USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 14
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has gained more than usual success as a farmer and stock-raiser but has not confined his attention to the pursuit of material prosperity but, on the other hand, has at all times been ready to cooperate in movements seeking the moral development of his community.
THOMAS A. CHURCHILL.
Thomas A. Churchill is an extensive stock-raiser and dealer and owns and operates a splendid farm of five hundred and eighty-three acres on sections 28 and 29, Garden Grove township. His birth occurred near Springfield, in Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1856, and he is a son of Joel and Lucretia (Bondurant) Churchill, both natives of Kentucky, although descended from New England stock. The ancestry in the Churchill line is traced back to England. The Bondurants were originally French Hugenots but about 1687, follow- ing the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, emigrated to Virginia. When a boy, Joel Churchill accompanied his parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, and there his marriage occurred. He was a farmer and was well known and highly respected in his community. In 1865 he removed with his family to Douglas county, Kansas, settling between Lawrence and Ottawa. In the spring of 1874 they returned to Illinois and became residents of Piatt county. Mr. Churchill's political allegiance was given to the republican party and he and his wife were devoted members of the Christian church. Both passed away in Piatt county, his demise occurring in the spring of 1902 when he was seventy-six years of age, and that of his wife in January, 1896, when she was seventy years old. To their union were born six sons and five daughters, of whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth, and all of whom are living, residing in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.
Thomas A. Churchill was reared in Illinois and Kansas and re- ceived his education in the public schools. He began his independent career in Illinois and although he had no capital, he was energetic and determined and soon began to prosper financially. Later he removed to Wayne county, Iowa, where he farmed for five years, and on the 18th of November, 1908, he removed to Garden Grove, Decatur county. He remained there until October 18, 1909, when he settled upon his present farm of five hundred and eighty-three acres on sections 28 and 29, Garden Grove township. His property is not only extensive, but is well improved, and he is meeting with marked success as a raiser of high grade hogs and cattle.
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Mr. Churchill was married in Kansas to Miss Mary Browning, a native of Indiana, who accompanied her parents to the Sunflower state in 1868. Her father was a farmer and blacksmith and took con- siderable interest in public affairs, serving at one time as assessor of Franklin county, Kansas. His wife passed away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is also deceased, both dying in Kansas. They were the parents of four daughters and three sons, of whom two have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Churchill have been born six children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. Olive L. graduated from a high school in Illinois and later attended Drake University. She is now teaching in the Des Moines public schools. Vera Pearl is also a high-school graduate and has taught school, although she is now at home. Martha Elizabeth is at home. Clifton Bondurant, who operates part of the home farm, married Miss Louise Gehlhaar, and they have a daughter, Lorene. Thomas Arthur is also at home.
Mr. Churchill is a republican and is now serving as a member of the Garden Grove township board of trustees. Fraternally he be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Royal Neigh- bors, and his wife is likewise a member of the latter order. Their daughter Pearl is a member of the P. E. O. Sisterhood. Mr. Church- ill has made many improvements upon his farm since it came into his possession and has but recently erected a large barn, which replaces one destroyed by fire a year ago, the building with its contents, in- cluding five horses, being an entire loss. Although he began his career empty handed, he has accumulated more than a competence, and his success is a source of justifiable pride to him. He has also gained the sincere respect and esteem of all who know him, for his business methods have at all times been open and honorable, and he has mani- fested a praiseworthy consideration for the rights of others.
ALBERT L. ACKERLEY.
Albert L. Ackerley, one of the most prominent figures in the financial circles of Decatur county, is president of the Exchange National Bank of Leon and president of the First National Bank of Grand River, this county. His birth occurred in Fayette township on the 8th of March, 1872, and he is a son of Samuel and Charlotte (West) Ackerley, both natives of England, the former born in Man- chester and the latter near London. As a young man the father emi-
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grated to America and was married in Philadelphia to Miss West, who had crossed the ocean to the United States on the same ship. He followed railroading for some time, being in the freight depart- ment of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, but after com- ing to Decatur county in 1871 he gave his attention to farming one hundred and twenty acres of land in Fayette township, which he owned, until he removed to Lamoni. He passed away there when seventy-five years of age, but his widow is still living at the age of eighty-three years and makes her home with our subject at Leon. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ackerley were the parents of the following children aside from our subject: J. E., of Grand River, this county; E. W., of Kidder, Missouri; Mrs. John Herold, of Shenandoah, Iowa; and Mrs. J. W. Peterson, of Alberta, Canada.
Albert L. Ackerley was reared upon the home farm in Fayette township and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. When but seventeen years of age he started out on his own account and for two years farmed and worked at the printing trade. He then turned his attention to real estate and in 1895 started a private bank at Beaconsfield, Ringgold county, which he sold out four years later, purchasing the bank at Grand River. In 1900 he organized the State Savings Bank, which has now become the First National Bank of Grand River, and since 1913 he has served as presi- dent of that institution. In September, 1908, he and E. G. Monroe, then county treasurer, purchased a controlling interest in the Exchange National Bank of Leon. Mr. Ackerley was for some time treasurer of the institution, was later made vice president and for the past three years has served as president, while Mr. Monroe has been cashier. Mr. Ackerley understands the banking business thor- oughly both as to routine work and as to the great principles of finance that underlie successful banking and the Exchange National Bank of Leon and the First National Bank of Grand River have prospered to a marked degree since he has directed their policies. He is also interested in a bank at Keokuk and in connection with W. H. Shields laid out an addition to that city. They have handled a number of large tracts of land and are excellent real-estate men.
On his twenty-first birthday Mr. Ackerley was united in marriage at Lamoni. to Miss Lois Walker, who was born in Nevada but was taken by her parents to Illinois when but two years of age, while the following year the family located in Decatur county, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. She is a graduate of the Lamoni high school and was at one time assistant postmaster of that place. Her father, who was a well known farmer, passed away a number of years ago,
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but her mother, Mrs. M. Walker, is still residing in Lamoni. She has one sister, a widow, Mrs. Frances Davis, who is teaching in the Lamoni high school. Mr. and Mrs. Ackerley have four children: Delos, twenty-one years of age, who is now a sophomore in the State University of Iowa at Iowa City; Leland G., eighteen years of age, who is a freshman in that institution; Lois Alberta, who is a student in the Leon high school; and Homer M., attending the common schools.
Mr. Ackerley is a republican and is not only stalwart in his support of the party at the polls, but is also an energetic worker in the ranks. At one time he was his party's candidate for county treasurer. Fraternally he holds membership in the Masonic order. He possesses much astuteness and is able to readily determine the value of a proposition, which faculty has been of great value to him in his work as a banker, as it has enabled him to at once promote the legitmate business expansion of his community and at the same time to safeguard the interests of the depositors and stockholders in the banks with which he is connected in an official capacity. He is re- spected not only for his ability but also for his unquestioned integrity and uprightness.
WILLIAM A. FRANCE.
The France Lumber Company of Lamoni deals extensively in lumber, building materials and coal and is the successor to F. W. Newcomb, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The present firm includes William A. France and his son, Joseph E. France. The former was born at Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois, of the marriage of Thomas and Alice (Carter) France, who were natives of Lan- cashire, England, and were married there. In 1859 they came to the United States and for a year resided in Omaha, Nebraska. They then went to Illinois, where they remained until 1886, when they removed to Decatur county, Iowa. The father was engaged in coal mining and in business pursuits in Illinois but after his removal to Decatur county farmed until his demise, which occurred in 1901, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife is still residing in Lamoni at the age of eighty years. His religious faith was that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. To their union were born five children, those aside from William A. France being: Charles, of Lamoni, who is president of the local telephone company ;
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Mrs. J. H. Stanley, of Andover; and Mrs. Andy Turnbull and Mrs. A. M. Chase, both of Lamoni.
William A. France was reared in Illinois, remaining there until he was about twenty-two years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Decatur county. He gave his attention to farming on land southeast of Lamoni and was also engaged in the stock business, con- tinuing active in those lines until he removed to Lamoni in 1901. In 1910 he purchased the lumber business which he is still conducting. His son, Joseph E. France, is in partnership with him, the firm name being the France Lumber Company. They handle lumber, building materials and coal and as there has never been any doubt of their integrity they enjoy a large and lucrative trade. Mr. France of this review also owns a tract of twenty acres in Lamoni, where his resi- dence is situated, and he is recognized as one of the successful business men of this city.
Mr. France was married in Illinois to Miss Mary A. Atkinson, a native of Henry county, that state, and a daughter of Abram and Mary A. Atkinson, who were born in England. The father was a miner and both he and his wife have passed to their reward. To Mr. and Mrs. France have been born four children: Joseph E., who is in partnership with his father; Elizabeth, who is attending the State University of Iowa at Iowa City; Thomas W., who graduated from the local high school with the class of 1915; and David W., in school.
Mr. France is a democrat in his political views but does not con- sider himself irrevocably bound by the decisions of party leaders, manifesting independence in the exercise of his right of franchise. He has served as town and school treasurer and has discharged his official duties with credit to himself. He is a member of the Reor- ganized Church of Latter Day Saints and takes a great interest in everything pertaining to the work of that organization. He is an excellent business man and a valued citizen as he is able, upright and public spirited.
WILLIAM McINTOSH.
William McIntosh, a retired farmer living in Davis City; was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, December 18, 1843, a son of John and Elizabeth (Wamyer) McIntosh, both natives of Tennessee and descended respectively from Scotch-Irish and German ancestry. Their marriage occurred in Indiana, where the father followed agri- cultural pursuits for a number of years, but in 1855 he removed with
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his family to Mercer county, Missouri, and there purchased land. In 1869 he sold that farm and came to Decatur county, Iowa, locating in Hamilton township. He passed away upon his farm in that town- ship, March 8, 1877, and was survived for several years by his widow. He served during the Civil war in Company B, Fifth Kansas Volun- teer Cavalry, and held the rank of first lieutenant.
William McIntosh attended the public schools in Indiana and after removing to Missouri worked as a farm hand. At the outbreak of the Civil war he was employed by a man in Davis county, Missouri, and when a local company of Confederate volunteers was organized by Captain David Inyard, Mr. McIntosh's employer offered him his best horse, saddle and bridle if he would enlist in the southern army. He told him many falsehoods about the "Yankees," as he called the northern men, but our subject said he would wait until he heard from home before enlisting. He wrote to his father, who upon receiv- ing the letter went in person to talk the matter over with him and told him that he had enlisted in the northern army. Mr. McIntosh says: "He and friends at home convinced me that the only right thing to do was to fight for the preservation of the Union and I did and fought hard." He enlisted at Princeton, Missouri, August 13, 1862, in the Union army and took part in fifteen battles, including those at Decatur, Georgia, and New Hope church, both of which were hotly contested, and he also participated in the sieges of Vicks- burg and Jackson, Mississippi, and Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, going with Sherman on his march to the sea. Although he saw a great deal of hard fighting and was often where the fire was the hottest he was never wounded. He participated in the Grand Review at Washington and was honorably discharged in that city on the 13th of June, 1865.
After returning from the war Mr. McIntosh purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Mercer county, Missouri, which he farmed until January, 1882, when he sold out and removed to New Buda township, Decatur county, where he purchased one hundred and eighty-two acres. For eleven years he devoted his energies to the cultivation of that tract and won a gratifying measure of success as a farmer and stock-raiser. On the 3d of September, 1893, he sold his farm and removed to Davis City, where he has since resided. During his active life he gained a competence which now enables him to live retired in the enjoyment of the comforts of life.
On the 29th of October, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. McIntosh and Miss Polly Griffin, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Dykes) Griffin, the former born in North Carolina, of Irish ances-
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try. The mother's birth occurred in Tennessee and her parents were natives of Ireland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Griffin passed away in Mis- souri. To Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh have been born eight children. Elizabeth Rebecca married John W. Poush, an auto dealer of Davis City, and they have two children, Floyd and Emerson. John Andrew, who is a clothing merchant of Leon, married Della Cherrington and they have two children, Francis Marion and Helen Elizabeth. Martha died when twenty-seven years of age. James Franklin, who is now living in Waltham, Massachusetts, served in the Spanish- American war under Colonel Loper, in the Fifty-first Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. He married Miss Dorothy Bernard. Lorinda mar- ried Fred Ross, a piano tuner of Duluth, Minnesota, and they have a son, William. Stella is the wife of William Bullington, a ranch- man of Gooding, Idaho, by whom she has a daughter, Louise. Mar- garet married John Asbach, a piano tuner of Duluth, Minnesota. Clara, the youngest member of the family, is forelady in a music house in Denver, Colorado.
Mr. McIntosh is a republican and for a quarter of a century has served as township constable, the length of his retention in office prov- ing the ability with which he has discharged his duties. For many years he has belonged to the Grand Army post of Davis City and he derives much pleasure from his association with others who went to the defense of the Union in the time of its peril.
GUY H. WILLIAMS.
Guy H. Williams, a prosperous farmer of Richland township, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, on the 9th of March, 1872. His father, Richard L. Williams, was a native of Wales, born Septem- ber 12, 1825. In 1844, when a young man of nineteen years, he located in Syracuse, New York. He was without resources and turned his hand to whatever honest employment could be found. In 1857 he entered land in Fremont township, Johnson county, Iowa, fourteen miles south of Iowa City. He had saved quite a good sum of money and at once began the improvement of his farm. He fol- lowed general farming and stock-raising and became in time the owner of two hundred and eighty acres in Johnson county and two hundred and forty acres in Richland township, Decatur county. He was a republican and was honored by election to a num- ber of township offices. His religious faith was that of the Methodist
.
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Episcopal church. He retired from his farm in Johnson county about 1895 and died on the 16th of August, 1910, when eighty-four years of age. He was married in New York state on the 9th of October, 1855, to Miss Mary Jane Evans, who was a native of Madison county, New York, born June 22, 1831, and a daughter of John Evans, na- tive of Wales. Mrs. Williams passed away in Iowa on the 20th of May, 1904. She was the mother of five children: Mabel, who died in 1875 when nineteen years of age; J. L., who was an inventor, and died when twenty-two years of age; Maud, who was born May 3, 1866, and is now the wife of John Davis, a real-estate dealer of Mount Ayr; Jessie, who was born in 1869, and married A. W. Ricker, of New York city, a magazine writer; and Guy H.
The last named was reared upon the homestead and after com- pleting the common-school course attended the high school at Lone Tree. He was early trained to agricultural work and was an efficient farmer by the time that he reached mature years. He cultivated land in Johnson county until 1901, when he removed to two hundred and forty acres in Richland township belonging to his father. The farm is now owned by our subject and his sister, Mrs. Ricker. Mr. Wil- liams takes rank with the most progressive farmers of his township and everything about his place is kept in excellent condition. He follows general farming and stock-raising and his labors yield him a handsome annual income.
Mr. Williams was married in December, 1905, to Miss Sarilda Fullerton, who was born in Richland township on the 21st of March, 1880, and is a daughter of Thomas and Armilda Jane (Shipp) Ful- lerton, an account of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Williams is a supporter of the republican party but is not a pronounced partisan, placing the public welfare above mere party success. His wife belongs to the Christian church. Both cooperate with movements seeking the advancement of their community and have the unqualified respect of all who know them.
JOHN M. CHASTAIN, SR.
John M. Chastain, Sr., was for many years an energetic and successful farmer of this county but is now living retired in Leon in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His birth occurred in Putnam county, Indiana, February 23, 1843, and he is a son of Levi and Louisa (Martin) Chastain, both natives of Kentucky. The father
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farmed in the Hoosier state and also operated a sawmill for several years. He took up his residence there in pioneer days and continued to live there until 1855, when he removed with his family to Decatur county, Iowa. At that time there were only about twenty houses in Leon and much of the land in the county was unbroken and still in the hands of the government. He had entered a quarter section in Eden township two years prior to his removal but on taking up his residence here sold one-half of that one hundred and sixty acres and purchased a quarter section closer to Leon, all of which he had under cultivation in a comparatively short time although but thirty acres were broken when the place came into his possession. In a log cabin which stood upon the farm the first court of the county was held. After farming for a number of years Mr. Chastain removed to Leon, where he passed away on the 20th of March, 1894. He had survived his wife since March 23, 1888. There were five children in the family, namely, Lucy A., L. R., Mary E., Louise A. and John M.
The last named was reared and educated in Indiana and in this county and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty- nine years of age. He then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Eden township, which he improved and operated until 1881. He then removed to Leon and erected a good residence upon a half block of ground which he had purchased. He took up his abode in the city in order that his son might have the advantages of the excellent public schools but continued to own his farm and gave considerable personal attention to its operation. Subsequently he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he resided for four years while his son completed his education. At the end of that time our subject returned to his farm in this county, which he operated for six years, and then again took up his residence in Leon, where he has since resided in the enjoyment of well earned rest. At one time he owned a whole block of city property but has now sold half of it.
Mr. Chastain was married on the 26th of December, 1872, to Miss Sarah A. Albaugh, a daughter of John and Mary E. (Layton) Albaugh, natives of Kentucky. The father became a resident of Indiana at an early day in the history of that state and operated a sawmill there until 1856, when he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and purchased land in Eden township adjoining the farm of our subject's father. He improved and cultivated the land until 1882, when he retired from active life and removed to Leon, where he passed away in March, 1908. The demise of his wife occurred in August, 1882. They were the parents of two children: Mrs. Chas- tain; and William A., who also lives in Leon. To Mr. and Mrs.
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Chastain were born two children: Minnie, who died November 19, 1880; and Frank E., who is operating the farm in Eden township which belongs to his father and which was formerly the property of his maternal grandfather. He married Miss Maude Bruner and they have two children: Paul J., eleven years of age; and Harold, who is four years old.
Mr. Chastain is an adherent of the prohibiton party and has taken an active part in local affairs of government. He has served as trus- tee and as road supervisor of Eden township and he has also been street commissioner of Leon. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and during his life he has systematically followed the highest standards of conduct.
EDWARD C. HOLLISTER.
Edward C. Hollister, who is sole owner of the Pleasanton Lumber Company, was born near Decorah, Iowa, January 31, 1858, a son of Elisha and Mary A. (Edwards) Hollister, both natives of Connecti- cut. The father, who was by occupation a farmer, removed to Winne- shiek county, Iowa, in 1856 and purchased land north of Decorah, on which the famous Indian chief, Winneshiek, was buried. At that time there were no railroads in that section of Iowa and the condi- tions of life were those of the western frontier. Mr. Hollister im- proved his farm and aided in the development of his county along other lines as well. After residing there for a number of years he sold out and went to Jones county, Iowa, buying land in Greenfield town- ship. Later he sold that place also and removed to Kansas, where he became the owner of four hundred acres of land, which he operated until he retired from active life and removed to Sabetha, that state, where he died in February, 1898. He had survived his wife for almost twenty years, her demise occurring June 16, 1878.
Edward C. Hollister received his education in the public schools of Mechanicsville, Iowa, and remained with his father until he was twenty-three years of age. He then farmed on his own account for two years in Jones county, after which he went to Cherokee county and cultivated rented land for two years. He next removed to Kan- sas, where he purchased a quarter section adjoining his father's farm and devoted his time to the cultivation and improvement of his land for twelve years. At the end of that time he traded that farm for two hundred and thirty-five acres in Hamilton township, this county,
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