USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 17
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For the past four years Mr. Collins has resided at the Leggett House, in Fairfield. In his early life he learned the cooper's trade with his father but never enjoyed the work, nature having intended him for farming, for he always found pleasure and success in that calling and is today the owner of an excellent property in the midst of which stands a large and attractive residence. For twenty years he has been a member of the Jefferson County Farmers' Club and has taken an active part in its work. He has also been a member of the Farmers' Institute since its organization and was a mem- ber of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society. He was reared in the faith of the whig party and joined the ranks of the new republican party on its organization. He was associated with John Spielman and Senator James F. Wilson as members of a committee to organize the republican party in this county for the Fremont campaign. He was a stanch abolitionist, later a protectionist and subsequently became equally stalwart in his cham- pionship of prohibition. Of recent years he has voted an independent democratic ticket. During the Civil war he was a member of the Union League and he has always been a believer in the Christian religion although he has never held membership with a church. Of the one hundred men who enlisted at the time of the Mormon trouble at Nauvoo, Mr. Collins and William Wyatt, of Franklin, Illinois, are now the only survivors and
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the latter entertained the former in 1908. Mr. Wyatt also enlisted for service in the Mexican war and again in the Civil war and became a colonel. The two had been reared as boys together and attended the same school, and the visit in 1908 was a most happy occasion to both as they had not seen each other since the Mormon trouble. Mr. Collins has been a member of the Iowa State Historical Society since its organization. He is a remarkably well preserved man for eighty-seven years. He has not used intoxicants for more than half a century and never was addicted to the use of tobacco. Nature is kind to those who abuse none of her laws and she has been good to Mr. Collins who, although he has advanced far down the hillside of life, yet preserves a wonderful physical and mental vigor, keeping in touch with the grogress of the times and the thought that has moved the world. He relates, too, in a most interesting manner the incidents of early days and is one of the most respected and honored residents of Jefferson county.
FREDOLEN HEER.
One of Jefferson county's well known German citizens is Fredolen Heer, who for many years was successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, but is now living retired in Glasgow. He was born in Baden, his natal day being the 6th of March, 1837, and his parents Andrew and Catherine (Bartley) Heer, both of whom are now deceased, the father having passed away in 1873 and the mother in 1880. Andrew Heer was always engaged in the grain business in Germany, in connec- tion with which for many years he also operated a farm.
Fredolen Heer remained at home with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, pursuing his education in the common schools of his native land. Together with an elder brother in 1854 he took passage for the United States, arriving in New York city in the month of January. They soon secured employment in a rubber factory in New Brunswick, New Jersey, at fifty cents per day, while they paid seven dollars per month for their board. He remained in the service of this company for eighteen months, and at the end of that time went to Rome, New York, where for a time he worked in a brickyard at twelve dollars per month. From there he went to Utica, walking the greater part of the distance, and worked on the Erie canal until 1856. His next removal was to Burlington, Iowa, where he went to work for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which company was at that time extending their lines westward. He con- tinued in their service for a year, then went to Des Moines, but failing
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to find work in that city came to Jefferson county. On the 17th of Novem- ber, 1857, he went to work for a farmer at eleven dollars per month, fol- lowing this occupation for the succeeding four years. Although his wages were small he was thrifty and during that period managed to save enough to enable him to begin farming as a renter at the end of that time. He ap- plied himself diligently and by practicing the most rigid economy at the end of four years had sufficient capital to buy one hundred and twenty acres of land. This land had never been cultivated and was entirely with- out improvements, but he assiduously applied himself to clearing it and in connection with the operation of his own fields he rented a tract of one hundred and twenty acres that he cultivated. His efforts were re- warded by such lucrative returns that he subsequently extended the boun- daries of his homestead by the addition of another tract of one hundred and eight acres, making his holdings aggregate two hundred and twenty- eight acres. He improved his property as his resources increased by the erection of a comfortable residence, substantial barns and outbuildings, providing ample shelter for both his stock and grain. His fields were always tilled under his personal supervision and given the careful atten- tion that resulted in abundant harvests that brought the highest market prices. A man of practical ideas he used intelligence and discretion in all of his undertakings, his efforts always being directed toward a definite purpose. In connection with the operation of his fields he devoted much attention to stock-raising, and annually marketed fifty head of hogs while he kept twenty head of cattle and six horses. Long years of patient in- dustry and thrift united with clear judgment in all matters of business enabled Mr. Heer to acquire a competence that warranted his retirement in 1905, when he rented his farm and removed to Glasgow. Here he bought a house and three acres of land, and during the period of his oc- cupancy he has effected many and extensive improvements in his place and now owns one of the most attractive residence properties in the town. The income from his rentals and his other investments provides him with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life, thus enabling him to enjoy in his latter years the ease and comfort denied his youth.
On the 8th of April, 1862, Mr. Heer was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Unkriech, a daughter of Henry and Fredericka Unkriech. The parents were both natives of Germany, where the father held the position of tax collector in connection with which he also farmed until 1859, when he came to this country, locating in Jefferson county. Here he purchased two hundred acres of land in Round Prairie township that he was improv- ing, when his efforts in this direction were terminated by death in Janu- ary, 1860. The mother survived for sixteen years thereafter, her demise occurring in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Heer were the parents of ten children,
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two of whom died in infancy. The others were as follows: Louis, who died at the age of eighteen months; Mary, the wife of Frank Dill, a farmer of Round Prairie township; Anna, who married Milton Whitney, and is living in the vicinity of Broken Bow, Nebraska; Eva, the wife of Charles Stump, of Birmingham, Iowa; Frank, who is farming in North Dakota ; Charles, a merchant of Fairfield; William, who is farming in North Da- kota; and Kate, the wife of Charles McLaren, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. On the 28th of September, 1902, the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother, who for fourteen years previous had been an invalid. On the 26th of August, 1909, Mr. Heer was married to Miss Annie Sturgis, a daughter of William and Maria (Cole) Sturgis, the father a native of South Carolina and the mother of Indiana. The parents were among the early settlers of Jefferson county, the father having owned and improved a farm in Round Prairie township until his death in 1880. The mother survived him until 1887.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Heer affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has always taken an active interest in all township affairs, and while living in Round Prairie township served as trustee and road supervisor, and he was also a member of the board of school directors. Mr. Heer is one of the self- made men of Jefferson county, having come to America when little more than a boy and without either capital or influence has attained a position that well entitles him to the esteem and regard he is accorded by his many friends.
ROLLIN J. WILSON.
Rollin J. Wilson, a prominent representative of the bar, who since 1877 has engaged in practice in Jefferson county, was born in Fairfield. October 18, 1853. He is a representative of one of the prominent families of the state, and is fortunate in having back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished. His father was James F. Wilson, United States sena- tor from Iowa, and his mother, Mrs. Mary A. K. (Jewett) Wilson. Both were natives of Newark, Ohio, where they were reared and married, com -. ing to Fairfield in the winter of 1852-3. Their family numbered three children, Rollin J., Mary B. and James F., all of this city.
Throughout his entire life Rollin J. Wilson has resided in Fairfield and in the private and public schools began his education, passing through consecutive grades up to the time when he entered the State University at Iowa City. He there completed a course by graduation with the class of
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1875 and later took up the study of law in Fairfield, being admitted to the bar in 1877, since which time he has continuously practiced in this city. He has had a distinctively representative clientele and has been connected with much important work in the courts, where he has won favorable ver- dicts by reason of his clear reasoning and logical deductions. By election he filled the office of county attorney four years, proving a most capable official in that connection. He was the first person chosen to the office by election and continued therein for two terms. He had previously been appointed by the board of supervisors. For twenty years he was local attorney for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and also for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad companies. Aside from the practice of law he is well known in business circles in Fairfield as the president of the First National Bank. Moreover he has been closely associated with many of the public interests of the city whereby its welfare and interests have been conserved. He is now president of the Fairfield free public library and is secretary of the board of trustees of Parsons College. He was for nine years a member of the school board, serving two terms as president of Fairfield Independent District.
On the 13th of October, 1881, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Mary Atchison McKemey, a native of Fairfield, and a daughter of Joseph Ali- son and Cynthia A. McKemey. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson was blessed with two daughters: Mary Louise, now the wife of J. P. Morehead, of Fairfield; and Helen C., the wife of Edward C. Peters, of Fairfield. Mr. Wilson holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias and A. O. U. W. He votes with the republican party, to which he has given his allegiance since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Those who know him, and his friends are many, accord him the high regard which is uniformly given in recog- nition of genuine personal worth and ability. For fifty-eight years he has lived in Fairfield and every event which has had special significance in relation to the history of the city is familiar to him and it is well known that his influence and aid can be counted upon to further every movement that tends to benefit the county.
JAMES J. BIRT.
With the passing of James J. Birt from the scene of earthly activity the community in which he resided lost one of its most honored and valued citizens, for in him were manifest those qualities which ever win respect and confidence. He was yet in his prime when called to his final rest, his
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birth having occurred on the 24th of December, 1854, in Pennsylvania. His parents, John J. and Jemimah (Mansfield) Birt, were both natives of England, where they were reared and married, and where the father learned and followed the brick mason's trade. Later he took up agricultural pur- suits and after coming to America in 1850, located in Pennsylvania where he followed that occupation until about 1856. From there he came to Iowa and took up his abode on a farm just west of Fairfield in Jefferson county, upon which a son now resides. Throughout the rest of his days this place remained his home, and here he passed away in 1875. His wife also spent her last days on that farm, her death occurring when she was eighty-three years of age. In their family were four children of whom only two are now living: Lincoln, a farmer of Smithfield, Nebraska ; and Frank, operating the old homestead.
James J. Birt was a little lad of two years when brought to Iowa, and almost his entire life was passed within the boundaries of Jefferson county. His boyhood and youth were spent in the routine of farm work and after the death of his father he continued to give his mother the benefit of his assistance about the home place until he was thirty-six years of age, when he was married and at once took up farming independently on a tract of land which he purchased five miles northwest of Fairfield near Brook- ville, and there he resided for one year. At the end of that period he removed to the forty-acre tract situated just outside of the city limits of Fairfield, upon which his family still reside. This land is located on sec- tion 26, near the fairgrounds and to its further development he at once directed his energies. Year after year he plowed and planted and carried on the work of the farm, remaining there until his life's labors were ended in death, when he left to his family a well improved and desirable property.
It was on the 2d of September, 1891, that Mr. Birt was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Du Bois, a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (Dill) Du Bois, the former born in New York city of French parentage and the latter born in Nashville, Tennessee, of American progeny. They were married in Illinois and in the spring of 1842 came to Jefferson county, Iowa, locating about two miles west of Fairfield on a farm. There the father carried on general farming and stock-raising until about three years prior to his death, when he retired from business life. He passed away in 1888, having survived his wife for seven years, her death occurring in 1881 on the farm where her daughter now resides and upon which she has spent her entire life. In the Du Bois family were nine children, five of whom are now living, namely: Reuben, of Fairfield, a retired farmer ; Theodore Polk, engaging in farming in Center township, Jefferson county ; John. a farmer of South Dakota ; Mrs. Asa D. Roberts, of Fairfield, and Mrs. Birt. To Mr. and Mrs. Birt were born two children, Nathaniel S.
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and Ona May, both students of the Fairfield high school. Since the death of the father the son has taken charge of the home farm under the direc- tion of his mother, the work of which he carries on during the vacation periods and when not engaged with his text-books. Mr. Birt was a faith- ful member of the Christian church of Fairfield, to which his wife and children also belong, and in the faith of that denomination he passed away on the 4th of May, 1910. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and for many years he filled political offices of various kinds. He acted as road supervisor for several terms in districts No. I and 8, and as school director in district No. 8 for a long period, and no project which had for its object material, intellectual or moral develop- ment sought his aid in vain. He was a man of fine personal character, well known and highly respected throughout this section of the county, and when he passed from this life, the community lost one of its most valued and honored citizens. His demise came as a great blow to his family, by whom he was cherished as a devoted husband and kind, loving father. With him his home was his first and his last consideration and no sacrifice was too great for him that would further the pleasure and comfort of his loved ones. To his family he left not only a comfortable competence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and a record that is well worthy of emulation.
DENNIS T. KILFOY.
Dennis T. Kilfoy, who for the past six years has filled the position of right-of-way agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany, makes his home in Fairfield, whither he was brought by his parents when but three weeks old. He was born in Burlington, Iowa, July 1, 1858, a son of Timothy and Bridget (Murphy) Kilfoy. The father was born in Scariff, County Clare, Ireland, in 1825, and the mother's birth occurred in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1831. They spent their childhood days on the Emerald isle and both became residents of Burlington in the year 1856. They were married in that city and remained there until their son Dennis was three weeks old, when they removed to Fair- field, where the remainder of their lives were passed. The father was a laborer, who was associated for a long period with the erection of public buildings, including the courthouse, the college and public school buildings of the city. He died here in 1899 and for six years was survived by his wife, who passed away in 1905. They had seven children: Dennis T .; Kate, who married James Sullivan, both now deceased; Annie, living in
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Fairfield; Julia, the wife of T. J. Hynes, of Burlington ; Bridget, who died February 12, 1911; Edward, whose death occurred September 29, 1895; and Mary, who died in 1899.
It was on the 22d of July, 1858, that the family came to Jefferson county and Dennis T. Kilfoy has since made his home in Fairfield, cover- ing a period of more than a half century. He acquired his education by attending the common schools and began earning his own living by working as a section hand for the Burlington & Missouri Railroad, now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system. Subsequently he was employed in a lumberyard and also worked for a time for the Fairfield Gas Com -. pany. He then secured a position as clerk in a grocery store and for twenty years was connected with that line of merchandising. At the present writing he is the right-of-way agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which position he has acceptably filled for six years, while for six years he acted as assistant general agent for the same company.
On the 15th of June, 1887, Mr. Kilfoy was married to Miss Elizabeth Fritz, of Brighton, Iowa, who was born near that place in August, 1866, a daughter of Peter and Susan (Kurtz) Fritz, who are mentioned in this volume in connection with the record of their son, John H. Fritz. Mr. and Mrs. Kilfoy have three sons: John A., of Fairfield, who has charge of the Jefferson County Rating League; and Leo T., eighteen years of age and Edward Joseph, both at home and high school students. Mr. Kilfoy votes with the democratic party and is a communicant of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. He has always worked hard and to his diligence and industry must be attributed whatever success he has achieved.
MATTHEW B. SPARKS.
Matthew B. Sparks, who has the distinction of being one of the oldest practicing attorneys in Jefferson county, was born in Scottville, Macoupin county, Illinois, on April 17, 1838, being a son of John and Elizabeth (Bradshaw) Sparks. His father, although born and reared in Virginia, was of English extraction, the paternal great-grandfather, Matthew B. Sparks, a farmer by occupation, being a native of the mother country. His mother, who was born in White county, Tennessee, was a direct de- scendant of John Bradshaw, a general in the army of Oliver Cromwell. He was president of the court that condemned to death Charles the First of England, signing the warrant of execution. Two of John Bradshaw's sons escaped the wrath of Charles the Second after the restoration by coming to America, and it was from one of these that Mrs. Sparks was
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descended. In 1830 together with his wife and family John Sparks came west to Illinois, locating in Macoupin county where he followed the car- penter's trade and farming during the remainder of his active life, passing away near Carlinville, in 1882. The mother survived for several years thereafter, her demise occurring at Jacksonville, Illinois. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sparks numbered nine children, as follows: William and Fannie, both of whom are deceased; Matthew B., our subject ; and Nancy. John Byrum, Ryal, Amanda, Emma, also deceased; and Louisa, the widow of W. H. Hendrickson, ex-secretary of state and member of congress from Illinois, who is now living at Alexander, Illinois.
The first nineteen years of his life Matthew B. Sparks spent under the parental roof, attending the district and high schools in the vicinity of his home in the acquirement of an education. Upon the completion of the course therein pursued he came to Iowa, locating in Van Buren county, where for several years he engaged in teaching. He subsequently went to Scotland county, Missouri, where he continued to teach until the breaking out of the Civil war. On the 13th of July, 1861, he answered his country's call for troops and went to Memphis, Missouri, where he enlisted in Com- pany C, Twenty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He remained at the front until the 22d of September, 1862, at which time he was discharged at Keokuk, Iowa, on account of disability. He participated in a number of notable skirmishes and engagements in Missouri during the autumn of 1861 and in the following spring his regiment was ordered to join General Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing. Their campaign was opened at Shiloh, where his company met with heavy losses, but twenty-seven of their eighty-three men surviving that terrible conflict. After he was mus- tered out Mr. Sparks came to Batavia, where he again engaged in teaching, devoting his unoccupied hours to the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1865 and immediately thereafter opened an office here and engaged in the practice of his profession, with which he has ever since been identified, being the oldest practicing attorney in Jefferson county with the exception of Isaac D. Jones of Fairfield.
On the 2d of September, 1858, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sparks and Miss Sarah J. Killebrew, a daughter of Captain Finess and Louisa (Evans) Killebrew, the family being of Scotch extraction in the paternal line. Her father was a native of Tennessee, having been born near the Kentucky line, while the mother's birthplace was Lexington, Ken- tucky. The paternal grandfather, Lawrence Killebrew, was a pioneer Methodist preacher of Pike county, Missouri, where he was born and reared. He withdrew from the Missouri conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, when the church divided on the slavery question and went to Illinois, where he spent his latter years, his death occurring in
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Winchester, Scott county, that state. In the maternal line Mrs. Sparks is descended from Captain Maberry Evans, her grandfather, who was a millwright of Kentucky, having been a son of the Revolutionary hero. Captain Finess Killebrew was a sawmill owner and operator in his native state, whence he removed to Iowa in the late '30s, locating near Hillsboro, where he engaged in farming. He was commissioned captain in the Iowa State Militia in 1840, which office he also held during the Black Hawk war. During the Rebellion he lived in Missouri, but when peace was re- stored returned to Iowa, purchasing a farm near Libertyville, this county, where both he and his wife passed away in 1866. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Killebrew: Murina, who is deceased; Elizabeth, the widow of Loren Rawson, now living near Parsons, Kansas ; Sarah J., now Mrs. Sparks; Maberry, who is deceased; Parthina, who never married and is now a resident of Parsons, Kansas; and John J., who is also de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were the parents of six children.
The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church of which Mrs. Sparks is an earnest member. During his earlier years Mr. Sparks always voted the straight republican ticket, but he now accords his support to the men and measures he deems best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority, irrespective of party affiliation. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in all municipal affairs, and for many years has been a member of the town council and for ten years he was mayor of Batavia and was president of the school board for a long period. That he proved to be efficient and loyal to the best interests of his community is attested by the length of his periods of incumbency in his various public positions. He is one of the highly honored members of the Jefferson County Bar Association and he also belongs to the George Strong Post of the Grand Army of the Republic of Fairfield. Mr. Sparks has been one of the factors in the development and upbuilding of Batavia, his time and energy ever having been liberally contributed toward the promotion and advancement of every movement that promised the betterment of the intellectual or moral welfare of the town, of which he has been a resident for more than forty-six years.
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