USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 9
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The accepted books of the church strongly condemn the doctrine of polygamy and teach instead purity and virtue of life, integrity, godliness, and everything having a tendency to exalt and ennoble the human mind, and Joseph Smith counseled the members of the church to shun any and every man who taught any principles con- trary to these virtues.
The enemies of Joseph Smith claimed that he was ignorant, shift- less and mischievous, and that he came of low and ignoble parentage. This has been successfully and undeniably refuted by those who have made a study of his ancestry. It is found that behind him a long line of industrious, gentle and patriotic forbears stand, and in them we may trace, to a considerable extent, many of the traits of charac- ter, which distinguished him,-as well as his son, the subject of our sketch. In both men there existed a strong love of country, and firm respect for its laws and government, as well as a deep hatred for all forms of oppression, tyranny or injustice. These characteristics may be traced to their ancestors who bore arms in defense of their country and fought for the establishment of their rights to freedom and liberty. Asael Smith, grandfather of Joseph the Prophet, was a captain of Minute Men, who marched at the call of April 19, 1775, and helped to fire the "shot that was heard around the world." Also he commanded a company at the fortification of Dorchester Heights,
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and, in 1776 helped to drive the British from Boston. His father, Captain Samuel Smith, was prominent in the affairs, both civil and military, which marked the stirring days of the colonies' revolt against tyranny, being a member of the "Tea Committee," and the "Com- mittee of Safety," and held at various times many positions of trust and service in his community. He was representative to several Provincial and Continental Congresses, where resolutions were passed, condemning the actions of their oppressors, declaring their constitutional rights, and pledging themselves and their fortunes to the defense of those rights. Energetically were those pledges re- deemed; companies were raised, equipped and carefully drilled, and these farmer-soldiers later took active and effectual part in the valor- ous deeds which fill the history of those times and which resulted in the blessed heritage of freedom which we possess.
Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of the founder of the church, also came from a family active in military affairs, her father, Solomon Mack, serving in the French and Indian wars, and the Revolution. He fought in the battle at Lake George and later was with Major Putnam in his historical engagements with the Indians. In 1776 he enlisted in the continental army, serving his country until the close of the war. His son, Stephen, held the position of major in the War of 1812, also having seen service in the Revolutionary war, although he was but seventeen when he enlisted. Major Mack was in Detroit when Hull surrendered to the British, which so disgusted him, that he broke his sword across his knee and tossed it into the lake, saying that he would never submit to such a disgraceful compromise while the blood of an American flowed in his veins.
The ancestry of Joseph Smith includes many men and women who were sturdy pioneers in this country, coming here to escape oppres- sion, or to find that breadth of liberty and expression which their natures demanded. Unflinchingly they faced the terrors and danger of this wild and unexplored country, and, gaining footholds, here and there, they helped to build prosperous New England towns. Their names Smith, French, Gould, Curtis, Towne, Bagley, Mack, Huntley, Colby, Gates, Spencer, Cone, etc., are found all through the records of those early days and to these pioneers doubtless their descendants owe many sound, noble and courageous characteristics. Enough has been written to disprove the slanderous statements made about the family of Joseph Smith. They were ever law-abiding and loyal patriots, despising treachery, oppression and injustice.
In the light history throws upon his ancestors, do we not find the source of his calm courage in the face of danger, his persistency in upholding what he believed to be true, and his fearlessness in pre-
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senting those convictions? Even his martyrdom had its prototype in the death of a Protestant ancestor, John Loomis, who was burned at the stake by Catholics, under Queen Mary in 1556. Oppression in any form, was obnoxious to Joseph Smith, and the disturbances which followed the settlement of the church in Missouri had much of its origin in the strong anti-slavery sentiments they held. They believed that the Constitution of the United States made no distinction of color or race, when it declared that "all men are created free and equal." The late president of the church was most democratic and sympathetic in his attitude toward the black race.
Of the personal family ties of President Smith there is this to record. He married Miss Emma Griswold, at Nauvoo, October 22, 1856. She bore to him five children, two of whom Evelyn Rebecca and Joseph Arthur, died in infancy. His daughter Emma Josepha, born in Nauvoo in 1857, was married to Alexander McCallum in 1875. His second daughter, Carrie Lucinda, born at Nauvoo in 1861, married Francis M. Weld at Lamoni in 1887. Zaide Viola, born also in Nauvoo in 1863, was married to Richard S. Salyards in 1883. She died in 1891.
After the death of his wife, Emma, Mr. Smith married Miss Bertha Madison, at Sandwich, Illinois, in 1869. To this union were born nine children, two of whom, Kenneth and Blossom, died at birth, and two others, David Carlos and Bertha Azuba, at the ages respect- ively of fifteen and six years. Mary Audentia was born at Plano, Illinois, in 1872 and was married in 1891 to Benjamin M. Ander- son. Frederick Madison was born at Plano in 1874, and in 1897 married Miss Ruth L. Cobb. He was named by his father as his suc- cessor in the presidency of the church. At the General Conference of 1915, Frederick M. was chosen president and so ordained at Inde- pendence, Missouri, his home, on May 5th following. Israel Alex- ander, born at Plano in 1876, married Miss Nina Grenawalt in 1908. Hale Washington, born at Plano in 1881, married Miss Rogene Munsell in 1905. Lucy Yeteve was born at Lamoni in 1884 and was married to Jesse M. Lysinger in 1906.
In 1896 Joseph Smith buried his wife Bertha and later married Miss Ada Rachel Clark at Toronto, Canada. Three sons came to bless this union, namely: Richard Clark in 1898; William Wallace in 1900; and Reginald Archer in 1903, all being born in Lamoni.
In 1903 President Smith went to England, his first trip to foreign lands, though he had preached in many states and territories in the United States as well as in many provinces of Canada. He visited Scotland and Wales also, returning late in the fall of the same year.
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In August, 1906, he moved to Independence, Missouri. Later in the year he made a trip to Honolulu, in the performance of his ecclesiastical duties. His eyesight failed him, and he spent the last four years of his life in total darkness, so far as the physical was con- cerned. His mind however, retained to the last, its wonderful clarity and vigor, and his counsel was eagerly sought and wisely given.
All the sons and daughters of Joseph Smith, as well as the men and women who married into the family are members of the Reor- ganized Church.
When he was stricken with his last illness, his children gathered about him, Frederick coming from his studies at Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, Hale from his mission field in Alabama, and others from Lamoni. For two weeks he lingered, in patience and sweet resignation awaiting the release of his weary spirit from its darkened tenement. Tenderly he counseled, and many were the scenes of the past which passed before his mind, and firmly he bore his dying testimony that Jesus was the Christ, and that he was not afraid to go to meet that Christ. Peacefully the end came at one o'clock in the afternoon of December 10, 1914.
From the many tributes to the life and character of Joseph Smith which found their way to the attention of the public at that time we select the following, an editorial in the Kansas City Journal for December 12, 1914:
In the ecclesiastical dogmas which made up the denominational belief of the late Joseph Smith the general public has no particular interest. But in the death of the late venerable head of the Reor- ganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the country loses an interesting and useful citizen. Joseph Smith was consider- ably more than a powerful churchman into whose keeping had been committed the destinies of one of the great denominations of the world. Those who ignorantly confounded the Reorganized Church with Mormonism, in the objectionable acceptation of that term, will not appreciate the theological distinctions between the two nor under- stand that nothing was more hateful to Joseph Smith than the doc- trines of Brigham Young, with their polygamous teachings and all the other features which make Utah Mormonism obnoxious in the eyes of the average American.
But all who ever came in contact with Joseph Smith could readily appreciate the broad charity of his tenets, the untarnished private life he lived, the unswerving devotion to duty which he always displayed and the simple modesty of his relations toward his church and the world at large. To his church he was the prophet whom all its com-
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municants revered, but he was also the unostentatious leader who con- stantly practiced the virtues which he enjoined upon his followers. To the world he was the blameless citizen who walked before all men as an example and whose interest in the movements that made for the welfare of the community always had his heartiest support.
Perhaps nothing could give a clearer insight into the character of Joseph Smith than the directions which he issued shortly before his death in respect to his funeral. Disliking nothing so much, next to sham, as ostentation, he directed that his funeral should be con- ducted with the utmost simplicity, without any of the elaborateness which his followers would otherwise have provided in order to testify to the honor in which they held him. He was the prophet, but first of all he was the Christian gentleman and the good citizen. As such he lived, as such he died, as such he will be remembered by all outside the household of his faith. His followers themselves can have no legacy of remembrance more honorable than this appraisement of the people among whom he lived and labored so many years. Kindly, cheerful, loyal to his own creed, tolerant of those of others, standing for modesty, simplicity, good citizenship, embodying in his private and public life all the virtues which adorn a character worthy of emulation-such is the revelation which Joseph Smith leaves to the world, as the real interpretation of an ecclesiastical message translated into terms of human character.
PETER POLAND.
Peter Poland, who for forty-four years has followed agricultural pursuits in this county, is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Morgan township. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, April 9, 1837, and is a son of Ezra and Eunice (Sears) Poland. The parents were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and of Ohio but about 1840 became residents of Illinois, the father entering land in Morgan county. He continued to operate his farm during the re- mainder of his life and passed away in 1884. His wife is also deceased.
Peter Poland was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the district schools of Illinois. When twenty-four years of age he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Illinois Volunteer Cav- alry, and was with the colors for four years and two months, seeing much hard service in that time. After the close of the war he returned
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home and worked for his father for three years. Subsequently he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 3, Morgan township. He concentrated his energies upon the operation of his farm and as he was energetic and practical and managed his affairs well he was eventually able to buy one hun- dred and twenty acres additional, his present holdings comprising two hundred and forty acres on sections 3, 4, 9 and 10. He has operated his farm for more than forty-four years and has gained more than a competence. He gives much thought to the planning of his work and is always ready to adopt new methods if it can be shown that they are an improvement over those previously in use.
On the 2d of October, 1870, Mr. Poland was united in marriage to Miss Mary Robinson, who was born April 4, 1840, a daughter of John and Mary (Crockett) Robinson. Her parents were natives of Kentucky, but became pioneer settlers of Decatur county, Iowa, locating here about 1854 or 1855. The father entered land in Mor- gan and Woodland townships and devoted the remainder of his life to the operation of his farm. He passed away in 1882 and his wife died two years later. Mr. and Mrs. Poland have six children, Ella M., Maggie, Emma B., Hattie, Lawrence and John A.
Mr. Poland has supported the republican party at the polls since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and cast his first presi- dential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. For three years he served as trustee of his township, discharging his duties with ability and cir- cumspection. His religious allegiance is given to the Methodist church, which profits both by his material support and his coopera- tion in its work. He is a valued citizen of his community and there are many who hold him in warm regard as a personal friend.
W. E. REED.
W. E. Reed, a highly esteemed farmer living retired in Pleasan- ton, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, February 15, 1842, a son of William and Susanna (Scott) Reed. The father, who was a native of Ireland, emigrated to America with his parents in 1818, the family residence being established in Ohio, where his father followed agri- cultural pursuits. William Reed removed to Madison county, Iowa, in 1855 and purchased land, to the operation of which he devoted the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1857. His wife, who was a native of Virginia, died in 1905.
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W. E. Reed was reared and educated in Ohio and Madison county, Iowa, and remained with his mother until he was about eighteen years of age. He then began working as a farm hand and was so engaged until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he put aside all personal considerations and enlisted in Company I, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served for three years and eight months. At the close of hostilities he returned to Madison county, Iowa, and rented land there until February, 1896. In that year he went to Mercer county, Missouri, and purchased land which he cultivated for six years. In 1902, feeling that he had acquired a competence, he retired from active life and removed to Pleasanton, where he has since resided, enjoying well earned leisure.
In 1881 Mr. Reed married Miss Rose Jolly, a daughter of Beden and Lucinda (Simpkins) Jolly, both natives of Iowa. The father farmed in Warren, Van Buren and Madison counties, Iowa, but for the past thirty years has operated a truck farm near St. Joseph, Mis- souri. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have become the parents of four children : Merton, who is farming in Hamilton township, Decatur county ; Oscar, at home; Ivan, also a farmer of Hamilton township; and Donald, who died in 1892.
Mr. Reed is a republican and has given stanch support to the party which stood by the Union in the time of its peril. His religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and no movement characterized by high moral endeavor lacks his support and coopera- tion. He has many excellent qualities which have gained him the respect and esteem of those who know him.
WILLIAM HAMILTON YOUNG.
Among the prominent stock-raisers of Decatur county is William Hamilton Young, who owns and operates three hundred and eighty- five acres of excellent land in Richland township. He was born in that township on the 29th of September, 1854. His father, John D. Young, was a native of Indiana and came of German ancestry. He removed to Decatur county, Iowa, with his parents, John L. and Judy A. Young, and the grandfather of our subject entered from the government two hundred and forty acres of land on section 22, Richland township, and two hundred and sixty acres on section 33, which was totally unimproved when it came into his possession. The first thing that he did after entering it was to erect a log cabin, which remained the family residence for several years. As time passed he
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brought his land under cultivation and in the course of years his place became highly developed and well improved.
John D. Young built a cabin on the farm on section 22 and at once began cultivating the land. He became a prosperous farmer and an influential citizen and passed the remainder of his life on his farm. He was a democrat in politics, as was his father before him, and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. He died on the 12th of February, 1909, when in his seventy-ninth year. His wife, who bore the name of Catherine Warrick, was born in Tennes- see, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Hatfield) Warrick. Her father, who was also a farmer by occupation, emigrated to Iowa in 1852 and located in Doyle township, Clarke county, becoming a very successful farmer and highly esteemed citizen of his community. He served in the Union army during the Civil war and while at the front contracted a disease which eventually caused his death. His wife has also passed away. Mrs. Young died in 1875 when thirty-six years of age. She was the mother of six children, namely: William H .; John L., who died about 1880, leaving a family; Robert and Martha J., both of whom died in infancy; Henry H., of Eaton, Colo- rado; and George W., a farmer of Morrill county, Nebraska.
William H. Young was reared upon the home farm in Richland township and as a boy and youth attended the district school, thus acquiring a good education. He continued to assist his father with the work of the fields and the care of the stock for several years after putting aside his textbooks. Eventually he purchased a portion of the home farm and at the demise of his father he inherited one lun- dred and eighty acres. He has also acquired additional land and now owns in all three hundred and eighty-five acres in Richland town- ship. He has always given special attention to stock-raising and breeds shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and Poland China hogs, the sale of which yields him a good income. He also follows general farming and in both branches of his business is meeting with gratify- ing success.
On the 31st of December, 1874, Mr. Young married Miss Ner- resta Edwards, who was born in Richland township, on the 29th of October, 1855, of the marriage of Anderson and Armina Edwards, residents of Long Creek township. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Young. Luella, born January 10, 1879, is now the wife of Fred B. Bramon, of Delphis, Ringgold county, by whom she has four children. Nora C., born February 18, 1882, married Lloyd Gilreath, by whom she has four children. Carrie A., born October 1, 1885, is now the wife of J. L. Mendenhall, a farmer of Franklin
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township, by whom she has four children. Frederick M., born Feb- ruary 22, 1887, is operating the home place. He married Miss Ruth Ward, a daughter of Daniel and Loretta Ward, and two children have been born to this union. Martha J., whose birth occurred on the 27th of October, 1890, is now the wife of Herbert Johnson, a farmer of Richland township.
Mr. Young is a democrat and has held various township offices. His personal popularity in the county and the confidence which is placed in his integrity is attested by the fact that in 1900 he was elected county treasurer, although Decatur county is normally repub- lican. He took his seat in January, 1901, and served for five years, holding over one year, due to a change in the election law. He proved a very efficient custodian of the funds and there was never the slight- est doubt of his absolute honesty and trustworthiness. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and Odd Fellows, and in his life exemplifies the spirit of brotherhood which characterizes these orders.
CARTER SCOTT.
Carter Scott, senior member of the firm of Carter Scott & Son, which owns and conducts an excellent hardware and grocery store in Davis City, was born in New Albany, Indiana, March 27, 1860, a son of Harbert and Nancy (McKinley) Scott. The father, who was of English descent, was born in Kentucky, a son of John Scott, who removed from the Blue Grass state to Indiana when his son Harbert was but a child. The town of Scottsville, Indiana, was named after John Scott, who was well known and highly esteemed in his commun- ity. Harbert Scott was by trade a blacksmith and tool maker and was an efficient workman. Our subject has in his store some tools made by his father over fifty years ago. In later life the father also en- gaged in farming and in all that he did met with gratifying success. His wife, who was born at New Providence, Indiana, of Scotch-Irish stock, was a distant relative of President McKinley. Our subject's parents were married at New Providence, Indiana, and both passed away upon a farm near Scottsville, that state, the demise of the father occurring in November, 1910, and that of the mother in December of the same year.
Carter Scott attended the district school located on land given by his father for school purposes, and also assisted with the work of the homestead, thus familiarizing himself with agricultural methods.
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When twenty years of age he removed to Iowa, arriving in Davis City in March, 1880. For a year he worked at odd jobs but March 1, 1881, entered the general store of J. E. Teale as clerk. He held that position for nine years, or until the firm became Teale & Kramer. Subsequently he purchased a half interest in the business, the name being changed to Kramer & Scott. Two and a half years later Mr. Kramer sold his interest to H. L. McClaran and the business was conducted for two decades under the firm style of Scott & McClaran. At the end of that time our subject sold his interest to Mr. McClaran and purchased the hardware and grocery store of I. N. Jeffries. Mr. Scott conducted the business alone until January, 1912, when he took into partnership his son, C. Erald Scott, the firm name becoming Carter Scott & Son. They deal exclusively in hardware and groceries and have a large and representative trade. One of the leading factors in the success of their business has been their unswerving honesty and integrity and they have also taken much pains to satisfy the demands of their customers, buying their stock with especial reference to the needs of their community.
On the 29th of March, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Scott and Miss Lulu Bass. She is a daughter of Seth M. and Sarah (Blow- ers) Bass, natives respectively of New York state and Vermont. The father emigrated to Michigan in early manhood and subsequently re- moved with his family to Lamoni, where both he and his wife passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have two children. Veta L. was born November 30, 1887, and is now the wife of Julian E. Butterworth, who is the head of the department of secondary education in the State University at Laramie, Wyoming. They have a son, Julian Scott, who is five years of age. Carter Erald, born November 25, 1890, was graduated from the Davis City high school and following his gradua- tion attended Graceland College at Lamoni. He is now the junior member of the firm of Carter Scott & Son.
Mr. Scott is a stalwart democrat and for several terms served on the city council. For eighteen years he was secretary of the school board of Davis City and has always manifested a keen interest in the cause of popular education. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Davis City and his son is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of that place. Mrs. Scott and both the son and daughter belong to the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints of Davis City and take an active part in its work. Mr. Scott's success in life is due to his astuteness, sound business judg- ment and untiring energy, as he began his independent career with- out capital or the backing of influential friends. He has not only won
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financial prosperity but has also gained an honored name, as all who have come in contact with him whether in business or social relations hold him in the highest esteem.
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