USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 3
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On the 12th of February, 1844. Major Williams was again married, his second union being with Miss Jeannette J. Quinan, a daughter of the Rev. Thomas H. Quinan, of Philadelphia. They continued residents of Pennsylvania until March, 1849, when they started for Iowa, Major Williams bringing out a company of one
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
hundred and forty-one people. Upon arriving at Muscatine he found that the Indians were occasioning considerable trouble, three companies of United States troops, under command of Major Samuel Woods, arriving at Muscatine about that time on their way to Indiantown. Being acquainted with the greater number of officers, Major Williams accompanied them, taking with him his son James Blakely Williams, then a youth of twelve years. A site was selected on which to establish a post, called Fort Clark, now Fort Dodge, and Major Armstead was dispatched with a company of troops to the points designated. Major Williams, at the request of General Churchill, Major Woods and Captain Caster, went to Fort Snelling, as Governor Ramsey was then having difficulty with the Chippewa and Sioux Indians, who were collecting their forces for a general war. After the soldiers left Fort Dodge, the object of their mission having been accomplished, Major Williams opened a sutler's store and traded with the Indians. The firm of Henn, Williams & Company platted the town, now the city of Fort Dodge and here Major Williams resided until his death, which occurred February 26, 1874. He was not only the founder of the town but one of its chief promoters, his labors constituting an important element in its substantial growth and improvement for many years. His name is inseparably interwoven with its history. Major Williams was the first postmaster and the first mayor of Fort Dodge and he cooperated in all the various movements which tended to advance the interests of the community. During the latter years of his life he lived retired, enjoying a well earned and well merited rest. A man of liberal education and of high moral character, he was also of a genial disposition and kindly spirit. These com- bined qualities well fitted him for leadership and he left the im- press of his individuality for good upon the community in which he made his home.
James Blakely Williams, son of Major Williams, became a resident of Fort Dodge when thirteen years of age. He pursued his education under the direction of his father and when the Civil war broke out enlisted as a member of Company I, of the Thirty- second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Major Hutchinson, con- tinuing at the front throughout the period of hostilities. He was a fine penman, by reason of which he was detailed to act as chief clerk at headquarters under General A. J. Smith. Following the war he returned to Fort Dodge, where he opened a set of
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
abstract books of the county, and continued in the abstract business until his death, having as his partner his niece, Miss Maude Lauderdale, who now owns the books and the business and is well known in Webster county as the present incumbent in the office of county recorder. Like his father, James B. Wil- liams was active in promoting the welfare, upbuilding and progress of Fort Dodge along many lines. In his business affairs he was ever methodical and systematic, his records being accurate and reliable, while his books were a marvel of neatness. He was one of the best known men in the county and none were held in higher regard.
On the 2d of June, 1862, James B. Williams was married, while home from the army on a furlough, to Miss Annie R. Marshall, a daughter of Robert and Mary Catharine (Luther) Marshall. Mrs. Williams was born in Brooklyn, New York, August 8, 1842, and is a granddaughter of Thomas and Fanny (Freelove) Marshall, the former a native of England and the latter of New York. Both died during the cholera epidemic in that state in 1838. They were parents of the following named : James, Thomas, Mary, Robert. John R., Sarah and Hettie. Of these the first three died of cholera. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Williams was John Luther, who married Catherine Baizley. They were both natives of New York and lived to a ripe old age.
Robert Marshall, father of Mrs. Williams, was born in New York city and while in Brooklyn was a rope manufacturer, owning an extensive factory which covered nine blocks. He removed westward in the '6os, making the journey with a company of seventeen people, and settled on the borders of Humboldt and Webster counties, where he engaged in farming. Unto him and his wife were born thirteen children, Catharine E., Robert J., Thomas A .. Mary Grace, John Luther, Sadie F., Annie R., John Luther II, Margaret Antoinette, William K. and Fanny F., twins, Cornelia Cox and Fanny Freelove II. The father, Robert Marshall, died on June 26, 1875, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the mother, Mary C. (Luther) Marshall, passed away October 7. 1899. at the age of eighty-eight years.
To Mr. and Mrs. James B. Williams were born three children : Alfred and Robbie Lloyd, both now deceased; and one, who died in infancy. The death of Mr. Williams occurred August 25, 1903. when he was sixty-seven years of age. He had been almost a life- long resident of Webster county and the circle of his friends was
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. He was held in the highest regard by reason of his reliability in business, his loyalty and progressiveness in citizenship and his devotion to family and friends. Mrs. Williams died at Fort Dodge, on August 15, 1912.
HON. WILLIAM LARRABEE.
Indelibly inscribed on the pages of Iowa's history is the name of ex-Governor William Larrabee. He has ever been faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, and his record is one which reflects credit and honor upon the state that has honored him with its highest office. He was born in Led- yard, Connecticut, January 20, 1832, and is a son of Adam Lar- rabee, who was also born in Connecticut. His immediate ances- tors were English, while those of a more remote period were French. Adam Larrabee was a student and graduate of the West Point Military Academy and served with distinction in the War of 1812, holding the rank of lieutenant. Wounds which he sus- tained in that war hastened his death. He married Miss Lester and they had a large family.
William Larrabee was educated in the public schools of Con- necticut and at the age of nineteen years began teaching. He came to Iowa in 1853, at the age of twenty-one, and for a year engaged in teaching school in this state, being thus employed near Clermont. He afterward worked on a farm in Clayton county, being employed by Judge E. H. Williams as foreman of his large farm lying partly in Clayton and partly in Fayette counties. In 1857 he bought the flouring mills at Clermont, Iowa, and for some years devoted his attention successfully to the manu- facture of flour. Later he resumed farming and before many years ranked as one of the leading agriculturists and landowners of his section of the state. He afterward became interested in banking in Clermont and in other cities and as the years went by won a substantial measure of success. At the outbreak of the Civil war he made an effort to enlist in the army but on account of physical disability was rejected. It was a matter of great grief to him that he could not become a soldier, although he made several attempts to do so. He was intensely patriotic and manifested his love of country in many ways.
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On the 12th of September, 1861, Mr. Larrabee was united in marriage to Miss Anna Matilda Appelman, also a native of Con- necticut, her birth having occurred at Mystic on the 13th of August, 1842. She is the eldest child of Gustavus Adolphus and Prudence Anna Appelman, whose ancestors were prominent in the affairs of their native province in Germany. Gustavus Appelman was widely known as a sea captain, following the sea for many years. At length, however, he abandoned that life and came to the west to engage in farming. He settled on a farm near the village of Clermont, Fayette county, and while living there his daughter Anna, who afterward became Mrs. Larra- bee, attended the country schools until fourteen years of age. She was then sent to Mystic, Connecticut, where she entered an academy in which she spent two years. After returning to Cler- mont she took up the work of teaching in the village school, which had an enrollment of seventy pupils, but the young teacher was equal to the task. Her home was about a mile from the village and she followed the old Indian trails to and from the town, day after day. She had to teach all grades and for her services re- ceived a compensation of twenty-five dollars per month. With the earnings of a few months she purchased her wedding out- fit. For more than fifty years she and her distinguished husband have been traveling life's pathway together, sharing each other's joys and sorrows. She has been a great help to him and Mr. Lar- rabee has ever given her credit in large measure for his suc- cessful career. Together they encountered all the hardships of pioneer days. At an early period their financial resources were limited but they possessed hope, character and ambition. Mrs. Larrabee, like her husband, has always kept well informed on all public questions and can discuss intelligently the important problems of the day. Moreover, she is thoroughly a home woman and presides with gracious hospitality over Montauk, their beautiful home.
The history of William Larrabee constitutes an important chapter in the history of Iowa. He has always taken a deep and helpful interest in government affairs. In 1867 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate and remained a member thereof for eighteen years. The record of scarcely any man in public life in Iowa has extended over a longer period and no one has been more commendable, honorable and useful. The re- publican party named him as its candidate for governor in 1885
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
and the people of the state supported him not only in that year but again in 1887. His administration ranks among the strongest that Iowa has had. His name was frequently mentioned for United States senator and he could have had the office for the asking but always declined the honor.
On the 12th of September, 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Larrabee cele- brated their golden wedding anniversary. They are the parents of three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living, with the exception of Augusta, who was the wife of Victor B. Dolliver. The others are: Julia, the wife of Don L. Love, of Lincoln, Ne- braska; Anna; William, of Clermont; Frederic, of Fort Dodge, mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Helen, the wife of C. B. Robbins, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Charles, living at Fort Dodge. The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and liis ac- complishments but rather to leave the perpetual record establish- ing his character by the consensus of public opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout Iowa, William Larrabee is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been so varied, so honorable in its purpose and so far-reaching and benefi- cial in its effects that it has become an integral part of the history of the west and has left a deep impress upon the state of Iowa.
Since the above was written Governor Larrabee passed away, November 16, 1912.
PROFESSOR JOHN F. MONK.
Professor Jolin F. Monk is one of the proprietors of Tobin College of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and has spent many years in the chair of language in that institution. He has gained prominence as a linguist and as a cultured scholar. His active connection with the college has lasted for many years and has been of aid to bring about its systematic efficiency. Under his able adminis- tration the institution has grown and has constantly broadened its field of activity and increased the facilities it offers its students.
Professor Monk was born in Springford, Ontario, Canada, De- cember 8, 1865, and is a son of Simon N. and Frances A. (In- gram) Monk, both natives of Canada. The family is of German' origin, and has been founded in America for many generations. It was represented in the Revolutionary war by the great-grand- father of our subject, who served under General Washington
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
as captain of artillery for seven years. In the next generation the family residence was removed from the United States to Canada and here Simon Monk, the father of our subject, was born. He engaged in agriculture and cultivated many acres of land until 1867, when he removed with his family to lowa and located in Cedar county. He was one of the earliest settlers of this district and was entirely responsible for the high degree of cultivation to which he brought his land before his death.
He, by his career as an agriculturist, was a developing force in the progress of civilization. He made all the improvements upon his holdings, and in conjunction with his brother built the struc- tures which protected his grain and furnished shelter for his stock. He furnished his house with goods brought through from Canada by team, and continued to operate his farm until 1901, when he retired from active life and removed to Tipton where he now resides. He is in the seventy-first year of his age and has sur- vived his wife for two years, her death having occurred in May, 1910.
John F. Monk was reared at home and received his early educa- tion in the district schools of Cedar county. He subsequently entered the high school of Tipton and was graduated with honors after a four years' course. He made good use of his advantages and utilized every opportunity of an educational kind. He early showed the scholarly bent of his mind and was intensely inter- ested in everything which made for a broader culture and more representative learning. He entered Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana, and was graduated from the liberal arts course of that institution in 1891. He immediately engaged in teaching and accepted a position at Panola College at Carthage, Texas, where he remained for a short period. His professional career then brought him to Mason City, Iowa, where he taught for one year before he came to Fort Dodge to accept the position as professor of languages in Tobin College. At the time of Pro- fessor Monk's original identification with this institution Mr. Tobin was in active control of its policies and continued his con- nection with it until his death in 1890. In that year Professor Monk, in conjunction with Mr. Findlay, purchased the property and they have controlled and directed the rapidly developing col- lege since that time. Professor Monk is still active in the de- partment of languages, but also gives his organizing mind and his power of direction and control to the management of the busi-
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
ness end of the enterprise. Under his able administration the institution has grown from a small beginning to a comparatively large educational enterprise. It enrolled four hundred students in 1912, and each year brings a substantial increase in this num- ber. It is one of the forces in the educational world of the middle west, and the efficiency of its curriculum and the thorough equip- ment which it gives to its students have made its name a synonym for all that is important and useful in educational circles. Much of this prominence and prosperity are due to the well directed and concentrated efforts of Professor Monk who unites in his char- acter the qualities of an upright and honorable business man with those of a cultured and deeply read scholar.
In August, 1892, Professor Monk was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Anderson, a daughter of James N. and Margaret (Dougall) Anderson, both natives of Pennsylvania and both tracing their ancestral line to Scotland. At an early date the father purchased a farm in Cedar county, Iowa, which he im- proved and operated for many years prior to his retirement. He removed to Mount Vernon in order to give his three daughters the educational advantages offered by that city and made this his home until his death which occurred in 1900. After his de- ยท mise his widow came to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and bought a com- fortable and commodious home in this city, where she is now re- siding in the seventy-third year of her age. Professor Monk and his wife are the parents of four children : Florence G., a graduate of the Fort Dodge high school, who is eighteen years of age ; Mel- ville A., whose birth occurred in 1895; Dorothy H., who was born in 1897; and John J., who is thirteen years of age.
Professor Monk's increasing distinction in the educational field has brought him recognition in many different lines. He has arduous duties as head of an important department in his college and his increasing responsibilities in its business manage- ment absorb almost his entire attention. He, however, finds time to be of able and effective service as president of the Chautauqua assembly and to his well directed management and his conspicu- ous organizing ability this institution owes much of its present success. He is also a director of the Fort Dodge Commercial Club and president of the official board of the Methodist church. to which he and his family give allegiance. Politically he be- longs to the republican party and keeps himself well abreast of the times upon national and local issues. His educational
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
career, however, absorbs most of his energies and his best and most efficient work is done in that field. The quality of his at- tainment along this line manifests the realization of his responsibilities toward his pupils and toward educational circles at large. He labors incessantly to make his college broad and to develop it along cultural lines. He has won succees in his ambitious endeavors and his prosperity lies along the road of well directed effort.
CLEM A. BOHNENKAMP.
Clem A. Bohnenkamp, proprietor and editor of The Duncombe Tribune, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Carroll county, on the 23d of February, 1877. His parents are John H. and Caroline (Bruning) Bohnenkamp, natives, respec- tively, of Germany and Wisconsin. The father emigrated to the United States in his boyhood with his parents, who located in Delaware county, Iowa. There he was reared to manhood and educated, subsequently engaging in farming for a year. At the expiration of that time he engaged in the live-stock business in Breda, this state, with which he was identified for fifteen years. He then disposed of his interests in this connection, and opened a meat market in the same place, which he is still conducting. The mother is also living. They are the parents of ten living children, eight sons and two daughters.
Reared at home, the education of Clem A. Bohnenkamp was obtained in the public schools of Breda, Carroll county, which he attended until graduated at the age of fourteen years. Upon the termination of his student days he learned the printer's trade and also qualified himself for a newspaper career. Diligent and enterprising, he early manifested unusual business ability and at the age of seventeen years bought out the Breda Watchman, a weekly journal, which he successfully edited for fifteen years. . \t the expiraion of that time he removed with his plant to Duncombe and. in May, 1909, established and issued the first copy of The Duncombe Tribune. It is a clean, wholesome, newsy sheet and independent in politics. Although it has only been founded three years, the Tribune has a large and constantly increasing circulation, as it stands for progress and enthusiastically cham-
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
pions every movement which will tend to promote the develop- ment of the community or advance the interests of the town. Mr. Bohnenkamp has a well equipped plant for a town of the size and is prepared to do all kinds of job work, of which he makes a specialty.
Mr. Bohnenkamp has been twice married, his first union hav- ing been with Miss Christina Ricke, a daughter of Richard and Mary Ricke, the event being celebrated on the 15th of February, 1898. Five children were born of this marriage, as follows: Richard, who is twelve years of age: Drusilla, who is eight; Lil- lian, who died in 1904, at the age of a year and a half; one who died at the age of six months in 1907; and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Bohnenkamp is also deceased, having passed away in Feb- ruary, 1909, after an illness of three months. On January 6, 1910, Mr. Bohnenkamp married Miss Josephine Meder, a daugh- ter of J. H. and Mary Meder, natives of Texas.
Mr. and Mrs. Bohnenkamp are members of the Roman Cath- olic church, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Colum- bus and the Modern Woodmen of America. He supports the democratic party and while living in Breda served for several years as city clerk. He takes an active interest in all local enter- prises and is secretary of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Com- pany of Duncombe. Mr. Bohnenkamp is a most desirable citizen and takes an active interest in the development of the town, where he owns his residence and a thriving business.
JAMES CAMPBELL.
James Campbell, who is the successful owner and manager of a brick and tile plant at Lehigh, was born in Manhattan, Illinois, May 4. 1863. He was reared in Manhattan and in early youth worked on a farm in that district, where he remained until he removed to Iowa, locating in Lehigh. Here he became interested in the enterprise which he now owns, a brick and tile factory, which was opened in October, 1901, under the firm name of Straight & Campbell, his partner being W. A. Straight. In January, 1904, Mr. Campbell pur- chased the interest of Mr. Straight and took over the management of the factory. He improved and enlarged the plant so that its out- put was greatly increased. The factory has a steam dryer and turns
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
out a high grade of brick and tile and our subject employs about thirty-five men. The brickyard occupies about nineteen acres of land, which is under two roofs, and it is equipped with an electric light plant. Mr. Campbell has other interests also, being president of the Alberta Clay & Pottery Company of Medicine Hat, Canada.
In 1904. James Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Viola Marsh, a native of this county, and a daughter of George W. Marsh, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of one son, George A., who was born December 17. 1908. In his political views Mr. Campbell is democratic but he never has sought or cared for public office. He is a successful business man and has worked his way upward until he is today accounted one of the prosperous citizens of Lehigh. He is practical and systematic and has gained that measure of success which usually follows earnest, persistent and well directed labor. He has a wide eirele of acquaintances and stands high in the regard of all who know him.
FLOYD BENJAMIN OLNEY, M. D.
Dr. Floyd Benjamin Olney, who occupies a foremost position in professional ranks in Webster county, is a well known physi- cian and surgeon of Fort Dodge, where he has practiced continu- ously for more than three decades. His birth occurred in South Toledo, Ohio, on the 20th of November, 1851, his parents being Dr. Stephen B. and Stella (Badger) Olney, the former a native of Saratoga, New York, and the latter of Painesville, Ohio. The first representative of the family in this country was Thomas Olney, who came from England in 1631, locating in Massachu- setts and subsequently going with Roger Williams to Rhode Island, where he afterward succeeded the latter in the ministry. Benjamin Olney, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Rhode Island and a farmer by occupation. The mater- nal grandfather was born in Massachusetts.
Stephen Berry Olney, the father of Dr. F. B. Olney, was a youth of twelve years when he removed with his parents to north- western Ohio and was there reared to manhood on a farm. He later studied medicine and surgery, practicing first in South To- ledo, Ohio, and subsequently spending a short time at Adrian, Michigan. In the spring of 1855 he came to Fort Dodge, Iowa,
F.B. Obvy.
PUGUIC PIORARO
PANINOX AND IMUNO TI NS.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
and here successfully practiced his profession until 1888. From 1862 until 1865 he did valuable service for the Union as surgeon of the Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry. In 1890 he re- moved to Hammonton, New Jersey, where he passed away on the 3Ist of March, 1891, when sixty-nine years of age. His widow then returned to Fort Dodge but later took up her abode at Clarkston, Washington, and in 1908 removed to Modesto, Cali- fornia, where she died in 1909 at the age of eighty-seven years. Dr. Stephen Olney was a Baptist in religious faith and his wife was a Presbyterian. There being no churches of those denomina- tions in Fort Dodge, they became affiliated with the Episcopali- ans. After her husband's demise Mrs. Olney returned to the Presbyterian church but she died in the Adventists' faith. Dr. Olney was republican in his political views, served as one of the early officers of the Fort Dodge school board and was also a prominent Mason. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Floyd Benjamin, of this review; Edith Adelaide, the wife of Thaddeus Green, of Pomona, California; Charles Crary Olney, who is a resident of Conconolly, Washington ; Edward B., of Washington, D. C .; and Mary Elizabeth, an osteopathic physi- cian of Pomeroy, Washington.
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