USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 5
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After their marriage, Mr. Smith was in charge of the mission- ary work in the Pacific coast and made his home at San Bernardino, California, where the following children were born: Heman Hale, April 28, 1887, now a teacher of economics and modern history in Lincoln high school of Seattle, Washington; Vida Inez, January 16, 1889, now the wife of James W. Davis, of Honolulu, Hawaii; Anna Earlita, November 28, 1890, now Mrs. Evan E. Inslee, of Seattle, Washington; Lois Elizabeth, November 3, 1892, who married Wal- ter G. Badham, of Lamoni, Iowa, and died March 27, 1914.
The family removed in 1893 to the present home of Mr. Smith at Lamoni. In addition to his other work Mr. Smith has found time to take an active part in local affairs and in politics. He has served
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
his community as member of the school board, president of college trustees and member of the city council. In politics he has been allied with the Bryan democrats since the campaign of 1896, although he stands for non-partisanship in all local affairs. He is often chair- man of party conventions and in 1910 made the race for the legisla- ture, cutting a normal republican majority of four hundred to one hundred and thirty-three.
As an orator he is always in demand at celebrations, political cam- paigns and at old settlers' and soldiers' reunions. As a debater he has a long record of discussions with opponents of the Latter Day Saints.
CHARLEY W. KELLY.
Charley W. Kelly owns and operates eighty acres of good land in Grand River township, which he operates in addition to the Emma Shewmaker farm, adjoining his own holdings. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, April 9, 1870, of the marriage of Richard and Sarah Jane (Nicholson) Kelly. His father was born in Virginia but when sixteen years of age removed to Iowa, and about 1875 settled in Decatur county, where he remained for a number of years. He owned different tracts of land and was quite successful financially. Later he was for two years a resident of Oklahoma, after which he took up his abode in Ringgold county, Iowa, where he was living at the time of his death in August, 1907, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. During the Civil war he served in the Twenty- fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining at the front for almost four years. His political belief was that of the republican party and he gave his religious allegiance to the United Brethren church. Through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic he kept in touch with others who had served the country in her hour of need. His wife was born in Indiana but when a child accompanied her parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, whence the family subsequently removed to Ringgold county, where both of her parents died. She passed to her reward in October, 1910, when sixty-eight years of age. Her religious faith was that of the Methodist church. Eight of the ten children born to Richard and Sarah Jane Kelly survive, namely: Drue and Guy, residents of Decatur township; Charley W .; Mrs. Ella Ferguson, of Arispe, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Avery, residing in Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Jessie Hembry, whose home is in Decatur
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
township, this county; Mrs. Gussie Lowder, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Mrs. Prudence Goodman, of Clearfield, this state.
Charley W. Kelly was five years of age when brought to this county and here grew to maturity. Through assisting his father with the work of the home farm he gained knowledge which proved of great value to him when he started out farming on his own account. He now operates one hundred and fifty acres, eighty of which he owns, the remainder comprising the Emma Shewmaker farm, which adjoins his place. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and de- rives a good income annually from the sale of his grain and stock.
Mr. Kelly was married, at Benton, Iowa, on the 1st of February, 1897, to Miss Minnie M. Brooks, who was born at Fort Dodge on the 8th of December, 1877. Her parents, Philander and Susan ( Mid- dleton) Brooks, who were natives respectively of Illinois and of Ohio, came to Iowa in the early '70s and took up their residence near Fort Dodge. In 1886 they removed to Kansas and after residing in Sumner and Cowley counties, that state, they removed to Major county, Oklahoma, where they are now living, he at the age of fifty- nine years and she at the age of fifty-six years. He is by occupation a gardener. Eight of the nine children born to them survive, namely: Mrs. Kelly; Mrs. Kate Monroe; Mrs. Lucy Curtright, of Grand River township, this county; Joseph, residing in Arkansas; Ernest, of Coffeyville, Kansas; Mrs. Rose Bushnell; Jessie, who married Claire Martin, a farmer of Major county, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Goldie Garrett, whose husband is engaged in farming near Mingo, Oklahoma. Mrs. Kelly spent the greater part of her girlhood in Kansas and at- tended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have an adopted son, Harland H. Kelly, who is fourteen years of age.
Mr. Kelly is a republican and has served as trustee of Grand River township. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America of Grand River. He is highly respected by his fellow citi- zens and there are many who hold him in warm regard. :
JAMES F. GILL.
James F. Gill, who for four years served the county well as audi- tor, is now residing upon his farm in Garden Grove township. He was born upon a farm near Columbus, Ohio, on the 1st of February, 1867, a son of A. P. and Victoria (Spellman) Gill. The father
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
farmed in Ohio and after removing to Warren county, Iowa, in 1869, continued to follow agricultural pursuits. His wife passed away in that county, but he subsequently settled in Oklahoma, where he was living at the time of his demise. He was a republican in political be- lief and both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church. During the Civil war he fought for the preservation of the Union as a member of an Ohio regiment and his wife's only brother, John Spellman, was made a captain before he was twenty years of age. Spellman Post, G. A. R., at Columbus, Ohio, is named in his honor. To Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Gill were born six children: J. B., a resident of Fargo, North Dakota; Mrs. Florence Shepard, of Sedgwick, Kansas; Mrs. May Wood, of Sioux City, Iowa; James F .; Mrs. Bird Simpson, of Piedmont, Oklahoma; and George, of Corpus Christi, Texas. The paternal grandparents of our subject resided near Hilliards, Ohio.
James F. Gill received his early education in the public schools of Warren County, Iowa, later completing the course in the Normal School at Garden Grove. For several years he taught in Garden Grove but in 1891 he went to Oklahoma, where he taught and also homesteaded a claim. In 1894 he returned to Garden Grove, but the following year went to Winterset and established the Winterset Re- porter, which paper he conducted until March, 1896, when he sold out. Under his management the Reporter gained a place among the reli- able papers of Madison county and it is now one of the leading jour- nals of that section. After selling the Reporter Mr. Gill resumed teaching, but in 1900 he was elected auditor of Decatur county, being reelected in 1902 and during the four years that he filled that posi- tion the work of the office was done promptly, accurately and sys- tematically. Upon the expiration of his second term he became con- nected with an implement store in Garden Grove but only remained there a year. Since 1906 he has resided upon his farm in Garden Grove township and has devoted much attention to breeding high grade Belgian horses. He has some of the finest Belgian mares in the county and his influence has done much to improve the standard of horses raised in his locality. He also raises Duroc-Jersey hogs and derives a good income from his stock-raising interests. He owns eighty acre of land adjoining Garden Grove and also operates one hundred and ten acres of rented land.
In February, 1895, Mr. Gill married at Garden Grove, Miss Lenore Northrup, who was born in 1870, a daughter of A. C. and Melissa (Brown) Northrup, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Gill was reared at Garden Grove and received
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
her education in the public schools there and in the Normal School and for eight years prior to her marriage engaged in teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Gill have two sons. G. Deane, a graduate of the Garden Grove high school of the class of 1913, also studied for a year at Den- ver University and is now teaching in this county. Lester N. grad- uated from the high school at Garden Grove with the class of 1915.
Mr. Gill is a republican and is an active worker in the party ranks. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and his wife is identified with the Order of the Eastern Star and also with the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are both adherents of the Presbyterian church and their cooperation can be depended upon to further movements seeking the advancement of their community along moral lines. Mr. Gill is very energetic and this trait, com- bined with his foresight and sound judgment, has enabled him to win a gratifying measure of success.
MARION J. THOMPSON.
There was much sincere regret when Marion J. Thompson was called to his final reward, for he was a man of high principle, an excel- lent citizen and a successful farmer of Grand River township. His birth occurred in Putnam county, Indiana, in November, 1838, and his parents were Hugh and Sallie (Martin) Thompson, both natives of Kentucky. They removed to Indiana and there the father fol- lowed farming for many years. Both passed away in that state.
Marion J. Thompson was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the public schools of his native state. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served for two years at the front. He then followed the carpenter's trade until 1873, when he removed to Boone county, Iowa. After farming there for some time he came to Decatur county and for two years cultivated rented land. At the expiration of that period his finances were in such a condition that he was able to buy land in Grand River township, which he culti- vated efficiently and successfully until his demise on the 27th of June, 1887.
Mr. Thompson was married in March, 1876, to Miss Mary L. Gammon, a daughter of George and Martha (Robinson) Gammon, natives respectively of Tennessee and Indiana. The father followed agricultural pursuits and became a resident of Monroe county, this
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
state, in an early day, remaining there until 1865, when he removed to this county. He purchased a farm in Eden township, to the operation of which he gave his time and energies until his death, which occurred in August, 1895. His wife died in October, 1894.
Mr. Thompson was a member of the Masonic lodge and through his identification with the Grand Army of the Republic kept in touch with his comrades of the '60s. His political faith was that of the republican party and his church membership was held in the Christian church. Although many years have passed since his demise his memory is still cherished by those who knew him, for he possessed the characteristics which invariably win enduring regard. Following his demise Mrs. Thompson sold the home farm and purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of land on sections 1 and 2, Eden township, the buildings being on section 2. She is well known in this county and those who know her most intimately hold her in the highest regard.
GEORGE P. CAMPBELL.
George P. Campbell is prominent in business circles of Davis City and Decatur county, being recognized as a reliable and suc- cessful real-estate and insurance agent and also as an able executive, as he manages wisely the affairs of the local telephone company, which he owns. He is likewise prominent in fraternal circles and has held state office in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was born on the 8th of May, 1852, in Crawford county, Ohio, a son of Asa D. and Nancy (Landon) Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, operated a farm and worked at carpentering until 1869, when he removed to Pleasanton, Decatur county, Iowa, where he continued to reside until his demise in 1881. His widow survived until the 26th of March, 1894, passing away at ·Leon.
George P. Campbell was reared in Ohio and in Pleasanton, Iowa, and during his boyhood and youth acquired a good common school education. He drove across the country from Ohio to Iowa ahead of his parents and after completing his schooling in Pleasanton went to Missouri, where he was employed by a railroad for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Pleasanton and learned the wagonmaker's trade in his father-in-law's shop. He followed that occupation for two and a half years, but after the death of his wife
GEORGE P. CAMPBELL
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
turned his attention to school teaching, in which he was engaged for ten terms. He also worked to some extent at painting and plaster- ing. For two years he was a traveling salesman but at the end of that time he located at Davis City and went to work with a bridge gang. After eight and a half years he was made section foreman, which position he held for four years. In the fall of 1892, he pur- chased the real-estate, insurance and collecting business which he now conducts from J. N. Gates and has since given the greater part of his time and energy to those interests. In 1895 he started a tele- phone company in Davis City and had the first telephone installed on the line placed in his office. He still owns that business, which has grown to considerable size and which has given its subscribers excellent service at reasonable rates.
On the 28th of August, 1873, Mr. Campbell married Miss Martha E. Horn, a daughter of Elisha and Eliza (Walker) Horn, natives of Indiana, who in 1851 removed to Missouri and in 1855 came to Pleasanton, Decatur county, Iowa. The father was a wagonmaker and followed his trade in Pleasanton until his death, which occurred in March, 1899. His widow passed away in April, 1911. He was a soldier in both the Mexican and Civil wars and was always charac- terized by public spirit. Mrs. Campbell died on the 10th of April, 1877, and on the 27th of October, 1881, Mr. Campbell married Miss Mae Sowash, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bouslog) Sowash, natives of Pennsylvania, who were numbered among the early settlers of Decatur county, Iowa. However, in 1875, they left this county and removed to Taylor county. They resided in many different places, as the father was of a disposition that desired change, but following the demise of his wife he made his home with our subject for seventeen years, dying on the 21st of August, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have had three children: Beatrice, the wife of Reu- ben H. Martz, an engineer residing at Chariton, Iowa; Clara M., who died on the 20th of December, 1885; and Carl E., who passed away on the 7th of July, 1888.
Mr. Campbell is a republican and is one of the leaders in the local ranks of that party. He has been a member of the city council and has also served as mayor, giving the municipality an administration characterized by energy and businesslike efficiency. For a number of years he has been justice of the peace and his decisions are based upon law and fact and are entirely free from personal bias. He belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Davis City, the chapter and commandery in the York Rite at Leon, and also holds membership in the chapter of the Eastern Star at Davis City. He is the present Vol. II-4
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
grand patriarch of the grand encampment of Iowa of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and also holds membership in a num- ber of other orders, including the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episco- pal church which profits by his moral support and material aid. He has much force of character and carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes, as he is not deterred by obstacles which it is possible to surmount by well planned and persistent effort.
WILLIAM J. MATHER, D. D. S.
For about two decades Dr. William J. Mather has been engaged in the practice of dentistry at Lamoni and has built up one of the largest clienteles in the county. He was born in Ontario, Canada, on the 15th of April, 1874, a son of Ralph and Margaret (Moffat) Mather, of English and Scotch parentage respectively. The birth of the father occurred in England but the mother was born in Canada. Both have passed to their reward. All of their nine children are liv- ing, four residing in Canada and five in this country. The subject of this review, however, is the only one in Decatur county. His uncle, Dr. J. W. Mather, who is residing at Lamoni, is a well known den- tist of Decatur county, where he has practiced for about forty years.
Dr. William J. Mather received his general education in Canada and on deciding upon his life work entered the Western Dental Col- lege at Kansas City, where he remained until 1897. He then prac- ticed in Iowa, having a state board license, and he proved an able and efficient dentist. In 1905, however, he returned to the Western Dental College and completed his course, receiving his professional degree in 1906. He then returned to Lamoni, where he is still prac- ticing, and since 1899 he has maintained his offices in the same build- ing, which is on the site of the old postoffice.
Dr. Mather was married at Lamoni to Miss Alta May Gaylord, who was born near Shenandoah, in Page county, Iowa, a daughter of E. B. and Mary Gaylord, who are now residents of Lamoni. For many years they lived in Page county and there their daughter, Alta May, was reared and educated. They have now retired from active life and are spending their remaining days in rest and leisure. To Dr. and Mrs. Mather have been born two daughters, Margaret and Maxine.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Dr. Mather is a republican and for four years was a member of the city council of Lamoni. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Commercial club, of which he was president for two years, and for many years he served as a member of its executive board, doing much to aid in the work of that organization, which has been a forceful factor in the development of Lamoni. He is also secretary of the Lamoni Telephone Company and is recog- nized as an able business man. He owns one of the finest residences in Lamoni and has gained financial as well as professional success. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious faith is that of the Latter Day Saints' church. His life has been so worthily lived that he holds the complete confidence and good will of all who have been associated with him and he is a valued resident of his town.
JAMES H. STOVER.
James H. Stover farmed in this county for a number of years and at the time of his demise was residing upon his homestead of eighty-six acres on section 2, Hamilton township. He was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, April 16, 1851, a son of the Rev. Jacob and Elizabeth Stover, the latter a native of Ohio. The father, whose birth occurred in West Virginia, removed to Ohio with his family when our subject was but a child and there both he and his wife passed away.
James H. Stover grew to manhood in the Buckeye state and there attended the public schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion. He was married in Ohio in 1877 and continued to reside there, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits until 1885, when he came with his family to Decatur county, Iowa, locating in the vicinity of Leon. For some time he operated a farm in Center township but subsequently removed to Eden township and in 1902 purchased the farm of eighty-six acres on section 2, Hamilton township, which his family still owns. He was not privileged to enjoy his new home for very long as his demise occurred on the 11th of June, 1903. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and met with gratify- ing success therein, as he was both practical and progressive and was unremitting in his labor.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Mr. Stover was married on the 13th of December, 1877, in South Plymouth, Fayette county, Ohio, to Miss Caroline C. Hill, a daugh- ter of McIntosh Hill, who was a son of Abraham Hill. The last named was a son of Isaac Hill, a farmer of Maryland. Abraham Hill was born in that state and was by profession a trained nurse. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Brittain and was a native of Pennsylvania. Their son, McIntosh Hill, was born in Washington county, Ohio, and during his early manhood followed the carpenter's trade although he later gave his attention to farming. Dur- ing the Civil war he enlisted at Marietta, Ohio, in Company I, Thirty- sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with credit to himself for three years. In 1871 he removed to Fayette county, Ohio, where he followed the carpenter's trade and farmed until 1886, in which year he emigrated westward, locating in Wayne county, Iowa, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. At the expira- tion of that period he came to Decatur county and purchased land in Hamilton township, where he resided for three years, or until his death, which occurred on the 15th of February, 1905. He was of Irish and Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lovina Johnston, was a daughter of Peter and Comfort Johnston, natives respectively of West Virginia and of Maine. Her maternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Lois Cottle and was also born in the Pine Tree state. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Johnston removed westward to Indiana in their youth and there their marriage was solemnized. Their daughter Lovina was mar- ried to McIntosh Hill in Washington county, Ohio. Her demise occurred in 1909, in Pleasanton, Iowa, where she had removed fol- lowing the death of her husband. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom survive: Hannah Elizabeth, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Stover, the next in order of birth; Orin J., who is following agricultural pursuits in Hamilton town- ship and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; John M., a resident of Custer, Oklahoma; George C., of Davis City, an account of whose life is given on another page of this volume; and James Henry, a carpenter living in Mercer county, Missouri.
To Mr. and Mr. Stover were born twelve children, as follows. Samuel H., born September 23, 1878, is now a successful osteopath of Northfield, Minnesota. He received his professional training in the School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, of which he is a graduate. He married Miss Anna Hanning and they have a daugh- ter, Carrol Harriet. Ralph L., born March 22, 1880, is a telegraph operator and is stationed at Smithville, Texas. He married Miss
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Legene Murray and their three children are Raymond, Cleve and Ludie Caroline. Harry R., born August 2, 1881, is at home and operates the farm for his mother. He married Marian J. Huston, a daughter of Francis M. and Sophronia (Warner) Huston. Mr. Huston is now deceased but his widow is a resident of Pleasanton. Maude, who was born January 30, 1883, is teaching in Eden town- ship. Ethel, born December 20, 1884, is the wife of J. H. McDaniel, a farmer of Burrell township. They have five children: Leland R., Harrold, Phelma, Mildred, and Forrest. The next in order of birth was a son, who was born November 23, 1886, and who died in infancy. George was born March 5, 1888, and is now living in Des Moines. He married Gail Speers. Pearl, born November 16, 1889, gave her hand in marriage to Edward Bright, a farmer of Line- ville, Iowa, by whom she has two children, Earldine and Vera Doris. Lovina, born December 26, 1891, married Earl Howell, a farmer of Salina, Kansas. Willard Arthur, born November 25, 1894, was graduated from the Leon high school with the class of 1915. Mabel, whose birth occurred on the 17th of September, 1896, is a student in the Leon high school. Walter, the youngest of the family, was born February 27, 1899, and is also attending the local high school.
Mr. Stover was a republican in politics and was active in the work of his party. He served as a director of his school district while living in Eden township and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. Fraternally he was identified with the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows lodges at Leon and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He gained financial independence and was recognized as one of the up-to-date and efficient farmers of the county. His person- ality was such that he readily made and gained friends and there was never the slightest question as to his integrity. Since his demise his wife has continued to reside upon the home place and with the aid of her children is operating the farm, proving herself a woman of excellent business ability and of marked force of character.
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