USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 6
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tracy was blessed with five children, of whom three are yet alive : Estella, the wife of John Raab, of Maquoketa; Elsie, the wife of R. M. Pierce, of this place; and Luta, at home. The family are widely and favorably known here. Mr. Tracy is a democrat in politics with firm belief in the principles of the party but without ambition for office, as he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and their capable and suc- cessful management demonstrated his sound judgment and close application.
JOHN L. RIPPLE.
John L. Ripple, a well known and successful farmer and stock raiser of Perry township, is busily engaged in the cultivation of a tract of land comprising two hundred acres. His birth occurred in Richland township, Jackson county, Iowa, on the 17th of August, 1866, his parents being Calvin and Margaret Ann (Ma- bery) Ripple, who were natives of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. About the year 1850 they came to Jackson county, Iowa, with their respective parents and here Calvin Ripple has made his home continuously since, being now a resident of Maquoketa. He has attained the age of seventy-two years and has long been numbered among the most respected and worthy citizens of his community. His wife was called to her final rest in 1901. Their family numbered nine children, six of whom are still living.
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In the common schools John L. Ripple acquired a fair education that qualified him to take up the more responsible duties of life when he put aside the tasks of the schoolroom. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and then purchased the Al Sweesy farm, residing thereon for five years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought his present farm of two hundred acres in Perry township. The fields return golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon them and he also raises good grades of stock. The farm presents a well kept appearance and every- thing about the place is indicative of the careful supervision of the owner, whose methods are at once practical and progressive. His industry has ever been one of his salient characteristics and has been the measure of his success.
Mr. Ripple has been married twice. In 1889 he wedded Miss Amy Fenton, a native of Jackson county, Iowa, and their union was blessed with a son, Ray, who is now attending college in Chicago. Following the demise of his first wife Mr. Ripple was again married, in 1896, his second union being with Miss Eva Von Nieda, a native of Hamilton county, Iowa. Her parents, Samuel and Sarah (Snyder) Von Nieda, were both born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and in 1867 took up their abode in Jackson county, this state, here residing throughout the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom still survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ripple have been born five children, as follows : Elsie; Edna ; Lloyd, who is deceased ; Harold ; and Floyd.
In his political views Mr. Ripple is a stalwart republican and at the present time is capably serving in the position of township trustee and also as a school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Presbyterian church, with which his wife is also identified. He has resided in this county throughout his entire life and is therefore largely familiar with its up- building and substantial development, especially along agricultural lines, with which he has been connected throughout the entire period of his manhood.
WELLINGTON CURRENT.
Wellington Current, a well known and prosperous agriculturist of Ma- quoketa township, is largely familiar with the development and upbuilding of this part of the state, having been brought to Jackson county by his parents when in his infancy-about seven decades ago. His birth occurred in the province of Ontario, within twelve miles of Niagara Falls, his natal day being August 4, 1839. His parents, Mark and Catherine (Strohm) Cur- rent, both of whom were natives of Canada, made their way to this county about 1839 or 1840, locating on a tract of land in South Fork township which the father entered from the government and which is now in possession of Leonard Seever. In 1849 Mark Current made the overland journey to Cali- fornia in search of gold but died soon after reaching his destination. His widow long survived him and lived to attain an advanced age, passing away about 1900.
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Wellington Current attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained at home until about nineteen years of age. At that time he began farming for himself and on attaining his majority received forty acres of land as his share of his father's estate. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company I, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he continued until the close of hostilities. At the battle of Champion's Hill he was shot through the lower jaw and was captured by the confederates at the time he was wounded but made his escape the same day. He was ever a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of any task assigned him, and fought valiantly to uphold the supremacy of the Union until mustered out at St. Louis in 1865. Soon after returning to his home in Jackson county he disposed of his farm here and bought a tract of eighty acres in Clinton county, residing thereon for a number of years. On selling that property he came to Maquoketa, Iowa, purchasing the farm of one hundred and twenty acres now owned by Otto V. Battles within the city limits of Maquoketa. That place remained his home for sixteen years, on the expiration of which period, in March, 1909, he disposed of the property and bought the William Bowman farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Maquoketa township, two and a half miles south of Maquoketa. Here he has one of the most handsome and commodious farm residences in the county, and his carefully cultivated and well im- proved property displays in its attractive appearance the energy and dili- gence of the owner. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a gratifying and well deserved measure of prosperity and has long been num- bered among the successful and representative citizens of the community.
In 1866 Mr. Current was united in marriage to Miss Amy Current, a daughter of William Current. They have two children, namely: George, who follows farming in association with his father; and Fortis, a resident of Maquoketa, Iowa.
·Mr. Current belongs to A. W. Drips Post, No. 74, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has been ap- pointed by Governor Cummins to serve three terms as a delegate to the Farmers National Congress. He is a most loyal and public-spirited citizen and has ever been as devoted to his country and her welfare as when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields.
M. W. CLARK.
M. W. Clark, conducting a profitable business along mechanical lines, well known as an expert farrier, his work in the blacksmith shop being an exposition of all that is most proficient and scientific in the shoeing of horses, well deserves mention in this volume as a representative business man of Maquoketa. He was born in Harlem, County Leeds, Canada, October 8, 1855, and is a son of William D. and Sabina (Smith) Clark. The father was
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born amid the Green mountains of Vermont, while the mother was a native of New York. They were married in the Empire state and some time after- ward removed to Canada where they resided for several years, but in 1853 returned to the states, locating in Lena, Stephenson county, Illinois, where both parents passed away. Mr. Clark of this review comes of Puritan an- cestry. One Smith on his mother's side was a scout in the Continental army, was captured and confined in prison in Montreal, Canada. He was condemned to die but fortunately escaped from prison and secreted himself in the forest where he almost perished from exposure. Eventually, however, this brave man reached a place of safety and lived for some time enjoying the fruits of liberty.
William D. Clark was a blacksmith by trade and as the son approached manhood he learned the business under the direction of his father, working with him in the shop until about twenty-three years of age. At different times he also spent periods in working at wagon blacksmithing in machine shops and received special instruction in horseshoeing, learning the busi- ness in all of its branches. For some time after leaving home he traveled over the country, working at different places, but in 1873 his father died and he returned home, conducting the shop for five years.
The year 1878 witnessed Mr. Clark's arrival in Maquoketa, where he has since made his home. He has made a specialty of horseshoeing, in which he has been very successful, following the work along scientific lines. He believes that every man who shoes a horse should be made to pass an ex- amination before the state board of veterinary surgeons on the diseases of horses and their causes and should not be allowed to practice on the poor dumb animal. The excellence of his work has brought him a liberal patron- age and his business is now of profitable proportions.
M. W. Clark was married on the 25th of August, 1880, to Miss Fannie Evans, a native of Wales. Her mother died in Kerry, England, where the family was then .living, and in 1860 the father with his four children came to the United States, settling in Galena, Illinois, whither his parents had pre- ceded him. Mr. Evans was a musical professor of Galena and was widely known in Masonic circles in that part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born four children. Anna Bessie, a graduate of the Maquoketa high school and of the liberal arts department of the Iowa State University, is now principal of the high school of Bellevue, Iowa. Leslie W. took up the study of medicine and is now a practicing physician at Onaka, South Da- kota. Frances T., a graduate of the Detroit (Michigan) Conservatory of Music is now supervisor of music and drawing in the Bellevue school. Vic- toria L. is a graduate of the Maquoketa high school and is now teaching sec- ond primary in the fourth ward. Mr. Clark is a firm believer in higher edu- cation and has given his children excellent opportunities which they have improved so that their records are such as may well constitute a source of pride to the parents. Mrs. Clark has shared with her husband in the ele- vation and education of the children and they have put forth every possible effort to give them good opportunities. The family are all members of the Baptist church, loyal to its teachings and active in its work.
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Mr. Clark likewise belongs to Helion lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M .; and Jackson lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a republican and was twice a candidate for alderman, on which occasions he ran far ahead of his ticket, being defeated at one time by only nineteen votes, and at the other election by but five votes. He is one of the highly esteemed residents of Maquoketa, his worth as a business man and citizen being widely acknowl- edged. He places a correct valuation upon life and its opportunities and seeks to make good use of every passing hour.
WILLIAM T. PENCE.
A valuable farm of three hundred acres, located on sections 14 and 23, Mon- mouth township, which is owned and operated by William T. Pence, was also the place of his birth, his natal day being March 3, 1845. He is one of ten children born of the marriage of Allen Wallace and Christine (Moulder) Pence. It is supposed that the father was born in Ohio, and the year 1830 witnessed his ar- rival in Davenport. He spent five or six years trapping and hunting between Davenport and Dubuque and all this time he was waiting for the land to be placed on the market that he might homestead a tract. Accordingly, about 1837, he came into possession of the farm which is now owned by his son William. He built a log cabin and the following year took up his abode on the place, he being the first man in Jackson county to develop a farm. As the years passed he fur- ther developed and improved his land and became a successful farmer. In 1850, at the time of the gold excitement on the Pacific coast, he made a trip to Cali- fornia and met with success. In 1860 he made a trip to Pike's Peak but this ven- ture did not prove so successful and he returned home and resumed work on the farm, there continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 4th of September, 1899, when he was well advanced in years. At the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Jackson county, so that he left his family in very comfortable circumstances. His wife, who was born in the Buckeye state and whom he wedded in Indiana, departed this life in 1867. She was the mother of ten children, namely: Alvira and Robert, who are now deceased; Martha, the wife of D. C. Mishler, a resident of Maquoketa ; Mary, the widow of Jacob Franks, also of that city; William T., of this review ; Harriet, the wife of S. W. Johnston, who makes his home in Enid, Oklahoma ; N. B., a farmer of Monmouth township; and three who died in infancy.
William T. Pence, the fifth in order of birth, early became familiar with the duties incident to the development and improvement of a new farm, for he as- sisted his father in the fields as soon as he was old enough to handle a plow. In the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools, which at that time were quite primitive. Following his father's demise he and a brother purchased the interest of the other heirs in the homestead farm and for a few years the two operated the place as partners. Eventually, however, Mr. Pence of this re- view purchased his brother's interest and he is now sole owner of the farm of three hundred acres, situated on sections 14 and 23, Monmouth township. It is a
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well improved and valuable property and Mr. Pence has for many years been busily engaged in carrying on general farming, but his labors have brought him such gratifying success that he is now contemplating laying aside business cares and spending his remaining days in retirement.
Mr. Pence was married, in 1878, to Miss Mary A. Campbell, who was born in Jackson county, and by her marriage has become the mother of seven children : R. W., who after graduating from the Maquoketa high school, studied medicine and is now engaged in practice in Minot, North Dakota ; R. A., who is a banker of Dogden, that state; one who died in infancy; Christina, also residing in Dogden ; J. R., who is also a practicing physician at Minot, North Dakota; Glendola, who lives in Dogden and Florence, who is attending school in Maquoketa.
Mr. Pence has always given stanch support to the men and measures of the republican party but he has never been active as an office seeker, although he has filled some school and township offices. His wife and family are members of the German Reformed church. Honorable and upright in every relation of life. he commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He is classed among Jackson county's pioneers, for during the period of his early boyhood and youth the settlers were just entering this district and it was not until a year after his birth that the state was admitted to the Union. He is therefore familiar with all the scenes of a pioneer district where the homes of the settlers are widely scattered and the trading points are reached only after many miles of travel. He has lived to witness remarkable changes, however, and feels a just pride in the work that has been accomplished and has placed Jackson county in the front rank of civilization, for he has been an active participant in this work and is now regarded as one of the county's best and most substantial citizens.
EDGAR R. STODDARD.
The life record of Edgar R. Stoddard is in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in Jackson county, the place of his nativity, he has won distinction in educational circles and by the vote of his fellow citizens has been called to the office of county superin- tendent of schools, in which position he is now serving. His birth occurred in Monmouth, May 3, 1870, his parents being Horace and Matilda (McCarty) Stod- dard, both of whom were natives of Jefferson county, New York, where they were reared and married, coming to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1869. They located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres a half mile south of Monmouth and there the father continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1892, when he was sixty years of age. The family afterward left the farm and took up their abode in the town of Mon- mouth, where the mother is still living at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Stoddard was a democrat in his political views and, although he never sought nor held office of a political character, he served for many years as a member of the school board and always took an active and helpful interest in promoting the
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cause of education. He was also a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Stoddard still belongs.
Edgar R. Stoddard, of this review, was reared at home and acquired his edu- cation in the Monmouth high school, from which he was graduated in 1890 as a member of the first class that ever held graduation exercises there. He then took up teaching as a life work and for two years had charge of the country schools rear Monmouth, when in order to further qualify for his chosen profession he pursued a three years' course in the Northern Illinois Normal School and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1895. He next accepted the position of prin- cipal of the schools of Oxford, Iowa, and a year later was called to the principal- ship of the Welton (lowa) schools, with which he was thus connected for four years. He was afterward principal for a short time of the schools of Low Moor, Iowa, where he filled a vacancy, and then returned to Monmouth to become prin- cipal of the schools of that place. He had been teaching for eight years when he was elected county superintendent of schools in the fall of 1908. While teaching in Monmouth he attended the Iowa State Normal for three terms, and throughout the period of his manhood he has embraced every opportunity to further qualify for his chosen profession, in which he manifests great interest and zeal. He came to his present office ably fitted for the work at hand and is now one of the popular officials of the county, whose efforts are of a practical and progressive character, giving an impetus to the schools that will be felt for years to come.
In 1903 Mr. Stoddard was married to Miss Rose Sagers, of Iron Hills, Jack- son county, and unto them were born two children, but both died in infancy. Mrs. Stoddard was a teacher in the Jackson county schools for a number of years, acting as first primary teacher at Monmouth for eight years. Since her hus- band became county superintendent she has assisted him in the work of the office. Mr. Stoddard is a democrat in politics and socially is connected with Peerless lodge, K. P., of Maquoketa, and Ben De Meer Temple, D. O. K. K. He is in- terested in all that pertains to the social life and general progress of the com- munity, but regards the profession of teaching as his real life work and in that his interest centers to an extent that has made him one of the foremost educa- tors of this part of the state.
ADOLF W. MEYER.
One of the most attractive and best improved farms of Van Buren township is that owned and operated by Adolf W. Meyer, the tract embracing three hun- dred acres. He is a native of Germany, born on the 13th of March, 1866. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Dears) Meyer, were likewise natives of the father- land, whence the father emigrated with his family to the new world in 1870, be- lieving that he could better provide for their needs in the new world than he could in his native country. Upon his arrival in the new world he made his way at once to Jackson county, Iowa, purchasing a farm in Van Buren township, on which he took up his abode. Here Mr. and Mrs. Meyer reared their family of six
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JOHN MEYER AND FAMILY
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children but the youngest, Elizabeth, is now deceased. The others are Henry, John, William, George and Adolf W.
Adolf W. Meyer was a little lad of four years at the time the family emigrated to America. He was reared on the homestead farm, being early trained to the duties of the fields, where he worked in the spring and summer months, while · in the winter seasons he attended the district schools, which afforded him the knowledge that fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. He as- sisted his father until he attained the age of twenty-one years, and then took charge of the home place, which he managed until his father's demise. He is now the owner of three hundred acres of land on section 20, Van Buren town- ship, and the cultivation of this land, together with the raising of stock, claims his entire time and attention. On his place stands a good residence, while the outbuildings are arranged with a view to convenience, and everything about the farm is kept in good condition.
It was in 1890 that the marriage of Mr. Meyer and Miss Caroline Berg oc- curred. She was born in Fairfield township, this county, her parents being Fred- erick and Elizabeth (Khrug) Berg. Her father is now deceased but her mother still survives and makes her home in Preston. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born four sons and two daughters but only one son and one daughter sur- vive, these being Walter and Rosa E., the third and fourth in order of birth. The others were: August H., Henry, Elizabeth and Elmer.
The parents are consistent members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Meyer gives his political support to the men and measures of democracy and his fidelity and trustworthiness is demonstrated in the fact that for the past eighteen years he has filled the office of township trustee. He has made wise use of his talents and his opportunities, as is evidenced by the fine property of which he is today the possessor. However, his thoughts are not self-centered but are given to the mastery of life problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to the state and country.
LAWRENCE POWERS.
Lawrence Powers is one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Van Buren township, deriving an excellent annual income from a farm of two hun- dred acres, while through the raising and feeding of stock he yearly augments his capital. His birth occurred in County Kilkenny, Ireland, on the IIth of October, 1849, his parents being Richard and Mary (Whalen) Powers, who were natives of England and Ireland respectively. The father brought his family to the United States in 1850, settling in Chicago, Illinois, where he was engaged in the cattle business for two years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Rockford, Illinois, there residing until 1854, when he came to Iowa and located on a farm in Clinton county near the Jackson county line, purchasing the land from the government for a dollar and a quarter an acre. The journey from Illinois to this state had been made with an ox team. Richard Powers was actively engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his farm until called to his final
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rest in 1861, his labors proving an element in the early development and upbuild- ing of his community along agricultural lines.
Lawrence Powers obtained his education in the schools of Clinton county and remained at home with his mother until he had attained the age of twenty- five years. During the following four years he was engaged in business as a stockman, buying horses in Iowa and then driving them across the country to South Dakota, where he traded them for cattle. This was prior to the era of railroad transportation and he was obliged to drive his stock between this state and South Dakota as well as back again. In 1878 he purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Fairfield township, Jackson county, and made his home thereon until 1882. He likewise bought other farms in that township and is still in pos- session of a tract of land there. In 1882 he purchased his present home place of two hundred acres in Van Buren township and has since continued to reside thereon, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation of cereals and the rais- ing of shorthorn cattle. He is practical and progressive in his methods and car- ries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
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