USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 17
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Dr. Johnson had been married on the 28th of December, 1871, to Miss Lydia H. Brown, the wedding being celebrated in Geneseo, Illinois, where the lady had resided from her fourth year. Her parents, Frederick P. and Harriet M. (Ben- nett) Brown, were both natives of Onondaga county, New York, and about 1852 removed to Geneseo, Illinois, where the death of Mr. Brown occurred in 1891. He was a farmer through the period of his active business life but for several years lived retired. Following his demise Mrs. Brown took up her abode in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Johnson, in Maquoketa, with whom she spent the last thir- teen years of her life, her death occurring in 1904.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Johnson were born five children, of whom two died in infancy. Elza C., the eldest of the three surviving children, is a graduate of the law department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City of the class of 1893 and is now located at Cedar Rapids. Dr. George M. Johnson, the second son, received his classical education in the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1897. He then entered Rush Medical College of Chicago and is numbered among its alumni of 1901. He has since practiced his profession and is now recognized as a leading physician of Marshalltown. Norma L., after grad- uating from the Maquoketa high school with the class of 1905, attended Oberlin (Ohici College for eighteen months, when she was obliged to discontinue her studies on account of her health. Mrs. Johnson and her daughter are active mem-
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bers of the Congregational church and both are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Johnson also belongs to the Ladies Relief Corps and to various social and charitable organizations. She and her daughters are also members of the P. E. O., a sorority organization and Mrs. Johnson belongs to the Woman's Club. She exerts a wide influence in the literary and social circles of the city and also in support of the benevolent and chari- table interests. The Johnson residence, on Locust and Eliza streets, is one of the most handsome homes in Maquoketa and is the abode of a gracious and warm- hearted hospitality.
RILEY STRUBLE.
Riley Struble, who is now living retired in Maquoketa, was formerly for many years actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 26th of August, 1844, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Hutchison) Struble. The father's birth occurred at Graysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1821, and the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day in Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 22d of May, 1822. Their mar- riage was celebrated in Trumbull county, Ohio, in the year 1842. In April, 1852. they made their way to Jackson county, Iowa, William Struble trading a team, harness and wagon for one hundred and sixty acres of land in Perry township. He found thereon a log cabin with a clapboard roof and made his home in this pioneer structure for eight or nine years. On the expiration of that period the primitive dwelling was replaced by a more commodious and substantial residence, and Mr. Struble likewise erected a good barn and other buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In addition to his agricultural interests he also conducted a nursery and in 1873, finding that the latter branch of his business was growing rapidly, he purchased thirty-four acres of ground on West Platte street, Maquo- keta, where he took up his abode and devoted his time and energies to his nursery interests for a period of nine or ten years. At the end of that time he retired from active life, and his remaining days were spent in a fine home which he had erected in the city of Maquoketa. In 1892, at Maquoketa, he and his wife cele- brated their golden wedding, having traveled life's journey happily together for a half century.
In his political views William Struble was a stanch republican but he had no desire for the honors and emoluments of public office. On the 22d of April, 1895, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose remains were interred in the cemetery at Maquoketa. When he passed away on the 4th of September, 1900, the community lost one of its most substantial, respected and enterprising residents. His family numbered seven children, as follows: Jane, who is deceased; Riley, of this review; Asa, living in South Fork township. Jackson county; Lucy, the widow of Henderson Mccluskey, of Sioux City, Iowa; and Mary, Louisa and Addie, all of whom have passed away.
Riley Struble, who acquired his education in the common schools, remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of eighteen years, when he
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enlisted in defense of the Union as a member of Company B, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. At the end of twenty-two months' service he was dis- charged on account of physical disability, but after regaining his health he reen- listed on the 5th of October, 1864, becoming a member of Company C, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. With that command he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Haines' Bluff, Arkansas Post and Jackson, Mississippi, and in the Vicksburg campaign, during which he remained in the vicinity of the city for forty-one days. He went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and across the Carolinas to Washington, and during the march his regiment took part in several hard fought battles, including those at Savannah, Georgia, Salkehatchie Swamp, South Carolina, and Benton- ville, North Carolina. He likewise participated in a number of skirmishes. When his term of service had expired he was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, and returned home with a most creditable military record.
On once more taking up the pursuits of civil life Mr. Struble rented a farm in Jackson county and gave his attention to its operation for three years. At the end of that time he purchased a tract of eighty acres of land in Grundy county, Iowa, brought the place under a high state of cultivation and improvement and made his home thereon for eighteen years. In 1887 he removed to Cass county, this state, residing on a farm there for seven years, on the expiration of which period he took up his abode in York county, Nebraska. After six years he dis- posed of his property there and came to Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa, where he is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease. His home place, comprising a tract of five acres situated a mile from the courthouse, is one of the most beautiful spots in the city.
In 1872 Mr. Struble was united in marriage to Miss Alice Kennedy, whose birth occurred in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of August, 1847, her parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (McGrew) Kennedy, natives of the Key- stone state. They came to this county in 1865 and here spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in May, 1874, while the mother's demise occurred on the 20th of August, 1884. Unto them were born thirteen children, five of whom still survive, namely: Mrs. L. M. Hamilton, of Clinton, Iowa ; Mrs. Sarah Laughlin, of Grant City, Missouri; Mrs. Struble; J. M., living in Chicago, Illinois ; and J. F., who is a resident of Forsyth, Montana.
Mr. and Mrs. Struble are the parents of four children. William Arthur, who is a graduate of the Creston (Iowa) Business College, is now employed as a rail- way mail clerk in Chicago. Carl Kennedy, a graduate of Dr. Still's School of Osteopathy at Des Moines, Iowa, is now located at Hastings, Nebraska. During the Spanish-American war he joined Company A, First Nebraska Infantry, and served with that command for one year. Aldo Riley, who completed a theologi- cal course at Grand Island, Nebraska, is a minister of the Baptist denomination and is now residing near Port Arthur, Texas, to recuperate his health. Frank Howard, who was in the United States navy for four years, sailed around the world and, being able to secure a furlough at every stop, has thus gained much valuable knowledge of the different countries.
Politically Mr. Struble is a stalwart advocate of the republican party, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to
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.
serve in all of the township offices. He belongs to A. W. Drips Post, No. 74, G. A. R., and thus still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles, and in his relations with his fellowmen he displays sub- stantial qualities and a kindly and just spirit, which have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been associated.
WALTER H. MYATT.
Walter H. Myatt, one of the most successful agriculturists and respected citizens of South Fork township, was born in Clinton county, Iowa, on the 15th of August, 1869. His parents, Simon and Louisa (Sheppard) Myatt, were both natives of Birmingham, England, where they remained until after their marriage, sailing for the new world about 1866. They established their home in Clinton county, Iowa, where they remained for three or four years and then came to Maquoketa, Jackson county, where the death of the father occurred in 1872, when his son Walter was but three years of age. The mother still survives and makes her home with our subject. Following her husband's death, however, she returned to England with her two sons but was not satisfied to remain in that country, for she had come to know of the broader business opportunities of the new world, where advancement is more quickly secured, and after two years spent in England she again came to the United States. Locating in Iowa, she has since lived in Clinton and Jackson counties. Hon. Fred W. Myatt, the brother of the gentleman whose name initiates this review, is a prominent and leading attorney of Maquoketa and is also serving as mayor of the city at the present time.
Walter H. Myatt was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in pursuit of an education. He was but twelve years of age when, in association with his brother, Fred W., a lad of fifteen, he rented and began the operation of the home farm, the two boys thus working in partner- ship until the elder had attained his majority and left the old homestead. At that time Mr. Myatt of this review assumed the management of the place alone, devoting his energies to its further cultivation and improvement until the winter of 1895-6, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm in South Fork township and there took up his abode on the 4th of December, 1895. The following year he bought an adjoining tract of sixty- five acres, so that his home farm now embraces two hundred and twenty-five acres of rich and productive land. In 1907 he purchased ten acres of timber land in South Fork township and in 1908 came into possession of another tract of one hundred and sixty-three acres, one hundred and twenty-three acres of which lies in Monmouth township and the remaining forty acres in South Fork township. This latter place is seeded to grass and is used by Mr. Myatt as a stock farm. He makes no specialty of any particular breed of cattle but it has always been his aim to produce the highest grades. For the past nine years he has fed from one to two carloads of cattle annually and
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this branch of his business has proved a splendid source of income to him. He has met with unbounded success in his undertakings and deserves to be classed with the prosperous and leading citizens of the community.
On the 23d of February, 1893, Mr. Myatt was united in marriage to Miss Emily Ruggeburg, of Lost Nation, Clinton county, Iowa, and unto them were born two children, Howard H. and Leon E. The wife and mother passed away on the 23d of March, 1902, her loss coming as a deep blow to an exten- sive circle of friends as well as to her immediate family. On the 20th of December, 1909, Mr. Myatt entered the bonds of matrimony a second time by leading to the altar Miss Agnes Jerguson, of Mitchell, South Dakota, an estimable young lady endowed with all the qualities necessary to make a good helpmeet for her husband.
In his political views Mr. Myatt is a stanch republican and is now serving as the capable incumbent in the position of township assessor, which office he has held for nine years. For three years he has also acted as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart cham- pion. Fraternally he is identified with Peerless Lodge, No. 60, K. P., and Ben De Meer Temple, No. 12, D. O. K. K. He is also a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life has been in harmony with its teachings. His salient characteristics command for him the confidence and good will of all with whom he comes in contact and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
ISAAC B. SMITH.
Isaac B. Smith, a veteran of the Civil war and well known as a represen- tative of agricultural and commercial interests in Jackson county, is now engaged in pork packing in Maquoketa, in which connection he has developed a growing and profitable business. He was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, August 3, 1842, and is a son of William and Mary (Batzell) Smith, both of whom were also natives of the Keystone state, where they were reared and married and spent their entire lives.
In his boyhood days Isaac B. Smith remained under the parental roof and his education was acquired in the common schools, after which he served an apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's and carpenter's trades. His term of indenture began in 1860 and continued until August, 1862, when he could no longer content himself to remain at home while his country was involved in civil war. Offering his aid to the government, he enlisted in Company D, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until peace was restored, when he was mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, in June, 1865. On the 25th or 26th of May, while under Butler, about one third of the army were captured and one third of the company to which Mr. Smith belonged were killed or taken prisoners. On the 3d of June, 1864, at the battle of Cold Harbor, he was wounded and was twice captured and disarmed and driven back on the same day before Richmond, but before he and his comrades were
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taken into custody the Black cavalry repulsed the Confederate forces and Mr. Smith rejoined the remnant of his regiment.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Smith resumed his appren- ticeship and continued thus to work for a year. He was afterward employed as a journeyman until 1868, when he engaged in the butchering business at Hamburg, Pennsylvania. There he remained until 1877, when he came to Maquoketa, and in 1878 turned his attention to farming in South Fork town- ship. Year after year he carefully tilled the fields and cultivated his crops until 1896, when he retired from the farm and established his present pork packing plant, which he has since successfully conducted, developing it from a small beginning to one of large proportions. The growth of the business is indicated in the fact that he has killed as high as thirteen hundred hogs in a year and his output finds a ready sale on the market.
In 1866 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Anna Smith, and unto them were born two children: Lilly M., now the wife of Henry Neyer, of Los Angeles, California; and Anna M. R., the wife of William Vopell, of Monmouth town- ship. The wife and mother passed away in 1869 and in 1872 Mr. Smith mar- ried Miss Emma M. Bleiler, of Berks county, Pennsylvania. The only child of this marriage is deceased. Mr. Smith is a man of socialistic tendencies and at one time was a candidate for representative on the ticket of the people's party. He and his wife hold membership in the German Reformed church. His business record has been characterized by unquestioned industry, unabat- ing energy and unassailable commercial integrity, and the enterprise which he has developed constitutes one of the important business concerns of Maquoketa.
GIDEON C. ELLIS, D. D. S.
The practice of dentistry is unique in that its demands are of a threefold nature. The practitioner must possess not only a scientific knowledge but also marked mechanical skill and ingenuity, combined with the ability to control carefully the financial side of the business. Dr. Gideon C. Ellis is manifesting his aptitude in all these lines as he practices the profession of dental surgery in connection with his father and brother under the firm style of Dr. G. Ellis & Sons. He was born in Maquoketa, November 5, 1880, was reared in his father's home and in the public schools passed through consecu- tive grades until he became a high school student. He made his initial step in the business world when seventeen years of age as a salesman in the cloth- ing store of M. S. Dunn & Company. He was there employed for eight months, after which he resigned his position, for he had determined to engage in the practice of dentistry as a life work. He therefore began studying in his father's office and not only perused the standard text-books but also assisted his father in various ways until the fall of 1899, when he entered the dental department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City. Completing the full course there, he was graduated in the class of 1903 and returning to
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Maquoketa was associated with his father for one year. In the fall of 1904 he went to Bellevue, this state, where he opened an office and successfully practiced until March, 1909, when he returned to his native city and has since been identified with his father in a practice which is of extensive and growing proportions. He manifests skill of a high order, and the office of the firm is one of the best equipped in eastern Iowa.
Dr. Ellis was married to Miss Grace L. Swigart, a daughter of J. M. Swig- art, of Maquoketa, now deceased. The young couple have one child, Jean- nette. Dr. Ellis holds membership in Bellevue Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M .; Peerless Lodge, No. 60, K. P .; and Ben De Meer Temple, No. 12, D. O. K. K. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Ellis is a soloist of some note and frequently sings in the Congregational church. She acquired her musical education in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music, in the Omaha Conservatory of Music and also by special training under a private instructor in Chicago, and her pronounced ability makes her a favorite in musical circles of the city. Dr. Ellis belongs to the Maquoketa Commercial Club and is a typical American citizen, interested and alert for the benefit of the city in all lines of general progress and improvement.
SIDNEY J. TUBBS.
Retiring in 1908 from farm life, Sidney J. Tubbs took up his abode in Maquoketa where he is now conducting a feed barn. He was born in this city, February 17, 1849, and is a son of Sidney D. and Amanda (Griffin) Tubbs, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, where their youthful days were passed and their marriage celebrated. Sometime in the '40s they came to Jackson county, being numbered among those pioneer settlers whose industry constituted the magic wand that transformed the district from a wild western wilderness into one of the richest agricultural sections of the state.
Sidney J. Tubbs was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools of Maquoketa and after his school days were over he assisted his father on the farm and in his milling business until his twenty-seventh year. He was married when thirty-two years of age to Miss Ann E. Grant, a daughter of William C. and Mary (Chandler) Grant, who were among the early settlers of Jackson county. Following his marriage, which was celebrated February 1, 1881, Mr. Tubbs began farming for himself on a tract of land of one hundred and thirty acres which he had purchased from his father some years before and which is divided by the boundary line between South Fork and Maquo- keta townships. Later Mr. Tubbs added to the property which now com- prises one hundred and forty-five acres of rich and highly cultivated land. Year by year he carefully carried on the work of the fields and gathered rich harvests as the reward of his labors. He was thus busily employed until October, 1908, when he purchased a feed barn in Maquoketa and again took
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up his abode in this city, since which time he has given his attention to the conduct of the barn and is doing a good business in this connection.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tubbs have been born three children, but only one is now living, Archie L., who works with his father in the feed barn. In poli- tics Mr. Tubbs is a democrat but has never been an office seeker. He has lived in Jackson county for sixty-one years and is well known as a progres- sive and prosperous citizen, who has never had a lawsuit nor served as a wit- ness. He has ever endeavored to live peacefully with all men, faithfully per- forming his duties and meeting the obligations of life, and wherever known he is held in high esteem and friendly regard. In all his married life he has never been away from his family over night, except one week when he at- tended the state fair, two years ago.
FORREST M. MILES.
Forrest M. Miles is known as one of the leading citizens of Miles, for he has manifested the same loyalty and interest in public affairs and in matters of citizenship that he displayed when he served as a soldier in the Union army on the battlefields of the south. He is now living retired but for a long period he was identified with the agricultural interests of Van Buren township and later was foremost in laying out the village of Miles and has always occupied an important position relative to its growth and prosperity.
He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 14, 1840, his parents being Justin and Harriet (Rice) Miles, both natives of Vermont. The birth of the father occurred February 22, 1793, and the mother was born August 13, 1805. Justin Miles came from Ohio to Jackson county, Iowa, October 19, 1855, and bought a farm on the border of Van Buren township, where the town of Miles is now located, and for a long time his place was commonly called Miles Corners. There he engaged in farming with fair success and lived until his death, which occurred January 15, 1870. He and his wife were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, as follows: Forrest M., the subject of this sketch; Justin W., a resident of Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa; Orson, of Stanwood, Cedar county, Iowa; H. A., of Miles; Sarah, who is the widow of John Deming, of Rhodes, Iowa; and Harriet, who is the wife of M. J. Rigby, of Mount Ver- non, Iowa.
Forrest M. Miles received his education in the public schools of Ohio, although he was only fifteen years of age when his parents established their home in Jackson county, Iowa, for after coming here he had to devote his time to the farm as his father had been injured and was unable to work. He was thus employed until the IIth of August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A. Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During the period of his service he participated in many of the important battles of the Civil war, including the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Champion's Hill, and was wounded at Ce- dar Creek, October 19, 1864. He was always at his post of duty and on the 14th of April, 1865, he received his honorable discharge from the army. Mr. Miles then returned to his home and as soon as his wound permitted assisted in operat-
FORREST M. MILES
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ing the farm until his father died, when he assumed full charge of the place. He met with gratifying success in his undertakings, but in 1871, when the rail- road was built through Jackson county, recognizing the large opportunities for a flourishing town, he laid out the village of Miles and divided his farm into lots. At one time he owned all the real estate of the town but has since disposed of the greater part of it and is living in comparative retirement. He still owns a farm in Van Buren township, which his son is operating, and the place in Miles where he lives, his house being situated on the same spot where his father had built his dwelling. The older building has been moved away. When the village grew and prospered and the needs of the citizens required a bank, Mr. Miles was instrumental in organizing the Miles Savings Bank, of which he was elected president on its incorporation. In this capacity he has continued to render effective service to the present, for his interest in the town did not cease with the platting of lots; on the contrary he has given patent evidence on many occasions that he is deeply concerned for its welfare and determined upon its progress.
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