USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 29
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Samuel Bonewitz emigrated to America with the family in 1886, coming directly to Franklin county, Iowa. His entire active life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and his knowledge and expe- rience have been the salient factors in his present success. He is now renting the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Osceola township, and carries forward the work of its develop- ment and improvement along practical and modern lines, the result of his efforts being seen in its excellent condition.
On the 8th of February, 1893, Mr. Bonewitz was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Schnell, a native of Benton county, Iowa, who died November 14, 1906, leaving five children: Emma Margaret,
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born November 25, 1893; Katherine Elizabeth, born March 24, 1897; Marie Louise, born December 15, 1899; Henry W., born April 9, 1902; and John A., born November 3, 1906.
Mr. Bonewitz is a member of the St. John's Evangelical church, and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has rendered the township excellent service as school director and is at all times progressive and public-spirited in matters of citizen- ship, cooperating in all projects for the betterment of the community. During the period of his residence here he has won the warm regard and friendship of his neighbors.
FRANK EVANS.
Frank Evans, a sturdy son of Norway, came to America to court fortune, and fortune has come to him as a result of his indefatigable labor and energy. Mr. Evans now owns a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Oakland township, Franklin county, and is considered one of the prosperous farmers of the neighborhood. The goal which he set himself in his youth-to achieve financial independence -- he has attained. Mr. Evans was born in the land of the midnight sun on July 2, 1840. His parents were Andrew and Mary Evans, both natives of Norway, who came to America in 1857 with their family, when our subject was seventeen years of age. They located in Green county, Wisconsin, and there the father passed away shortly after his arrival, in 1857. The mother also died in Green county, that state. To them were born six children, of whom two are living: Mary, who married Erick Larson; and Frank, our subject. Mary, Ellen, Martha and Lucy have passed away.
Frank Evans attended school in his native land and after com- ing to this country engaged in farm labor. In 1868 he came to Franklin county and bought eighty acres of land on section 18. To this tract he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and twenty of which are on section 7. The family home, however, which is one of the hand- some country residences of the neighborhood, is situated on section 18. Mr. Evans gives particular attention to stock-raising outside of his general farming. His buildings are in good repair, and the farm bespeaks by its appearance the prosperity of the owner. Suc-
MR. AND MRS, FRANK EVANS
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cess has come to him in reward of close application and modern ideas as to the best farming methods to employ.
Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Christina Maria Peterson, a native of Norway. To this union one son was born, Elman Mer- rill, of Emmet county, Iowa. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Evans married Maria Johanna Peterson, who was born in Wis- consin and who is a sister of the first Mrs. Evans. Her parents came to Franklin county in 1869, and there they lived until late in life. They removed to Wright county, where both passed away. In their family were ten children: Helena, the widow of L. Johnson, of Alden, Iowa; Peter, deceased; Margaret, the widow of O. Snug- gin, of Dows, Iowa; Henry, deceased; Christina, the first wife of Mr. Evans ; Caroline, deceased ; Otto, also deceased ; Maria Johanna, who is now Mrs. Evans; Theodore, deceased; and Johanna, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Evans became the parents of two children: Calhoun O., who was born June 15, 1887, and who is at home assisting his father on the farm; and Matilda Christina. born April 3, 1892, who died two days later.
Mr. Evans is a republican and stanchly votes for the measures and candidates of his party. He has interested himself in the pub- lic welfare and has served as township trustee. He also has been for a number of years school treasurer of Oakland township, and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Evans is a representative farmer of Franklin county and one of those men who have helped to make Iowa the richest agricultural state within the Union.
JOHN I. POPEJOY.
John I. Popejoy was not only one of the earlier pioneers of Franklin county but one of the foremost men of the times. Not only was he a large landowner but prominent in business and finan- cial circles. When he died, December 24, 1896, there passed away one of those who had promoted the prosperity and who had made possible the civilization which is enjoyed by the present generation. Mr. Popejoy was born in Jeffersonville, Fayette county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 10, 1824, and was a son of Edward and Martha (McGarry) Popejoy. The father, a native of Virginia, was reared in Kentucky. It is indicative of the few opportunities which existed at that time for an education that he was only taught to read and to write after
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his marriage. In 1854 he came with his son, John 1., who was then about thirty years of age, to Franklin county and located on section 26, Oakland township. The father was one of three men to subscribe to the first schoolhouse in Oakland township, giving thereby evidence of how much value he placed upon the acquire- ment of an education, and how important a factor he considered such an education toward a successful career. To Edward and Martha (McGarry) Popejoy were born the following children : Elizabeth, deceased; Fannie, the late wife of Mathias Benson, of Ohio; Alvina, the wife of John Conner, of Ohio, deceased; John 1 .; and Martha, who married John Hensley, of Ohio.
John 1. Popejoy was the first settler in Oakland township. After coming here with the family he engaged in the cattle busi- ness and was very successful along that line. He gave his sole attention to his business and prosperity attended his efforts. In 1895 Mr. Popejoy owned sixteen hundred and forty acres of land in Oakland township. He extended his interests to other enter- prises and at one time was president of the Farmers Exchange State Bank at Dows and also held the executive position in the Popejoy Bank at Popejoy. At the time of his demise his land possessions totaled four thousand acres. These vast holdings give an indica- tion of the great contributions which Mr. Popejoy made toward agricultural standards in Franklin county. He was thoroughly im- bued with modern ideas and could ever be found among the first men to introduce new and progressive measures as long as he was convinced of their usefulness. Mr. Popejoy's success should be a lesson to young men, as he showed what can be accomplished through a life of labor and by intelligently applied energy and good business sense.
On October 24, 1849, Mr. Popejoy was married to Miss Frances Sophia Pearson, who was born on December 17, 1828, at Hop- kinton, New Hampshire, and was a daughter of Moses and Mary (Kimball) Pearson. Her mother, who was a cousin of Daniel Webster, was born in Henniker, New Hampshire, December 22, 1784, and was married to Moses Pearson, October 28, 1813. In 1840 they removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, where they remained for three years and then went to Fayette county, that state, where Mr. Pearson died September 4, 1847. His widow then made her home with her eldest son, Horace Pearson, until the spring of 1856, when she came to Franklin county, Iowa, and lived with her youngest child, Mrs. Popejoy. Here she died on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1875.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Popejoy were born seven children: Mary E., widow of Lucien R. Fobes; Virginia E., the wife of J. H. Gilger, of Alden, Iowa; Florence, at home; Frances J., the widow of Frank A. Thayer, who was state representative at the time of his death; Edward P., at home; Ethel, who married H. J. Eastman, of Oakland township; and J. Horace, of Popejoy.
Lucien R. Fobes, the husband of Mary E. Popejoy, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and died November 6, 1907. He came to Iowa in 1863, locating in Franklin county. During the Civil war he enlisted, and time and again gave evidence of his public spirit in effective administration of various township offices. For some time he was president of the Iowa State Bank at Dows. Fra- ternally he was a Mason and also belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Popejoy of this review always stood high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was ever ready to contribute materially or lend his support to public enterprises of worth, and many move- ments which turned out to be of great value to Franklin county found their inception in him or were brought to a good end through his efforts. Particularly did he contribute toward agricultural im- provements and it is but just that in return for his labors and energy fortune should have come to him. He was one of the most extensive landholders in Franklin county at the time of his death and a kind Providence bestowed wealth upon him in the eternal justness of her acts. Not only was Mr. Popejoy, however, rich in material resources but he was rich in an honorable name and rich in friends who esteemed him at his true worth. Such men as he have made the middle west the home of the greatest industry in America- that of farming-and have helped to make this nation what it is today-the greatest nation on the earth.
JAMES A. GREEN.
James A. Green, one of the early settlers of Franklin county, has here been actively identified with general agricultural pursuits for the past thirty-seven years and owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and forty-eight acres on section 6, Scott town- ship. His birth occurred in Monroeville, Huron county, Ohio, on the 10th of April, 1854, his parents being Thomas and Mary McCaffrey, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Huron
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county, Ohio. The mother died in Monroeville, Ohio, in 1858. The father enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, for service in the Union army and remained at the front for three years. It was in Ohio that his demise occurred. When four years old our subject went to live with his mother's cousin, George Green, in Wood county, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood. He has but one sister, Mrs. E. O. Williams, who is a resident of Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Green's education was acquired in the common schools of the Buckeye state. In 1876 he came to Reeve township, Franklin county, Iowa, and here secured employment on the farm of an uncle. He worked as a farm laborer during the first three years of his residence in this county and in 1882 took up his abode on section 6, Scott township, where he has been actively and successfully en- gaged in farming and stock-raising continuously since. His hold- ings now embrace one hundred and forty-eight acres of valuable land in Scott township and an unimproved tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, Wisner township. His home place is well improved in every particular and in its operation he has won a highly gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity.
In Hampton, lowa, in 1879, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Clara Shrover, a native of Reeve township, Franklin county, who there grew to womanhood and acquired her education in the common schools. Her parents, Lewis and Joane (Jones) Shroyer, were among the pioneer settlers of this county. The father passed away in Reeve township in 1906, but the mother, a native of Indiana, still survives and lives on the old home farm in Reeve township Their four children, all born and reared in Reeve town- ship, are as follows: D. W., who is a resident of Reeve township; Mrs. Clara Green; Martin L., who lives on the old home farm in Reeve township; and Victor E., of Geneva, lowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Green have been born six children, namely: Lloyd MI., whose natal day was November 2, 1879; E. Ray, who was born January 21, 1882, and is engaged in the hardware business in Alex- ander; Claud William, who was born January 25, 1885, and died January 28, 1889; Harriet Beryl, born September 1, 1887; George L., born October 15, 1891; and Agnes M., whose birth occurred September 4, 1893.
All of the children, with the exception of E. Ray, reside on the home farm with their parents. The two eldest are natives of Reeve township, while the other children were born in Scott township.
Mr. Green is a republican in politics and has ably served in the capacity of township trustee and as a school director. His life is
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actuated by high and honorable principles, manifest in his business and social relations and in his connection with public interests. He indorses various movements for the welfare and progress of the community and his influence is always found on the side of justice, truth and right.
JUD A. HARTGRAVES.
Since 1879 Jud A. Hartgraves has been connected with agricul- tural interests of Franklin county and is today justly accounted one of its most active and progressive farmers and stock breeders. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 25, Ingham township, and has made this property valuable and productive through his careful and systematic management.
Mr. Hartgraves was born in Linn county, Iowa, April 23, 1852, and is a son of John R. and Sarah Ann (Stacey) Hartgraves, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Indiana. The parents removed to Linn county, this state, in 1847, and in 1854 came to Franklin county, locating in Ingham township, on section 25. The father engaged in farming from that time until 1891, when he retired. His death occurred July 8, 1909. He was one of the pioneer settlers in this section of Iowa and bore an active and honor- able part in the work of development and upbuilding. His wife passed away in June, 1892. To them were born twelve children: David, who died in the army during the Civil war; Nicholas, of North Dakota; Elizabeth Jane, widow of J. N. Harland, of Ber- well, Nebraska; Almeda, deceased; Jud A., of this review; John R., a resident of Woden, Iowa; Peter, of Minnesota; Solomon, whose home is in Canada; Olive, deceased ; George, of Dumont; and two children who died in infancy.
Jud A. Hartgraves was two years of age when his parents moved to Franklin county and he acquired his education in the district schools of Ingham township. When he was twenty-two he secured a position driving the stage from Hampton to Clarksville and engaged in that occupation until 1876. In that year he went to Deadwood, South Dakota, and there engaged in mining for three years. In 1879 he returned to Franklin county and began operating the homestead, carrying on agricultural pursuits there until 1887, when he bought eighty acres of land on section 25, Ingham town- ship. This he has since increased to one hundred and sixty acres
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and he has made it one of the finest farms in the locality, provided with substantial barns and modern equipment.
On the 14th of February, 1883, Mr. Hartgraves was united in marriage to Miss Maggie L. Bennett, a native of Ontario, and they have become the parents of five children : Harry, now a resident of Colfax, North Dakota; Elizabeth, the wife of E. Nolte; and John W., Marguerite and Cornelius J., all at home.
Mr. Hartgraves gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has held a number of township offices. He has been closely identified with Franklin county in its upbuilding and development for a number of years and is accounted an important factor in general growth.
OLE HOUG.
Ole Houg needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. While now engaged in merchandising at Dows, Wright county, he is one of the old settlers of Franklin county, where he still has many friends. He was born in Norway, January 11, 1867, and is a son of Aslak and Barbara Houg, also natives of the land of the mid- night sun. The father brought his family to America in 1869, when his son Ole was two years of age. There were seven children, six sons and a daughter, but the latter died in infancy. The family made their way to Green county, Wisconsin, where the father secured a small farm. There the family continued to reside for many years, but after the mother's death, which occurred in that state, the father moved to Virginia, where he died in 1912, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Ole Houg, who was the third child in order of birth, was edu- cated in the common schools of Wisconsin and when eighteen years of age went to Lafayette county, that state, where he made his initial step in the business world by securing employment in a store, there remaining for four years. On the expiration of that period he left Wisconsin and made his way to Dows, Iowa, where he entered the employ of the firm of Johnson & Hanson, with whom he continued for seven years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to engage in business on his own account. He then entered into partnership with J. L. Sinclair in the conduct of a general mer- cantile establishment at Alexander, Franklin county. They con-
OLE HOUG
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ducted the business for six years and then dissolved partnership, Mr. Houg, however, retaining and conducting the business until 1913, when he returned to Dows, where he now conducts a store and makes his home. In 1910 he was made postmaster at Alexander and still fills the position.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Houg and Miss Maria Hanson, of Wiota, Wisconsin, a daughter of Ole and Maren Han- son. The father was a farmer by occupation, and both he and his wife have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Houg have three children, two sons and a daughter, who in order of birth are as follows: Orville Adlai, who attends the Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls and will graduate in 1916; Myron Bert, who is attending high school at Dows; and Cora Dilia, who is also a high-school pupil.
Mr. and Mrs. Houg are members of the Lutheran church, loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodman and in the camp of the latter he was clerk for fifteen years. His political activity has found expression in his membership in the county central committee. He was also the first town clerk of Alexander and was a member of the school board. He is recognized in the community as a resourceful and forceful busi- ness man and citizen. In his commercial connections he is progres- sive and enterprising and recognizes and improves his opportunities. Wherever he is known he is popular, his many sterling traits of character winning for him the high regard of all with whom he comes in contact.
RICHARD BLAKE.
Richard Blake, who follows general farming and stock-raising on a fine property in Osceola township, was born on this farm, May 23, 1856. For almost a quarter of a century he has been connected with agricultural interests of this locality and today holds a position in the front ranks of progressive and successful farmers. He is a son of Richard T. and Sarah (Pickmer) Blake, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of England. The father came to America as a young man and, having previously followed the sea, resumed that occupation as a sailor on the Great Lakes. He came to Franklin Vol. II-20
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county in 1852 and purchased land on section 34, Osceola township, accumulating eventually six hundred and eighty acres. He passed away in 1900 and is survived by his wife, who makes her home in Ackley. They had twelve children : Louisa, the wife of A. B. Grant, of Iowa Falls; Jane; Richard, of this review; Frank, a resident of Olympia, Washington; George, deceased; John, residing in the state of Washington; Alice, at home; Bessie, the wife of L. A. Hembd, of Ackley; Katherine, who married D. W. Shroyer, of Hampton; Charles; Sarah, the wife of William Humke, of Osceola township; and Nettie, who married James Newell, of Marshalltown.
Richard Blake was reared at home and aided in the operation of his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Osceola town- ship and for twenty years thereafter developed that property, making it one of the productive and valuable farms in the locality. When he disposed of it he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead and here he has since resided, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He follows always the most progressive and practical methods in the conduct of his business and his labors have brought excellent results.
On the 26th of September, 1882, Mr. Blake married Miss Christina Rath, who passed away April 23, 1906, leaving two chil- dren : Clara, the wife of Dr. Rosengren, of Ackley; and Frank T. Mr. Blake is a member of the Presbyterian church, is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is one of the pro- gressive and successful native sons of Osceola township and is held in high esteem by the people among whom his entire life has been spent.
FRANK C. SMITH.
Frank C. Smith, engaging in general farming and stock-raising upon the Smith homestead in Lee township, is a native son of this locality, born on the farm he is now operating, January 27, 1884. His parents, Charles A. and Marietta (Reed) Smith, were born in New York, and the father came to lowa in 1863. He took up a homestead claim in the vicinity of Ackley, in Franklin county, and operated this until 1871, when he moved to Lee township, securing one hundred and sixty acres on section 12. He was twice married
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and by his first wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Myra Crosby, had three children : two who died in infancy; and Charles S., of St. Louis, Missouri. By his second union Charles A. Smith became the father of three children: Margaret E., the wife of W. G. Bond, of Buffalo Center, Iowa; Nathan W., of Kansas City, Missouri; and Frank C., of this review. Our subject's mother's first husband was John Andrews, a native of New York. By this union she had two sons : George Andrews, a resident of Buffalo Center; and John W. Andrews, of Lee township. The father of our subject now makes his home in Wyoming county, New York, having survived his second wife since August 16, 1908.
Frank C. Smith acquired his early education in the district schools of Lee township and later attended Ellsworth College for two winters. Following this he became a student in the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage, Iowa, graduating from that institution in 1903. Afterward he returned home and took charge of the farm, which he has since managed with great success. He is a stock-raiser on an extensive scale and intends in time to deal only in thoroughbred animals. His interests are all carefully and capably conducted and are bringing him a gratifying measure of success.
On the 16th of November, 1904, Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Gertrude B. Smith, a native of Iowa, and they have three children : Howard W., born August 17, 1905; Walter E., born March 1, 1908; and Margaret Leah, born January 7, 1911.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a young man of energy and ambition and he has already secured a gratifying place in agricultural circles of his native township.
HENRY E. MARTY.
Henry E. Marty, one of the extensive landowners and progressive farmers of Franklin county, owning and operating five hundred and thirty acres of land lying in Geneva and Ingham townships, is a native of this part of Iowa, born March 8, 1871. He is a son of John J. and Hannah (Zell) Marty, the former a native of Switzer- land and the latter of Prussia, Germany. They came to America in 1863 and located in Wisconsin, whence they removed to Hardin county, Iowa, in 1866. Three years later they came to Franklin county and located on a farm in Geneva township, where the father
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resided until his death, which occurred October 15, 1891. His wife survives him and lives in Franklin county. John J. Marty had been twice married, wedding first Miss Barbara Baumgardner, by whom he had three children: Jacob J., of Butler county; John E., a resident of Franklin county; and a son who died in infancy. By his second union John J. Marty had five children: Henry E., of this review; George, deceased; George, second of the name, a resi- dent of North Dakota; Frank, deceased; and Ollie, the wife of John Blum, of Reeve township.
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