USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 29
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WILLIAM EATON.
The name of Eaton is an old and familiar one in agricultural circles in Jackson county, its members being identified therewith since 1846. William Eaton was born on the farm on which he now makes his home, January 30, 1864, a son of Miles Eaton. The father is a native of Cortland county, New York, born on the 17th of September, 1827, and was a lad of nine years when he removed to the west, locating in Illinois. He was there reared to the age of nineteen years and then, in 1846, came to Jackson county, Iowa. For a year thereafter he made his home with a brother-in-law, Lyman Bates, and subsequently entered eighty acres of land from the government. This tract is located in Maquoketa township and from that date to the present has been the home of the family. Miles Eaton at once located on his newly acquired possessions and immediately began to improve and develop the place. In due time he had his land divided into fields of convenient size and from the well cultivated soil reaped abundant harvests. Mr. Eaton was married after coming to Jackson county, the lady of his choice being Miss Adeline Taylor, who was born in Warren county, New York, October 26, 1829. On this farm they reared their family and here the wife and mother passed away in 1904, at the age of seventy-five. The father still survives and is now eighty-two years old. He still makes his home on the farm, which is being operated by his two sons William and Myron. In his family were six children, namely: Myron,
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Lucy and William, all at home; Emma, the wife of Louis Riedinger, of Ma- quoketa township ; Alvira, the deceased wife of Otto Romer ; and Miles Kemp, who wedded Miss Mary Kramer and is engaged in farming in Clinton county, Iowa.
William Eaton, the immediate subject of this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads of the period, assisting in the work of the fields from the time he was able to handle a plow during the spring and summer seasons, while in the winter months he pur- sued his studies in the district schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty years of age, and then, wishing to establish a home and engage in business on his own account, made the first step in this direction by his marriage to Miss Lottie Tubbs, in 1884. He took his bride to a farm belonging to a brother in Jackson county and there they began their domestic life, making their home thereon for seven years. In the meantime, Mr. Eaton had accumulated some money, which he invested in sixty-seven acres of land in Clinton county, this state. He then took up his abode on this place, and it was there that there that the wife passed away on the 3d of January, 1899, at a comparatively early age. She was a daughter of Harris Tubbs, a farmer of Jackson county, and by her marriage became the mother of five children, who are left to mourn her loss. These are: Blanche, the wife of Charles Small, a resident of Maquoketa; Glen A., at home; Frank C., who is now in Montana; Beulah Myrtle, who lives with an aunt in Cookston, Minnesota ; and Clarence K., at home.
Subsequent to the death of the wife and mother, Mr. Eaton with his chil- dren, returned to the home of his father in Jackson county, and since that time has been engaged in operating the homestead property. Although Mr. Eaton lives in a township which is largely democratic, he is a republican and his popularity is manifest by his election to public office, for like his father, he has for many years been a school director and in November, 1908, was elected trustee of the township. The family is one of prominence in both business and social circles and the work of agricultural development and improvement which was begun by the father in Jackson county more than six decades ago is still continued by the sons, who are enterprising and progressive farmers, now operating four hundred and eighty acres of land. Their methods, too, are most honorable so that their splendid success is well deserved.
CHARLES WYCKOFF.
A mind filled with interesting reminiscences of more than seventy years' res- idence in Jackson county makes Charles Wyckoff one of the most honored and valued citizens of this part of the state. He was about six months old when his father, Colonel R. B. Wyckoff, came to this county from Michigan, arriving on the first day of September, 1838. Charles Wyckoff had been born in the Wol- verine state in March of that year, and upon the wild western frontier he was reared. It was no unusual thing to see Indians, while deer and lesser game were
CHARLES WYCKOFF
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to be had in abundance. One could ride for miles across the prairie without coming to a fence or house to impede his progress. Cooking was largely done over the fireplace and the homes of the settlers were widely scattered but true hospitality reigned supreme and the latchstring was ever out, bespeaking the hospitable reception which awaited the newcomer. As he grew in years and strength, Mr. Wickoff assisted in the arduous task of developing the home farm, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He first attended school when seven years of age in an old log schoolhouse situated about three miles from his home, and a furrow was plowed from his home to the schoolhouse to enable the children to follow it without losing their way and to avoid rattle- snakes, which were numerous at that time. His experiences were those that usually fall to the lot of the farm boy on the frontier.
Mr. Wyckoff was married on the 18th of September, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Wyckoff, who was born at Valona Springs, New York, August II, 1835. On coming to Iowa in 1855 she settled in Van Buren township and two years later gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Wyckoff. Unto them were born eight children, all of whom are yet living with the exception of a daughter Alice, who died at the age of two years. The others are: Theodore, now of Charter Oak, Iowa; Mrs. John Gries, of Ute, Iowa; Henry, Sam and Mrs. David Smith, who are residents of Lyons ; Edwin, who is residing in Clinton; and John, whose home is in Green Island, Jackson county. Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff lived to celebrate their golden wedding, which was observed in appropriate manner at the old homestead upon which Mr. Wyckoff has spent his entire life. There were probably about five hundred people who called on that day, extending their heartiest congratula- tions and good wishes, while many substantial tokens of good will were received. One of the local papers stated: "Early in the morning of the eventful day, even when the rain was falling in torrents, the earliest arrivals were wending their way to the Wyckoff home. When at 9 o'clock the sun came out there started a procession of carriages that never halted throughout the day and far into the night." At 2 o'clock the assembled guests gathered on the lawn with Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff, and a few friends seated themselves on the porch. On that occa- sion Mr. A. L. Bartholomew said : "I esteem it a great privilege on this occasion to present to you the congratulations and best wishes of your old neighbors and friends. Fifty years ago today before Thomas Pearson, justice of the peace, you and your esteemed wife plighted to each other the vows which made you husband and wife-to travel down life's journey together. You have reached the fiftieth anniversary, which custom recognizes as your golden wedding. Only one couple out of every seven hundred and twenty-eight reach their fiftieth anniversary. While the event brings emotions of esteem and friendship to your friends, what must it bring to your own hearts as you are today surrounded by your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and in the presence of this throng of friends all anxious to clasp your hands in token of respect and esteem? Your successes have been enjoyed together and your sorrows have been borne with fortitude and patience, each with the other. Those emotions none can appreciate or realize except by experience and if they bring tears they are tears of joy and happiness in the thought that God in His infinite mercy has seen fit to permit you both to see this day and have your children and their children and
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the children's children gather around your home and hearthstone, tender their affection and rise up and call you blessed. A greater orator once said, 'The holiest temple beneath the stars is a home that love has built and the holiest altar in all the wide world is the fireside around which gather father and mother and chil- dren,' and surely with this beautiful thought and reflection your happiness on this occasion should be as nearly complete as can come to ordinary humanity." Mr. Bartholomew also referred to the fact which is widely known in this com- munity of the many acts of charity and kindness on the part of Mr. Wyckoff, and also the great aid and comfort which he has extended in cases of sickness and misfortune. He likewise spoke of the excellent work in promoting with untiring labor the task of beautifying and bringing to its present state of ornamentation what is known as the Van Buren cemetery, he being the leading spirit in the transformation there effected. Mr. Bartholomew was followed by the Hon. A. F. Dawson, who concluded his speech by presenting to Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff a number of substantial tokens of remembrance on the part of friends. In a letter Senator Thomas Lambert, who was unable to be present, said: "I feel that it will not be the event alone which calls forth the spontaneous demonstration of good will, love and affection with which you will be greeted as you are surrounded by hundreds of your friends and neighbors on that day, but rather will their offerings be a just recognition of the good deeds and the kind acts that have been characteristic of your lives from the earliest pioneer days in this locality to the present time. It will simply be the returning of the bread, as it were, that you have been casting upon the waters for the past half century and more. And yet we must approach this milestone on the pathway of life-the beautiful golden wedding-with the knowledge that under the immutable laws of nature, the meridian has been passed and as you approach the sunset of life may each recur- ring anniversary of your wedding day bring that peace and happiness which is consequent upon well spent lives, and your memories revert with sweet pleasure to that occasion when your friends so earnestly grasped the opportunity to fit- tingly express their approval and appreciation of your life's work."
In making the presentation speech Mr. Dawson said in part: "As you look back over that span of years your cup of joy should be filled to overflowing in contemplation of the wealth you have amassed in this life-not that mere wealth which is measured in cold dollars and cents, but that far richer and more sub- stantial wealth which is measured by the esteem of your friends. There are few ties in this world that are dearer than the bonds of friendship-not friendships formed in a day but the close friendship which only comes with years of associa- tion. It was of such ties that Petrarch so truly said that 'Nothing can be sweeter than friendship.' No man or no woman can possess a higher ambition in this life than to so live as to merit the esteem and friendship of his near neighbors and lifelong acquaintances. Fame, riches and power are fleeting and ephemeral things but the esteem of good men and good women is lasting and abiding-a fitting reward for a couple who have contributed so much to the welfare and comfort of those about them and who during the long years have been striving to advance the worthy objects in this community."
A few months passed and Mrs. Wyckoff was called to her final rest, her death occurring on the 16th of 'April, 1908. Her loss was a grievous one to the com-
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munity as well as to her husband and family. One of the local papers said : "She has lived here so many years and her noble traits of character are so well known that words of eulogy are not needed to make sacred her memory. Her ever ready spirit found a service at hand among the sick and needy, so that a host of friends rise up and call her blessed. For more than a half century she has been among us and in hundreds of instances has been weighed and not found wanting in motherly love, charity and true neighborliness. Her life's history is most effectually written in the hearts of those whom she has made happy by her kindness, charity and hospitality." Mr. Wyckoff still remains a resident of Jack- son county, where he has always lived, his life work being that of farming, and his life history offers many valuable lessons that may be profitably followed con- cerning good citizenship, business enterprise and reliability and faithfulness to every trust. No man in the community is more honored nor more truly deserves the good will and confidence of his fellow citizens than does Charles Wyckoff.
JOHN WILLIAM GOLDING.
John William Golding, a substantial and enterprising stockman of Belle- vue, who although numbered among the more recent arrivals in this city, is not unknown in business circles of the community, having been identified with various lines of activity in this district for a number of years. One of Jack- son county's native sons, he was born in Washington township on the 15th of April, 1858, a son of John and Katharine (Reed) Golding, natives of Kent county, England, and Londonderry, Ireland, respectively. The father, whose birth occurred on the 16th of May, 1820, was the son of a gamekeeper in the employ of a nobleman, and he continued to make his home in his native coun- try until twenty years of age, when he came alone to the new world, landing at New York about 1840. He did not tarry on the eastern coast, however, but worked his passage through by way of the lakes and canal to Potosi, Wiscon- sin, a lead mining district. Thence he went to Memphis, Tennessee, where for two years he was employed as a laborer, at the expiration of which period he came up the Mississippi river to Iowa, locating in Jackson county. In 1843 he hired out to Charles Harrington, proprietor of the Harrington Wood Yards, with whom he continued until the outbreak of the Mexican war, when, on the 17th of March, 1847, he enlisted at Galena, Illinois, and served throughout the entire period of hostilities under General Scott. On the 7th of April, 1850, he started overland to California, where the following five years were spent, and during most of this time he was connected with Sheets, Harrison & Kellogg, near Sacramento. Upon his return to Iowa he purchased a tract of land in Washington township, where he established what later became known as the Golding Wood Yards. As he prospered from year to year he added to his original purchase until at the time of his death he was the owner of eighteen hundred and sixty acres, all in one body in Washington township, most of which was timber land. He devoted himself to farming and to the wood busi- ness, most of his time being given to the latter undertaking, in which he
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became very successful. He made a specialty of selling wood to steamboats and in the year 1869 sold over thirteen thousand dollars worth of wood to steamers. He was recognized as a good hunter and a very fine shot, and it is told of him that one day in 1863 he went out in his skiff with his gun and only five cartridges and took home seventy-five ducks, which he had secured with only the five shots. He continued in the management of his wood yard until the time of his death, which occurred on the 29th of January, 1873. About the year 1856 he was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Reed, who was born on the Emerald isle in 1821 and came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Reed, to the United States in 1837, the family home being established in Washington township, Jackson county, Iowa. She passed away December 3, 1865, leaving two sons : John William, of this review ; and Thomas H., who passed away at the age of two years. Later, in 1867, Mr. Golding wedded, Elizabeth Carroll, a native of Pennsylvania, who still survives her husband and makes her home in Sumner, Iowa. Unto this second union were born two children: Charles, born June 22, 1869, who is now a resident of Fred- erika, Iowa; and Rosa, who was born in 1872 and passed away in 1878.
John William Golding, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of twelve years when his parents removed to the farm in 1870, and upon the death of his father, in 1873, went to live with his uncle, the Hon. William H. Reed, of Washington township. He acquired a good education in the public schools and continued to make his home with his uncle until twenty years of age, when he went to Montana, spending a year and three months in Butte, most of which time he worked in a quartz mill. He returned to Iowa in the fall of 1879 and in the following spring took up agricultural pursuits on the old homestead, renting his brothers' and stepmother's shares. Together with general farming he continued to conduct his father's wood business and also engaged to some extent in the stock business, carrying on his various pursuits until 1892. In that year he purchased the interest of the other heirs in his father's estate, which consisted of eighteen hundred and sixty acres, so that, with a tract of eighty acres which he had previously bought, he became the owner of nineteen hundred and forty acres, constituting him one of the most extensive landowners in this section of the state. In 1896, however, he sold his entire property and purchased the Kilborn mill property, consisting of four hundred and fifty acres west of Bellevue, to which he removed on the Ist of March, 1897. There he carried on milling and farming for a number of years, installing a steam power plant in connection with his gristmill. In 1904 he sold out and removed to Bellevue, and here he has since continued to make his home. Since May, 1905, he has devoted his time and energies to the con- duct of a large and growing stock business, in which line of activity he has been interested more or less for the past twenty-five years. He is an ex- tensive buyer and shipper of stock and his efforts in this direction have been potent forces in stimulating and encouraging stock interests in his section of the county. He has also dealt extensively in real estate, purchasing the Collins property on Third street, which he now makes his place of residence. He went to Oklahoma and bought four hundred acres of land near Edmond, which he later sold, and subsequently purchased four hundred and eighty
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acres near Grand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, which is still in his posses- sion. He is also the owner of several dwellings and lots in Bellevue and his various realty holdings form a source of most gratifying additional revenue.
It was on the 26th of September, 1882, that Mr. Golding was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret McGovern, whose birth occurred in Washington township on the 19th of February, 1864. Her parents were Frank and Bridget McGovern, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, who came to Iowa in 1847, taking up their abode in Jackson county, where the rest of their lives was spent, the father passing away in January, 1873, while the mother's death occurred November 7, 1909. Their family consisted of the following chil- dren : Julia, the wife of John Sweeny, of Washington township; Mary, the widow of Peter Kuntz, of Portland, Oregon; Frank, also residing in Wash- ington township; Delia and John, both of whom are now deceased; Edward, of Butte, Montana; Sarah, who has also passed away; and Margaret, the wife of our subject.
In politics Mr. Golding has ever been a stalwart supporter of the demo- cratic party, although he has never been an aspirant for public preferment. During his residence in Washington township, however, he served as assessor of that township for fourteen years, and served one term as township clerk of Bellevue, but aside from this has had no office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his personal affairs which, carefully managed, are proving a source of most gratifying income. A man of resourceful ability, constantly watchful of opportunities, he has seized legitimate advantages as they have arisen and has never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guide posts of life, and success has come to him as the legitimate and logical result of intelligence and well directed effort.
FRED A. STODDARD.
Rich in its natural resources and especially adapted to agricultural de- velopment, Iowa is constantly producing men of progressive spirit who are improving their financial condition by developing and utilizing the opportuni- ties she offers. Fred A. Stoddard is one who has gained success through cul- tivating her rich lands, owning now a fine farm of three hundred and fifteen acres in Monmouth township.
A native of this township, he was born June 4, 1874, and is a son of Horace and Matilda (McCarty) Stoddard. The Stoddard family was estab- lished on this side of the Atlantic in New Hampshire, whence its members went to New York, and in Lewis county, that state, Horace Stoddard was born in 1830, his parents being Samuel and Lucy Ann (Cory) Stoddard. He grew to manhood in the east, where he was engaged in farming and also in carpentering until he was thirty-five years of age, when he came west to Jackson county, Iowa. He secured land in Monmouth township, which proved to be rich and fertile, and at the time of his death, July 26, 1892, he
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was numbered among those who had gained a conspicuous success in agri- cultural pursuits. In politics he was a democrat, but though always interested in public affairs never sought an office. His religious allegiance was given to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was ever in harmony with its teachings. A man of exemplary character, he also possessed a personality that attracted others to him, and, as one obituary stated, those who knew him best loved him the most.
In 1853 Horace Stoddard wedded Miss Matilda E. McCarty, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, September 25, 1833. Her parents, Hays and Emeline (Angell) McCarty, had nine children : Matilda, now Mrs. Horace Stoddard; John W., who was born August 28, 1836, and is now deceased ; Emily L., born August 10, 1838, who is the widow of George Ralston, for- merly of Lebanon, Nebraska; Annie J., born April 10, 1840, who died at the age of three years ; William A., born March 17, 1842, who married Antoinette Yendes and passed away in 1909; Martha J., born May 4, 1845, who is the wife of D. A. Bristell, of Monmouth; Helen G., born August 10, 1847, who is the widow of .A. J. Kennedy; Imogen, born June 17, 1851, who is the widow of R. F. Sullivan and now resides in Sheffield, Iowa; and Frances M., who was born April 22, 1853, and is the wife of C. D. Bickford. Mr. and Mrs. Horace Stoddard had six children, namely: Herbert, who is engaged in the grocery business in Marshalltown, Iowa; Flora, deceased; Eugene A., who has also passed away; Edgar, the county superintendent of schools; Charley, who died at the age of three years ; and Fred A., the subject of this review. The father passed away July 26, 1892, and was laid to rest in Monmouth, but the mother still survives.
Fred A. Stoddard was reared upon the old homestead and at the usual age became a pupil in the public school, acquiring therein a good education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, when he began to teach in Jones county, this state, following that profession for four years. At the end of that period he purchased land in Clay township, Jones county, which he cultivated for three years and then sold. Then he came to Monmouth township, Jackson county, and now owns three hundred and fif- teen acres, part of the tract, including the residence, lying within the corpo- rate limits of Monmouth. He raises various crops suitable to his soil, and annually nets a handsome income from the sale of his bountiful harvests. That he has not been blind to opportunities for advancement offered by other fields of activity is manifest by the fact that he holds stock in the Monmouth Savings Bank and is one of the directors of the institution.
In 1897 Mr. Stoddard was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Cooley, and they have three children: Gladys, Lotus, and Dwight, all of whom are at- tending school. On political issues of national importance, Mr. Stoddard in- variably allies himself with the democratic party, but in local matters, with commendable public spirit, he supports the men and measures best calculated to advance the welfare of the community. Fraternally he is identified with the Maquoketa lodge of the Knights of Pythias and with the Monmouth camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, being past consul in the latter. His friends are not limited to his fellow members in these organizations,
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