USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 7
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Mr. Teale was married to Miss Eugenia Sankey, a daughter of E. J. Sankey, who is mentioned more at length on another page of this work. Mrs. Teale was reared in this county and is a graduate of the Leon high school. She is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church and is in sympathy with the varied work of that organiza- tion. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Freda Marie, who was born in Lamoni and who is now the wife of C. E. Steuber, assistant cashier of the Farmers & Traders State Bank; and Robert M., a native of Leon, who is attending the Liberal Arts College of the State University of Iowa.
Mr. Teale has erected a fine residence in Leon and has thoroughly identified his interests with those of the city, doing all in his power to promote not only its advancement along lines of business develop- ment but also its moral and civic progress. He is highly esteemed and sincerely respected and has many warm friends.
BURGESS WILSON GARRETT.
Burgess Wilson Garrett, clerk of the supreme court of Iowa, has won much commendation by the able fashion in which he is discharg- ing the duties of his important office. He was born on a farm in Van Buren county, Iowa, on the 24th of February, 1872, and is descended in the paternal line from Scotch-Irish ancestors, while in the maternal line he is of German lineage. His father, William Carlisle Garrett, was born on the 1st of July, 1823, in Highland county, Ohio, a son of Robert Wilson Garrett, whose parents were William and Margaret Garrett, both born in 1770, the former on the 23d of April and the latter on the 23d of March. They were married on the 17th of April, 1794, and on emigrating to the United States settled in South Carolina. The birth of their son, Robert Wilson Garrett, occurred on the 17th of December, 1795, in that state and he remained there until he was a young man, when he removed to High- land county, Ohio. In 1849 he and his family settled in Van Buren county, Iowa, and six years later he died of the cholera. He was a farmer by occupation and was successful in his work. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Isabel Patterson, died about 1875 in Troy, Davis county, this state, not far from the Garrett homestead in Van Buren county.
William Carlisle Garrett was a prosperous and well-to-do farmer and was also prominent in political affairs. He represented his dis-
BURGESS W. GARRETT
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trict in the tenth general assembly and proved an able and upright lawmaker. He was a whig and on the dissolution of that party became a republican, being one of the organizers of the new party in his county. He served as justice of the peace and as a member of the town council and was a man of influence in his community, as he was unusually widely read and as his mind was naturally keen and logical. He passed away in Decatur, Iowa, on the 25th of March, 1904, when almost eighty years of age. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. In Highland county, Ohio, Mr. Garrett married Miss Libbie Simpson, who died not many years after the removal of the family to Iowa. To them were born five children: Sarah Isabel, who
was born in Ohio, became the wife of Henry Peacock, a resident of Davis county, Iowa, and she died in 1876, leaving a son, Mervin, who is now living in Texas. John A., likewise a native of the Buckeye state, was born in the later '40s and is now living at Canyon City, Colorado. For a number of years he taught school and farmed in Pottawattamie county, this state. Adolphus H., born in Van Buren county, Iowa, resides at Bush, Colorado. He received an excellent education, attending Troy Academy, and for some time taught in Pottawat- tamie county, Iowa, where his marriage occurred. Robert Austin, also a native of Van Buren county, Iowa, has given considerable attention to farming but for the last decade has conducted a livery business in Essex, Page county, this state. Alvah M. was born in Van Buren county, and is now farming in the vicinity of Chadron, Nebraska. In August, 1869, the father married Miss Rachel Yost, and they became the parents of four children: Clyde M., who was born September 5, 1870, is now residing in Spokane, Washington, and is engaged in the real-estate business. Burgess W. is next in order of birth. Sarah Adella, who was born on the 7th of January, 1874, is the wife of J. L. Martin and they reside in Graham, Idaho. Eva A., born September 22, 1876, married Robert L. Campbell, who is farming near Malvern, Mills county, Iowa. The mother of our subject was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 20th of September, 1829, a daughter of Jacob Yost. Both her father and mother were natives of Virginia but her ancestors came from Germany. The family has been prominent in Virginia and Ohio and the name is a highly honored one. She taught school for a number of years previous to her marriage and removed from Ohio to Pulaski, Davis county, Iowa, although her marriage was celebrated in Van Buren county. She passed away on the 15th of March, 1898, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, to which she belonged.
Vol. II-5
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When but a child Burgess W. Garrett accompanied his parents on their removal to Davis county, Iowa, and in 1882 the family home was established in Decatur county, the father having purchased a farm three miles east of Leon. Our subject was educated in the public schools, Simpson College and St. Joseph's University, from which institution he was graduated in due time. He earned the money for his school expenses by working upon a farm and later taught school. For two years he was principal of the Decatur high school and maintained the high reputation of that institution. He then entered public life as deputy treasurer of Decatur county and in 1898 became his party's nominee for clerk of the district court, but although he led his ticket he was defeated at the election. For one year he was in the office of Secretary of State Martin as corpo- ration clerk and on the inauguration of Governor Cummins he became pardon secretary, serving in that capacity until July 1, 1907. During that time he organized the department along lines of advanced thought in criminology and it was his work that made possible the establishment of the indeterminate system. From the 1st of July, 1907, until the 1st of March, 1910, he was secretary of the board of parole and in that capacity prepared the rules and blanks which are still used in the administration of the law. He is a recognized authority on criminology in Iowa and is often called upon to address church societies, conventions, etc., on that subject. In 1910 he became the republican candidate for clerk of the supreme court and accord- ingly resigned his position as secretary of the board of parole on the 1st of March of that year in order to prosecute his campaign. He was successful in the election and his work during his four years' term was so satisfactory that in 1914 he was reelected for another four years, the people thus expressing their confidence in his capa- bility and integrity.
On the 15th of April, 1892, in Decatur county, Mr. Garrett was married to Miss Rachel Woodmansee, a daughter of John Wood- mansee, of Leon. His father preempted the second claim taken up in Decatur township and built one of the first mills in the county on Grand river. Mrs. Garrett was educated in the public schools and taught for about two years in Decatur county. By her marriage she has two children. Neill, born in Leon on the 26th of June, 1894, is a junior in the law school of Drake University. Julian Cummins, born in Des Moines on the 1st of September, 1903, is attending the public schools of that city. He possesses musical ability of an unusu- ally high order. Mrs. Garrett and the elder son are members of the Christian church.
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Mr. Garrett is a stalwart republican in politics and has served as chairman of the county committee and has been a member of the senatorial and congressional committees, his advice and work being important factors in securing the success of his party. He also belongs to the Christian church and since January, 1906, has been an elder in the Capitol Hill church of that denomination at Des Moines and has also been president of the board of trustees with the exception of one year. He is one of the leaders in Sunday-school work, teach- ing the Bible class of one hundred and twenty-five members and also instructing the seventeen teachers in the school at the teachers' meet- ing each Wednesday night. The Sunday school numbers over five hundred students and the church membership is fifteen hundred. Mr. Garrett is also president of the Inter-Church Council of Des Moines, embracing eighty of the local churches which promoted the Sunday campaign. Since 1910 he has been president of the Iowa Christian Missionary Society and has held the office much longer than any other incumbent therein. He is likewise a member of the American Christian Missionary Society and takes a great interest in the missionary work of his church, believing that the denomination that is not active in missionary work of some sort will soon lose strength and power. He is president of the City Mission Council of Des Moines and a member of the Iowa Branch of Federated Churches of Christ of America, being one of the three representatives from the state of Iowa. In 1911 and 1912 he was chairman of the auxiliary committee which conducted a campaign known as a "religious appeal to men" and which was very successful in promoting the growth of a religious spirit and interest among the men of the city. While living in Leon he was superintendent of the Sunday school of the Christian church there and religious work has always played a large part in his life.
Mr. Garrett is a man of remarkable energy and efficiency and in addition to his official duties and his great activty in church work he cooperates with movements seeking the business and civic expansion of Des Moines and is a valued member of the Commercial Club of that city. His public spirit prompts him if need be to sacrifice per- sonal gain to the general good and his influence is always on the side of justice and right. Fraternally he is a member of Leon Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F., and has filled all of the chairs in that organization. Both he and his wife belong to Equal Rights Lodge, No. 319, of the Rebekahs. He is also identified with Hanley Lodge, No. 1701, M. B. A., of Des Moines. He understands thoroughly the work that devolves upon him in his capacity as clerk of the supreme court and
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is systematic and accurate in the performance of his duties, proving an excellent official. Those who are associated with him have found him not only thoroughly competent but also accommodating and courteous, and the state is to be congratulated upon choosing Mr. Garrett as the clerk of its supreme court.
THEOPHILUS BRENIZER, M. D.
For forty-nine years Dr. Theophilus Brenizer, of Fayette town- ship, has resided on or near his present farm, and during that time has gained a lucrative practice as a physician and surgeon. His birth occurred in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1846, and he is a son of David and Mary (Trimble) Brenizer, who passed their entire lives in the Keystone state. The father was a carpenter by trade, but resided upon a farm which he owned. To their union were born four sons and two daughters, those besides our subject being: Dr. George W., who passed away at the age of seventy-five years; O. C. and W. S., who are residing at Lamoni and own land in this county ; Mrs. Peter Hempt, of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Emily Shaull, who died in Pennsylvania in young womanhood.
Dr. Brenizer remained under the parental roof until the Civil war and then, when a youth of sixteen, entered the quartermaster's department of the army and was in the employ of the government for about three years, being stationed both in the east and west. When twenty years old he removed to Harrison county, Missouri, and there studied medicine under the instruction of his brother, Dr. George Brenizer. In 1871 he purchased his present home farm in Fayette township, which was then a hazel-brush thicket. He has made many improvements upon the place and, although he has several times suffered loss from fire, notably in 1886, when his fine large barn and contents burned, he has always rebuilt as soon as possible and has never become disheartened. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, partly on section 25, Fayette township, and partly across the state line in Harrison county, Missouri. He at one time owned four hundred and forty acres but has disposed of one hundred and twenty acres. About 1907, he erected a fine residence and he is numbered among the substantial men of Decatur county. For forty-nine years he has practiced medicine here and has become one of the best known homeopathic physicians in this part of the
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state, gaining the confidence of both the general public and his pro- fessional brethren.
Dr. Brenizer was married in the spring of 1870 to Miss Mary Hiner, who was born in West Virginia, August 26, 1851, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hiner, who settled at Fort Madison, Iowa, in the latter '50s. After two years they removed to Decatur county and located on a farm near Decatur City. The mother passed away there but the father died in Decatur City on the 26th of August, 1899, when eighty-six years of age. To him and his wife were born four children, those besides Mrs. Brenizer being: Mrs. Zula Tillotson, of Osceola, Iowa; Mrs. Kate Strong, of Geary, Oklahoma; and James H., who died in California. Dr. and Mrs. Brenizer are the parents of six children. Lionel D., who is farming in Fayette township, married Ida Frisby, and they have two children, Ruth Neil and Rich- ard Rex. Lora Bea married Walter L. Frisby, a merchant of Kel- lerton, Iowa, and to them have been born four children: Carla; Theo- dore Raye; Wayne Jack, deceased; and Frank. James Lloyd is farming in Harrison county, Missouri, and married Maud Dix, by whom he has two children, Velma and Frances. Harry H. and Vera T. are both at home. Mary R., the fourth in order of birth, died when seventeen months old.
Dr. Brenizer is a democrat and is stanch in his support of that party, but has never accepted public office. His wife leans toward the Methodist Episcopal church and takes considerable interest in its work. For almost a half century Dr. Brenizer has resided in this section and during that time has made many warm friends, as he has invariably given his influence to the side of right and progress.
JAMES WILBUR MATHER, D. D. S.
Dr. James Wilbur Mather, who for about forty years has been actively engaged in the practice of dentistry in Decatur county, is one of the esteemed residents of Lamoni. He was born in Chateauguay county, province of Quebec, Canada, a son of Ralph and Ann (Silvy) Mather, of English and Scotch descent respectively and both natives of Northumberland, England. They were married in that shire but emigrated to Canada while still in their early manhood and woman- hood and the father farmed in the Dominion until he passed away. To their union were born twelve children, of whom but three survive. The record of those who grew to maturity is as follows. Ralph con-
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ducted a grist and sawmill for many years and died in Ontario, Canada, when about seventy-seven years of age. He was the father of Dr. William J. Mather, a well known dentist of Lamoni, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Thomas, who was a farmer, is now deceased. William removed to New Hampshire and was en- gaged in the wood business there at the time of his demise. Margaret was twice married, her first husband being William Gibson and her second a Mr. Prine. She died at Davis City, Iowa, a number of years ago. Mary, who became the wife of Arthur McFadden, passed away in Ontario, Canada. Isabella married John Montgomery and died in the Dominion of Canada. Esther married John McDonald, who was engaged in mining in the United States, and both passed away in this country. Maria, who married a Mr. Davis, of Ver- mont, is now residing at Brattleboro, that state, but her husband has passed away. Kate is the wife of S. J. Linn, a millwright, and they reside at Foster, Nebraska. Eliza, who became the wife of D. H. Rogers, passed away in a sanitarium at Chicago. Ann, who married John Finleyson, died at Detroit, Michigan. James Wilbur, of this review, is the youngest of the family.
The last named came to the United States when seventeen years of age, first locating in New Hampshire, but not long afterward re- moved westward, beginning his dental study at Sandwich, Illinois, under Dr. Pomeroy, who was engaged in the practice of dentistry at Plano, that state. For the first twelve years after beginning the practice of his profession Dr. Mather remained in Kane county, Illi- nois, but at the end of that time removed to Decatur county, Iowa. He has taken two post-graduate courses in dentistry at Kansas City, one in the Kansas City College and the other in the Great Western Dental College and has continually kept up his study and reading along the lines of investigation that are closely connected with the science and practice of dentistry. For fifty years he has engaged in the practice of his profession and for about forty years of that time has been located in Decatur county, removing here in 1876. His work is thorough and gives satisfaction to his patients, many of whom have patronized him for years. He is still active in practice and holds the confidence of his colleagues as well as of the general public.
Dr. Mather has been twice married. He chose Miss Mary Doze as his second wife and their marriage was solemnized in Ringgold county, Iowa. The Doctor has supported the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he is not indifferent to anything relating to the public welfare. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and he contributes to the support
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of the Latter Day Saints church, of which his wife is a member. During the many years that he has resided in Decatur county Dr. Mather has been held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, not only as an able representative of his profession, but also as a man of high standards of life.
GEORGE W. BLAIR.
George W. Blair, an extensive real-estate dealer in Lamoni, is also mayor of the town and is a prominent and highly esteemed resi- dent thereof. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, on the 22d of September, 1856, a son of the late W. W. Blair, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
George W. Blair remained in Illinois until February, 1880, when he was married to Miss Jeannette Haymond, of Sandwich, Illinois, but following that event he removed to Lamoni, Iowa, arriving here in March. He resided upon a farm in Decatur county for about eight years and then took up his residence in Lamoni, where he was engaged in the mercantile business with his father, his brother Wil- liam, and Thomas Bell, the name of the firm being Blair & Bell. Under Cleveland's administration Mr. Blair of this review was appointed postmaster and served in that office until February, 1900. Upon the close of his tenure of office he went to Kellerton, Iowa, and for eight years was cashier of the Ringgold Savings Bank, proving an able and progressive financier. He then returned to Lamoni and took charge of the real-estate department of the State Savings Bank and still holds that position. He understands local conditions thor- oughly and keeps in touch with the property upon the market and he has negotiated many important realty transfers. Since the organ- ization of the State Savings Bank he has served as a director and stockholder of the institution and has also been a member of the auditing committee for a number of years. In the spring of 1912 he was elected mayor of Lamoni and in 1914 was reelected to that position, his services having proved very satisfactory to his fellow townsmen. He has been identified with all forward movements in Lamoni since taking up his residence in the city and as mayor has been able to accomplish much for the public welfare.
To Mr. and Mrs. Blair have been born a son and two daugh- ters, namely: Wallace H., who married Lulu Gillen and who is editor of the Lamoni Chronicle; Mrs. E. G. Younker, of Wash-
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ington, D. C .; and Mrs. B. W. Hart, of Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Hart is engaged in the insurance business, in which he is meeting with a gratifying measure of prosperity. To him and his wife has been born a son. Mr. Younker is president of the Sanitary Grocery Com- pany, which operates forty-two grocery stores in the city of Wash- ington and he is one of the leaders in the business circles of that city.
Mr. Blair has voted the democratic ticket since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has taken an active part in local politics, having held a number of other offices in addition to the office of mayor. In 1892 he was the democratic candidate for sheriff and was defeated by but sixteen votes although the normal republican majority at that time was almost six hundred. Although his home township was republican by a large majority his personal popularity was such that he polled all but twenty-three votes in that township. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. His son is a Knight of Pythias. He is energetic and progressive and car- ries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, whether it be some plan for the extension of his business interests or some project for the betterment of his community.
JASPER W. SPARGUR.
Jasper W. Spargur, a prosperous and wideawake farmer of Hamilton township, this county, was born in Highland county, Ohio, November 25, 1863, a son of A. W. and Julia (Upp) Spargur. The father was born in that county, on the 26th of August, 1838, of the marriage of John and Nancy (Beavers) Spargur, both natives of the Buckeye state. John Spargur was a miller by trade and passed away in Ohio in 1883, when eighty-four years of age. His wife died in 1878, at the age of eighty years. A. W. Spargur was reared and educated in his native state and in his youth learned the wagon mak- er's and shoemaker's trades, which he followed for several years. He also gave some time to agricultural pursuits, working as a hired hand for about three months, after which he operated the homestead until the spring of 1870, when he removed to Montgomery, Iowa, and thence to Holt county, Missouri. Subsequently he went to Wayne county, Iowa, but after residing there for three years he came to Decatur county, purchasing land in Hamilton township, which he operated for twenty years. At the end of that time he sold out and
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purchased the Graves farm in the same township. Four years later, however, he sold that place also and bought the Carter farm of eighty acres on section 10, Hamilton township, which he at once began im- proving and operating. He still owns the property but since 1907 has lived practically retired, leaving the work of the farm to our subject.
On the 18th of November, 1862, A. W. Spargur married Miss Julia Upp, a daughter of John and Nellie Upp, natives of Ohio, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. He died December 15, 1860, but was survived by his wife until April 15, 1899. To Mr. and Mrs. Spargur have been born eleven children, namely: Jasper W., of this review; Newton, deceased, who was born October 9, 1865; Calvin, born August 9, 1867, who is now living in Colorado; Joseph, who was born July 3, 1869, and died October 9, 1870; Minnie, who was born April 5, 1871, and died August 13, 1873; Emma, who was born August 20, 1873, and died April 2, 1882; Cora, who was born October 7, 1875, and died December 11, 1881; Charles, whose birth occurred October 19, 1877, and who is living in Colorado; Henry, born October 6, 1879, who is farming in this county; Lucy, born Sep- tember 20, 1881, who married William Henderson, of Davis City, Iowa; and Mary, who was born July 23, 1885, and who married Floyd Kirk, of Colorado Springs.
Jasper W. Spargur was reared under the parental roof and ac- quired his education in the public schools. For many years he operated the homestead in partnership with his father but since 1907 has had the entire management of the farm. He is thoroughly familiar with practical methods of agriculture and at the same time is always willing to adopt new ideas that promise to increase the efficiency of the farmer. He is prompt and energetic in his work and the sale of the grain and stock which he raises yields him a good annual income.
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