USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
Charles M. Junkin, however, has never restricted his labors to the field of newspaper publication. He is a man of resourceful business ability and has become a potent factor in the successful management of various busi- ness concerns. He has been and is identified with manufacturing enter- prises, with banking interests and commercial pursuits and is a director of the Iowa Malleable Iron Company, has connections with the Hawkeye Pump Company and other manufacturing interests.
On the 8th of September, 1880, Mr. Junkin was united in marriage to Miss Grace Slagle, a daughter of C. W. Slagle, and a native of Fairfield, in which city the marriage was celebrated. In 1897 Mr. Junkin was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and he later married Miss Mary Wilson Blair in 1901. Mr. Junkin is a member of the Jefferson and Commercial Clubs, of both of which he has served as president. In his political views he has always been a stalwart republican and has done effective work in the interests of the party, stanchly advocating its principles since attaining his majority. In 1884 and 1896 he was a delegate to the republican national conventions and was a delegate-at-large in 1900. He has served for three years as a member of the republican state central committee and during one
14
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
year of that time was its secretary. For three years he was secretary of the Iowa Press Association and for a similar period was secretary of the Re- publican League of Iowa. During the campaign of 1888 he assisted in organizing eight hundred political clubs in this state and in other ways added in the work of the party. He filled the office of postmaster of Fairfield for six years, during which period the free delivery and rural free delivery systems were installed, resigning his office during the presidency of McKin- ley. It is a well known fact that in matters of citizenship he stands with all those who are progressive and aggressive in support of public projects and improvements and his influence has been a far-reaching element for good along many lines which have had direct bearing upon the welfare of the state.
S. K. DAVIS, M. D.
Few residents of Libertyville are better known than Dr. S. K. Davis, whose activities extend beyond his professional interests and connect him with the financial and agricultural life of the community as well. A na- tive of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, he was born on the 30th of September, 1863; a son of Elliott and Mary (Linn) Davis, who were also natives of Westmoreland county. In the spring of 1866, his parents came to Jefferson county, Iowa, locating in Buchanan township. There the father followed general farming and also indulged in his hobby of fruit- raising, his father before him having been a nurseryman. He passed away in Buchanan township at the age of fifty-seven years; his wife's death oc- curred twenty years later, at the home of her daughter in Center town- ship. In their family were ten children, as follows: W. C., who passed away at the age of forty years; Edgar, who died in infancy; Ed H., of Fairfield; a daughter whose death occurred in infancy; Ella, the wife of W. H. Bates, of Center township; H. D., residing in Libertyville ; Dr. S. K. Davis, of this review; Elizabeth, who married J. T. Rodgers, of Center township ; Albert, who passed away in infancy ; and Margaret, who wedded John W. Reebler, of Fairfield.
Dr. S. K. Davis was a little lad of three years when the family home was established in Buchanan township; and there he made his home be- tween the years 1866 and 1888. In the meantime, he attended the public schools in the acquirement of his early education, and, later, pursued a course of study at Parsons College of Fairfield. Deciding to become a member of the medical fraternity, he took up the study of medicine in Fairfield and Iowa City, and, subsequently, graduated from the College of
15
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1888. From the first he has been most successful, impressing all with whom he has come in contact with his trustworthy character, his earnestness, zeal and scrupulous regard for the ethics of his profession. He has other interests, as well. He owns valuable farming property, and is vice president of the Libertyville Savings Bank, having been connected with the bank since the organization of that institution. His interest centers, however, in his profession, nothing being permitted to interfere with the conscientious performance of his duties in that direction ; and he is constantly broadening his knowledge and ability through individual research and through his connection with the county, district, state and national medical societies.
Dr. Davis was married, in 1890, to Miss Nellie Hewitt, who was born in Jefferson county in 1867: a daughter of G. W. and Rocena Hewitt. They have two children, Austin C. and Wyndon H. Dr. Davis gives his political allegiance to the republican party, belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal church and holds membership with the Masons, the Knights of Py- thias and the Modern Woodmen of America, relations which serve as a balance to a busy professional life and which tend to make his a well rounded nature. He is held in high regard among his fellowmen, not only for his professional skill and excellent business qualities but also for the manly principles which have ever governed his career. Dr. Davis possesses a kindly, genial, hopeful nature which makes him the loved and trusted family physician in many households.
DANIEL B. GRABER.
Daniel B. Graber is another of Jefferson county's native sons who is meeting with excellent success in the operation of his farm in Round Prai- rie township. He was born in Lockridge township on the 4th of Feb- ruary, 1869, and is a son of Christian and Fanny (Wyse) Graber, natives of France, for further mention of whom refer to the sketch of John Graber.
Reared on the farm where he was born in the acquirement of an edu- cation Daniel B. Graber attended the district schools in the vicinity of his home. His mother passed away when he was a lad of ten years, and five years later he laid aside his text-books and leaving the parental roof began for himself. From that period until he was twenty years of age he worked as a farm hand, and owing to the thrifty and diligent habits, instilled into him from earliest childhood acquired sufficient capital to begin farming for himself. His father had left him a tract of forty acres of unimproved land and upon this he erected the necessary buildings for his comfort, then
16
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
turned his attention to the cultivation of his farm in connection with which he operated some rented land. He was subsequently able to purchase three acres across the road from his place together with a comfortable residence and soon thereafter added to this an adjoining thirty-seven acres, making the aggregate of his holdings eighty acres. Mr. Graber's land is well im- proved and in a high state of cultivation, yielding abundant harvests in return for his well directed efforts and constant application. His fields are devoted to general farming in addition to which Mr. Graber makes a spe- cialty of stock-raising, keeping a herd of cows and eight horses while he annually raises about fifty hogs.
In March, 1892, Mr. Graber was united in marriage to Miss Jennie H. Maxwell, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Logsdon) Maxwell, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Ohio. Isaac Maxwell in his child- hood removed to Iowa with his parents, who located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Buchanan township, Jefferson county, during the pioneer days, their farm being located northwest of Beckwith. When old enough he started on an independent career and on the 15th of No- vember, 1866, married Miss Sarah E. Logsdon, only daughter of William and Hannah (Rizor) Logsdon and operated his father-in-law's farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in addition to which he purchased an adjoin- ing forty acres of his own in Round Prairie township. They were the parents of three children, namely : John W., who with his family now lives on the old home place; Jennie H., the wife of Daniel B. Graber ; and Etta M., the wife of William Horton. All reside near the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Maxwell were attendants at the Free Methodist church, of which she is a member. In their declining days Mrs. Maxwell proved a great help and comfort to her parents and it can be said truthfully that there were few in the township more highly esteemed and respected than Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell.
William Logsdon, the grandfather was born in Homes county, Ohio, February 26, 1823. In 1845 he married Miss Hannah Rizor and they moved in the pioneer days of 1853 with teams from Ohio to Iowa, where they bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, three miles southwest of Lockridge in Round Prairie township. Gradually, he transformed the timber farm by the hardest kind of work into arable land at the same time buying in stock for different shippers and adding to his income in various ways. To-day it is one of the valuable farm properties in Jefferson county. William Logsdon lived on this farm to the patriarchal age of eighty-eight years, four months and three days, his death occurring on June 29, 1911, while his wife had passed away September 23, 1896. By this marriage three children were born, two boys who died in infancy and a daughter, Sarah E., who married Isaac Maxwell. In 1871, Mr. and Mrs. William
17
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
Logsdon and fifty others formed the Free Methodist Society at Coalport, and of that congregation only one member was surviving on Mr. Logs- don's death. He was a kind-hearted man always looking at the bright side of life, trusting in his Saviour and believing in humanity and well would the word apply "I have fought a good fight-I have finished my work- I have kept the faith."
Isaac Maxwell operated his father-in-law's farm and his forty acres in Round Prairie township, continuing to be identified with agricultural pursuits until his death on the 19th of November, 1904. He was fifty- eight years of age at the time of his demise, his birth having occurred in February 9, 1846, while the mother, who now makes her home with Mrs. Graber, is sixty-three years. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Graber there have been born three children: Zelta May, who was born on the 16th of April, 1894, and who died on the 23d of May, 1908; Bernard S., who was born March 13, 1899; and Elda E., whose birth occurred on the 2d of November, 1903.
The family affiliate with the Protestant churches, and his political in- dorsement Mr. Graber gives to the republican party, but he does not take an active part in township campaigns, though he has served as a member of the board of school directors in his district for some time and has given good satisfaction in the capacity. Mr. Graber is held in high regard in his community, ever having been found to be trustworthy and reliable while his integrity is above question.
EDGAR R. ROBINSON.
Edgar R. Robinson, who for the past six years has been engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Batavia, was born on a farm in Can- nan township, Henry county, Iowa, six miles northeast of Mount Pleasant, on March 8, 1877. He is the youngest child born of the marriage of John Q. and Anna (Mount) Robinson, the father a native of Chillicothe, Missouri, but of Scotch extraction. Mr. Robinson came to Iowa in the early '6os, locating on a farm in Henry county, in the cultivation of which he engaged for forty years. At the expiration of that period he retired from active work to Mount Pleasant, where he lived for four years, whence he removed to Ottumwa and there he and his wife continue to reside. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, those beside our sub- ject being, May, who is living with her parents and Charles W., a farmer of Onawa, Iowa, who married Miss Mary Hobart of Mount Pleasant and has two children Ralph and May.
18
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
The first twenty years of his life Edgar R. Robinson spent beneath the parental roof. After graduating from the Mount Pleasant high school in 1896 he entered the Wesleyan University of that place, taking one year's collegiate work and a commercial course. He subsequently went to Texas where for one year he was engaged in the fruit business. Return- ing to Iowa at the end of that period he married and removed to a farm in Henry county, near New London. After cultivating his land for a year he went to Van Buren county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres. He cultivated this farm until 1905 when he rented his place and came to Batavia to open a real-estate and fire insurance office. Progressive and enterprising Mr. Robinson has been successful in his business and now owns a highly improved farm in Locust Grove township near Batavia, this county.
On the 17th of January, 1900, Mr. Robinson was married to Miss Mar- garet Robertson, a daughter of John S. and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Robert- son. The father at that time was engaged in the real-estate business in Mount Pleasant, but he has since removed to La Grange, Illinois, where he and his wife are now residing. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson : Mildred, who died at the age of fourteen months ; and Carroll, who was born on the 18th of April, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is connected with the Masonic order being a member of Kilwinning Lodge, No. 198, A. F. & A. M., and the Odd Fellows, belonging to Ohio Lodge, No. 120, I. O. O. F., both of Batavia. He also holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Ottumwa Lodge, No. 347, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, being identified with the organiza- tions of Ottumwa. Mr. Robinson votes the republican ticket, but, although he is interested in all matters pertaining to the municipal wel- fare, has never been a candidate for political honors. He is one of the capable young business men of the town, whose future, as gauged by his past, gives every assurance of being most promising.
MILTON D. BALDRIDGE, M. D.
One of the highly esteemed pioneer residents of Batavia was the late Dr. Milton D. Baldridge, who for fifty years was identified with the medical fraternity of Jefferson county. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on July II, 1826, being a son of Dr. John Baldridge.
Early having decided to adopt the medical profession for his life voca- tion, while yet a lad Milton D. Baldridge began studying with his father.
DR. MILTON D. BALDRIDGE
21
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
After the completion of his preliminary education he entered the Cincin- nati Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in the winter of 1848-9. He immediately engaged in practicing, in addition to which in 1856 he was also identified with the mercantile business. The following year, however, he came to Jefferson county, settling in Batavia, where he devoted his entire attention to pro- fessional practice until his death on the Ist of June, 1907.
Dr. Baldridge was twice married, his first union having been with Miss Isabella A. Alexander in 1851. Mrs. Baldridge was born in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1826, and died in Jefferson county, Iowa. On the 22d of Septem- ber, 1877, Dr. Baldridge was again married to Miss Nancy Hite, a native of this county, her birth having occurred in the vicinity of Brookville in 1847. Mrs. Baldridge is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Mobley) Hite, the father a native of Richmond and the mother of Washington county, Virginia. They came to Iowa in 1845, locating on a farm near Brookville, where the mother passed away in 1902, the father, however, survived until 1905. Dr. Baldridge and his second wife were the parents of two sons. John Henry, who is the elder, is a well known physician and surgeon of Batavia. He obtained his preliminary education in the common and high schools of Batavia, after which he took a ocmmercial course in the Busi- ness College at Quincy, Illinois. His professional studies were pursued in the Medical College at Keokuk, this state, where he was awarded the degree of M. D. with the class of 1906. Returning home he entered in practice with his father with whom he continued to be identified until the latter's death. He has been very successful, being well adapted to the profession he is following, and has a most lucrative practice. He married Miss May Reno, a daughter of Willis and Mary Reno, also residents of Batavia, the father being a well known retired farmer of Wapello county, who recently located here. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Baldridge, Helen and Willis. Milton Baldridge, who was named for his father, is living on the old family homestead with his mother. He acquired his education in the school for the deaf, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, of which he is a graduate. His energies have always been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is now operating his mother's farm of forty acres, located near the village of Batavia. He married Miss Emma Dorn, of Waterloo, Iowa, and they have one child, Waldo.
The late Dr. Baldridge was an earnest member of the Masonic fra- ternity, in which organization he had attained high rank. He was a member of Batavia Lodge, No. 198, A. F. & A. M., and he was also a Knight Templar, being identified with an Ottumwa lodge, and belonged to the Shrine of Davenport. His political support he gave to the republican party and always took an active interest in the workings of the party. He was Vol. II-2
22
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
highly esteemed in Batavia professionally and privately, having, during the half century of his residence here, demonstrated his high principles and worth in all of his relations of life.
PETER H. ROTH.
Peter H. Roth, occupying a pleasant home at No. 107 West Adams street in Fairfield, has here resided since his removal from Packwood. Previous to the time when he took up his abode in the latter place he had been closely and actively associated with farming interests for many years and won a measure of success that now entitles him to live retired and yet with suffi- cient to supply him with all of the necessities and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 17, 1842, a son of Joseph and Mary (Klophefenstein) Roth. The father was a native of Alsace, France (now Germany), and was of French descent. He followed the occupation of farming and in early life became a cheese maker. After crossing the Atlantic to the new world he devoted his attention exclu- sively to general agricultural pursuits. It was in 1840 that he sailed for America and until after his marriage he was a resident of Wayne county, Ohio, removing westward to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1842. He then established his home in Cedar township, preempting one hundred and sixty acres of government land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. The soil, naturally rich and productive, responded readily to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it and the fields brought forth golden harvests that enabled him in time to add to his hold- ings until he was the owner of one thousand acres of fine land in Fair- . field and Cedar townships. In fact he became one of the largest property holders in that part of the county. There he was busily employed in the task of developing and improving his land throughout his remaining days and upon the old homestead he reared his family and there passed away in 1896, having for twelve years survived his wife. They were the parents of thirteen children of whom eight are now living, namely: Peter H., of this review; Mrs. Rebecca Messer, living in Richwood, Iowa; John, a farmer of Cedar township; Mrs. Mary Kyle, of Fairfield; Jacob, whose home is in Birmingham, Van Buren county; Mrs. Annie Lampson, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Edward, whose home is in Holden, Nebraska ; and Ben F., a resident of South Omaha, Nebraska.
Peter Roth has spent the greater part of his life in Jefferson county and the schools of Fairfield township afforded him his educational priv- ileges. Farm work to some extent interfered with his studies for his as-
23
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
sistance was needed in the fields and he aided in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting and also operated a threshing machine each sea- son until he reached the age of twenty-eight years. He then began farming on his own account on a tract of land in Black Hawk township belonging to his father, and when his labor had enabled him to save a considerable sum from his earnings he purchased this place of two hundred acres and made his home thereon for twenty-eight years, or until ill health forced re- tirement, when he rented the place and removed to Packwood where he spent nine years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Fairfield and is now pleasantly situated in a comfortable home at No. 107 West Adams street. He still owns the old homestead farm of two hun- dred acres in Black Hawk township and its rental supplies him with a sub- stantial income.
On the 26th of January, 1870, Mr. Roth won as a companion and help- mate for the journey of life Miss Mary Weitzel, their marriage being cele- brated on that day. Her parents were George and Amelia (Brady) Weit- zel. Her father was born in Alsace (then France), Germany, and was of German lineage. By trade he was a cabinet maker and followed that pursuit in his native country until 1840, when he came to America, settling in Ohio. Later he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1866, when he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, and bought a farm north of Fairfield in Black Hawk township. He thereon made his home for ten years, at the end of which time he removed to Muscatine, Iowa, and died there in 1893. His wife died upon the old homestead farm in Black Hawk township forty years ago. She, too, was born in Germany and they were married in that country before sailing for the new world. In their family were five children: Mrs. Minnie Schaffer, of Fairfield; Mrs. Roth; Mrs. Elizabeth Bosworth, whose home is in Clay, Iowa; Fred, a resident of Tekamah, Nebraska ; and Mrs. Emma Christensen, of Omaha, Nebraska. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Roth have been born two daughters. Cora, the elder, is the wife of Dr. J. O. Laird, a practicing dentist of Malvern, Iowa, and they have one child, Donald Roth, five years of age. Lulu E. is the wife of O. F. Fryer, a banker of Fairfield, Iowa, and they have one child, Maurice Laird, thirteen years of age, who at- tends school in Fairfield and spends much of his time with his grandparents.
In his political views Mr. Roth is an earnest republican, supporting the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has filled a number of public positions, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. For several years he was a trustee of Black Hawk township and for eighteen years was treasurer of the school funds of that township. He also served as assessor in Black Hawk township for two years and for a similar period in Polk township. Both he and his wife
24
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairfield, being always loyal to their professions. While living in Black Hawk township Mr. Roth became a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Richland, Iowa. His wife is a member of the Home and Foreign Mission- ary Societies of the Fairfield Methodist church and both are held in the highest esteem because of their loyal support of and interest in all those measures which tend to uplift the individual and promote civilization. In every relation of life Mr. Roth has been found reliable, trustworthy and honorable, and therefore he has been accorded high respect and esteem by those who know him. He has lived in the county from early boyhood days and is familiar with its history throughout almost the entire period of its development, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past, with all of its hardships and trials, and the progressive present with its opportunities, its advantages and its prosperity.
ROBERT DAVIDSON.
Robert Davidson is one of those men whose ambition and inherent ability enabled him to rise above his environment, and despite the lack of those advantages usually deemed essential to success in any vocation in life, rose above and dominated conditions as he found them, creating for himself a position that has won the respect of the entire community of which he has been a member for over forty years.
Yorkshire, England, was the scene of his birth, which occurred on the 9th of March, 1840. There his parents, John and Hannah (Lee) David- son, spent their entire lives the father having been a day laborer. Their family numbered eleven, of whom our subject is the only son now living and the only member of the family to have become an American citizen. A small income that had to supply the wants of a large household precluded the possibility of Robert Davidson acquiring an education. His wage- earning career began when he was little more than a child and as a lad he worked for seven years in a brick and tile yard in Yorkshire. He was not of the type to calmly accept conditions as he found them, but constantly chafed at the limitations of his opportunities, feeling convinced that he pos- sessed the qualities to lift himself into a better position under more favor- able circumstances than that in which he was born. America seemed to hold forth such opportunities and having acquired the necessary passage money, at the age of nineteen years he sailed from Liverpool for New York city, coming from there directly to Jacksonville, Illinois. He obtained work as a farm hand, continued as such until the summer of 1861, when he of-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.