USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 25
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Mr. Stearns is a republican and for the last ten years has served as town treasurer, while for five years he has been school director. He is prominent in local fraternal circles, belonging to the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he is serving as president of the board of trustees of the local church. He has erected a fine modern home in which he resides and is recog- nized as one of the substantial citizens of Van Wert. The fact that for two years he held the position of secretary of Group Nine Iowa Bankers Association is proof that he is well known and highly respected in financial circles. He has made the interests of his com- munity his interests and no effort to secure the advancement of Van Wert and Decatur county fails to secure his hearty cooperation.
JAMES H. COZAD.
James H. Cozad, who passed away in 1901, was for many years a farmer of this county and held a high place in the estimation of those who knew him. He was born in Indiana, March 25, 1846, a son of Alice and Emeline (Swank) Cozad, more detailed mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject was reared and educated in Morgan township, this county, and remained with his parents upon the homestead until he reached the age of twenty- three years. He then operated a rented farm for one year, after which he purchased an eighty acre tract on section 34, Eden town- ship. He at once began operating and improving his farm and made it in time one of the best developed properties of his locality. He followed general agricultural pursuits and his industry and the care with which he managed his affairs enabled him to gain a competence.
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On the 19th of January, 1869, Mr. Cozad married Miss Rebecca E. Still, a daughter of Merideth and Elizabeth (Sanders) Still, . natives of Montgomery county, Missouri. Mrs. Cozad was born in that state August 17, 1846, but in the same year was brought by her parents to Decatur county, Iowa. Her father entered land west of Leon, which he later sold. He then removed to Eden township and purchased land adjoining our subject's farm. Mr. Still passed away in 1863 at the age of sixty-eight years and was survived until 1869 by his widow. Mr. and Mrs. Cozad became the parents of three children: Meredith S., deceased; Cora A., now Mrs. George Moore and a resident of South Dakota; and Millie V., the wife of John Barrett, a farmer of this county.
Mr. Cozad was loyal in his support of the principles and measures of the democratic party and served efficiently as trustee of his town- ship. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and the teachings of that organization guided him in his relations with his fellows. He was a man of unquestioned integrity and his many admirable traits of character gained him the warm regard of many. His demise, which occurred on the 10th of June, 1901, was sincerely mourned and his memory is still cherished by his friends.
FOREST L. LOREY.
Forest L. Lorey, who has served Decatur county ably as sheriff, was born on the 4th of October, 1879, in Leon, that county, of the marriage of Samuel and Catherine (Penniwell) Lorey. The father, who was born in Ohio, removed to Decatur county, Iowa, when a young man and here followed his trade, that of carpentering. As the years passed he established himself in the contracting and building business and erected many of the important structures in the county. To him and his wife were born ten children: Iunice, who died in infancy; Frank P .; Sallie, who married William White; S. W .; Minnie, who became the wife of Mark Grimes; May, who gave her hand in marriage to J. W. Chew; Glenn C .; Claud L .; Forest L .; and Helen, who married Charles W. Wheeler. The wife and mother passed away in 1904.
Forest L. Lorey received his education in the public and high schools of Leon and in his youth became an apprentice to the carpen- ter's trade, which he mastered thoroughly. He worked in connection with his father at carpentering and contracting until 1912, when he
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was elected sheriff of Decatur county on the republican ticket. He became the candidate of his party for reelection in the fall of 1914 and as he was successful at the polls is now serving his second term. He makes an excellent sheriff, as he is determined and fearless, and he has been very successful in protecting the life and property of law- abiding citizens.
In 1905 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lorey and Miss Grace McDowell, a daughter of John W. McDowell, of Davis City, Iowa. To this union have been born four children; Russell; Clarice; Hubert, who died in infancy; and Joe. Mr. Lorey is a stalwart republican and is at all times ready to support his politcal belief by logical argument. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias, in which he has served as chancellor commander, and with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He has many sincere friends, who value highly his good opinion, and throughout his county he is held in high esteem both as an official and as a man.
J. H. ROBINSON.
J. H. Robinson, who, with his son, owns an excellent drug store in Davis City, was born in Dover, Illinois on the 30th of March, 1846, a son of Dr. William and Sarah (Zearing) Robinson, natives of Pennsylvania. The father became a resident of Illinois in an early day in the history of that state and there began the practice of medicine, having prepared for the work of a physician by study in Findlay, Ohio. He continued to reside in Illinois during the remainder of his life and gained a large and representative practice. He passed away in 1890, but was survived by his widow until 1903.
J. H. Robinson was reared in Dover, Illinois, and after complet- ing the course offered in the public schools there attended Jennings Seminary at Aurora, that state. Subsequently he read medicine with his father for some time and then took up the study of pharmacy and in partnership with his father opened a drug store at Dover, Illinois, with which he was connected until 1877. In that year he went to Princeton, Illinois, and in 1879 he arrived in Davis City, Decatur county. He opened a drug store here, which he has operated con- tinuously since and which is the only establishment of its kind in the town. He has taken his son Claude W. into partnership and they not only have a good patronage in Davis City but also have many
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customers from the country around, as they have built up a reputation for a high quality of goods, reasonable prices and fair dealing.
In April, 1873, Mr. Robinson married Miss Martha J. Wood- mansee, a daughter of Joseph and Delilah (Kanard) Woodmansee, natives of Ohio. Her father, who was a farmer and veterinary sur- geon, went to the vicinity of Princeton, Illinois, many years ago and after following agricultural pursuits for some time removed to Princeton, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. After retiring from active life he took up his residence in Leon, this county, where he passed away in 1892. His wife survived for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have four children, as follows. Claude W., who is a graduate of the College of Pharmacy of Northwestern Uni- versity at Chicago, is his father's partner in the drug business. H. L., who is an alumnus of Highland Park College, is a dentist and is located in Des Moines, Iowa. W. J., a graduate of the Dental College of Northwestern University, is also practicing in Des Moines. R. H., who took his professional work in the Kansas City Dental College, is practicing in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mr. Robinson is a democrat and has served conscientiously and ably as a member of the school board and as a member of the town council. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Rebekahs, and the beliefs which guide his life are those which are held by the Methodist Episcopal church. He is respected as a successful business man, esteemed as a public-spirited citizen and held in warm regard personally.
EDGAR E. BELL.
Edgar E. Bell, the senior member of the firm of Bell & Painter, druggists of Leon, was born in this city on the 15th of August, 1875, a son of John and Mary A. (Reefy) Bell, a sketch of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject attended the public schools and later was a student in the College of Pharmacy of the Northwestern University of Chicago, from which he was graduated on the 17th of June, 1897. For three and a half years he was in the employ of W. A. Alexander, but later he worked in the drug store which was conducted by W. E. Myers & Company, who in 1898 had purchased the business from T. E. Horner. When W. E. Myers & Company became the proprietors of the business they located on the west side of Main street, but Bell & Robinson, their
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successors, who bought the business in 1906, purchased the fine build- ing in which the store is at present and which measures twenty-four teet front and eighty feet deep. Bell & Robinson were succeeded by Bell & Painter, who have made the store a credit to the city of Leon. For five years they have sold the Rexall goods and their store is the only Rexall store in Decatur county, which fact gives them consider- able prestige. Not only is Mr. Bell a registered pharmacist, but he also employs another registered pharmacist and the prescription department of the store is most carefully and accurately conducted. In 1914 they installed a new fountain and on the opening day, April 4, of that year, over thirteen hundred people visited the store, each receiving a souvenir of the occasion. The firm is prepared to serve an elaborate fountain menu, one that compares favorably with that offered by city establishments.
Mr. Bell married Miss Hattie Haskett, a native of Leon, Decatur county, and a daughter of the late E. W. Haskett, who was born in Wabash county, Indiana, on the 23d of October, 1848. In 1853 he removed with his parents to the vicinity of Keokuk, Lee county, Iowa, and was reared in that locality. After attending the public schools he entered the Mount Pleasant high school, from which he was grad- uated in due time and subsequently he was a student for several terms in Whittier College. After teaching for a number of years he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Scott Howell of Keokuk, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar. Two years later he married Miss Jennie Lester, of Salem, Iowa, and the following year removed to Leon, Iowa, where he began the practice of his profession. He pos- sessed a fine mind and was a convincing speaker before the court and as the years passed won distinction as a criminal lawyer. He was prominent in politics and in 1884 was appointed by President Arthur United States attorney for the territory of Alaska, while in the same year he was urged by the Iowa delegation for the supreme court bench, which shows the high estimation placed upon his ability and legal learning by those who were best acquainted with his career. He organized the federal judiciary of Alaska but only remained in that territory for about a year. He resigned in 1885 and was returning home when he fell from the car at Needles, California, and was killed. He belonged to the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Congregational church, asso- ciations which indicate much concerning the principles that governed his life. His wife, who was a graduate of Whittier College and a woman of fine scholarship, taught in the Leon schools for ten years following his demise and lived until 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have
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two children, both in school: Edgar Haskett, who was born in 1907; and Jennie Lester, born in 1909.
Mr. Bell is a stanch republican and was the first alderman elected from his ward after Leon became a city of the second class. He is well known in Masonic circles, as he belongs to the blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery at Leon and the Mystic Shrine at Dav- enport, and his fraternal connections also identify him with the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife holds membership in the Order of the Eastern Star and is also a member of the Congregational church, in whose work she takes a praiseworthy interest. Mr. Bell is an excellent business man, com- bining the power of initiative with discretion and sound judgment, and his drug store is recognized as one of the best in Decatur county.
GEORGE HERBERT DERRY.
Among the enterprising and prosperous business men of Decatur county is George Herbert Derry, who is proprietor of the Lamoni Auto Company, operates a fully equipped garage and also deals in harness and saddlery. He was born in Dodge county, Nebraska, in 1870, a son of George Derry, whose birth occurred in Stafford, Staf- fordshire, England, July 18, 1824. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Charles and Amelia Derry, the latter of whom died when their son George was but eighteen months of age. When ten years old he was apprenticed to the harness maker's and leather manu- facturer's trade and he became an expert workman in those lines. He worked for eight years in London and also lived for a time in Walsall, England, but in 1856 he emigrated with his family to Amer- ica, landing at Boston, Massachusetts. They soon made their way to Council Bluffs, partly by rail, partly by wagon, but did not remain long in that city. They continued their journey westward and located at Fontanelle, Nebraska, where Mr. Derry took up a homestead, upon which the family resided for about eight years. He then fol- lowed harness making at Fontanelle until the spring of 1880, when he removed to Lamoni. He built up a good business as a harness maker and leather manufacturer and owned the building in which his shop was located, also a good residence and sixty acres of fine land in Ringgold county. For about seventy years he worked more or less at his trade and he had an enviable reputation for doing excellent and conscientious work. He was an active member of the Reorganized
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Church of Latter Day Saints, and held the rank of high priest. His wife also belonged to that denomination. He was a democrat in poli- tics and for several terms served on the city council of Lamoni. He was married in 1846 to Miss Louisa Wheldal, a native of Derby, Derbyshire, England, whose birth occurred in 1822. He died Feb- ruary 26, 1911, and she passed away in 1888 or 1889. They became the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity besides our subject are: Ada L., the deceased wife of William A. France, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Charles H., a farmer and stock-raiser residing in Holt county, Nebraska; M. W., a farmer of Butte, Nebraska; and Arthur E., who is farming near Elgin, that state.
George H. Derry has resided in Lamoni since 1880. He received a high-school education and when seventeen years of age went into his father's harness shop, subsequently becoming a partner in the firm of George Derry & Son. He continues to deal in harness and saddlery and in 1911 added a garage. He was at first a partner in the business which is known as the Lamoni Auto Company but subse- quently became sole owner of the business, although he retains the original firm name. In 1912 he erected the large building on the east side of Linden street in which his harness shop and garage is situ- ated, and he has a large trade in both lines, employing several assist- ants. He also engages to some extent in the livery business and has the agency for the Chalmers and Reo cars. He is himself an expert mechanic and built a four-cylinder car which is still in good condition after having been run for several years. He also built the omnibus which operates between Togo and Lamoni. In addition to the various interests already mentioned he is treasurer of the local telephone com- pany and his duties in that connection are promptly and accurately discharged.
Mr. Derry married Miss Charlotte Anderson, a daughter of the late Bishop William Anderson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Anderson resides with our subject. Mrs. Derry was born in St. Louis but for many years has resided in Decatur county and is a graduate of the Lamoni schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and two daughters, namely: Ada Louise, whose birth occurred in June, 1896; Ruth Charlotte, seven- teen years of age, who graduated in 1915 from the Lamoni high school; and Arthur Wallace, fourteen years old, and Ralph, twelve years of age, both of whom are in school.
Mr. Derry is a democrat and has served with credit to himself in various local offices. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent
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Order of Odd Fellows, and he is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and cooperate in the work of that demonination. Mr. Derry has won a place among the pro- gressive and energetic business men of Lamoni and receives a good annual income from his varied activities.
W. W. PITKIN.
W. W. Pitkin has met with marked success as a farmer and stocknian and now owns and operates four hundred and twenty acres of land in Fayette township, Decatur county, and in Ringgold county. He has resided in this county since the spring of 1902, coming here from Estherville, Emmet county. His birth occurred in Fayette county in 1856 and he is a son of W. N. and Mary (Trussell) Pitkin, who removed from Ohio to Indiana, whence about 1850 they emi- grated to Fayette county, this state, as the father had visited Iowa in the later '40s and had been much pleased with the opportunities offered agriculturists here. When our subject was about seven years of age removal was made to Jasper county, where the family remained for two years, after which they went to Linn county, Iowa, where both parents were living at the time of their deaths. The father passed away when eighty-five years old but the mother was only sixty-three years of age when she died. He was a republican in his political belief and she was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, having been baptized therein in Linn county in the later '80s. To their union were born six children, of whom one daughter has passed away. The others besides our subject are: Grant, living in Anamosa, Iowa: James, who is farming near Viola. this state; Mrs. Laura Hess, a widow, who is living at Armstrong, Emmet county ; and Mrs. Louisa Garretson, of Hartley, South Dakota.
W. W. Pitkin has spent his entire life in this state and is indebted to the public-school system for his education. Although he had prac- tically no capital when he began his independent business career he possessed the qualities of energy and sound judgment and these have enabled him to win financial independence. He now owns four hun- dred and twenty acres of fine land situated on sections 7 and 18, Fayette township, Decatur county, and in Ringgold county and he derives a good annual income from his activity as a farmer and stock- raiser.
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On the 18th of December, 1879, Mr. Pitkin was married to Miss Sadie Crear, who was born in Ohio and removed to Linn county in childhood. She and Mr. Pitkin were schoolmates and during the many years that they have known each other and have worked together their mutual affection and respect have grown steadily. To them have been born five children: Pearl, the wife of J. F. Jones, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Jessie, who married A. J. Banta, of Houston, Texas; Lauren H., who is assisting his father with the farm work; Arthur F., at home; and Cleora, who graduated from the local high school with the class of 1915.
Mr. Pitkin was for many years a republican but now votes the democratic ticket. He and his family belong to the local society of the Church of Latter Day Saints and take an active part in the work of that organization. He is respected for his ability and integrity and there are many who hold him in warm personal regard.
ANDREW A. McWILLIAMS.
Andrew A. McWilliams has made many improvements upon his farm on sections 21 and 22, Hamilton township, and is always seek- ing to make his work as a farmer more efficient. His birth occurred in Knox county, Illinois, on the 2d of February, 1867, and he is a son of John and Harriet (Barbero) McWilliams, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Andrew A. McWilliams grew to manhood in this county and farmed in partnership with his father until 1902, when his marriage occurred and he began his independent business career. He had previously purchased land and following his marriage he took up his residence upon his farm. He has since purchased the homestead and also other land and his holdings comprise three hundred and twenty acres on sections 21 and 22, Hamilton township, the buildings being on section 21. He has spared no time or expense in equipping his farm with all of the twentieth century improvements and in the work of the fields uses the latest machinery. A great deal of his attention, however, is given to raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs and he finds that branch of his business unusu- ally profitable.
On the 3d of November, 1902, Mr. McWilliams married Miss Emma Turpen, a daughter of William B. and Isabel (Keown) Turpen, natives of Hamilton township, this county, where the father
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is engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams have had four children, namely, Veta, Lieuceil, Marion and an infant, deceased.
Mr. McWilliams is a democrat and has served as township trustee for two years, as assessor for eight years and as clerk for four years, his repeated election to public office proving the acceptability of his services as an official. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and his religous faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. Throughout his career he has depended upon enter- prise, foresight and the careful management of his affairs to enable him to attain prosperity and as a result of his course he has not only won a gratifying measure of financial success but has also gained the complete confidence and sincere respect of all who know him.
CHARLES R. PIERCY.
Charles R. Piercy has resided in Bloomington township since 1878 and owns a valuable farm of four hundred and thirty-seven acres on sections 9 and 10. He was born in this county on the 1st of December, 1870, a son of James W. and Amelia Ann (Barnard) Piercy. The paternal grandparents were reared and married in Ken- tucky, whence they removed to Illinois in an early day in the history of that state. In 1856 they came to Decatur county, Iowa, and the grandfather, Nathan Piercy, entered land near Lamoni in both New Buda and Fayette townships. He subsequently traded that farm which is now known as the old Creveling place and is owned by Clem Creveling, and resided during his last years in the vicinity of Leon.
James W. Piercy settled in Bloomington township, this county, following his marriage and was living there at the time of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and after his term of service had expired veteranized, being at the front in all for about four years. At the close of hostilities he returned to Deca- tur county, but subsequently removed to Kansas, where he remained for about a year. The greater part of his life, however, was spent in this county. For five years, from 1873 to 1878, he engaged in the monu- ment business and then again took up his residence in Bloomington township, residing near Tuskeega, where his death occurred. He was very successful as a farmer and also engaged in stock-raising to a considerable extent. His wife was born in Putnam county, Indiana, July 9, 1842, and in 1858 she accompanied her mother to Burrell
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township, Decatur county, Iowa. Her father was killed in the Indian wars in Indiana and her mother subsequently married a Mr. Pres- ton, a resident of Indiana, who died before her removal to this state. She passed away at the home of her son-in-law, James W. Piercy, in Bloomington township about 1886 at an advanced age. A son, who was in the army, died in the west many years ago. Her religious faith was that of the Missionary Baptist church. Mrs. Amelia Ann Piercy is still living and resides with her youngest child, a daughter, who lives at Armena, Kansas. James W. Piercy passed away in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church, to which Mrs. Piercy also belongs. To their union were born ten children, six of whom are still living, three having died when small and a daughter having passed away at the age of eighteen. Those living are: Mrs. Amelia Frances Sidders, of Fullerton, Nebraska; M. W., who also resides in that town; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Auxier, a resident of Idaho; Charles R .; Mrs. Carrie Eva Ayers, of Holstein, Nebraska; and Mrs. Laura Etta Bevins, of Armena, Kansas.
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