USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 13
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the affairs of the bank have been well directed. While actively en- gaged in the practice of medicine he won a creditable place in his profession and gained the confidence of his professional brethren and of the general public alike. He belongs to the Taylor County and Iowa State Medical Societies and to the American Medical Associa- tion, which indicates his progressive spirit and desire to keep abreast with the latest discoveries in the field of medical science.
Dr. Maxwell was married on the 8th of September, 1884, to Miss Fannie Woodard, a daughter of William and Matilda (Canter- bury) Woodard, who were born respectively in Ohio and in Iowa. The father, who was a pioneer of this county, went to California in 1849 during the gold excitement and gained a start financially there. He returned to this county and for many years carried on agricul- tural pursuits. Upon giving up the work of the farm he removed to Decatur City, where he owned a bank. His wife died in December, 1914. To Dr. and Mrs. Maxwell was born one daughter, Madge F., who is bookkeeper in the bank of which her father is cashier. The wife and mother died in April, 1887, and her demise was sincerely mourned, not only by her immediate family but by her many friends, who held her in warm regard.
Dr. Maxwell is a republican and has at all times discharged the duties devolving upon him as a citizen. His religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Baptist church and fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He combines the qualities that make the successful physician with those that characterize the efficient business man and has carried to completion all that he has undertaken. Although he has only resided in Pleasanton for one year, he has made many friends here and is highly esteemed for his ability and integrity.
JAMES HAZLET.
Among the well known and highly respected farmers of Eden township is James Hazlet, who was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, December 10, 1871, of the marriage of Hugh D. and Margaret Ann (Graham) Hazlet. The father was born in Indiana on the 21st of January, 1822, of English and Scotch ancestry and the mother was a native of Ireland. In 1852 she emigrated to this country and on the 15th of December, 1857, was married at Oxford, Indiana. Hugh D. Hazlet was a farmer by occupation and owned land in Illinois, which he sold on his removal to Decatur county, Iowa. He purchased
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three hundred and twenty acres of land in Eden township, this county, and was one of the most successful of the early residents of that township. He helped to organize the Church of Christ in his town- ship and the congregation for some time met in the old schoolhouse, as they had no church edifice. Politically he belonged to the green- back party and later to the democratic party. He passed away on the 16th of January, 1887, but his wife is still living upon the home- stead at the age of eighty years. She is yet active and in full posses- sion of her mental faculties and is highly honored by all who know her. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, as fol- lows: Sarah Ellen, who was born February 2, 1859, died April 9, 1860. William H., a farmer of Eden township, was born April 2, 1862, and married Miss Mary Mccutcheon, by whom he has nine children, namely: Minnie, Ruey, Ruby, Mary, Fannie, William, Ida, Raymond and Florence. Ida, whose birth occurred on the 25th of July, 1867, married W. C. Kimport, of Des Moines. Ena, who was born October 10, 1869, is the wife of J. W. Walton, a farmer of Eden township, and they have three children, William Hugh and Mary and Margaret, twins. James of this review completes the family.
The last named attended school in district No. 1, Eden township, and as soon as he was old enough began to assist his father, thus gain- ing much profitable knowledge concerning agricultural work. He is still living upon the home farm with his mother and since his father's demise has had full control of the operation of the place, which com- prises three hundred and twenty acres. He carries on general farm- ing and stock-raising and sells many cattle and hogs annually to the shippers. He is both practical and progressive and his labors yield him a good financial return.
Mr. Hazlet is a democrat and has always taken much interest in public affairs, although he has never sought office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Church of Christ of Eden township and his daily life testifies to the sincerity of his belief. He has won recognition as a capable and up-to-date farmer and all who have come in contact with him hold him in high esteem.
BENJAMIN DARST BARGER.
Benjamin Darst Barger, who passed away in 1912 at Le Roy, was for twelve years associated with the local bank and for five years preceding his demise was the owner of the institution. Before turn-
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ing his attention to banking he was engaged extensively in the stock business and he was widely known throughout the county and esteemed wherever known. His birth occurred in Rockbridge county, Virginia, April 4, 1864. His father was educated for the Presby- terian ministry but never preached, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits instead. After removing from the east he first located in Missouri but soon afterward took up his abode upon a small farm in Lucas county, Iowa, northeast of Le Roy. He was also postmas- ter for a number of years and held that office at the time of his death. His wife is also deceased.
Benjamin D. Barger was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to Missouri and was still a child when the family home was established in Lucas county, this state. He received his educa- tion in the public schools and was reared under the parental roof, assisting his father with the work of the homestead. Following his marriage he devoted his time to buying and shipping stock, particu- larly horses, and he became one of the most successful stockmen in the county. In 1890 he removed to Le Roy and in 1900 became cash- ier of the local bank. He proved very efficient in that position and under his direction the affairs of the institution were in a most pros- perous condition. In 1907 he became the owner of the bank and his wife took up the duties of assistant cashier. They consulted each other in deciding questions relative to the management of the bank and worked together in the greatest harmony. Mr. Barger had an extensive acquaintance in the county and his ability and integrity were universally acknowledged. He passed away on the 13th of June, 1912, and Le Roy thus lost one of its leading citizens.
Mr. Barger was married in 1884 to Miss Julia Spridgen, whose birth occurred in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1861, and who is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Spridgen, natives of Lincolnshire, Eng- land. Her parents were married in that shire and remained there until 1851, when they emigrated to America, locating first in Ohio, whence they went to Indiana, where they resided until their removal to Lucas county, Iowa. In 1862 the father enlisted in the Union army and died while in the service, in a hospital at St. Louis. He is interred in the National cemetery of that city. His widow resided upon the farm until about four years before her demise, when she removed to Le Roy. She reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, passing away on the 21st of April, 1913. She was a Methodist in her religious belief, as was her husband. To their union were born five children, three of whom grew to maturity, but only Mrs. Barger and a brother are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Barger became the par- ents of a son, Elbern, who died when about nine years of age.
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Mr. Barger was a democrat but never desired public office as a reward for party loyalty. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and had many friends in those organizations. In his early manhood he belonged to the Bap- tist church but he attended the Presbyterian church. He was a very generous man and could always be depended upon to do his share in furthering worthy public enterprises. He began his independent career with no capital and through his own well directed efforts and those of his wife, who is a good business woman, he accumulated a considerable fortune and was recognized as one of the well-to-do men of Decatur county. He possessed excellent judgment, could readily determine the value of a proposition and was aggressive and resource- ful,-qualities that do much to insure success in any line of endeavor. Mrs. Barger owns a comfortable home and two productive farms which she leases, one comprising one hundred and sixty acres and the other one hundred acres. She and Mr. Barger lived together for twenty-eight years and their married life was one of unusually close companionship and of community of interests.
WILLIAM ASBACH.
William Asbach, who has been a resident of Decatur county for more than six decades, has since attaining his majority owned and operated the old home farm on sections 25 and 26, Burrell township, which has been in possession of the family since the spring of 1854. His birth occurred in Germany on the 5th of June, 1847, his parents being John and Veronica (Proff) Asbach, who were likewise natives of that country. In 1854 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made their way direct to Decatur county, Iowa, the father purchasing a tract of government land in Burrell township. There he was actively engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1882. His wife, who survived him for almost. a decade, was called to her final rest in 1891.
William Asbach, a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, was reared and educated in Burrell township, this county, and early became familiar with the duties and labors of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. On attaining his majority he purchased the old home place, which he has operated continuously and successfully since, having improved the farm until it is now a valu-
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able and productive property. It embraces one hundred and seventy and one-half acres on sections 25 and 26, Burrell township, and its owner is widely recognized as one of the enterprising, substantial and representative agriculturists of the community.
In August, 1880, Mr. Asbach was joined in wedlock to Miss Maria Mitchell, daughter of L. D. and Catherine (Meek) Mitchell, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was an agriculturist by occupation and after farming in Madison county, Iowa, for one year came to Decatur county in 1857, purchasing land in Eden township which he cultivated until 1870. In that year he disposed of the property and purchased a farm near that of Mr. Asbach in Burrell township, successfully operating the same until his death in May, 1901. The demise of his wife occurred in August, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Asbach are the parents of six children, as follows: Cath- erine, who is now the wife of Fred Graham, of Sioux City, Iowa; William, who is a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri; John, living in Duluth, Minnesota; Ruth, who gave her hand in marriage to W. A. McEwen, of Sioux City; Dow, who has served in the capacity of township clerk since the 1st of January, 1915, and also operates his father's farm, enjoying an enviable reputation as a progressive young agriculturist and capable official; and Esther Myrle, at home.
Mr. Asbach exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and has ably served as trustee of Burrell township for some time. Her religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Church of Christ, and the high principles of manhood which have ever governed his dealings with his fellowmen have won for him the unqualified respect, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has come in contact.
CHARLES WALTER MOON.
Since 1890 Charles Walter Moon has operated an excellent farm on section 15, Fayette township, and previous to that year he resided just north of Lamoni. He was born in Laporte county, Indiana, November 19, 1866, a son of John Orrin and Maggie (Ross) Moon, who removed to Decatur county, Iowa, with their family about 1880. The mother is deceased but the father, who during his active life was an agriculturist, is still living at the age of seventy-six years and resides at Leon.
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Charles W. Moon remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age but since then has farmed on his own account. He had no capital when he began but he now owns eighty acres of excellent land on section 15, Fayette township, which is finely improved. He is very progressive and was one of the first in his section to erect a silo. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and derives a good income from his labor.
On the 6th of May, 1891, Mr. Moon married Miss Sarah Allen,. a native of Kewanee, Illinois, and a daughter of James Allen, who came to the United States from England, his native country, about 1887 and is still running a mill in Lamoni. To Mr. and Mrs. Moon have been born four children: Walter, a student in Graceland Col- lege at Lamoni; Willard and Orrin, both of whom are attending the Lamoni high school; and George Milton, who is a public-school stu- dent.
Mr. Moon is a republican and has served in a number of township and school offices, making a very creditable record as an official. His wife and three eldest sons are members of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. He is justly held in high esteem by those who know him and his success in his chosen occupation is due to his energy and good management.
ALEXANDER HALE SMITH.
Alexander Hale Smith was born in the little town of Far West, Missouri, on June 2, 1838, inheriting right and title to strong char- acter and pure, clean blood from two worthy streams of ancestry, his surname coming to him through sturdy, intelligent, respectable New England stock from the earliest years of the seventeenth century, when one Robert Smith set the first family rooftree in the historic state of Massachusetts, in the county of Essex, in what is now known as Topsfield, near the picturesque little Ipswich river. Running swiftly with the years, the family shared in the romance and history of the state and community, taking places of honor and trust as the need arose, whether fortune led them to battle, legislative hall, forum, pulpit or plow, counting the nation's glory their glory and her bet- terment their duty, until, in the course of generations, one Joseph .Smith was born of Asael Smith and wife in the old family home in Topsfield. This man married one Lucy Mack, a woman born of the blood of heroes in the month of July, 1776, leading to the final
ALEXANDER HALE SMITH
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development of a man born for a message and a mission when in the beautiful heights of the Green Mountains of Vermont their son Joseph was born. Moving westward, this boy met his work in the hills of Palmyra, New York, and delivered to the world the Book of Mormon and founded by revelation the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
By reason of his translation and presentation of the Book of Mormon to the world, he was known to them as the Mormon Prophet. This man joined his life fortune to Miss Emma Hale of Harmony, Pennsylvania, a woman coming through a line of refined, "well-to- do" pioneers of excellent and strong character and of good repute. To this union came the subject of our sketch, Alexander H. Smith, the fifth son and sixth child. The fortunes of the church had led the parents, Joseph and Emma (Hale) Smith, onto the western frontier and into the acquaintance of General Alexander W. Doni- phan, with whom Joseph Smith was counseling in the matters of church property and with whom he was studying law. This intimacy being ripe at the time of his birth, the little son born in Missouri was named for the hero of Sacramento, Alexander, the mother's name, Hale, following it in his signature and record.
The persecution of the church and troubles arising therefrom threw the father, with many other of his brethren, in a Missouri jail while this child was yet an infant. The mother, with difficulty and much suffering, made her way before the edict of evacuation, issued by Governor Boggs to the "Mormons," across the state to the shores of the Mississippi. This was in February of 1839. The river, wide and dreary neath the grey sky, lay frozen and chill. With the small son, Frederick, and baby, Alexander, in her arms and little son, Joseph, and adopted daughter, Julia, clinging to her dress, Mrs. Smith crossed the river on foot and found protection from mobs and menacing foes on the friendly shores of Illinois, in Quincy, at the home of Mr. Cleveland. Here her husband found her and together they removed to Commerce, Illinois, afterward and ever since known as Nauvoo. Buying an old but strong and comfortable blockhouse from Hugh White, this they made their home and here come first the events of memory to Alexander.
The Church rallied to this point and grew to a people of thousands. When the man was but a child of six years there were imprinted upon his mind the horrors attending the killing of his father and uncle by a mob in Carthage. Blurred and terrorized into more or less confusion, the scenes attending those months were like a hideous dream to the man in after years. Swiftly there came dissension Vol. II- 9
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within the circle of his acquaintance that he felt in a childish way, and then the troubled time of war and finally the evacuation of Nauvoo. His mother's brave and singularly well possessed spirit shielded him from many things then as well as through his boyhood, which was spent at Nauvoo, either in the "Mansion," a hotel owned and con- ducted by his mother, or at the Homestead, the old blockhouse added to and improved upon and occupied at times by the family, or maybe on the family farm a few miles east of Nauvoo. He grew to manhood, received his education, formed his friendships and in 1861 was married in Nauvoo to Miss Elizabeth A. Kendall, daughter of John and Elizabeth Kendall. She was born near Liverpool, England, but was reared in and near Nauvoo, being left an orphan when but eight years of age.
Mr. Smith allied himself with no religious sect until after his brother Joseph took his place as the head of the remnant who re- mained true to the original faith and doctrine of the church and refused to follow Brigham Young and drink of the cup of his iniquit- ous doctrines. With this little band of followers who invited. his brother to take his legitimate place as their earthly head, he joined his powers for good and became a missionary for the Reorganized Church.
In company with William Anderson and James Gillen he made the trip across the plains of North America to California with a small span of mules, one wagon and a riding pony. This journey was beset with many perils and unguessed hardships, attended as it was by dangers from wild men and wild beasts and the intrigues and hatred of the western church. This mission was the first one of many to the western lands.
His home was in Nauvoo until 1876 with the exception of two years spent at Plano, Illinois. In the spring of 1876 he removed to Andover, Missouri, near the Iowa line on the south, the beautiful country in and surrounding Decatur county having attracted his eye. He lived on this farm for five years, removing from thence to Independence, Missouri, stopping en route for one year at Stewarts- ville, Missouri, but keeping his farm across the Iowa line. In 1890 he bought his home in Lamoni, Decatur county, Iowa, and there spent the remainder of his life, when not traveling in the interests of his church work, in which connection he traveled and. preached from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in the southern states and to the Great Lakes and Hawaii and the Society Islands, holding the office of an apostle, for many years an active member of that quorum, later counselor in the presidency and at last president of the Order
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of Evangelists and Patriarchs. He died in the Mansion, his own property, while on a hurried visit to the old town of Nauvoo, on the evening of August 12, 1909, after an illness of three nights and three days.
Mr. Smith was a man of keen, sensitive, impulsive nature; big- hearted, big-bodied, moved quickly to action, to tears or to laughter; throwing himself into any undertaking with zeal and devotion. He was a forceful, eloquent speaker, moving sometimes in poetic language and similes when under the fervor of deep feeling. With friends he was jovial and easily approached and affectionate, although rigid in his ideas of morals and ethics. He moved with quick, springing step and erect figure and always with dignified bearing. Politically he claimed the faith of "an old-time Lincoln republican" and lived the life of a patriot.
He loved the wide outdoors, land and water and sky, and delighted in athletic sports, holding a record in his younger days as one of the best skaters and one of the two surest shots in the community. Of the nine children born to him, one daughter, Mrs. Grace Madison, died and is buried in San Bernardino, California, and one son, Don A., is buried at Lamoni. The second daughter, Mrs. Ina I. Wright, lives at Avalon, New South Wales, Australia, and Mrs. Coral Horner near Davis City, Iowa. Mrs. Emma Kennedy and the youngest sons, Joseph G. and Arthur M., reside at Independence, Missouri, while the oldest children, Fred A. and Mrs. Heman C. Smith, are residents of Lamoni, where the widow still lives in their home on the south side.
Mr. Smith was buried in Rose Hill at Lamoni, Iowa, and left the record of a busy, honest, progressive citizen, without fear and true in very truth to the high principles for which he always stood defender and promulgator.
C. E. CREVELING.
Four hundred and fifty-three acres of excellent land in this county pays tribute to its owner, C. E. Creveling, who is recognized as a most successful farmer and stock-raiser. He was born upon his home farm on section 6, New Buda township, August 28, 1860, and is a son of Clemuel and Eliza Creveling. The father was born in Pennsylvania of English, German and Scotch ancestry and in 1854 emigrated west, locating in Washington county, Iowa. In'
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1856 he came to Decatur county and entered and purchased land in . New Buda and Fayette townships and devoted the remainder of his life to the operation of his farm, passing away in 1886. His wife, who was also born in Pennsylvania, came of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. Her demise occurred on the old home place in 1895 while she was making her home with our subject.
C. E. Creveling was reared under the parental roof and received a good common-school education. Following his father's demise he had charge of the settling of the estate and purchased the old home place of one hundred and sixty acres. The father owned in all five hundred acres of land. Mr. Creveling of this review has since added to his original purchase and now owns and operates four hundred and fifty-three acres of fine land, a quarter section thereof lying in Fayette township, ninety-eight in Burrell and one hundred and ninety-five in New Buda township. On the 1st of April, 1893, the family residence on the old home place burned down but Mr. Crevel- ing at once rebuilt on the same foundation, erecting a modern country home. He carries on both farming and stock-raising and for many years gave much attention to breeding full blooded Duroc Jersey hogs. He still feeds many cattle and hogs annually and derives a handsome profit from their sale.
On the 6th of August, 1894, the marriage of Mr. Creveling and Miss Johanna Dunbar was solemnized. Her father, Benjamin Dun- bar, who was a native of Indiana, followed agricultural pursuits and came to Iowa previous to the Civil war. He entered land in Decatur county and became a very extensive landowner. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Johnson, was born in this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Creveling have been born eight children, namely: Perry Orville, whose birth occurred June 17, 1895, and who is assist- ing his father with the farm work; Venus Cecil, who was born Decem- ber 8, 1896; Raymond, whose natal day was the 24th of March, 1898; Wallace, born August 17, 1900; Harold, born January 28, 1902; Myrle, who was born April 2, 1903; Mary, whose birth occurred June 25, 1905; and Howard Taft, born July 25, 1909.
Mr. Creveling is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias lodges of Lamoni and has many friends both within and without those organizations. He comes of a family noted for the large size of its men, his paternal grandfather, Alexander Creveling, weighing three hundred and forty pounds and his father two hundred and forty. He himself is a man of fine physique, which is matched by a keen and vigorous mind and strong character. He
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