USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 26
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Charles R. Piercy was reared in this county and attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. He was early trained to agricultural pursuits and since reaching mature years has devoted his entire attention to the work of the farm. Since 1878 he has resided in Bloomington township and, although he had no cap- ital when he began his independent career, his resources have since constantly increased and he now owns four hundred and thirty-seven acres of excellent land on sections 9 and 10. For twenty-one sea- sons he has operated a threshing machine and is still engaged in that business. He has succeeded in every enterprise that he has underta- ken because he is energetic, determined and systematic, and pros- perity is his just reward.
In 1893 occurred the marriage of Mr. Piercy and Miss Luella Ashburn, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Ashburn, who are still living at Lamoni. Mrs. Piercy was born and reared in Bloomington township, where her father owns a large farm. Mr. and Mrs. Piercy have become the parents of five children, of whom one daughter died when two years old. Those who survive are: Mrs. Ruth A. Bent- ling, who resides near Davis City, Iowa; James M., at home; Mrs. Golden Hair McGheuy, who resides near Lamoni; and Inez, at home.
Mr. Piercy is a democrat and has taken quite a prominent part in local public affairs. For four years he was township clerk and he was twice his party's candidate for county sheriff. Although in each case his opponent was a very popular man, he ran ahead of his ticket about six hundred votes. He is well known in local fraternal
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circles, as he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows lodges at Lamoni. Both he and his wife belong to the Bap- tist church at Tuskeega and the work of that organization profits by their cooperation and material support. His sterling qualities of character and his business ability have gained him the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and there are many who hold him in warm regard.
JACOB CRUM.
Jacob Crum, who owns an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres on sections 16 and 21, Morgan township, is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, born in January, 1837. His parents, John and Polly (Lozier) Crum, were both natives of Pennsylvania but early became residents of Ohio, where the father operated a grist mill. He also owned land but left the farm work to his sons. He passed away in 1864 and was survived for eight years by his wife.
Jacob Crum grew to manhood in Ohio and there received his edu- cation. He remained with his parents until he enlisted in the Union army in 1862. He was a member of Company C, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry, and served with that command until the close of the war. He then returned home and farmed in the Buckeye state until 1869, when he came to Decatur county, Iowa. He rented land in Morgan township for a year but in the fall of 1870 purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 21 which he at once began prepar- ing for cultivation. As it was nearly all in timber it was necessary to clear it before crops could be put in. At length he had his first purchase all under cultivation and as his resources increased he bought additional land and now owns two hundred and eighty acres on sec- tions 16 and 21, Morgan township, all of which is well improved. He has been successful as a farmer and has accumulated a competence. He is now living largely retired and his son, Burr E., operates the homestead.
Mr. Crum was married on the 18th of September, 1866, to Miss Roxana Engle, who passed away in her thirty-fourth year, on the 31st of August, 1876. She was the mother of two children: John Gilson, who died May 7, 1876; and Mary E., the wife of Boyd Eck, a resident of Lineville. On the 21st of June, 1877, Mr. Crum was again married, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann (Jewett) Jackson becoming his wife. She was born in Morgan township April 22, 1854, and is a
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daughter of George and Lydia C. (Logan) Jewett, natives respect- ively of Ohio and Kentucky. Her maternal grandparents came to Decatur county in the early days of its history and located on section 12, Morgan township, where her grandfather farmed until called by death. Her father also owned land in Morgan township and in addi- tion to his agricultural work practiced as a physician. During the Civil war he removed to Lineville and there concentrated his energies upon his professional work. Subsequently he removed to various places, finally locating at Princeton, Missouri, where he died in the spring of 1898. His widow passed away July 5, 1912. Mrs. Crum has been twice married. She became the wife of Andrew Jackson on the 22d of January, 1874, and his death occurred on the 11th of September of the same year. They had one son, Andrew, who was born May 19, 1875, and who is farming in Woodland township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Crum have two children. Nora A., who was born October 3, 1879, is the wife of James Flynn, a farmer of Wood- land township. Burr E. was born on the 24th of November, 1886, and attended the common schools and the high school of Lineville, from which he was graduated in 1906. He then entered Drake Uni- versity at Des Moines and took a commercial course there. For one term he taught school but with the exception of that time has engaged in operating his father's place since completing his education. He is energetic and progressive and is meeting with gratifying success as an agriculturist. He is at present serving as township clerk.
Mr. Crum of this review is a republican and has held the offices of township clerk and township trustee, discharging his duties in those connections with circumspection and ability. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church and throughout his life he has conformed his conduct to high moral standards. He is well known throughout the county and the circle of his friends almost coincides with the circle of his acquaintances.
F. B. BLAIR.
F. B. Blair, the efficient manager of the Lamoni electric light plant, which furnishes light and power for Lamoni, Davis City and Kellerton, was born in Illinois in 1868, a son of the late W. W. Blair, who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this volume. Our subject was reared in his native state and there attended the public schools. Since beginning his independent career he has followed a
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number of occupations, as he was with the Lamoni State Bank for five years, for four years was a traveling salesman and for four years devoted his time to work in California as a missionary of the Latter Day Saints church, having been ordained to the ministry in 1897. In 1902 he assumed charge of the Herald Publishing House and was manager thereof until 1909, when he became manager of the Lamoni electric light plant, which was established by the former company. The plant is thoroughly modern and well equipped and supplies light and power for Lamoni, Davis City and Kellerton. It furnishes power to operate the ice plant at Lamoni and also to run the machinery in a number of manufacturing plants. The office of the company is on Linden street and is also used as a salesroom, a full line of elec- trical supplies and sundries being kept. The plant employs about a dozen people and is one of the leading industrial concerns of Lamoni. The building in which it is housed is owned by the company.
Mr. Blair was married in Little Sioux, Iowa, to Miss Bess Cobb, a native of western Iowa, where her parents settled in pioneer times. To Mr. and Mrs. Blair have been born two sons: Wayne, who is now attending the State College at Ames; and Rolland, who is in school.
Mr. Blair has supported the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he is progressive in his tendencies, believing in advancement in politics as well as along other lines. He has taken an active part in local political affairs but has never accepted office. He has traveled extensively in the interests of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints at various times and for several years was officially connected with Graceland College. For two years he was one of three men who composed the presidency of the Lamoni stake. His wife also belongs to the church and takes an active inter- est in its work. Mr. Blair is characterized by energy, resoluteness of purpose and sound judgment and it is but natural that he should succeed admirably as manager of the Lamoni Electric Light Com- pany. He is not only recognized as an excellent business man but the worth of his character is also generally acknowledged.
WILLIAM HUGH HAZLET.
William Hugh Hazlet, of Eden township, is one of the best known breeders of Red Polled cattle in the middle west and has shipped thoroughbred cattle to twelve states of the Union. He also carries on general farming and the two branches of his business yield him a
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handsome yearly income. A native of Iroquois county, Illinois, he was born on the 2d of April, 1862, of the marriage of Hugh D. and Margaret A. (Graham) Hazlet. Further mention of his parents is given elsewhere in this work.
William H. Hazlet attended school in his native state until 1876, when he accompanied his parents to Decatur county, Iowa. He con- tinued his education in the school of district No. 1, Eden township, this county, and he remained under the parental roof and gave his father the benefit of his labor until he was nineteen years of age. He then began farming for himself upon the home place and follow- ing his marriage, which occurred when he was twenty-one years old, erected a residence upon the homestead. In addition to farming that place he operated a farm of two hundred acres, which he rented from John Albaugh and which is situated a half mile south of the home- stead. Seven years later Mr. Hazlet purchased the one hundred and twenty acre farm where John Frost now resides, and planted the large orchard on the place and the fine evergreen windbrake on three sides of the orchard. After two years he sold that property and removed to Center township, where he rented two hundred and eighty acres owned by John W. Gardner. In 1901 he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres on sec- tion 12, Eden township, and two years later took up his residence thereon. He subsequently added an eighty acre tract to the prop- erty. He not only operates his two hundred and fifty-five acres but also rents from one hundred to one hundred and fifty acres additional land, most of which is devoted to pasture. His herd of Red Polled cattle is known throughout the cattle world of the middle west and he has shipped cattle for breeding purposes to twelve states of the Union. He also buys stockers from the Missouri river markets which he feeds and sells. He likewise ships several carloads of hogs annually.
Mr. Hazlet was married in 1883 to Miss Mary E. Mccutcheon, who was born October 18, 1863, and is a daughter of Josiah and Eliza- beth (Nelson) Mccutcheon, pioneer settlers of this county. Her parents were natives respectively of Floyd county, Indiana, and of Madison county, that state, and the father was born on the 27th of October, 1833, while the mother's birth occurred on the 18th of Feb- ruary, 1842. They were married March 17, 1859, in Cambria, Wayne county, Iowa, where they remained until 1865. In that year they emigrated with their family to this county and located two miles south of the county farm in Eden township. There the father purchased land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and attention. Vol. II-17
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He passed away in that township April 3, 1891. His wife subse- quently removed to Leon and there her demise occurred September 13, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Hazlet have nine children. Minnie, born June 2, 1884, is at home and is a dressmaker by profession. Ruey, . born June 25, 1886, was married June 22, 1910, to Otto Wiesley, principal of the schools of Melbourne, Iowa, and they have two chil- dren, Keith and Vera. Ruby, born March 21, 1888, was married on the 17th of June, 1909, to R. L. Chastain, of Eden township, and they have one child, Ware. Mary, whose birth occurred August 12, 1890, is teaching in Center township. Fannie, born June 18, 1893, who was also a teacher in that township for several terms, was mar- ried June 2, 1915, to George Starks, of Manchester, Oklahoma. Their home is at Waldron, Kansas. William James, who was born Novem- ber 5, 1895, is at home and is assisting his father with the farm work. Ida, who was born September 22, 1898, is a member of the class of 1916 of the Leon high school. Raymond L., born November 25, 1901, is attending district school. Florence Venice, the youngest of the family, was born January 12, 1908, and is also attending the dis- trict school.
Mr. Hazlet was a democrat for many years but now votes for the man regardless of his party allegiance. For several terms he served as clerk of the Eden township school board. He and his family all belong to the Church of Christ of Eden township, in the erection of whose house of worship he assisted, hauling the lumber which was used in the structure. He takes a deep interest in the furtherance of the work of that organization and contributes gener- ously to its support. He studies carefully the various problems that confront the farmer and stock-raiser and is at all times ready to profit by the results of experimentation in those fields. He has gained more than usual success in his chosen occupation, has won an enviable repu- tation as a breeder of thoroughbred cattle and has accumulated more than a competence. He is not only esteemed for his business ability but is also highly respected because of his sterling integrity. -
GEORGE V. BROWN.
George V. Brown is a prosperous farmer and stockman, giving especial attention to breeding dairy cattle, and his farm on section 35, Bloomington township, is a well improved and valuable property. He was born in Westchester county, New York, in April, 1849, a
From left to right, upper row : LaJune F. Brown; Loren F. Truman; LeRoy H. Truman; Ralph H. Brown; Jaunita Brown; Nina, wife of Ralph H. Brown; Armetta, wife of Benjamin F. Brown; Hester George; Leta George; David A. Truman; Velvin Brown.
From left to right, lower row: Jesse V. George; Flava, wife of Loren F. Truman; Mary, wife of LeRoy H. Truman; George V. Brown; Veryl P. George; Victoria, wife of George V. Brown; Harold Brown; Benjamin F Brown; Edna Brown; Lorena A. Brown.
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son of Peter J. and Esta (Sloat) Brown, representatives of old New York families. The Brown family has been traced back to ancestors who emigrated to this country from England. Peter J. Brown . removed to Utah with his family in 1869, but the following spring went to Douglas county, Nebraska, where he resided until his demise, which occurred about 1891, when he was seventy-two years of age. He followed the occupation of a farmer and was quite successful in his work. He belonged to the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and for many years was an elder, doing much to further the advancement of the organization. His wife died in 1907 when past eighty-one years of age in the faith of the same church. To their union were born ten children, who grew to maturity, seven sons and three daughters, of whom four sons and two daughters are living. Our subject is the only one residing in Iowa and one sister makes her home in New York, but the others live in Nebraska.
George V. Brown was reared in New York state and there attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. He accompanied his parents westward and removed with them from Utah to Nebraska, where he resided until February, 1895, when he located in Bloomington township, Decatur county, Iowa, where he owns a quarter section of fine land. He follows general farming and stock- raising and has specialized in the breeding of high grade Hereford and Jersey cattle. He has made a number of improvements upon the farm, which was quite well developed when it came into his pos- session, and his residence is attractive and commodious. He derives a good income from his business and is one of the progressive and energetic agriculturists and stock-breeders in his township.
Mr. Brown was married in New Jersey to Miss Fannie Taylor, an English lady, who died in 1892, leaving two sons and a daughter, namely: Hester, now Mrs. George, of Pasco, Washington; Ralph H., of Wray, Colorado; and Benjamin F., a farmer of Bloomington township. In 1896 Mr. Brown was again married, Mrs. Victoria Truman, nee Buckingham, becoming his wife. She was born in Utah of the marriage of John and Jane (Lovoch) Buckingham, natives of Norfolk and Suffolk, England, respectively. They were married in Utah and after residing there for some time removed to Idaho, where they lived for eighteen months. Subsequently they went to eastern Oregon and made their home there for eleven years, after which they took up their residence in Lamoni, Iowa. The father was a miller by trade and was quite successful. He passed away in Lamoni in January, 1882, and his widow survived him until May, 1884. Their religious faith was that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day
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Saints. To them were born four daughters, the sisters of Mrs. Brown being: Mrs. R. T. Krucker, of Lamoni; Sarah Jane, who resides with Mrs. Krucker; and Mrs. Anna Monroe, who died about nineteen years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become parents of three children, Lorena, Lajune and Harold, all at home. By her previous marriage Mrs. Brown had three children, Leroy, Loren and Alfred.
Mr. Brown is a republican and has consistently supported that party since age conferred upon him the suffrage. He is a loyal mem- ber of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints at Lamoni and strives to practice the teachings of Christianity. In looking after his individual interests as a farmer and stock-raiser he has also inci- dentally contributed to the development of this county along those lines, and he is rightly held in respect and esteem.
BISHOP WILLIAM ANDERSON.
Bishop William Anderson, who was bishop of the Lamoni stake of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, proved a worthy leader and under his direction the church grew in spiritual power and prospered materially. He was also identified with a number of busi- ness interests of Lamoni and its vicinity and carried to successful completion all enterprises which he undertook. He was born on the Ist of February, 1840, at Glasgow, Scotland, a son of William and Jeannette Anderson, who, with their family, on the 18th of April, 1855, sailed for the United States, landing in New York on the 22d of May. They lived for a short time in Atchison, Kansas, but on the 16th of August, 1855, started for Utah, traveling with ox teams. They arrived in Salt Lake City on the 24th of October, that year. On the 16th of August, 1856, after residing in Salt Lake City some- thing less than a year, they returned to Atchison, Kansas, and as the western country was then unsettled, during part of the journey they were escorted by cavalry for protection. On the 9th of November, 1856, they removed to St. Louis, where the father passed away the year following.
In 1859 Bishop Anderson left St. Louis and for four years worked on the plains as a freighter and teamster. In 1863 he returned to St. Louis, where he was married, and the following year he was baptized as a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. Not long afterward he was ordained as a teacher in the church and some time later was made a priest, while in 1867 he became
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an elder. He was active in organizing the church at St. Louis and presided over the St. Louis branch until 1883, when he removed to Pleasanton, Iowa, where he helped to build up the church, of which he was in charge for a number of years. In 1889 he removed to Lamoni and in 1890 was ordained high priest and set apart as one of the high council. He was president of the Decatur district for several years in the early '90s and proved so able a church adminis- trator that in 1900 he was made bishop by order of the general con- ference and was soon afterward chosen bishop of the Decatur district. Upon the organization of the Lamoni stake he became bishop thereof and remained in that office until his death.
Bishop Anderson lived for years on a farm near Pleasanton and proved very successful in his work as an agriculturist. He was one of the founders of the State Savings Bank of Lamoni, of which he was president for many years, and also established the Lamoni Hard- ware Company, now conducted by his son, E. K. Anderson. He was highly respected in business circles for his sound judgment, clear insight into conditions and his unquestionable integrity and absolute honesty.
Bishop Anderson was married on the 19th of August, 1863, in St. Louis to Miss Christobella Knight, and they became the parents of four children. Jessie became the wife of W. W. Reese and both have passed away. E. K. is proprietor of the Lamoni Hardware Company, which is one of the leading enterprises of that character in Decatur county. Charlotte married G. H. Derry, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Christobelle became the wife of Richard J. Lambert, of Lamoni, who was born in Woodbine, Har- rison county, Iowa, on the 20th of September, 1874, a son of Joseph R. and Anna E. (Chambers) Lambert, who have resided in Lamoni since 1882. They also have a daughter, Mrs. A. H. Mills, of Inde- pendence, Missouri. Richard J. Lambert grew to manhood in Lamoni and in 1901 was ordained a minister of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and since 1903 has been the representative of the Lamoni stake in the state bishopric. He has an office in the Herald building and is one of three men who are in charge of the financial affairs of this stake. For eleven years he has been a member of the school board and takes an active interest in everything relating to the community development along lines of moral and intellectual ad- vancement. To Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Lambert have been born three children : Jean M., who was born in 1897 and who will graduate from the local high school in 1916; Harold A., whose birth occurred in 1900 and who is a high-school student; and Bruce E., born in 1904,
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who is attending grammar school. Mr. Lambert is a democrat in his political affiliation. His wife is one of the three members of the committee of control of the church homes for the aged, which are known as the Saints and Liberty Homes.
Bishop Anderson gave his political allegiance to the republican party but was never an office seeker, as his time was fully taken up by his church duties and by his business affairs. He labored earnestly and untiringly for the advancement and growth of the church in Lamoni stake and was not only highly esteemed by the members of the Church of Latter Day Saints, but was also sincerely respected by those of other faith. His demise, which occurred on the 5th of March, 1911, at Lamoni, was a great loss to his church and also to the community where he had resided for many years, but the influ- ence of his life and work is still felt.
CURTIS A. BOYD.
Curtis A. Boyd, one of the most progressive and most successful farmers of Grand River township, owns altogether seven hundred and sixty acres of excellent land. He was born in Center township, this county, on the 7th of September, 1869, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Boyd, an account of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work.
Our subject was reared upon the homestead and acquired his edu- cation in the district schools. Much of his time during his boyhood and youth was devoted to assisting with the work of the farm and he remained at home until 1893. In that year he received eighty acres from his parents, the same being located on section 10, Grand River township, and he began his independent business career. He pros- pered from the beginning and has gradually added to his holdings until he now owns seven hundred and sixty acres of land, from which he derives a handsome income. He uses the latest improved machin- ery in his work and is always ready to profit by the discoveries of research workers in the field of agriculture.
On the 3d of September, 1893, Mr. Boyd married Miss Susie Fear, a daughter of Robert and Mary Fear. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have been born three children, namely; Norris, whose birth occurred on the 26th of October, 1898, and who died April 23, 1911; Merle, born June 20, 1902; and Mary, born September 27, 1908.
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The republican party finds in Mr. Boyd a stalwart supporter as he believes firmly in the wisdom of its policies. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is greatly interested in the various branches of church work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are well and favorably known throughout the county and those who have been most intimately associated with them esteem them most highly. In gaining the large measure of success which Mr. Boyd has won he has also contributed to the development of his county along agricul- tural lines and is justly regarded as one of the most influential farm- ers of his locality.
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