USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 11
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ever since conducted the business with the exception of three years, when he resumed farming. He has prospered in his undertakings and owns stock in the Duncombe Savings Bank and one of the valuable residence properties of the town. He also holds the title to a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Hamilton county and one of eighty acres located on section 3, Washington township, this county.
On April 25, 1898, Mr. Wagner married Miss Katie Bailey, a daughter of Francis and Ellen (Casey) Bailey, natives of Ireland. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, in the following order : Anna, who has passed the thirteenth anniversary of her birth; John Francis, who is eleven years of age; Kathleen, who is anticipat -_ ing her tenth birthday; Harold, who is six years of age; Bernice, whose death occurred in 1909 at the age of eighteen months; and one who died in infancy.
The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which denomination they are rearing their family. Fra- ternally Mr. Wagner is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He votes the democratic ticket and is now and has been for some years a member of the board of trustees of Washington township. He has also served on the town council and is a member of the school board of Duncombe. He is a man of positive purpose and definite ideas, who stands for progress in either public or private life, supporting by his energy and enthusiasm every movement he feels will advance the welfare of the community or promote its development.
PERRY GRUVER.
The life record of Perry Gruver is a record of a struggle against constantly increasing obstacles, through difficulties and hardships, to final success. He was aided in his battle by energy and industry, a firm purpose and a determination to conquer. He has now achieved his ambition and is one of the most prosperous and respected farmers in Webster county, Iowa. He was born near Ozark, Illinois, March 15, 1839. and is a son of Abraham and Anna ( Bluhbaker) Gruver. His father was born near Philadelphia in 1800 and received his early education in that state. He later removed to Kendall county, Illinois, and remained there until 1845 when he went to Clinton county, Iowa, where he died in 1866. He was a miner and worked at his
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occupation in Iowa and Illinois for some time and later followed the occupation of lumbering. He was a stanch democrat and a member of the Christian church. His wife also was born in Philadelphia and was married there. She came with her husband first to Illinois and then to Iowa and died in Clinton in 1862. She was also a devout adherent of the Christian church. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Rosetta and Lydia, both of whom are deceased; Isaac, deceased, who served three years in Company I, Twenty-sixth Iowa Regiment during the Civil war, taking part in twenty-five en- gagements without being wounded once; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Upergraft of Monmouth, Jackson county, Iowa; Marion, who served for one year in the Sixth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and is now living in Des Moines; Julia, the wife of Frank Burdick of Fort Dodge, Iowa; M. Gruver; and Haley, the wife of James Wood, de- ceased.
Perry Gruver received his early education in the public schools of Clinton, Iowa, and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. When he had attained his majority he rented a tract of land in Clinton county and farmed upon it for three years. At the end of that time he removed to Greene county, Iowa. where he purchased forty acres of farm land just south of the town of Lohrville. For two years he cultivated his holdings in this section and made many improvements. Subsequently, in 1870 he purchased land in Clinton county and lived upon his farm there for two years. He then returned to Greene county and farmed near Cedar Creek for two years. At the expiration of that period he abandoned farming and went to Lehigh, Iowa, as an employe in the Black Diamond coal mines. He spent one winter in this occupation and then removed to Gowrie, where he worked on a section of the railroad during the summer. Leaving his family established in Gowrie Mr. Gruver determined to try his fortunes as a trapper. He located his head- quarters at Sibley, Osceola county, Iowa, and trapped in that section of the country for a few months. He had a short time previous to this by strict economy and hard saving, amassed a small amount of money with which he had purchased land in Webster county. He then removed to his holdings in that section and in association with his brother-in-law, Gus .\. Gurney, built a small house upon this land, which is still owned by our subject and occupied by his son, Isaac. His land in Webster county is located on section 35, Roland township. Here Mr. Gruver and Mr. Gurney lived for two years engaged in general farming and making many valuable improvements. The farm
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was profitable and Mr. Gruver was soon able to purchase eighty acres directly north of his first tract of land. He lived in the small house which he built upon the new land about three years and then sold his entire holdings. Forty acres were purchased by outsiders and the other forty became the property of Mr. Gurney. Perry Gruver then moved back to the little house, which he had built when he came to Webster county and remained there for one year. His success at this time was not remarkable and he soon gave up the land which he was operating and the year following removed to Emmetsburg, Palo Alto county, Iowa. Here he remained for six years following agricultural pursuits and meeting with a little more success than had attended his early efforts. When he was financially able he came back to Roland township and purchased eighty acres on section 29, which he improved and operated for ten years, gradually bringing it to a high state of productivity. Eventually he traded this to Mr. Gurney and received in ex- change his present farm located on section 35. At the time this transaction was completed there was on the land which Mr. Gruver received a small house. This he entirely remodeled, installed modern and sanitary equipment and he now makes it his home. During the past few years Mr. Gruver has added ma- terially to his holdings and his success has been rapid. He bought out the holdings of the heirs of his former partner, Gus A. Gurney, and is now the proprietor of one hundred and twenty- four acres of the most fertile land in Roland township. He is constantly improving his farm and has erected new buildings and outhouses as well as sheds and fences. He carries on agriculture along modern and progressive lines and is keenly interested in every new development in farm machinery.
In 1862 Mr. Gruver was united in marriage to Miss Emma P. Gurney. She was born in Saxony, Germany, and is a daughter of Godfried and Hannah Rosetta (Wingler) Gurney, both natives of Germany who came to Mason county, Wisconsin about the year 1845. Seven years later they removed to Clinton county, Iowa, where they lived until the father's death. His wife then removed to Greene county where she died. They were the par- ents of ten children : Emily, who is deceased; Fred, who came to his death by starvation during his service in the Civil war; Charles, Agnes, Minnie, Anna and Henry, all of whom have passed away ; one child, who died in infancy; Emma P., the wife of the subject of this sketch ; and G. A., deceased. Mrs. Gruver
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has always been a worthy helpmeet of her husband in his strug- gles toward success. Their married life has been completely happy and they have gained many friends in this section of the country. They were the parents of eight children: Anna, Mary and Haley, de- ceased; Hannah Rosetta, who is married to J. H. Wood of Gowrie, Iowa, and has five children, Amy, Perry, Jim, Charles and George ; Marion, working in the coal mines in Des Moines; G. A., who resides in Havelock and married Miss Lottie Johnson, by whom he had two children, Pearl and Ray; Henry, who lives in Fort Dodge, Iowa, with his wife, who was Miss Libbie Lilly, and his son Charles Perry ; and Isaac, who married Miss Lola Lizer, by whom he has one daughter, Doris, and lives on the home farm.
Mr. Gruver gives his political allegiance to the republican party but beyond casting his vote each election day takes no active part in public affairs. He has always been a loyal citizen and endeavored to serve his country in the Civil war but was refused on account of disability. He has always done his duty in the various relations of life and is a devout member of the Christian church. He is one of the oldest settlers in this part of the country and his life has been an active factor in its up- building. He has made a valiant struggle against constantly dominating obstacles and has well earned the prosperity which he enjoys and the esteem and respect of his fellowmen.
OTTO G. YANT.
Otto G. Yant has been cashier of the Vincent Savings Bank since April, 1911, and is also doing able and intelligent work as general manager of the Vincent Telephone Company, operating exchanges here and in Thor, Iowa. He is a practical business man with the power to make his ability effective and has brought the two enterprises with which he is connected to a gratifying degree of success. He has been a resident of Iowa all his life, his birth having occurred in Polk county, on April 25. 1885. He is a son of William and Emma (Biddle) Yant, natives of that sec- tion. His father was reared and educated in Polk county and after he grew to maturity he engaged in general farming until he was thirty years of age. At that time he learned photography and followed that line of occupation until his health failed, when
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he went to Calhoun county, where he owned a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres. Upon this he settled, made various ini- provements and did general farming until 1900, going in that year to Rockwell City, where he again established himself as a photog- rapher and where he is still carrying on a successful business. The mother of our subject is also living.
Otto Yant completed an education begun at Mitchelville, Polk county, in the public schools of Calhoun county and at the Rock- well City high school. After laying aside his books he learned the barber's trade working at that occupation for two years. His banking career began in 1906, when he entered the First National Bank of Rockwell City as bookkeeper. He did able and thorough work in this capacity and retained his identification with the institution until July, 1910, when he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Fort Dodge as utility man. This position he held for some time but was subsequently sent to Emmetsburg as assistant cashier in a bank of that city. After two months he came to Vincent, where he was appointed cashier of the Vincent Savings Bank, entering upon his duties in April, 1911, and being still active. The institution with which he is identified is one of the leading banks in Newark township. It has a capital of fifteen thousand dollars and its officers are among the most able business men of the section. The president is Albert Rossow, while Paul Huffman of Eagle Grove, Iowa, holds the position of vice presi- dent. Mr. Yant is a successful banker because he has had personal experience in various aspects of that occupation and because he is conservative and systematic as a financier. He is valuable to the Vincent Savings Bank by reason of his industry, practical methods and intelligent skill, which have made him successful and have been factors in the growth and development of the enterprise with which he is connected. He is also general man- ager of the Vincent Telephone Company, which operates ex- changes here and at Thor, Iowa, and is a stockholder and director in the enterprise.
In April, 1912, Mr. Yant was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth A. Clark, a daughter of E. W. and Mattie Clark, natives of Illinois. He is prominent in fraternal circles, holding member- ship in Twin Lakes Lodge, No. 478, A. F. & A. M., of Rockwell City, Iowa. He is also prominent in the affairs of Silver Lake Chapter No. 312, Order of the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Church of Christ, while his wife gives her allegiance to the
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Methodist religion. He is a republican in his political beliefs but has never sought prominence in a public capacity. In busi- ness affairs he has proven capable and reliable and his industry and well directed activity are bringing him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
CARROLL D. PARSONS, M. D., D. D. S.
Dr. Carroll D. Parsons of Vincent, Iowa, combined the prac- tice of medicine and dentistry and since 1909 has been a resident of this city and has gained a gratifying degree of success in both professions. His career as a dentist began in 1900 and to his activities in this line he added the general practice of med- icine in 1908. He is able and thoroughly trained, his prosperity being the natural result of his energy and efficiency. He is well known in various sections of Iowa, having been a resident of the. state since his birth, which occurred in Waterloo, Blackhawk county, in November, 1879. He is a son of Roscoe and Ellen (Spaulding) Parsons, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New Jersey. His father came to Iowa when he was still a child and with his parents, settled in this state, where he was reared and educated. The family located in Waterloo before the Civil war and later the father entered a Chicago medical school, receiving his degree of M. D. He located in Traer, Iowa, and here practiced his profession until his death which occurred in March, 1903. His wife survives him.
Dr. Parsons was only three years of age when his parents moved to Traer. He attended the public schools of that com- munity and in 1897 entered the State University at Iowa City, graduating in dentistry with the class of 1900. He located im- mediately in Lake City, Iowa. Here he was successful until November, 1904, when he removed to Alden, where he practiced one year. At the end of that time he went to Iowa City, entered the medical department of the State University and after one year's study came to Chicago, graduating in 1908 from the Haline- mann Medical College of that city. In the same year he went to Oelwein and practiced dentistry and general medicine for one year in that city before he came to Vincent, where he has since resided. He is progressive, modern and up-to-date in every
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phase of his practice, keeping constantly in touch with every new development in medical research, investigation and experiment. His knowledge is constantly broadening and his practice increas- ing as his ability becomes more widely known.
On May 16, 1911, Dr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss May McElroy, a daughter of Harry, and Elizabeth (Redding) McElroy, the former a native of Chicago and the latter of Minne- sota. The father was a railroad man and was killed in an acci- dent in his native city in 1895. His wife survived him by one year.
In politics Dr. Parsons is a consistent republican and votes the party ticket, although his professional duties prevent him from taking active part in public affairs. He is a member of the Fayette County Medical Society and is prominent in the affairs of the Order of Elks and the Order of Moose, holding membership also in the Knights of Pythias. His wife is a devout adherent of the Roman Catholic church. He is one of the successful general practitioners and dentists in Vincent. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession and the careful regard which he manifests for the interests of his patients have brought him a large practice and made him very successful in its conduct.
FRANCIS B. DRAKE.
Francis B. Drake is living in a pleasant and comfortable home in Otho, to which he removed about twelve years ago, when he definitely abandoned agricultural pursuits after a period of almost fifty years' successful identification with farming. He is num- bered among the early settlers, in Iowa and his activities have been connected with an important period of development and have gained him recognition as a man of resourceful ability and well directed energy. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, July 27, 1832, a son of David B. and Caroline (Wilson) Drake, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New Hampshire. The father came to New York about the year 1828 and there engaged in farming, cultivating and developing a tract of timber land and obtaining his water supply from a plant which he erected upon his property. Later he became interested in a woolen factory but abandoned this line of occupation in
Francis B. Drake
Carolina E. Braki
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRAI
ASTON, LENOX AND TI' D N FOUNDATIONS.
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order to resume his agricultural pursuits. He cleared and im- proved a large farm in St. Lawrence county and operated this until his death, which occurred in 1869. He had survived his wife since 1864.
Francis B. Drake received his education in the public schools and St. Lawrence Academy of New York state, and made use of every opportunity in this line, fitting himself for teaching, which occupation he followed for a number of years. In 1854 he came west, settling in Webster county, where he entered a claim for one hundred and sixty acres of land in Otho township, paying for this property a dollar and a quarter per acre. Shortly afterward he sold his first farm and bought one hundred and twenty acres in the same township, which he developed and improved for ten years. When he sold this tract of land he bought another farm in Clay township, which he operated until 1900, when he disposed of his property and moved to Otho, where he erected a fine modern home, in which he has since resided. He is living practically retired but is dealing to some extent in Nebraska real estate.
On April 16, 1857, Mr. Drake was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. Hart, a daughter of Norman and Marcia (Hale) Hart, natives of Connecticut. The father came to Adams county, Illinois, in 1834 but remained only a short time. Removing to Kane county, he took up a tract of fine farming land and operated and improved this until 1854, when he disposed of his property and came to Webster county. Here he took up eighty acres in Otho township and each member of his family also entered land claims. Upon their combined holdings Norman Hart carried on general agriculture, improving his property and developing and operating it along the most systematic, progressive and modern lines until his death, which occurred March 30, 1880. Ile was one of the earliest pioneers in Iowa, coming to this section when there was not a railroad within the state limits and none beyond the boundaries of central Illinois. He was a splendid type of the early settler, hard-working, energetic and intelligent, and was perhaps one of the greatest individual forces in the upbuild- ing and growth of Webster county. Ilis wife passed away in February. 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have three adopted chil- dren, all of whom are married.
Mr. Drake gives his allegiance to the republican party and has always been active and prominent in local affairs, holding V.1. IT -- <
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various important public offices and serving faithfully, ably and conscientiously in the interests of his fellow citizens. He was county surveyor and county supervisor for a number of years and also did effective work as road supervisor. Among his other offices may be mentioned those of township c'erk, assessor and trustee, in all of which capacities he served efficiently and always with a view to the best interests of his constituents. During the Civil war he served as postmaster of Otho, being the first post- master of the village. At the present time he is justice of the peace and is bringing to the discharge of the duties of this office the same unquestioned integrity, well directed energy and ex- perienced discrimination which have marked the entire course of his public life. He and his wife belong to the Congregational church. For almost half a century he has lived in Iowa and has promoted the growth of its most important resource-agricul- ture. He has witnessed the progress and evolution which have come in fifty years of modern activity and to a great extent lias been identified with the change, working ably and intelligently in his active years and earning his retirement by energy and diligence.
MAUDE LAUDERDALE.
While Iowa as a state has never accorded to woman the right of franchise, various districts have acknowledged her capability for service in public office and have called her to positions of trust and responsibility. Such is the case in Webster county. where Miss Maude Lauderdale of Fort Dodge is serving as county recorder. Her birthplace was Sunnyside Farm in Buch- anan county. Iowa, her parents being Edwin I. and Sadie F (Marshall) Lauderdale, natives of Ohio and Brooklyn, New York, respectively. The Lauderdale family is of Scotch origin, while the Marshalls were English and the Luthers of German descent. The paternal grandfather. George H. Lauderdale. also a native of Ohio, wedded Mary Pocock and followed the occupation of farming. Eventually he and his wife removed to Iowa, settling in Buchanan county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a considerable period, until his removal to Independ- ence, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. He
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passed away at the age of eighty-nine and his wife when eighty- four years of age. They were the parents of three sons: Edwin I .; John W .; and Frank, who was killed in the Civil war. The maternal grandparents of Miss Lauderdale were Robert and Mary Catharine (Luther) Marshall, the latter a direct descendant of Martin Luther. The former was born in Brooklyn, New York, and there engaged in the manufacture of rope, but after his removal to Iowa, in 1860, he purchased two farms-one in Grundy county, which he bought for his two eldest sons, and one in Humboldt county, upon which he took up his abode, cul- tivating and improving it until his death, which occurred on June 26, 1875, when he was well advanced in years. His wife sur- vived him and died October 7, 1899, in Fort Dodge at the age of eighty-nine years. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, of whom the following reached years of maturity, namely : Kate, who gave her hand in marriage to John Frazier; Thomas A .; Robert ; Mary Grace, who wedded Thomas Cummings ; Sadie F., wife of Edwin I. Lauderdale ; John L .; Annie R., the wife of James B. Williams; William K .; Cornelia C., the wife of C. P. Byam; and Margaret Antoinette.
Edwin I. Lauderdale was reared in Ohio and became a prac- ticing dentist. Removing westward during the pioneer epoch in the history of Iowa, he became one of the incorporators of Fort Dodge, where he practiced his profession in connection with Dr. F. G. Slate. He served his country as a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in an Ohio cavalry regiment. His wife, Sadie F. Lauderdale was born and reared in Brooklyn, New York, came to Fort Dodge in 1860 and is still residing here. They had but two children, the elder being George H., now a resident of Chi- cago. Miss Lauderdale is related to several of the prominent old families of Webster county, including James B. Williams, now deceased, who was the son of William Williams, the founder of Fort Dodge. Her uncle, Dr. John L. Marshall, also deceased, was a leading dentist of the city. Ile came here when a young boy, was reared to manhood in this county and practiced den- tistry here for many years, until his death which occurred on June 23, 1890. He married Luella Wallace, a niece of Judge W. N. Meservey, one of the old settlers and early judges here and the father of the Ilon. S. T. Meservey of Chicago.
Maude Lauderdale was reared in Fort Dodge from the age of eight years, attended the public schools and, passing through
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consecutive grades, was in due time graduated from the high school. The first money she ever earned was as committee clerk in the Iowa house of representatives and later she became as- sistant postmistress of Fort Dodge under C. F. Duncombe, filling that position for three years. She then took up the profession of bookkeeping, which she followed for several years, and in 1902 she became connected with the abstract business as a partner of her uncle, James B. Williams, under the firm name of the Webster County Abstract Company. The uncle died in 1903 but Miss Lauderdale still continues the business successfully. In 1910 she was elected recorder of Webster county for the years 1911 and 1912 as the candidate of the democratic party and is now accept- ably filling that position. She has had broad and varied business experience, recognizes the value of carefully systematized inter- ests and of methodical effort and as the incumbent in the office of county recorder is making a most excellent record. She holds membership with the Episcopal church and is highly esteemed in social circles.
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