USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 8
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Mr. Spargur was married on the 22d of February, 1894, to Miss Allie Acton, a daughter of William and Jane (Bledsoe) Acton, pioneers of this county, where the father farmed for many years. He is now living retired and resides in Davis City. To Mr. and Mrs. Spargur were born two children: May, who was born March 5, 1895, and is the wife of Frank Hollister, a farmer of this township; and Edith, whose natal day was.September 9, 1896. The wife and mother died on the 26th of September, 1896, leaving many friends who sincerely mourned her loss.
Mr. Spargur is a socialist, believing that many of the evils of modern life are due to the existing social order and that the adoption of the socialistic régime will secure better living conditions for the
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great majority of people. He takes a keen interest in local public affairs and has served as school director and as road superintendent of his township. The Spargur family has been connected with the agricultural development of Decatur county for many years and the name is held in high honor as its representatives have been industrious and efficient and at all times have conformed their lives to high standards of conduct.
THEODORE CREVELING.
Theodore Creveling, of Fayette township, owns and with the assistance of his sons operates seven hundred and four acres of fine land and in addition to following general farming and stock-raising has given considerable attention to fruit raising. His birth occurred in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1852, and he is a son of Clemuel and Eliza Creveling, of Scotch-Irish and Penn- sylvania-Dutch descent respectively. The paternal grandfather, Alexander Creveling, served in the war of the Revolution, as did a brother. Two other brothers served in the British army, but after coming to America deserted, as they sympathized with the colonists. Clemuel Creveling was born in Pennsylvania, as was his wife, and he resided there until 1852, when he came west to Clinton county, Iowa, whence a year later he removed to Decatur county. The family joined him in April, 1854, and they took up their residence on a quarter sec- tion of land which he had entered from the government. He also purchased a number of other tracts, paying therefor a dollar and a quarter per acre, and became a well-to-do farmer. He passed away in this county when sixty years of age and his wife died here when seventy-one years old. His political belief was that of the republican party and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two died in infancy, and two died when six and eight years old respectively. There are four sons living: Alexander, of Fayette county; Theodore; C. E., of New Buda township; and A. M., of Ellston. A daughter, Mrs. Eliza Sutari McMorris, who resided near Leon died several years ago.
Theodore Creveling, who was but an infant when brought to Decatur county, has passed practically his entire life in this county, but spent some time in Rawlins county, Kansas. He was reared to the occupation of farming and has met with signal success as an agri- culturist and stock-raiser. He owns seven hundred and four acres
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of land in Fayette and Bloomington townships, his residence being on section 1, Fayette township. Three hundred and thirty-four acres of his holdings are devoted to pasture and three hundred and sev- enty acres are cultivated, from twenty-five to thirty acres being given up to fruit trees. He has been very successful as a fruit raiser and has one of the best orchards in Decatur county.
Mr. Creveling was married in this county in 1885 to Miss Della M. Gentry, a native of the county. Her father, Curn Gentry, who is a native of Kentucky, is still living at the venerable age of eighty years, but her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary May, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Creveling have become the parents of seven children, of whom one died in infancy, the others being: Vergie Sutari, the wife of H. C. Rauch; and O. C., D. T., A. M., Gladys and Florence, all at home.
The political allegiance of Mr. Creveling is given to the republi- can party, as he believes in the soundness of its principles. He at one time belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America and his wife and two daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. All who come in contact with Mr. Creveling in business or social rela- tions hold him in high esteem, as his life is guided by the highest moral principles. He is one of the large landowners of the county and he and his sons derive a handsome income from their farming and stock-raising activities.
A. C. NORTHRUP.
A. C. Northrup, who was a veteran of the Civil war and also a prosperous farmer and stock dealer, resided at Garden Grove for many years and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was born in Peterboro, Madison county, New York, and there received his education and grew to man's estate. Some time before the Civil war he located in Decatur county, Iowa, becoming a resident of Gar- den Grove. At that time the county was in the frontier stage of development, there was only one store at Garden Grove and many of the conveniences of life that are now considered necessities were altogether unknown. Mr. Northrup devoted his energies to farming and also bought and shipped stock extensively, being very successful in that occupation, as he was an excellent judge of stock and studied the market carefully. He accumulated a competence and was rec- ognized as a man of good business judgment.
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Mr. Northrup was married December 20, 1865, to Miss Melissa Brown, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, a daughter of Hugh and Harriett Brown. In 1854 she accompanied her parents to this county and has since resided here. She is one of the most esteemed of the older residents of Garden Grove and, although she has reached the age of seventy-four years, she is still active and vigorous. She is a sister of Captain J. D. Brown, of Leon, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The Presbyterian church finds in her a loyal and consistent member and she has always manifested much interest in its work. To Mr. and Mrs. Northrup were born six children: Mrs. Emma Shaw, who resides near Denver, Colorado; Lenore, the wife of J. F. Gill, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Libbie Shaw, who resides near Garden Grove; Albert E., a member of the firm of Northrup Brothers, merchants of Garden Grove; Har- vey L., also a member of the firm of Northrup Brothers, who is serv- ing on the board of supervisors; and Clyde, a farmer residing near Van Wert, this state.
Mr. Northrup was a republican and never faltered in his allegiance to that party. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic lodge and the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Garden Grove. He enlisted from Decatur county in Company L, Third Iowa Cav- alry, and for four years fought in the Civil war in the defense of the Union. While with Captain J. D. Brown he was captured by the rebels and during the four years that he was at the front he experi- enced all of the hardships and privations of war. His demise, which occurred on the 22d of September, 1901, in Woodland township, was a loss to his many friends and to the community at large. He was seventy-one years of age but was still young in spirit and took much interest in all that happened.
WILLIAM H. CAMPBELL.
William H. Campbell, residing on section 3, Grand River town- ship, owns an excellent farm of three hundred and forty-four acres. He was born in Decatur township, this county, on the 25th of March, 1861, and is a son of Marion Campbell, who was born in Jackson county, Indiana, of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, Robert Camp- bell, was a native of Kentucky and an early settler of Indiana, where he continued to farm until 1856, when he removed with his family to Decatur county, Iowa. He entered land in the southeastern part
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of Grand River township and there he passed the remainder of his days. Following his demise his widow, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Jolly, removed to Decatur, where her demise occurred. They were the parents of five children: Marion; Martha, who is living in Decatur; Rebecca, who became the wife of James Gray and died in California, as did her husband; Sarah, the wife of M. Cor- rington, of Decatur; and John, deceased.
Marion Campbell attended the district schools in his boyhood and youth and also gained much knowledge concerning agricultural pur- suits. Following his marriage he located upon an eighty acre tract of land entered by his wife previous to their marriage. The land was situated in Decatur township, and there they resided for many years, her demise occurring about 1867. He continued to operate the farm until 1890, when he purchased land in the vicinity of Decatur, where he spent his last days. He was a successful farmer and for many years operated a threshing machine. In politics he was a republican and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as trustee and steward. He was much interested in movements which sought to bring about a closer cooperation be- tween the farmers of the country and was an active member of the Grange. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Phoebe Hannah and her birth occurred in 1838. Both of her parents passed away in Indiana and she subsequently removed to Decatur county, Iowa, with her half-sister, Eliza Millsap. Not long after her arrival here she entered the aforementioned eighty acres of land in Decatur town- ship. Her education was acquired in her native state. Her religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which she took a helpful interest. Her marriage occurred in 1859 and she became the mother of six children, as follows: Margaret, who was born in 1860, married Cicero Standish, who for a number of years followed agricultural pursuits in Grand River township. Subse- quently they removed to Houston, Texas, where she passed away on the 2d of January, 1915, leaving three children, William, Pearl and Raymond. William H., the subject of this review, is the next in order of birth. Della, who was born in 1863, followed the profession of teaching but is now deceased. Robert, whose birth occurred in 1865, has also passed away. Etta and Ida Belle, twins, were born in 1867, and both died in infancy.
William H. Campbell passed the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and divided his time between the acquirement of an education in the public schools and assisting his father with the farm work. When twenty-one years of age he bought his Grand-
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father Campbell's farm in Grand River township, which comprised eighty acres, and continued to reside there until 1890, when he sold that place and removed to his present farm on section 3, Grand River township. He owns three hundred and forty-four acres of fine land, which he cultivates and from which he derives a gratifying annual income. He is justly ranked among the most up-to-date and most progressive farmers of his county and in gaining individual success he has also contributed to the agricultural development of his locality.
On the 18th of March, 1888, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Minnie F. Fear, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, November 20, 1863, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Day) Fear. Her father was born in Somersetshire, England, February 8, 1837, the third in a family of seven children. He remained at home until 1856 and then, at the age of nineteen years, emigrated to the United States, making his way across the country to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he became identified with agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he was for eight years engaged in buying and shipping stock. In 1871 he came to Decatur county and purchased eighty acres of land in Grand River township. He prospered and as the years passed added to his hold- ings, accumulating three hundred acres of excellent land. He passed away on the 28th of February, 1891, but was survived by his widow until the 10th of February, 1913. She was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Day and was born March 17, 1857, in Somersetshire, England. Mrs. Campbell is one of their nine children and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, as follows: Edith Merle, who was born on the 16th of June, 1890, is a graduate of the Grand River high school. She was married on the 15th of August, 1910, to Ernest Street, who resides in Grand River township. Neal Dow, whose birth occurred on the 28th of February, 1895, graduated from the Grand River high school in 1911 and subsequently entered the State Agricultural College at Ames, taking a four years' course in animal husbandry, from which he was graduated in June, 1915. Floyd Vin- cent, who was born on the 10th of March, 1900, is a student in the Grand River high school.
Mr. Campbell is a republican and for four years has held the office of justice of the peace. For six years he was a member of the board of supervisors and for two years of that time served as chair- man of that body. Fraternally he is connected with Banner Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Grand River, in which he has served as junior warden. Both he and his wife are members of the local Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held the offices of trustee and steward. They have a wide acquaintance throughout the county and
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the worth of their characters is attested by the fact that those who have known them most intimately are their stanchest friends. Mr. Campbell has devoted the greater part of his time to farming, in which he has met with a large measure of success, and he has also found opportunity to cooperate with many movements seeking the betterment of his community.
FRANK E. CHASTAIN.
Frank E. Chastain, who resides in Eden township, is devoting his attention to farming and stock-raising. He is a native of that township, his natal day being August 17, 1878, and is a son of John M. and Sarah A. (Albaugh) Chastain, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He attended the Leon high school and sub- sequently was a student in the West Side high school of Des Moines, thus fitting himself to be an intelligent citizen and to perform well his work. After his education was completed the family returned to the home farm in Decatur county and he operated the place in partnership with his father until 1905, when the latter retired and took up his residence in Leon. Frank E. Chastain has since had the entire control of the homestead, which comprises two hundred acres of excellent land, and he has proved a very efficient farmer and stock- raiser. He breeds high grade stock and gives considerable attention to raising thoroughbred Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. He is practical but also progressive, and his energy and knowledge of busi- ness principles enable him to gain a good income from his land.
Mr. Chastain was married in August, 1902, to Miss Maude Bruner, who was educated at the East Des Moines high school and the Normal Institute and for one year prior to her marriage suc- cessfully engaged in teaching. She is a daughter of Joseph and Kate (McMurtry) Bruner, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively. Her maternal great-grandfather was governor of Illinois at one time. Her father farmed for a few years in Decatur county, Iowa, after which he removed to Des Moines, where he served on the police force and in the fire department for many years, but is now in the employ of the street car company. His wife is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Chastain have two children: Paul J., who is eleven years of age; and Harold, a child of four years.
Mr. Chastain is a democrat and is the present clerk of Eden town- ship, in which connection he is proving very efficient. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church and his
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daily life is proof of the sincerity of his belief. He has not only gained a considerable measure of financial prosperity but has also won the unqualified respect of all who have had dealings with him.
JOSEPH SMITH.
By Mary Audentia Anderson.
Joseph Smith, late president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was born at hirtland, Ohio, November 6, 1832, and was the son of Joseph, Jr., and Emma Hale Smith, the latter being the daughter of Isaac Hale, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Pennsylvania.
Joseph Smith, Jr., the father of our subject, when a boy of four- teen, claimed that an angel appeared to him telling him not to join any of the churches of the day but to live faithfully, and he would be instrumental in carrying out God's plan to restore to earth the true gospel of Christ. Some years later, he claimed that the same angel delivered into his hands some gold plates, upon which were engraven strange characters. These, by the power of God, he claims to have translated, and the book was published at Palmyra, New York, in 1830 under the title of "Book of Mormon." It purports to be a record of the ancient inhabitants of America and God's dealings with them.
On April 6, 1830, he and five others, organized a church, accord- ing to instruction received by divine revelation. This claim, so un- usual, and coming to a people who thought they fully possessed the Christian faith aroused much opposition.
In 1838, he moved his family to Missouri, settling at Far West, Caldwell county, but difficulties aggravated by misrepresentations of enemies, continued to harass the church and that fall he, with others was thrown into prison, being confined for seven long months in a noisome dungeon at Liberty, Clay county, Missouri.
While they were thus imprisoned, many of the families of the saints suffered unbelievable trials and deprivations. The governor of Missouri issued an order to banish them from the state or extermi- nate them, and, thus many thousands of peaceable and unoffending people were driven from their rightly-purchased homes, in the cold of a severe winter, and forced to make their way as best they could to Illinois, where more humane and sympathetic people succored them.
JOSEPH SMITH
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Among the number thus forced to flee for their lives was Emma, the young wife of the leader of the church, who at that time was con- fined in the jail before mentioned. With her two youngest sons in her arms, and little Joseph and a foster-daughter clinging to her skirts, she crossed the frozen Mississippi on foot, and made her way to Quincy, Illinois, where she found rest, food and shelter in the home of a family by the name of Cleveland. In the spring she was joined by her husband, and a home was established later at Commerce, Han- cock county, Illinois, which town afterward bore the name of Nau- voo and became the great center city of the Saints. They enjoyed a period of comparative prosperity, the population of the town swell- ing to fourteen thousand. A magnificent temple was started in 1841, built of the native stone of the country, but it was never completed.
Here, then, amidst such scenes, was spent the early life and boy- hood of the late President Smith. He was baptized by his father when eight years old and later was blessed by him and designated as the future leader of the church. Perilous times ensued for the father, for he was persecuted by his enemies, and several times arrested but as often acquitted and released.
Finally a requisition came from the governor of Missouri demand- ing him as a fugitive from justice from that state and charging him with treason. Upon examination before a competent court the requisi- tion was denied. In June, 1844, he was arrested on charge of riot and while under arrest, on the 27th day of June, 1844, a masked and painted mob of lawless men, shot him and his brother Hyrum, to death.
Following this tragedy the saints became scattered, many false leaders springing up, causing many schisms in their ranks, and two years later a great exodus occurred, thousands wending their way across the desert of the west to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Brigham Young built up his empiric stronghold.
Emma Smith, the widow of the murdered prophet, steadfastly refused to acknowledge the leadership of Brigham Young, and in spite of threats, promises, warnings and pressure of all kinds brought to bear upon her, she refused to go west but remained at Nauvoo, where she reared her four sons to manhood, instilling in them fear- less honesty, steadfast loyalty to conviction, loving respect for their father's memory, and supreme confidence in and reverence for God.
Responding to a call which he believed to be divine, "Young Joseph" as he was affectionately called by those who knew him in those days, in 1860 attended a conference of the membership of the church, at Amboy, Illinois. There he was chosen president, being Vol. II-6
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ordained to that position on April 6. This organization had been effected in 1852 and had taken a firm and uncompromising stand against the evils in the Utah faction, among which were the doctrines of polygamy, blood-atonement, spiritual wifery, etc. This stand the Reorganized Church has never abandoned.
This was the work which Joseph Smith took up at the age of twenty-eight, a work to which he bent, throughout the long years of his life, his best and worthiest energies. Patiently the scattered saints built up by slow and careful steps, an organization whose pride it is to live in conformity with the rules of right conduct and right motives, believing as they do that "he who would keep the law of God has no need to break the laws of the land." From the small beginning made in 1852 this church with Joseph Smith as its president, and against, fearful odds of popular misunderstanding and prejudice, succeeded in carrying out most triumphantly a high standard in doctrine and morals. How well they succeeded was partially evi- denced by the fact that upon the announcement of Joseph Smith's death last winter, the press of the country almost universally united in expressions of respect and esteem. Where he was personally known, he was beloved; and where only his public work was known, that was spoken of in generous terms of approbation for its acknowl- edged consistency and earnestness.
He was very patriotic and highly prized his right of franchise, exercising that prerogative for the last time just a few days prior to his death. His political convictions caused his support to go to the republican party, and he voted for every republican candidate for president, his first vote being cast for John C. Fremont in 1856.
He studied law in his youth but never entered into its practice. He served two terms as justice of the peace in Nauvoo, and one term in Plano, Illinois, to which place he moved in 1865. He had editorial charge of the Saints' Herald, official organ of the church, from 1865 to the close of his life. He served at various times as member of school boards, having always a keen interest in affairs of education and progress.
In 1881 he moved to Lamoni, Iowa, to which place the Herald publishing plant and official headquarters of the church were at the same time transferred. He, with his family, consisting at that time of wife, four sons and four daughters, arrived on the evening of October 8, and took up their residence in a commodious frame dwell- ing which had been built the preceding summer for their reception. It was situated on a small farm of forty acres adjoining the town limits on the west, and from this home he went daily to the Herald
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office, carrying on his work as editor and presiding officer of the church. He gave the name of "Liberty Hall" to his home, and his fine and never-failing hospitality,-to rich and poor alike,-his open door to the needy or the deserving, fully justified this title. Later, when he moved to Independence, Missouri, and the place was trans- formed into a residence for aged people of the church, the name was preserved and today it is known as "Liberty Home" and has sheltered many aged and deserving people.
In Lamoni, as in Plano and Nauvoo, Joseph Smith's influence for good citizenship was strongly felt. He was an active advocate of temperance, and many and powerful were the addresses he made in that cause from pulpit and lecture platform. He assisted in ban- ishing the saloon from every town he lived in and promulgated the doctrine of sobriety and abstinence wherever and whenever oppor- tunity offered. His church associates are stanch supporters of this principle also and can be counted upon to vote almost solidly for prohibition movements.
Three times has the Reorganized Church established in the courts of the land, its claim to be the only true and lawful successor to the original church as founded by Joseph Smith, Sr., in 1830.
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