USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
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JAMES D. CRAIL.
A well known pioneer of Jefferson county, who for many years was successfully identified with the agricultural and dairying interests of the county, was the late James D. Crail. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of March, 1822, and was a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Daugherty) Crail. The father, who was of Scotch descent was born in the Keystone state in 1793, and there he was educated and reared to manhood. When old enough to decide upon a life vocation he took up the miller's trade and subsequently became the owner of a grist mill in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, that he operated until his death in 1846. The mother was born in Scotland in 1798, but she was brought to the United States in her early childhood and here she was reared and
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educated. She was married to Mr. Crail in Beaver county, and following his death she continued to make her home there until 1855, when she came to Iowa with her children. She made her home in Jefferson county for many years, but she was living with her daughter, Mrs. Ella Snodgrass, at Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, when she passed away in 1886. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Crail numbered ten, as follows: John and Irwin, both of whom are deceased; James D., our subject ; Benjamin F., of Fair- field; Milton and Mary, who are also deceased; Cynthia, who is living in Shenandoah ; Ella, who is deceased ; Elizabeth, who died in infancy : and Matilda, who is deceased.
The early years in the life of James D. Crail were typical to those of other youths of the period who were reared in the more sparsely settled communities. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education, and when qualified to begin preparations for his life vocation laid aside his text-books and applied himself to the ship-carpenter's trade. After the completion of his period of apprenticeship he entered the ship- yards at Pittsburg, where he was employed until he came west. In 1855 he gave up his position and came to Jefferson county, locating in Fairfield. He subsequently purchased a farm in the vicinity of Brookville upon which he settled with his family successfully devoting his energies to its operation for many years. Mr. Crail was a capable agriculturist and prospered in his undertakings, but owing to the state of his health was forced to retire in 1876. He rented his farm and withdrawing from all active work made two extensive trips through the west. Later he removed to a dairy farm he purchased south of Fairfield, and there he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on May 12, 1896.
On the 15th of December, 1861, Mr. Crail was joined in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth J. Holton, a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Sellers) Holton, both natives of Bracken county, Kentucky, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Holton began their domestic life on a farm in the Blue Grass state, but they later removed to Missouri, settling on a farm where they both passed away, after the war. Mrs. Crail's paternal grandfather, Joshua Holton, served with distinction in the Revolutionary war, thus entitling his descendants to membership in the various societies organized by the sons and daughters of the heroes of the Revolution. Mrs. Crail is the third in order of birth of the ten children born to her parents, the others being: Frances, who is living in Missouri; Ruth, who is de- ceased; Calvin, who is also deceased; Lydia, a resident of Missouri ; Polly and Emily, both of whom are deceased; and Amanda, John and a baby, all of whom died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Crail were the parents of two children: Benjamin Franklin, who is a stockbuyer in Fairfield, married Mary E. Poulton, and they also have two children, James, who is attend-
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ing the military school at Lexington, Missouri, and Helen, who is in the Fairfield high school; and Matilda, who married Bruce Ratcliff, a traveling salesman of J. M. Gobble & Company, wholesale grocers at Muscatine, Iowa. They reside with Mrs. Crail and Mrs. Ratcliff is a member of the Log Cabin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Fairfield.
The family always attended the Methodist Episcopal church of Fair- field, in which the parents held membership, Mrs. Crail still being identified with this organization. In politics Mr. Crail was a republican, but he never figured in public affairs as an aspirant to official honors. Owing to the state of his health Mr. Crail was not able to go to the front during the Civil war, but his brother, Captain Benjamin F. Crail, made a brilliant record on the battlefields of the south. Mr. Crail led a somewhat unob- trusive life, devoting his attention to the development of his personal in- terests, but he possessed many most estimable qualities and had a large circle of friends in the county, who held him in high regard.
JESSE A. CORNELL.
Jesse A. Cornell is the owner of a fine farm of seventy acres located on section II, Des Moines township, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising. He is the eldest child born to George Tyler and Eliza- beth (Gibbs) Cornell, and began his life record in Warren county, Ohio, on the 8th of May, 1871. The parents were born, reared and married in Warren county where the father engaged in farming until 1881, when the family removed to Iowa. They located in Jefferson county, Mr. Cornell purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Des Moines town- ship upon which he resided for twenty-three years. In 1904 he and his wife retired to Libertyville, where the mother still resides, but he passed away on the 9th of September, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell had six chil- dren : Jesse A., our subject; Wilbur, who is deceased; Viola May; the wife of Grant Cornell, a cousin, who is farming in Ohio; and Clarence, Ralph and Ernest Ray, all of whom are deceased. In the paternal line Jesse A. Cornell is of Welsh extraction, his grandfather, George Cornell, having emigrated from Wales to the United States when a youth of six- teen years. He settled in Ohio during the pioneer days and there three years later, when he was nineteen years of age, he married a Miss Hanna, a native of New Jersey, who was thirteen years of age. Immediately fol- lowing this event they located on the farm where they spent the remainder
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of their lives. He was very successful in his agricultural pursuits and acquired seven hundred acres of excellent land, that he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. The family of Mr. and Mrs. George Cornell numbered eighteen children of whom the son George Tyler was the youngest.
The school days of Jesse A. Cornell began in his native state, the education therein acquired being supplemented by further study in the schools of district No. 1, Des Moines township, after the family located in Jefferson county. His boyhood was very similar to that of other lads who are reared in the country, his vacations and such time as he was not engaged with his lessons being devoted to the work about the farm, under the direction and supervision of his father. His services were rendered to his father until he had attained his majority. following which he worked for him on shares until he was twenty-six years of age. About this time he married and began to work for himself, renting a hundred and sixty acres from his father that he cultivated for seven years. In 1907 he purchased his homestead, and here he engages in general farming and also raises and feeds stock for the market. Mr. Cornell is a man of progressive ideas and clear judgment and so capably directs his enterprises that he is meeting with more than a moderate degree of success, being numbered among the prosperous farmers of Des Moines township.
On Christmas eve, 1896, Mr. Cornell was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jacobson, a daughter of Gus F. and Hannah (Edmonds ) Jacobson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The father emigrated to the United States when a young man of twenty-one years, while the mother was a child of five when she accompanied her parents to this country. Mr. Jacobson first located in New York, going from there to Illinois and subsequently settling on a farm east of Lockridge in this county. It was there that Mrs. Cornell was born on the 7th of July, 1876. The father and mother continued to live on their farm until five years ago when they removed to Batavia, where they are now residing. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson, as follows: David, who is living in Des Moines, Iowa: Mrs. Cornell; Wilbur, who died in childhood; and Etta, who passed away when she was eighteen years of age. Mrs. Jacobson had been married twice before, her first union being with a Mr. Peterson, by whom she had three children: William, who is deceased : John, who is liv- ing in Denver, Colorado; and Christina, the wife of T. Lundgren, of Cen- terville, Iowa. Her second husband was Mr. Olson and she bore him one child, Anna Alice, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell are the parents of four children: Ruth Hannah, who was born on the 9th of November, 1897; Grace Freeda, whose birth occurred on the 2d of December, 1899; Ernest Leo, the natal day of whom is the 9th of January, 1900; and Goldie
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Christina, whose advent occurred on the 17th of August, 1906. The three eldest children are attending school in district No. I, Des Moines township.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Cornell hold membership in the Presbyterian church of Libertyville, and he votes the republican ticket. He cares not to figure prominently in political activities, but he is a loyal and patriotic citizen, as were his forefathers, who offered their services to their country in time of need. His maternal grandfather, Jesse Gibbs and one uncle, Joseph Gibbs, were in the Civil war, and went with Sherman on his famous march.
SQUIRE C. RIDGWAY.
The late Squire C. Ridgway was one of Jefferson county's pioneer agri- culturists, having located in Round Prairie township in 1841. He was born on the 10th of November, 1819, and was a son of John and Margaret (Crume) Ridgway, natives of Kentucky. There Mr. Ridgway followed the stone mason's trade until 1827, when together with his wife and chil- dren he started for Indiana, but died en route. The mother survived for forty-seven years thereafter, her demise occurring on the 5th of December, I874.
Such schooling as was afforded Squire C. Ridgway he obtained in his native state, whence he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana. The eldest son, after the death of his father the duties and responsibilities of manhood devolved upon him, although he was only a lad of eight years. Pioneering at the best is fraught with hardships and privations, but owing to their limited circumstances and uncertain resources, the Ridgway family found life very hard during those early days in Indiana. They continued to make their home there, however, until 1841 when they removed to Jefferson county. Here Squire C. Ridgway entered some land in Round Prairie township that he operated until his death, which occurred on the 3d of January, 1883.
For a life companion Mr. Ridgway chose Miss Elizabeth J. Jamison, their marriage being celebrated on October 19, 1858. Mrs. Ridgway was born in Morgan county, Illinois, on the Ist of August, 1832, and is a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Moore) Jamison, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. Alexander Jamison migrated from his native state to Illinois in his early manhood and after following his trade there for several years came to Jefferson county. Upon his arrival in this county he entered some land in Round Prairie township, which proved unsuitable for agricultural purposes, as he could not get the all necessary water ; so leaving the land unimproved, he leased a farm for several years
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and then disposing of his property, he removed to Webster county, making his home with his children until he passed away. He was eighty years of age when he died on the 17th of June, 1881, while the mother was seventy-nine years at the time of her death on the 6th of March, 1886. Having no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Ridgway took a boy, Wil- liam Gill, into their home, who was three years of age at the time. They reared him to manhood and he is now a well known farmer of Round Prairie township.
Mr. Ridgway was a member of the Masonic order and he was also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while he voted the republican ticket. In religious faith he was a Baptist and his widow still holds membership in that church. Mrs. Ridgway, who has now attained the venerable age of seventy-nine years makes her home in Glasgow, where her sister, Miss Margaret Jamison, is living with her ever since their parents died. Both ladies are cultured and refined and carrying their years lightly, are still actively interested in their pursuits and surround- ings, among many friends of long years standing.
NATHAN B. REGESTER.
One of the finest and best improved farms in Center township pays tribute to the efforts of N. B. Regester, who, in the prosecution of general agricultural and stock-raising pursuits, is meeting with substantial suc- cess. He was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of Septem- ber, 1850; a son of John and Mary (Sibit) Regester, also natives of the Keystone state, the former born on the 4th of October, 1819, and the latter in 1823. The father, who followed the occupations of a carpenter and farmer, passed away in March, 1895, having for more than two de- cades survived his wife, her death occurring in May, 1874. Their family of four children consists of the following: Rachel Ann, who was called from this life in childhood; Sarah Jane Craig, also deceased; N. B., of this review ; and Mary Ann, who married John Murphy, of Packwood, Jefferson county.
N. B. Regester spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native state ; then, in 1867, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the family home being established on the farm upon which he yet resides. He has continued to make this his home since that time, with the exception of one year-1885-which was spent in Kansas. He had been reared to rural life, and, amid the busy activities of the farm, he had learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, perseverance and thrift. The
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experiences which he gained in the work of the home fields under the direction of his father well prepared him for the successful conduct of an independent venture, when he took up farming on his own account. The tract, which consisted of but eighty acres when it came into his father's possession, now includes one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 2, Center township, and under the wise management of our subject it has been highly developed. A beautiful maple grove, set out by his father, is one of its attractive features, but the more up-to-date improvements upon the farm were instituted by N. B. Regester himself. The place is equipped with good barns and substantial outbuildings. all built by him, and, in 1901, he erected a ten-room, modern dwelling, which is one of the finest homes in the township. No stronger evidence could be given of the spirit of progress and energy which dominates its owner than the excellent ap- pearance of the farm; and, today, as the result of his well directed efforts and close application to his farming and stock-raising interests, he is meet- ing with highly merited success.
In March, 1875, Mr. Regester was united in marriage to Miss Susan Emma Inghram, who was born in Quincy, Illinois October 21, 1858. Her parents, Arthur and Mary Jane (Coen) Inghram, were both natives of Pennsylvania. By them she was brought to Iowa when but two years of age, their last days being spent in this state. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Regester reared Howard Inghram, a nephew of Mrs. Regester, who is now residing in Fairfield, and they also assisted in the rearing of two others. Mr. Regester and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Pleasant Grove, and their lives have ever been in harmony with their professions. The democratic party has found in him a stalwart supporter since age conferred upon him the right of franchise ; but the honors and emoluments of office have never held attraction for him. Mr. Regester is one of the most enterprising farmers in this section, and the honesty of his business transactions and the high morals governing his private life have won for him a place among the valued citizens of Jefferson county.
DAVID B. WILSON.
A resident of Jefferson county for fifty-six years, David B. Wilson is well known to citizens of Fairfield and the surrounding district. He is always loyal to the interests and welfare of the community, and displayed the same spirit of faithfulness when during the period of the Civil war he valiantly defended the Union against the attack of the south. He was
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but seventeen years of age when he came to Fairfield, his birth having occurred in Newark, Ohio, March 16, 1838, his parents being David S. and Kitty Ann (Bramble) Wilson; the former a native of Morgantown, Virginia, and the latter of Chillicothe, Ohio. They were married in the latter place, and, for a number of years, were residents of Newark, Ohio. The father died in 1839, when his son David was but a year old. He was a contractor and builder, always following that pursuit in order to provide for himself and family. A year after the arrival of her son in Fairfield, the mother came to this city and here spent her remaining days, her death occurring in 1875. In the family were three children: Hon. James F. Wilson, United States senator from Iowa; mentioned elsewhere in this volume ; Mary J., who is the widow of Dr. George H. Blair and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Alice Booker, in Fairfield; and David B., of this review.
The last named spent the days of his boyhood in his native town and pursued his education in the public schools, but in May, 1855, left Newark in order to try his fortune west of the Mississippi, coming to Fairfield where he has since made his home. For a time, he engaged in clerking and then took up the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1861. He did not enter at once upon practice, however, but put aside all business and personal considerations in order to aid in the defense of his country. It was in May of that year that he offered his services to the government. and was assigned to duty with Company E. Second Iowa Infantry, with which he continued until June, 1864, participating in all of the engage- ments of the regiment during that time. From February until the Ist of June of the latter year, he was on detached duty as the quartermaster's department in Pulaski, Tennessee. He had joined the army as a private, and, when mustered out, held the rank of lieutenant. Some time follow- ing his return to Fairfield, he was appointed United States pension agent for the southern district of Iowa and filled that position for twelve years. He was also engaged in merchandising, conducting a hat, cap and men's furnishing goods business for about three years. Selling out on the expira- tion of that period, he took up the practice of law. Since 1896 he has held the office of justice of the peace, and also conducted a general collec- tion business.
In February, 1864, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Jessie C. Fetter, who was born in Collinsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and died in 1874, leaving a daughter, Jennie C., who is now the wife of Perry E. Hiflin, agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Fairfield. Mr. Wilson votes with the republican party, but has never been a politician in the usual sense of office seeking. He has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and, at all times, has
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manifested a spirit of loyalty and patriotic citizenship, proving his faith- fulness to his country in days of peace as he did in the time of war when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battlefields of the south. Be- cause of his long residence in Fairfield, Mr. Wilson needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, being widely known throughout this part of the state, and his many good traits of character, his reliability in busi- ness and his faithfulness in every relation of life have commended him to the confidence and high regard of all. His standing among his fellowmen is indicated by the fact that he is familiarly and affectionately termed Uncle David throughout the community.
CARR BROTHERS.
S. P. and C. M. Carr, whose business interests have always been iden- tified and who are numbered among the leading farmers of Liberty town- ship, have a well improved property of one hundred and fifty acres on section 33, whereon they are conducting general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. Both were born upon this farm; the former on the 20th of March, 1854, and the latter on the 3Ist of December, 1855. Their parents were Clabourn M. and Martha Ellen ( Plasket) Carr, both natives of Clark county, Indiana. The father was born April 17, 1828. He was a son of Thomas J. Carr, who was born in Pennsylvania, and became one .of the pioneer settlers of Indiana. With the history of Clark county his name became inseparably associated, for he was long an active and dis- tinguished figure in the public life of the community, holding the office of county sheriff for four terms, and representing his district in the state legislature for two terms. He also won the title of colonel, by service in the state militia. He was the brother of General John Carr, who was a member of congress, representing the third district of Indiana. It was in Indiana that his son, Clabourn M. Carr was reared and, having arrived at years of maturity, wedded Martha E. Plasket, whose birth occurred March 9, 1831. She was but seven years of age when brought to Iowa, in 1838, by her father, Samuel Plasket, who cast in his lot with the settlers of the frontier and here spent his remaining days. The family bore all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and contributed in substantial measure to the early development and improvement of the region in which they made their home. About 1850, Clabourn M. Carr came to Jefferson county, and married the following year. He always devoted his energies to farming, but was called to his final rest when but a young man; passing away March 17, 1857, at the age of twenty-nine years. His political alle-
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giance was given to the democratic party, and, always keeping well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day, he took an active part in debating political themes. He was mentioned as a candidate for the gen- eral assembly, but death early terminated his career. His wife long sur- vived him, passing away December 21, 1886. In their family were three children, of whom Thomas J., the eldest, died, leaving a widow and one child, Mont O., of Los Angeles, California.
The other sons, S. P. and C. M. Carr, have always resided upon the farm which is now their home. They attended the public schools and the Birmingham (Iowa) Academy; they were also early trained to the work of the fields, so that liberal experience qualified them to manage the farm when it came into their possession. This farm is an excellent tract of one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, situated on section 33, Liberty township. It is devoted to the raising of diversified crops and, also, to stock-raising. In the latter connection, the brothers make a specialty of breeding Duroc Jersey hogs, and have become well known throughout the entire country, having made exhibitions and received premiums at many of the state fairs. Their hogs have been shipped from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Canada to, and including Mexico. They have been sent to many states of the Union for breeding purposes. Upon the home farm, the Carr brothers keep about twelve sows, and raise more than one hundred head of hogs, annually. In every respect their farm is well kept and highly improved. It includes a six-acre apple orchard which is the largest in Liberty township.
The Carr brothers give their political support to the republican party ; C. M. Carr having served for several terms as township trustee. Both brothers take an active interest in politics and the success of their party. Religiously, they are active and official members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel. As citizens and neighbors, they are regarded as most reliable and enterprising farmers. Straightforward in all their dealings, their activity in business and their honorable dealings in all the affairs of life have brought to them substantial success.
GEORGE E. STEPHENSON.
George E. Stephenson, one of the highly successful agriculturists of Lockridge township, is engaged in the operation of the farm where he was born on the 31st of January, 1872. His father, the late John Stephen- son, was a native of England, his birth having occurred on the 21st of August, 1833. When he was a little lad he emigrated to the United States
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