USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 24
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Fairfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Bruey there have been born two daughters: Beulah Bernice, who was born on the 25th of May, 1908; and Edna Marie, whose birth occurred on the 6th of August, 1911.
The political views of Mr. Bruey accord with the principles of the democratic party, but he does not conspicuously participate in govern- mental matters. He concentrates his entire attention upon the develop- ment of his personal interests in which he is meeting with a goodly meas- ure of success, being known as one of the capable and prosperous citizens of Cedar township.
HARRISON COLLINS.
When Harrison Collins passed away a year ago, Locust Grove town- ship lost one of its best known, wealthiest and most highly respected citi- zens. He was for many years actively interested in farming, conducting operations on an extensive scale ; but no matter how many responsibilities his own affairs entailed, he was never too much occupied to give generously of his time and energy whenever the public welfare demanded his aid or cooperation. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, August 29, 1839, being a son of J. E. and Emaline (McGee) Collins; the former of English de- scent and a native of Kentucky, the latter of Irish parentage and a native . of Ohio. When seventeen years of age, he came west accompanying his parents to Locust Grove township where they settled just north of Ba- tavia. They were among the pioneer residents of this county, and in the operation of their farm, of one hundred and sixty acres, met with very substantial results.
His early education, Harrison Collins obtained in the school of his na- tive locality ; supplementing this by further study in the Batavia schools. He then worked in the fields until he came of age and, in 1862, traveled overland to California, drawn thither not by the hope of gaining riches but of regaining his health, which was never robust even when at the prime of his power. In a year, he returned home and for fifteen years after his father's death managed the farm for his mother. He never left the home- stead, but continued to devote himself to the managemnt of the farm, supervising the cultivation of its soil and the breeding of a high grade of stock.
On January 29, 1889, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Anna Dunn, a daughter of Henry and Harriet (Fleener) Dunn. Mrs. Collin's father was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish lineage, and dur- ing his lifetime followed agricultural pursuits. He came to Jefferson
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county when a young man, and here was married to Mrs. Harriet (Flee- ner) Fancher, who was born in Illinois of English parentage. Mrs. Dunn died when her daughter Anna was three years old. Mr. Dunn was en- gaged in farming in various parts of Jefferson county until 1873, when he removed to Kansas, where he lived until his death in 1886, near Stockton. In the Dunn family there were only two children : Anna and a sister, Effie, who died at the age of six months.
Mr. Collins took much interest in public affairs. He was regarded as one of the most influential men of his community in matters relating to the genral welfare, and in shaping the policy and public attitude towards ques- tions of local interest. He was a democrat in his political views, and an ardent worker for the advancement of higher educational standards. He served for years as a member of the board of directors of school district, No. 7, of Locust Grove township. He maintained fraternal relations with the Odd Fellows of Batavia. On July 18, 1910, Mr. Collins passed away, deeply mourned by his widow, their only child, Bertha May, and one sister and a brother: John H. Collins, formerly a farmer and hop dealer, now living retired in Independence in Lammet Valley, Oregon; Mrs. H. Lat- ta, the wife of Hugh Latta, a farmer near Batavia in Wapello county, Iowa. A sister. Margaret, was the wife of Ira Bennett, deceased, who were residents of Jefferson county, their home being near Libertyville but she is also deceased. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Collins rented the home farm and valuable land holdings, amounting to more than five hun- dred acres in the aggregate ; and in October, 1910, she removed to Fairfield in order to give her daughter the advantages of higher education. Miss Collins is a student in the Fairfield high school, and is a prominent member of the younger social set in the town. She is a charming young girl and a favorite with everyone who knows her excellent qualities. She is a musi- cal student of Parsons College. Her mother purchased a very fine home in West Broadway street, where their friends are lavishly entertained. Mrs. Collins is a woman of generous impulses and kind to all, doing good wherever she sees an opportunity. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairfield, having formerly belonged to the church of the same denomination in Batavia ; to which her husband also belonged.
ELMER A. HOWARD.
While Elmer A. Howard's chief business interests call him to Chicago he is yet identified with banking and manufacturing enterprises in Fair- field and his family maintain their residence here. He is one of Fair-
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field's native sons, born July 18, 1858, his parents being Levi and . Eliza- beth (Cook) Howard, natives of Kentucky and New York respectively. The year 1848 witnessed the arrival of both in this city, Mr. Howard coming with his parents while Mrs. Howard made the trip with her brother. They were married here and spent their remaining days in Jefferson county, Mr. Howard following the occupation of farming for a time while later he took up the business of contracting and building, in which he met with a fair measure of success. To him and his wife were born three children, of whom John died at the age of twenty-five years and Minnie when twenty-eight years of age, leaving Elmer A. Howard as the sole surviving representative of the family.
Throughout his entire life the subject of this review has regarded Fairfield as his home and in its public schools he acquired his early edu- cation while later he spent two years as a student in the Exline University of this city. He entered the railway service in the capacity of telegraph operator and later became station agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at this place. Subsequently he became interested in the shoe business as a partner of Ed Hunt under the firm style of Hunt & Howard, continuing his connection with merchandising until appointed during the first administration of President Cleveland to the position of Indian agent for the Pima, Moncopa and Papago Indians. He occupied that position for three years, on the expiration of which period he re- turned to Fairfield and reentered business circles here as one of the organizers of the Iowa State Savings Bank, of which he became vice president and manager. He was thus for several years closely associated with the financial interests of the city but was again called to public office during the second administration of President Cleveland when appointed national bank examiner for Iowa. He resigned after three years and again took charge of the Iowa State Savings Bank. His fitness for and fidelity in office were manifest in the fact that he has again and again been called to serve in some public capacity. His fellow townsmen elected him a member of the board of county supervisors, the first democrat ever chosen to serve in that capacity, and while he was on the board the present beautiful courthouse was erected. Later he was elected mayor of the city of Fairfield and inaugurated the first paving here. His entire administra- tion was characterized by progress, reform and improvement and while there was no needless expenditure of funds he did not believe in that narrow, short-sighted economy which is followed by a sacrifice of the best interests of the city. In 1900 he resumed connection with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and is now its real-estate and industrial commissioner, having charge of all its lines with headquarters
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in Chicago. He still retains connection with banking and manufacturing interests in Fairfield and the city claims him as one of its valued citizens.
In 1883 Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lampson, who was born in Fairfield, in 1860, a daughter of Ward Lampson. They have three children: Nathaniel, a graduate of the West Point Military Academy of the class of 1907; Hubert, who was graduated from Parsons College with the class of 1909 and is now a student of the Harvard Law School; and Eugene, who completed a course in Parsons College in 191I. The social prominence of the family is indicated by the cordial hospitality which is extended to them by the best homes of the city. Mr. Howard has long been a director of public thought and action and has wielded a wide influence here. His record as an official and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good-will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is not used alone for their own benefit. He has advanced the general good and promoted public prosperity by his ably managed individual interests and over his record as an official there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
HARRISON SMITH.
One of the exceptional men of Jefferson county is Harrison Smith who at the age of ninety years is still in vigorous health and does a large share of the work connected with the cultivation of his fields, having himself only this past summer planted and cared for twenty-six acres of corn and sixteen acres of millet. He is the head of a large family repre- senting five generations, being the father of seven living children, seven- teen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grand- child. A recent photograph made 'of this interesting group is one of Mr. Smith's proudest possessions. Born in Henry county, Indiana, July 15, 1821, he was a son of Sampson and Elizabeth ( Bonner) Smith. The original colonial ancestors belonged to the tory party, the great-grand- father, John Smith, holding the position of high sheriff under the crown during the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, William Smith, a farmer and hunter in Virginia, ran away from home to join the continental army. The father, who was a native of Virginia and followed agricultural pur- suits, came west before Harrison Smith was born and took part in the War of 1812. In 1836 he crossed the Mississippi with his family and pushed westward through the wilderness, settling in what is now known as Henry county, Iowa, but which was then wild land covered with timber
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and brush, under the sway of the Indians who roved unmolested over the wooded plains. Mr. Smith entered land from the government and in 1840 removed to the area now included in Jefferson county, locating one and one-half miles northwest of Brookville where he took up a claim, the land being purchased from the Indians by our government. In 1843 he removed to the farm on which his son Harrison Smith now lives and remained here until his death.
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A resident of Indiana until the age of fifteen years Harrison Smith obtained his education in that state. At twenty-one years he left his father's home and was married, taking up a claim in Wapello county, Iowa, where he lived until nineteen years ago, when he sold the land and returned to the old homestead where he now lives. When the Civil war was in progress he enlisted in Company D, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, organized in Locust Grove township, and was elected first lieu- tenant, being honored at the close of the war with the commission of captain of the militia. He saw active service, taking part in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, a number of hot skirmishes and the siege of Vicksburg from June 13th to July 4th, when the city surrendered. At the end of a year's honorable service he was discharged on account of disability.
On October 27, 1842, Mr. Smith was united in the bonds of wedlock to Miss Susanna Bowman, a daughter of Samuel Bowman, a pioneer settler of Jefferson county. Mrs. Smith died in 1868 and by this union the following children were born: Elizabeth, the wife of George Harri- son, a farmer of Kansas; Alexander, a carpenter of Wapello county ; Mary Ellen, the wife of Leander Paulson, a farmer of Wapello county ; Sarah Jane, deceased; Clara Matilda, the wife of Norman Reno, a fruit grower of Texas; Winfield, deceased; Thomas Franklin, deceased; and Harrison E., who is married to Nettie De Good and is a farmer living on a place adjoining the homestead.
On December 14, 1871, Mr. Smith contracted a second union with Miss Elizabeth Hudson, a daughter of Joseph Hudson. Her death oc- curred at the present home November 26, 1909. Five children were born by this marriage of whom two are living: Charles J., a farmer operating the home place with his father; and Miss Chinelcy, who is also living at home.
The names of Mr. Smith's seventeen grandchildren are as follows: Nora, Letta, Lillian, and Lee, the children of George Harrison ; Claude, the daughter of Alexander Smith; John, Mary, Frank, and Effie, the children of Norman Reno; Carl, Arminta, Margaret, John, Raphael, Oren, Grace and Maude, the children of Harrison Smith. Mr. Smith also
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has sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, the son of Harry Shunterman and the grandson of Nora Harrison.
In his political views Mr. Smith votes with the republicans. Devoted to the interests of his family he has given his whole energies to promote their welfare, and now at the close of his ninetieth year can look back through the long vista of the past and take joy in his work well done. . He is active and in good health and still capable of enthusiasm, taking a keen interest in the affairs about him which is the surest way of defying time and keeping the heart always young.
W. C. SPALDING.
W. C. Spalding, secretary, treasurer and general manager for the Iowa Malleable Iron Company, owning and operating a large plant at Fairfield, is by reason of this connection one of the most prominent representatives of industrial interests in Jefferson county. He has filled this position since 1906. His birth occurred in Windsor county, Vermont, December 25, 1853, his parents being Daniel and Eleanor (Evans) Spalding, the former a native of New Hampshire while the latter was born in the Green Mountain state. They were reared and married in Vermont and spent almost their entire lives there, the father following the occupation of farming. The family numbered seven children of whom four are yet living.
W. C. Spalding resided at the place of his birth until sixteen years of age, when he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he remained for. five years, during which period he learned the stone cutter's trade. Think- ing that better business opportunities were to be obtained in the middle west he came to Iowa in the fall of 1878 and for one year worked at his trade in Burlington. In 1879 he came to Fairfield and has since made this city his home and headquarters. He has, however, spent considerable time on the road, having been traveling representative for a Rutland, Vermont, house for two years while for eight years he represented a Chicago firm. He then entered the marble and granite business on his own account and successfully operated in that field for ten years. He next became a contractor in cement work to which undertaking he devoted his energies for two or three years and is still interested in the business. In 1906 he entered into his present relations with the Iowa Malleable Iron Company of which he is the secretary, treasurer and general manager as well as one of its directors. The cement contracting business is carried on under the firm style of Spalding & Kearns.
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On the Ist of January, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. Spalding and Miss Nettie Ingalls, who was born in Jefferson county, and is a daughter of Alphonso and Nancy Ingalls, also residents of this part of the state. The father was born near Albany, New York, May 1, 1823, and with his parents removed westward to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was practically reared. While living there he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, continuing with the army throughout the period of hostilities and at the close of the war receiving an honorable discharge. He was given a land warrant in recognition of his services and after com- ing to Iowa secured through that grant a tract of land in Polk township, Jefferson county. In March, 1864, he and his family took up their abode upon that property and to the development and cultivation of the fields he devoted his energies until he retired from active business life and removed to Fairfield where he died in April, 1880. While living upon the farm he engaged in the breeding of fine stock for a number of years, making a specialty of shorthorns which he exhibited at many fairs, winning® a number of blue ribbons. His political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party of which he was a stanch and unfaltering advocate. On the 10th of February, 1848, Mr. Ingalls wedded Miss Nancy Sample, who was born near Jacksonville, Illinois, October 26, 1826, and died in Fairfield on the 31st of May, 1906. They were the parents of eight children of whom five reached years of maturity and are still living, namely: James, a resident of Portland, Oregon; Malissa, the wife of Henry Webb, of Wichita, Kansas ; Charles, a resident of Darling- ton, Missouri; William, of Los Angeles, California; and Mrs. Spalding.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Spalding is a Mason and is locally prominent in the order, having become a member of the Knights Templar commandery and also of the Mystic Shrine. This and other activities, however, are but side issues in his life for his attention is chiefly con- centrated upon his business interests and it has been through the individual improvement of his opportunities that he has worked his way steadily upward to the prominent position which he now fills in the industrial circle of Jefferson county.
LEWIS B. ZILLMAN.
Lewis B. Zillman is the owner of a well improved farm in Lockridge township, comprising one hundred and forty acres of land which he operates with much enterprise and success. He was not always a farmer, however. On arriving at years of maturity when he was faced with the
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necessity of choosing his life work, the illusive opportunities of city busi- ness life held out their charms for him and, turning aside from the agri- cultural pursuits in which his father had reared him and in which he had served an apprenticeship for two years as hired farm help in Kansas, he went to Chicago and there secured employment with the Bell Telephone Company. After two years the company transferred him to their St. Louis branch where he worked an additional two years. By this time he had come to the wise conclusion that advancement was surer and quicker to come to the man on the farm and that the city could offer nothing equal to the joys and peace of country life. Having saved of his earnings a sum sufficient for investment, he entered into partnership with his brother and together they bought a farm which they set out to improve. This marked the beginning of his career as a farmer. Later he continued alone and today his success is evinced not only by his well cultivated land but by the handsome home in which he lives and the comforts with which he is able to surround himself.
Lewis B. Zillman was born in Lockridge township, Jefferson county, Iowa, January 24, 1872. He is the son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Omer) Zillman, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was brought up in the country of his birth and on reaching manhood became a hostler in France. In 1867, however, he became im- bued with the idea to tempt fortune on this side of the Atlantic and crossed the ocean to take advantage of the opportunities offered in a new country. He settled in Jefferson county buying forty acres of land in Lockridge township, and after improving the same he added various tracts adjoining, until at length he was the owner of two hundred acres. These he farmed until 1899 when he sold out and came to Lockridge to live, remaining here until his death January 14, 1911. The death of his wife occurred July 19, 1899.
Reared at home Lewis B. Zillman was sent to the district school near- by and when on the farm was expected to give whatever assistance his father demanded of him. Thus he acquired the rudiments of knowledge pertaining to improved methods of farming which bore their fruits in later years. As mentioned above he went to the city upon coming of age where he worked for four years first in Chicago then in St. Louis. He then engaged in farming in conjunction with his brother and together they bought a farm of one hundred and seventy acres which they im- proved and operated for two years. Thereupon they sold this farm. buying another of one hundred and eighty acres which they operated for five years, dissolving partnership at the end of that period. Lewis B. Zillman subsequently purchased one hundred and forty acres of land in Lockridge township which he has farmed ever since with excellent results.
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In 1896, on New Year's day, Lewis B. Zillman was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Gholson, a daughter of George and Eliza Ann (Haines) Gholson, natives of Henry county, Iowa. Her father, as soon as he was old enough, engaged in farming for himself in Henry county and here still follows his calling, enjoying with his wife the results of their toil through many years of faithful devotion to duty.
Mr. and Mrs. Zillman became the parents of three children: George A., aged thirteen years; Lester, aged twelve; and Omer L., aged five years. In politics Mr. Zillman has always been a faithful supporter of the democratic party and has served as school director of his district. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Yeomen lodges and, together with Mrs. Zillman, holds membership in the Baptist church. He has the warm regard of a large circle of friends, many of whom have known him from his boyhood days to the present time.
LOUIS BARROW.
Through the improvement of opportunities which Iowa offers in agri- cultural lines, Louis Barrow has made substantial progress in the business world, being the owner of a well improved farm from which he derives a good annual profit. He was born in Maidstone, Kent county, England, January 27, 1863; a son of Horace and Ellen (Holland) Barrow, also natives of that country. The parents continue to make their home upon the place where the birth of their son occurred, and there the father engages in general agricultural pursuits. Of their family of nine chil- dren, three sons and four daughters are yet living, a son and daughter having passed away. A brother of our subject, Bert Barrow, is now residing in Fairfield, having come to this country about twelve years ago.
Louis Barrow, the eldest child in his father's family, spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity. Upon the old home- stead there, he early became acquainted with the best methods of tilling the soil and carrying on the work of the fields. He remained at home until about twenty-three years of age, when, in 1885, he crossed the Atlantic in order to join his father's brother, Henry Barrow, a resident of Fairfield, Iowa. He remained with his uncle for one year, after which he began working at the county poor farm, where he was employed for five years. At the expiration of that period, he was married and ·began farming on his own account, renting his present place in Center township, but this did not satisfy his ambition to become independent, so he applied himself diligently and persistently to the cultivation of the place with the
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view of one day owning a farm. Working early and late in the fields and giving close attention to all of the tasks necessary in the development of a farm, he at length accomplished his purpose and by purchase became the owner of the tract which for nine years he had operated in the capacity of a renter. The place consists of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 15, and has been brought under a high state of cultivation, most of the improvements found thereon having been instituted by Mr. Barrow. He carries on general agricultural pursuits, cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate; and each year his labors find their . just reward, in gratifying results which are constantly advancing him toward the goal of prosperity.
In the year 1891, Mr. Barrow was united in marriage to Miss Laura Booth, who was born in Illinois in October, 1863. As a little maiden of two summers, she came to Iowa with her parents, Isaac and Susannah (Booth) Booth, who were both natives of Ohio. The father has now passed away, and the mother makes her home in Fairfield. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Barrow there were three children, but only one, Charles H., is now living. John Henry passed away in early childhood, and a twin sister of Charles died in infancy. Mr. Barrow gives his political support to the republican party but has never been active in the public life of the community, preferring rather to concentrate his undivided at- tention upon his business interests. He has made good use of his oppor- tunities, and, as the years have gone by, has prospered in his undertaking as the result of his unfaltering industry and so he has never found occa- sion to regret that he left his native home to seek his fortune in this country, where opportunity is always open to ambition and enterprise.
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