USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 21
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GEORGE R. PEARSONS.
George R. Pearsons was a prominent figure in the development of Fort Dodge along material, moral and social lines, and among his fellow townsmen no man was more honored and respected. He was one of the pioneer capitalists and land owners here and throughout the period of his residence in this city contributed largely to general development and progress while promoting individual interests. He was born August 7, 1830, at Bradford, Vermont, and came of a dis- tinguished line of New England ancestry. The family homestead being at Bradford.
The youth of George R. Pearsons was passed on the old home- stead. At the age of twenty he removed to Hartford, Vermont, where he later married Miss Wealthy Porter, a niece of Judge John Porter, of Quechee. Mrs. Pearsons' death in 1880 is still sorrowfully recalled by the older residents of Fort Dodge. They became the parents of four children, including Louise, the widow of Senator Jona- than P. Dolliver. In 1882 Mr. Pearsons married Miss L. W. Waldron, a talented and highly educated woman, who survives him.
While a resident of Vermont Mr. Pearsons spent several years in the employ of the Vermont Central Railroad Company and during much of his life was connected with railroad interests. Before his removal to the west he had filled such a variety of positions with the Vermont Central that he had thoroughly mastered the intricate de- tails of railroading. In 1865 he was attracted to Illinois by the offer
GEORGE R. PEARSONS
THE NEW YORK JELIC LIBRARY
AS (In, L' NOX AND T. O N FOUNDATIONS.
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of employment as agent for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, with the management of its lands and properties, and from 1865 until 1868 he lived at Livingston, Illinois, devoting his time and energies to the duties of his position. His ability and practical knowledge in railroading were valuable assets to him at a later period in his career. This was demonstrated years afterward when with six other resi- dents of Fort Dodge, all deeply interested in the progress of the city, he undertook to build, equip and operate the Fort Dodge & Fort Ridgely Railroad, which is now a part of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad.
On his removal to Fort Dodge Mr. Pearsons entered upon a long and honorable career which made him prominent in that city, win- ning him recognition as one of its most conspicuous and representa- tive men. He was closely associated with many activities here, of both a public and private character. Appreciative of his worth and ability his fellow townsmen several times called him to office and he was twice elected and served as mayor. His first term began in 1873 and he was again called to that position in 1890. For many years he was a member of the school board and was always a leader in any enterprise which sought to promote the material, social and religious welfare of the city. He passed away on the 14th of July, 1904, and his death deprived Fort Dodge and the state of Iowa of a distinguished and representative citizen.
ERICK BLOOM.
A well cultivated and highly improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres located on section 8, Dayton township, pays tribute to the agricultural skill and efficient management of Erick Bloom, a substantial farmer and stockman of Webster county. His birth occurred in Estrichland, Sweden, on August 17, 1858, and there he was reared to the age of nine years. His parents, Erick and Bertha (Parrison) Bloom, were born, reared and married in Sweden, where the father followed the carpenter's and wagon maker's trades until 1867. In the latter year he emigrated to the United States with his family, locating two miles north of Ridge- port, Webster county, where he engaged in farming for two years. At the expiration of that time he rented some river land in Har-
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din township, continuing his agricultural pursuits until he re- moved to Dayton. Here he passed away in 1881. The mother died seven years previously. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Bloom numbered five, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others, in order of birth, are as follows: Peter, a farmer in the vicinity of Bufford, North Dakota; Christine, the wife of Andrew Hayberg, a farmer in the vicinity of Barnum, Minnesota ; Emma, who mar- ried Isaac Anderson of Burlington, Iowa; and Celia, the wife of Albert Whiteman, who is a farmer at Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.
Erick Bloom began his education in his native land and com- pleted it in the district schools of Iowa. At the age of twelve years he became a wage earner, beginning as a farm hand, but later he worked in the coal mines at Lehigh for a time. Although he worked out in the summer he passed his winter months at home until he was twenty-four, when he began farming as a renter in Dayton township. He followed this for seven years, meeting with such lucrative returns that in March, 1891, he was able to buy two hundred and forty acres of land that formed the nucleus of his present homestead. The next year he removed to his farm and has ever since resided there. He is a most indus- trious man and energetically applies himself to anything he under- takes. As he directs his activities with intelligence and unusual foresight and sagacity he has prospered and has increased his holdings by the addition of another forty acres, his farm now em- bracing two hundred and forty acres of land, all of which is under cultivation and in a high state of productivity. In 1893, Mr. Bloom built his residence, which is a very comfortable and attractive farm house, and at various times he has installed such modern conveniences and appliances on his place as are consistent with the spirit of progress he has at all times manifested in his busi- ness. In connection with general farming he raises a good grade of stock which he feeds for market, and this is also proving a lucrative undertaking.
In 1886, Mr. Bloom was united in marriage to Miss Alice Dowd, a daughter of William V. and Clarissa Dowd, pioneers of Day- ton township. The father, who was a native of Ohio, of Irish ex- traction, came to Iowa in 1854, locating in Madison county. The following year he came to Dayton, locating on a farm on section 21 of this township, where he resided until his death in June, 1900. The mother is still living and continues to reside on the
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farm. She was a widow when she married Mr. Dowd, her first husband having been Albert Corbin. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowd, of whom Mrs. Bloom is the eldest, the others are as follows : William W. and Clara F., twins, the former living at home with his mother and the latter the wife of Edward Putzke, a farmer living east of Dayton; and Amanda, the wife of William Chapman, a ditch, tile and cement contractor of Sac City, Iowa. . Mr. and Mrs. Bloom have four children : William V., who is twenty-four, living at home and assisting his father with the work of the farm; Maude, who is twenty-two, also at home; Dorothy Iwana, who was born on January 8, 1908; and Violet Bernice, whose birth occurred on the 30th of December, 1910. The son, William V., is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Bloom is republican in his political views and has been a member of the district school board ever since he located here, more than twenty years ago. He is highly esteemed in the com- munity, where he has ever manifested the highest integrity in his business transactions and has contributed his share in promoting its development and progress.
GEORGE WILLIAM FORTNEY.
George William Fortney, one of the representative and sub- stantial agriculturists of Webster county, owns and operates a well improved farm of two hundred acres on sections 18 and 19, Otho township. His birth occurred in Georgetown, Wisconsin, on the 28th of October, 1865, his parents being David and Isabelle (Todd) Fortney, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of England. The paternal grandfather of our subject followed farming in Wisconsin and also worked in the lead mines of that state. His demise occurred at Bigpatch, Wisconsin. David Fort- ney accompanied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin in the '40s and in that state obtained his education and was reared to manhood. He assisted his father in the work of the home farm and subsequently embarked in the mercantile business at Georgetown, Wisconsin, conducting an establishment of that character there until 1868. In that year he came to Iowa and
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took up a tract of land in Buena Vista county but soon abandoned the place and came to Webster county, believing that he could do better here. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the present site of the town of Otho, paying twelve dol- lars an acre for the property. He improved the same and was engaged in its operation until 1887, when he rented it to his sons. During the remaining years of his life he conducted a general store, devoted considerable attention to live-stock interests and also did an extensive grain business. His demise occurred on the 17th of January, 1901, after a residence of almost a third of a century in this county, and the community lost one of its most respected and enterprising citizens. His wife was called to her final rest November 23, 1901.
George William Fortney, who was the third in order of birth of twelve children, obtained his education in Webster county and was here reared to manhood. When a youth of fifteen he took charge of his father's farm, operating the same until 1893. Dur- ing the following year he operated a ditching machine and then spent a year in cultivating the McBain farm in Elkhorn town- ship, which he rented. Subsequently he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Pocahontas county, Iowa, operating it for two years and then leasing the property and returning to Otho. In 1899 he disposed of the tract and bought the old home farm in Otho township as well as an additional tract of forty-eight acres. The house in which he now resides was erected by his father but he has improved and remodeled the same consider- ably. His landed holdings embrace about two hundred acres of farm property on sections 18 and 19 and about six acres laid out in town lots. In the cultivation and improvement of his property he has been engaged during the past thirteen years, and the suc- cess which has attended his efforts as an agriculturist is the merited reward of industry, energy and good management. He owns an interest in a farm near Livermore and also in one, four miles west of Badger, holding the deed to both properties. He was, formerly, a stockholder in the Fort Dodge Pump Company and also in the Farmers Elevator Company of Otho, acting as presi- dent and director of the latter.
On the 28th of November, 1887, Mr. Fortney was married to Miss Martha Philips, a daughter of Oliver and Mary (Robinson) Philips, both of whom were born in Syracuse, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Fortney have four children, as follows: Grace, the wife
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of Guy Rake, a telegraph operator living in Wibaux, Montana ; Arthur, who married Maud Schnurr and resides on a farm in Otho township, Webster county; Florence, the wife of Stephen Wood- bury, who resides on a farm in Otho township; and Clyde, who is at home.
George William Fortney votes the prohibition ticket, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which this country has to contend. He has served as trustee of Otho town- ship and also acted in the capacity of justice of the peace, dis- charging his duties in both connections in a highly commendable and satisfactory manner. Fraternally, he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is a member of the Royal Neighbors. His religious faith is indicated by his men- bership in the Methodist church, to which his wife and children also belong. He possesses those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime win confidence, respect and good-will, and by the consensus of public opinion he is accorded a promi- nent place among the valued citizens of Otho township.
PROFESSOR CHARLES V. FINDLAY.
Professor Charles V. Findlay is a member of the firm of Monk & Findlay, proprietors of Tobin College, at Fort Dodge. Throughout his life he has been connected with educational in- terests and has made that institution, of which he is now presi- dent, one of the strong educational centers of the middle west, holding to high standards at all times. He was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, September 12, 1866, and is a son of James A. and Olive F. (Goodyear) Findlay, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, James Find- lay, was a native of Scotland and made farming his life work. He came to America as a member of the British army in the War of 1812. His wife was Deborah (Allen) Findlay and they were carly settlers of De Kalb county, Illinois, with the devel- opment of which they were actively identified. They died there when well advanced in years, having in the meantime reared a large family comprising James, Margaret, Lavina, Mary, George and Orin. The maternal grandfather of Professor Findlay was Lloyd Goodyear, who married Mary Lepper. Both were born
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and reared in New York, but after their marriage moved to Ohio. From there they came westward to Illinois and settled in De Kalb county, where they passed away at an advanced age. In their family were eight children, Henry. Almira. Nelson, John, William, Franklin, Olive and James.
James A. Findlay was reared in the Green Mountain state and there learned the carpenter's and joiner's trades. He made his way westward to Illinois prior to the Civil war, settling near Paw Paw, in De Kalb county, where he engaged in carpentering. In 1871 he came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Clay county, where he secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated and improved for a number of years. In 1877 he re- moved to Webster county, settling in Otho township, where he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres. This he also improved, greatly enhancing the fertility of the fields, and the place is still in the possession of the family. The father, however. has retired, removing to Fort Dodge, where he and his wife have now lived for about fourteen years. He held various township offices and has been prominent locally, his efforts being a potent factor in general development and improvement. To him and his wife were born three sons: George F., born October 23, 1864. deceased : Charles V., born September 12, 1866 ; and J. Lloyd, born August 5, 1868, a resident of Otho township.
Professor Findlay was about five years of age when brought to Iowa and upon his father's farm in Webster county he was reared, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the district school and supplemented his preliminary education by a course in the normal school at Shenandoah, Iowa. He taught both previous and subsequent to that period and later entered the Highland Park College, from which he was graduated in 1891. From the beginning he demonstrated his ability as an educator and in the year of his graduation he was elected county superintendent of schools of Webster county, to which position he was several times reelected, serving in all for four terms or eight years. Since then he has been continuously engaged in college work. being con- nected with Tobin College, an incorporated institution of which he is the president. This school has an enrollment in all of its departments of about five hundred students. Excellent work is being done under able educators, for a high standard is maintained
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in the personnel of the school, in the curriculum and in the methods of instruction.
On June 29. 1899, Mr. Findlay was married to Miss Mabel Southwick, the daughter of Franklin B. and Cornelia (Sheffield) Southwick. She was born at Wells, Minnesota, while her parents were natives of Wisconsin and are now living at Santa Barbara, California. Of their children, two are living: Mrs. Findlay; and Mrs. Eva (Southwick) Walden, of Santa Paula, California. Pro- fessor and Mrs. Findlay have two sons: James Franklin, born July 25. 1900: and Maurice Southwick, born January 29, 1907. Pro- fessor Findlay is a member of the Congregational church and his wife of the Church of God. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and in 1910 and 1911 he served as a member of the city council, but otherwise has never sought nor desired pub- lic office outside of the strict path of his profession. He has all of the qualifications of an able educator, is a good disciplinarian, possesses executive force and administrative direction, and at the same time imparts readily and concisely to others the knowledge which he has acquired. He has made the school a part of the city and one which has had commendable influence in the educational interests and the development of this part of the state.
WILLIAM MURRY WILDMAN, M. D.
Dr. William Murry Wildman has become recognized as a highly efficient representative of the medical profession during the six years of his practice in Fort Dodge. His birth occurred in Hardin county, this state, on the 12th of December, 1874, his parents being William and Asenath (Adams) Wildman. The father, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 30th of March, 1847, came to lowa with his parents, Seneca and Jane (Hadley) Wild- man, who located on a farm in the vicinity of Iowa Falls, Hardin county, in 1859. There he met and subsequently married Miss Adams, a direct descendant of John and John Quincy Adams. The mother was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina, and is a daughter of Joel Adams. For many years Mr. Wildman was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Hardin county, but he retired from active work fifteen years ago, and now he and the mother are living in Palacios, Texas.
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Dr. Wildman was reared on the farm where he was born, and attended the district schools of Hardin county until he was a youth of seventeen years. His parents were of Quaker extrac- tion and have always adhered to that faith, so in 1891 he was sent to New Providence Academy at New Providence, Iowa. He completed the course there at the age of eighteen, and then en- tered Penn College, also a Quaker institution, at Oskaloosa. He left college in 1895 and taught in a district school in the vicinity of his home for a year. At the expiration of that period he re- sumed his studies, and was graduated in 1897 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He subsequently engaged in the mercan- tile business in Eldora, Hardin county, until the spring of 1903. In the fall of that year he went to Iowa City, this state, and ma- triculated in the medical department of the Iowa State Univer- sity, taking the homeopathic course. He was awarded the degree of M. D. on the 13th of June, 1906, and the following day he came to Fort Dodge and opened an office at 5161/2 Central avenue. He was located there for two years, but when the First National Bank building was completed in 1908 he removed to his present quar- ters, being one of the first tenants in the building. He has a very pleasant and appropriately furnished suite, at No. 406, and through his general capability and efficiency has succeeded in building up an excellent practice. Dr. Wildman is in every way highly qualified for the profession he has adopted, as he has many times manifested since locating here. He is a man of pleasing personality, resourceful and confident and is most conscientious in his devotion to the interests of his patients.
Eldora, Iowa, was the scene of Dr. Wildman's marriage on the 23d of May, 1901, to Miss Saidie Polley, a daughter of Joseph and Florence (Sheets) Polley, both deceased. The father was for many years engaged in farming in Hardin county, but in 1900 he retired to Eldora, and there he passed away in 1903. One child has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Wildman, Ruth Irene, whose birth occurred on the 9th of December, 1902. She is now a student of the Lincoln school, this city.
Dr. Wildman is a member of the Quaker church of Hardin county, and Mrs. Wildman belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Eldora. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Fort Dodge Lodge, No. 248, A. O. U. W., and is grand medical examiner of this order for the state of Iowa. He also belongs to Fort Dodge Lodge, No. 306. B. P. O. E .; and Choctaw Tribe, No. 47, I. O. R.,
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also of Fort Dodge. He maintains relations with his fellow prac- titioners through the medium of his connection with the Webster County Medical Society and the Iowa State and American Medi- cal Associations. In politics he is a progressive republican and served for two years as health officer of Fort Dodge. Dr. Wild- man has been very successful and in addition to his other interests has a very attractive home at 1328 Fifth avenue, North. He is a man of many admirable traits of character and is popular and highly esteemed both by the profession and laity and enjoys the confidence and regard of a large circle of friends.
MARY J. STEVENS.
One of the most efficient business women of Webster county is Mary J. Stevens, who owns and successfully operates a farm located on section 13 of Douglas township, which was previously the property of her father. She is a native of New England, her birth having occurred in Richmond, Vermont, on the 19th of July, 1840, and a daughter of Socrates Greenleaf and Harriet (Jones) Stevens. The father was born in Henderson, Jefferson county, New York, on the 29th of April, 1811, but he was reared and educated in the state of Vermont. There he also learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for about three years and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. On the 13th of September, 1835, he was married to Miss Jones, who was born in Colchester, Vermont, on the 12th of August, 1812. They passed the early period of their domestic life in the Green Mountain state, coming from there to Iowa in 1856. They first located in Oskaloosa, but after a year's residence there they removed to Webster county, and here the father acquired the farm, now owned by our subject. This property, which is located west of the Des Moines river, was entirely uncultivated when it came into Mr. Stevens' possession, and he diligently devoted the remainder of his active life to its development and improvement. Here both parents passed away, the mother's death occurring on the 2d of May, 1888, and that of the father on the 14th of January, 1901. They were adherents of the Universalist faith, and his political support Mr. Stevens accorded to the democratic party.
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Miss Stevens was a girl of fifteen years when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Iowa, where she has ever since made her home. Her education was begun in the schools of her native state and completed in Oskaloosa. After they removed to Webster county she engaged in teaching, following this profes- sion for twenty-two terms. Her services then being required at home, she gave up her work and devoted herself to her parents during the remainder of their lives. She is a woman of more than average capability, and has a thorough understanding of farming and stock-raising, as is substantially evidenced by the appear- ance of her well kept fields and the condition of her stock. She exercises intelligence and good judgment in the direction of her interests and has prospered in her undertakings. The place is provided with an adequate equipment, the barns and outbuild- ings are substantially constructed and in good repair, while in 1906 she replaced the old farm house with a modern residence, which is one of the largest and finest in the county. Her present mode of living is in violent contrast to that of her girlhood, which was passed on the same farm but amid pioneer conditions, while she is now surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of a modern civilization. Miss Stevens attends the various churches but has never identified herself with any one denomina- tion. She has always been keenly interested in intellectual pur- suits and keeps closely in touch with the trend of the times, being thoroughly informed on all current topics, on which she has well defined views.
ARCHIE D. McQUILKIN.
Archie D. McQuilkin has for the past ten years been success- fully engaged in business at Fort Dodge as a dealer in furniture, carpets, drapery and queensware, and his establishment at No. 817 Central avenue is artistic and attractive throughout. His birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of January, 1864, his parents being Samuel and Ann Eleanor (Kerr) McQuilkin, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. His paternal grandparents were Robert R. and Jane (Richey) McQuilkin.
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