USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 34
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Mr. Farquhar is well known in local fraternal circles as he is identified with both the Masonic blue lodge and the Knights of Pythias and in the latter organization has held all of the chairs. Throughout his life he has been characterized not only by energy and sound judgment but also by unswerving honesty and integrity, and he has not only won financial success but also the goodwill and respect of all who have been associated with him.
ISAAC GRENAWALT.
Isaac Grenawalt, who was for some time actively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Harrison county, Missouri, six and a half miles southwest of Lamoni, died on the 9th of November, 1890. He was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, December 20, 1817, a son of John and Rachel (Logston) Grenawalt, both natives of Germany. Many representatives of the family emigrated to America at the same time, but some of them settled in the east. Isaac Grenawalt was one of a family of eleven sons and three daughters. He was reared and educated in Kentucky and was married in Meade county, that state, on the 8th of July, 1847, to Miss Mary Ann Bunt. They resided
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in the Blue Grass state until they removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, where they arrived in November, 1849. Mr. Grenawalt entered eighty acres of land there, which he cultivated for six years. In 1853 he sold out and removed to Harrison county, Missouri, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres from the government and later purchased a nearby eighty acres. Although his later years were given to agricultural pursuits, he was also a carpenter and in early manhood followed that trade.
His wife was born near Greensburg, Green county, Kentucky, November 9, 1828, and is a daughter of William and Eliza (Turner) Bunt, both Kentuckians by birth and of Scotch-Irish descent. They removed to Iowa in the fall of 1848, settling in Jefferson county, whence a few years later they went to Warren county, this state. After residing there for some time they removed to Harrison county, Missouri, where they lived for years, after which they took up their residence in Smith county, Kansas. There the father entered a quarter section of land, although past sixty years of age. After selling that property he removed to Gaylord, Kansas, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His widow spent her last days with her daughter Mrs. Grenawalt and died April 23, 1901, when she had almost reached the remarkable age of one hundred and one years. Mrs. Grenawalt has a sister living at Emporia, Kansas. Two of her brothers and two brothers-in-law all served in the Civil war and all were taken prisoners at Shiloh. One brother passed away in Arkansas in August, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Grenawalt became the parents of nine children, three of whom are living: Charles U .; Mrs. Mary Eliza Wilcoxson, who resides on a farm in Missouri; and Rachel Ann, the wife of Amos Coen, of Milan, Missouri, a retired minister of the Presbyterian church. The other members of the family were: William Henry, who died when two and a half years old; Rebecca E., who died when eleven months old; John L., who passed away upon his farm and who left a family; Mitchell, who died in New Mexico when he was twenty-three years old; Frank, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Joseph Elza, who died May 18, 1906, at Blythedale, Missouri, when forty-nine years of age. His body was buried at Eagleville, Missouri.
Mr. Grenawalt was a democrat but never felt any desire for political preferment, being content to perform his duties as a citizen in a private capacity. He began to provide for his own support when but sixteen years of age and the gratifying measure of material pros- perity which he gained was due solely to his energy, progressiveness and good judgment. The principles which guided him in all of his
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relations of life were those found in the teachings of the United Brethren church, with which his widow is also identified, having been a member thereof since 1853. She still owns the homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison county, Missouri, and also eighty additional acres in that county. She spends part of her time upon the farm and part in Lamoni. She has gained many warm friends and all who have been brought into contact with her hold her in high esteem. She has in her possession a picture showing five generations of the family, including her mother, herself, her daughter-in-law, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.
EMERY DOBOZY.
Emery Dobozy was one of the pioneer settlers of Decatur county and was esteemed and respected by all those who came into contact with him. For a number of years he conducted a shoemaker's shop but during his later years he concentrated his attention upon farm- ing. He was born April 10, 1827, at Deberzia, Austria-Hungary, and received his education in his native land. He grew to manhood there and in his youth learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- lowed for many years. He participated in the revolution in Hungary in 1848 and, having been taken prisoner, was held for a considerable period of time before he was able to effect his escape. He and Stephen Varga and Stephen Radnich emigrated to America, where they believed that they would find not only political freedom but also excel- lent business opportunities. They made their way to Decatur county. Iowa, and Mr. Dobozy settled'in New Buda township, where for a time he worked as a hired hand. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Tenth Iowa Volunteer cavalry, as a private and served until the end of the Civil war. Although he saw much hard fighting and never faltered in the performance of his duty he was never wounded.
After being mustered out at the close of hostilities Mr. Dobozy returned to New Buda township and opened a shoemaker's shop in the town of New Buda. For several years he worked at his trade and as he was a skilled and expert workman people came to him from all parts of the county to have boots and shoes made. In 1876 he purchased a small farm in New Buda township and for some time divided his attention between shoemaking and farming. Eventually
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he gave up his trade and devoted his energies solely to agricultural pursuits. He passed away upon the farm, on section 14, New Buda township, July 6, 1885, and his widow and children still live upon that place. Since his demise his sons have continued to operate the place and have added to the farm until it now comprises two hundred and fifteen acres of excellent land. They are energetic and progres- sive and are meeting with gratifying success in their work as farmers and stock-raisers. They raise high grade hogs and cattle and derive a good profit from that phase of their business.
On the 2d of September, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dobozy and Miss Maria Sanders, a daughter of Charles and Maria Sanders, both natives of Germany, where Mrs. Dobozy was born, December 25, 1848. In 1851 the family emigrated to America and located in Mitchell county, Iowa, whence they subsequently removed to Decatur county. The father was a farmer by occupation and both he and his wife died upon the home farm in Long Creek township.
Mr. and Mrs. Dobozy became the parents of nine children, as follows: Louis, who was born July 12, 1868, is at home with his mother. Frank, born April 5, 1870, is also living upon the homestead. He has served for two terms as assessor of New Buda township, for two terms as road supervisor and for one term as a member of the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fel- lows lodges of Davis City. Virginia, born May 12, 1872, married Louis Hines, a farmer now living in Mountain Park, Oklahoma. They have six children, Etta, Tisa, Emma, Bessie, Dot and Helen. Mary, born February 17, 1874, married Fred Hampton and now makes her home in New Buda township. She has three children, Stephen, Frank and Orpha. Elizabeth, born November 6, 1876, married Ed Repass, a farmer of Birmingham, Missouri, and they have five children, Maude, Daisy, Carl, Bird and Herman. Emma, born February 23, 1879, is the wife of Samuel Hamilton, a brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, now residing at Cur- tis, Nebraska. Their children are Norma and Garland. Catharine, born February 1, 1881, is at home with her mother. She holds mem- bership in the Rebekah lodge of Davis City. Julia, whose birth occurred on the 8th of June, 1883, died on the 17th of September. 1913. Stephen Emery, born July 10, 1885, is at home. His fraternal allegiance is given to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Davis City.
Mr. Dobozy was a republican in politics but never desired to hold public office. However, he manifested much interest in the general welfare and cooperated in movements seeking the advancement of Vol. II-22
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his community. There was never any question as to his integrity and probity and he was one of the most highly respected of the earlier residents of New Buda township.
JAMES McGRAW.
James McGraw owns and operates two hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining the town of Westerville, Richland township, but resides in the village. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was born in 1855, a son of Patrick and Johanna (Genan) McGraw, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They grew to maturity in that country, were there married and there two of their children were born. After emigrating to America the father worked by the day on railroads in Pittsburgh until about 1865, when he removed with his family to Sangamon county, Illinois. There he followed agricultural pursuits until he went to Ringgold county, Iowa. He became the owner of a farm in the northeastern part of that county and continued to cultivate his land until his demise, which occurred in 1888 when he had reached an advanced age. He was a successful farmer and a public-spirited citizen. His political belief was that of the democratic party and both he and his wife were communicants of the Catholic church. She also lived to an old age. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: John, who lives in Fillmore county, Nebraska; Michael, a resident of Creston, Iowa, who owns a large amount of real estate in Ringgold county; Patrick, who is living in North Platte, Nebraska; Bridget, who is now Sister Amelia, a Sister of Charity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; James, of this review; Thomas, who is living in Canada; and Martin, a resident of Des Moines.
James McGraw attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. After growing to mature years he was for five years employed as a brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and his brothers have also followed railroading. The greater part of his active life, however, has been devoted to agricul- tural pursuits. He was married in the '80s and thereafter began farming on his own account. The first farm which he owned was the old James McConnell place on Sand creek in Richland township, this county. On selling that property he purchased a farm farther northeast in that township but at length disposed of that place and bought his present farm of two hundred and twenty acres adjoining
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Westerville. The land is in a high state of cultivation and the improvements are excellent. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and, as he is at once practical and progressive, his labors yield him a good financial return.
Mr. McGraw married Miss Mattie Grogan, who is a native of this county and is a daughter of Patrick and Frances Grogan. Her father is deceased but her mother is still living and makes her home in Ringgold county. They were early residents of this section of Iowa and performed well their part in the development of the region. To them were born seven children: Mrs. Michael O'Grady, of Ring- gold county; Mrs. W. B. Trainor, of Grand River township, this county; Mrs. Michael McGraw, of Creston, Iowa; Bridget, who resides with her mother in Ringgold county; the wife of our subject; Dennis, of Ringgold county, who married Alta Hollenstein; and John, a farmer who resides with his mother and sister Bridget in Ringgold county. Mr. and Mrs. James McGraw have three chil- dren: Marie, Raymond and Gladys, all at home.
Mr. McGraw is a democrat and has served as school treasurer for fifteen years, proving very efficient in the discharge of his duties. He and his family belong to St. Mary's Catholic church of Grand River and do all in their power to promote the spread of its influence. His ability has gained him the respect of his fellow citizens and his admirable qualities of character have enabled him to win and retain many warm friends.
ELMER N. HEDLUND.
Elmer N. Hedlund, a progressive and enterprising young agricul- turist of Decatur county, owns and operates a well improved farm embracing one hundred and twenty acres in Garden Grove township. His birth occurred in Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 26th of July, 1881, his parents being Andrew and Charlotta Hedlund, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The father emigrated to the United States when about thirty-seven years of age, locating first in St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained for a short time. He was by trade a master mechanic and constructed and superintended the build- ing of bridges for the railroad. He is now a resident agriculturist of Mahaska county, Iowa, but his wife passed away on the 27th of December, 1910. To them were born seven children, as follows:
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Mary, who is the wife of Jacob Seibert; William W .; Fred; Elmer N., of this review; Ellen; Charles; and Henry.
Elmer N. Hedlund acquired his education in the Pleasant Grove public school of Mahaska county and subsequently was engaged in farm work in his native county until the spring of 1914. He then came to Decatur county and purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Garden Grove township which he has cultivated to the present time. He produces the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also devotes considerable attention to live stock, raising registered Duroc-Jersey hogs. The improvements on the property include a substantial residence and barn as well as good outbuildings, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place bespeaks the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner. The attractiveness of the farm is enhanced by an orchard of apple, peach, cherry and plum trees and there are also wells and windmills. Early in life Mr. Hedlund became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and this training, together with abund- ance of energy, has enabled him to win a place among the prosperous farmers of the county.
In 1903 Mr. Hedlund was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Bridges, a daughter of Edward and Margie (Linsley) Bridges. To them have been born four children, namely: Gladys, Hazel, Jay and Wayne. Mr. Hedlund is a young man of unquestioned integrity and unassailable reputation and enjoys the high esteem and friend- ship of those with whom he has come in contact.
HENRY WION.
Henry Wion, a farmer and stock-raiser, owning and operating one hundred and seventy-eight acres of land in Grand River township, where he resides, and also a two hundred acre tract in Bloomington township, has made his home in this county since 1854 and has there- fore witnessed the greater part of its development from a pioneer region to the prosperous farming section that it is today. His birth occurred in Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 2d of July, 1844, and he is a son of John and Nancy (Sines) Wion, natives respectively of Virginia and of Maryland. They were married in Ohio, where they remained until the latter part of 1844, when they removed to Indiana. They resided for five years in Carroll county, that state, and for a similar length of time in Jasper county, Indiana, after
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which they came to Iowa, locating in Bloomington township, Decatur county, in 1854. The father sold his farm about 1867 and removed to Daviess county, Missouri, where he died in 1873, at the age of sixty-six years, as he was born in 1807. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Henry is the second in order of birth. Four children are still living, the others being: John; Mrs. Kate Noftsger; and Mrs. Eve Beck, of Portland, Oregon.
Henry Wion was but ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county and here he has since resided. During his boy- hood and youth he gave much assistance to his father in the work of cultivating the fields and caring for the live-stock. In 1862, when eighteen years of age, he put aside all other considerations and enlisted in Company E, Thirty-fifth Missouri Infantry, serving with that command in the Civil war for two years and ten months. Of the nineteen men from Decatur county in his company but four returned and two of that number besides Mr. Wion are still living. The com- pany was assigned to the Army of the West and at the battle of Helena on the 4th of July, 1863, Mr. Wion was struck by a piece of shell. He also sustained an injury to his ankle by slipping on a wharf-boat on which he was guard. He was incapacitated for serv- ice for some time but eventually recovered. After the close of the war he returned to Decatur county and has since devoted his energies to agricultural work. For many years he resided in Bloomington township, where he still owns two hundred acres of excellent land, and for six years he lived in Kellerton. Since January, 1913, how- ever, the family home has been maintained on a farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres in Grand River township. He has not only grown the usual crops but has also raised considerable stock each year and his labor has been rewarded by gratifying financial returns.
Mr. Wion was married on the 14th of July, 1867, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Lloyd, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Decem- ber 2, 1850, a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Coates) Lloyd, the father probably a native of Virginia and the mother a native of West Virginia. Mr. Lloyd removed to Ohio in early life and resided there until 1854, when he removed with his family to Decatur county, Iowa, settling in Burrell township, about a mile south of Decatur City. There both he and his wife passed away. He was a Baptist in relig- ious faith and she was a member of the Presbyterian church. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Mrs. Wion; George, of Grand River; Dr. Josiah, who is residing in South Dakota; John, also a resident of that state; Mrs. Nancy Bedell, of Decatur City; Mrs. Annie Noble, also of Decatur City; Mrs. Rose Noble, who is
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living near Grand River; and William, a merchant of Decatur City. Mr. and Mrs. Wion both grew to maturity in this county and their married life has covered almost a half century. They have six chil- dren, namely: George, who is residing in Colorado; Jesse, of this county; Rose, the wife of Charles Mclaughlin, of Burrell township; Mrs. Clara Cash, of Grand River township; Mrs. Luella Andrew, also of that township; and John, who is operating his father's farm in Bloomington township.
Mr. Wion is a stalwart democrat and for several terms held the position of trustee of Bloomington township. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Decatur City and both he and his wife are members of the Protestant Methodist church, to the support of which they contribute liberally. Mr. Wion is one of the oldest residents of this county in point of the years that he has lived here and his accounts of early conditions and happenings are not only of much interest but also of value as the present generation finds it hard to understand the lives of the pioneers and to realize the many hard- ships that had to be endured. Mr. Wion has at all times taken a public-spirited interest in community affairs and has done all in his power to further the development of his county.
JAMES M. DEEMER.
Among the well known farmers of Burrell township is James M. Deemer, whose birth occurred in Ohio on the 3d of March, 1850. His parents, Joseph and Rachel (Dean) Deemer, were both born in Pennsylvania. In 1857 the father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, removed with his family from Ohio to Greene county, Iowa, and continued to follow agricultural pursuits there until his demise in 1863. His wife survived for eighteen years, dying in 1881.
James M. Deemer was reared and educated in Greene county, this state, and resided with his mother until he attained his majority. He then rented land which he operated for a number of years, after which he went to Oregon, where he engaged in farming for four years. He returned to Iowa and followed agricultural pursuits here for a like period of time, after which he went to Wright county, Mis- souri, and bought three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he operated and improved for four years. At the end of that time he sold his property and took up his residence in Johnson county, Mis- souri, where he purchased land which he cultivated for two years.
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On disposing of that property he removed to Union county, Iowa, where he resided until 1900. In that year he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 9, Bur- rell township, to the operation and development of which he devoted twelve years. He then rented that place to his son and purchased forty-two and a half acres on section 15, Burrell township, on which he is now living and which he is engaged in cultivating. He has gained a competence by his labor as an agriculturist and is allowing himself more leisure time than in former years.
The marriage of Mr. Deemer and Miss Sarah E. Taylor was celebrated in March, 1876. Her parents, Henry and Emily (Van Horn) Taylor, were born respectively in Illinois and Indiana and in an early day the father located in Greene county, Iowa, where both he and his wife were residing when called to their last reward. His demise occurred in 1862 and she passed away in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Deemer have become the parents of five children: Clara, the wife of Bert Stoner, an agriculturist of Union county, Iowa; Fred, who is farming in Page county, this state; Charles, who resides near St. Charles, in Madison county, this state, and who is a farmer by occupa- tion; Joseph H., who is cultivating seventy-seven and a half acres of land adjoining his father's farm; and William, who is operating his father's farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 9, Bur- rell township.
Mr. Deemer is a republican and has loyally supported the candi- dates and policies of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has resided in Decatur county for fifteen years and in that time has made many friends, as he is a man of pleasing personality and sterling worth. The success which he has won as an agriculturist is fully deserved as it is the reward of well directed industry and enterprise.
SAMUEL SHAKESPEARE.
Samuel Shakespeare, who is one of the well-to-do and enterpris- ing farmers of Hamilton township, was born in England. December 21. 1856. His parents, William and Sarah (Marsh) Shakespeare, were likewise natives of that country. In 1859 they emigrated with their family to America and located at Galesburg, Illinois. The father, who was a coal operator, owned and operated the first coal mines in the vicinity of Kewanee, Illinois, and was engaged in
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that line of business until his demise, which occurred October 24, 1864. His widow survived for a half century, dying in October, 1914.
Samuel Shakespeare was largely reared and educated in Kewanee but in 1870 accompanied his mother and stepfather, James Robinson, to Geneseo, Illinois, the family home being established upon a farm in that locality. In 1874 removal was made to a farm near Chari- ton, Lucas county, and there the family resided until 1879, when they took up their abode in Lucas. Our subject was employed in the mines there and also conducted an undertaking business in partner- ship with his stepfather until 1885, when he entered the employ of the Great Western Railroad, working on the construction of the road. At the same time he gave considerable attention to agricultural pur- suits and in December, 1891, he removed with his family to Decatur county, Iowa. For eleven years he rented land but at the end of that time purchased a farm which he operated for about nine years. He then sold that place and bought fifty-three acres inside the city limits of Lamoni and gave his time to the cultivation of that tract of land until the spring of 1915. He then sold that property and purchased two hundred and eighty-seven acres on sections 22 and 23, Hamilton township. He intends to erect modern buildings upon the place and to make other improvements. He is specializing in the raising of Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs and ranks among the efficient and successful stock-raisers and farmers of the county.
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