USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 3
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On the 26th of November, 1894, Mr. Scantlebury was united in marriage to Miss Rose Kempthorne, a native of Franklin county and a representative of one of the pioneer families. Unto Mr. and
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Mrs. Scantlebury have been born five children: Charles Clay, born December 8, 1897; Bernice Etha, born February 5, 1900; Ronald Earl, born January 20, 1901 ; Russell Lowell, born May 7, 1907; and Hazel May, born March 24, 1912.
In his political views Mr. Scantlebury is a republican, earnest and constant in support of the party, yet never a politician in the sense of office seeking. His fraternal relations are with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is evidenced by his membership in the Methodist church. From early boyhood to the present time he has lived in Franklin county and has always been identified with its agricultural interests, his practical and progressive methods contributing to the splendid reputation which Iowa justly bears as one of the leading agricultural states of the union.
W. K. LONG, M. D.
W. K. Long, M. D., successfully engaged in the practice of med- icine at Hampton, having thoroughly qualified for the profession through comprehensive study and hospital work, was born in Tam- aqua, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1876, his parents being Uriah and Emeline (Klingeman) Long, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father was also a practicing physician, but he and his wife are now deceased. In their family were seven chil- dren, three of whom are yet living.
Dr. Long pursued his early education in the public schools of Nebraska and afterward had the benefit of a course in the State University at Lincoln, registering in the medical department of the university and graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work he entered the Northwestern Medical College at Chicago and won his professional degree in 1906. He spent two years in St. Luke's Hospital of that city as an interne, gaining the broad knowledge and varied experience which only hospital practice can bring. He has also taken post-graduate work in Vienna, Austria, studying the methods of many of the eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world.
Dr. Long located for practice at Latimer, Iowa, where he remained until 1910, when he came to Hampton, where he has since successfully followed his profession, winning a large practice which
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
he well merits. He is now health officer of the city. His social nature finds expression in his membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, and he is most loyal to the teachings of those organiza- tions.
A. J. FRONING.
A. J. Froning, the present mayor of Sheffield, owns an elevator here and has been successfully engaged in the grain and coal business at this place for the past three years. He likewise owns a valuable farm of two hundred acres east of Sheffield. His birth occurred near Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois, on the 2d of September, 1866, his parents being August and Margaret (Bohen) Froning, who were born, reared and married in Germany. In 1857 or 1858 they emi- grated to the United States, locating in Stephenson county, Illinois. In 1885 August Froning disposed of his property there and came to Franklin county, Iowa, settling in Ross township, where he owned and cultivated a half section of land. He won a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings as an agriculturist and spent his last days in honorable retirement, residing for a year at Hampton and for four years at Sheffield, where his demise occurred when he had attained the age of seventy-seven. His wife passed away on the farm at the age of fifty-nine years. Both were devoted members of the German Baptist church, and Mr. Froning gave his political alle- giance to the republican party, holding a number of minor township offices. To him and his wife were born eight children, as follows: one who died in infancy; T. D., who passed away at Grundy Center, Iowa, when thirty-three years of age; John, who is a resident of Rich- land township; Katie, the wife of August Wilkins, of Lorraine, Kan- sas; Henry J., living in Frederick, Kansas; H. E., who is engaged in the real-estate business at Chapin, Iowa; Lizzie, who gave her hand in marriage to H. Van Deest, of New Hartford, Iowa; and A. J., of this review.
The last named spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Stephen- son county and was a young man of nineteen when he came with his parents to Franklin county, Iowa. On attaining his majority he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing a tract of eighty-nine acres south of Sheffield and residing thereon for three years. He then came into possession of a farm near Geneva, the operation of which claimed his attention for two years. Subsequently
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
he was engaged in the grain and coal business at Geneva for three years and next spent a year at New Hartford in the same lines. Mr. Froning later purchased the farm of his father-in-law east of Shef- field, remaining thereon for a year, on the expiration of which period he embarked in the grain and elevator business at Allison, Butler county, lowa, where he was thus engaged for three years. In 1905 he bought two elevators at Sheffield and conducted them for two years, at the end of which time he sold out and purchased the farm belong- ing to the Jensen estate, which lies east of Sheffield. The property comprises two hundred acres of rich and productive land and is still in his possession. For the past three years, however, he has been engaged in the grain and coal business at Sheffield, owning an elevator here. He has won prosperity in his different ventures and has long been numbered among the substantial, representative and leading citizens of the community.
In Franklin county, Mr. Froning wedded Miss Nellie Scott, a native of Hardin county and a daughter of Lonsdale Scott. They have eleven children, as follows: Arthur C., who is married and lives on his father's farm east of Sheffield; Ollie, the wife of Walter DeVoe, of Elberon, Iowa, who is associated with his father-in-law in the ownership of a lumberyard there; Pearl, a school teacher by profession; Alfred; August; Lonsdale; Nellie; Margaret; Grace; and Robert and Richard, twins, who are in their second year.
Mr. Froning is a republican in politics and has been honored by election to the office of mayor in Sheffield, his administration being characterized by measures of reform and improvement along various lines. He has likewise done valuable service as a member of the city council. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Baptist church, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Sheffield. In all his business and social relations he is straightforward and reliable, enjoying the full confidence of those with whom he is associated.
JOHN GODFREY SHOWALTER.
John Godfrey Showalter, a progressive and practical young agri- culturist of Reeve township, operating a farm of two hundred acres on section 3, was born in Freeport, Illinois, August 6, 1883, a son of Charles F. and Isabelle Jane (Vought) Showalter. He was reared at home, remaining with his parents in Iowa until he was
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
twenty-one years of age. He then moved to Illinois, his native state, but at the end of one year returned to Franklin county, where he has since been engaged in farming, operating his father's farm of two hundred acres on section 3, Reeve township. His methods are practical and therefore productive of excellent results, and he is meeting with gratifying and well deserved success.
On February 21, 1911, Mr. Showalter married Miss Laura Schroeder, a native of Freeport, Illinois, and they have become the parents of one child, Cheryll Isabelle, born December 1, 1912. Mr. Showalter is a member of the Methodist church, is connected with the Masonic fraternity and is a republican in his political beliefs. Although he is still a young man he has already been carried for- ward into important relations with agricultural interests, and his continued success is assured.
GEORGE HEMM.
George Hemm, engaged in general farming and stock-raising upon three hundred and sixty acres of land on section 17, Mott township, was born in Kendall county, Illinois, April 17, 1860. He is a son of George M. and Carrie (Bosenecker) Hemm, natives of Germany. In their early years the parents came to America and settled in Oswego, Illinois, later moving to Kendall county, where the father engaged in farming until his death. His wife survived him some years, dying December 1, 1910. Twelve children were born to their union: Philip, of Chapin, Iowa; Caroline, the wife of Noah Thomas, of Chapin; John, a resident of Aurora, Illinois; George, of this review; William, also of Chapin; Mary, the wife of James Eddy, of Swaledale, Iowa; Henry, deceased; Carrie and Louisa, who have also passed away; Charles, of Kendall county, Illinois; Michael, who died in infancy; and Theodore, of Kendall county.
George Hemm began his independent career at the age of twen- ty-four, renting eighty acres of land in Kendall county. He operated this property for one year and then in 1886 moved to Franklin county, Iowa, renting a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. At the end of one year he rented two hundred and forty acres and after three years bought this property, which two years later he sold. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 17. Mott township, and he has since increased this to three hundred
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
and sixty acres, its present dimensions. Upon this property he engages in general farming and stock-raising and his intelligent management and practical methods have resulted in a gratifying measure of success.
On the 2d of March, 1887, Mr. Hemm was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Bollinger, and they have become the parents of five children: May, the wife of Earl Whitehead, of Mott town- ship; David H., at home; Alice, who is engaged in nursing; and Lillian and Fern, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead have two children, George and Donald.
Mr. Hemm is a member of the Christian church, is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as school director and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen takes a com- mendable interest in all enterprises calculated to promote the mate- rial and intellectual welfare of the community.
EDWARD SMITH PATTERSON.
The history of Edward Smith Patterson has become an integral part of the annals of Hampton, because of his business prominence and enterprise and his active and helpful connection with public affairs. He seemed to readily recognize the opportunities for growth before the city, and he instituted various measures productive of gen- eral good. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Cavan, in the year 1844, and when fourteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way to Wisconsin, where he turned his attention to merchandising. For a time he was engaged in business with his brothers at Delavan, Wisconsin, and subsequently at Beaver Dam, but afterward established business on his own account in Clin- ton, Iowa. In 1874 he came to Hampton, where he opened a general dry-goods store, calling it the Shanty .. He was associated with a part- ner, K. S. Cole, but this connection was eventually dissolved. In the meantime he had erected a brick business block. There are two pillars in the center of his store which are the only iron pillars that have ever been manufactured in Hampton, for the foundry in which they were made failed and the business was discontinued. At the time of building the store Edward Smith Patterson planned to enlarge it as the growth of his business would permit and in so doing, by using the iron pillars imbeded in the brick wall, made the building suffi-
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EDWARD S. PATTERSON
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
ciently strong to sustain the weight of the second story which was added years later. This is but one instance which might be cited of his sagacity. His business grew and developed and has been enlarged from time to time until the store is now the largest in Hampton.
Mr. Patterson died February 20, 1911, but his widow still sur- vives and makes her home in Hampton. He not only became the leading merchant of the city, but was also a most prominent factor in public affairs and twice filled the office of mayor, discharging the duties of the position in a prompt, reliable and businesslike manner. His name was connected with various movements and events which had to do with the welfare and progress of the city. Where he led others followed, for his fellow townsmen came to recognize his sound judgment and his public spirit.
Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Athaline Cook, a native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and unto them were born three children: Henrietta, now the wife of H. G. Northey, of Waterloo, Iowa; George D .; and John W., who was born March 5, 1885, and died May 9, 1896. Mr. Patterson was a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and in his life he exemplified the beneficent principles of the craft, following at all times its teachings concerning mutual helpfulness and brotherly kind- ness. A shadow of deep sorrow fell over the hearts of many when Edward Smith Patterson passed away, for his worth had become widely recognized and his many admirable traits of character had endeared him to those with whom he had been associated.
BENJAMIN F. HICKS.
Benjamin F. Hicks, operating the Hicks homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 12, Reeve township, and owning forty acres of excellent land on section 13, was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, July 5, 1878. He is a son of Peter W. and Esther Ann (Stephens) Hicks, the former a native of Canada. The parents now reside in Geneva. In their family were five children: a daugh- ter, who died in childhood; Clarence, a resident of Geneva; John, who makes his home in Latimer; Benjamin F., of this review; and Hattie, the wife of V. W. McCart, of Geneva.
Benjamin F. Hicks came to Iowa with his parents and acquired his education in the district schools of Reeve township. Since the beginning of his active career he has managed his father's home-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
stead, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 12. He owns forty acres on the adjoining section and operates both properties in an intelligent and able manner, engaging in general farming and stock-raising. On the 13th of May, 1909, he married Miss Annie May Kurtz, a native of Franklin county, and both are well known in social circles of their locality.
Mr. Hicks attends the Methodist church and is connected fra- ternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support is given to the republican party, and he has held various positions of trust and responsibility, serving for two years as con- stable and being now township assessor. His place in agricultural circles of Franklin county is today a prominent one and has been won through his own industry, perseverance and good management.
CARL J. DUIT.
Carl J. Duit, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Franklin county, operating two hundred acres of excellent land on section 21, Grant township, was born in Germany, November 1, 1878. He is a son of John G. and Eliesa Jajjenetta (Grothaus) Duit, also natives of Germany. The father was a sailor for twenty-seven years and after abandoning a seafaring life came to America, locating about the year 1883 in Franklin county, Iowa. He turned his atten- tion to general farming and accumulated three hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, which he still owns. He is living in retire- ment in Ackley and has survived his wife since March 10, 1905. To their union were born seven children: Gerald, deceased; Carl J., of this review; Anton, deceased ; Tjode, who has also passed away; Anton, a resident of Franklin county; Annie, living in Ackley; and Tjode, the wife of John Ubben, of Garrison, Iowa.
Carl J. Duit came to America with his parents in 1883 and after- ward remained on the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age, becoming familiar with the best agricultural methods through practical experience. When he left the homestead he rented one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Grant township, and this he has since increased to two hundred acres. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and being energetic, capable and enter- prising, has met with a gratifying degree of success.
On the 22d of April, 1902, Mr. Duit married Miss Elizabeth Brass, a native of Grundy county, and they have become the parents
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
of four children : John G., who was born June 16, 1903; Aeilt E., born June 8, 1905; Adeline Jajjenetta, born February 16, 1908; and Alvin William, born February 8, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Duit are members of the Lutheran church, and he is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a democrat in his political beliefs and has held a number of township offices, proving capable and public-spirited in the discharge of his duties. He is well known and highly respected in Grant township, and his suc- cess places him among the representative agriculturists of his locality.
DAVID MUIR.
David Muir is a retired farmer now living in Hampton. Activity and enterprise in business brought him the success which enables him to enjoy the comforts of life without further recourse to labor. He was born in Waukesha county; Wisconsin, April 7, 1844, a son of John and Margaret (Watt) Muir, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to America in 1842, settling in Wisconsin, where they remained until called to the home beyond, the father fol- lowing the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family of nine children, three of whom are yet living. He died in the year 1856 and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1875.
David Muir was the fifth in order of birth in the family. He was reared upon the old homestead farm until he reached the age of fourteen years and in 1872 he came to West Fork township, Frank- lin county, Iowa, then a young man of twenty-eight years. He had been educated in the public schools and had received ample training in all farm work. Following his arrival here he purchased eighty acres of land, which he still owns. He has, however, increased his holdings from time to time until his landed possessions now aggre- gate six hundred and forty acres of rich and productive prairie land in this county. In 1895 he retired from the farm and removed to Hampton, purchasing a fine home and five acres of land on Bridge street, where he now resides.
In 1868 Mr. Muir was united in marriage to Miss Martha Bots- ford, a native of Wisconsin, in which state the wedding was cele- brated. To them were born four children; but David, William and John are all now deceased. The only surviving child is a daugh- ter, Myrtle, now the wife of F. A. Proctor, living on the old home place. The wife and mother passed away on the 27th of August,
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
1913. Her death was sincerely mourned throughout the community She was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, December 29, 1847, and since 1872 had lived in this county, she and her husband settling on a farm in West Fork township, where they resided for many years before taking up their abode in Hampton. Mrs. Muir was greatly respected by all who knew her. Her sunny disposition and unselfish devotion to the interests of others were always in evidence, and her life was fraught with many good deeds.
Mr. Muir is a member of the Congregational church and his, too, has been an upright, honorable life. For five years he has served on the school board, being its president for three years, taking an active and helpful part in all that pertains to the cause of education here. He is one of the pioneer settlers of the county, having lived here for forty-one years, during which time many changes have occurred, while many improvements have been wrought. He has ever borne his part in the work of general advancement and is a public-spirited, progressive citizen.
ADAM MESSELHEISER.
Adam Messelheiser, occupying an enviable position in financial and business circles of Franklin county, is now president of the State Savings Bank of Hampton, a position to which he has attained through laudable ambition, ability and energy. He was born in Wisconsin in 1851, a son of John A. and Mary Messelheiser, who in the year 1868 brought their family to Iowa. The father pur- chased land adjoining Hampton, becoming the owner of two hun- dred acres, which he converted into rich and productive fields, the cultivation of the farm resulting in the acquirement of a good living for the family. Both he and his wife remained residents of this county until called to their final rest. They had a family of seven children, of whom three are now deceased.
The public schools of Wisconsin and Iowa afforded Adam Mes- selheiser his educational opportunities. He spent his youthful days under the parental roof and was seventeen years of age when he came with the family to Iowa, where he has since remained. He had been reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming fa- miliar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. As the years passed on he continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until 1902, when he put aside farm work and
ADAM MESSELHEISER
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
removed to Hampton, since which time he has rented his land. He built an attractive home in the city which he now occupies and is here comfortably located, largely living retired, although he has a decisive voice in the management of the bank and gives personal supervision to the control of his property. In all business affairs his judgment is sound and reliable, and his connection with the State Savings Bank has been a factor in making it the strong and reliable financial institution which it is today.
Mr. Messelheiser was married in 1877 to Miss Otillie Kugler of West Fork township, whose people were among the pioneers of Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. Messelheiser had six children, but lost one. Those still living are: Cora, the wife of Fred Schmitz, a resident of Idaho; Otto, who is engaged in the abstract business and makes his home in Portland, Oregon; Winnifred, the wife of Clarence Loose, living in Washington, Iowa; A. R., who is attend- ing school at Evanston, Illinois; and Anita, now at Iowa City Col- lege.
The parents and children are members of the Evangelical church and the influence of the family has always been on the side of right, progress, truth and reform. In politics Mr. Messelheiser is a pro- gressive republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day and the attitude of the leading parties in respect to vital ques- tions. He displays little personal prejudice in his outlook over the important phases of life as affecting the material, intellectual, polit- ical and moral welfare and endeavors at all times to assist the com- munity in ways of public betterment.
J. M. BARKER.
It is fitting that after many years of active, persistent and suc- cessful effort J. M. Barker should enjoy a period of rest through the evening of life. For many years he was actively engaged in farming but is now living retired, for the fruits of his former toil are sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He has now reached the venerable age of seventy-five years, his birth having occurred in Oneida county, New York, on the 5th of May, 1838. He is a son of Miles and Melinda (Brace) Barker, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. Joab Brace, a brother of the grand- father of our subject, was a Presbyterian minister, devoting his life Vol TI-3
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
to his holy calling through a half century in one church, a length of service in one pastorate which is rarely equalled in this generation. Some of his children also became identified with the work of the ministry.
Miles Barker was a cooper by trade and also a farmer, devoting his life to the dual occupation. He always continued a resident of the Empire state and there passed away May 16, 1838, when his son, J. M. Barker, was but two weeks old. His widow survived him for more than four decades and died in Illinois, December 29, 1878. In the family were four children: A. B., and Sophia, both now deceased; Martha, the widow of N. Smith, of Chicago; and J. M.
J. M. Barker, reared to the occupation of farming, decided to make it his life work and his early training and experience well qualified him for his later labors. In 1856, when eighteen years of age, he left New York and made his way to Illinois, where he fol- lowed farming until 1861. He was thereafter connected with mer- cantile interests in Chicago for ten years and later was upon the road as a traveling salesman, representing sewing machine supplies. In 1874 he came to Sheffield, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and in 1875 purchased one hundred and sixty more. Four years later in 1879 he moved from Chicago to Frank- lin, Iowa. He added to this property by additional purchases and thereafter continued to carry on general farming more or less suc- cessfully on three hundred and forty acres of land which he cultivated and improved, transforming wild land into richly productive fields.
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