USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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They were parents of four children: Clara, the wife of Thad Chamber- lain, of Peoria; Mrs. Radley; Arden H., a resident of Montana; and Faye, the wife of O. R. Schleicher, of Peoria. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Radley have been born five children: William; Laura F., the wife of Rollin R. Hawk, of Pleasant Plain, this county ; Bertha; Thurlow; and Walter. The youngest was born in Jefferson county and the four oldest in Peoria county, Illinois. The family have become widely and favorably known during their residence in Jefferson county and by reason of his earnest and well directed effort, his unfaltering energy and sound business judg- ment Mr. Radley has made for himself a place among the leading agri- culturists here.
LEONARD F. CARLSON.
Of Swedish parentage on the paternal side, Leonard F. Carlson is numbered among the sons of those pioneer settlers who came from Sweden to America, pushing their way westward beyond the Mississippi in the days when rolling prairies of wild land stretched in endless monotony to the foothills of the Rockies. At the age of twenty his father, Adam Carl- son, came to America from Sweden where he had worked at farm labor. Arriving in this country in 1856 he located in Ottumwa, Iowa, and became a day laborer in a brick yard in that town. He did not continue in this employment very long, but on the advice and solicitation of friends came to Jefferson county, Iowa, to. engage in agriculture. He bought a small farm in Round Prairie township which he improved and operated. He was married to Miss Susan Anderson and, during their residence here on the Round Prairie farm in Jefferson county, their son, Leonard F. Carlson, was born June 24, 1877. At the end of four years Mr. Carlson sold this farm and removed his family to the town of Rome, Henry county, Iowa, where he entered the employment of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In this he continued for a period of twelve years and at the expiration of this time once more harkened to the call of rural life. He therefore bought a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres in Lockridge township, later adding to this by a further purchase of forty acres. This land he improved and operated for about fifteen years. Then, giving the management of the farm over to his son Leonard, he retired, going back to Rome, Iowa, to live. Here he still resides being seventy-five years old. His wife is sixty years old.
Leonard F. Carlson was reared and educated in Rome, Henry county, Iowa, where he attended the public schools. For the past ten years he
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has been engaged in operating his father's farm with much success. He raises thirty head of hogs annually, and feeds thirty head of cattle and five horses.
The marriage of Leonard F. Carlson to Miss Etta Duttweiler was solemnized on New Year's day, 1902. She is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Baldosier) Duttweiler. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson were blessed with the birth of two children, twins born near the close of the year 1902. They are named Francis A. and Florence R. Mr. Carlson is a republican in his political views and with his family holds membership in the Baptist church. He is a man of forceful character and genial personality, highly esteemed by all who know him.
PHILIP CARY.
While there are residents of Jefferson county who have taken a more active part in the political activities of the county or have sought to exert a wider influence in fraternal circles, there is perhaps no resident of the county that has a more extensive local acquaintance or in a larger measure merits the high regard of those with whom he has had business dealings than Philip Cary. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, July 19, 1842, his parents being William and Mary (Wallace) Cary, both of whom were natives of France and in their childhood days were brought by their re- spective parents to America ; each family establishing its home in Ohio. Mrs. Cary was the first woman to graduate in medicine in the United States, completing a course in Athens College about 1850. She was a second cousin ·of General Lew Wallace. Her whole life was spent in Ohio after coming to the new world; and, for a few years, she engaged actively in the practice of medicine. William Cary was a man of scholarly attain- ments. In his younger days he engaged in teaching, but, later, took up the occupation of farming. He remained a resident of Ohio until his death, which occurred when he was about sixty years of age. In the family were eleven children, five of whom reached mature years: James, now de- ceased; Angeline, who has also passed away; Elizabeth, who is the widow of John Michmer, of Morgan county, Ohio; Philip; and Albert, who is living in Wisconsin. He was married but lost his wife.
Philip Cary was a resident of his native county until he reached the age of five years, after which the family removed to Pike county, that state. Here the subject of this sketch was living at the time of his enlist- ment for service in the Civil war, in July, 1861. He was assigned to duty first to Company I and then with Company C, Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer
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Infantry ; and served for three years, after which he veteranized, remain- ing with his command until April 26, 1866, when he was honorably dis- charged at New Orleans. He acted as orderly for General Sherman and was detailed for service as his clerk. In this way, Mr. Cary became inti- mately acquainted with that noted military commander, for whom he carried hundreds of messages and took many midnight rides. He was known as the "temperance boy" of his division for though, in the discharge of his duties, he measured out whiskey to the boys he never tasted a drop. He was on detached duty at New Orleans for six months, in 1865, acting as turnkey of the police station in that city, during which time one hundred and fifty desperate criminals were under his charge and never a one es- caped. They were conveyed by him to various places; and, at the end of the half-year, our subject was transferred to the ladies' prison, of which he had charge for some time. He twice served as judge of regimental elections ; he also saw much active duty on the field of battle, participating in ten regular engagements and four skirmishes. He declined promotion, although he was told, frequently, by General Sherman and General Phil Sheridan that he should have a commission.
When the war was over, Mr. Cary returned to Ohio and in 1872, came to Iowa, settling first in Keokuk county, whence in 1892, he came to Jefferson county. All through the years he has been engaged in market gardening ; and it is this line which has made him so well known through- out Fairfield, where he is called the "Vegetable Man." For thirty-five years he has engaged in selling fresh vegetables and fruit of his own rais- ing to the housewives of this vicinity; and, for thirty-five years, he has used the same delivery wagon. His record book indicates that he has in this way traveled over three hundred and fifty thousand miles. The prod- uce which he sells is always fresh and of excellent quality ; and he has no difficulty in securing patrons, because of the excellence of the goods which he handles and his reasonable prices and honorable dealing.
While a soldier in the Civil war, Mr. Cary returned home on a fur- lough. In 1864, he was married to Miss Mary A. Cissna, who was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1841, a daughter of David Cissna of that county, where her marriage took place. Unto this union have been born seven children : Alonzo B., now living in Sigourney, Iowa: Luella, the wife of E. S. Frye, of Burlington, Kansas; Fannie May, the wife of Truman Ronley, of Fairfield ; Charles, of this city ; Rosa, who was a very precocious child but died at the age of seven years; and twin daughters who died in infancy.
Soon after the close of the war, Mr. Cary began to preach in the Baptist church ; and, while living in Pike county, Ohio, he erected a house of worship to be used jointly by the Baptists, the United Brethren and the
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Methodist Episcopal people in that locality. His life has always con- formed to his teachings, and there has been nothing narrow in his views. He believes that each individual has a right to hold to his own religious opinions. In politics, our subject was for many years a republican, but his views on the temperance question led him to become identified with the prohibition party and he is now its secretary in Jefferson county. Mr. Cary has been elected for twenty-nine consecutive years as officer of the day in the Grand Army of the Republic, acting for ten years in Sigourney, lowa, and for twenty years in Litchfield. He has written many poems and pieces of music, which have been published. Nearly all of these produc- tions are permeated by a strong patriotic strain, breathing a spirit of loyalty to the country. Progress and patriotism constitute the keynote of Mr. Cary's character ; his position is never an equivocal one, for it is known that his influence is always to be found on the side of right and improvement.
HENRY C. ROWNTREE.
Henry C. Rowntree was widely known in insurance circles in both Iowa and Nebraska and won recognition as a progressive, enterprising business man whose labors were fruitful of substantial results. Moreover his personal qualities were such as won for him the kindly regard and warm friendship of those with whom he came in contact and therefore the news of his death brought a sense of personal bereavement to all who had known him. He was born in Orange county, New York, April 22, 1846. his parents being Henry and Hannah (Wray) Rowntree, both of whom were natives of England. They were born in Sheffield and were of Quaker descent. The father became a minister of that church and always adhered to that faith. Both he and his wife came to the United States in youthful days and their marriage was celebrated in New York. At one time Henry Rowntree was a salesman for the Sheffield Cutlery Company and on the Ist of March, 1856, he came to the middle west, settling on a farm at Springdale in Cedar county, Iowa. There he resided for twenty years, carefully developing and improving his land, and at the end of that time he removed to Florida Keys, where he engaged in mer- chandising. There his death occurred in 1873 and his wife, having sur- vived him ten years, passed away in New York city. In their family were seven children. Robert, the eldest, served with distinction in the United States navy during the Civil war, holding a captain's commission at its
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close. He has now passed away. Joseph and William are also deceased. John, who has likewise departed this life, enlisted from Muscatine, Musca- tine county, for service in the Union army but was discharged on account of disability. Henry C. is the youngest of the brothers and the sisters are Elizabeth and Mary, both residents of Chicago.
Henry C. Rowntree spent the first ten years of his life in the Empire state and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He remained at home until eighteen years of age and during that period at- tended the district schools while later he went to Iowa City where he learned the tinner's trade. He was married in 1867 and in 1871 came to Fairfield, here establishing his home. In this city he entered the insurance business which he followed in Jefferson county for eighteen years. On the expiration of that period he went to Nebraska as state agent and adjuster of the German Insurance Company of Freeport, Illinois. After the San Francisco disaster he associated himself with the Royal Insurance Company, having Nebraska as his territory with headquarters in Omaha. While connected with the German Insurance Company Mr. Rowntree for twenty years made his headquarters at Lincoln. While business interests called him for some time from this state Mr. Rowntree ever maintained close relations with many of his old friends here and his last days were spent in Fairfield, where he passed away on the 7th of November, 1909. His widow now resides in an attractive little home on West Washington street.
It was on the 2d of July, 1867, that Mr. Rowntree was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah J. Rider, a daughter of William C. and Jane (Calla- han) Rider. Her father was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, and made farming his life work. In his native county he married Jane Calla- han who was also born there and in 1844 they removed westward to Woodstock, McHenry county, Illinois, where Mr. Rider soon afterward purchased a farm on which they took up their abode. At the same time he opened and conducted a store in Woodstock. The wife and mother was not long permitted to enjoy her new home, her death occurring in 1847. Mr. Rider continued his residence in Woodstock until the '50s when he removed to Iowa, making his home with his son Henry in Muscatine for some time. His last days, however, were spent at the home of his daugh- ter, Mrs. William Morford of Griswold, Iowa, where he passed away in 1878. In the Rider family were five children: Martha, Mary and Susan, all now deceased; W. H., a retired farmer living in Muscatine; and Mrs. Rowntree. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowntree was born an only child, Helen Josephine, and it was the greatest blow to the parents when death took this daughter, on the 26th of April, 1889, at a time when she was just entering young womanhood, being twenty years of age.
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In his political views Mr. Rowntree was a republican and always kept informed on the questions and issues of the day so that he was able to support his position by intelligent argument. He belonged to the Quaker church of Pleasant Plain, Iowa, and Mrs. Rowntree is a member of the Presbyterian church of Fairfield. He was widely and favorably known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the Odd Fellows lodge at Lincoln, Nebraska, the United Workmen lodge of Fairfield, the Legion of Honor at Fairfield and the Royal Highlanders of Lincoln. His wife is a prominent member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and the Royal Neighbors, all of Fairfield, and occupies a prominent posi- tion in the social circles of the city where her influence is strongly felt as a progressive element. Mr. Rowntree had attractive social qualities which won him many friends and his business reliability and enterprise gained for him an honored name in business circles. Wherever he was known he was held in high regard and most of all where he was best known. He was loyal in friendship, equally faithful in citizenship and at all times was true to every trust that was reposed in him.
ALEXANDER HOPKIRK.
Alexander Hopkirk is a native of Lockridge township, born in October, 1853. His parents, William and Mary Hopkirk, were natives of Scot- land. His father came to this country when a youth and settled in Ohio where he was employed in woolen mills for four years. He then returned to Scotland to the "boninie lassie" who had waited long for him. They were married and Mr. and Mrs. Hopkirk made their bridal journey the voyage to America. They did not go to Ohio to begin housekeeping, how- ever, but came at once to Jefferson county, Iowa, where Mr. Hopkirk bought land. This he cleared and began to farm, continuing in this occu- pation until his death in 1892.
Alexander Hopkirk was brought up on the home farm and sent to the district school which course he completed and supplemented with one year at Mt. Pleasant College. He then came home and assisted his father with the farm work. Just prior to his father's death he bought the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, improving and operating it until 1907 when he sold out and purchased forty acres near the town of Lockridge. Here he farmed for three years when he sold this place to his son, Ray- mond A., who is now cultivating it.
For a helpmate Alexander Hopkirk chose Addie L. Ripley whom he married in the fall of 1881. Her parents lived and died in Maine, never
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following the moving current of population westward. To Mr. and Mrs. Hopkirk were born three children. Nellie M. is married to Reverend Ernest Phipps, residing at Sigourney, Iowa. Raymond A., aged twenty, is cultivating the home farm in Lockridge township purchased of his father a year ago. He raises thirty head of hogs annually and owns four horses for work on the farm. Bessie L., aged seventeen, keeps house for her brother on the Lockridge farm. Mrs. Hopkirk passed away in April, 1902, after a week's illness with measles.
For the past year Mr. Hopkirk has been located on a fruit ranch in Colorado but his intention is to return to Jefferson county shortly. He is republican in his political sympathies, has been justice of the peace of this township and has acted as school director. In addition to his farming he taught school during the fall and winter terms for sixteen years. He belongs to the Baptist church which his children also have joined. Living in comfort and, long since free from the cares of winning a livelihood, he is enjoying the fruits of his conscientious labor in earlier years.
THOMAS J. WATKINS.
Vitally interested in the many problems of scientific farming, Thomas J. Watkins has met with well merited success in his chosen calling, which he still pursues, now operating the homestead farm in Round Prairie township. Jefferson county. He was born in Fulton county, Ohio, Decem- ber 9, 1846, and was a son of Stephen F. and Mary (Watkins) Watkins, both natives of Ohio, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until 1855. The family then removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, and settled on a farm of one hundred and seventy acres. This land the father cleared and improved working in the fields until his death in 1873. Mrs. Watkins passed away in November, 1910.
Thomas J. Watkins passed his youth under the parental roof and ob- tained his early education in the common schools of Ohio and continued for a time in Jefferson county after his arrival here. He was a lad of nine years when the journey was made from Ohio to Iowa, but he remem- bers vividly the incidents of that momentous ride which the family made in a covered wagon much like the prairie schooners that dotted the western plains on their way beyond the great divide. When arrived at legal age he rented a farm which he operated for two years when he gave it up in order to engage in the mercantile business at Glasgow, following this pursuit for four years. He then resumed agricultural labors again, renting a tract of land which he cultivated for many years until, induced by a
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good opportunity to invest in land, he bought a farm in Harrison county, Iowa, remaining there until 1908, when he sold out his holdings and re- turned to Jefferson county on account of the failing health of his mother. Her death occurred two years later but he still manages the home farm, tilling the soil with patient industry, reaping bountiful crops and feeding a good grade of cattle.
The marriage of Mr. Watkins and Miss Belle Stewart, a daughter of Levi and Mary (McElfresh) Stewart, took place on November 20, 1872. Mrs. Watkins' father was a native of Maryland and came to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1855, locating in Cedar township where he bought a tract of land which he cultivated for many years, retiring at length to Glasgow to a comfortable home which he purchased and in which he resided until his death in January, 1878. Mrs. Stewart, who was a native of Ohio, died on May 1I, 1886. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are: Stella M .. the wife of Joseph Howell, a farmer in Lockridge town- ship; Clemma, living at home; Ethel, the wife of . Charles Rawlings, a farmer in Cedar township; Alberta, the wife of Harry Boekhoff, a farmer in Van Buren county ; and Mary E., living at home.
In their religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Watkins subscribe to the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Watkins is a democrat and is an ardent worker for the cause of his party, believing in the principles for which it stands. While he has never filled a political position, being in- different to the honors of office, he has very creditably served as school director in his district. Retiring in his disposition, content with life as it is, he has lived remote from the more sordid conflicts which harsh condi- tions in our present business life force upon many a man, and as his reward enjoys the peace of mind that passeth understanding.
SAMUEL K. WEST.
Samuel K. West, who since 1901 has been cashier of the Fairfield National Bank and is also interested in valuable farming properties ad- joining the city of Fairfield, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1844, his parents being Otho and Elizabeth (Keys) West, both of whom were natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania. After their mar- riage, they resided for some years in Washington county, whence they removed, in 1868, to Fairfield, Iowa, spending their remaining days in this city. The father died in 1899, the mother in 1905, and their remains were interred in the Fairfield cemetery. They were both in their eighty- fourth year at the time of their demise. Throughout his business life,
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Otho West had followed the occupation of farming and was the owner of a valuable tract of land six miles north of Fairfield, in Black Hawk town- ship. He lived upon that place for some years, but returned to the city in 1880. Unto him and his wife were born five children, of whom Samuel K. is the eldest, the others being: John, a retired farmer now living in Fairfield ; J. A., also a retired farmer of this city ; A. P., living in Hays, Kansas; and Lizzie, the wife of C. W. Reeder, likewise of Hays.
Samuel K. West spent his youthful days in his native county. In young manhood he came to Iowa with his parents, with whom he resided for a year, after their arrival in Fairfield. For a number of years, he was engaged in the live-stock business here, during which period he proved his ability as an enterprising, energetic and sagacious business man. He then turned his attention to banking and was made cashier of the Fairfield National Bank, on the 3d of September, 1901, when the Jefferson County State Bank was reorganized under the present name. He has since figured prominently in the financial circles of the city, and his work in the manage- ment and conduct of this institution constitutes an important factor in its growth and success. He is a popular, courteous and obliging official, and his sound judgment is manifest in his careful control of the interests of the bank. In addition to his stock in the bank, Mr. West owns a farm of two hundred and twenty acres adjoining the corporation limits of Fair- field on the north, and makes his home thereon. He is likewise the owner of a half interest in two hundred acres in Wayne county, and his farm property returns him a desirable income.
Mr. West is entitled to wear the grand army button, for at the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by active service at the front, enlisting in July, 1862, in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, as a member of Ring's Cavalry, an independent batallion, which a year and a half later was recruited and attached to a regiment known as the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry. His command was attached to the Army of the Potomac and was on active duty in the Shenandoah valley under General Phil Sheridan, Mr. West receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party ; and his fellow townsmen appreciative of his worth and ability, have called him to office. He served for two terms, or four years, as county treasurer and for six years was a member of the board of education, acting as its president for three years. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is prominent in Masonic circles, holding membership in Clinton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., McCord Chapter, R. A. M., Council No. 5, R. & S. M. and Gethsemane Commandery, K. T. He is in thorough sympathy with the beneficent and fraternal spirit of the craft, and is equally loyal to his professions as a member of the Methodist church. In
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fact the principles of his life are those of honorable, upright manhood and citizenship and have brought him the high regard and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
THEODORE HOCHULY.
From early boyhood Theodore Hochuly has resided in Fairfield, and since 1901 has been enaged in the practice of law in the Jefferson county court, being now junior partner in the firm of Sloan & Hochuly, his asso- ciate being Judge Robert Sloan. He was born at Foxlake, Wisconsin, November 29, 1869, and in 1877 came to this city with his parents, the Rev. John and Samantha (Leggett) Hochuly. The father was a native of Switzerland but during his infancy was brought to America by his parents who settled in Pennsylvania, his youthful days being passed in Allegheny, that state. He supplemented his early education by a course in Kenyon College, of Ohio, and having prepared for the ministry entered the priest- hood of the Episcopal church. When a young man he came to Fairfield and built the Episcopal church at this place, also organizing and conduct- ' ing . the first Sunday school in Fairfield. At different times he preached at various places in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, but he was married in Fairfield and spent his last days here, passing away in 1893, when about sixty-seven years of age. His wife was born in Ohio but in early girlhood came to Iowa with her parents and died in Fairfield in 1899, at the age of sixty-six years. She belonged to the Leggett family, a most prominent one in the county. In their family were four children: Mamie L. and Martha; both living in Denver, Colorado; Theodore; and Elizabeth, the wife of the Rev. W. A. Mast, pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Napoleon, Ohio.
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