USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 2
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Iowa. He rented land here from 1884 until 1903, when he pur- chased land in Franklin township, which he cultivated for three years. At the end of that time he sold that place and purchased another farm in Franklin township, to the improvement of which he devoted his energies for two years. At the end of that time he removed to Hamilton township and for three years he and Newton Judd operated in partnership a tract of two hundred and forty-seven acres. In 1911 Mr. Brown purchased one hundred and twenty-seven acres on sec- tion 2, Hamilton township, and during the intervening four years has made many improvements upon the place. He understands practical methods of farming and his well directed industry is bring- ing him substantial financial returns.
In April, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Mary Jones. She is a daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Bixby) Jones, both natives of Pennsylvania, who, however, removed to Wayne county, Iowa, many years ago. The father farmed there until 1875, when he removed with his family to Decatur county. For years he rented land near Garden Grove, but is now living retired at the age of eighty-five years and makes his home with his children. His wife died in March, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Mabel, the wife of Will Barber, of Garden Grove; Verley, who also lives in that town; Mag- gie, who gave her hand in marriage to Ross Dale, who lives near Garden Grove; Hazel, the wife of Earl Norton, also residing near Garden Grove; Marie, who lives at Humeston; and Thomas and Ruby, both at home.
The republican party finds in Mr. Brown a stalwart supporter and he has served as school director, as constable and as road super- intendent. He holds membership in the Yeomen lodge and in the Christian church and his life is guided by the highest principles of morality. He does well his work as a farmer and in so doing pro- motes the agricultural development of his township and at the same time secures a gratifying measure of prosperity for himself.
ELMER L. SHIRA.
Elmer L. Shira, who is superintendent of the Decatur County Home, has proved very efficient in his difficult position, at once safe- guarding the interests of the county and making it as comfortable as possible for those who are living in the home. His birth occurred
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
in Grant county, Indiana, September 15, 1865, and he is a son of Lyman W. and Christina (Barley) Shira, natives respectively of Ohio and of Pennsylvania. Both were born of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. On removing westward they first settled in Indiana, but in 1876 went to Arkansas, where the father passed away. The mother is still living and resides in Los Angeles, California.
Elmer L. Shira attended the district schools in the Hoosier state. He assisted his father until he was sixteen years of age and then began working out as a hired hand, so continuing for nine years, after which he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and located in Eden township, where from 1890 to 1900 he was engaged in railroad con- struction work, furnishing repair supplies for the Des Moines, Kan- sas City and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railways on their lines through Decatur county. From 1896 to 1900 Mr. Shira also devoted some time to agricultural pursuits. In 1900 he was elected superintendent of the Decatur County Home, which is located on sections 13, 14 and 15, Eden township, and comprises two hundred and forty acres of fine land. One hundred and ten acres is under cultivation and the remainder is in pasture. Mr. Shira grows excel- lent crops of grain and also raises cattle and hogs of a good grade, and has so managed the affairs of the home as to save the county a considerable sum of money annually. Almost all of the provisions used at the home are raised upon the farm and the work is well sys- tematized. At the present time there are twenty-eight people living at the home and their comfort is carefully considered. Mrs. Shira is matron and under her management the domestic work of the insti- tution is done quietly and efficiently. Since Mr. Shira took charge of the home many important improvements have been made. In 1914 an addition to the main building was put up at a cost of four thousand dollars, and with the exception of the horse barn, all of the outbuildings have been erected since 1900. Everything about the home is in an excellent condition and his services and those of his wife give complete satisfaction.
Mr. Shira was married November 16, 1890, to Miss May Smith, a daughter of Asa and Sarah (Boswell) Smith, both natives of Iowa. They are now living near McFall, Missouri, where the father is- engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Shira have one daughter, Win- nie, who was born March 12, 1894. After completing the high- school course in Leon by graduation with the class of 1911 she took a collegiate course of study at the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, and is now teaching school in district No. 1, Eden township.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Mr. Shira is a republican and takes an active part in the work of the party. Fraternally he is identified with the blue lodge and Royal Arch chapter of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, all of Leon. He takes much interest in everything relating to the progress of his community and is especially concerned for the welfare of the public schools, realizing their paramount importance in a democratic system of government. For three years he served as school director of district No. 3, Wood- land township, and proved efficient and aggressive in that capacity. His wife and daughter are both members of the Church of Christ of Eden township. He is well known in Decatur county and his ability and integrity are both universally recognized.
CHARLES THORP.
Among the successful merchants of Pleasanton is Charles Thorp, who is engaged in the grocery and restaurant business. He was born in Alton, Illinois, on the 19th of November, 1862, a son of George and Sarah Thorp, natives of England. The father, who was a silk weaver in his native land, emigrated to America in the '30s and located in Nauvoo, Illinois, where he worked at different occupations, eventually turning his attention to auctioneering and followed that calling for many years. He resided for a time in Hutchinson, Kansas, when that city was but a small village. He was burned out there and then went to Alton, Illinois, where he car- ried on business as an auctioneer for many years. He purchased merchandise which he sold at auction and proved quite successful. He was also a notary public. After leaving Alton he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as an auctioneer for the well- known Morgan, auctioneer. In 1881 he moved to Pleasanton, Deca- tur county, Iowa, and turned his attention to farming, renting land for several years or until his death, which occurred in 1887. He was known as Captain Thorp and had many sincere friends. His widow and two sons, William and Charles, also a daughter, Jemima, removed to St. Louis and lived there for several years, after which the mother made her home with her children until her death, which occurred June 19, 1902.
Charles Thorp was reared and educated in St. Louis and when he entered the business world he became connected with a stationery and printing firm, continuing in that line until 1881. In that year
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
he accompanied his parents to Decatur county and following the demise of his father he returned with his mother and brothers and sister to St. Louis. He and a brother there operated the King's Highway Express Company for fifteen years, after which they came again to Decatur county. They purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Hamilton township, near Pleasanton, and operated their farm until his brother's health failed. They then sold out and removed to Pleasanton, where they purchased a store building and three lots and opened a grocery store and restaurant. They con- ducted the business in partnership until the demise of the brother on the 8th of February, 1911. Since that time Mr. Thorp has been in business alone. He has studied the community carefully and buys his stock with a view to the demands of his customers. As his business policy is a liberal one he is meeting with well deserved success and receives a gratifying income from his store. The restaurant also returns him a good profit. Since the demise of his brother he has only one relative living, namely, Maria T. Swift, the wife of J. A. Swift, of St. Louis.
Mr. Thorp is a democrat and loyally supports that party at the polls, although he has never desired to hold public office. Frater- nally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic blue lodge, of which he is treasurer. His religious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. He is esteemed not only for his energy and business ability but also for his integrity and his consideration of others.
CAPTAIN JOHN D. BROWN.
Captain John D. Brown, of Leon, Decatur county, has been signally honored by the Grand Army of the Republic, having been elected commander of the Department of Iowa at the state encamp- ment in June, 1912. He has also served as state senator and is widely known throughout Iowa. A native of Huron county, Ohio, his birth occurred on the 1st of August, 1840, and his parents were Hugh and Harriet A. (Burns) Brown. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Brown, was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage. When a young man he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and settled in the state of New York. During the War of 1812 he fought in the American army and thus gave indubitable proof of his patriot-
CAPTAIN JOHN D. BROWN
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
ism. The maternal grandfather was James Burns, a native of Scot- land and a descendant of Robert Burns, the famous and much beloved Scotch poet.
Hugh Brown was born in the Empire state but when a young man emigrated to Ohio and there followed the occupation of farm- ing. In 1854 he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and purchased five hundred acres of land, to the cultivation of which he gave much of his time. He was also a miller, however, and bought one of the first flour mills built in Decatur county, and he likewise engaged in mer- chandising to some extent. At the time of his arrival in Iowa there were no railroads in the state and it required twenty-two days to make the round trip with oxen to Burlington, the nearest market. He was a prominent and influential man and served in a number of offices, including that of county supervisor. To him and his wife were born the following children: James E .; Susan, who married K. J. Bart- lett; Frances, the wife of Robert Farquhar; Thomas H., who served in the Union army for four years during the Civil war and was a staff officer in the commissary department; John D., of this review, whose twin died in infancy; Melissa, who gave her hand in marriage to A. C. Northrup; William A. and George W., both deceased; and Walter P.
Captain John D. Brown accompanied his parents to Garden Grove, Iowa, in 1854 and was reared upon the homestead in Decatur county. His education was received in the public schools and in the Garden Grove high school and in 1861, when a young man twenty- one years of age, he enlisted in the Union army as a private in Com- pany L, Third Iowa Cavalry. Before entering the field he was promoted to lieutenant of his company and afterward was made captain thereof. He saw a great deal of active service, participating in hard-fought battles in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. His command was a member of the army which under General A. J. Smith met General Forrest at Harrisburg and par- ticipated in the battle of Tupelo, where General Forrest's army was practically disorganized. Returning to Memphis, Captain Brown's command was ordered to cross the Mississippi river into Arkansas and join the forces which were to engage General Price. That well known Confederate leader was marching north with his army to invade Missouri and was considerably in advance of the Federal troops which were pursuing him. However, the two forces met at Independence, Missouri, and as the result of the battle General Price was driven back. In a charge across the Big Blue, in Missouri, Captain Brown fell, shot through the right hip. For two days and Vol. II-2
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
nights he was left upon the battlefield and would doubtless have perished if Lot Abram, his predecessor in the office of department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, had not seen him in marching past and given him his canteen of water. Captain Brown was eventually taken to Kansas City and thence to St. Louis, where he remained until he recovered from his wounds. As soon as he was able he rejoined his regiment and participated in battles in various parts of the south. His regiment was sent to Columbus, Georgia, where there were several thousand Confederates on parole, as it was feared that an attempt might be made by the southerners to rescue Jefferson Davis, who had been captured, when he was brought through the city under guard of thirty cavalrymen. General Upton, in command of the Federal forces in Columbus, detailed one hundred men from the Third Iowa Cavalry, under Captain Brown, as an additional guard to make sure that the prisoner was not rescued by the Confederates. However, no demonstration or attempt at rescue was made. On the 9th of August, 1865, Captain Brown was mus- tered out at Atlanta, Georgia, and on the 20th day of September he was paid off at Davenport, Iowa, after which he returned to his home at Garden Grove.
He gave his attention to agricultural pursuits and for many years engaged in farming and in the stock business. He raised stock ex- tensively and also bought and shipped a large number of cattle and hogs each year, from the sale of which he derived a substantial return. He studied the markets carefully so as to secure the highest price possible and as his animals were in good condition when sold they were readily disposed of. He still owns several fine farms in Decatur county and supervises their operation, although for a number of years he has resided in his beautiful home in Leon. He also is part owner of the Hotel Continental at Centerville, Iowa.
Captain Brown has always taken a great interest in matters relating to the general welfare and has been especially concerned in regard to the agricultural development of his county and state. For nine years he was a member of the board of directors of the Iowa State Fair and was a member of that body when the present beauti- ful fairgrounds at Des Moines were purchased. His knowledge of public questions, his clear insight and marked public spirit fitted him eminently for service in the legislature and in 1909 he was elected as state senator from the fifth district and became one of the leaders in the upper house. He was chairman of the committee on military affairs and a member of the committees on appropriations, railroads, agriculture and highways. He was listened to with much respect in
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
committee rooms as it was recognized that he made a careful study of the questions involved in the various measures to be reported upon and he proved a convincing speaker on the floor of the house. He introduced a number of important bills that later became laws, includ- ing the bill to establish a board of inspectors whose business it should be to inspect the gasoline sold in the state. This bill was bitterly opposed by the Standard Oil interests but its supporters led by Captain Brown made such a splendid fight for its adoption that it was passed. He served for two terms and his record shows that he was at all times loyal to the best interests of the common people. He has also been a member of the county board of supervisors and takes much interest in local governmental affairs.
Captain Brown is justly proud of his military record and has for years been a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. He has been willing to serve the organization in any way possible and his devotion to its interests has been recognized and rewarded, as in June, 1912, at the state encampment at Mason City he was unanimously elected department commander, an honor which he fully deserved. There was never the slightest question as to his efficiency or loyalty as a soldier and officer and he was equally distinguished by generosity and appreciation of the fine qualities of his foes. He cher- ishes the following letter which he received from a Confederate and which bears witness to his magnanimity :
"Okolona, Miss., July 22, 1909.
"Captain J. D. Brown will please accept this little poem, not only as a token of personal esteem, but of grateful remembrance of his kindness in protecting my home and family when defenseless and in the power of his soldiers, for which the name of Captain Brown will ever be remembered as a generous foe, who made a friend while life lasts. (Signed) Colonel James Gordon."
Captain Brown has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Clara C. Hoodley, a daughter of Merwin Hoodley and a grad- uate of Hiram College. She was a student in that institution when James A. Garfield, who later became president of the United States, was its president and there learned much of his personality and ability. She was a member of the Christian church and was baptized by Mr. Garfield. By her marriage she became the mother of two children: Elmer J., who married Miss Etta Stone and has six chil- dren, John O., Harry B., Thomas R., Hugh, Margaret C. and George W .; and E. J., who died when two years of age. The wife
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
and mother died on the 23d of June, 1903, and on the 25th of October, 1905, Captain Brown married Anna E. Thissell, widow of Charles Thissell. Her father, William West, was born in North Carolina but removed to Massachusetts when a young man and her mother was born and reared in the Bay state, where they were married.
There is no more highly esteemed or more popular resident of Leon than Captain Brown and all of his friends and acquaintances have rejoiced with him in the honors that have been bestowed upon him and all hold him in high regard as a man and as a citizen.
ROBERT TURNER.
Robert Turner, who was for many years actively engaged in farming, has lived at Lamoni since 1901, and is now giving some attention to the real-estate business. He was born on the 2d of December, 1835, in Berkeley county, Virginia, now West Virginia, of the marriage of Robert and Nancy (Jackson) Turner, the former a farmer, who was also interested in two saw and grist mills. Both parents died when our subject, their only child, was still quite young.
Robert Turner of this review attended school in his native state until the winter of 1854-55 and then with another young man he started for Texas and went as far as Marshall, that state. He then returned eastward, going by way of New Orleans and thence by boat to Burlington, Iowa, where he continued his education. After com- pleting his studies he worked at different occupations until the 11th of August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps, and was with Sherman in practically all of the battles in which he was engaged. Mr. Turner served for nearly three years, par- ticipating in the Grand Review at Washington. He was mustered out on the 6th of June, 1865, at Washington, D. C., and returning to Davenport, Iowa, he received his pay. He then traveled through a number of counties in Iowa, including Decatur, and also several counties in Missouri, making the trip on horseback, studying care- fully the conditions and the natural advantages offered by each dis- trict. He decided to locate in Fayette township, Decatur county, and went to Fort Madison, Iowa, where he remained until the follow- ing fall. He then established his home in Decatur county, arriving here on the 20th of October, 1866. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 21, Fayette township, which was for
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
many years his home. For two terms he taught school at Davis City and also followed that profession in Fayette township and in Eden township, but not long after his marriage he began to concentrate his activities upon his farm, which he had improved in the interven- ing years. Later he bought twenty acres of timber land in Missouri and secured rails for fences and lumber for buildings from his own timber. As time passed he brought his farm to a high state of culti- vation and made many valuable improvements, developing one of the best farms in his township. He continued to reside there, with the exception of sixteen months when he engaged in the mercantile business in Lamoni, until 1901. He then left the farm and took up his residence in Lamoni, where he owns a fine home. He engages in the real-estate business to some extent, but is enjoying a large meas- ure of leisure, as he has accumulated more than a competence. A number of years ago he bought the block where the school is now located.
On the 7th of January, 1871, Mr. Turner married Miss Dora A. Graham, who was then eighteen years of age and who was a sister of Mrs. J. R. Smith, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Turner passed away on the 7th of June, 1883, on the home farm, leaving four children, as follows: Inez A., who was born on the 9th of June, 1872, married Clifford B. Anderson, of Lamoni, and they have a daughter, Tuloir. Gilbert Edgar, whose birth occurred on the 2d of January, 1874, is cashier of the bank at Kellerton. He married Jennie Hickman, by whom he has a daughter, Arline. Lydia Beatrice, born March 30, 1877, is the wife of Frank J. Horton, of Goodland, Sherman county, Kansas, and they have three children, Dortha, Forrest and Helen B. Robert Clyde was born May 31, 1883, and died January 18, 1885. On the 4th of June, 1884, Mr. Tur- ner married Mrs. Helen B. Lawhorn, who by her first union had two sons: N. W. Lawhorn, now a resident of San Antonio, Texas; and Osa Lawhorn, who died several years ago, leaving three children, all of whom are living.
Mr. Turner cast his first vote for Dodge, who was candidate for governor on the democratic ticket, but as a rule has supported the republican party at the polls. He served a term as mayor of Lamoni and since 1905 has been justice of the peace, winning much com- mendation by his fairness and impartiality. He belongs to John R. Andrews Post, G. A. R., in which he has filled all of the chairs and in which he is now serving as adjutant and quartermaster. While he has never belonged to any church, he is in sympathy with all move- ments that are characterized by moral endeavor, and his own life has
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
been fashioned after high standards of conduct. Although he is past seventy-nine years of age, he has excellent health and is quite an active factor in the work of the world and he attributes his health and energy to the fact that he has obeyed the laws of nature, has observed regular hours and has abstained from the use of tobacco in any form and from the use of liquor except as a medicine. He has worked hard and has also given much thought to the planning of his labor so as to secure the greatest efficiency, and the success which he has achieved is richly deserved. Since 1866 he has resided in Decatur county and in the intervening years has taken part in the transformation of the county from a district that yet bore many signs of pioneer life to a region with all of the comforts and conveniences of an advanced civilization.
JAMES H. MARTIN.
James H. Martin still owns two hundred acres of excellent land in Bloomington and Fayette townships, his home being on section 22, Bloomington township, and he held title to six hundred acres of land until he divided the greater part of his holdings among his children. He was born in 1855, in Birmingham, Staffordshire, England, a son of William and Martha (Tucker) Martin. About 1857 the father emigrated to America and a year or so later the family followed him to this country. They resided at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for one year, after which a removal was made to Rock Island, Illinois, where they lived for two years. Subsequently the family residence was maintained at Kewanee, that state. The father owned a small coal mine, and as he was a practical miner and very energetic and indus- trious, he gained financial independence. He passed away in Kewa- nee in 1889 when about sixty years old, but his widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty years. The homestead is still in the possession of the family. Mr. Martin was a devout member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, to which his wife also belongs. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters, namely: James H .; John, a farmer of Fayette township; Mrs. Martha Tucker, Mrs. Rosanna Lyons and Mrs. Elizabeth Lamb, all of Illinois; William, who was killed on a railroad at Independence, Missouri; George, of Fayette township, this county; and Thomas, a farmer living near Cainesville, Missouri.
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