USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 8
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In Franklin county Mr. Riddle was united in marriage to Miss Florence Rowe, a native of England and a sister of W. H. Rowe, a
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sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. They have a daughter, Lola, who is the wife of O. J. Clock, of Geneva, this county.
Mr. Riddle is a republican in his political views and made a commendable record as township trustee, in which capacity he served for six years. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Sheffield. He has remained a resident of Franklin county from his birth to the present time, and that his life has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers. Mr. Riddle has vivid recollections of early days and has witnessed the marked transformation which has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization.
SAMUEL BUTLER.
Samuel Butler, a valued and representative citizen of Hampton, living retired after a period of connection with agricultural interests of Franklin county dating from 1869, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, August 9, 1842. He is a son of John and Ann (Mc- Cammant) Butler, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa about 1875, locating at West Union. The father was a Baptist minister and also engaged in farming. He died in Kansas, and his wife passed away in Oklahoma. To their union were born eight children: Lewis, who died in the army during the Civil war; Samuel, of this review; Thomas, who has passed away; Rebecca Jane, the widow of F. Reddinger, of Sealy, Oklahoma; John, a resident of Jennings, Kansas; Sarah, the wife of Wilmer Seers, of Missouri; George, of Monroe, Wisconsin; and Zeblin, of Downs, Kansas.
Samuel Butler's entire active life was given over to agricultural pursuits. When he was twenty-three years of age he began farming in Green county, Wisconsin, and there remained for several years. In the spring of 1869 he came to Franklin county, this state, locat- ing in Ingham township, where he purchased one hundred and six and two-thirds acres of land. To this he afterward added from time to time, his property holdings finally comprising three hundred and twenty-seven acres. This place he operated for thirty-two years thereafter, steadily carrying forward the work of its cultivation and developing it into a valuable and productive farm. He continued
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active in its operation until 1901, when he bought five acres in the northeastern part of the corporation of Hampton and upon this property erected the comfortable modern home in which he is now spending his retired life.
On the Ist of December, 1864, Mr. Butler was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy E. Bailey, a native of Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of eight children: Annie, the wife of John Eitle, of Hampton; Dennis Franklin, a farmer in Ingham town- ship; Isabelle, the wife of A. C. Woodland, also of Ingham town- ship; Angeline, deceased ; Lloyd, of Denver, Iowa; Edith, the wife of L. E. Rosen, a farmer in Ingham township; Roy, who has passed away; and Clifford, operating the old homestead. Mr. Butler is a member of the Baptist church and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of his own earnest and persistent efforts.
JAMES A. SHEETS.
James A. Sheets, a well known farmer of Mott township, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, October 22, 1860, a son of Peter and Mary Ann (Russell) Sheets, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The father came to Franklin county in 1865 and bought a quarter section of land in Mott township. On his return journey to Virginia he stopped in Illinois, and there his death occurred in 1872. His wife and children made their home upon the farm in Franklin county now owned by the subject of this review. In this family were seven children: two who died in infancy ; Harriet, deceased ; Franklin P., of Des Moines; Caroline, the wife of Peter Nelson, of Ada, Minnesota; James A. ; and Peter, of Ada, Minnesota.
James A. Sheets was twelve years of age when his father died. and he and his brother took charge of the homestead, operating it together until 1893. In that year James A. Sheets purchased his brother's interests, and he has since managed the property alone. He engages in general farming and has met with a success which places him among the substantial and representative agriculturists of his locality.
On the 12th of February, 1895, Mr. Sheets was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret A. Slee, and they have become the parents
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of three children: Myrtle, who was born November 28, 1895; Mary, born July 8, 1897; and James A., born March 10, 1902. Mr. Sheets is a member of the Methodist church and in politics votes independently. He has been connected with agricultural interests of his township for over forty years and has accomplished a great deal of important work in the intervening period, contributing in substantial measure to the welfare and growth of the community and winning a gratifying personal success.
HENRY HELVIG.
Henry Helvig, living retired in Hampton, was born in Geneva township, this county, March 21, 1869. He is a son of George and Caroline (Liese) Helvig, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa in 1868 and settled in Geneva township, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred June 8, 1905. His wife survives him and makes her home in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Twelve children were born to their union: William, deceased; Henry, of this review; Anna, the wife of John Mohler, of Grant township; John, who has passed away; Emma, the wife of Fred Heins, of Geneva township; Edward, of Grant township; Sophie, the wife of Jake England, of Grant township; Susie, who married Gotleib Kracht, a resident of Emmetsburg, Iowa; Louisa, the wife of L. Meyer, of Lee township; Christina, who married A. Meyer. of Grant township; Carrie, who has passed away; and Esther, the wife of F. Mussigmann, of Grant township.
Henry Helvig was reared upon his father's homestead and remained upon it even after he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Grant township. He acquired this property when he was twenty-two years of age, and he afterward added to it a quarter sec- tion in Lee township. This property he managed for many years thereafter, developing it along practical and modern lines, and he eventually took his place among the leading farmers of his locality. In the course of years he acquired a comfortable competency and upon the Ist of March, 1913, retired from active life. He bought twelve and a half acres in the northeastern part of Hampton and there has erected a comfortable home.
On the 14th of December, 1899, Mr. Helvig was united in mar- riage to Miss Louisa Ahrens, a native of Butler county. Her father was born in Germany and came to Butler county in 1871, dying in
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Franklin county on the 28th of February, 1901. He was left an orphan and for many years followed the sea. He was the father of six children : Louisa, the wife of the subject of this review; Frank, who has passed away; William, of Dumont, lowa; Emma, the wife of C. Ray, of Eagle Grove, Wright county, Iowa; a son who died in infancy; and Carrie, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Anna Ahrens, who is the mother of Mrs. Helvig and who was Anna Dorn before her marriage and is a native of Germany, resides in Dumont, Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Helvig have become the parents of five children: Anna, who was born January 9, 1901 ; Viola, born May 18, 1903; Cora, born December 26, 1905; Lenora, born June 2, 1907; and Henrietta, born October 28, 1909.
Mr. Helvig is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Mrs. Helvig is a mem- ber of the Evangelical church. In 1900 he took the census of Grant and Osceola townships, and he has served as treasurer of the school board. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance in Hampton and has long been numbered among the most substantial and rep- resentative citizens of Franklin county.
FREDERICK HAUPT.
Frederick Haupt is a representative of a well known pioneer family of Franklin county and today one of the leading agriculturists of Osceola township, owning and operating the farm upon which he has resided since his childhood. He was born in Pennsylvania, September 22, 1852, and is a son of Frederick and Henrietta (Helmker) Haupt, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1850 and located in Pennsylvania, where they remained nine years. They settled in Franklin county, Iowa, in 1859, making their home upon a farm on section 28, Osceola township. Here the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred March 6, 1888. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred in January, 1910. To their union were born five children: Minnie and Carl, deceased; Frederick, of this review; Mary, who has passed away; and Henrietta, the wife of John Theis, of Grant township.
Frederick Haupt came to Franklin county with his parents in 1859 and was reared at home, becoming from his early childhood familiar with the details of farm operation. Upon the death of his
FREDERICK HAUPT AND FAMILY
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father he inherited the homestead and upon this still continues to reside, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. The prop- erty comprises two hundred and forty acres on section 28, Osceola township, and is well improved in every particular, reflecting the care and supervision of the owner, who is a progressive and prac- tical agriculturist.
On the 29th of October, 1889, Mr. Haupt was united in mar- riage to Miss Ernestina Mutzell, a native of Germany, and they have become the parents of four children: John, Mary, Frederick and Ernestina. Mr. Haupt is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is inter- ested in the betterment of the community, where he has spent prac- tically his entire life, and he has rendered the township excellent service as a member of the school board. He is a man of many sterling traits of character, capable in business, progressive in citizen- ship and at all times trustworthy and reliable.
B. D. HUNT.
B. D. Hunt, cashier of the Geneva Savings Bank, was born in Butler county, Iowa, February 18, 1870. He is a son of Franklin H. and Sarah (Davis) Hunt, natives of New York. The father engaged in the mercantile business until his death, and his wife sur- vives him, making her home in Osage, Iowa. To their union were born five children: B. D., of this review; Harry L., of Madison, Wisconsin ; Florence, who makes her home in Osage, Iowa; and Lee and Hazel, also residents of Osage.
B. D. Hunt acquired his education in the public schools of But- ler county, and since the beginning of his active career has been con- nected with the banking business. He began as clerk in a bank at Clarksville and was identified with a bank at Waterloo. In 1894 he moved to Hampton and entered the Citizens National Bank as clerk, resigning this position in order to become connected with the Bank of Hampton. In 1905 he and his associates bought out the former owners of the Geneva Savings Bank and Mr. Hunt was made cashier, a position which he has since filled with credit and ability.
On April 23, 1893, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Rose A. McCreary, a native of Butler county, and they have become the parents of two children, Frank A. and Ardis. Mr. Hunt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he gives his political Fol 11-6
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allegiance to the republican party, serving for two years as city clerk of Hampton. He holds a high place in financial circles, and his judgment is considered sound and reliable on all matters connected with his special line.
BENJAMIN G. CUNNINGHAM.
Benjamin G. Cunningham, a well known, highly respected and influential citizen of Alexander, is spending the evening of life in honorable retirement and justly merits the ease and comfort which he now enjoys. His birth occurred in Randolph county, Indiana, on the 21st of October, 1844, his parents being Stephen B. and Mary P. (McPherson) Cunningham, the former born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of April, 1813, and the latter in Miami county, Ohio, on the 20th of January, 1823. In June, 1854, they came overland to Iowa, taking up their abode among the earliest residents of Anamosa, Jones county. A year later they removed to Hardin county and on the Ist of October, 1855, located on a farm two and a half miles northeast of Steamboat Rock. The district was but wild, unbroken prairie and the nearest trading points were Iowa City and Dubuque. Stephen B. Cunningham passed away at Chadron, Nebraska, in April, 1892, while the demise of his wife occurred at that place in April, 1889. Their family numbered thir- teen children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, as follows: Benjamin G., of this review; Mrs. Phoebe A. Root, of Howard, South Dakota; Mrs. Martha M. Wardwell, who passed away in May, 1912; Stephen L., a resident of Pasadena, California; and Mrs. Cora Clark, living in Saskatchewan, Canada. Nora died at the age of thirteen years. The four oldest children of the family were born in Indiana, while the rest were natives of Iowa.
Benjamin G. Cunningham, who was about ten years of age when he came to this state with his parents, remained on the home farm until July, 1863, when he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company G, Ninth Iowa Cavalry. He was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 3d of February, 1866, and finally discharged at Davenport, Iowa. His health was much impaired when he returned from the war, and he did not regain his normal strength until an entire year had passed. He was employed as clerk in a store for one year and following his marriage turned
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his attention to general agricultural pursuits, being engaged in farm- ing until the fall of 1873. During the next nine years he worked as a clerk in Steamboat Rock, while subsequently he conducted a harness shop at that place for two years. In 1884 he came to Hamp- ton, Franklin county, and was here engaged in the harness business until 1892, when he returned to the farm, continuing its operation for four years. On the expiration of that period, in 1896, he disposed of the property and returned to Hampton, again embarking in the harness business here. In April, 1897, he was elected superintend- ent of waterworks in Hampton and in the following year sold his harness shop but continued to serve as superintendent of waterworks until 1902. In June of that year he resigned his position and pur- chased a comfortable home in Alexander, where both he and his estimable wife are spending their declining years. Mr. Cunningham has always been a loyal and public-spirited citizen of the com- munity, ably serving as superintendent of roads in Scott township, while for the past four years he has acted as superintendent and manager of the Farmers Cooperative Creamery of Alexander.
On the 12th of October, 1867, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Wales, who was born in Macomb county, Michigan, on the 13th of August, 1845, her parents being Albion W. and Henrietta (Walton) Wales, the former born in New York on the 12th of October, 1813, and the latter near Utica, that state, on the 13th of September, 1820. In 1866 they established their home at Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, Iowa. Albion W. Wales there served as justice of the peace for a score of years and was one of the town's most influential citizens. His demise occurred at Steam- boat Rock on the 11th of April, 1891, while his wife there passed away on the 24th of September, 1884. Their three children, all natives of Macomb county, Michigan, were as follows: Mrs. Marietta Spencer, who died on the 20th of January, 1896; James P .; and Mrs. Josephine Cunningham. Our subject and his wife have one son, Bennie Wales Cunningham, whose birth occurred in Steam- boat Rock, Iowa, on the 19th of November, 1871, and who now resides on a farm near Steele, Kidder county, North Dakota. He acquired his education in the graded and high schools at Hampton, Iowa, and also completed a course in bookkeeping. He is the father of eight children, namely: Clare, Boyd D., Wilma, Nona G., Howard, Harry, Lloyd and Raymond. The three eldest are high- school students at Steele, North Dakota. The five eldest children are natives of Franklin county, Iowa, while the three younger were born near Steele, North Dakota.
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Benjamin G. Cunningham is a republican in his political views and has always been an active worker in the local ranks of the party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Alexander, to which his wife also belongs. He is likewise connected with J. W. Mckenzie Post, No. 81, G. A. R., of Hampton, and thus still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. Mr. Cunningham has now passed the sixty-ninth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded cne who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
FRED L. MEYER.
Fred L. Meyer, a native son of Franklin county and during the entire period of his active life connected with agricultural interests here, was born on the farm he now operates December 1, 1880. He is a son of William and Emily (Surles) Meyer, the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, born in 1841, and the latter of Hardin county, Iowa. The father came to America with his parents when he was ten years of age and settled in Illinois, whence he afterward moved to Grundy county, Iowa. Later he took up his residence in Frank- lin county, this state, buying a half section of land on sections 10, 15 and 16, Grant township. This property he improved and operated, carrying on general farming and stock-raising until within three years of his death, which occurred April 11, 1906. He and his wife became the parents of four children: Fred L., of this review; a son who died in infancy ; Clara, the wife of Lars H. Green, of Grant town- ship; and Anthony Wayne.
Fred L. Meyer was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools of Grant township. At the age of twenty-two he took charge of the homestead, which comprises a half section of land on sections 10, 15 and 16. He has met with most gratifying success in the conduct of his farming interests and takes rank with the most progressive and representative agriculturists of the vicinity. He married Miss Clara Christman, a native of Stephenson county, Illinois, and they have become the parents of three children: Lavern Arthur, who was born July 15, 1904; Nina Lucile, born October 17, 1908; and Thelma May, born May 6, 1913. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Christian church and connected fraternally with the
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Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is at present serving as township trustee. Although still a young man, he has already been carried forward into important relations with agricultural interests, and his record is a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in his locality.
DAVID W. EVANS.
David W. Evans, who during a period of connection with the bar of Franklin county dating from 1903 until his death, on the 14th of September, 1913, won a position of honor and distinction among the leading lawyers of Hampton, was born in Racine, Wisconsin, April 10, 1858. He was a son of Evan J. and Ann (Davis) Evans, natives of Wales. He acquired his education in the public schools of Racine, Wisconsin, and later entered Iowa State University, grad- uating from the liberal arts course in 1886 and from the law course in 1891. For two years following the completion of his studies he practiced his profession in Des Moines and from there went to Pipe- stone, Minnesota, where he resided until his brother, W. D. Evans, of Hampton, was elected district judge in the fall of 1902, when he came to Hampton and took up his brother's practice. He remained a resident of this city until his death, building up a large and rep- resentative patronage connecting him with a great deal of important litigation, and he became known as one of the foremost lawyers in this section of the state.
On the 11th of January, 1899, Mr. Evans married Miss Chell Brundage, a native of Michigan City, Indiana. They became the parents of two children: Lyman Parker, who has passed away; and Walter Chapin.
Mr. Evans was a member of the Congregational church, gave his political allegiance to the republican party and belonged to the Knights of Pythias. Some idea of his standing in the eyes of the community may be gained from the following paragraph taken from a local newspaper. "David Evans' death comes as a personal loss, not only to his family and relatives, but to a host of warm friends, who regarded him as one of nature's noblemen. Born of a long line of righteous ancestors, from them he inherited his stalwart character and spiritual nature. He was always genial, gentle and non-aggres- sive in temperament and at heart was tender as a child. He was a lawyer of fine ability and honored his calling. Its smaller contro-
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versies did not hold his attention but he handled its larger questions with a master mind. His kindness and integrity made him a trusted counselor. Words cannot describe the sorrow now in his home where he was always cheerful-a comrade, friend and lover. A happy marriage; two little sons, one of blessed memory and one a sturdy lad of ten years, made the relations of an ideal home. Friends gathered around him naturally and loved him. In his associations with them his larger knowledge of interesting things, easy familiarity with literature, keen sense of humor and ready wit, made him a prince. In literature he had also creative ability and if his bedtime stories to his boy could be gathered up and printed, the volume would be a classic for children. So much for gifts, but his real strength was righteousness, which he carried into every phase of his daily life. David Evans will be missed in the business and social circles of Hampton where he took an active part. His cheery greeting will be missed by countless acquaintances. The world needs men like him. Humanity needs men of his type."
LESTER BROWN CARHART.
Lester Brown Carhart, a prosperous and prominent citizen of Franklin county, is engaged in the general banking, real-estate and insurance business as sole owner of the Sheffield Bank, which he established on the Ist of January, 1880, in partnership with Messrs. Taylor and Evans. His birth occurred near Syracuse, New York, on the Ist of January, 1850, his parents being John and Angelina (Cheseboro) Carhart, likewise natives of the Empire state. In 1855 they settled on a farm in Scott county, Iowa, but in 1871 John Car- hart disposed of the property and removed to Grinnell, Poweshiek county, this state, where he passed away at the age of seventy-two years. The demise of his wife occurred in Scott county when she had attained the age of fifty-five.
Lester B. Carhart was five years of age when the family home was established on a farm in Scott county, Iowa, and there attended the district schools in the acquirement of his early education. At the age of seventeen he entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and after completing the classical course spent a year as prin- cipal of schools at Eldora, Hardin county, Iowa. In 1873 he embarked in the book and music business at Hampton in association with T. B. Taylor, his college classmate, and a year later purchased
LESTER B. CARHART
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his partner's interest, continuing the enterprise alone for four years. Subsequently he was engaged in the lumber business at Grinnell in partnership with his father and brother for two years. On the Ist of January, 1880, he formed a partnership with T. B. Taylor and W. D. Evans, now Judge Evans of the supreme court, for the conduct of a banking business in Sheffield. They occupied a frame building on the same corner where the present institution stands, and the name Sheffield Bank was adopted at the beginning. The partnership was maintained for a period of eighteen years or until 1899, when Mr. Carhart purchased the others' interests and became sole proprietor. He carries on a general banking, real-estate and insurance business, and the continued growth and success of the institution are ample evidence of his splendid executive ability and keen discernment. Mr. Carhart is likewise the vice president of the Sheffield Brick & Tile Company, a concern which was organized five years ago and of which our subject and his sons are the con- trolling stockholders. He also acts as vice president of the Grinnell Canning Company at Grinnell, Iowa.
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