USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
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Spending his youthful days in his native state, Dr. Hobson attended the Friends Academy at Legrand, Iowa, and afterward entered the medical department of the State University, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1884. He began the
DR. ABRAHAM J. HOBSON
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practice of his profession in Bristow, lowa. In 1891 he went to Philadelphia and took a post-graduate course of one year, from which he graduated in 1892, after which he moved to Hampton and has since engaged in general practice here. He has become known as a capable and conscientious physician, well versed in the under- lying principles of medicine and in touch with the trend of modern medical advancement through constant reading and research.
Dr. Hobson has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Ella Johnson who died in 1891, leaving a son, Dr. Carl Lyle Hobson, who became his father's partner in the practice of medicine and whose untimely death on the 14th of November, 1913, was the occa- sion of deep regret to all who knew him. He was born in Bristow, Iowa, August 29, 1886, and was but five years of age when his mother passed away in April, 1891.
Dr. C. L. Hobson began his education in the public schools, afterward attended college and manifested special aptitude in his studies. It was in 1904 that he was graduated from the high school of Hampton, thus receiving the preparatory training that enabled him to become a student in the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis. His more specifically classical course was there completed in 1908. He determined to devote his attention to the profession which his father was making his life work and entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia and was graduated in 1910. The following year he formed a partnership with his father and it is said of him that, "his genial manner, clear mind and quick sympathy with the afflicted made him universally beloved and gained for him a host of friends who held it an ines- timable privilege to be associated with one so courtous, so manly, so true." In his career he was very successful, proving an able assistant to his father. On the 12th of October, 1911, he wedded Miss Viola C. Dinsmoor, of Austin, Minnesota, who survives him. He was but in the twenty-eighth year of his age when disease laid its hand upon . him and his young life was brought to a close. A resolution passed by the Franklin County Medical Society said : "On November 14, 1913, there passed away in the prime of his life, with an exception- ally bright and prosperous future before him, a loyal member of this society and a sincere friend of every one in this community, Dr. Carl L. Hobson, of Hampton, Iowa. As a member of this society, as a physician and as a man, Dr. Hobson always stood for the highest ideals, clean and ambitious. In his death the community has lost a valuable citizen, and each of us feels a personal loss. We are grieved
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by his departure, but are glad in the thought that it was good to have known him. His life will live long in our hearts as an example for those who would know and attain noble manhood."
After the death of his first wife Dr. Abraham J. Hobson married Miss Isabelle Milloy, of Brantford, Canada, the wedding taking place on the 4th of May, 1895, and to them have been born two chil- dren: Isabella, whose birth occurred November 17, 1898; and Abraham J., Jr., born May 21, 1903.
Dr. Hobson is very prominent in Masonry, holding membership in the lodge, chapter, commandery and Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and his interest in the moral progress of the community is shown by his activity in the Congregational church, in which he has for fifteen years been a member of the official board. In all matters of citizenship relating to the material, intellectual and moral wel- fare of the community he is deeply interested, and his efforts have been a substantial element in bringing about desired results.
WOLBERTUS GRUIS.
Wolbertus Gruis, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Osceola township, whereon he has resided since 1907, was born in Germany, December 18, 1864. He is a son of W. and Fannie (Lukin) Gruis, also natives of Germany, where both passed away, the mother's death occurring January 19, 1914. In their family were seven children: Harm and Barrand, deceased ; Telaho, the wife of George Bolhman, of Grundy county, Iowa; Ger- trude, a resident of Germany; Wolbertus, of this review; Henry, of Hancock county, Iowa; and Fannie, of Germany.
Wolbertus Gruis acquired his education in the public schools of his native country, attending until he was fourteen years of age. He then turned his attention to farming, following this occupation in Germany for two years, after which he emigrated to America, settling in the vicinity of Ackley, Franklin county, Iowa. In 1907 he made his first purchase of land, buying one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 22, Osceola township. Upon this property he has made excellent improvements in building and equipment and has so intelligently managed his farming and stock-raising interests that they have today become extensive and important.
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Mr. Gruis married Miss Maggie Miller, in 1896, a native of Stephenson county, Illinois. He attends the Lutheran church and is independent in his political views, voting for men and measures rather than parties. He early learned that industry is the foundation stone of success and as the years have passed has labored diligently and perseveringly to gain a comfortable competency and to win for himself a creditable position in business circles. The course he has followed has commended him to the confidence and good-will of all, and he has an extensive circle of friends throughout Franklin county.
J. NELSON SWITZER.
J. Nelson Switzer, carrying on general stock farming upon two hundred and forty acres of land on section 29, Geneva township, was born in the province of Toronto, Canada, April 8, 1856. He is a son of James and Mary Ann (Weaver) Switzer, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada. The parents came to Iowa in 1866 and located near Ackley, in Franklin county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His wife has also passed away. To their union were born six children: Phoebe Ann, the wife of William Harris, of Michigan; J. Nelson, of this review; Jennie, who married J. N. Burwell, of Mason City, Iowa; John H., of Geneva; Francis, deceased; and I. B., of Hampton.
J. Nelson Switzer came to Iowa with his parents in 1866 and grew to manhood here, acquiring his education in the public schools. At the early age of twelve he began working as a farm laborer, and he has engaged in agricultural pursuits continuously since that time. In 1903 he purchased two hundred and twenty-nine acres of land in Grant township and after seven years sold this and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in Geneva township. He disposed of this in 1913, purchasing two hundred and forty acres on section 29. This property Mr. Switzer will call the Fairview Stock Farm, and he will develop it as a general stock farm. He has erected a one hundred and thirty ton silo, a hog house, twenty by sixty feet in dimensions, and is now building a barn fifty-eight by sixty-four feet, in addition to other substantial and modern outbuildings. The farm is already one of the finest in this locality and under Mr. Switzer's able manage- ment will undoubtedly become still more productive and valuable.
Mr. Switzer married Miss Rachel Peterson, a native of Iowa, and they became the parents of two children: Mabel, who married
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Elmer Sawyer, of Sheffield; and Lottie, who lives at home. Mr. Switzer's first wife passed away and after her death he married Mrs. Lydia Mulnix Corbin, a native of Illinois.
Mr. Switzer is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America and is a devout member of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he has been township trustee for the past sixteen years, proving capable and reliable in the dis- charge of his duties. He has many friends in Franklin county, where he has so long made his home and where he has attained the success which results from industry directed by good judgment.
PETER PETERSEN.
A man whose energy, enterprise and ambition carried him through early struggles against poverty and hardship and have brought him today to a position among the leading agriculturists of Franklin county is Peter Petersen, who owns and operates a fine property of two hundred acres in the northeast quarter of section 6, Richland township. He started upon his active career empty-handed and has steadily worked his way upward to success. He was born in Den- mark. July 31, 1859, and is a son of Nels and Caroline ( Bertelsen) Petersen, the former born May 31, 1838, and the latter December 10. 1834. The parents came to the United States in 1881 and lived upon a farm in Franklin county until the father retired from active life. They then moved to Thornton, Iowa, where they now reside. In their family were eight children: Peter, of this review; Soren, a large landowner in Franklin county, living retired in Thornton; Annie, the wife of Peter Sorensen, of Cerro Gordo county; Nick. a resident of Platte, South Dakota; Ella, the wife of Henry Beck, of Thornton, Iowa; Lena, who married Nick Ytsen, of Wisner town- ship, this county; and two, who died in infancy.
Peter Petersen spent his boyhood in his native country and ac- quired a public-school education there. He came to the United States in 1879 and went immediately to Dakota territory, where he worked by the month for a year and a half, receiving ten dollars a month. From this salary he saved enough money to bring his parents to America. He came to Franklin county in the fall of 1880 and here worked as a farm laborer for about three years, after which he rented a farm in Wisner township for two years. At the end of that time
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he was able to make his first purchase of land, buying the northeast quarter of section 31, Pleasant Valley township, in Cerro Gordo county. From 1884 to 1892 he made his home upon this property and then disposed of it, buying the farm which he now operates. This comprises two hundred acres on section 6, Richland township, Franklin county, and is one of the most attractive and valuable farms in the community. It was only slightly improved when it came into Mr. Petersen's possession but is now in a high state of cultivation, provided with a good set of buildings and excellent machinery. Mr. Petersen follows the most practical methods in the conduct of his property, and his success places him in the front ranks of progressive farmers.
In Franklin county, July 4, 1883, Mr. Petersen married Miss Anna Christina Holm, who was born in Denmark, July 10, 1862. She is a daughter of Nels Jacob and Hannah Holm, the former of whom has passed away. The mother makes her home in Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen became the parents of seven children: Nels M., who lives at home; Katie June, the wife of Axel Juhl, of Cerro Gordo county; Annie, Mary and Soren, at home; Nels, who died in infancy ; and Lena, who passed away in 1913 at the age of twenty- three. Mr. Petersen is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is one of the pro- gressive and substantial farmers of this county, and his success is the more creditable to him since it has been gained entirely through his own efforts. He is well and favorably known in his locality, his upright life having always commanded respect and esteem.
R. C. DAVENPORT.
R. C. Davenport, whose residence in Franklin county covers more than four decades, holds the office of postmaster in Chapin and has ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connection for the past eighteen years. His birth occurred in New York on the 4th of September, 1848, his parents being J. B. and Cordelia (Saun- ders) Davenport, likewise natives of the Empire state. A genealogy of the family shows that the Davenports emigrated from England in the early part of the seventeenth century. J. B. Davenport, who was a painter by trade and also followed farming, located in West Lib- erty. Iowa, at an early day and in 1872 took up his abode in Chapin. Here he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1905. The
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demise of his wife had occurred at Chapin in 1900. Mr. Davenport had lived in Franklin county for a third of a century and was well known and highly esteemed in his community.
R. C. Davenport spent his boyhood and youth in West Liberty and West Branch, Iowa, and was a young man of twenty-four years when he came with his parents to Chapin in 1872. For a number of years he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. For the past eighteen years, however, he has served as postmaster of Chapin, having been appointed under President Cleveland and hav- ing proved an able and satisfactory incumbent since that time.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Daven- port chose Miss Mary Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has three children, namely: Claudia, who is the wife of K. D. Hatch and resides in Oakfield, Wisconsin; Frank, who is employed in a bank at Geneva, Iowa; and Cecil, at home. Mr. Davenport gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as a member of the school board for several years, being now treasurer thereof. He has an extensive and favorable acquaintance through- out the community and enjoys an enviable reputation as a substan- tial and esteemed citizen.
D. E. KENYON.
D. E. Kenyon, a representative of financial interests in Franklin county, has been cashier of the Chapin Savings Bank since the organ- ization of that institution in 1905. His birth occurred in Grundy Center, Grundy county, Iowa, on the 16th of September, 1880, his parents being MI. F. and N. Ida (Wilson) Kenyon, who are natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively and now reside in McMinn- ville, Oregon, where the father has charge of a fruit ranch. M. F. Kenyon was for a number of years engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at Ottosen, Iowa, and subsequently operated a farm near Liver- more, this state.
D. E. Kenyon spent his boyhood on his father's farm near Liver- more and acquired his early education in the common schools, later continuing his studies in the high school at Grundy center. Subse- quently he spent several years in the employ of the Interstate Lumber Company and for three years had charge of the lumberyard at Cha- pin. In 1905, at the time of the organization of the Chapin Savings Bank, he was made cashier of the institution and in that capacity has
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remained throughout the intervening eight years, proving a highly competent and popular official.
In Chapin, Mr. Kenyon wedded Miss Clara Crawford, a native of Franklin county and a daughter of G. W. Crawford, an early set- tler of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. Our subject and his wife have one child, Willis E. In his political views Mr. Kenyon is a stanch republican, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the com- munity, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
WILL HEIGH WADDINGTON.
Will Heigh Waddington, connected with general mercantile interests of Geneva as a member of the J. A. Waddington Company, was born in East Dubuque, Illinois, January 29, 1877. He is a son of Will and Elsie (Consalus) Waddington, natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was a railroad man and engaged in this line of work throughout the entire period of his active life. He and his wife became the parents of five children : Sarah Ellen, the wife of Francis F. Clark, of Morgan Park, Illinois; Herbert Allen, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Will Heigh, the subject of this review; Hollis E., the wife of L. L. Quinby, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Merrill, also a resi- dent of Omaha.
Will H. Waddington acquired his education in the public schools of East Dubuque, Illinois, and after graduating from the high school came to Franklin county, Iowa, where he became associated with his uncle in the mercantile business. At the end of fourteen years he turned his attention to farming, following this occupation in Frank- lin county for two years. He then went to Los Angeles, California, where he was for three years in the grocery business. At the end of that time he returned to Franklin county and with his uncle organ- ized the J. A. Waddington Company, operating a large general store in Geneva. They do an extensive business, which is constantly in- creasing as their straightforward business methods become more widely known.
In Franklin county, January 21, 1902, Mr. Waddington was united in marriage to Miss Martha Kieslich. Mr. Waddington is a member of the Methodist church, belongs to the Masonic fraternity
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and is a republican in his political beliefs. He is well known in com- mercial life in Geneva, and his personal characteristics have gained him a wide circle of friends.
J. F. MOREHOUSE.
J. F. Morehouse, who has lived retired in Sheffield for the past four years, was a successful agriculturist of Franklin county through- out his active business career and owns one of the well improved and valuable farms of the district. He was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on the 7th of January, 1856. His father, Hiram More- house, whose birth occurred in Canada in 1832, was a son of John and Clarissa Morehouse and accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States in 1838, the family home being estab- lished in Oakland county, Michigan. There he was reared to man- hood and wedded a Miss DeHaven, who passed away when our subject was but four months old. For his second wife Hiram More- house chose Harriet M. Davis. In 1856 he removed to Illinois and four years later came to Franklin county, Iowa, locating on two hun- dred and sixty acres of wild land on section 3, West Fork township. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1881, when he took up his abode in the town of Sheffield and became identified with his son Elmer in the conduct of a store. His last days, however, were spent in honorable retirement, his demise occurring when he had attained the age of fifty-seven years. He was one of the pioneer settlers of West Fork township and continued a substantial and es- teemed citizen of Franklin county for about three decades. For two years, in 1864 and 1865, he carried mail between Hampton and Cedar Falls. His wife is likewise deceased. Hiram Morehouse was the father of four sons, as follows: J. F., of this review; Lorenzo, who was a retired agriculturist residing in Hampton at the time of his demise; George L., who follows farming in Richland township; and Elmer E., now deceased, who was for many years engaged in busi- ness as a merchant of Sheffield.
J. F. Morehouse spent his boyhood on his father's farm in West Fork township and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When twenty-five years of age he bought a tract of land in West Fork township, where he car- ried on farming for a decade. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Richland
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township, operating the same continuously and successfully for twenty years. He still owns the property, which constitutes one of the well improved farms in Franklin county. During the past four years he has lived retired in Sheffield, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
Mr. Morehouse has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Esther A. Bokes, a native of Illinois, by whom he had three children, namely: Clyde, who is married and resides on his father's farm in Richland township; Ethel, who gave her hand in marriage to Elwood Walker, a farmer of Ingham township; and Rexford C., who is married and devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Ross township. Subsequent to the demise of the wife and mother Mr. Morehouse wedded Mrs. Frances Ashworth, a native of White- side county, Illinois.
In politics Mr. Morehouse is a stanch republican and at the present time is serving as a member of the Sheffield city council. He acted as township trustee for several years, while living on the farm, and for many years also served as a school director, ever discharging his public duties in a most commendable manner. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs and in which he serves as steward. The period of his residence in Franklin county covers more than a half century, and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of its prosperous, respected and representative citizens.
JOHN F. HUMKE.
John F. Humke needs no introduction to the readers of this vol- ume, for he is well known as one of the most progressive and repre- sentative farmers and stock-raisers of Osceola township. He was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, March 13, 1868, and is a son of Charles F. and Eva (Rath) Humke, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Germany. In 1881 the father moved to Franklin county and located on a farm in Osceola township, engaging in general farm- ing and stock-raising until his death, which occurred July 7, 1913. His wife has also passed away, her death occurring in Franklin county. To their union were born eight children: John F., of this review; Henry, of Osceola township; Anna, the wife of Henry Hembd, of Grundy, Iowa; Charles and William, of Osceola; Lydia,
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the wife of Wyatt Johnson, of South Dakota; a son who died in infancy; and George, residing on the old homestead.
John F. Humke was reared upon his father's farm and began his independent career at the age of twenty-five. He rented land from his father and after about nine years bought one hundred and twenty acres of the homestead, adding to this property a forty acre tract which he had previously acquired. He has since bought an additional sixty acres and his holdings now comprise two hundred and twenty acres, all in Osceola township. The farm is modern in every detail, the buildings including a fine barn and a seventy-five- ton silo. Mr. Humke engages in general farming and stock-raising and has met with excellent success in the conduct of his interests.
On the 8th of March, 1893, Mr. Humke was united in marriage to Miss Hilka Peters, of Grundy county, and to their union have been born seven children, Louise Evelyn, Herman Charles, Clarence Alfred, Samuel Okko, Anna Ruth, deceased, Anna Esther and Rob- ert Walter. Mr. Humke is a member of the Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served for about fifteen years as township trustee and as a progressive and public-spirited citizen takes an active interest in public affairs. He is justly accounted one of the representative farmers of his locality and is held in high esteem wherever he is known.
HARRY G. ARTHUR.
Harry G. Arthur, a well known druggist of Hampton, was born at Council Hill, Illinois, March 9, 1880. He is a son of William H. and Margaret F. (Perry) Arthur, also natives of Illinois, who came to Iowa in 1882, locating near Hansell. Both now reside at Mitchell, South Dakota, where the father engages in farming. To their union were born five children: William R., a physician in Hampton; Harry G., of this review; Ethel, who died in childhood ; Frank, of Illinois; and Fred, who died in childhood.
Harry G. Arthur was only two years of age when his parents moved to Iowa. He acquired his education in the public schools of Hansell and in the university at Cedar Falls. He afterward studied pharmacy at Highland Park College in Des Moines and passed the state board of examiners, receiving his certificate as a registered pharmacist. He began his independent career as a druggist in the employ of E. M. Funk, of Hampton, holding this position while he
HARRY G. ARTHUR
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was still attending school. He afterward moved to Mason City, Iowa, and was there employed in the drug business for one and a half years. At the end of that time he formed a partnership with S. C. Anderson and they bought out C. Marshall's drug business in Hamp- ton, which they conducted together for one year and a half, after which Mr. Arthur purchased his partner's interests. Since that time he has conducted the business alone with a success which finds its best evidence in his large and growing patronage.
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