USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 37
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RANDOLPH McCUTCHAN.
Randolph McCutchan, who is carrying on farming and stock- raising in Richland township, was for a number of years a breeder of thoroughbred Hereford cattle but now raises good graded stock. . He owns and operates two hundred and eighty acres of fine land on
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sections 5 and 6 and also owns eighty acres in Clarke county. He was born in Doyle township, that county, on the 17th of April, 1853, a son of Samuel F. and Elizabeth (Davis) McCutchan. The father was born in Indiana but came to Iowa with his parents, Samuel and Susanna (Mowry) McCutchan, both of whom passed away in Clarke county. Samuel F. McCutchan settled in Union county in March, 1852, and subsequently removed to Clarke county, where he continued to reside until called by death on the 4th of October, 1892. He was a republican and took an active part in local public affairs. He was very popular personally and was generally known as "S. F." His wife was probably born in Virginia but removed to Iowa from Illi- nois. Her parents, Vanson and Julia (White) Davis, were early residents of this state and the Davis family, who were members of a colony in Clarke county, founded the town of Hopeville. Mrs. Elizabeth (Davis) McCutchan died when sixty-seven years old, in the faith of the United Brethren church. She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom ten are living. Our subject is the only one residing in this county but he has two sisters in Clarke county and one in Union county, while the others in the family live in Ne- braska and Oklahoma.
Randolph McCutchan was reared in Clarke county and there attended the public schools, thus acquiring an education. He has followed agricultural pursuits since starting out on his independent business career and has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation as he had gained financial independence and has also found the work congenial. He owns two hundred and eighty acres of fine land located on sections 5 and 6, Richland township, and is there engaged in farming and stock-raising. He also holds title to an eighty acre tract in Clarke county. Since August, 1885, he has resided at his present home although his holdings at first com- prised but forty acres, which he bought on time as his resources were then quite limited. As he prospered he bought additional land and he has made many excellent improvements upon his place, including the erection of a commodious residence.
Mr. McCutchan was married on the 16th of August, 1885, to Miss Maggie H. Beaman, whose birth occurred in Clarke county on the 10th of April, 1862. Her parents, Ezekiel and Polly (Nichols) Beaman, were both natives of Indiana and were married in Warren county, that state. Many years ago they located in Clarke county, Iowa, where the father died in 1865, when thirty-five years of age. He was a member of the Baptist church, as was his wife. Following his demise she married Robert Combs and her
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death occurred on the 3d of April, 1892, when she was about sixty- five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Beaman were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and of these two are now deceased. Of the eight who survive only Mrs. McCutchan is a resident of this county. A sister and three brothers live in Clarke county, two sisters in Page county and one sister in Union county. Mrs. McCutchan attended the public schools and taught for several terms both before and after her marriage. She has one son, Emmett Dalton, who was born June 19, 1897, and is attending school and also assists his father materially with the work of the farm.
Mr. McCutchan is a republican and has acceptably filled a num- ber of local offices. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Hopeville and no good cause lacks their cooperation and support. Mr. McCutchan and his wife have gained all that they have by their own efforts and he feels that she deserves a great deal of the credit for his success, as previous to his marriage he had not accumulated any capital. In carrying on his work as a farmer he has manifested the qualities of enterprise, progressiveness and sound judgment and his ability has gained him the respect of those with whom he has been associated. Personally he has made many friends as he is strictly honest and upright and is considerate of others.
EDMUND J. BLAIR.
Edmund J. Blair, who is operating an excellent farm situated three-quarters of a mile from Van Wert, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of July, 1853, a son of James and Mary Louisa (Baker) Blair, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and who also gave some time to agricultural pursuits, came to Decatur county, Iowa, in 1854 and entered eighty acres of land in Long Creek town- ship. Two years later he removed to his homestead, which he im- proved and operated until 1904. He then retired from active life and took up his residence in Van Wert, where he lived until his demise on the 16th of September, 1905. He reached the advanced age of eighty years. He was active in the ministry until he was seventy-five years old, preaching at Van Wert and at other places in the county. His wife preceded him in death about three weeks, dying on the 22d of August, 1905.
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Edmund J. Blair was but three years of age when his parents took up their residence in Long Creek township and he grew to man- hood in this county. He remained under the parental roof until he became of age and then began teaching school, which profession he followed for twenty-seven terms. He taught the Van Wert school and also taught in Clarke county for a time. While teaching he devoted the summers to farm work, renting land until 1879, when he purchased eighty acres on section 18, Franklin township. Sub- sequently he bought forty acres on section 23, Long Creek township, and still later became the owner of an additional eighty acres in Franklin township. From 1881 until 1907 he cultivated and im- proved his land and made his farm one of the best developed in the county. In the last named year, however, he sold his holdings to his sons and purchased the old family homestead of eighty acres on sec- tion 24, Long Creek township. Subsequently he added a forty acre tract adjoining the homestead and is now concentrating his energies upon the operation of his place, which is situated three-quarters of a mile from Van Wert. It is unusually well improved and returns him a good annual income. In addition to growing the usual crops he raises high grade Duroc-Jersey hogs, feeding about one hundred and forty head per year.
Mr. Blair was married in April, 1881, to Miss Magdaline Kemp, a daughter of John M. and Mary (Lough) Kemp, natives of Ger- many. Both emigrated to America in 1831, the father being at that time a young man of twenty years and the mother a girl of sixteen. They met and were married in Pennsylvania, where the father fol- lowed the tailor's trade until he removed to Ohio, whence he made his way to Indiana. In 1856 he came to Iowa and rented land in Eden. township, Decatur county, which he operated for five years, at the end of which time he purchased fifty acres of land. He de- voted his energies to the cultivation and improvement of that place until the demise of his wife, which occurred on the 26th of July, 1879. In 1862 he enlisted in the Missouri state militia and served therein for nine months. About 1882 he went to the Soldiers' Home maintained at Leavenworth, Kansas, and there resided during the remainder of his life, passing away on the 17th of March, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have become the parents of five children: Harry J., who is farming in Franklin township; Wilbur P., also an agricul- turist of that township; Arthur, who is cashier of the Iowa State Bank at Osceola; Josephine, at home; and Edmund W., attending school at Osceola.
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Mr. Blair is a republican and for several years served as justice of the peace of Franklin township, while he has also been assessor and trustee of that township and has likewise held the office of trustee of Long Creek township. In all of his official capacities he has discharged his duties ably and conscientiously, thus winning the commendation of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 212, I. O. O. F., of Van Wert, and his religious allegiance is given to the Methodist Episcopal church. Practically his entire life has been passed in this county and the fact that those who have been intimately acquainted with him from boyhood are his loyal and sincere friends is proof of the sterling worth of his character.
WILLARD G. LOVELL.
Willard G. Lovell, a successful farmer of New Buda township, was born near Burlington on the 19th of July, 1873, of the marriage of Alfred and Sarah Ann (Merrick) Lovell. The father was born near Raunds, Northamptonshire, England, October 29, 1844, his parents being Ekin and Elizabeth (Raunds) Lovell. Alfred Lovell was brought to the United States in his childhood and received his education in the common schools of Des Moines county, Iowa. Upon reaching mature years he determined to devote his life to farming · and has met with gratifying success in that occupation, owning one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land on section 9, New Buda township, Decatur county. He is a republican in politics and about 1884 became justice of the peace, in which office he served for two years. His religious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in which he has been a deacon for about sixteen years. He was married on the 21st of April, 1870, in Des Moines county, Iowa, to Miss Almina Merrick, a daughter of Hiram and Ann Merrick. She passed away on the 29th of Octo ber, 1871, and on the 5th of May, 1872, he was united in marriage to her sister, Sarah Ann. To the second union five children have been born, namely: Willard G .; Emma Elva; Ida Belle, deceased; Laura Ellen; and Lula Ann. Alfred Lovell retired from active life in 1905 and with his wife and daughters is now living in Lamoni.
The son, Willard G. Lovell, attended the district schools and after completing his education remained upon the home farm with his parents, assisting his father with the work of the homestead until the latter retired. Our subject then assumed charge of the operation
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of the farm, which he rents from his father. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and his labors are effective, yielding him a comfortable annual income.
In 1905 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lovell and Miss Mary Ann Henderson, a daughter of William and Julia (Fox) Hender- son, natives respectively of Scotland and of Pennsylvania. Her parents located upon a farm in Jefferson county, Iowa, near Batavia, and there the father is still living. The mother, however, died in 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Lovell have been born three children: Martha, whose natal day was the 22d of August, 1906; Georgia, born July 23, 1912; and Retha, born December 1, 1914.
Mr. Lovell supports the candidates and platform of the demo- cratic party at the polls. He and his wife are both members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Lamoni and take a helpful interest in its work. Mr. Lovell has demonstrated his ability as an agriculturist and his sterling worth of character has gained him the confidence and esteem of all who have been brought in contact with him.
REUBEN E. MCLAUGHLIN.
Reuben E. Mclaughlin, a well known and respected citizen of Leon, is now serving for the second term in the office of county auditor, proving an able and popular incumbent. His birth occurred in Decatur county, Iowa, on the 28th of May, 1881, his parents being John W. and Mary E. (Woodmansee) Mclaughlin. The father, a native of Marion, Ohio, came to this county when a youth of twelve years and here attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command until the cessation of hostilities and being honorably discharged in 1865. Returning to Decatur county, he resumed agricultural pursuits and here successfully engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his active business career. His demise occurred on the 28th of March, 1907, and the community mourned the loss of one of its esteemed and substantial citizens. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Ettie G .; Laura, who is the wife of Francis Evert; John, who died in infancy; James W .; and Reuben E., of this review. Vol. II-24
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The last named acquired his early education in the public schools of this county and subsequently entered Drake University at Des Moines, completing his studies in that institution in 1900. After returning home he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for six years and then embarked in the farm implement business, con- ducting enterprises of that character at Davis City and Decatur for three years. In 1910 he was elected county auditor on the democratic ticket and at the end of two years' service was chosen for another term, in this connection making a most creditable and commendable record as an efficient and trustworthy public official.
In 1902 Mr. Mclaughlin was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Sheely, a daughter of J. R. Sheely, of Clarke county, Iowa. They have one child, Verda A. Mr. Mclaughlin is a young man of enter- prise, ambition and worth and has won many friends within the borders of his native county.
C. W. BARR.
C. W. Barr, who is a substantial citizen of Morgan township, owns the Lick Branch Valley Farm and for years has been closely iden- tified with the agricultural development of his locality. His birth occurred in Knox county, Ohio, on the 2d of November, 1843, and he is a son of Robert and Harriet (Bradfield) Barr. They located in Ohio in an early day and there the father carried on agricultural pursuits for many years. The mother died in that state in 1855 and the father subsequently remarried. Eventually he emigrated west- ward, locating in Decatur county, Iowa, where our subject had pre- ceded him several years. The father purchased land in Morgan town- ship, to the operation of which he gave his time and energies until called by death in 1890.
C. W. Barr was reared in Ohio and there acquired his education. When seventeen years of age he joined the Union army, enlisting on the 4th of October, 1861, in Company I, Fifty-first Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, with which he served for three years. His regiment, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, participated in the Kentucky campaign as a part of the Seventeenth Army Corps until the spring of 1862. From that time on it operated in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. Mr. Barr was honorably discharged at Vil- lanow, Georgia, October 17, 1864. He returned home and remained in Ohio until 1869, when he came to Decatur county and for two
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years worked in the employ of John Clarke in a woolen factory. He then purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of land on sec- tion 17, Morgan township, which he improved and cultivated, and later he bought additional land until he now owns three hundred and sixty-four acres on sections 17 and 20. He has made his farm one of the best developed places in his township and through its operation has gained financial independence. He still takes an interest in its management although his son, Perry R., is now operating it. They raise thoroughbred Hereford cattle and have gained an enviable repu- tation as stockbreeders. Mr. Barr has always been practical and progressive in his agricultural work and the success which he has gained is well deserved. He is vice president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Lineville and is recognized as a man of sound business judgment.
On the 5th of September, 1867, Mr. Barr, was married to Miss Sarah Borden, a daughter of Bradford and Charlotte (Evans) Borden, who were pioneers of Ohio and both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Barr haş also passed away, her demise occurring in August, 1889, when she was forty-six years old. She was the mother of five children. Lucy A. married G. B. Keshlear and they became the parents of two children: Barr, a young man twenty-one years of age, residing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Joseph A., seventeen years old, who is attending school at Leon, Iowa. Mr. Keshlear passed away in November, 1900, and his widow subsequently married L. B. Young, a farmer of Morgan township, by whom she has a son, Lawrence Bradford, who is six years old. Perry R. was married on the 8th of May, 1902, to Miss Blanch Willis, a daughter of James M. and Malinda (McGrew) Willis, who were born respectively in Tennessee and Missouri. In 1883 they became residents of Decatur county and although the father had farmed in Ohio he engaged in the mercantile business in Pleasanton after coming to this county. He is still conducting a store there and since McKinley's first term has served as postmaster of that town. His wife died in March, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Perry R. Barr three children have been born, namely: Charles Willis; Artemisia, who died February 4, 1904, when a year old; and Suzie Brayton, eight years of age.
Mr. Barr is a republican and for eleven years served as county commissioner and he has also been assessor of his township. His religious belief is that of the Christian Union church, in the work of which he takes much interest. Through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic he keeps up his association with others who fought in defense of the Union and he is very loyal to that
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organization. He has now reached the age of seventy-one years and is living largely retired, having earned a period of leisure through many years of well directed labor. All who know him respect and esteem him highly. His son, Perry R. Barr, is now operating the homestead and is proving an enterprising, capable and up-to-date agriculturist. He also gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for four years has served acceptably as trustee of Morgan township. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order at Pleasanton and has many friends both within and without that or- ganization.
SAMUEL STUTEVILLE.
Samuel Stuteville, a well known and successful farmer and stock- raiser of section 20, Morgan township, was born in Richland county, Illinois, on the 12th of January, 1857. His father, Charles Stute- ville, was born in Kentucky of Scotch descent, October 9, 1803, and married Mrs. Margaret Conner, who was born June 6, 1806, and died January 6, 1845. Subsequently Mr. Stuteville was united in marriage in Illinois to Miss Maria Gardner, who birth occurred in Richland county, Illinois, on the 10th of September, 1819. She was of Yankee stock. In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Stuteville removed to Mis- souri, locating in Mercer county, that state, near Lineville, Iowa. The father purchased land, upon which he resided until his death on the 11th of September, 1882. His wife continued to reside on the homestead and survived him for about six years, dying on the 10th of April, 1888. To their union were born eight children. Five of the sixteen children born of the two marriages of Mr. Stuteville are still living.
Samuel Stuteville began assisting with the work of the home farm when but ten years of age and for a number of years had com- plete charge of its operation. He continued to reside under the parental roof until he was twenty-nine years old, but in 1886 came to Decatur county, Iowa. He purchased eighty-eight acres of land on sections 24 and 25, Morgan township, near Lineville, and resided upon that place for four years. He then removed to his present homestead on section 20, that township, which he bought from George McDougal, who acquired it by relinquishment from John Milton, who in turn had entered it from the federal government. Mr. Stute- ville subsequently added forty acres to the one hundred and twenty
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acres which he first purchased on section 20 and now owns one hun- dred and sixty acres of splendid land, all of which is in a high state of cultivation. He operates his farm personally and in addition to growing the usual crops raises high grade stock. He devotes his entire time to his agricultural work and his well directed labors return him a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Stuteville was married on the 11th of May, 1884, to Miss Lydia Ann Manchester, a daughter of Isaac and Emily Manchester, more detailed mention of whom is made in the sketch of W. R. Man- chester. To Mr. and Mrs. Stuteville have been born five children: a son who was born in 1885 and died in infancy; Fannie, whose birth occurred August 31, 1886, and who married Harvey Gammill, of Washington county, Colorado, and has a daughter, Vera; Emma, who died when four months old; Elise Bessie, whose birth occurred on the 8th of April, 1892, and who is at home with her parents; and Seybert Perry, who was born June 27, 1903.
Mr. Stuteville is a republican in politics and for twenty years was justice of the peace for Morgan township. He was also for six years township assessor and served for a considerable period of time as road supervisor, while he was school director for fourteen years. In all of the above named offices he proved capable and con- scientious, his continued reelection indicating the acceptability of his services. His wife belongs to the Christian church and he is a member of the Masonic blue lodge at Lineville. He has gained an enviable reputation as a man of unswerving integrity, great energy and excellent judgment.
CLAYTON M. KELLER.
One of the well known and successful real-estate firms of Leon is Keller & Robertson, of which Clayton M. Keller is the senior part- ner. He was born upon a farm north of Leon in Center township, Decatur county, in 1867 and is a son of W. R. and Nancy J. (Helm) Keller. Both of the parents were of English descent and previous to removing to Decatur county, Iowa, in the late '50s, resided in Tuscola, Illinois. The father devoted his time to farming and deal- ing in live stock and became the owner of a section of land, which is still in the possession of the family. His political belief was that of the democratic party and his church membership was held in the Christian church. He served in the Mexican war and was for two
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or three years a soldier in the Civil war and he became an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His demise occurred in Franklin township in 1899 and his wife passed away in 1898. To their union were born ten children, all of whom reached maturity, but some have now passed away. Those residing in this county aside from our subject are: A. R., a farmer of Grand River township; and Lydia and Anna, both on the homestead.
Clayton M. Keller was reared in Franklin township and there attended school, although his educational advantages were very lim- ited. However, he has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience and has been very successful in business. Until 1898 he followed agricultural pursuits and still owns a number of farms, including a two hundred acre tract near the homestead. Upon leav- ing the farm in 1898 he engaged in the real-estate business in Leon and in the intervening seventeen years has built up the largest busi- ness of that character in Decatur county. He and his partner, Mr. Robertson, deal in real estate of all kinds and buy and sell outright and on commission. They have operated in Iowa, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, and the volume of their business has grown steadily.
Mr. Keller married Miss Maude Pryor, who was born in Garden Grove township, this county, and is a daughter of A. M. Pryor, a real-estate dealer of Leon. Mr. Keller attends the Christian church and fraternally is a member of the bodies of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including the canton. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he has never desired public office as a reward for his loyalty. His residence, which is one block from the square, is one of the finest in the city, and he is recognized as a substantial and representative citizen. The success which he has gained is the just reward of his strict attention to business, his energy, his initiative and his fair dealing.
EDWARD W. NEVELN.
Edward W. Neveln, who since 1913 has been superintendent of schools at Lamoni, was born at Victor, Iowa, on the 25th of April, 1890. His parents, C. H. and Catherine (Rotermund) Neveln, are still residing in that place. The father is engaged in business there and is also a farmer and stockman.
Edward W. Neveln was reared at home and at the usual age entered the public schools. He graduated from the high school at
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