USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 29
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Mr. Bell is a republican, as he believes that the adoption of the policies for which that party stands would insure the continued pros- perity and welfare of the country. He has been a member of the
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Grand Army of the Republic for many years and for thirty-seven years has belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife holds membership in the Rebekahs. Both were formerly identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. There are few others now living in Leon who were here at the time of his arrival in this city and in the forty-six years that have elapsed since, he has at all times done his share in promoting the advancement of his com- munity. He has erected a fine residence and is recognized as a sub- stantial and representative citizen. While living in Ohio he formed the acquaintanceship of William McKinley and his mother and be- came a close personal friend of the Mckinley family.
RANSOM J. HARMON.
Ransom J. Harmon, who passed away on the 29th of August, 1910, was one of the leading brick mason contractors of Decatur county and built a large number of the brick buildings in Davis City. He was born in Niagara county, New York, on the 16th of June, 1835, a son of Benjamin and Clarice (Ripley) Harmon, likewise natives of the Empire state. They removed to Nebraska when that state was largely a frontier district and the father engaged in farm- ing there for many years. He passed away in 1894 and his widow died eleven years later.
Ransom J. Harmon was reared and educated in Wisconsin, hav- ing left home when but a boy and removed to Wisconsin, where he resided with an aunt. On the 29th of April, 1861, while visiting another aunt who resided in Minneapolis, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and on the 21st of July, of that year, took part in the first battle of Bull Run. He was wounded but was not incapacitated for duty at the front for very long and was with the colors for three years, being mustered out on the 5th of May, 1864. He went to Illinois and in the fall of that year was there married. He and his wife continued to reside in that state for a decade, but in 1874 located in Davis City, Decatur county, Iowa, where he followed his trade, that of a brick mason, until his demise. He was recognized as an expert workman and it was known that he invariably lived up to his contract and as the years passed he gained a larger and larger patronage. He erected the greater number of the brick buildings in Davis City and his work has stood the test of time, as the buildings are still in good condition. His demise, which
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occurred on the 29th of August, 1910, when he was seventy-five years of age, was sincerely mourned by many.
On the 22d of October, 1864, Mr. Harmon was married to Mrs. Mary A. (Shane) Goodrich, the widow of Charles Goodrich, by whom she had two children: Lizzie, the wife of A. Elphingstone, of Chi- cago, Illinois ; and Etta, who married C. C. Bort, of Omaha, Nebraska. Her parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Staley) Shane, natives respectively of Germany and of Pennsylvania. The father, who was by occupation a carriage trimmer, came to America in early man- hood and located in Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade until his demise, which occurred in 1843. His wife died in February, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon became the parents of seven children: William R., a dentist who is now living retired at Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; Harry, a dentist of Des Moines, who also conducts an office at Cedar Rapids; Edna, who died March 8, 1899: Arthur, a dentist located at Cleo, Oklahoma; James, a dentist, who is practicing at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; George, a dentist, who is at Coats, Kansas; and Alice, the wife of S. G. Martz, a locomotive engineer who has a run between Battle Creek, Michigan, and Chicago.
Mr. Harmon was a republican and took a commendable interest in everything relating to the public welfare. His religious faith was that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, to which he belonged. He found much pleasure in association with his old army comrades in the Grand Army of the Republic and throughout his life manifested the same spirit of devotion to the general good that caused him in his early manhood to go to the defense of the Union.
JOSEPH W. KING.
Joseph W. King is successfully engaged in farming in Long Creek township and is well known and highly esteemed throughout Decatur county. A native of Black Hawk county, he was born on the 29th of September, 1860, a son of William and Delilah (Cochonour) King, both natives of Ohio. About 1856 the father, who was by occupation a wagon maker and carpenter, removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he followed those trades for five years. Later he purchased land in Buchanan county, Iowa, to which he gave his time and energy for about forty years, making his place one of the well improved properties of his neighborhood. In 1901 he went to Kansas, where he bought land, the operation of which
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demanded his attention until his demise. He passed away in July, 1914, when seventy-eight years of age. His wife is now seventy- four years old and is still living in Jackson county, Kansas.
Joseph W. King was reared in Buchanan county, this state, and there attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. When he became of age he rented land, which he operated until the spring of 1899. In that year he removed to Vernon county, Missouri, and for two years farmed leased land. In the spring of 1901, how- ever, he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres on section 13, Long Creek township. Since that time he has con- centrated his energies upon the operation and development of his farm, which is in a high state of cultivation. He combines general farming and stock-raising and is an alert and energetic agriculturist.
In October, 1883, occurred the marriage of Mr. King and Miss Hattie Steele, a daughter of Charles and Martha (Ellsworth) Steele, natives respectively of New York and Vermont. For some time the father followed agricultural pursuits in Illinois but in 1870 he located in Buchanan county, Iowa, and there his demise occurred in 1878. The mother is still living and makes her home at Troy Mills, Linn county. To Mr. and Mrs. King have been born two children: Ethel G., the wife of A. E. Blair, of Osceola; and Walter H., who is at- tending Simpson College at Indianola.
Mr. King is stalwart in his allegiance to the republican party and is equally loyal as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes an active part. In doing well the task that lies closest at hand he has not only promoted his material success but has also contributed to the agricultural development of his county and he likewise finds time to cooperate in various movements that seek directly the general welfare.
NEWTON JUDD.
Newton Judd, a successful farmer of Garden Grove township, was widely known in Decatur county, where he had resided for fifty- eight years at the time of his demise on the 5th of February, 1912. He was born in Pike county, Illinois, November 16, 1843, a son of Hawkins and Almira (Pettis) Judd. The father was born in Wind- sor county, Vermont, October 25, 1802, of English stock, and became an early settler of Illinois, whence he removed with his family to Decatur county, Iowa, in 1854. He was a man of means and bought
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a large amount of land in Decatur, Taylor and other counties in Iowa which he cultivated and improved. He developed and sold a number of farms at a good profit and was also successful as a general farmer and stock-raiser. He was married in Illinois, December 29, 1842, to Almira Pettis, who was born in Kingston, Canada, February 9, 1825. She passed away in Decatur county, Iowa, on the 29th of November, 1903, in the faith of the Episcopal church, having sur- vived her husband since February 18, 1871. To their union were born six children: Newton, of this review; Oscar, a resident of Davis City, Iowa; Stephen; William; Mary; and Allen, who is living in Des Moines.
Newton Judd was reared and educated in Decatur county and gave much of his time to assisting with the work of the homestead. He devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and became the owner of an excellent farm in Garden Grove township. He grew the usual crops and also raised considerable stock, finding both branches of his business profitable.
Mr. Judd was married on the 22d of October, 1873, to Miss Alida Guernsey, who was born in Cass county, Michigan, April 17, 1852, of the marriage of James and Deborah (Hanson) Guernsey, natives respectively of Ohio and New Jersey. In 1864 her parents located in the northeastern part of Garden Grove township, Decatur county, Iowa, and the father purchased a farm there which he operated until 1879. In that year he removed to Rush county, Kansas, and subse- quently went to Oklahoma, where he passed away at the age of seventy-four years. His wife died in Rush county, Kansas, when sev- enty-three years old. In early life they were members of the Presby- terian church but later transferred their membership to the Christian church. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Charles, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mrs. Judd; Clara, who gave her hand in marriage to William Walker; Mrs. May Cowen, deceased; and Homer and Elmer, residing at Pond Creek, Oklahoma. Mrs. Judd was twelve years of age when she accompanied her parents to Decatur county and continued her education in the schools of Garden Grove. Subsequently she studied for two years in Chicago and for four years followed the profession of teaching in Decatur, Wayne and Clarke counties.
To Mr. and Mrs. Judd were born seven children, as follows: Carrie, who taught successfully for some time, became the wife of George Briggs. He was for several years connected with educational work in the Philippine Islands and is now in the educational depart- ment of the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco. She died
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in the Philippines in January, 1909, leaving three children: Dorothy, aged eleven; and Ruth and Elizabeth, twins. Mr. Briggs subse- quently married Miss Grace Kelley, of Independence, Missouri. Mabel is the wife of Harry Arnold, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and they have four children, Judd, Elsie, Harriet and Edgar. Fred is operating the home farm for his mother. Mary gave her hand in marriage to Frank Boyd, of Grand River, and they have a daughter, Louise, ten years of age. Ralph, who is farming near Pleasanton, married Laura Warrington and they have a son, Joseph, Bessie is the wife of William J. Stearns, of Salesville, Mon- tana, by whom she has two children, Robert and Elizabeth. Thomas, who is living in Billings, Montana, married Miss Hattie Carmeau.
Mr. Judd was a democrat in his political belief and stanchly sup- ported the policies and candidates of that party at the polls. He thoroughly identified his interests with those of Decatur county and during the fifty-eight years that he lived here not only witnessed a remarkable growth in prosperity and advance in civilization but also did his part toward bringing about the material and moral develop- ment of his community. His widow owns an excellently improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres and in 1914 built a fine residence. She is well known and all who have been brought in contact with her esteem her for her many admirable qualities of character.
THOMAS RAINS.
For many years Thomas Rains was engaged in stock-raising in New Buda township and was well known and highly esteemed throughout the county. His birth occurred in Whitley county, Ken- tucky, September 3, 1846, and his parents were William and Chris- tina (Martin) Rains, both natives of Kentucky. The father, who was by occupation a farmer and who removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, with his family when our subject was but nine years of age, died in Andrew county, Missouri, in 1855 and his wife passed away in Fre- mont county, Iowa, in 1867.
Thomas Rains attended the district schools in Missouri and en- listed at St. Joseph in Company C, Seventh Kansas Volunteer Cav- alry. He saw a great deal of active service, taking part in several engagements and remaining with his command until the close of the war. He was almost constantly on horseback for some time at the
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front and the continuous riding permanently injured his health. After peace was restored he worked for a time at Bethany, Missouri, after which he removed to Fremont county, Iowa, where he found employment as a farm hand. In 1872 his marriage occurred and not long afterward he removed to Decatur county, where he resided until his demise. On the 10th of March, 1888, he located on the farm on section 21, New Buda township, where his widow still lives. She was given one hundred and sixty acres by her father and Mr. Rains subsequently added two hundred acres to the tract. He bred Perch- eron horses and owned some fine stallions, including Kentucky Jack and Spanish Jack. He gained quite a reputation as a horse breeder and found a ready sale for his animals. He also raised good grade hogs and cattle, which likewise proved a profitable occupation. He passed away on the 30th of January, 1911.
On the 1st of December, 1872, Mr. Rains was married to Miss Mary Belle Adkins, a daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Mar- tin) Adkins. The father was born in North Carolina of Turkish and American stock and in an early day in the history of this county settled here, locating on Grand river. For many years he resided in Harrison county, Missouri, and gained unusual success as a farmer, acquiring title to some twelve hundred acres of excellent land in Harrison and Mercer counties, Missouri, and Decatur County, Iowa. He raised the usual crops but gave a great deal of his attention to the breeding of stock. He passed away in New Buda township, this county. His wife was born in Kentucky of Irish descent and their marriage was celebrated in the Blue Grass state. She passed away December 23, 1889, upon the homestead in Harrison county. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom survive, namely: Mrs. Rains; and Mrs. Samantha Jane Woodard, of Clarinda, Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rains were born ten children, as follows: Rosa Belle, born November 7, 1873, who died when three years old; W. R., born December 11, 1875, a rancher of Oklahoma, who married Miss Pearl Redman; Myrtle, born October 27, 1877, who married Gory Higdon, a rancher of Oklahoma; Elizabeth, born August 19, 1879, who died when three months old; Dolly, who died at the age of fifteen months; Annie, who died at the age of ten months; Nora Minerva, whose birth occurred April 26, 1887, and is now the wife of L. C. Toney, a farmer living in Burrell township; Grover C., who was born August 18, 1888, who is farming the home place; Etta, born June 27, 1890, now the wife of Frank Maynard, a farmer of New Buda township; and Thomas, born June 23, 1892, who is farming in New Buda township and who married Miss Minnie Broughton.
Vol. II-19
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Mr. Rains was a democrat and for two terms served as constable in Missouri, while for a number of years he was a school director in New Buda township. He was a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Davis City and thus kept in touch with his comrades of former years. Since his demise his widow has remained upon the homestead and her son Grover now has charge of the opera- tion of the farm. Our subject gained the sincere friendship of many and all who came in contact with him in business or social rela- tions found him a gentleman of the highest standards of honor and of pleasing personality. As a stock-raiser he was successful in a marked degree and contributed to the development of his county along that line.
JAMES H. EVANS.
James H. Evans, who has lived retired for about twenty years, having gained a competence that insures him of comfort, was born on the 3d of January, 1845, at Cheddar, England, a son of Edwin and Sarah (Hill) Evans, who were likewise natives of that place. The father was by trade an envelope cutter and followed that occupation for a number of years in England, but in 1848 removed with his family to the United States, settling in New York state. In 1850 they came to Iowa and located in Delaware county, where the father engaged in farming. He was one of the pioneer settlers of that county and during the first few years that the family resided there their nearest neighbors were a number of miles distant and Indians could still be seen occasionally. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly esteemed in their local- ity. The demise of the father occurred on the 12th of March, 1906, and that of the mother in 1902. Two of their children died in infancy ; James H., of this review, is the next in order of birth; and Walter is living in Grand River township, Decatur county.
James H. Evans received his education in the public schools of Delaware county but much of his time as a boy and youth was given to assisting his father with the work of the farm. When he was eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served in the Union army until the 24th of August, 1865, when he was discharged at Atlanta, Georgia, after having been in the army for almost two years, as he enlisted on the 28th of September, 1863. He fought in the battles of Tupelo; Guntown; Salem, Alabama;
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Columbus, Georgia; Meridian and Oxford, Mississippi; and Osage, Kansas; and was in the army that opposed General Price at Big Blue river and Independence, Missouri. Not only did Mr. Evans have a part in driving General Price and his army from Missouri, but he also assisted in the capture of General Marmaduke and eight hun- dred prisoners and participated in the battles of Jackson and Black River Bridge, Mississippi, as well as other engagements of lesser importance.
After returning from the war Mr. Evans began farming in Dela- ware county, Iowa, and gained gratifying success in that connection, proving himself a practical and able agriculturist. In 1890 he took the census of North Fork township, Delaware county, and his work was very satisfactory to his superiors. In connection with his farm- ing he was for many years engaged in auctioneering, which business he took up in 1880. He found it very profitable and also enjoyed the opportunity that it gave him of enlarging his acquaintanceship, as, in connection with his work, he met many people who became his warm friends. In 1893 he removed to Decatur county and purchased a farm, which he operated for a time. For about two decades he has lived retired at Leon. He now holds the office of overseer of the poor at Leon and is president of the soldiers' relief fund and gives no little time and energy to the discharge of the duties devolving upon him in those connections.
Mr. Evans was married on the 12th of December, 1866, to Miss Jane Tincknell, a daughter of George and Betsy Tincknell, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have become the parents of the following children: E. F .; James; two daughters who bore the name of Annie, both of whom are deceased; Amelia, deceased; Ida, who married James Zornes and who has now passed away; and Minnie, Mattie, John and George. Minnie first married William Fitch, by whom she has one child, Lora, and following his demise she was united in marriage to James Zornes, by whom she has had two children, Grace and Margaret. George, who is a physician located at Kansas City, Missouri, married Miss Maggie Gibson and they have one child, Audra.
Mr. Evans is a republican and is stalwart in his support of that party which rallied to the defense of the Union. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years he has been very active in the work of that organ- ization, having filled almost every office in the church, and he has also served acceptably as Sunday-school superintendent. The Grand Army of the Republic finds in him a loyal member and he has been
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commander of the Leon post and also quartermaster thereof. Al- though he has retired from active business, he is by no means idle, as he finds much to do in working for the success of undertakings con- ceived to promote the welfare of his city and county.
CHARLES H. BARROWS.
Charles H. Barrows has been engaged in the drug business in Lamoni since 1890 and is a registered optometrist. His birth occurred at Salt Lake City, Utah, June 15, 1863, and he is a son of Ethan and Lucy (Hardy) Barrows, both of whom are deceased. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Barrows, served in the Revolutionary war. The father, who was born in Vermont, became identified with the church of Latter Day Saints in 1835 at St. Johnsbury, that state, and was baptized by William E. McClellan, one of the first twelve. HIe was with the Mormons in Kirtland, Ohio, and in Nauvoo, Illinois, and went to Utah in the year 1849-50. In 1881 he joined the reorgan- ized church, his views conflicting with those of Brigham Young, who was at the head of the original church. Mr. Barrows passed away at Salt Lake City when eighty-six years of age. He served as a mem- ber of the fifth quorum of the seventy in the old church and as an elder in the reorganized church. His wife, who was born in Massa- chusetts, died at Independence, Missouri, when seventy-one years old.
Charles H. Barrows resided in Salt Lake City until he was twenty- seven years of age and after attending the public schools became a student in a local academy. In his early manhood he followed civil engineering for some time, being employed in railroad work and in land surveying. In 1890 he came to Lamoni and has since been the proprietor of one of the best drug stores of the county. He is a registered pharmacist and not only has accurate technical knowledge of the drug business, but also possesses that sound judgment and enterprise which are so essential to success in any commercial under- taking. He took courses in optometry in Kansas City, South Bend, Indiana, Chicago and New York and was the first optometrist to register at Leon. He is now the oldest merchant of Lamoni in point of years of conducting business here, and for some time handled wall- paper, paint, etc., in addition to drugs and druggists' sundries. At one time the postoffice was located in his store and he served as dep- uty postmaster under Mrs. Resseguie.
In 1892 Mr. Barrows was married at Lamoni to Miss Jennie M. Allen, of Alton, Illinois, a daughter of James and Mary Allen and
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a granddaughter of James Whitehead, at one time private secretary to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church. Mr. and Mrs. Barrows have eight children, namely: Nina G., Allen K., Sidney C., Bessie V., Malcolm B., Donald I., Stanley W. and Lois C. The last named is an adopted child.
Mr. Barrows is a democrat in politics and is zealous in his work for the success of that party. He is now serving as an alderman. He and his family belong to the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and take an active part in the work of that organization. He has met with gratifying success as a druggist and as an optometrist and during the years that he has been in business in Lamoni his patronage has steadily increased. He lives in a comfortable resi- dence, which was formerly the home of his wife's grandfather, James Whitehead.
JOHN E. McCLARAN.
John E. McClaran, a worthy native son and representative agri- culturist of Decatur county, is now the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land on section 32, Burrell township. His birth occurred in Hamilton township, this county, in June, 1868, his parents being James and Gussella (Clark) McClaran, both natives of Ohio. The father, a farmer by occupation, removed to Indiana in an early day and in that state followed farming for some time. Subsequently he came to Decatur county, Iowa, purchasing a tract of land in Hamil- ton township which he cultivated for a good many years, later remov- ing to New Buda township and afterward to Burrell township, where he was actively identified with agricultural pursuits until his demise in October, 1897. His undertakings were attended with a most gratifying measure of success and at the time of his death he owned about six hundred acres of rich and productive land. His wife was called to her final rest in November, 1911.
John E. McClaran was reared and educated in this county and after attaining his majority cultivated a rented tract of land for one year. Subsequently he bought and began the improvement of eighty acres of land on section 32, Burrell township, and later augmented his holdings by additional purchase from time to time until he now owns four hundred acres on that section. He leases the greater part of the land but is still actively connected with farming and live-stock
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