USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 23
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Mr. Wernitch was a republican and was trustee of New Buda township, discharging his duties to the satisfaction of his constitu- ents. He belonged to the Grange and took an active interest in all movements that sought to bring the farmers closer together and to give them a more scientific attitude toward their work. He guided his life by the teachings of the United Brethren church, of which he was a member, and his sterling worth gained him the confidence and respect of all who were associated with him.
Mrs. Wernitch resides in Davis City, where she owns two good residences, one of which she erected and the other of which she remod- eled and now rents. She is a member of the Rebekah lodge and has many friends not only in that order but in the community at large as she is a woman of many admirable qualities.
WILLIAM H. SHIELDS.
William H. Shields, of Leon, has met with gratifying success in the real-estate business. He was born in Eddyville, Iowa, on the 6th of October, 1865, a son of Isaac and Jennie Shields, who removed to Iowa in 1850. The father, although a native of Ireland, emigrated to the United States and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when but nineteen years of age, remaining there until his removal west. He engaged in merchandising for many years and was quite promi- nent in his community, serving in various local offices. His political belief was that of the republican party. Both he and his wife have passed away. To their union were born six children, of whom four survive, our subject, a brother at Eddyville, one at Frederick, Iowa, and one at Mount Ayr.
William H. Shields was reared under the parental roof and was given educational advantages. After completing the public-school course he entered Penn College at Oskaloosa, where he remained for two years, and he received a thorough business training through
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assisting his father with the work of the store. When about twenty- one years old his health began to fail so he left the store and began farming, which occupation he followed until 1913. For many years he has been associated with A. L. Ackerley in banking and in the real-estate business, the firm having interests at Leon and Grand River. In April, 1914, Mr. Shields removed to Leon, where he is now residing, and he has gained a place among the representative and prosperous business men of this city. He deals in both farm and city property and usually buys and sells outright. He has at various times held title to large tracts of land and for a quarter of a century owned an excellent farm in Grand River township, upon which he resided until he removed to Leon and which he has recently sold. He still owns three hundred and sixty acres in Eden township, one and a half miles south of Leon, and receives a handsome addition to his income from his land.
Mr. Shields was married in Decatur county to Miss Amy Jen- nings, who was born in Ohio but was reared in this state, as the family removed here when she was but a child. Her father farmed in Grand River township and was well known among the early residents of that township. During the Civil war he fought valiantly in the defense of the Union. Mr. and Mrs. Shields have three daughters, Lulu, Ruth and Margaret, all attending school.
Mr. Shields is a republican and has been honored by election to all of the local offices, which he has filled with satisfaction to his con- stituents. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife hold men- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, whose teachings are the guiding principles of their lives. He has succeeded in business and has also won the sincere respect and esteem of his fellowmen, who recognize his integrity and honesty.
GUY E. DAVIS.
Guy E. Davis is a successful dealer in feed, seed and grain at Pleasanton and also buys and sells real estate and in addition to his other work makes a specialty of collections. He was born in Mont- rose, Lee county, Iowa, September 20, 1872, a son of Francis M. and Lydia (Wellington) Davis, natives respectively of Appanoose county, Iowa, and Nauvoo, Illinois. For twenty-nine years the father was captain of the Dan Hines steamboat on the Mississippi but in
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1879 he abandoned the river and removed to Decatur county, Iowa, where he purchased forty acres of land south of Lamoni. He im- proved his property to some extent but after several years sold that place and purchased one hundred and eighty-six and a half acres in Hamilton township, to the cultivation of which he devoted the remain- der of his life. Before he could plant crops, however, it was necessary for him to break the greater part of his land as there were only eighteen acres under cultivation when the place came into his pos- session. As the years passed he added many improvements and the farm became in time one of the valuable properties of the township. He enlisted for service in the Civil war at Keokuk in Company A, First Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and served for four years and three months. While in the army he contracted a disease from which he never recovered and which eventually caused his death, which occurred December 19, 1898. His wife survived for almost ten years, dying May 23, 1908.
Guy E. Davis was reared and educated in Hamilton township and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, when he purchased forty acres adjoining his father's farm in Ham- ilton township. After cultivating his land for one year he went to Missouri, where he rented a quarter section, which he operated for two years. As times were bad he was worse off financially at the end of that time than at the beginning, but he was not disheartened and in time retrieved his fortunes. He purchased eighty acres of land in Mercer county, Missouri, which he cultivated, at the same time serving as constable. His duties in that office required him to be in the saddle the greater part of the time and it was necessary for him to plow by moonlight. At the end of eight years he had his land paid for and was in quite comfortable circumstances. He served for twelve years in all as constable. At length he abandoned farming and removed to Pleasanton, where he is now engaged in the sale of feed, seed and grain and in dealing in real estate. He also gives much attention to collections and is likewise a notary public. He is recognized as a successful business man and is characterized by energy and sound judgment. He still owns his farm and also holds title to an additional forty acres near Cainesville, Missouri. He owns his home in Pleasanton, which he erected and also has another residence property here, which he rents. In addition to these holdings he owns the building in which his business is located and a garage.
On the 1st of January, 1895, Mr. Davis married Miss Effie A. Willis, a daughter of E. M. and Edwener (Hagen) Willis, both natives of Missouri. They are still living in Mercer county, that Vol. II-15
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state, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits during his active life. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have become the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Raymond M., fourteen years of age; and Lloyd E., twelve years old.
Mr. Davis is a republican and has taken quite an active part in politcal affairs. Since coming to Pleasanton he has served as con- stable and marshal for five years and has also been a member of the town council and the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he aided in organizing at Saline, Missouri. His relig- ious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. He enjoys the full respect of all who are brought in contact with him and his business activities are a factor in the commercial expansion of Pleasanton.
FRANCIS VARGA.
Francis Varga, for many years a highly esteemed resident of Leon and Decatur county and honored with several positions of trust by his fellow citizens, was born on the 8th of August, 1817, in the city of Debreczen, Hungary, of the marriage of Stephen and Clara (Peczely) Varga. The mother was a daughter of Joseph Peczely, Sr., an eminent Presbyterian divine, and was a sister of Joseph Peczely, Jr., a distinguished professor of universal history, Latin and Greek. Stephen Varga, father of our subject, was professor of theology in the Presbyterian College at Debreczen, but in 1830 he passed away and from that time forward Joseph Peczely, Jr., an uncle, stood in the place of father to our subject.
In 1840 Francis Varga was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in the southern part of Hungary. In 1848, when the Hungarian revolution broke out, he was appointed presid- ing judge of a special tribunal created for the punishment of treason. He was elected vice lord lieutenant of the county of Torontal and was given full power to act in said county by the government. Sub- sequently the Austrians regained their authority by the help of the Russians and Mr. Varga was at Villagos when Gorgey, one of the leading Hungarian generals, surrendered to the Russians. Mr. Varga, with others, succeded in escaping and, disguising himself, went from place to place, seeking an opportunity to leave the country in safety. It was eleven months before he succeeded in his plans,
FRANCIS VARGA
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escaping from Hungary by means of a forged passport. After stop- ping at Hamburg and Altona for six months, or in January, 1851, he went to London, where he spent another half year, hoping that circumstances might be so altered that it would be possible for him to return to his native land. As that was not to be, he, with others, decided to emigrate to the United States of America, where they might find the freedom that they sought. Some time previously L. Uhazy, who had been governor of the fortress of Komorn near Budapest, had emigrated to the United States from Hungary with forty countrymen and had called upon President Fillmore for advice as to the best place to settle. The president counseled him to locate in Iowa and accordingly Governor Uhazy and his followers made their way to Burlington and thence overland to Decatur county, forming a colony in New Buda township. When Mr. Varga and his three companions reached this country they continued their westward journey and joined Governor Uhazy and his colony in Decatur county. Mr. Varga settled on government land south of New Buda and there was actively engaged in agriculture until 1857, when he sold his land. He then removed to the southwest corner of Long Creek township, where he acquired land and farmed until the fall of 1864, when he was elected clerk of the court and clerk of the board of supervisors, holding those offices until 1866. He was unanimously nominated in that year for the office of county judge and in 1867 was his party's unanimous choice for treasurer but both elections went to the opposite party. Mr. Varga then returned to his farm and continued to follow agricultural pursuits. He was elected justice of the peace and for two years represented Long Creek township on the board of supervisors. He was also made school director and for some time was president of the school board, his varied public service . being characterized by progressiveness, watchfulness for the public good and foresight. In 1871 he was elected county treasurer and in 1873 and 1875 was reelected, his services being thoroughly satisfac- tory to his constituents. In 1881 he was made manager of the abstract business and in 1892 he with his son, Stephen Varga, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, purchased the abstract books for the sum of ten thousand dollars. He continued as part owner of the business and was active until his demise. He passed away on the 5th of April, 1902, and his demise was mourned by many who not only admired him but held him in high esteem for the many qualities of upright, courageous manhood that characterized his personality.
Mr. Varga was married in this county on the 4th of August, 1858, to Miss Mary Zander, the oldest child of Charles and Maria Zander.
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Mrs. Varga was born on the 23d of June, 1842, at Wallo, Mecklen- burg, and about 1852 accompanied her parents to America, the family home being established on a farm near Madison, Wisconsin. Sub- sequently, to escape the extremely cold winters, a removal was made to Mitchell county, Iowa, where they remained until 1855, when they moved southward, settling on a farm east of Terre Haute, in Decatur county. To Mr. and Mrs. Varga were born nine children, two of whom died in infancy, and Clara, the wife of John A. Frazier, passed away on the 17th of June, 1906. Six children survive: Stephen; Emma, the wife of D. E. Gatchell, of Omaha, Nebraska; Rosa, who married Byron Hamilton; Esther, who gave her hand in marriage to F. M. Coder; Mary, now Mrs. Frank N. Slade; and Nellie Dorn, of Des Moines, Iowa. Two sisters and a brother also survive Mrs. Varga, who passed away on the 3d of June, 1914, when nearly seventy-two years of age. In early womanhood she became a member of the Presbyterian church and on the 2d of June, 1866, aided in organizing the church of that denomination in Leon. For forty-eight vears she was a faithful member of the congregation and took an active part in furthering its work.
Mr. Varga was stalwart in his support of the republican party and almost immediately after locating in Leon became prominent in the local councils of his party. For forty years he attended every state convention and his advice was sought by the state republican leaders, who knew that the success of the party in Decatur county was in no small measure due to Mr. Varga's untiring efforts in its behalf. He held a number of local offices and at all times manifested a keen sense of responsibility to the people and sought to discharge his duties so as to promote the general good. Religion was a most vital force in his life and he was a leader in the Presbyterian church, of which he was one of the charter members. He was very regular in attendance, gave liberally to its support and served ably as an officer of the church, but it was in the strength and goodness of his life as day by day he performed the duties that lay closest at hand that the sincerity of his Christian faith was most manifest. The love of liberty and the championship of the rights of the people that char- acterized him as a young man in Hungary and that eventually made it necessary for him to flee his native land were among his dominant traits throughout life, and equally marked was the moral courage that made him stand for what he thought was right no matter how great the risk that such action entailed. His strength of character was equalled by his kindliness and thoughtfulness for others, and it was said that no one ever appealed to him for charity in vain, while
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in his daily intercourse with his fellowmen he was kind and courteous. Although he had a great capacity for friendship and found much pleasure in the society of his friends, his greatest delight was in his family circle. He was successful in business and gained financial independence, but he was remembered not only as an able business man but also as a citizen who was at all times willing to aid in any movement to promote the welfare of the community, as a man who freely gave of his time and thought to the advancement and progress of his city and county, and his keen intellect and moral courage made him a worthy leader. He was a fine scholar and was probably the peer of any Latinist in the state of Iowa. He realized fully the great part that a system of public education plays in a democracy and was one of the stanchest friends of the public schools, doing much in their behalf.
In 1896, in .company with his son Stephen Varga, he returned to Hungary and visited his native city. While there he gave expres- sion to his love for his adopted country and also to the affection which he still felt for the land of his birth and on his return home brought with him some Hungarian soil, which, according to his desire, was placed under his head when he was prepared for burial. He passed away when almost eighty-five years of age after a life lived in accord- ance with the highest standards of manhood, and his memory is still cherished by many who knew him.
GEORGE R. BATHE.
George R. Bathe, who for many years owned and operated the Eagle Grove farm, on section 29, Bloomington township, removed to Kansas the winter of 1890-1 and subsequently became a resident of Oklahoma, where he still resides. His birth occurred in Moultrie county, Illinois, on the 20th of March, 1842, and he is a son of James and Melinda (Powell) Bathe, both natives of Illinois, the former born in Vermilion county.
George R. Bathe was left an orphan when but ten years of age and when fourteen years old came to Decatur county, Iowa, with his brother-in-law, A. J. McClain, with whom he made his home for years. He received a good common-school education but on the 15th of August, 1861, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company M, Third Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, for service in the Civil war and participated in all of the engagements in which that regi-
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ment took part. Although he was once slightly wounded he never missed a roll call and because of gallant conduct was made sergeant major in 1863. On the 9th of August, 1865, he was honorably dis- charged with his regiment at Atlanta, Georgia, and on the 20th of that month he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa. He returned to Decatur county and in the fall of 1865 took up his residence in Decatur City, where he remained for three years, removing to Bloom- ington township in the spring of 1868. He settled upon his farm, which was known as Eagle Grove farm, on section 29, that town- ship, near Tuskeega. He also owned five hundred acres of land on sections 22 and 23 and was an extensive breeder of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He sold many head of registered stock and did much to improve the grade of cattle raised in Bloomington township. There were many who regretted his departure, when in the winter of 1890-1 he removed to Kansas, whence he went to Oklahoma.
Mr. Bathe was married on the 13th of October, 1865, to Miss M. A. McDonald, a daughter of Malay and Mary (Ferguson) McDonald. To this union were born six children: Mrs. Nora Mor- ris, of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Charles T. Rhodes; Irvin L., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Avon, who is married and who lives in Lenapah, Oklahoma; Carrie, the wife of Ernest Shep- herd, of Pueblo, Colorado; and Charles W., of Coffeyville, Kansas.
Mr. Bathe is a republican and has been quite prominent in local public affairs. He has been a devoted husband and father and the family are closely bound together by ties of mutual affection. His genial nature and great-hearted generosity have endeared him to those with whom he has come in contact, while his unswerving integ- rity and strict honesty have won the sincere respect of all who know him.
ULYSSES GRANT GRIFFITH.
Ulysses Grant Griffith is the efficient agent at Davis City for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and not only looks carefully after the interests of the company which he represents but also strives to accommodate the public. He was born in Ringgold county, Iowa, on the 20th of December, 1862, a son of James J. and Susan (Higgins) Griffith. The father was born in Pennsylvania of Irish and Welsh stock but the mother was born in Illinois and was of Dutch descent. Their marriage occurred near Palestine, Illinois,
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and in 1848 they removed to Mashaka county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. In 1855 they took up their residence in Ring- gold county on eighty acres of land which the father had entered from the government. Subsequently he bought additional land and lived upon his farm until 1900, when he removed to Delphos, Iowa, where he lived retired until his death in 1908. His widow survived until the 25th of January, 1915, passing away then at the home of a ' daughter in Redding, Iowa.
Ulysses G. Griffith attended district school and assisted in the operation of the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age. He then took a course in telegraphy at the Iowa Business College in Des Moines and in 1884 was stationed at Grant City, Missouri, as a helper in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ticket office. After remaining there eighteen months he went to Indianola, Iowa, as night operator and three months later was promoted day operator at King City, Missouri. He worked there for two years, after which he was for one year an extra man. He was sent to Lacona, Iowa, as agent and operator at the end of that time and about two years later came to Davis City as agent. He not only represents the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad here but is also local agent for the Adams Express Company. He has quite heavy responsibility, as much live stock, freight and express are shipped from this point, and there is also a fair amount of passenger traffic. The local office is also a night telegraph office and C. E. Smith is the able night operator. Since Mr. Griffith has been at Davis City the station has been remodeled and there is a mile of side track in the local yards and also a coaling and watering point at the city. Mr. Griffith has been in the employ of the Burlington road for over thirty years and has won commendation from his superiors for his trustworthiness and efficiency, while the people of Davis City appreciate his courtesy.
On the 19th of December, 1888, Mr. Griffith married Miss Alice W. Harris, a daughter of William and Mary (Chilton) Harris, both of whom were born in Kentucky, the former of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They were married in that state and in 1872 the father died in Casey county, Kentucky. His widow and children subsequently emigrated westward to Missouri, locating at Stanberry when Mrs. Griffith was but five years of age. Mrs. Harris passed away in Missouri in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have one child, Eugene, born on the 27th of September, 1891, who is employed as a fireman on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and who resides with his parents.
Mr. Griffith is a republican but has never sought office as a reward for his party loyalty. He belongs to the Order of Railway Teleg-
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raphers of St. Louis and is a member of a number of lodges, includ- ing the Masonic order, the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife holds membership in the Order of Eastern Star and in the Yeomen. Both are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church of Davis City and their lives are in harmony with their relig- ious professions. Mr. Griffith thoroughly understands every detail of his work and as he gives it his undivided attention all of his duties are discharged promptly and capably.
JOHN W. FROST.
John W. Frost, a well known stock-raiser and farmer of Eden township, is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Center township. He was born on the 21st of January, 1872, of the marriage of W. H. and Jane (Varner) Frost, both natives of Licking county, Ohio, the former born near Fallsburg. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to this county in 1864, locat- ing in Center township, near Leon, where he purchased land, which he continued to operate until 1907. In that year he removed to Leon, where he is still residing, and he owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Eden township. His wife also survives. They were married in their native county and to them have been born the following children: Anna Bell, now the wife of E. S. Evans, a farmer residing near Garden Grove; Jennie, who gave her hand in marriage to James Perry, who is farming in Nebraska; Ella, the wife of William P. Gittinger, an agriculturist living west of Leon; John W .; W. M., who is following agricultural pursuits in Eden township; Alice, who married John Evans, an agriculturist of Eden township; and May, the wife of Wallace Patton, a farmer of Nebraska.
John W. Frost attended school in Center township and continued to reside upon the home farm until some years after his marriage. He then began his independent career, purchasing eighty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1912. In 1910 he purchased the one hundred and twenty acres on section 14, Eden township, which is still his home farm, and now cultivates two hundred acres in all, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. He carries on both general farming and stock-raising, finding that the two occupations coordinate well. He also has other interests, as he is serving as president of the Mutual Telephone Company of Decatur county.
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