USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 30
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
324
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
interests, raising high grade stock and deriving a gratifying income from both branches of his business.
In April, 1891, Mr. McClaran was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Martin, daughter of Julius and Sarah (Lasley) Martin, who were natives of Ohio and became pioneer settlers of Decatur county. The father followed farming in New Buda township until the time of his death in 1896, but the mother survives and lives on the old home place. Mr. and Mrs. McClaran have two daughters, Una and Helen, who are twenty and eighteen years of age respectively.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. McClaran has supported the men and measures of the republican party and he has ably served as trustee of Burrell township for some time. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church and he is also a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity. His entire life has been spent within the borders of Decatur county and he is well known and highly esteemed as one of its substantial agriculturists and representative citizens.
PETER BRENAMAN.
Peter Brenaman, a farmer, who owns and together with a son-in- law operates three hundred and twenty acres of finely improved land in Grand River township, three quarters of a mile from the town of Grand River, has resided in this county since 1853 and for many years has been closely identified with its advancement. His birth occurred in Blair county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1841, and he is a son of Henry and Esther (Cryder) Brenaman, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father was of Irish descent and the mother of Dutch lineage. In the spring of 1852 they removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, and in the fall of 1853 came with their family to Decatur county. The father, who had some means, pur- chased a farm on the bottoms which is now the home of John Leffler and later owned the site of Grand River village. When a townsite company was formed he sold one hundred and fifty acres to them, retaining ten acres. The house which he erected is still standing. He passed away in 1885, when seventy-eight years of age, and his wife died in 1872, when sixty years old. She was a Lutheran in religious faith. To them were born five children: Peter; Sarah, who married Frank Shields and who passed away in the middle '70s, when thirty years of age; Mary, the wife of Nelson Eaves, of Grand River;
325
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Blair, of Richland township, this county; and Roland, of Grand River.
Peter Brenaman was reared in this county as he was but twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents here and he acquired his education in the district schools. He continued to reside under the parental roof until the 15th of August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for exactly three years, being mustered out on the 15th of August, 1865. He became a non-commissioned officer and never faltered in the performance of his duty as a soldier. He was in eight general engagements, including the siege of Vicksburg, during which his command was a part of the Thirteenth Army Corps. Although he saw much hard fighting he was fortunate in that he was never wounded. He returned home after receiving his honorable discharge and resumed the work of farming. As the years have passed he has prospered and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in Grand River township and derives a handsome in- come from his farm, which he devotes to the growing of the usual crops and the raising of high grade stock. The place is excellently improved and the land is in a high state of cultivation and its value is further increased by the fact that it is located within three quarters of a mile of the town of Grand River.
In 1868 Mr. Brenaman married Miss Elizabeth Quiett, who was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, May 16, 1845, a daughter of Cyrus and Nancy (Underwood) Quiett, the latter of Quaker descent. Her parents removed to Edgar county, Illinois, in 1847 and after resid- ing there for ten years removed with their family to Jefferson county, Iowa, whence in 1862 they came to Decatur county, locating on a small farm in Richland township. The father passed away upon the home farm in 1872, when seventy-two years of age. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, who spent her later years with a daughter, Mrs. Switzer, passing away at the latter's home in 1878, when sixty years of age. She was the mother of three daughters and one son, those aside from Mrs. Brena- man being: Sarah, the deceased wife of Jacob Switzer, her demise occurring January 25, 1912; Mrs. Mary J. Bradshaw, who lives in Grand River; and Henry C., of Leon. Mrs. Brenaman was but twelve years of age when the family removed to this state and here she grew to womanhood. She received a fair education and taught school for three terms. Mr. and Mrs. Brenaman have two daughters. Cora is the wife of Asbury Gard, who is assisting our subject in the operation of his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Gard have a daughter, Ethel
326
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Ruth, who is a member of the class of 1917 of Simpson College at Indianola. Nellie, the other daughter of our subject, died Septem- ber 12, 1896, at the age of twenty-one years.
Mr. Brenaman is a republican in his political belief and has served acceptably as road supervisor, as assessor and in other local offices, while at various times he has refused proffered nominations. For years he was a member of Andrews Post, No. 376, G. A. R. He and his wife and daughter, Mrs. Gard, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Grand River and take a commendable interest in the work of its various departments. Mr. Brenaman has won the respect of all who have been associated with him not only as a success- ful agriculturist but also as a man of high principles and as a citizen of praiseworthy public spirit.
CAPTAIN ELI H. ALEXANDER.
The demise of Captain Eli H. Alexander, which occurred May 5, 1903, at Leon was the occasion of much sincere grief as he was widely known and highly esteemed. He was a man of unquestioned integrity and of marked public spirit and he had given indisputable proof of his patriotism, having served in both the Mexican and Civil wars. His birth occurred in Jackson county, Indiana, March 11, 1822, and his parents were Reuben and Jean (Wilson) Alexander, both natives of North Carolina. The father died when his son Eli was about six months old, leaving a widow and a large family. The mother kept her children together and succeeded in giving them the limited education afforded by the common schools, the course of study including little more than the three Rs. As soon as our subject was old enough he began learning the blacksmith's trade and was soon an excellent workman. In 1846 he enlisted under Captain Henry Davis in Company F, Second Indiana Infantry, for service in the war with Mexico, remaining at the front until 1847, when he was honorably discharged and returned home. On the 1st of November of that year he was married and in 1855 he removed to Decatur county, Iowa, with his family, settling on section 24, High Point township. For some time he devoted a great deal of attention to the cultivation and improvement of the homestead but when his boys grew old enough to assume the responsibility of the operation of the place he turned the farm over to them and opened a blacksmith shop.
327
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
In the meantime the southern states had attempted to secede from the Union and the government needed the services of its able- bodied men. In the summer of 1861 Mr. Alexander responded to the president's call for troops, enlisting in Company A, Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, of which he was elected captain. He was never known to shrink from the performance of any duty no matter how dangerous it might be and his loyalty and courage made him a leader whom his men were glad to follow. He was offered promotion many times but steadfastly refused it, wishing to remain with the boys who went to the front with him. He was in the midst of much hard fighting and in addition to participating in many noted battles took part in the sieges of Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post and Vicksburg. He con- tinued in the service for some time after his health began to fail but at length he was forced to resign and his regimental surgeon told him to "go home to die." However, with the expert nursing of his wife he soon began to improve in health and before many months was able to take up the routine work of the farm. He continued to reside upon the homestead until 1886 although, as previously stated, he gave much of his time to following the blacksmith's trade, leaving the agricultural work to his sons. In that year he left the farm in charge of one of his sons and with his wife removed to Hastings, Nebraska, where three of his sons were living. However, after resid- ing there for a few years he returned to Leon as he desired to be close to his old friends and he continued to make his home in that city until May 5, 1903, when he passed away. His wife survived him until February 22, 1904.
Captain Alexander married Sallie E. Flinn, a daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah (Houston) Flinn, and to this union were born nine children. Curtis L., of Hastings, Nebraska, was formerly engaged in the transfer business but is now living retired. He married Miss Harriette Caldwell. Eugene O., of Leon, was united in marriage to Miss Esther Macy. Morris L., who is deceased, married Sylvia Caldwell. Cora is deceased. A sketch of W. A., of Leon, appears elsewhere in this work. Edward H., who is residing in Leon, was formerly in the piano business but is now retired. He married Miss Barbara Caldwell. Lenna Florence is the wife of S. A. Gates, an attorney at Leon, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. She was first married to Dr. D. A. Houston, of Lewisburg, who lived but a few years. Emma E. gave her hand in marriage to Frank Thompson and following his demise became the wife of H. E. Procter, of Huntington Beach, California. Olive is deceased.
328
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Captain Alexander cast his ballot in support of the measures and candidates of the republican party. He was a prominent Mason and was a conscientious Christian, who believed that Christianity con- sisted in the observance of the golden rule rather than in loud protes- tations of piety. In all relations of life his conduct measured up to high standards and his influence was always exerted for the moral advancement of his community and the triumph of righteousness and justice. He was one of the early settlers of Decatur county and manifested the hardihood and courage of the pioneer, serving his country as well in times of peace as he did in times of war.
FRANK BONNETT.
Frank Bonnett is one of the most extensive stockmen and farm- ers of New Buda township, where he owns four hundred and thirty acres of excellent land. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, March 11, 1854, of the marriage of William and Mary Ellen (Euett) Bon- nett. The father was born in Ohio of Dutch ancestry and the mother was likewise a native of that state, where their marriage occurred. In 1854 they emigrated to Illinois and four years later came with their family to Decatur, Decatur county, Iowa. Subsequently they removed to Missouri but after farming there for ten years they re- turned to this county, where the father purchased land, which he operated until his demise. The mother also passed her last days here.
Frank Bonnett attended school in Missouri, at Leon and in New Buda township and remained upon the farm with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. He then became a farm hand and worked in the employ of others for two years, carefully saving his money in the meantime. He then bought forty acres of land, which he began farming for himself. He made a number of improvements upon the place and as he carefully husbanded his resources he was able from time to time to make additional purchases of land and today owns four hundred and thirty acres, one hundred and sixty of which is comprised in his home place, one hundred and ninety acres is located on section 20 and eighty acres on section 28, all in New Buda town- ship. He rents about forty acres to others, raises grain on about seventy acres and devotes the rest of his holdings to pasture and hay lands. He raises a good grade of cattle, hogs and horses and feeds and ships from one to three carloads of. cattle annually and about
329
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
three carloads of hogs, using both the St. Joseph, Missouri, and Chi- cago markets. His farm is well improved, all of the buildings are substantial and well adapted to their purpose and the fields are inclosed by strong fencing, although when he purchased his land all of it was in a wild state.
On the 20th of February, 1873, Mr. Bonnett married Miss Mag- gie Conroy, a daughter of John and Catherine (Spain) Conroy, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America and located in Clinton county, Iowa. The mother died in that county but the father sub- sequently removed with his family to this county, where his demise occurred. During the Civil war he served as a soldier and made a very commendable record. Mrs. Bonnett was born in Clinton county, Iowa, about 1859. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children: Osa, who was born May 3, 1874, and who is at home; Mamie, born September 3, 1877, also at home; and three who died in infancy.
Mr. Bonnett is a democrat and takes a keen interest in public affairs, although he has never had the time to take an active part in politics. His wife is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church of Clinton county, Iowa. He is one of the most successful stock- raisers of his township and his prosperity is due solely to his own efforts, as he began his independent business career without capital or influential friends.
CHARLES E. BLAIR.
Charles E. Blair, manager of the Supply Store at Lamoni, operated by the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, has dem- onstrated his right to rank with the able and progressive business men of Decatur county. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1851, a son of the late Elder W. W. Blair, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
Charles E. Blair was reared in Illinois and there received a good education. In 1887 he removed to Lamoni and has since made this city his place of residence, although for years he was a commercial traveler and in that capacity visited many states of the Union. He represented at various times dry-goods, machinery and provision houses and in his thirty years' experience on the road became thor- oughly familiar with various lines of merchandise and also gained an insight into the most successful methods of conducting a mercan-
330
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
tile business. For the last seven years he has been manager of the Supply Store at Lamoni and the experience which he gained as a traveling salesman has been of great benefit to him in his present position. The store is one of the largest and best equipped in Decatur county and Mr. Blair is constantly seeking to render greater service to his customers and studies carefully their needs, striving to keep in stock all commodities for which there is a demand.
Mr. Blair was married in Illinois to Miss Dorothy M. Westfall, a native of Michigan, who, however, was reared in the state of New York and resided in Illinois for two years before her marriage. To this union have been born two children. William S. is engaged in the real-estate business in Dallas, Texas, and is meeting with grati- fying success in his chosen occupation. He was a lieutenant in the Forty-fourth United States Volunteers during the Spanish-Ameri- can war and served in the Philippines for three years. His wife was formerly Miss Vitura Benson, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and they have one child, Virginia. Bessie is now Mrs. Henry Minor, of Leon, and has a son and daughter.
Mr. Blair gives his political allegiance to the republican party as he believes that its policies are best adapted to secure the permanent welfare of the country. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife hold membership in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, of which he is a deacon. He is not only held in high esteem because of his unquestioned business ability but is also respected for his in- tegrity and sterling worth as a man.
DELOS FREMONT NICHOLSON.
Delos Fremont Nicholson, who passed away in Lamoni on the 21st of March, 1908, lived retired for a number of years before his demise but during his active life was a leader in financial circles of Decatur county. He established the first bank in Lamoni, which later became the State Savings Bank. Mr. Nicholson was a native of Hector, Schuyler county, New York, born December 11, 1855, a son of Charles and Fanny (Cady) Nicholson, natives respectively of Sandusky, Ohio, and Florence, New York. His great-great- grandfather, Joshua Nicholson, settled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1740, emigrating to this country from England. The grandfather, Joshua Nicholson, became one of the early pioneers of western
331
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
New York and passed away there in 1865 when eighty-seven years of age. The maternal grandfather was Philip Cady, who was born in Johnstown, New York, in 1787. The birth of Charles Nich- olson, the father of our subject, occurred in 1819 and that of the mother in 1828. They were married in Florence, New York, on the 13th of August, 1850, and not long afterward located in Hector, that state, where the father engaged in farming. In 1870 he re- moved to Sandwich, Illinois, with his family. He was a great lover of books and dealt quite extensively in old and rare volumes. He passed away at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1883, while visiting there, but his body was taken to Sandwich for burial. The demise of his wife occurred in Sandwich. To them were born eight children, five daugh- ters and three sons, of whom two sons and two daughters survive. One daughter, Mrs. L. W. Jamison, resides near Lamoni.
Delos Fremont Nicholson went with the family to Illinois, in the fall of 1870, and completed his education in the schools of that state. He attended the classical seminary at Paw Paw, Illinois, and after leaving that institution taught in the district schools and in the schools of Paw Paw, later becoming principal of the Sandwich high school. He was successful in that profession but believed that there were greater opportunities in the business world and accordingly resigned his position as principal and entered the employ of the D. M. Osborne Harvesting Machine Company. He was placed in charge of their branch implement house at Salt Lake City and remained with them for five years, successfully managing their interests throughout Utah, Idaho and Montana. In 1882 he was appointed territorial treasurer of Utah by Governor Murray, but, as he was opposed to polygamy and was neither a member of the Mormon church nor in sympathy with that sect, the legislature, which was dominated by Mormons, refused to sanction his appointment. While living in Salt Lake City Mr. Nicholson acted as correspondent for a number of eastern newspapers and his descriptions of conditions in that part of the west were very interesting, accurate and instructive.
In 1885 he took up his residence in Lamoni, Iowa, and for three years was engaged in the hardware business but in 1888 he sold out at a good profit and in connection with Robert Winning, a capitalist of St. Joseph, Missouri, he organized the first bank in Lamoni, which was soon incorporated as the Lamoni State Bank. Mr. Nicholson was made cashier of the institution and was responsible for its early financial policy, which was one of progressiveness tempered with con- servatism and which won the bank the confidence of the community. He was accurately informed concerning local financial conditions and
332
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
this knowledge enabled him to make the institution of real service to the community and at the same time to safeguard the interests of its depositors and stockholders. Much of its present prosperity is due to Mr. Nicholson's wise management of its affairs during the early days of its history and the policy which he instituted has been followed ever since. He was also interested in real estate and bought and sold a great many farms in addition to laying off a large tract of land in half acre lots. He promoted several additions to Lamoni and at one time held title to a great deal of land in Decatur county. The last years of his life were spent in honorable retirement but he never ceased to take a great interest in the business and commercial devel- opment of his city, and his demise, which occurred in March, 1908, was sincerely mourned.
Mr. Nicholson was married on the 6th of March, 1878, to Miss Minnie Blair, a daughter of the late Elder William W. Blair, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. To this union were born the following children: Harry Carl, whose birth occurred in 1879, was graduated from Graceland College and also attended the State University of Iowa for three years. He is now the cashier of the Packers National Bank of South Omaha and is well known in financial circles of that section. He married Hilda Barrows, a daughter of Benjamin H. Barrows, of Omaha, and they have an adopted daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Todd Blair, born in 1883, re- ceived his education in the public and high schools of Lamoni and is now assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank of this city. He married Velra Barr, a daughter of L. J. Barr, who has resided in Lamoni for many years, and to this union have been born three sons, Carl, Kenneth and Blair. Ray Kessler was born in 1886 and is now traveling for the Carpenter Paper Company which has its headquarters at Des Moines. Gracia, the only daughter, is an alumna of the Lamoni high school and is now taking post-graduate work there.
Mr. Nicholson was a republican and supported the candidates of that party from the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise until his demise. He was elected to a number of local offices and discharged the duties devolving upon him with conscientiousness and ability. He was one of the first members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Lamoni and also belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. He was reared in the Methodist church but in later life became a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. He was always ready to do anything in his power to advance the cause of education and served as secretary of the board
333
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
of trustees of Graceland College of Lamoni. He was a successful financier and business man but never made the mistake of allowing commercialism to dominate his life, as he always found time to co- operate with the movements that sought the civic, intellectual and moral development of his community.
JESSE L. WION.
Jesse L. Wion, who owns and is successfully operating one hun- dred and twenty acres of land on section 9, Bloomington township, is a native of that township. His natal day was the 21st of March, 1873, and he is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wion, who now reside in Grand River township. To them have been born seven children, those aside from our subject being: George, of Grenada, Colorado; John F., who is operating the homestead; Mrs. C. E. Mclaughlin, of Burrell township; Mrs. Fred Cash, of Grand River township; Lou, the wife of Allen Andrews, of Grand River township; and one who died in infancy.
Jesse L. Wion was reared upon the homestead and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. During his boy- hood and youth he devoted much of his time to assisting his father with the work of the farm and since he was twenty-four years of age he has followed agricultural pursuits independently. About 1904 he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and twenty acres and has since made all of the improvements upon the place. It is now in excellent condition, the fields are inclosed by strong fences and the buildings are well designed and adequate for their purposes. He is up-to-date and energetic and derives a good financial return from his land.
In 1897 Mr. Wion married Miss Laura E. Payton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Payton, now residents of Kellerton. She was born in Norton county, Kansas, on the 11th of January, 1880, and is one of eight children, seven of whom are living, the others being: Mrs. Charles Whittaker, of Simla, Colorado; Mrs. Chauncey Bogue, of Ogden, Utah; and A. I., H. A., L. L., and C. A., all of whom are operating the home farm in Bloomington township. Mrs. Wion was ten years of age when brought to this county and received the greater part of her education here. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons: Henry Lester, who was born November 2, 1899; and Jesse Arthur, who was born September 4, 1902.
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.