. S., of this review.
The last named was eight years of age when the family located in Decatur county and he grew to manhood in this county. He re- ceived a high-school education and after putting aside his text-books gave his time to agricultural pursuits for about five years. At the end of that time he removed to Lamoni and entered the employ of Dancer & Smith, dealers in implements. He continued with their successors, Stafford, Walker & Jones, who in turn sold to Bowser & Biddeson, with whom Mr. Foreman remained until he became a mem- ber of the present firm of Foreman, Teale & Company. The last named concern deals extensively in farm implements and since 1914 have also acted as real-estate agents, operating mainly in the vicinity of Lamoni. The firm employs two or three men steadily and does a good business, selling implements, flour, feed, coal, automobiles and accessories.
Mr. Foreman is a republican and is a loyal worker in the party ranks. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Lamoni, in which organization he has many warm friends. There has never been any question as to his integrity and fair dealing, and his probity has been a factor of no little importance in his business success. Moreover, all who have been closely associated with him know him to be a man of excellent judgment.
JOHN W. WAILES, M. D.
Dr. John W. Wailes has built up a large and representative practice as a physician and surgeon and is also identified with a number of local business enterprises. He was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, on the 12th of December, 1865, a son of James W. and Zerelda (Needham) Wailes, natives of Indiana. The paternal grandparents settled with their family in Davis county, Iowa, in 1849 but removed to Appanoose county in 1851. There James W.
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Wailes grew to manhood and as soon as he reached maturity he purchased land which he cultivated and improved. He added to his holdings from time to time and acquired title to about six hundred acres, which he operated for many years, deriving therefrom a hand- some income. At length he retired and removed to Centerville, where he was living at the time of his death. He was very successful as a farmer and engaged extensively in stock-raising, contributing much to the advancement of stock-raising interests in his county. On the 22d of August, 1863, he enlisted as a private in the Union army, on the 24th of February, 1864, he was promoted eighth corporal and on the Ist of May of that year seventh corporal. On the 30th of July following he was taken prisoner at Newman, Georgia, and incarcerated in the notorious prison at Andersonville, Georgia, for two months. On the 1st of July, 1865, he was made fourth corporal and on the 27th of that month was promoted sergeant. His record as a soldier was distinctly creditable and throughout his entire life he performed his duty unflinchingly. His demise, which occurred on the 2d of March, 1908, when he was seventy-four years of age, was deeply regretted by his many friends. His widow is still living in Centerville at the age of seventy-one years.
Dr. John W. Wailes was reared in Appanoose county, Iowa, and there acquired a good general education. For two years he was principal of the Iconium schools and during that time devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine. After teaching for two years he entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, completing his course there by graduation on the 10th of March, 1891. On the 8th of May of that year he located in Davis City and opened an office for the practice of medicine and surgery. During the twenty-four years that he has been located here he has gained the confidence of the general public and of his brethren of the medical fraternity and his practice is large and profitable. He believes thor- oughly in the future prosperity and development of Decatur county and has invested in a number of local business enterprises. He owns stock in the Farmers Bank of Davis City and in 1901 aided in organiz- ing the Exchange National Bank of Leon, of which he is a director. He also owns stock and is a director of the Katy Mercantile Company of Katy, Texas.
On the 13th of December, 1892, Dr. Wailes married Miss Jeannette Cartwright, a daughter of Frank P. and Harriet (Leech- man) Cartwright, natives of Ohio and pioneers of Decatur county, Iowa. The father, who was a farmer, cultivated land here during
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the greater part of his active life and still resides upon a farm a mile south of Davis City although he is retired. The mother died in March, 1914. Dr. and Mrs. Wailes have become the parents of six children: Helen Lucille, twenty years of age, who is attending Simpson Col- lege at Indianola; James W., a lad of eleven years, who is attending the Davis City schools; one who died in infancy; Maude, who died when three years old; Francis Drake, who died when an infant of three weeks; and John W., Jr., who died in 1901, when two years of age.
Dr. Wailes is a republican and for twenty-two years has served as chairman of his precinct, doing much in that time to promote the interests of his party. He belongs to the Masonic blue lodge of Davis City, to the chapter and commandery at Leon and to the Mystic Shrine at Davenport. He also holds membership in the local subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held all of the chairs, and is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America, the Yeomen and the Sons of Veterans. His relig- ious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Along pro- fessional lines he holds membership in the Decatur County and Iowa State Medical societies and the American Medical Association. He was for eight years a member of the Board of United States Surgeons and is now medical examiner for twenty-two old line life insurance companies. He is a representative member of the medical profession in Decatur county and has not only gained success as a physician but has also been a factor in the community life of Davis City along many lines. He clearly recognizes the great importance of the public schools and during the three years that he was a member of the board of education did all in his power to secure the advancement of the local schools. He can be counted upon to cooperate with all move- ments that seek the material, moral and civic progress of his com- munity and his fellow citizens hold him in high esteem.
A. M. NOFTSGER.
A. M. Noftsger, a highly esteemed retired farmer of Bloomington township, where he has resided since 1868, has lived in Iowa since March, 1845, when he came to this state as a child with his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Fronk) Noftsger, who were both born in Clermont county, Ohio. Their marriage occurred there, but in 1839
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they removed to Bond county, Illinois, where they resided until 1845, in which year they settled near Ottumwa, Wapello county, Iowa. Subsequently they removed to Marion county and in 1856 they came to this county, settling four miles southeast of Decatur City, where the father died at the age of fifty-two years. Later the mother re- turned to Marion county, but the last eight years of her life were spent with our subject in this county, her death occurring when she was seventy-six years old. The father was a Universalist in religious faith.
A. M. Noftsger, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, May 17, 1837, accompanied his parents on their various removals, attend- ing school in both Illinois and Iowa. However, his educational oppor- tunities were very limted, as his assistance was needed in carrying on the farm work, and he is largely a self-educated man. Following his marriage he rented land, which he operated for a year, after which he purchased a small farm. He worked unremittingly, lived eco- nomically and from time to time was able to add to his holdings, becoming at length an extensive landowner. He has given two hun- dred and forty acres to his children and still holds title to a good farm in Bloomington township, where he resides, although he has retired from active work.
In 1867 Mr. Noftsger married Miss Catherine Wion, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1839, a daughter of John and Nancy (Sines) Wion. The family resided in Indiana for a decade after leaving the Buckeye state, but in 1854 removed to Decatur county, Iowa, whence about 1870 the parents went to Davies county, Missouri, where the father died at the age of seventy years and the mother when seventy-five years old. The father was a farmer by occupation and met with a gratifying measure of success. Mrs. Noftsger attended the public schools in Indiana and Iowa and grew to womanhood in this county. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Noftsger have been born seven children: B. Henry, of Independ- ence, Missouri; Thomas L., deceased; U. D., a carpenter of Oklahoma City; A. Franklin, a farmer of this county; Mrs. Jennie Johnson, of Oklahoma; and Charles E. and William E., both farmers of Decatur county. There are also eighteen grandchildren.
Mr. Noftsger has voted an independent ticket for the past thirty- five years, and has taken an active part in political affairs. In many elections he has stumped the county and he is known as an effective campaign speaker. For almost five decades he has resided in Decatur county and in that time he has witnessed a remarkable transformation as pioneer conditions have given way before advancing civilization.
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In his young manhood, during the Civil war, he spent five years upon the plains freighting and had many interesting experiences which were typical of frontier life. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of Decatur county and has done much to secure the im- provement of conditions. He was one of those who secured the first mail route in this congressional district and no worthy public move- ment has lacked his hearty cooperation.
JOHN P. MAXWELL, M. D.
Dr. John P. Maxwell devoted his time for over thirty years to the practice of his profession but for the past year has been cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Pleasanton. He was born in Eden township, Decatur county, on the 4th of October, 1852, a son of William K. and Jane A. (Cox) Maxwell. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in Virginia. In 1850 they came to this county from Indiana and the father followed farming here for many years. He had served in the Mexican war and used his land warrant in acquiring land in Eden township. At the outbreak of the Civil war he again offered his services to his country and enlisted in Com- pany I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made lieutenant. After serving for a year he was discharged on account of illness and died not long after returning home, passing away in September, 1863. His wife lived until November, 1906.
Dr. John P. Maxwell was reared in this county and after going to the public schools in Eden township became a student in the Leon high school, which he attended for two years. He then taught for some years, after which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He located at Grand River, this county, where he practiced for two years, but then removed to Ellston, Iowa, where he remained for twelve years. At the end of that time he took up his residence in Clearfield, Iowa, where he followed his profession successfully for about twenty years. In 1914 he came to Pleasanton and assumed charge of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, a private institution, as cashier. On the 17th of February, 1915, William Woodard, of Decatur, the owner of the bank, passed away and Dr. Maxwell is now serving as administrator of the estate. He has proved his ability as a business man and financier and under his management
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