USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 17
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Edwin Bevins was only four years of age when his mother died and was only six years old when he went to live with his grandmother, with whom he remained until he was of age. A year after attaining his majority he went to Pennsylvania, where he found work in a saw- mill. He remained in the Keystone state for four years, but at the end of that time removed to Illinois. Subsequently he took up his residence in Clayton county, Iowa, where he engaged in teaching school for one term, at the end of which time he returned to Illinois and for a year farmed in partnership with a brother-in-law. At the
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end of that time Mr. Bevins' health failed and he went back to New York and resided with his father until 1865. In that year he again went to Illinois and purchased land in Carroll county, which he operated for about twenty-five years. In 1890 he sold that place and came to this county, buying two hundred acres in partnership with his brother. Subsequently, however, he bought ninety acres of addi- tional land, forty acres of which he afterward sold. His holdings lie in Eden township, and his land is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He gave much attention to the raising of pure bred Polled Durham cattle and Poland China hogs in addition to growing the usual crops. He was successful as an agriculturist, was a promi- nent bee keeper for years, and accumulated a competence.
In January, 1866, Mr. Bevins married Miss Julia M. Prentiss, a daughter of Reuben and Roxena (Upham) Prentiss, who were born respectively in New Hampshire and Connecticut. Her parents resided in Vermont for many years and there the father carried on agricultural pursuits. His demise occurred in November, 1867, and that of the mother in June, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Bevins became the parents of a daughter, Frances P., who was born in Illinois in Novem- ber, 1867. She is now the wife of Henry E. Horney, who was born in Ohio in June, 1867, of the marriage of Oliver and Sarah ( Under- wood) Horney. His parents were natives of Ohio and the father farmed there for many years. During the Civil war he fought val- iantly in the Union army. He died in 1910 but his wife still survives. Mr. Henry E. Horney operates the farm belonging to our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Horney have seven children, namely: Julia M., twenty-one years of age, who is the wife of Harley Fitch, a farmer of Eden township; Lee B., nineteen years of age, who is at home; Lillie I., who died in 1901 at the age of two years; Edwin O., thirteen years old; Charles H., who died in June, 1905, when three months old; Esther S., seven years of age; and Edith M., a child of two years. Mrs. Bevins died July 3, 1881, after being an invalid for several years. In November, 1883, Mr. Bevins married her sister, Miss Lucia S. Prentiss, who passed away in January, 1901, after a few days' illness.
Mr. Bevins is a republican and has been honored by election to a number of public offices, which he has filled to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituents. His religious faith is that of the Presby- terian church. Although throughout his life he has given careful attention to his work as a farmer, he has not forgotten his duties as a citizen and has at all times been willing to cooperate in movements seeking the welfare of his community. His old age is crowned with
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the sense of worthy achievement and with the respect and warm regard of all who know him. He has almost reached the age of eighty- four years and his brother, who is eighty-six years old, and who has farmed in this county for twenty-five years, lives with him.
CHARLES T. RHODES.
Among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Bloomington township is Charles T. Rhodes, who owns and operates two hundred and forty acres on section 28. He was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, near the village of Letts, August 14, 1868, a son of Jacob and Jane E. Rhodes, an account of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work.
Our subject was reared upon the home farm and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. His entire life has been devoted to farming and stock-raising and for many years he operated a half section of land in Bloomington township. He grows the usual crops and also raises a good grade of live stock, from the sale of which he derives a gratifying addition to his income.
Mr. Rhodes was married December 16, 1890, at Chariton, Iowa, to Miss Lorena Bathe, of Tuskeega, Bloomington township, this county. Her birth occurred on the 21st of November, 1868, and she is a daughter of George R. and Margaret Ann (McDonald) Bathe, the latter born in Madison county, Ohio, February 2, 1844. A sketch of her grandfather, the late Malay McDonald, appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Bathe died in 1890 when forty-six years of age. A sketch of the life of Mr. Bathe is given on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes reside upon the old homestead of her grand- father, Malay McDonald. To their union have been born two children. Faye Lucile was born September 30, 1891. After completing the course in the high school at Lamoni in 1910, she attended Graceland College for four years and Des Moines College for one year. She specialized in music, studying under Miss Wicks of Graceland Col- lege and Miss Edith Usry of Des Moines College. For nine years she has taught music and now has a studio at Lamoni and a class of nineteen pupils in that city and its vicinity. She is the director of the choir of the Methodist church at Lamoni and for a number of years was pianist for the Coliseum orchestra. Leighton Lewis, whose birth occurred on the 7th of August, 1893, is a sophomore at the State College at Ames. On May 1, 1915, he won the Shirley Allen cup in
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his society, the Beardshear Literary Society, of which he is treasurer. He has made several trips with the college Glee Club, of which he is a member, and his monologues add much to the effectiveness of the programs given by that organization. He is a graduate of the La- moni high school of the class of 1912 and for two and a half years took special work in oratory at Graceland College. He won first place and a medal in oratory in a contest in which nine schools com- peted and has recently won a medal in oratory at Ames.
Mr. Rhodes is a stanch republican and has been a delegate to various congressional and state conventions of his party. He is now serving his second term as clerk of Bloomington township, his ability and conscientiousness in the discharge of his duties having gained him reelection. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Lamoni. His wife and children take an active part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church and he can be counted upon to further movements for the moral advancement of his community. He holds the sincere respect, the confidence and the goodwill of those who know him, as his life has been guided by honorable principles.
E. W. FIERCE.
E. W. Fierce, a native of Long Creek township, who is engaged in farming in that township, was born on the 26th of January, 1870. His parents, William E. and Anna (West) Fierce, were born re- spectively in Indiana and in Ohio. The father, who was brought to this county when a child, grew to manhood here, and on beginning his independent career purchased land in Long Creek township, de- voting his life to agricultural pursuits. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army and served at the front for one year. He died when fifty-two years of age, his demise occurring July 10, 1895. His wife is living at Van Wert at the age of sixty-four.
E. W. Fierce was reared in his native township and after attend- ing the district schools entered the Van Wert schools. He continued to reside with his parents until he became of age and then rented land from his father, which he operated until the demise of the latter. Our subject then inherited a tract of land and now owns eighty acres on section 24, Long Creek township, which he has brought to a high state of development. He carries on general farming and stock- raising and both branches of his business are proving profitable.
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On the 28th of November, 1899, Mr. Fierce married Miss Anna E. Stearns, further mention of whose parents, Jonathan and Carrie S. (Bates) Stearns, is found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Fierce have two children: Arthur L., fourteen years of age; and Beulah E., a child of six years.
The republican party finds in Mr. Fierce a strong advocate and supporter and he has served acceptably as township trustee. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episco- pal church. All who have come into contact with him esteem him highly and no movement designed for the public welfare lacks his cooperation.
MARTIN M. TURPEN, D. D.
Elder Martin M. Turpen, who is pastor of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints at Pleasanton, has done excellent work in the religious field and was also identified with agricultural pursuits in this county for many years. He was born in Hamilton . township, Decatur county, Iowa, August 19, 1853, a son of Aaron and Lucinda (Miller) Turpen. His parents, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and of Indiana, removed to Decatur county, Iowa, before the admission of the state into the Union and the father entered land in Hamilton township. He cleared his farm and devoted his time to its operation during the remainder of his life with the exception of four years which he spent in Kansas. He passed away in 1905, having survived his wife for many years, her demise occurring in 1870.
Martin M. Turpen was reared and educated in Hamilton town- ship and remained upon the homestead until he was eighteen years of age. He then rented a farm, which he operated until 1900, when he purchased eighty acres of land on sections 15 and 22, Hamilton township. He at once set about improving his property and was active in the cultivation of his land until 1912, when he rented the place to his son. In the meantime he had become a leader in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and for the past twenty- eight years he has been a minister of that organization. For a long time he was a traveling missionary and then was for two years pastor of the church at Centerville, Iowa. At the present time he has charge of the church at Pleasanton and under his direction the work of its various departments is being very successfully conducted. He com- bines the regard for spiritual things and the religious zeal that are
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the first qualifications of a minister with the practical ability that enables him to work out the high moral teachings of his church into terms of community life.
On the 17th of September, 1876, Elder Turpen married Miss Mary E. McNeil, a daughter of Alex and Elizabeth McNeil, both natives of Indiana. The father was an early settler of this county and for many years farmed in Burrell township. He passed away in 1877 but was survived until 1895 by his widow. Elder and Mrs. Turpen have five children: Claud R., a plasterer and mason residing in Mt. Ayr, who is married and has three children, Eugene, Stephen and Ruth; Clara who married L. M. McNeil, a farmer of Mercer county, Missouri, by whom she has three children, Ellen O., Doris E. and Ray L .; Stephen A., a veterinary surgeon residing in Quenemo, Osage county, Kansas, who is married and has three children, Alma, Thelma and Merle; George M., who is manager of the Lamoni Hardware Company; and David D., who is farming his father's farm. He mar- ried Blanche La Follette and they had become the parents of two children: Mildred B., aged four; and a child who died in infancy.
Elder Turpen is a republican and has always taken the interest of a good citizen in public affairs although he has never been active in politics. While he was engaged in farming he was known as an ener- getic and successful agriculturist but for many years his chief interest has been in his work as a minister of the Gospel and his labors have borne fruit in the deepening of the religious life of the communities in which he has served.
JOSEPH WALTON.
Although many years have passed since Joseph Walton was called to his final rest, there are still those in this county who remember him and cherish his memory because of his many admirable qualities of character. He was born October 30, 1841, in Indiana, a son of Len- hart and Elizabeth (Clark) Walton, both natives of Ohio and the former of Irish descent. They removed to Iowa with their family in the early '50s and the father purchased land on section 4, Eden township, Decatur county, which he cultivated for a number of years. He passed away at the home his daughter, Mrs. Henry Oney, in Eden township.
Joseph Walton accompanied his parents on their removal to this county and here grew to manhood, remaining upon the home farm
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until he reached mature years. He was early trained to agricultural pursuits, was energetic and industrious and possessed excellent judg- ment. On the 1st of October, 1868, he was married and a week later was taken ill with typhoid fever, which occasioned his demise on the 4th of November following at the home of his father on section 4, Eden township.
His widow was in her maidenhood Miss Mary E. Chastain, and her birth occurred on the 22d of January, 1836, in Putnam county, Indiana. Her parents, Levi and Louisa (Martin) Chastain, were both born in Bath county, Kentucky, and were descended respectively from French and from Irish and Yankee ancestry. They were mar- ried in their native county but removed to Indiana at an early day in the history of that state. For twenty-five years they resided in Putnam county, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits, but at the end of that time they removed to Iowa, locating on a farm in Eden township, Decatur county, which the father had purchased with a land warrant before leaving the Hoosier state. Subsequently he bought an adjoining one hundred and sixty acres and he continued to farm until he retired from active life and removed to Leon, where both he and his wife passed away. He took a great deal of interest in growing small fruit and was completely contented when planting, grafting or otherwise engaged in horticultural work. He was a democrat in politics and both he and his wife belonged to the Chris- tian church while living in Kentucky. They were the parents of four children besides Mrs. Walton. Lucy is the deceased wife of J. B. McGinnis, of Indiana, who has also passed away. Licious Rane mar- ried Sarah J. Walton, who is now living in Center township upon a farm. Eliza A. died at the age of seventy-four years. John, a resi- dent of Leon, married Sarah A. Alsbaugh.
To Mr. and Mrs. Walton was born a son, Joseph Willis, whose birth occurred on the 8th of May, 1869. He is farming in Eden town- ship and is well known and highly esteemed in his community. " He married Miss Ena Hazlet, and they have three children, namely: Mary, Margaret and Willie Hugh.
Following her husband's demise Mrs. Walton resided upon the home place, which her son, Joseph Willis, began to operate as soon as he reached mature years. In 1905 she and her maiden sister, Eliza A., removed to a farm on section 4, Eden township, which Mrs. Walton owns, and there she is still living, although her sister passed away on the 23d of August, 1911. Mrs. Walton has reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years and yet is still active and takes a keen inter- est in the happenings of the day. She has the entire respect and the
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warm regard of all who know her, as she possesses many excellent qualities of character. During the many years that she has resided in this county she has witnessed a remarkable transformation and has taken much pleasure in seeing the advancement of civilization and the growth in the material prosperity of the county.
BENJAMIN A. NORMAN.
Benjamin A. Norman, a retired farmer and veteran of the Civil war, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 25, 1844, of the marriage of Benjamin and Nancy (Tipton) Norman. The father, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, June 26, 1805, came of Penn- sylvania-Dutch ancestry. He was a farmer by occupation and re- moved west with his family in 1848, locating in Lee county, Iowa, where he resided for four years. He then went to Wapello county, where he farmed until 1856, when he came to Decatur county and took up his residence in Burrell township on land which he purchased. He passed away June 24, 1867. The mother of our subject was born in Ohio, May 17, 1806, and was married in her native state. She died December 22, 1852, when our subject was but eight years of age, and the father subsequently married Mary Ann Weaver, a native of Manchester, England, who died April 4, 1865. To Benjamin and Nancy Norman were born eleven children, namely: John, whose birth occurred July 10, 1824, and who is deceased; Jessie, who was born June 18, 1826, and who is also deceased; Delilah, deceased, who was born December 3, 1828; George Elliott, who was born De- cember 19, 1830, and who died while serving in the Union army in the Civil war; Charles Wesley, who was born November 29, 1832,. and who is now living at Trenton, Missouri; Francis, deceased, who was born March 17, 1834; James and Samuel, twins, born Septem- ber 8, 1838, the former of whom is now living at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the latter in St. Joseph, Missouri; Mary Mulvina, who was born February 15, 1840, and who is now residing in Agency, Iowa; Clem- ens, deceased, whose birth occurred on the 25th of July, 1842; and Benjamin A.
The last named attended school in Lee county, Iowa, and as a boy and youth assisted his father with the work of the farm. In' 1862, when about eighteen years of age, he endeavored to join the Union army but was several times rejected on account of his size and age. The first time he enlisted in the Seventeenth Iowa Volunteer
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Infantry and went to Keokuk but was sent home. Almost imme- diately he tried to enlist in the Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry but was rejected at Bloomfield which, however, did not lessen his desire to become a soldier. He next enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and this time he was accepted and mus- tered into the Federal army. After serving nine months he was discharged on account of illness. He participated in the first siege of Vicksburg under General Sherman and was at the battle of Arkan- sas Post, where seven thousand rebel prisoners were taken. His regiment was sent to Chicago with the prisoners and then returned to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where Mr. Norman was taken sick and honorably discharged from the service. He returned home and as soon as his health had sufficiently recovered he endeavored to reenlist in both the Eighth Iowa and Ninth Iowa Cavalry but both regiments were filled. Eventually he was sent to the Fourth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry at Vicksburg and served in Company G of that regiment until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa.
Mr. Norman returned home and located upon a farm in Burrell township, this county, but subsequently sold that property and re- moved to Council Bluffs, where he lived for eight years, after which he returned to Burrell township, where he farmed successfully until 1890. In that year he sold out and purchased property in Davis City, where he has since lived. He has one of the nicest homes in Davis City and although he is living partially retired gives consid- erable time and attention to the growing of small fruit and flowers. For five years he served as janitor of the high school and his work in that position was efficient and satisfactory.
On the 27th of August, 1863, four days before he went to the front a second time, Mr. Norman was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Sylvester, who was born in Meigs county, Ohio, August 10, 1848. Her father, John Sylvester, was born near Augusta, Maine, May 10, 1810, of Yankee ancestry. In 1850 he drove a wagon train from Meigs county, Ohio, to the gold fields of California and after remaining there for some time returned home by way of Cape Horn. He was a stonemason by trade and in 1855 emigrated westward with his family with Kansas as his destination. However, the border warfare which was then being waged decided him to locate in Iowa and he settled in Burrell township, Decatur county. He purchased a farm north of Davis City, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. He erected the Covington store building, the first brick building in the city of Decatur, and divided his time between
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following his trade and cultivating his land. He passed away March 5, 1879. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Margaret Grimes, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, July 19, 1816, and was married in Rutland county, that state. Her demise occurred January 21, 1882. To them were born the following children: Delila, whose birth occurred on the 23d of August, 1833, and who is now deceased; Arthur, born June 26, 1835, who is also deceased; Terresse, who was born September 19, 1837, and who has passed away; Jehu, deceased, who was born October 25, 1839; Benton, who was born May 23, 1842, and who is deceased; Emma J., deceased, whose birth occurred May 31, 1843; John S., Jr., who was born June 13, 1845, and who was killed while serving in the Union army in May, 1863; Sarah, who was born March 4, 1847, and is deceased; Julia A., now Mrs. Nor- man; Monterville, born October 20, 1852, who is engaged in ranch- ing near Columbus, Montana, and who married Adaline Beasley; an infant daughter, who died March 27, 1854; and Cinderella, who was born November 21, 1856. She was a teacher by profession and was killed by lightning June 24, 1879, when coming home from her school, the Stringtown school, west of Davis City, with her niece, Nellie Sylvester, six years of age. They took refuge from the storm in an old cabin but the wind tore off the roof and they were both killed by lightning.
Mr. and Mrs. Norman have four children, as follows: John Sylvester, born September 2, 1866, was for seven years a teacher in the public schools of Doniphan county, Kansas, and was also engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years before becoming connected with banking. He is now part owner of the First Na- tional Bank of Troy, Kansas. He married Alberta Clark, of Davis City, and they have two children, Vera Aubrey and Clark W. Charles V., whose birth occurred January 1, 1870, taught school for nine years and for ten years held the office of county superintendent of schools. He is now a partner of his brother John S. in the owner- ship of the First National Bank of Troy, Kansas. He first mar- ried Miss Sadie Leland, of that city, who passed away a few months after the death of her only child, a son, Cyrus, and for his second wife he chose Mrs. Bernice Keefe, of Davis City. Estelle Gertrude, born November 4, 1872, is a graduate of the Battle Creek ( Mich.) Medical College. She is now practicing her profession at Moline, Illinois, and is meeting with gratifying success. Pearl Aubrey, born Feb- ruary 19, 1878, married Grisson Grimes, who is a merchant of Troy, Kansas, while she is a teacher in the public schools of that place.
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Mr. Norman gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has taken quite a prominent part in local public affairs. He has served as road master in Burrell township and for ten years was as- sessor of Davis City, while for four years he was street commissioner of Davis City. He is now a member of the town council. He be- longed to the Grand Army post at Davis City for many years and was for a number of years a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Davis City although he is not now associated with that organization. His wife holds membership in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. On the 27th of August, 1913, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and all of their children but John were present. A musical and literary program was given and a fine dinner was served to the many friends who were present and who wished Mr. and Mrs. Norman many happy returns of the day. Their lives have been well spent and have been factors for good in the community where they have lived for so long.
ARTHUR M. HAAG.
In any community there is usually one man who is recognized as being preeminent in its commercial circles and it is generally acknowl- edged in Pleasanton that Arthur M. Haag was the most aggressive and most successful business man of the town. In building up his large general store he won a gratifying share of financial prosperity for himself and also contributed in large measure to the growth and development of Pleasanton.
Mr. Haag was born in Clarke county, Iowa, on the 31st of March, 1875, a son of Dr. William P. and Rosaltha M. (Moore) Haag, both natives of Ohio. The father was an excellent physician and removed to Clarke county, Iowa, in the early days of its history and there prac- ticed his profession until the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Union army and served throughout the conflict as assistant surgeon. Following the close of hostilities he returned to Clarke county, Iowa, and located at Murray, where he practiced medicine until his demise in 1892 when but forty-eight years of age. His wife died in 1890.
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