USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 15
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For his wife Mr. Anderson chose Miss Carrie D. Reeder, to whom he was united on March 27, 1884. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Lewis and Sarah S. (Shanberger) Reeder, natives of Germany. The father emigrated to this country in a very early day, first locating in Pennsylvania whence he later removed to Jefferson county, where he bought and operated a farm during the remainder of his active life. In 1885 he retired to Lockridge and there he passed away four years later at the age of seventy- seven years. Mrs. Reeder had passed the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey at the time of her demise on October 4, 1907. The father was one of the prominent citizens of the county, always having taken an active part in all political affairs, and for' some years represented his dis- trict in the state assembly.
Mr. Anderson always gave his political support to the republican party, but was too deeply engrossed in the development of his private interests to figure as candidate for any public office in his township. He was an earnest member of the Lutheran church, as is also his widow, who num- bers among the members of its congregation many friends of long years standing.
ARTHUR G. JORDAN.
Arthur G. Jordan, who since 1895 has engaged in the practice of law . in Fairfield, his native city, was born January 24, 1873, a son of A. S. and Ada M. (Jordan) Jordan, who are still residents of Fairfield where they have long made their home. Their family numbered but two chil- dren and the daughter, Nellie E., still resides with her parents.
The only son, Arthur G. Jordan, has spent his entire life in his na- tive city and at the usual age entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high school student. Later he con- tinued his literary course in Parsons College, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1893. In preparation for a professional career he spent one year in the law school of the University of Wisconsin and afterward completed his law studies in the office of a Fairfield attor-
Vol. II-9
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ney. Following his admission to the bar in the fall of 1895 he at once entered upon practice here and in the field of his profession has made continuous advancement because of devotion to his clients' interests, his careful and systematic preparation of his cases and the clear and logical manner in which he presents his points of evidence. For two terms he has filled the office of county attorney, entering upon the duties of that position in 1899 for a two years' term. He received public indorsement of his work in reelection which continued him in the position through 1902.
The pleasant home life of Mr. Jordan had its foundation in his mar- riage, in 1904, to Miss Mary Marcy, who was born in Fairfield in 1875 and is a daughter of John and Mary (Whittaker) Marcy, who are still residents of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have many friends in Fair- field where they have always resided and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. In politics he has been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has been active in the work of the county, serving for four years as chairman of the county central committee. The cause of education also finds in him a stanch champion and he is now acting as a member of the board of trustees of Parsons College. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Congregational church and his record has at all times been that of a progressive citizen and honorable man, his influence being ever on the side of right, justice, truth and improvement.
JOHN G. COCHRAN.
A resident of Jefferson county all his life, John G. Cochran has been associated with agricultural interests in this locality since he was old enough to follow a calling. He was born in Round Prairie township, Jef- ferson county, in April, 1845. His father, John Cochran, was a native of Ireland and came to this country in his youth, settling in Ohio where he operated a farm for a number of years. He was married to Mary Gregg, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1840, at the age of thirty-seven years, he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, and bought land from the government in Round Prairie township. This he cleared and improved, continuing his work in the fields until death claimed him, in 1876. His wife survived him eleven years, dying in 1887.
Brought up amid the familiar scenes which he has known all his life, John G. Cochran was educated in the district schools of his native locality. He remained with his parents until their death, when he came into pos-
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session of the home place of two hundred and five acres. This he im- proved and operated with success until 1891, when he sold one hundred and sixty-five acres of this tract, keeping about forty acres adjoining the town of Glasgow. Engaged in the operation of this moderate sized farm, he is sufficiently occupied to fill his days with profitable labor and has accumulated a competence which enables him to live in bountiful comfort.
In December, 1880, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage to Miss Liz- zie Butler, a daughter of Stephen and Elsie (Smith) Butler, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. Mr. Butler came to Jef- ferson county, Iowa, in 1852 and he bought a tract of land comprising eighty acres which he operated for a time, subsequently trading farms with a friend. He then sold out his holdings and removed to Harrison county, Iowa, where he resided until his death, November 16, 1881. His wife passed away three years later. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran are the parents of two children: Harry S., aged thirty years, who resides at home; and Elsie B., aged twenty-seven years, the wife of Arnold V. Murray, who is connected with a wholesale drug concern and resides in Ottumwa, Iowa. They have two children : Arnold V., Jr., aged six years and Mildred E., aged five. Mr. Cochran is affiliated with the republican party and has always given his loyal support to the men and measures that serve the best interests of his community and was called upon to fill the office of trustee of this township. He and his wife subscribe to the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they are attendants: He is well known throughout the county in which his long record of industry and. thrift has won him the respect of all who know him.
CLARKSON ASHMEAD.
One by one the soldiers of the Civil war answer to the last roll call and pass on to join the greater army of the boys in blue, who have gone be- fore. Clarkson Ashmead was among those who were spared to enjoy for many years the peace and prosperity which came to the country following the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south. Patriotism ever remained one of his dominant qualities, for he was as loyal to his country in times of peace as he was when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south. His birth occurred in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1829, his parents being Samuel and Abi- gail (Milleson) Ashmead, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and for many
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years cultivated a tract of land in the Keystone state but in 1855 he left the east and came to lowa, settling in Jefferson county. He purchased and improved a farm in Cedar township, continuing its cultivation until his death, and his wife also passed away upon the old homestead.
Clarkson Ashmead came to Jefferson county with his parents when a young man of twenty-six years. He had acquired his education in the schools of Pennsylvania and had afterward learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until he came to Iowa. He then took up farming in connection with his father and following the latter's death, he rented a farm, which he operated for a year. At the end of that time he went to Missouri, where he purchased an improved tract of land, making his home thereon for ten years. He returned to Iowa and purchased a farm near Brookville, to the further development and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until 1901, when his children having married and left home and his own health being somewhat impaired he retired from the farm and removed to Fairfield, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in February, 1903. As an agriculturist he had labored diligently and untiringly and had converted the once wild prairie into a productive tract, gathering large harvests as a reward of his persistent and practical methods. He kept everything about the place in a state of good repair and neatness, and thrift pervaded every part of the farm.
On the 8th of January, 1852, Mr. Ashmead was married to Miss Jane Mccutcheon, a daughter of John and Margaret (Mccutcheon) McCutch- eon, who though of the same name were not relatives. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Pennsylvania. When he was but twelve years of age the family came to the new world, settling in the Keystone state, where he secured employment in the iron works of Pittsburg. Later he engaged in farming for a number of years and was a resident of that part of the country up to the time of his death, which occurred in the city of Pittsburg. His wife passed away in Brownsville. Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashmead were born five children, two of whom died in Penn- sylvania in infancy. Those still living are: Benson C., a resident farmer of Davis county, Iowa ; Addie May, the wife of Moses B. Shelby, a resi- dent farmer of the state of Washington ; and Uel J., who is also engaged in farming in Washington.
While Mr. Ashmead devoted the greater part of his life to general agricultural pursuits he allowed nothing to interfere with what he con- sidered his duty to his country in the dark days of the Civil war. Re- sponding to the call for aid he enlisted as a member of Company E, Thir- teenth Iowa Infantry and the hardships and rigors of war were such that his health became undermined and his death was really the result of his military experience. He held membership in the Grand Army of the
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Republic in connection with the post at Batavia and he thus enjoyed meet- ing with his old comrades. He always voted with the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist church, to which his wife and family belonged. For many years he was a resident of Jefferson county and his good qualities were recognized by all with whom he came in contact. He worked earnestly and persistently in the cultivation and improvement of his farm, was ever willing to give his support to progres- sive measures for the benefit of the community and at all times cast his influence on the side of right, justice and truth. Mrs. Ashmead still sur- vives her husband and now resides in a pleasant home, at No. 406 West Briggs street in Fairfield.
JOSEPH S. DROZ.
Joseph S. Droz, who makes his home on section 27, Cedar township, is one of the representative citizens and successful agriculturists of Jef- ferson county, owning two hundred and ninety acres of valuable land. His birth occurred in that township on the 18th of December, 1860, his parents being John and Julia (Palm) Droz. The father, whose natal day was June 23, 1836, was born and reared in Alsace, France, and was a son of John B. Droz, who served as commissioner of public highways in his home district in France. In 1858 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his abode among the pioneer settlers of Jefferson county, Iowa. He and his brother Joseph, who is now a resident of Fairfield, first worked at grubbing, receiving fifty cents a day and paying their own board. They also cut stove wood for a remuneration of thirty cents per day and their dinners. Carefully saving his earnings, John Droz at length accumulated five hundred dollars and in 1870 purchased a tract of land comprising fifty-one acres in Cedar township. Subsequently he purchased a farm of seventy-one acres on section 33, Cedar township, where the family home was maintained from 1873 until 1891. In 1872 he erected the old cabin now standing on the property, hewing out the logs which he used in its construction. In 1891 John Droz took up his abode on the place where his son Alex now resides, while at the present time he lives on a homestead of eighty acres on section 26, Cedar township. That he prospered in his undertakings as an agriculturist is indicated by the fact that at the time of his retirement, fifteen years ago, he owned four hun- dred and forty acres of rich and productive land. It was in Cedar town- ship, in 1860, that he wedded Miss Julia Palm, who on the 18th of May, 19II, met with an accident which caused instant death. She fell in the
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cellar, crushing her skull by striking a stone step and breaking her neck. Her tragic end was deplored by all who knew her and who had learned to esteem and love her during the many years of her residence in the com- munity. John Droz, who has lived within the borders of Jefferson county for more than a half century, is widely and favorably known here and is honored as a pioneer whose labors were an element in the material de- velopment and upbuilding of this part of the state. He is a Roman Cath- olic in religious faith, belonging to the church of that denomination at Fairfield. To him and his wife were born three children, as follows : Joseph S., of this review ; Alex, who resides on a farm near that of our sub- ject ; and Mary, who is the wife of C. L. Hosette, a farmer of Van Buren county.
Joseph S. Droz attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education, thus fitting himself for the practical and responsible duties of life. In 1891, following his marriage, he purchased the old Droz home- stead on section 33, Cedar township, and started out as an agriculturist on his own account. Thereon he resided until 1903, since which time he has occupied his present home on section 27. His holdings now embrace two hundred and ninety acres of excellent farming land in Cedar township, which he cultivates with the assistance of his son. He feeds all of his grain to cattle and hogs and in his undertakings as a stockman has met with a well merited measure of success.
On the 8th of January, 1891, Mr. Droz was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Prince, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hisel) Prince, who were natives of Switzerland and Belgium respectively. In 1860 the father emi- grated to the United States, locating near Lockridge, Jefferson county, Iowa. He enlisted for service in the Union army but remained at the front for only a brief period and passed away soon after the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south. To him and his wife were born two children: Mrs. Droz; and Eugene, a farmer living in Buchanan township, four miles east of Fairfield. In 1871 Mrs. Elizabeth Prince gave her hand in marriage to Xavier Hosette, who died and was buried at sea while importing Belgium horses to America. Their union was blessed with two children, namely : Louis Hosette, an agriculturist of Van Buren county, lowa ; and Mrs. Josephine Bailey, the wife of Dr. C. W. Bailey, of Pleasant Plain, Iowa. The mother of these children came to America with her parents when a maiden sixteen years old, the family home being estab- lished in Cedar township, Jefferson county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Droz have one son, Gaston, whose natal day was October 13, 1891, and who at- tended the district school and also studied at Fairfield for a year.
In his political views Mr. Droz is a stanch democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He is a faithful communicant of the Roman
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Catholic church at Fairfield, to which his wife and son also belong. His cooperation has never been sought in vain in support of progressive public movements and his worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged.
CHARLES E. PEARSON.
Charles E. Pearson is one of the representative young farmers and stock- men of Jefferson county, of which he is a native, his birth having occurred in Des Moines township on the 9th of August, 1876. He is a son of Silas and Parlee (Carter) Pearson, the father being a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Jefferson county. The Pearsons have been residents of America since the early Colonial days. The great-great- great-grandfather of our subject, Enoch Pearson, a Quaker preacher of New London, England, emigrated to this country with William Penn, set- tling in Philadelphia. He had a son Samuel Pearson, who was born in 1724 and died January 8, 1790, and in turn was the father of Samuel Pearson, the great-grandfather of our subject. The latter was born in Frederick county, Virginia, on the 3d of November, 1767, and died in Miami county, Ohio, November 3, 1847. He was married on the 2d of Septem- ber, 1790, in South Carolina, to Miss Mary Coats, the daughter of a black- smith, John Coats and his wife, whose maiden name was Rachael Wright. Their son, Sampson Pearson, was born in Ohio, on the 29th of December, 1810. He removed to Indiana in 1836 and from there to Iowa in 1853, but later went to Missouri, and there he died January 5, 1888. Before leaving Ohio, in August, 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy McClure, who was a daughter of the Buckeye state, her natal day having been the 29th of December, 1811. Her parents were John and Abigail (Buffington) McClure, the father having been born in 1788 and the mother on the 14th of September, 1791. Their son, Silas Pearson, was born in Indiana, Feb- ruary 10, 1840, and was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa in 1853, locating in Iowa City in the autumn of that year. The following spring, however, the family removed to Jeffer- son county and settled on a farm on section 36, Des Moines township, where Rayburn Pearson now lives. On the 27th of September, 1861, the father of our subject enlisted in Company F, Third Iowa Cavalry, and served throughout the remainder of the war. He continued his farming opera- tions until 1907, when he retired from active labor. and removed to Liberty- ville, where he is now residing. In February, 1866, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Parlee Carter and they have since made their home in Jeffer- son county.
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Charles E. Pearson, of this review, remained with his parents until he attained his majority. He obtained his education in the common schools and his knowledge of agricultural pursuits and stock-raising from actual experience, study and observation. From earliest boyhood he assisted about the home farm, and when ready to begin for himself had a good knowledge of the practical methods of agriculture. Following his marriage in 1904 he began farming for himself, locating on an eighty-acre tract that he had purchased in Van Buren county. He subsequently sold his holdings and bought eighty acres in Des Moines township, that formed the nucleus of his present homestead. Later his circumstances enabled him to extend the boundaries of his farm by the addition of an adjoining eighty acres, to which he acquired the title in March, 1907. His is one of the well cultivated and improved properties of the district and here he engages in general farm- ing and stock-raising. He keeps a good grade of cattle and hogs and makes a specialty of the breeding and raising of Shropshire sheep. He does con- siderable feeding and annually makes shipments to the markets, usually those of Chicago.
On the 14th of October, 1904, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pear- son and Miss Pearl McClain, a daughter of Edwin and Alice (Raines) Mc- Clain. The father, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the county, was killed by lightning on his farm, on section 27, Des Moines township, August 27, 1884. The mother is still living and continues to make her home on the farm. Four children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Pearson : Glenn, who is five years of age; Rodney, now three ; Grace, who is two years and Ernest Leslie, a babe of four months.
Mr. Pearson has always been a stanch republican, although he does not actively participate in political campaigns. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Pearson attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Des Moines township, of which Mrs. Pearson is a member. Progressive in his views, Mr. Pear- son intelligently adopts modern ideas in all branches of his work, but being guided by practical results rather than by theoretical, hypothesis he is con- servative in his methods, and as a result is meeting with a gratifying degree of success.
JOHN BARTHOLOMEW.
No history of Fairfield and Jefferson county would be complete with- out reference to John Bartholomew who is today one of the oldest of the native sons residing within the county's borders. This was largely a wild and undeveloped region when, on Christmas Day, 1842, his birth occurred
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in Fairfield. In the intervening period covering sixty-nine years he has witnessed notable changes, for the wild prairie land has been claimed and cultivated and the few pioneer homes have been supplanted by large and attractive modern residences that indicate the success and prosperity of the farming community. The villages, too, have extended into flourishing towns and cities and the work of progress has been carried steadily for- ward through the unfaltering efforts of progressive citizens. As the years have passed by John Bartholomew has prospered in his undertakings and his attention is now given to the supervision of his property interests which include some valuable real estate in Fairfield.
Mr. Bartholomew is a son of . Thomas and Nancy (Speer) Bartholo- mew, both of whom were natives of County Antrim, Ireland, born near Bel- fast. The father's birth occurred July 10, 1811, and the mother was born in 1813. They were reared and married there and after crossing the broad Atlantic in one of the old-time sailing vessels they settled at Cassville, Pennsylvania, where they resided for two years. In 1840 they arrived in Fairfield and during their remaining days lived in Jefferson county. The father was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade and in connection with the manufacture of furniture here he also did considerable building. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judicious investments in land, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the city on the south- west, his sons operating this farm after he retired to private life. He died January 3, 1892, having for more than ten years survived his wife, who passed away December 24, 1881, when in her sixty-eighth year. Their eldest son, Robert, was born in Ireland and their eldest daughter, Agnes, in Pennsylvania. The former is now deceased and the latter is the widow of William A. Barton, a resident of Colorado. Five children came into the family after the arrival in this state, namely: John ; Thomas A., de- ceased; Catherine, who is the widow of Charles Goddard and resides in Leadville, Colorado ; and James and Mary, both of whom are now deceased.
John Bartholomew spent his boyhood and youth in Fairfield and at- tended the public schools, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks assigned to him by parental authority. On attaining his majority he went to Colorado where he resided for a quarter of a century. In connection with his brother Robert he took up timber claims in that state, furnishing timber for the mines and also drove ox teams in the transportation business. As the years passed he prospered for he was diligent, determined and persevering, and the result of his labors is manifest in the fact that following his return to Fairfield in 1889 he made investment in property here. At that time he took up his abode at his present place of residence, having a five-acre tract adjoining the old home. He owns altogether twelve dwellings in this city
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that he rents and his time is largely spent in looking after his property and other investments. In addition to his real estate he holds considerable stock in banks and factories of Fairfield and is now numbered among the mnost substantial residents of this city.
On the 13th of October, 1892, Mr. Bartholomew was married to Miss Louisa Thoma, a native of Atchison, Kansas, and a daughter of David and Theresa Thoma, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of her two brothers, under the name of Thoma & Thoma, elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Bartholomew and his wife have many warm friends in this district where they have so long resided. Both are faithful attendants of the First Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder. He is prominent among the business men and is widely recognized as a man of keen dis- crimination and sound judgment. Moreover he is public-spirited and has been a potent factor in many movements which tend to promote the ma- terial, intellectual and moral growth of the community.
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