USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 30
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Mr. Easton was married, on the 5th of June. 1879, in Fairbury, Illinois, to Miss Jennie T. Johnson, who was born in Vermont, Fulton county, this state, a daughter of Dr. Amos and Malissa (Kimey) Johnson. Unto this union have been born three sons, to all of whom Mr. Easton has given a substantial start in business life. The first two, Oscar A. and Harvey L., are associated with Ed DeVall in the operation of the Fairfield Steam Laundry. The youngest son, Percy J., is a druggist of Fairfield, engaging in business in connection with Fred Jericho under the firm style of Jericho & Easton. All are successful young business men, well known and highly respected in this city.
The religious belief of Mr. Easton is that of the Methodist church, while he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through membership in the Grand Army of the Republic .. A close study of political conditions has led him to give his support to republican principles and for many years he has been active and prominent in party ranks here. He
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served for two years as street commissioner and twelve years as city councilman, and throughout this period probably no other resident of Fairfield did more valuable service toward the permanent development and improvement of the town than did Mr. Easton. In his official capacity he was instrumental in having the surface drainage changed so that each home now has a park, and all of the street paving was superintended by him. He was joined by others and caused the hitching racks to be abolished around the square, an action which caused much ill feeling at the time, and did all in his power to enhance the attractiveness of the village. In the matter of sewers he saved the city twenty-six hundred dollars on contracts and was instrumental in effecting a saving of money to the city in various other ways as well. He has ever been a champion of progress, not only exemplifying the term in his own business career but laboring for general advancement and improvement in the civic life of the com- munity in which he resides, and high on the roll of Fairfield's most valued and influential citizens is found the name of Alexander Easton.
FRANK FOURT, D. D. S.
Dentistry is unique among the professions in that success depends upon three distinct qualities: a thorough understanding of specific principles, marked mechanical skill and ingenuity and the capability to control the financial side of the business. In all of these requirements Dr. Frank Fourt is well equipped and Fairfield now acknowledges him as one of its leading dentists, his skill having gained him an extensive practice. He was born on a farm at Retreat, Wisconsin, July 25, 1866, his parents being Charles S. and Hannah Fourt. The Fourt family was of French origin and its representatives have occupied prominent places in the colonization and settlement of this country. Members of the family have been judges and congressmen and there is at least one state governor of that name. The name was originally spelled Fourte but various branches of the family have made changes in the orthography until the usual spelling is now Fort. Charles S. Fourt was a farmer by occupation but interrupted his agricultural labors to aid his country in the Civil war, serving four years with the Union army. He wedded Hannah Valentine, who was a repre- sentative of a family of pure English stock.
After mastering the common branches of learning Dr. Fourt of this review spent three years as a student in the high school at Viroqua, Wis- consin. He took up the study of dentistry in a dental office, where he received practical training, and at the same time acquainted himself with
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the scientific principles that found their exposition in reading books on dentistry. This qualified him for the examination that admitted him to practice in the Dakotas in 1888. He afterward successfully passed the required examination in Iowa, a state that demands as high qualifications as any in the Union. This was in 1894. He first located for practice at Britton, North Dakota, in the fall of 1888 and there remained for a year, after which he removed to Brookings, South Dakota, where he spent four years, but not being content to remain in so small a town he removed to Fairfield in 1894. Here he had the strongest kind of professional opposi- tion but gradually his superior skill and ability became recognized, his practice grew and he is today recognized as one of the leaders of the dental profession not only in Jefferson county but in the state of Iowa. He keeps in touch with the most advanced methods and improvements and has an office splendidly equipped with the latest appliances.
In 1890 Dr. Fourt formed the acquaintance of Miss Fanny L. Shan- non, who was then a pupil in the South Dakota Agricultural College, located at Brookings, and after she had completed the college course and a special course in domestic science, she was persuaded to give up the position of librarian, which she then held, and on the 23d of November, 1892, Thanksgiving eve, she became the wife of Dr. Frank Fourt. Unto this union have been born three children: Donald, whose birth occurred in February, 1894; Arthur, born in June, 1895; and Walter, in August, 1899. The first born, however, died in infancy.
Dr. Fourt has always recognized the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship and has cooperated in various plans and pro- jects for the public good, although he has never been a politician in the truly accepted sense of office seeking. He has, however, served as council- man of Fairfield from the second ward, having been elected on the "paving issue." He served on the street and alley committee when the first paving in Fairfield was done and when he had accomplished the purpose for which he desired election, he refused renomination and has also declined to accept the nomination for other offices, preferring to give his undivided attention to his professional duties. He votes with the democratic party and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has served in all the chairs of the blue lodge and is found an exemplary representative of the craft. He attends the Congregational church and advocates the move- ยท ments for the moral and intellectual development of the community. He served on the board of directors of the Chautauqua Association and after filling the position of treasurer of the association for three years, refused renomination. He took a prominent part in securing Slagle grove for Chautauqua purposes, and his opinions concerning the work of Chautau- quas have had weight in deciding the questions coming before that asso-
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ciation. It is noteworthy that Dr. Fourt is usually chosen treasurer of any association with which he becomes connected. He served in that position in the South Dakota Dental Society and is now serving his third term as treasurer of the Iowa State Dental Society. Progress and patriot- ism may well be termed the keynote of his character. His natural attain- ments and his acquired ability have placed him in a prominent professional position and at the same time he maintains an even balance in his character and in his life by his activity in public affairs and in social interests.
JOHN H. MERCKENS.
John H. Merckens has spent the greater part of his life in public office and his career has illustrated his fidelity to duty and to principle, his capability, his energy and his resourcefulness. He is now serving as grand keeper of the records and seal for the Knights of Pythias of Iowa, his labors in this connection occupying his entire time. His birth occurred in New York city, October 12, 1855, his parents being Cord and Helene D. (Niemann) Merckens, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were born, reared and married near Hamburg and in 1839 came to New York where their remaining days were passed, the mother's death occurring in the same year in which John H. Merckens was born. The father was connected with sugar refining throughout the entire period of his residence in the United States. He passed away in 1870, survived by two sons, but the elder, Richard, died in San Francisco, California, in March, 1888.
John H. Merckens is therefore the only surviving member of the fam- ily. Left motherless in his infancy, he remained a resident of New York city until brought to Fairfield by the Children's Aid Society on the 15th of January, 1869. He afterward made his home with Henry Unkrich, a German farmer living near Glasgow, working in the fields until May, 1881. He then secured a clerkship in a general store at Lockridge where he remained until 1890, when he accepted a position in the census department at Washington, D. C. Later he was transferred to the labor department where he continued until 1892. His public service in Jefferson county covers two years in the position of deputy county clerk. He was also state superintendent of census at Des Moines in 1895 and 1896 and in 1898 was elected clerk of the district court for a term of four years. After his retirement from that position he became bookkeeper and clerk for the Lowden Machinery Company with which he remained until 1908, when he was elected to his present position as grand keeper of the records and seal of the Knights of Pythias, to which work he now gives his undivided
JOHN H. MERCKENS
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attention, his ability well qualifying him for the onerous duties that devolve upon him. Under his guidance the work has been carefully systematized and the management of the office is thoroughly satisfactory to the officers of the organization.
On the Ist of January, 1882, Mr. Merckens was united in marriage in Glasgow, Iowa, to Miss Ida M. Emerson, who was born in Jefferson county, March 31, 1862, and is a daughter of John W. and Catherine A. Emerson. Their children are: William C., of Fairfield; Clara E., who died March 13, 1906, at the age of twenty-three years; and Mary C., who is acting as her father's stenographer. Mr. Merckens belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a "standpat" republican. He believes firmly in the prin- ciples of the party and the policy followed by its leaders, thinking that both are forces in conserving the best interests of good government. Mr. Merckens has the distinction of being what the world calls a self-made man and certainly he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. Deprived in youth of the advantages that most boys enjoy, including home training and educational privileges beyond that offered by the common schools, he has so shaped his life that each step in his career has been a forward one, bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. His connection with public office has gained him an extensive acquaintance and wherever he is known he has won warm friends.
JERRY M. CALHOUN.
Jerry M. Calhoun, who manifests a spirit of unfaltering determination and unwearied industry in carrying on his farming interests in Center township, is the owner of good farming property which returns to him substantial profits. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurring in Cedar township, Van Buren county, on the 19th of September, 1857. His parents, Nobe and Malura (Jimeson) Calhoun, were born, reared and married in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1853 they came to Iowa, locat- ing in Van Buren county. Their remaining days were passed there and in Jefferson county, the father giving his lifetime to the occupation of farming. He passed away in this county in 1873, at the age of forty-two years. His wife later married Lewis Sense, who is also deceased, and she now makes her home in Knox county, Missouri. In their family were five children, as follows: Anna, who married Frank P. Ball, of Cedar township; Jerry M., of this review; Scott, residing in Los Angeles, Cali- Vol. II-18
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fornia; Mary Adaline Rymer, deceased; and Nobe, the wife of Fred Jimeson, of Knox county, Missouri.
Jerry M. Calhoun was but five or six years old when he came with his parents to Jefferson county and within its borders he has since maintained his residence. He was reared to rural life and when not busy with his lessons he assisted his father in the work of the home fields, early becom- ing familiar with the tasks that usually fall to the lot of the country lad. Upon attaining his majority he wisely selected as his life work the occu- pation to which he had been reared, and since entering the business world on his own account he has engaged in agricultural pursuits, the success of his undertaking indicating how thorough was his preparation and how well he had mastered the lessons which he had received concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. He now owns a good farm of eighty acres located on section I, Center township, upon which he has resided since 1887, and he also has an additional tract of sixty-five acres on section 3, this township. He has brought his home place under a high state of cultivation, introducing various improvements which have greatly enhanced the value of the property and equipping it with all of the neces- sary conveniences for the successful conduct of a farming enterprise.
Mr. Calhoun was married, in 1881, to Miss Emma E. McWhiter, who was born on the IIth of February, 1857, on the farm which is yet her home and which was entered by her father from the government at an early day. Her parents were John and Catharine (Gift) McWhiter, the former born in County Antrim, Ireland, in October, 1818, and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1827. The father on coming to the new world first located in Maryland and later took up a claim in Iowa. In 1849 he went to California and later made another trip to the Golden state, the journey on both occasions being made with ox teams although his second return to this state was made by the water route. He engaged in farming here up to the time of his retirement from the business world, and spent the last ten years of his life in Fairfield. He passed away on the 4th of January, 1901, his wife surviving him for about five years, her death occurring in March, 1906. In their family were seven children of whom Mrs. Calhoun was the second in order of birth, the others being: Mary C. Allen, of Jefferson county ; Maggie, deceased; Nina, a resident of Fairfield; Glenn, who has also passed away; Martha Allen, residing in St. Louis : and Etta, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun were born three children, namely: Catharine Malura, who married Harvey Erickson, of Fairfield; Mabel and Nobe John, both at home.
The religious faith of Mr. Calhoun is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife and children also belong. Early in life he became interested in the politics of the country and, forming his
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own opinions and rules of conduct has given his support to the democratic party and has ever been a worker for the best interests of the community in which he resides. He is now serving as township trustee and in this capacity he is using his influence in behalf of all those projects which have for their object the permanent development and improvement of the district.
JOHN H. FRITZ.
John H. Fritz has resided in Jefferson county throughout his entire life, his birth having occurred February 10, 1865, in Walnut township, upon the farm which was the old homestead of the family. While reared to agricultural life, he chose to turn his attention to commercial pursuits and, since 1887, has been closely identified with the mercantile, manufacturing and financial interests of Fairfield. His parents were Peter and Susan (Kurtz) Fritz; the former born in Bavaria, Germany, August 21, 1836. When sixteen years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States on one of the old-time sailing vessels in company with his parents, who established the family home at Burlington, Iowa, but, after a year or two, removed to Jefferson county. Peter Fritz has since lived in Walnut town- ship, and for forty-eight years has remained upon the farm which is now his home. It was in this county that he wedded Susan Kurtz, who was born in Michigan and in her girlhood came with her parents to Iowa, re- maining a resident of Jefferson county until her death, which occurred about thirty-three years ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have been born four children: John H .; Elizabeth, the wife of D. T. Kilfoy, of Fair- field; Joseph, living in Santiago, California ; and Martin, whose home is in Walnut township.
In the usual manner of farm lads, John H. Fritz spent his boyhood days, residing in Walnut township until 1887, when at the age of twenty- two years he came to Fairfield. Here he became connected with the lum- ber trade in the employ of A. S. Jordan, with whom he remained until his industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to embark in the lumber business on his own account, about ten years ago as a member of the firm of Jordan & Company. This asso- ciation was maintained for four years, since which time the business has been conducted by the present firm of Fritz & Parker. He also owned and conducted a hardware business and coal yard as a member of the firm of Fritz & Droz. In addition to his other commercial interests he is presi- dent of the Hawkeye Pump Company and a stockholder of the Iowa State
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Savings Bank and of the Iowa Malleable Iron Company. His business judgment is sound and his industry an effective force for success, so that his cooperation has been sought by various corporations.
In January, 1893, Mr. Fritz was married to Miss Margaret Fogarty, who was born in Fairfield, in 1866, and is a daughter of Thomas Fogarty. They hold membership in St. Mary's Catholic church; Mr. Fritz also be- longs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He served for seven years as a member of the city council, supporting many projects and measures the value of which has been proven as the years have gone by. He is also identified with several interests of a more public character, being now a trustee of the Jefferson County Hospital and stockholder of the Chautauqua Asso- ciation and of the Armory Company which built the Armory for Company M. His business interests, however, claim the greater part of his time and attention, and his excellent management has brought to the concerns with which he is connected a large degree of success. The safe conservative policy which he inaugurated commends itself to the judgment of all, and, at the same time, has not interfered with the spirit of progress which is a basic element in all advancement and prosperity.
JAMES SPEER.
James Speer, a leading citizen and successful agriculturist of Cedar township, is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres on sections 20 and 21. This has remained his place of abode from his birth to the present time, his natal day being January I, 1859. His parents, James and Sarah (Robinson) Speer, were born and reared in County Antrim, Ireland, and came of Scotch-Irish descent. The father crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1840, locating in Penn- sylvania, where he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Hearing of the great possibilities of the west, he made a trip to Iowa in the spring of 1841 and in Cedar township, Jefferson county, found some land that he believed would prove a good investment. Accordingly he purchased the tract of three hundred and twenty acres where our subject and his brother, Andrew R., now reside and also bought an adjacent tract consisting of eighty acres for a brother in the Keystone state. After the demise of this brother he sold the property to Andrew Louden. James Speer, Sr., returned to Pennsylvania in the winter of 1841-42 and imme- diately made preparations to come to Iowa as a permanent resident. In the spring of 1842 he took up his abode on his new Iowa farm, remaining
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thereon until called to his final rest aged seventy-two years. He was numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of this county and was actively engaged in farming until within four years of his death, when blindness necessitated his retirement. His wife passed away on the old home place. Their children were four in number, namely: Rose Mary, who is deceased; John M., a foreman of the Louden Machinery Company of Fairfield; James, of this review; and Andrew R., a well known farmer of Cedar township, Jefferson county, residing on section 20.
In his youthful days James Speer attended what was known as the Center schoolhouse in Cedar township and in the summer seasons, when not busy with his text-books, assisted in the operation of the home farm. He has never married and remained with his parents until they passed away, taking complete charge of the homestead property when his father retired. After the demise of his parents, he lived on the farm with his sister, Rose Mary, until her death, which occurred on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1905. Since that time Mr. Speer has had assistance in the operation of the place, living thereon with his tenants. At the time of his father's demise the estate of five hundred acres was divided among the children, his share embracing one hundred and seventy-three acres and constituting an excellent tract of farming land on sections 20 and 21, Cedar township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and is one of the well known and highly respected agriculturists of Jefferson county. His place is well improved in every particular and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
Mr. Speer is a republican in politics and is now serving his first term as township trustee, being elected by the largest vote on the ticket in a township which is strongly democratic. For several years he has served as a school director in district No. 3. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith and belongs to Cedar Chapel, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 4, at Fairfield, Iowa. The circle of his friends is coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances and it is with genuine pleasure that we present the record of his life to the readers of this volume.
S. A. POWER.
Scott A. Power, engaged in the coal and wood business, was born in Davis county, Iowa, December 9, 1869; a son of Albert and Angeline (Wilson) Power, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. The mother removed to Davis county, Iowa, during her childhood days, and it was
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about 1840 that Albert Power took up his abode there. They were mar- ried in that county and still make their home within its borders, Mr. Power having for many years been identified with its agricultural interests, but, at the present time, he is living retired in the town of Bloomfield. Unto him and his wife were born four children: Scott A .; Mrs. Fannie M. Gilmore, the widow of Rev. W. F. Gilmore, residing in Bloomfield; How- ard W., residing in Davenport, Iowa; and Mary, the wife of Hollis H. Hollaway, of Sheridan, Montana.
The youthful days of Scott A. Power were spent in the usual manner of farm lads, at the old homestead in Davis county. He attended the rural school and afterward was graduated from the Southern Normal School at Bloomfield, Iowa, with the class of 1888. He then engaged in teaching for a brief time, and, later, entered the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant from which he was graduated in 1893. Again he took up the profession of teaching which he followed continuously until 1909. In the fall of 1895, he came to Fairfield and secured a position in the public schools. He had previously been superintendent of the schools of Colfax for a year, and of Coon Rapids for four years. He occupied the position of high school principal from 1894 until 1899; and for six years, from 1903 until 1909, was superintendent of the schools of Fairfield, which, under his guidance, made substantial and satisfactory progress. He had the ability to inspire teachers and pupils with much of his own zeal,' enthusiasm and interest in the work; moreover, his methods were at once practical and progressive. In 1909, however, he withdrew from professional connections to enter commercial circles, establishing a coal and wood business in Fairfield. Gradually, his patronage has increased until he is now at the head of a profitable enterprise. He has become quite well known as a poultry fancier, taking considerable interest in the breeding and raising of high grade poultry, in which undertaking his son, Earl D., has been associated with him.
In 1895, Mr. Power was married to Miss Fannie B. Davison, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa ; a daughter of John G. Davison. Their children are: Earl D., Emma K., Helen B., Ruth A. and George W., all still at home. Mr. Power is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Methodist Episcopal church : associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the principles which he has made the guiding rule of his life. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. However, he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and has, at all times, given his aid to projects for the general welfare. He is president of the Fairfield Commercial Club, in which connection he has done much to stimulate trade interests; and, until a year ago, he was secretary and
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