USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
259
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Everything which he does is done to the best of his ability and his energy and progressiveness are indicated by the excellent improve- ments on his farm and the good condition in which everything is kept.
On the 6th of December, 1905, Mr. Frost was married to Miss Cecil Bracewell, a daughter of Edward and Iantha (Snow) Brace- well. The father was born in Ohio and after his removal to this county he operated a farm near Lineville for two years and then con- ducted and owned a hardware store in that town for thirteen years, after which he again devoted his attention to farming, following that occupation until his demise on the 8th of January, 1904. He was a son of John Bracewell, a native of England. The mother of Mrs. Frost was of American descent and was born in Red Wing, Minnesota, but her marriage was celebrated at Blakesburg, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Frost have two children: Julian Bracewell, who was born June 21, 1908, and is attending district school No. 1 of Eden township; and Miles William, who was born August 6, 1911.
Mr. Frost is a republican in politics and has served for two years as clerk and for four years as assessor of Eden township, while he is now serving his second term as director of his school district. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ of Eden township and take an influential part in its work. The gratifying measure of success which he has achieved is due solely to his well directed industry and his careful management of his affairs, and he is generally respected and esteemed throughout the county.
JAMES C. KESHLEAR.
Since 1911 James C. Keshlear has devoted his time to farming in New Buda township and has met with gratifying success in his work. He was born in Jackson county, Missouri, near Pink Hill, August 4, 1856, a son of Jacob and Sarah B. (Riggs) Keshlear. The father was born in Missouri, of German ancestry, and the mother was born in Kentucky, of Scotch stock. They were married in Mis- souri and the father followed agricultural pursuits in that state. He passed away at the age of forty-five years, when our subject was a child of five years. The mother lived to be eighty-nine years of age and died in Kansas City in 1907 at the home of her son, W. G. Kesh- lear, a detective of that city.
James C. Keshlear attended the district schools and also the schools of Independence, Missouri. After his textbooks were put
260
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
aside he devoted his entire time to the work of the homestead, remain- ing there with his mother until he was about thirty years of age. He then removed to Decatur county, Iowa, and engaged in the mercan- tile business here from 1885 until 1900. He clerked for his brother, G. B. Keshlear, for three years and when the latter sold out our sub- ject opened a store, which he conducted successfully until 1900. In that year he went to Kansas City and worked with his brother, who operated a private detective agency there. James C. Keshlear remained in that business until 1911 and made an excellent record as a detective. He then returned to Davis City and purchased his present farm of eighty acres on section 3, New Buda township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and derives a good annual income from his business. His farm is well improved and everything is kept in excellent repair and in his work he is always ready to use new and improved methods and machinery.
On the 1st of November, 1891, Mr. Keshlear was united in mar- riage to Miss Althea Bolon, a daughter of James F. and Elizabeth (Clark) Bolon, further mention of whom occurs elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Keshlear have four children. William, who was born March 18, 1894, was graduated from the Davis City high school with the class of 1915 and is at home with his parents. Tassie Elizabeth died when six months old. Garland Riggs, who was born October 12, 1898, and Susan Blenadine, born August 10, 1900, are both attending the Davis City high school.
Mr. Keshlear is a democrat and for two terms served on the coun- cil of Davis City, while for three years he was a member of the school board. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Homesteaders of Davis City and has many friends both within and without those organiza- tions. In all that he has attempted he has been successful and his sterling character has won him the sincere respect and esteem of all who have come in contact with him.
M. F. GRIMES.
Among the most aggressive and successful business men of Leon is M. F. Grimes, a member of the firm of Kraft Grimes & Company, which operates a chain of men's furnishings stores in Iowa. He was born in Champaign, Illinois, on the 14th of February, 1864, a son of E. S. Grimes, who was a native of Indiana. The father removed
261
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
with his family from Illinois to Missouri and after residing there for seven years took up his residence in Weldon, Decatur county, Iowa, in 1876. Subsequently he located at Davis City and for many years worked at harness making there, although he also engaged in farming to some extent. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife held mem- bership in the Christian church. He passed away in 1912 when sev- enty-four years of age, but his widow is still residing at Davis City. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, two sisters residing at Weldon and the others besides our subject living in Missouri, Troy, Kansas, and Arlington, Nebraska.
M. F. Grimes was reared in Missouri and Iowa and received a good common-school education during his boyhood and youth. He also learned the harness maker's trade, as did his three brothers, and two of them are still following that occupation, while the other is engaged in the clothing business. "M. F. Grimes located in Leon in October, 1891, and for a number of years was in the employ of Michael Mayer, who conducted a clothing store in Leon, from 1882 until 1901, when Kraft Grimes & Company bought him out. Mr. Grimes has since given practically his entire attention to the work of directing the affairs of the company and their annual business has reached a large figure. They operate stores in ten Iowa towns, in one town in Illinois and in one in Missouri and have headquarters in Chicago. The managers of all of the stores meet in a semi-annual convention and practically all of the goods for the various stores are purchased at one time, which enables the company to buy to better advantage. The firm also owns a chain of ten-cent stores in Michi- gan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa and is constantly seeking to systematize and to expand its business. The Leon store employs from two to nine clerks according to the season and carries a full line of clothing, shoes, men's furnishings and accessories. Its patrons are among the representative men of the city and Kraft Grimes & Company have a well earned reputation for fair dealing. Mr. Grimes also owns a store at Kellerton, Ringgold county, Iowa, known as the Grimes, Quiett Clothing Company, and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of Decatur county.
He was married October 7, 1887, to Miss Minnie Lorey, a repre- sentative of a family mentioned elsewhere in this work. She was born in Leon and passed away here in 1910, leaving four children, three sons and a daughter. Leslie, who is employed in the store at Leon, is married and has a son, Paul. Cecile is keeping house for her father, Forrest and Marion are both at home.
262
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Mr. Grimes is a republican but has never had time to engage actively in politics. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Leon, and he has been a member of the Christian church since six- teen years of age. He is respected for his unquestioned business ability, honored for his integrity and held in warm regard because of his agreeable personality.
ERNEST P. HAMILTON.
Ernest P. Hamilton, proprietor of the Good View Farm, embrac- ing one hundred and sixty acres in Garden Grove township, enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the successful and enterprising agriculturists of Decatur county and is prominently known as a dealer in high-grade stock. His birth occurred in Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, on the 12th of September, 1866, his parents being John and Rebecca (Pritchard) Hamilton. The paternal grand- parents were Joshua and Jane (Craig) Hamilton, the former born near Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1793, and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of John Craig, who was born in Ireland and was of Eng- lish extraction. He married Miss Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had nine children. John Hamilton, the father of our subject, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 22d of November, 1820, and still survives, being remarkably strong and active for a man of his advanced age. The demise of his wife occurred on the 6th of December, 1892. To them were born seven children, as follows: Sallie, who is the wife of B. F. Funk; Mary, the deceased wife of Andrew Wilson; Alice, who gave her hand in marriage to J. J. Dalbey; Nellie, who is the wife of W. E. P. Anderson, an attorney by profession; Belle, who married H. V. Moore, a banker; Elizabeth, the wife of C. H. C. Peirson; and Ernest P., of this review.
The last named acquired his education in the public schools of his native county and was reared to manhood on the home farm. He continued farming in Illinois until 1895, when he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Garden Grove township, which he has operated continuously to the present time and has brought to a high state of cultivation and improvement. He is engaged in general farming and is one of the most prominent dealers in registered stock in the county. His stand-
263
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
ard bred trotting, English Shire and Percheron horses, of which he makes a specialty, have the reputation of being second to none in this or any other county in the west. Mr. Hamilton is a lover of good horses and, having dealt in standard bred animals on his farm for twenty years, is well qualified to pass judgment on them, his opinion being generally accepted as authority. He likewise gives considerable attention to raising Jersey Red hogs and in all of his undertakings has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity. There is an excellent orchard on his property and the improvements include wells and windmills and a handsome resi- dence, large barns and outbuildings, all of which he erected.
On the 12th of September, 1889, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Alice Armstrong, a daughter of John and Mary Armstrong, of McLean county, Illinois. To them have been born five children, namely: Ruth Bell, John Armstrong, Ernest Peirson, Rex Donald and Herman Lester. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have now resided in this county for two decades and have won an extensive circle of warm friends within its borders.
PROFESSOR J. A. GUNSOLLEY, B. S.
Professor J. A. Gunsolley, principal of the commercial school of Graceland College, has been connected with that institution since its establishment and practically his entire life has been spent in edu- cational work. His birth occurred in Delaware county, Iowa, on the 9th of July, 1862, and he is a son of Noah M. and Mary E. (Tyrrell) Gunsolley. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and his maternal ancestors were English Puritans. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in Vermont, but they became residents of Illi- nois and later removed to Iowa, arriving here when this state was still largely a frontier district. In 1869 they took up their residence in Mills county, where the father became known as a successful agri- culturist. Subsequently the family resided in Harrison and Shelby counties, Iowa, and eventually the parents took up their abode at Lamoni, where the father died in 1904. Four years later his widow passed away at Independence, Missouri, at the home of her son, J. F. Both parents were consistent members of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. To them were born seven sons and three daughters, those besides our subject being: George H., a farmer
26±
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
residing near Defiance, Iowa, who is active in the work of the church; Elder Jacob L., a farmer of Mapleton, Kansas, who is also a min- ister in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints; Elder James E., of Mondamin, Iowa, pastor of the local church; Jerome W., a priest of the church who is located at Kansas City, Missouri; J. F., an engineer of Independence, Missouri, who is an influential mem- ber of the church at that place; Victor, who is with the Herald Pub- lishing Company and is also a local minister and priest; Jerusha, the wife of George Sayles, a resident of Lamoni and both members of
the church; Alice O., the wife of E. W. Hill, of Aurelia, Iowa, who is station agent there, proprietor of the Hotel Lockin and also national secretary of the Order of Telegraphers; and Stella M., now Mrs. S. R. Wiley, of Arma, Kansas, and a consistent member of the church. Mr. Wiley is a successful contractor and builder.
Professor Gunsolley received his education in the public schools of Defiance, Iowa, in the Western Normal College of Shenandoah, Iowa, in the Highland Park College of Des Moines, where he took his post-graduate work, and in Kansas City, where he studied under Professor S. W. Tamblyn. In March, 1889, he came to Lamoni as superintendent of the public schools, which office he filled with ability for five years. For one year he taught in a business college of Salem, Massachusetts. When Graceland College was founded he became connected therewith and has ever since been identified with the school, being a member of the faculty during the entire time, with the excep- tion of two years. For three years he served as acting president, but his greatest interest is in the development of the commercial depart- ment. of which he is principal. He understands thoroughly the demands of the business world and has so arranged the courses in his department that its graduates are well fitted for filling good posi- tions. He is a thorough and efficient teacher himself and also hat the faculty of directing and overseeing the work of others, which insures the excellence of the instruction in the various classes in the commercial school.
Mr. Gunsolley has been twice married, his first union being with Miss May Fisher, who passed away in 1893, leaving three children. Lucy is chief clerk at the State University of Iowa and is also senior in that institution, where she is preparing for the work of a teacher of languages. She was the delegate from her chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority to the national convention at Berkeley, California. Harold M. is also a student at the State University of Iowa and is private secretary to the assistant dean of men. Marjorie is attend. ing high school. His second wife was in her maidenhood Miss Mattie
265
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Wight Brown, and to their union have been born two children, Cecil and Dorothy.
Mr. Gunsolley is a democrat in his political allegiance and has been a member of the local school board, taking great interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the public schools. He is a high priest of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and for several years was pastor of the local branch. He is very active in various lines of church work but is especially interested in the young people's organization known as Zion's Religio-Literary Society and since 1895 has been president of that society. During the summers he devotes his time to the furtherance of the interests of that organiza- tion, of Graceland College and of the Sunday-school work of the church. He has gained quite a reputation as a lecturer and has spoken in a number of states. For many years he has been connected with the church board of publication as secretary and his services in that capacity have been of great value. Professor Gunsolley is also a director of the Decatur County Historical Society and believes firmly in the wisdom of preserving the records of the county and in stimulat- ing the interest in local history. As a teacher and through his con- nection with the work of the church Professor Gunsolley has exerted a wide influence throughout the state of Iowa and that influence has invariably been on the side of right and justice.
THOMAS F. KERRINS.
Thomas F. Kerrins, who is conducting a garage and a horse livery at Pleasanton, Iowa, also deals quite extensively in land. He was born in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 8th of January, 1890, a son of Charles and Viola (McCrystal) Kerrins, natives respectively of Ireland and of Canada. When but two years of age the father was brought to this country by his parents and upon growing to mature years decided to devote his life to agricultural pursuits. He farmed in Livingston county, Illinois, for many years, after which he removed to Decatur county, Iowa, where he cultivated land for two years. He then went to Kossuth county, where he is still engaged in farming. He likewise operated a livery stable for six years. His wife also survives.
Thomas F. Kerrins was reared and educated in Livingston county, Illinois, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. At the end of that time he removed to Lyman county, South
266
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Dakota, and for a year operated a farm, after which he came to Pleas- anton, this county, and purchased land which he farmed for one year. Since that time he has bought, sold and traded land and has been very successful in that line. On March 8, 1915, he engaged in the automobile business, becoming the agent for the Overland car. He operates a well equipped garage and also conducts a horse livery. He is aggressive and has excellent business judgment and there is no doubt that he will succeed in his new undertaking.
On the 8th of January, 1914, Mr. Kerrins married Miss Gladys Sheffler, a daughter of James and Annie (Parker) Sheffler, pioneers of Kankakee, Illinois, who later removed to Remington, Indiana. There the father operated a livery stable for eighteen years, after which he went to Manilla, Iowa, where for four years he was engaged in the hardware business. At the end of that time he came to Decatur county and purchased land in Hamilton township, to the cultivation of which he has since given his time.
Mr. Kerrins is a democrat and is stalwart in his support of that party. His religious faith is that of the Quakers, or Friends, and fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He owns excellent residence property and one acre of ground in Pleasanton and also owns residence lots in Leon. Although he is one of the youngest business men in Pleasan- ton he has gained a measure of success that a man much his senior might well envy and his friends predict for him continued achieve- ment.
WILLIAM S. WARNOCK.
William S. Warnock was for a number of years a successful merchant of Davis City but for some time previous to his demise he carried on farming on a large scale in Burrell township. He was prominent in public affairs and represented his district ably in the state legislature. A native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, he was born on the 2d of June, 1824, a son of James and Mary (Sloan) Warnock, both likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father died when our subject was but six years of age, leaving his widow with a family of six children.
William S. Warnock went to live with an aunt in Ohio and was there reared and educated, attending school at Lowell and Salem, that state. He desired to become a lawyer and began his legal study
267
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
in the office of S. W. Gilson, of Canfield, Ohio, and in 1853 was admitted to the bar. He began the practice of his profession in Low- ell but subsequently removed to Canfield, where he remained until 1855. In that year he came west as he was in poor health and his physicians advised a change of climate. He made the journey by rail to Cleveland, thence by water to Detroit and then by rail to Davenport by way of Chicago. He visted Iowa City and Des Moines, which was then but a small village, and located at Chariton, this state, although he had intended to go as far as the mountains. He taught a select school during the summer and fall of 1855 and then removed to Pleasanton, Decatur county, where for two years he practiced law. He was then for a like period of time engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Davis City, being one of the first merchants of that town. He returned to Pleasanton, where he resided until 1872, when he again moved to Davis City and became a member of the firm of Bowman & Warnock, who successfully conducted a general mercantile store. In the fall of 1878 he was elected to the state legislature and he proved an efficient member of the seventeenth general assembly. On the expiration of his term he removed to a fine farm of three hundred acres on section 34, Burrell township, where he devoted his attention to stock-raising during the remainder of his life.' He made many improvements upon his place and received a handsome annual income from his farm.
Mr. Warnock was married on the 2d of October, 1856, to Miss Sarah Davis, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Van Meter) Davis, natives of Highland county, Ohio. In 1854 her father re- moved with his family to Decatur county, Iowa, and purchased land in Burrell and New Buda townships. He founded the town of Davis City, which was named in his honor. Both he and his wife died there. To Mr. and Mrs. Warnock were born five children, namely: Alice, who died December 6, 1896; Viola; Lillie; Blanche; and Belle, who passed away September 11, 1874.
Mr. Warnock was a democrat and fraternally belonged to Remembrance Lodge, No. 375, A. F. & A. M., at Davis City and Lamoni Chapter, No. 33, R. A. M. He was liberal in his religious views. His demise, which occurred on the 22d of January, 1907, when he was eighty-two years of age, was deeply regretted by his many friends and his memory is still cherished. He was a man of undoubted ability and was a leader in shaping public opinion, his excellent education, combined with his natural keenness of intellect, making his opinions of unusual value. Throughout his life he was guided by the same public spirit that prompted him to enlist in the Vol. II-16
268
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Civil war on the 2d of June, 1864. He was a member of Company C, Forty-eighth Iowa Infantry, and served until October 21st of that year, his regiment being on guard duty at Rock Island the greater part of the time.
ELMER O. STEARNS.
Elmer O. Stearns, cashier of the Van Wert State Bank, which he assisted in organizing, is a native of Decatur county, as he was born near Garden Grove. His birth occurred on the 11th of March, 1879, and his parents are Jonathan and Carrie S. (Bates) Stearns, natives of Illinois and of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, respect- ively. The father removed to Illinois at an early day in the history of that state, locating near Decatur, where he farmed until 1875, when he removed to Decatur county, Iowa, renting land for a few years, after which he purchased one hundred and eight acres in Franklin township east of Van Wert. He devoted his energies to the improve- ment and operation of his farm until 1903, when he retired from active life and removed to Van Wert, where he and his wife are still living. They have two children, Edith, who married E. W. Fierce, and Elmer O.
The latter was reared in this county and received his early educa- tion in the district schools, but later attended Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa, where he took a commercial course. On leaving school he returned to Van Wert and for a year clerked in a store. In 1900 he organized the Bank of Van Wert, becoming its cashier, a position which he has since filled, and on the 4th of January, 1915, the institution was made a state bank. It is capitalized for twenty- five thousand dollars and its deposits total two hundred thousand dollars. Its business has grown steadily and its prosperity is due in no small measure to the sound judgment and financial acumen of its cashier, Elmer O. Stearns. The president of the institution is W. F. Blair, the vice president, Lester Gould, and the assistant cashier, C. G. Jones, and in addition to the officers the directors are M. F. Thompson, Maurice Brown and G. S. Barr. Mr. Stearns is treas- urer of the Van Wert Rural Telephone Company, is a director of the Iowa State Bank at Osceola, the State Savings Bank at Sharpsburg, Iowa, and a stockholder in the Weldon Iowa Savings Bank and the Exchange Bank of Le Roy.
269
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
On the 16th of October, 1901, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stearns and Miss Ida S. Anderson, a daughter of Thomas J. and Hannah (Robertson) Anderson. Her parents were natives of Ohio, but were pioneers of Lee county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. Subsequently they removed to Wayne county, Iowa, and there he continued to follow agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred in 1902. His wife is still living and makes her home at Promise City. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have two children, namely, Lois M., twelve years of age; and Esther M., a child of four years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.