USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 20
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In 1887 Mr. Springer was united in marriage to Miss Martha Amine Jackson, a daughter of Andrew and Lydia (Cooper) Jackson. The father was a native of New York and the mother of Ohio. They came to Illinois at an early date and, in 1881, re- moved to Iowa and located on an unimproved farm, one mile northwest of Gowrie, where they remained until 1891, at which time they removed to Lake View, Sac county, Iowa, and there spent the remaining years of their lives. The mother died in 1907 and the father in 1911. Mrs. Jackson had previously mar- ried William Karr and to that union four children were born: Merritt Lee, a resident of Lake View, Iowa: David W .. of Kan- sas ; Maud, the wife of D. A. Gillis of Creston, Illinois ; and Laura. deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson four children were born: Wilmuth Celia, deceased : Martha Amine, the wife of the subject of this sketch; John W., a resident of Lockhart, Minne- sota ; and Melville, who makes his home in Lake View, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Springer are the parents of three children: Vin-
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nie Grace, who died at the age of nine years ; Maudie Mae, a grad- uate of the Gowrie high school; and Clarence Franklin, who is attending the public schools.
Mr. Springer is affiliated with the republican party and has served as trustee of Roland township for one year. He has also been in the office of school director for two or three years. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Gowrie and he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Springer is an enterprising, successful farmer, and a man well respected in the community in which he lives.
THOMAS F. SIMS.
Thomas F. Sims, one of the organizers and cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank, takes high rank among the business men of Duncombe by reason of his efficiency and enterprise, which enable him to carry to a successful issue anything he undertakes. A native of Mitchell county, his birth occurred in Orchard on .August 28, 1873, his parents being Daniel and Bridgett (Gibbons) Sims. They were born and reared in Ireland, whence the father emigrated to the United States in his early manhood, first locat- ing in Illinois. From there be removed to Mitchell county, this state, locating at Orchard, where for many years he held the position of section foreman on the Illinois Central Railroad. He resided in Orchard until his death, which occurred in August. 1906, his energies being devoted to railroading. He was sur- vived by the mother, who passed away in 1908.
Reared at home. Thomas F. Sims began his education in the public schools of his native town and completed it in Cedar Val- ley Seminary, at Osage. this state. He subsequently learned telegraphy and when qualified for a position entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad, remaining in their service until 1901. He was made station agent, and his last appointment in this capacity was at Duncombe. He resigned his position in 1901 and in June of that year bought out the general mercantile estab- lishment of Lundy & Son. This was his first venture in com- mercial pursuits, but he is a practical man of good judgment and keen discernment in matters of business and made a success of the undertaking. Disposing of his store in the spring of 1908, he
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engaged in the banking business and in October, 1911, organized the Farmers Savings Bank, with a capital stock of fifteen thou- sand dollars. It is one of the well established thriving financial institutions of the state, its officials all being reputable business men of reliable methods and recognized standing. William Mal- linger is president: E. T. Davidson, vice president ; and Mr. Sims, cashier.
In August, 1901, Mr. Sims was married to Miss Rose Latta, a daughter of Johnson and Elizabeth Latta, and to them have been born three children : Roland, who is eight years of age ; Johnson, who has passed the fourth anniversary of his birth ; and Florence, who has passed her second birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. Sims are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, Catholic Order of Foresters and Modern Woodmen of America. His allegiance in matters politic he accords to the democratic party, and he has on several occasions been called to public office. For seven years he held the office of city treas- urer, meeting the responsibilities of his position in a highly com- mendable manner, while he served with equal efficiency as mayor. Mr. Sims is a man of fine discernment, keen discrimination and unfaltering purpose, all of which are manifested in his care- fully considered plans and well organized methods of procedure in his business transactions. Although he is conservative in his methods he has too much confidence in his foresight and powers of organization to make him unduly cautious ; at the same time he does not overestimate his ability as is evidenced by the orderly progress he has made in his business career.
GEORGE W. MASON.
Nature seems to have intended that in the evening of life man shall enjoy a period of rest. At an early age he is fired with the ambition, the zeal and the courage of youth; to these, in time, are added the experience and sound judgment of mature man- hood; and then, if labor is intelligently directed, success is cer- tain, enabling the individual in his later years to put aside the more arduous cares of earlier manhood. Such has been the record of George W. Mason, who is living retired, in Fort Dodge, his
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home being at No. 902 First avenue, South. He was born in Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, July 18, 1838, and is a son of Dennison R. and Mary (Brandt) Mason, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father was reared upon a farm in Ontario county, New York, and was a son of Samuel and Han- nah ( Herindeen) Mason. Samuel Mason was a native of Massa- chusetts and made farming his life work. Both he and his wife were of the Quaker faith and they died within the same week, in May, 1842, when well advanced in years. They had five chil- dren, Dennison R., Gardner, Selinda, Mercy and Mary. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Mason Brandt, who was born at Kinderhook, New York, and married Phoebe Knapp. The latter had been adopted by the Chapin family at Canandaigua, which family had charge of the treaties and the payment of six Indian nations there. Mason Brandt was of Holland Dutch descent and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He made farming his life work and became, in time, the owner of one of the best cul- tivated tracts of land in his part of the state. Both he and his wife died in the east, the former at the age of fifty-eight years and the latter when eighty-seven years of age. They were the parents of six children, Alexander. Samuel. George, Mary, Betsy Elizabeth and Laura.
D. R. Mason was reared on a farm in Ontario county, New York, and later became a lumberman of Grand Rapids, Wiscon- sin, and of Chippewa Falls, in the same state." The last ten years of his life were spent in Monroe county, New York, where he died in 1883 at the age of eighty-seven years. He was originally a Quaker but later he became identified with the Congregational church. In his family were six children, five of whom lived to maturity : Hannah E., of Fairport, New York : Samuel, deceased : George W., of this review: Harvey, of Beatrice, Nebraska ; Ben- jamin F., deceased : and Byron, who died at the age of four years.
George W. Mason was twelve years of age when he left Ontario county, New York, and accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where he was reared to manhood. He acquired his education in the heart of the lumber woods of that state and in early life be- came a lumberman, which occupation he followed from 1850 until 1864. He was a lad of only twelve years when he thus began to earn his living and he has since been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. In 1864, he returned to New York and lived in Monroe county until 1872, when he came to Fort
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Dodge, Iowa, and was there engaged in the grocery business in partnership with his brother Benjamin for eighteen months. At the end of that time he turned his attention to the live-stock busi- ness, handling both cattle and hogs for a time. For thirty-one years he conducted a lumber business in which he is still inter- ested. His brother Benjamin passed away in 1902. While Mr. Mason still has financial connections with the lumber trade he leaves the management of his business largely to others and has practically retired. He is enjoying well earned rest for his suc- cess followed earnest, persistent, indefatigable effort and straight- forward dealing. He early grasped the eternal truth that indus- try wins, and industry became the beacon light of his life.
On the 26th of December, 1872, George W. Mason married Miss Hannah O'Connell, a daughter of Richard and Margaret (Dobbyns ) O'Connell. Mrs. Mason was born in Franklin county, New York, and her parents were natives of County Cork, Ire- land. While crossing the Atlantic to America, on the same ves- sel, her father and mother met for the first time and were mar- ried in Malone, Franklin county, New York, where they lived until called to their final rest. They were farming people, well known in the community, where they reared nine sons and a daughter, namely: Maurice D .; John G .; William; Richard S .; Edmund; Hannah; Daniel; George P .; and two who died in infancy. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Mason was Maurice O'Connell, who married Nellie Kent and had six children, Mau- rice, John, Richard, Catherine, Betsy and Hannah. The maternal grandparents were Edmund and Margaret (Jeffrey) Dobbyns, who had six children, John, William, Ellen, Margaret, Betsy and Nora. To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Mason have been born three children but the eldest, Nellie, died when about five months old. The others are Georgia AAnna and Margaret Mary, both graduates of Smith College at Northampton, Massachusetts. The elder is the wife of Edward Orne Damon, an able architect with headquarters in Washington, D. C., and they have a son, Mason Orne Damon. The younger daughter is the wife of John Haire, Jr., of Fort Dodge, and they have one son, George Mason Haire. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are members of the Catholic church. George W. Mason belongs to the Knights of Columbus, while his politi- cal allegiance is given to the republican party. He has been a leading spirit in the encouragement of industries and in bringing about public improvements which have figured prominently in
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the development and growth of Fort Dodge. He was instru- mental in securing the building of the handsome Wahkonsa Hotel and he developed a large lumber industry here. His inter- ests have always been of a character that contributes to public prosperity. He early realized that there is no advancement in life without effort. Life affords opportunities for physical, men- tal and spiritual development and in this country these oppor- tunities are offered to any who will embrace them. Humble birth and poverty are no handicap to the American youth. Opportuni- ties, however, slip away from the sluggard and tauntingly play before the dreamer but surrender to the individual of high pur- pose, undaunted courage and indefatigable determination. The possession of the latter qualities has brought George W. Mason to a prominent and honored place among the successful and highly respected residents of Fort Dodge.
OWEN DWYER.
Owen Dwyer, who is associated with his brother in the cultiva- tion of a farm of a hundred and twenty acres in Douglas town- ship, has been identified with the agricultural development of Webster county from boyhood. He was born on the farm where he now lives on the 5th of July, 1873, and is a son of Thomas and Anna (Bray) Dwyer, natives of Ireland. The father came to America in his early manhood and settled in New York state. From there he proceeded to Illinois and then went to St. Louis, where he was living at the opening of the Civil war. He en- listed in Company M. First Missouri Cavalry, remaining in the service for three years. Upon receiving his discharge he came to lowa and entered eighty acres of land in Douglas township, this county. In his efforts to develop his farm he encountered the usual obstacles and discouragements that fall to the lot of the average pioneer. Despite his difficulties, however, he more than held his own and each year marked an improvement in his circumstances. He was subsequently able to buy an adjoining tract of forty acres, making his holding aggregate a hundred and twenty acres. The further improvement and cultivation of his property engaged his undivided attention until he passed away in
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1876. The mother is still living at the age of sixty-three and con- tinues to make her residence on the homestead with her sons.
Owen Dwyer has very little recollection of his father, as he was a child of only two and one-half years when he passed away. His boyhood and youth were passed on the home place, his edu- cation being acquired in the local schools. When old enough to become self-supporting, his text-books were laid aside and he went to work. For ten years, thereafter he was employed by various farmers in this vicinity, but at the expiration of that time he and his brother took charge of the home place, which is held in common by the mother and children, the property never having been divided. They engage in diversified farming and stock-raising with very good success. They annually prepare about thirty- five head of hogs for the market and keep seven cows and eight head of horses.
Owen Dwyer is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Columbus, being affiliated with the council at Fort Dodge. Politically he supports the democratic ticket and is now serving as township trustee and has been one of the school directors. Mr. Dwyer has proven to be an efficient public servant, discharging his duties promptly and faithfully, thus fulfilling the expectations of his friends and fellow townsmen, who gave him their support.
HARLOW MUNSON PRATT.
Harlow Munson Pratt was born in Otho township, Webster county, Iowa, October 21, 1876. He is a son of Luther Herbert and Vergenia L. (Markham) Pratt. When he was about one year of age, his parents moved to Charlotte, Clinton county, Iowa. In 1886 they returned to Webster county, and the father engaged in farming. Here the son spent most of his boyhood, farming with his father. His early education was received in the village school at Charlotte, and later in the "Old Number One" school of Otho township. Then, in the win- ter of 1893, he attended Tobin College, and again in 1894, helping on the farm during the summer. In the fall of 1896, he entered Tobin College and graduated from the normal department with the class of 1897. For two years he taught school, first in the Hudson school in Otho township, and then in the Flaherty school in Douglas township.
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In 1899 he entered the University of Iowa. Here he spent six years. graduating from both the college of liberal arts and the college of law. When at the university he became interested in newspaper work, and held both the position of editor and manager of the Daily Iowan He was also city editor of the Iowa Citizen for one year.
On January 1, 1902. he was married to Miss Margaret Allie To- bin, daughter of the late Professor T. Tobin, founder of Tobin Col- lege. Mrs. Pratt was born at Vinton. Iowa. March 5. 1879. With the founding of the college at Fort Dodge she removed to this city in 1892. She graduated from the college in 1895, and later took up commercial work. Entering the lowa State Normal School in the fall of 1899, she graduated the following summer. At different times she has been a teacher both in Tobin College and the Fort Dodge pub- lic schools. During the year 1901 she entered the University of Iowa. becoming a member of the same class as Mr. Pratt. Together they graduated in 1903, and while Mr. Pratt studied law, Mrs. Pratt took up graduate work, receiving a Master's degree in 1905. the same year that Mr. Pratt received his degree from the college of law. In the fall of 1905 they became residents of the city of Fort Dodge. and Mr. Pratt began the practice of law.
Both he and Mrs. Pratt have identified themselves with the life of the city, and are members of a number of clubs and fraternal societies. For the past five years Mr. Pratt has held the office of secretary of the Fort Dodge Commercial Club. Both he and Mrs. Pratt are mem- bers of the Congregational church. Politically Mr. Pratt has always been a republican.
RUFUS P. HUNTER.
For many years Rufus P. Hunter figured as one of the enter- prising and prosperous agriculturists of Webster county and was, furthermore, known as a citizen of genuine worth, loyal to the principles of honorable manhood and progressive citizenship. His death, therefore, was the occasion of deep regret to the many who were glad to call him friend. He was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, September 30, 1838, his parents being Lewis C. and Rebecca ( Linkioker) Hunter. The Hunter family comes of Scotch -English ancestry and the grandfather, Francis Hunter, was a prosperous planter of Virginia. He was one of five broth-
R. P. HUNTER
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILOFN FOUNDATIONS.
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ers who came to America and settled in that state. His son, Lewis C. Hunter, was born in the Old Dominion in 1799 and there resided until 1856, when he came to Iowa, settling in Ma- rion county, where he followed farming throughout the remain- der of his life, passing away January 29. 1879. His wife, also a native of Virginia, died in Marion county in August, 1882, and both were laid to rest there. In their family were five sons, of whom Rufus P. Hunter was the eldest. Joseph F., the second son, now deceased, served throughout the Civil war as a mem- ber of the Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Samuel L. is engaged in the milling and machinery business at Swan, Iowa. Edward died in his youth. Albert L., who completes the family, resides in Lincoln county, Kansas.
Rufus P. Hunter attended a private school in Virginia, acquaint- ing himself with those branches of learning which usually con- stitute the public-school curriculum. He came with his parents to Iowa, making the trip by wagon, and remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age. For about six years thereafter he engaged in farming in Marion county and subsequently came to Webster county, settling on the tract of land whereon his remaining days were passed. His farm was situated on section 26, Roland township, and was an unim- proved tract when it came into his possession, but he converted the raw prairie into rich fields and developed an excellent farm property. He first built a small house and little stable, boarded the sides and covered it with a thatched roof. His first purchase comprised but eighty acres of land but to that he gradually added until his holdings embraced three hundred and sixty acres. On the farm he planted trees, erected excellent buildings and equipped his place with all modern conveniences and accessories. For many years he was engaged extensively in general farming and in the raising of thoroughbred stock, formerly making a specialty of horses and cattle but afterward giving his attention more largely to raising hogs. He also engaged in selling fruit trees and plants throughout this district and for three or four years conducted an implement business, having his headquarters on his farm. His sons are now engaged in the machinery busi- ness and also own and operate a threshing outfit.
In Marion county, Iowa, March 22, 1866, Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Rachel Metcalf, who was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, a daughter of Joseph and Saralı (Heck) Met- Vol. II-14
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calf, both of whom were natives of that state. In 1854 they re- moved by wagon to Marion county, where their remaining days were spent, the father passing away March 3, 1887, at the age of seventy-one, and the mother September 19. 1866, at the age of fifty-nine. In their family were nine children: Isaac, Daniel, Morris, Franklin, John, James, Elizabeth, Mrs. Rachel Hunter and Mary. Mrs. Hunter was educated in the common schools and remained with her parents until her marriage. She became the mother of eight chlidren: Elva E.len, who died in infancy ; Charles V., who resides at Callender, Iowa, and married Betsey Osterson, by whom he has one child. Roy Harold; Warren D .; Mosier D., of Roland township, who married Emma Osterson and has four children, Ruby Frances, Earl, Ernest James and Russell: Oran (). and William W., who operate the home farm ; Maude Pearl, who is a graduate of Tobin College of Fort Dodge. Iowa, and is the wife of William Croker, of Toston, Montana, by whom she has three children, Rachel Marie. Frances May and William Rufus; and Grover C., who in the spring of 1912, married Miss Cora Kingry and lives near the old home farm.
In politics Mr. Hunter was a democrat and served as justice of the peace for twelve years. He was ever much interested in educational affairs and for many years served as a member of the school board, acting as its president for sixteen years. Fra- ternally he was identified with the Woodmen of the World, be- ionging to Callender Lodge. He was also prominent in Masonic circles, holding membership in Gowrie Lodge, F. & A. M .; in the chapter and commandery at Fort Dodge: and in the Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. All of his sons are members of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Knights of Pythias, and Warren Hunter is also identified with the Odd Fellows and the Masons.
Mr. Hunter may well have been called a self-made man, for he started out in life empty-handed and by his persistency and energy worked his way upward to a prominent place among the substantial farmers of Webster county. He merited well the success that came to him, for in all business transactions he held to the highest principles of honor and integrity. He was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the hospitable ways of the early pioneer. No one was ever turned from his door who sought aid or shelter. Throughout his life he was true to every duty, loyal to his country and devoted to his family and friends.
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There was deep and sincere sorrow at his passing, when death called him on the 30th of June, 1912. Throughout his life he manifested elements and traits of character worthy of respect and the world is better for his having lived.
FRANK CRAIG, SR.
Frank Craig, Sr., is operating a coal mine near Kalo, in Otho township, and has won success by the practical application of his knowledge and experience. He has been a miner since the begin- ning of his active career and for many years worked in the employ of others before becoming an independent owner. He is today numbered among the successful men of his district and his pros- perity is the natural result of his ability and specialized knowl- edge. Mr. Craig is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in this state in 1854, a son of Francis and Jane (Coultard) Craig, natives of England. The father came to America in 1850, set- tling in Wisconsin, where he engaged in mining, which had been his occupation in his native country. He was active in the Wisconsin lead mines but finally abandoned his connection with this industry in favor of general agricultural pursuits. He pur- chased land which he improved and operated for many years, gaining success and prosperity as a general farmer and retain- ing his connection with this occupation until his death, which occurred in 1894. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1858.
Frank Craig, Sr., was reared and educated in Wisconsin and when he laid aside his books immediately began working in the lead mines. It was in 1878 that he moved to Iowa, settling in Otho township, where he worked in the coal mines until 1887. In that year he returned to Wisconsin and operated his father's farm for nine years, after which he again came to Iowa and located at Kalo. Here he again engaged in mining, operating coal banks independently and is now opening up a new mine near his home.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Eva Todd, a daughter of John and Lucy (Shipley) Todd, and they became the parents of nine children, all of whom are living but Blanche, who passed away in January, 1898. The others are Pearl, Belva, William, Lucy, Frank, Jr., Myrtle, Elsie and Harold.
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Politically Mr. Craig gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is one of the trustees of Otho township and at one time served as school director. He has a fine home in the village and some excellent town property, besides one hundred and four acres of land which he owns in partnership with William and George Lingard. He is prominent in the affairs of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He brings to the operation of his mining enterprises a practical equipment in the technical and mechanical details of the occupation, guided by business judgment and practical common sense. He has many friends in this section of Iowa, where his business ability is well known and where his personal qualities have gained for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
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