USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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with his parents who first located in the state of New York. Later they removed to Ohio, whence they went to Indiana, where they resided until 1842, in which year they came to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county. Soon after their arrival the father entered some land in Lockridge township, now known as Four Corners. He cleared and improved this property, applying himself with unremitting energy to its operation during the remainder of his life. John Stephenson, who was only a boy of nine years when his parents became residents of Jefferson county, finished his education in the district schools. When old enough to begin his independent career he purchased sixty-five acres of land in Lockridge township, that he cleared and placed under cultivation. Under his capable operation and manage- ment his fields netted such lucrative returns that he was able to extend the boundaries of his homestead until he had acquired one hundred and fifty- seven acres of excellent land. Here he made his home during the balance of his life, his demise occurring on the 17th of April, 1907. For a wife and helpmate Mr. Stephenson chose Miss Matilda Danielson, who was born in Sweden on the 7th of May, 1835. Mrs. Stephenson is still living at the age of seventy-six years and is residing on the old homestead in Lockridge township.
Reared on the farm where he was born, George E. Stephenson attended the district schools of the vicinity. While applying himself to the mastery of the elements of English learning he was also assisting his father in such capacities as his strength permitted in the work of the fields and care of the cattle. By the time he was old enough to discard his text-books, he was quite familiar with the practical methods of agriculture and fully qualified to relieve his father of the more arduous duties connected with the operation of the farm. He assumed greater responsibilities with the passing years and shortly prior to his father's death purchased the home- stead, in the cultivation of which he has ever since been engaged. The tilling of the fields and care of the crops has always been given the per- sonal supervision of Mr. Stephenson, whose efforts have been remunerated in a most gratifying manner. In connection with his general farming he is engaged in the raising of stock, and always keeps about twenty head of cattle and seven horses, while he annually raises forty hogs. He has wrought quite extensive improvements in the property during the period of his ownership and has increased his holdings by the addition of another ten acres.
On the 25th of October, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stephenson and Miss Clara S. Cassel, a daughter of Andrew F. and Louisa (Peterson) Cassel. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson, Louise E., who is now eleven years of age.
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The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political allegiance Mr. Stephenson gives to the republican party. He has always taken a prominent part in the affairs of the township, having served as trustee, clerk and assessor, and, at the present time, is treasurer of the school board. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Stephenson is a stockholder and director of the Lockridge Savings Bank, and a member of the examining board, while he was formerly secretary and treasurer of the Four Corners Creamery, having been officially identified with this enterprise for five years. He is one of the progressive agriculturists of the county who uses as great discernment in the system and methods he employs in directing the affairs of his farm as he would employ in con- ducting a commercial enterprise, and to this ability must be attributed much of his success.
ADAM F. RAUSCHER.
Adam F. Rauscher, for many years engaged in general farming in Jefferson county, but now living retired in Lockridge, was born in Koenigs- bach, Amt Durlach, grand duchy of Baden, Germany, on July 4, 1842. Mr. Rauscher is proud of the little . Baden village in which he first saw the light of this world and wants his children to always keep in kind regard the place, wherefrom the family sprung, and which was the boyhood home of their father. His parents were Adam F. and Salme (Frantz) Rauscher. also natives of the fatherland. Adam F. Rauscher, who was a stone mason, together with his wife and family emigrated to the United States in 1854, arriving here in the month of April. He located in Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade until October of that year when he removed to Ohio. The family continued to reside in the Buckeye state until 1857 when they again started westward, Iowa being their destination. They settled in Story county, the father resuming his trade but as work was scarce he leased a farm, which he operated one season. He had a fine crop of corn, but the market was over supplied with this product and times were very hard, so he not only found it impossible to sell his grain but could not trade it. Necessity compelled him to again change his loca- tion, so he and his family went to Des Moines, where he found plenty of work at his trade. They remained in the capital city until the spring of 1860, when they came to Jefferson county and rented a farm in Lockridge township. The operation of this land he turned over to his children, while he worked at his trade until 1865 when he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy a farm on what is now known as "Four
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ADAM F. RAUSCHER
MRS. ADAM F. RAUSCHER
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Corners," Lockridge township. Withdrawing from his trade he devoted his entire attention to the cultivation of his homestead, upon which he resided until 1889, when he retired. For about seven years thereafter he made his home with his son Adam F., from whose home he went to live with a daughter in Fairfield, where he passed away on the 19th of Decem- ber, 1898; the mother's death had occurred previously, in May, 1893.
The life record of Adam F. Rauscher had covered a period of twelve years when he emigrated from Germany to the United States with his parents. The greater part of his education was acquired in the fatherland, although while living in Ohio he attended the public school for one winter. He early began assisting his family, either by the contribution of his small earnings or aiding in the work of the farm. He remained a member of the parental household until he had attained his majority. At this stage he began for himself by hiring out as a farm hand. After working for a year in Jefferson county he went to Illinois where he continued to work at the same occupation until 1869. By means of close application, tem- perate habits and thrift he had accumulated the money necessary to enable him to buy ninety acres of land in Lockridge township, adjacent to his father's place. But eight acres of this tract was cleared, so he diligently applied himself to clearing and placing the remainder under cultivation, after which he split the rails for a fence about his land. He operated this place in connection with his father's ninety acres for several years, when he bought out the latter, making his holdings aggregate one hundred and eighty acres. He disposed of his farm in 1895 and went to Missouri, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres that he cultivated for eight years. At the expiration of that period he sold out and returned to Jefferson county, settling down in Lockridge, where he has ever since lived retired.
In August, 1870, Mr. Rauscher was united in marriage to Miss Kather- ine Kintz, a daughter of Christian and Barbara (Molis) Kintz, also natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in 1836, first locating in Columbus, Ohio, where he remained for four years. In 1840 he came to Jefferson county and entered land in Walnut township. He immediately set about clearing and improving his property, continuing to add to his holdings from time to time, until he had acquired two hundred and fifteen acres. He continued to operate this place until his death on the 4th of May, 1892. The mother survived for five years thereafter, her demise occurring in September, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Rauscher were the parents of eight children, as follows: Frederick William, who is residing in Lockridge; Ernest Theo, who is engaged in farming in Lockridge town- ship; Martha R., the wife of Henry Achenbach, a farmer of Iowa county ; Henry M., who is an implement dealer in New London, Iowa ; Herman R., who is engaged in the same business in Mount Sterling, Iowa; Karl L.,
Vol. II-8
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who is a harness dealer in New London, Iowa; Christian A., manager of the Lumber Company of German Valley, Illinois; and Bertha C., who was born and died in 1877.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Rauscher are German Lutherans, and politically he is a democrat. His untiring energy and capable management enabled Mr. Rauscher to acquire a comfortable competence and he is now one of the stockholders and a director of the Lockridge Savings Bank. He is one of the many fine citizens Germany has given the United States, whose energies have been devoted to the developing and upbuilding of the great middle west.
WALTER S. CAMPBELL.
Walter S. Campbell, who has been postmaster of Batavia since 1907, is a native of the town, his birth having there occurred on the 4th of December, 1855, his parents being Joseph and Emma (Randolph) Camp- bell. The Campbells belong to one of the old colonial families of America, having been among the first settlers of Maryland. John and Mary Camp- bell, the great-grandparents of our subject, were both natives of Maryland, as was also their son Thomas. In his early manhood the latter removed to Pennsylvania, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death oc- curring in 1880. There he met and married Sidney Wadsworth, a native of the Keystone state and a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Hartman) Wadsworth, who were also born and reared in Pennsylvania. Mr. Wads- worth, who served in the war of 1812, died while returning home from the battle of Lundy's Lane.
Joseph Campbell was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated. After leaving school he engaged in teaching in his native state, being successfully identified with this profession from 1848 until 1855, when, believing that the west afforded greater and better opportunities for a young man he came to Jefferson county, Iowa. The following winter he taught in Batavia and in 1857 made his first purchase of land. This consisted of one hundred and sixty acres in Wayne county, which he subsequently sold and bought a tract in Wapello county. He cultivated this for twelve years, but at the expiration of that period bought one hundred acres of improved land in Locust Grove township, this county, where he resided until his death. At East Liberty. Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, occurred the marriage of Mr. Campbell to Miss Emma Randolph, in 1851. Mrs. Campbell was born in New Jersey and is a daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Girard) Randolph, natives of the same state where
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for many years the father was engaged in the shoe business. He later removed to Pennsylvania, where he died in 1863; his wife, however, sur- vived until 1884. After the death of her husband Mrs. Campbell continued to live on the homestead for two years, changing her residence to Albia, Iowa, where she made her domicile for five years. In 1910, she came to Batavia where she is now living with her daughter Miss Clara Campbell. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell numbered ten, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth, the others being as follows: Sarah J., the wife of T. C. Hall, a farmer of Smith county, Kansas; Annie Laura, wife of E. M. Parrett, a farmer of Locust Grove township, this county ; Florence, married E. A. Long, who is engaged in the insurance business in Albia, Iowa ; Ella, the wife of John Fansher, a farmer of Wapello county ; Charles R., who is engaged in the coal business in Chicago; Alice, a teacher now living in New Jersey: Frank T., a furniture dealer and undertaker of Quincy, Washington ; Mary, the wife of John Parrett, a farmer of Florence, Iowa ; and Clara, who is living with her mother in Batavia. His political support Mr. Campbell gave to the whig party during his early years, his first presidential vote having been cast for General Taylor. When the whigs were absorbed by the republicans he was ever loyal to his early principles, remaining a stanch supporter of the men and measures of the younger party. He always took an active interest in educational matters and while serving on the school board was a prominent factor in promoting the efficiency of the various local educational institutions.
The early years in the life of Walter S. Campbell differ but in detail from those of the average youth reared in the country. He remained at home on the farm with his people until he was twenty-five years of age. His education was acquired in the district schools, during which time he was working on the fields and taking care of the stock. In 1880 he left the parental roof to make a start for himself, farming as a renter for five years thereafter. At the end of that time he moved westward to South Dakota, where he remained for a time, before he returned to Jefferson county and rented the old homestead. Later he bought a farm in Wapello county that he cultivated for two years, and disposing of the same he preempted some government land in the San Luis Valley.
After operating this tract for a year he came to Batavia and engaged in the grocery business with his sister, Mrs. Long. He was identified with mercantile pursuits for twelve years, when he traded for sixty acres of land in Locust Grove township. For two years he remained on his land, when returning to Batavia, he engaged in the grain business with Scott & Walker, as silent partner. December 19, 1907, he was appointed postmaster of Batavia, which at that time was a fourth-class office. He continued to be connected with the elevator for a year thereafter, when he
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severed his connection with Scott & Walker, giving his entire attention to his duties to the post office, which on the Ist of October, 1910, was raised into the third-class rank. Mr. Campbell was reappointed by President Taft in 1910, and continues to be the incumbent of the office, the duties of which he has discharged with an efficiency that meets with the approval of the general community.
On December 18, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Campbell and Miss Ida Frisbe, a daughter of Miles S. and Hannah ( Housel) Frisbe. Her father was a native of Ohio, a descendant of Connecticut ancestry, his father having come from that state to the Western Reserve in Ohio during the pioneer days. The mother was also born in the Western Re- serve, but of German extraction, as the name suggests. Mr. Frisbe, who was a merchant, came to Iowa in the late '50s, locating in Batavia, where for a number of years he was engaged in the restaurant business. He passed away in 1901. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Camp- bell, the eldest of whom, Roy Ernest, and the fourth in order of birth, a twin, died in infancy. In order of birth the others are as follows : Jessie L., who married H. L. Whitmore, a farmer of Locust Grove town- ship, and who has one son, Donald; Myrtle L., who became the wife of Guy McNeil, a farmer of Des Moines township; and Raymond W., the last in order of birth and a twin, who is keeping books in Morrell's Pack- ing House at Ottumwa and is married to Miss Bessie Brawley, of that place.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the faith of which denomination they reared their family. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, being identified with Kilwinning Lodge, No. 198, A. F. & A. M., while Mrs. Campbell is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is also an Odd Fellow, belonging to Ohio Lodge, No. 120, I. O. O. F. His political support he gives to the Republican party, and for several years served as township clerk in Locust Grove, having the distinction of being the first republican elected to that office, by a heavily democratic constituency. Both Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are widely known in Batavia and vicinity where they have many friends.
ISAAC ARCHIBALD.
Isaac Archibald, a retired farmer now living in Glasgow, belongs to the rapidly thinning ranks of those who donned the blue and so valiantly defended the Union during the early '60s. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 24tli of October, 1836, and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Hall) Archibald. The parents were also natives of Ohio, where
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the father was employed on the river boats until 1847 when he removed to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county. Upon his arrival here he settled on a hundred and sixty acres of land at Coal Port, Lockridge township, that he had subsequently purchased. But fifteen acres of this was cleared and after erecting such buildings as were essential for the immediate comfort of the family, he applied himself to clearing and operating his land. He resided here for some time, then disposing of his property purchased an eighty-acre tract in Round Prairie township that he operated for a time. This he also subsequently sold and went to Birmingham, where he lived for a year. At the expiration of that time he bought a farm in Davis county, this state, that he improved and cultivated until his death in 1875. The mother passed away in 1837, while the family were residents of Ohio.
His introduction to the rudiments of English learning Isaac Archibald obtained in the common schools of his native state, where he spent the first eleven years of his life. This was later supplemented by further study in the district schools of Jefferson county, which he attended until it was considered he had sufficient knowledge to enable him to assume the heavier responsibilities of life. As he was a youth of eleven when he removed to the farm with his father, he was sufficiently developed to assist in the work of the fields and care of the stock, so by the time he had attained his ma- turity he was well qualified for the duties of an agriculturist. He left home when he was twenty-one and went to work in a sawmill, re- maining there one year. At the end of that time he returned to country life in the capacity of a farm hand, following that occupation until 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He remained at the front from the period of his enlistment until the close of hostilities, then returned to Iowa and went to work on the railroad. This work promised but a vague and unsatisfactory future, so he once more returned to agricultural pursuits, this time as a renter. He con- tinued to follow farming in this county until 1891, meeting with such lucrative returns from the tilling of his fields and stock-raising that he was able to retire. Removing to Glasgow he purchased a nice residence and an acre of ground, and is now enjoying the well earned rest made pos- sible by the thrift and industry of his earlier years.
On the Ist of January, 1868, Mr. Archibald was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Paxton, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Farley) Pax- ton, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. Paxton came to Henry county, Iowa, in the early '50s and bought and im- proved a farm that he operated for a good many years. The latter years of his life were spent in retirement in Rome, where he passed away in 1872. The mother survived him until 1891. Mr. Paxton was another of those who responded to his country's call during the Civil war, by enlist-
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ing and going to the front where he remained until the restoration of peace. Mr. and Mrs. Archibald were the parents of four children: Cora B., the widow of Charles Anderson, who is livng in Fairfield; Ross, who is now forty-one years of age and a resident of Burlington ; Minnie L., twenty- seven years of age, the wife of Henry Bartin, a farmer of Henry county ; and Jesse M., who is thirty-two years of age, a resident of Oskaloosa, where he is following the barber trade.
In matters of faith both Mr. and Mrs. Archibald are Methodist and politically he is a republican. He has always maintained relations with his comrades of the field through the medium of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is affiliated with the Pierce Post of Glasgow. Mr. Archi- bald's residence in Jefferson county covers a period of sixty-four years, the time of its greatest progress and highest development. He has been the interested observer of the many notable changes that have acompanied the introduction of modern inventions and conveniences, revolutionizing both commercial and industrial as well as agricultural methods. Despite his seventy-five years he is still active, and takes a keen interest in all the af- fairs of the day, while he is ever ready to relate one of his many reminis- cences of the war or the pioneer days in Iowa.
HON. JAMES P. STARR.
Hon. James P. Starr, mayor of Fairfield and one of the leading attor- neys of the city, has resided in Jefferson county for only a brief period but already his merit and ability have gained for him high and well de- served success. He was born in Fairmount, Clark county, Missouri, No- vember 3, 1869, his parents being Robert H. and Mary C. (Smith) Starr, who were natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, the father born April 16, 1840, and the mother on the 4th of April, 1846. The Starr family comes from a long line of Quaker ancestry, the progenitor of the family being John Starr, who resided at Old Castle, County Meath, Ireland. His sons and daughters came to the new world between 1674 and 1697, set- tling in the colony of Pennsylvania. The representatives of the name re- mained connected with the Society of Friends or Quakers until the grand- parents of our subject left that church. Moses Starr, the son of John Starr, the progenitor, was one of the first settlers of Berks county, Penn- sylvania, and was the first representative from that county to the provin- cial assembly.
The youthful days of Robert H. Starr were spent in the Keystone state and later he continued his education in the high school at Alliance, Ohio.
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He was on a visit to a sister in Illinois when he enlisted for active service in the Civil war in August, 1861, as a member of Company K, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, continuing with that command until January 6, 1865, when he was honorably discharged because of disability occasioned by a gun-shot wound in the right leg, making amputation necessary. Prior to the war both the Starr and Smith families had removed to northeastern Missouri and it was after his service at the front that Robert H. Starr and Mary C. Smith were married, their wedding being celebrated on Christmas Day of 1865. They continued their residence in Clark county, Missouri, until 1874, when they removed to Keosauqua, Van Buren county, Iowa, where the father died in 1901. The mother continued a resident of that place until 1906, when she returned to her old home in Clark county, Mis- souri, and is now living in Kahoka. During the period of his residence in Clark county, Missouri, Robert H. Starr filled the office of county treas- urer. Taking up the study of law he was admitted to the bar of that state in February, 1874, and in 1875 was licensed to practice before the bar of Iowa, continuing as an active follower of the profession until a few months prior to his death. He was prominent in the public affairs of the community in which he made his home after coming to this state and for two terms served as mayor of Keosauqua, manifesting the same loyalty and fidelity in the discharge of the duties of citizenship as he displayed when upon southern battlefields he followed the stars and stripes. He held membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and gave his politi- cal support to the republican party. Unto him and his wife were born ten children who are yet living: Phoebe H., the wife of H. E. Meredith, of Victor, Iowa; Julia E., the wife of C. W. Wiley, a resident of Keosauqua ; James P .; Belle L., the wife of C. L. Kerr, of Kahoka, Missouri; Ida L., the wife of H. L. McLeland, residing at Palisade, Nebraska; Bethel, the wife of J. F. Dweedy, of Lucerne, Wyoming; Anna L., the wife of A. G. Lazenby, living at Keosauqua; Lottie V., the wife of Hugh F. Tweedy, of Montrose, Iowa; and Charles L. and William P., twins, living at Ka- hoka, Missouri.
James P. Starr was a lad of five years when his parents removed from Missouri to Keosauqua, Iowa, where he pursued his education in the pub- lic schools. He afterward attended the law college of the State University and was admitted to the bar in 1892. He then entered upon active prac- tice with his father at Keosauqua, the professional relationship between them continuing until the father's death save for a period of four years, from 1893 until 1897, when James P. Starr was deputy clerk of Van Buren county. Following his father's demise he formed a partnership with J. C. Calhoun, of Keosauqua, under the firm name of Starr & Cal- houn, this relationship being maintained until Mr. Starr removed to Fair-
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