USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 29
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It was on the 20th of November, 1870, that Mr. Emmons was united in marriage to Miss Augusta C. Peck, a daughter of Heman T. and Helen E. (Root) Peck. The father, who was a farmer and carpenter, was born and reared in Ontario county. New York, but was of English extraction. He removed from the Empire state to Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1867, settling upon a farm. Three years later he went to Chicago to follow the carpenter's trade, but was never again heard from and it is supposed that he was killed in the great fire which occurred in that city in 1871. His wife lived until 1880, her demise occurring at the home of her sister, Mrs. John Scripture, in Jewell county, Kansas. The Pecks were among the early colonial settlers of America. They trace their origin to the English nobility and have a coat-of-arms, a lyre with three Maltese crosses within its borders. The American branch is traced back in an unbroken line to the sixteenth century, their common ancestor being one Joseph Peck, who was christened at Beccles, Suffolk county, England, on the 30th of April, 1587. In 1638, together with his brother, Robert Peck, a noted divine of that period, he took passage on the ship Diligent from Ipswich for America, in order that they might escape religious persecu- tion. The last place of residence of Joseph Peck in England was Norfolk,
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but originally they came from Yorkshire and he was a descendant in the twenty-first generation of John Peck, of Belton, that country. A com- plete genealogy of the family was written by a seventh cousin of Mrs. Emmons, Ira B. Peck of Rhode Island, and published in 1868. One of the members of the family was William B. Peck, whose daughter, Phoebe F., married George W. Washington of Mount Vernon, a grand-nephew of the first president of the United States. She died in 1849. Mrs. Emmons' grandmother in the paternal line was Clarissa Hamlin, a daughter of William Hamlin, who was a near relative of Hanibal Hamlin, first vice president under Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Emmons has one sister, Ida M., the wife of Eli W. Comingore, a fireman in a large rolling mill, of Shenan- doah, Iowa. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Emmons. Arthur Hamlin, superintendent of a sanitarium of Battle Creek, Michigan, married Minnie Morrison, a teacher in the Battle Creek College, and a daughter of John Morrison, a farmer of Des Moines township, and they have one daughter, Violet Oneita, aged thirteen years. Grace Lillian, the eldest daughter and second in order of birth, is at home with her parents. Eli Perry, who is a farmer of Princeton, California, married Clara Cope- land, a daughter of William Copeland, a farmer of Des Moines township, this county, and they have two children, Virgil and Fern. Ray Adelbert, the youngest member of the family, is still at home.
Mr. Emmons' political views accord with those of the democratic party, but in local elections he oftentimes votes for other candidates, giv- ing his support to the man rather than the party. He has served as justice of the peace two years, while he held the office of township trustee and director of school district No. 4 for the same period. In matters of faith he is somewhat independent, never having identified himself with any denomination. Mrs. Emmons is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church of Libertyville, while their daughter, Miss Grace, belongs to Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal church of Des Moines township. Mr. Emmons is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his township, having exhibited in both his public and private life those high standards and upright prin- ciples, which invariably win respect.
HENRY C. ALSTON.
The attractiveness of Jefferson county as a place of residence is indi- cated in the fact that many of her native sons elect to remain within her borders and enjoy the opportunities here offered, feeling that no better advantages in a business way can be obtained elsewhere. Of this class
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Henry C. Alston is a representative and that he has made good use of time and opportunity is indicated in the creditable position to which he has attained in the business world. He is now engaged in real-estate operations, is also president of the Fairfield Gas & Electric Light Company and is identified financially with other important industrial and financial interests. He was born near Fairfield, October 31, 1862, a son of William and Martha (Vaughn) Alston. Little is known concerning his maternal ancestry, for his mother died during the infancy of the son Henry. The father, who was born in England, in 1811, came alone to America and settled in Illinois in 1849. For a time he worked in that state and then went to Alexander, Iowa, after which he came to Fairfield about 1843. This district was then largely wild and unimproved and from the govern- ment he entered a tract of land about three miles west of the city. The greater part of his life was spent in Fairfield, his time and attention being largely given to the development of a farm a mile and a half from the city and in addition he also conducted a general store for a number of years, continuing actively in that business until about 1875, when he retired from the mercantile field. Later he concentrated his energies upon the real-estate business, dealing extensively in land and negotiating many important property transfers. For a number of years he served as a member of the city council, to which position he was elected on the demo- cratic ticket, having always been a stanch supporter of the party. His death occurred March 9, 1896. Of his family of ten children the following reached years of maturity: William E., living in Fairfield; Mary, the wife of P. C. Barnes, of Los Angeles, California ; and Henry C.
The last named has spent his entire life in Jefferson county and after attending the public schools he continued his education in Burlington Business College. He made his initial step in the business world as an employe in the Fairfield Furniture Factory, where he remained four years. Subsequently he was engaged in the dairy business two years and afterward devoted fourteen years to the laundry business, establishing the first steam laundry of the city. That undertaking brought him a sub- stantial measure of prosperity and since his retirement from that field of activity he has been dealing in real estate with good success. He is like- wise well known as an orchardist, as the president of the Fairfield Gas & Electric Light Company and as a stockholder in the Iowa Malleable Iron Company and the First National Bank of Fairfield. His interests are thus varied and important but his resourcefulness and energy enable him to meet every condition that arises and to readily and correctly solve the business problems which are always to be met in the conduct of any com- mercial or industrial undertaking.
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In 1884, Mr. Alston was united in marriage to Miss Anna B. Richard- son, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1865. Both Mr. and Mrs. Alston hold membership in the Presbyterian church and in Fairfield and throughout the county have many warm friends. His political allegiance has been given to the democratic party and his fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and cooperates in its various projects for the business unbuilding and improvement of Fairfield in many ways. He has always lived in Jefferson county and the comrades of his youth have become the friends of his manhood-a fact which is indicative of a well spent, quiet and useful life.
NELS PEARSON.
Nels Pearson was for many years actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests in Jefferson county but lived retired at the time of his demise, which occurred in Lockridge on the 12th of June, 1907. His birth occurred in Sweden on the Ist of January, 1834, his father being Nels Pearson, Sr., who was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in that country. He passed away in 1871, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1854.
Nels Pearson was reared and educated in his native land and remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age. In 1857, having heard many favorable reports concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and came direct to Jefferson county, Iowa. Here he first secured employment as a farm hand and later entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, assisting in building the same through Lockridge. Sub- sequently he removed to Illinois and there worked as a farm hand until the time of his enlistment for service in the Union army in 1862, becom- ing a member of Company K, Eighty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained until the close of hostilities. His military record was a most creditable one, for he had never faltered in the performance of any task assigned him. When the country no longer needed his aid he returned to Jefferson county, Iowa, and in 1867 was married and rented a farm of forty acres in Lockridge township, operating the same for five years. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of timber land in Round Prairie township, cleared and im- proved the property and cultivated the same for thirty-three years. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he won a gratifying measure of
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prosperity, gathering rich crops that found a ready sale on the market. In 1905 he sold his farm and took up his abode in Lockridge, where he spent the remainder of his life in honorable retirement, passing away on the 12th of June, 1907. In him the community lost one of its most esteemed and substantial citizens.
On the 6th of January, 1867, Mr. Pearson was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Larson, who was born in Sweden on the Ist of May, 1848, her parents being Swan and Anna Sophia (Anderson) Larson. They are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Albert Larson, a brother of Mrs. Pearson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pearson were born seven children, as follows: Charles Elmer, now forty-four years of age, who resides in California; Esther Ellen, the wife of William Grove, an agriculturist of Van Buren county, Iowa ; Nellie Sophia, the wife of Frank Frieburg, who follows farming in How- ard county, Iowa; John E., an agriculturist residing at Stockport, Van Buren county, Iowa; Albert B., a fireman living at Galesburg, Illinois : Anna R., who is at home with her mother; and Edna E., who resides at Fairfield, Iowa.
Mr. Pearson gave unfaltering allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old war comrades. His widow, a consistent and devoted member of the Lutheran church, still resides in Lockridge and has a wide and favor- able acquaintance here.
REUBEN D. DU BOIS.
Reuben D. Du Bois is numbered among the pioneer residents of Jeffer- son county, where he has spent almost his entire life, having been brought to the county by his parents when but three weeks old. He was born near the little village of Blandinsville, Illinois, on Christmas day of 1842. His father, John W. Du Bois, brought the family to Jefferson county in Janu- ary, 1843, and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were active in reclaiming the wild land for the uses and purposes of civilization. The father was born in New York city but before his marriage removed to the middle west. In his youthful days he learned and followed the cabinet- maker's trade in New York and on attaining his majority he left that state for Illinois. He married Elizabeth Dill, a native of White county, Tennessee, who had gone to Illinois with her parents when twelve years of age. Both the Du Bois and Dill families were excellent people who
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took active part in the development of their respective communities, espe- cially along agricultural lines, and ever commanded the esteem and regard of those who knew them by reason of their upright lives.
In the country schools of Jefferson county, R. D. Du Bois pursued his education, having the privilege of attending only in the winter months, for his services were needed upon the home farm during the summer seasons. He early became familiar with the arduous task of developing new land and was busy in cultivating the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He con- tinued upon the old homestead until the time of his marriage and then began farming on his own account, devoting three years to tilling the soil. On the expiration of that period he removed to Fairfield, where he en- gaged in contracting in building material for seven years, meeting with success in that undertaking. He next turned his attention to the live-stock and butchering business, in which he engaged for twenty years, his in- telligently directed labor and unfaltering industry bringing him substantial prosperity. He has ever regarded as one of the best investments that he ever made the purchase of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Buchanan township, two and a half miles northeast of Fairfield. This he still owns and in it takes considerable pride, his supervision being manifest in the excellent appearance of the place and in the improvements found thereon.
On the 21st of December, 1865, Mr. Du Bois was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Welch, a daughter of John and Clarissa Welch, of Tus- carawas county, Ohio. Her father followed the occupation of farming in the Buckeye state and in 1854 removed westward to this county, settling on a farm in Buchanan township. Both he and his wife died in the home of their daughter, Mrs. Du Bois, the father passing away in 1905 and the mother in 1911. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Du Bois was born a daughter, Charlotte A., whose birth occurred October 16, 1866, and who became the wife of the Rev. John W. Day. Both were students in Parsons Col- lege of Fairfield, completing a course there. Mrs. Day passed away June 7, 1901, leaving two children, Herald Du Bois and Wilbur Minton. Since the death of his mother Herald has made his home with his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Du Bois, while Minton is living with his father, the Reverend Day.
In his political views Mr. Du Bois has always been a republican where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidates best qualified for office. His first presi- dential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has served as a member of the board of county supervisors for two terms and as a mem- ber of the city council for three terms and has ever exercised his official
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prerogatives in support of measures and movements which he deems of value and benefit to the community. For thirty-eight years he has been a loyal member of the Odd Fellows society and for fourteen years of the Knights of Pythias lodge, while for more than forty years both he and his wife have led consistent Christian lives as members of the Methodist church.
CLARENCE MURPHEY.
Clarence Murphey, who has remained a resident of Jefferson county from his birth to the present time, has followed farming as a life work and is the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in Round Prairie township. His birth occurred in that township on the 9th of May, 1861, his parents being Levi and Sarah (Bower) Murphey, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Coming to Iowa, the father located at Ottumwa, Iowa, where he spent one year and ten months. On the expiration of that period he came to Jefferson county and entered a tract of forty acres in Round Prairie township, clearing and improving the land and cultivating the same until 1854. In that year he disposed of the property and purchased eighty acres of the farm which is now in possession of our subject, devoting his attention to its improvement and development. Subsequently he extended the boundaries of his place by an additional purchase of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining and during the remainder of his life was busily engaged in the operation of his farm. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he won a gratifying measure of prosperity and was widely recognized as one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community. During the early period of his residence here he made a trip to the Nevada gold fields, but the venture proved unprofitable and at the end of two years he returned to. Iowa. His demise occurred on the 3d of July, 1902, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 29th of February, 1896.
Clarence Murphey acquired his education in the district schools, study- ing under the preceptorship of Hiram Heaton. He has always remained on the old home place and when a young man of twenty-three years started out as an agriculturist on his own account, farming on shares with his father. Subsequently he operated the entire homestead place as a renter until his father's demise, when he purchased the interest of other heirs and came into possession of property, embracing one hundred and fifty acres in Round Prairie township and in its further cultivation and improvement Mr. Murphey has been busily engaged to the present time.
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He makes a close study of agriculture and through the careful cultivation of the soil and the rotation of crops gathers abundant harvests each year.
On October 20, 1888, Mr. Murphey was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Duttweiler, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Baldozier) Duttweiler, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connec- tion with the sketch of Albert Larson, a brother-in-law of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Murphey have been born nine children, as follows: Clarence E., who operates a mill and is also engaged in the manufacture of cement blocks at Lockridge, Iowa; Frank, likewise living in Lockridge; and Chester, Hazel, Raymond, Bertha, Eddie, Ellen and Jessie, all at home.
At the polls Mr. Murphey casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He is a worthy representative of our best type of American manhood, endowed by nature with admirable quali- ties, and commands uniform respect and good-will wherever he is known.
ALEXANDER EASTON.
In few men has the spirit of patriotism been more dominant than in Alexander Easton, who not only rendered his country valuable aid during the dark days of the Civil war but in times of peace has proven himself equally loyal and public-spirited, his efforts in behalf of Fairfield along material lines being unequalled, perhaps by any other citizen of the com- munity. He was born in Lonaconing, Maryland, on the 2d of September, 1842, a son of Robert and Mary (Spence) Easton, both natives of Scot- land, where the former was born in 1800 and the latter in 1812. They were married in the land of hills and heather, when the mother was but eighteen years of age, and about 1832 crossed the Atlantic to America, locating first at Picton, Canada, where their first child was born. Later they crossed the border into the United States, first taking up their abode in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Maryland. Subsequently they returned to Pennsylvania and there Robert Easton followed his calling- that of civil engineer-and also engaged considerably in prospecting for mines, etc. He passed away in the Keystone state and his wife later brought her family to Illinois, where her death occurred. Unto them were born ten children, of whom only four are now living, as follows: Robert, residing in Cripple Creek, California; Alexander, of this review; Ellen, the widow of Joseph Martin, of Peoria, Illinois; and Agnes, living in Spring Valley, Illinois. Those who have passed away are: two by the
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name of Sarah; two bearing the name of Mary ; Archibald; and Margaret, deceased. The youngest, Sarah, married Robert Martin.
It was during the early childhood of Alexander Easton that the family home was established in Pennsylvania, and in Mckeesport, that state, he spent the years of his boyhood and youth. There he acquired a good education in the common schools, and continued at home until twenty years of age, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in September, 1862, becoming a private in Com- pany D, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. His term of service continued until the close of hostilities, or for a period of three and a half years, and in the meantime his record was one of utmost valor and cour- age, winning for him promotion to the rank of sergeant. He served under Generals Siegel, Averell and Sheridan and participated in forty- two battles and more than eighty skirmishes, including the battles between Gettysburg and Richmond. At one time he was under fire for ninety consecutive days. One of the interesting incidents of the war which he relates was that of the capture, by him, of a spy south of Morefield, Virginia. Subsequently it was discovered that the spy was a woman in man's dress. While she was on her way to prison she passed her captor and indicated her feeling of hostility toward him in the prediction that if Jefferson Davis did not kill all of the Union troops within a year Mr. Easton would within that time find himself in hell. Ere a year had passed Mr. Easton was wounded and captured at Cedar Creek, sustaining a wound in the leg and having his horse shot from under him. He was then sent to Libby prison and such were the horrors of that loathsome prison pen that he thought that the prediction of the woman had come true. After his wound had partially healed he was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina, and there held as a prisoner until the close of the war. He witnessed the slaughter of several hundred Union prisoners upon their united attempt to escape in December, 1864. While under General Siegel at Martinsburg, Virginia, he had been detailed with eighty men to guard the crossing on North mountain and later rode back to Martinsburg where he believed he would rejoin his command. He found, however, that he was within a block of Earley's army of fifty thousand Confederate troops. Mr. Easton lost fourteen out of his eighty men in a running fight back to Hagarstown, Maryland, but after crossing the Potomac found that he was cut off there and lost ten more men in a running fight back to Greensburg, Pennsylvania. His military record was one of which he may well be proud and to men like him the nation owes a debt of gratitude which it can never pay. A strong, sturdy man, weighing one hundred and ninety-six pounds when he enlisted for service, through the terrible hard- ships and privations of war and the horrors of incarceration in southern
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prisons he was reduced to but one hundred pounds and for two years thereafter was unfit for any manual labor.
The father of Mr. Easton had passed away during his absence at the front and his mother had gone to make her home with a daughter in Ohio. There he joined her and spent two years in recuperation, after which he returned to Pennsylvania. Later, however, he went to Illinois, locating in Fairbury, Livingston county, and there resided until 1889, which year witnessed his arrival in Fairfield, Iowa, where he has since made his home. In early life he had pursued a course of study in chemis- try and for a time engaged in the bottling business at Mckeesport, Penn- sylvania, but on removing to Illinois he worked in the mines, quarries and sewers, and later purchased a farm, upon which he carried on general agricultural pursuits. After his arrival in Fairfield he returned to his former occupation and, purchasing a bottling enterprise, gave close atten- tion to its management and conduct for more than two decades. He manu- factured pop and extracts and also manufactured his own gas, and the excellence of his output was such that he found a ready sale on the market and his business constantly grew in volume and importance with the pass- ing years. It was not long ere close application, untiring diligence and honorable dealing found well merited reward and prosperity came to him in substantial measure, permitting him, about three years ago, to with- draw from business activity. He is now living retired in Fairfield, enjoy- ing the position which he has so richly earned among the representative and successful business men of this community. He has valuable realty holdings, being the owner of a tract of farm land of eighty acres located three miles east of Fairfield, and two good dwellings in the town, in addi- tion to the pop factory.
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