USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 35
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
368
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
as mayor of the city for several years and otherwise taking an active part in municipal affairs. His wife had died at the old homestead farm in Polk township ere his removal from Jefferson county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have been born two children. Floyd Wilson, the elder, married Mada Pringle, of Fairfield, Iowa, and is now a well known farmer and stockman, living upon his father's farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Polk township. Merle is at home with his parents and is a partner with his father in the stock business. He is widely and favorably known and is a member of Ottumwa Lodge of Elks. Mr. Mitchell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is somewhat prominent as a worker in its local ranks. At the present writing he is serving as a member of the city council of Packwood, which position he has filled since his removal to the town, ever exercising his official prerogatives in support of the men and measures which tend to advance general welfare. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Packwood and their lives have ever been in harmony with their professions. In all of his business dealings Mr. Mitchell has been found trustworthy and reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of another in any business trans- action. He early realized the fact that industry is the basis of success and when guided by sound judgment and supplemented by perseverance it always wins the desired results. He has proven himself to be an ex- cellent judge of stock as well as a practical and progressive tiller of the soil and in the conduct of his interests has made for himself an honorable position among the prosperous residents of the county.
ROBERT H. WELLER.
Robert H. Weller, who has been a resident of Packwood since he re- tired from his farm in Black Hawk township four years ago, has been identified with agricultural pursuits in the middle west for more than fifty years. He was born in Hastings, Sussex county, England, December 25, 1838, the son of John and Cordelia Elizabeth (Selms) Weller. John Weller, who was a farmer by profession was born and reared in England, where the Wellers had lived for many years. Coming to America in 1841, he went to Michigan and purchased land upon which he erected a saw- mill and where he hoped to have his home when his wife and children could follow him to the United States, but his death occurred before they arrived. However, Mrs. Weller set out for America when her son Robert was seven years of age and the long trip of seven weeks, three days and
369
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
six hours on the "Switzerland" was one full of misfortunes. During the voyage Elizabeth, the youngest sister, died and was buried at sea and the mother, who was taken ill on the steamer, died at the home of her brother, Joshua Selms, a hotel-keeper, shortly after she arrived in New York. Her death left her four children, of whom Robert was the youngest. orphans in New York. But they soon went on to Syracuse, where the older brother, John, learned the shoemaker's trade and afterwards became chief cutter in a large factory.
Robert H. Weller attended school until he began working on a farm, continuing in this pursuit for a short time until he apprenticed himself to a carpenter, up to 1858. In that year he started out to seek his fortune and with ten dollars in his pocket he set out. From Buffalo to Chicago he worked his way by boat and then walked across the prairie to Chenoa, Illinois, where he was hired as harvesting hand for two dollars and a half per day, an amount which seemed almost incredible to him, since in New York state he had been receiving a stipend of fifty cents for his daily toil. At the multiplied wage scale he was willing to give his whole time to har- vesting and he worked at it as long as the season lasted. Then he took up his trade as carpenter in Chenoa and continued to follow it, excepting during his Civil war service, until 1892, when he removed to Black Hawk township, Jefferson county, Iowa, and purchased the one hundred and sixty-five acres of fine farm land, upon which he made his home until his retirement and removed to Packwood in 1907. He owns his comfortable home in Packwood and rents his farm to his son, Robert W.
Mr. Weller enlisted in the Civil war February 6, 1865, joining Com- pany B, One hundred and fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Chenoa and during his short service was in a number of skirmishes. On the 25th of August, 1865, he was mustered out at Memphis, Tennessee, being discharged while in the hospital in that city.
The marriage of Mr. Weller to Harriet Lucy McFarland occurred April 10, 1862. She is the daughter of Sandusky and Mary A. (Smith) McFarland, both natives of Jessamine county, Kentucky, the father, a farmer, being of Scotch-Irish descent and the mother of Dutch pedigree. They were married in Kentucky and removed to Illinois in 1854, when Mrs. Weller was but nine years of age. Later the family went to Chenoa, where Mr. and Mrs. Weller were married. Mr. McFarland enlisted in Company G, Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until he was taken ill two years later, when he returned to Chenoa and resided until he fell on ice, injuring himself seriously. After this accident he was taken to the National Military Home, at Leavenworth, Kansas, and later, in 1903, he was removed from there to the United States Military
370
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
Hospital at Washington, D. C., where he died. His wife's death had oc- curred fifteen years previous, in Chenoa.
Mr. and Mrs. Weller are the parents of six children. George E., the eldest, who is an agriculturist residing in Buckley, Illinois, married Jennie Wallace, of Livingston county, Illinois, and they are the parents of four children, namely ; Della, May, Harvey and Mattie. Mary Elizabeth mar- ried George M. Stafford, who owns a feed store at Ottawa, Kansas, and to them two children have been born, Maude and Sadie. Emma Alyda, who married O. Gillette, a ranchman and carpenter, is residing at King Hill, Idaho, and is the mother of three children, Harlan, Gail and Lois. Sadie, who married James M. Baldwin, a farmer and carpenter, resides in Black Hawk township. Robert Walter is living on his father's homestead in Black Hawk township. He married Lulu Dawson, of Columbus Junc- tion, Iowa, and to them two children have been born, Faye and Dale. Asa S. resides on the homestead with his brother, Robert W.
In politics Mr. Weller has ever been a stanch republican and is a firm believer in the more conservative policies of that party. but until he retired he held no offices excepting that of school director in Black Hawk town- ship for several terms. Since he has been residing in Packwood he has taken an active interest in the government of the town and has served for three years as a member of the village council and for a similar length of time as street commissioner. In both of these offices he has discharged his duties conscientiously and to the best interests of the community. Mr. Weller is the only member of his family who left New York and is the last surviving member, his sister and brothers having died in Syracuse, Mary at the age of seventy-five years and John and James at the ages of eighty-eight and eighty respectively. Few lives show better what can be accomplished even in spite of the greatest obstacles and most discouraging beginnings than does the life of Mr. Weller, a man who has both made a success of undertakings calling for indefatigable labor and who has also won for himself the esteem and confidence of his fellow townsmen.
ROBERT H. CURTIS.
Robert H. Curtis owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 27, Black Hawk township, where for twenty years he has engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Guilford county. North Carolina, on the 16th of June, 1856, and is the only son of Abraham and Margaret (Brown) Curtis. The parents, who were of German ex- traction, were likewise natives of Guilford county, the father's birth having
371
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
there occurred in 1802. When he had reached man's estate Abraham Curtis chose the carpenter's trade for his vocation, but after his marriage he bought and operated a farm, with the assistance of hired help, in con- nection with his carpentry work. He passed away in 1873, but the mother lived until 1896, both having passed their entire lives in the country where they were born. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis had seven daughters, three of whom are still living, as follows: Fannie, of Randolph county, North Carolina ; and Cornelia and Margaret, who are residing in Guilford county.
Reared on his father's farm Robert H. Curtis obtained his education in the district schools, and while engaged in the mastery of the common branches he was also becoming familiar with the practical methods of agriculture. From the time he attained his majority until he left home four years later he gave his entire attention to the operation of his father's . farm. In 1881, he left North Carolina and came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Richland township where he worked by the month for two years. During that time he accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to farm as a renter, which he continued to do until 1891, when he bought his present farm. During the period of his ownership he has wrought exten- sive improvements in his place, which is well stocked, contains good build- ings and is one of the attractive properties of the township. Mr. Curtis has most intelligently directed his activities and has met with success in his various undertakings. For the past nine years he has been an invalid and has been unable to do any work, but he gives his personal attention to the supervision and direction of the various operations connected with the tilling of the fields and harvesting of the crops. He at one time rented his farm for about six years, four of which he spent in Fairfield, while for eighteen months he lived in Arkansas.
On the 5th of December, 1878, in Guilford county, North Carolina, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Curtis and Miss Sarah Coble, who was born and reared in Guilford county. Mrs. Curtis is a daughter of David and Laura (Euliss) Coble, the former of whom is a native of Guilford county, of English extraction, while Mrs. Coble was born in an adjoining county and is of German descent. Mr. Coble, who was an attorney, owned a large estate and many slaves in North Carolina. He was a prominent officer in the Confederate army, enlisting in Guilford county, and was well known throughout the state. He passed away on the 7th of July, 1891, but the mother is still living at the venerable age of eighty-three years and makes her home in Burlington, North Carolina. Mrs. Coble is very active and still in possession of all of her faculties despite her age, and in the fall of 1911 was favored by a visit from her daughter, Mrs. Curtis; whom she had not seen for twenty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Coble there were born six children, Mrs. Curtis, who was third
372
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
in order of birth, being the eldest of the three now surviving. William R., the oldest and only surviving son, is a resident of Burlington, as is also the other daughter, Laura Ann, who lives with her mother. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis has been blessed with five children: Mrs. Amy Viola Curtis, of Waterloo, who has two sons, Harry Winfield Howard and Curtis Howard: Henry Vance, who is attending the high school at Fairfield and assists his father with the work of the farm; Robert Vern, who is also attending school in Fairfield; William Grover, who died when he was two years of age; and Rosabelle, who was two and a half months at the time of her death.
In matters of faith Mr. Curtis holds membership in the Christian church of Richland, while Mrs. Curtis belongs to the Methodist Episcopal . church of Fairfield. She is also a prominent member of the"Black Hawk Township Neighborhood Club. The political views of Mr: Curtis con- form to the principles of the democratic party, but of recent years he casts his vote for the candidate he considers best qualified for the office, irrespective of party affiliation. His salient traits of character? are such as commend him to the confidence and good-will of those with whom he comes in contact, and as a result he is held in high regard in the com- munity where he has long resided.
CHARLES T. MOORMAN, M. D.
Dr. Charles T. Moorman, a successful physician of Jefferson county, practicing in Packwood and throughout the surrounding district, has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and yet is still an active factor in his profession and has at all times kept abreast with the progress that has introduced many new methods and remedial agencies in medical and surgical practice. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, March 30, 1836, a son of Charles T. and Matilda (Watson) Moorman, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father devoted his life to farming and when nine years of age accompanied his parents on their removal from the Old Dominion to Ohio, where he was reared to man- hood and afterward engaged in farming. Both he and his wife were for many years respected and worthy residents of Greene county, Ohio, where the father died in 1878. He came of Quaker ancestry and was a very devout member of the Friends church.
In his native county Dr. Moorman began his education, attending the district schools, and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father upon the farm. In 1873 he entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cin-
-----
DR. C. T. MOORMAN
١
١
T
375
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
cinnati, for he had determined to engage in the practice of medicine. He was graduated from that institution with the class of 1876 as honor man and received the degree of M. D. He at once located for practice in Jamestown, Greene county, Ohio, where he remained until 1881, when he removed to Washington county, Iowa, settling in West Chester, where he practiced for three years. He then returned to Ohio with his wife, who was in failing health, but this did not bring her the improvement that had been hoped for and she passed away. In 1885 Dr. Moorman again came to Iowa, this time settling in Abingdon, Jefferson county, where he fol- lowed his chosen profession for six years. In 1891 he came to Packwood, where he has resided to the present time, and in the twenty years of his connection with professional interests at this place he has built up a very extensive practice and has become one of the best known physicians of Jefferson county.
It was in 1857 that Dr. Moorman was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Allen, of Greene county, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Allen, who were well known residents of that district and there resided until death, the father devoting his time and energies to general agri- cultural pursuits. In the family of Dr. and Mrs. Moorman were five children : Fenton T., who died at the age of thirty years; Marcella, who is the wife of John Young, a farmer and ranchman of Oregon, by whom she has five children-Harry, Mabel, Rosa, Doris and Stella; John A., who is a harness maker of Packwood and has one child, Grace; Charles Albert, a teacher in the Packwood high school; and Bertha, who is the wife of Otho Myers, a member of the firm of Caviness & Myers, dealers in hardware, autos and farming implements at Packwood.
Having lost his first wife, Dr, Moorman was married again, on the 20th of May, 1875, when Miss Maria Jones became his wife. She was a daughter of Ambrose and Eliza (Jones) Jones, who, though of the same name, were not related. The former was of Welsh and the latter of Eng- lish descent, and Mr. Jones devoted his life to farming, becoming a well known agriculturist of Greene county, Ohio.
Dr. Moorman owns a nice town property in Packwood and has his office on the same lot. He is a prominent man of this locality, occupying an enviable position in business and professional circles. He is an honored member of the Iowa State Medical Society and of the United States Medical Association. He has for years been the health officer of Pack- wood and Polk township and he has served as medical examiner for a number of insurance companies and fraternal organizations having subor- dinate lodges in Packwood and Abingdon. In addition to all this he has an extensive private practice and has long been recognized as the loved family physician in many a household. Added to his scientific knowledge Vol. II-21
376
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
and professional skill is a ready sympathy which enables him to quickly understand his patients, and in the diagnosis of cases he is always most careful and conscientious. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic lodge at Ollie, Iowa, and with the Royal Arch chapter at Fairfield and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, finding many opportunities to manifest mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness in the course of his practice.
WILLIAM H. MCCRACKEN.
A highly esteemed representative of one of Jefferson county's pioneer settlers is William H. McCracken, who is one of the extensive landowners of Black Hawk township, where for thirty-one years he has discharged the duties of justice of the peace. He was born one mile east of Pleasant Plain in Penn township, on July 26, 1846, and is a son of Hiram and Dinah (Hadley) McCracken. His father was born in Mooresville, Mor- gan county, Indiana, a son of Henry McCracken, a pioneer farmer of that county. The grandfather was born and reared in North Carolina and was of Scotch-Irish descent, but in his early manhood he removed to Indiana, whence in 1844, together with his son Hiram, he came to Iowa. Upon their arrival in Jefferson county the father preempted eighty acres of land, two miles west of Brighton, where he spent the remainder of his life. The son, however, preempted eighty acres in Penn township upon which he resided until the spring of 1865, when he disposed of his holding and removed to Black Hawk township, where he resided until his death on the 15th of October, 1889.
At the usual age William H. McCracken entered the district school in the vicinity of his home in the acquirement of an education. After the completion of the course he went to Richland high school, and later he studied in one of the Fairfield schools, completing his education at Whit- tier's College at Salem, Iowa. Before entering college, however, he en- gaged in teaching in the district schools one winter, in the vicinity of Des Moines and for several years near Macon, Mississippi. He was an able educator, having the faculty of imparting knowledge to others in a lucid manner, instilling in his pupils an appreciation of the value of learning and stimulating them to greater efforts in the development of their mental powers. His ability became recognized and in the years 1872 and 1873 he was called to the office of county superintendent. He had no desire to permanently follow the profession of teaching, however, so in the late '70s he purchased eighty acres of land on section II. Black Hawk town-
377
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
ship, upon which he located immediately after his marriage. Agricultural pursuits thereafter engaged his attention, and here he displayed the same intelligence and capability that he had manifested both in the schoolroom and in public office. Mr. McCracken is a man of much foresight and dis- cretion, who has always directed his undertakings with a definite purpose in view, with a full appreciation of both method and system in the attain- ment of his ambition. From his earliest boyhood he was taught the value of industry and thrift, and these lessons he never forgot, but exercised them during the entire period of his active career with the result that he was able to increase his holdings from time to time until he now owns four hundred and forty acres of most fertile land. He is a practical farmer, who in the cultivation of his fields has adopted the more progressive methods of modern, scientific agriculture and has met with a gratifying measure of prosperity in his vocation. Owing to his physical condition he has not been able to do much of the hard work about his place, but every detail has been concisely laid out by him and carefully planned and all goes on under his personal supervision. His is one of the attractive farms of the community, great care ever having been given to keep both the buildings and grounds in good condition.
It was on the 12th of August, 1880, that Mr. McCracken was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Jones, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Crumley) Jones, the mother a sister of Isaac Crumley, who for many years was a county surveyor of Jefferson county. Mr. Jones, who was of English extraction, was a native of Tennessee, as was also his wife. He came to Keokuk county in 1855, locating in that county, where he lived until his death in January, 1883. After his demise the mother made her home with her children, and passed away at the home of Mr. Mc- Cracken in 1895. Mrs. McCracken was born in Keokuk county, on the 2d of January, 1856, and died on the farm, where she had spent the en- tire period of her domestic life, on the 24th of March, 1902. Of their marriage there were born nine children, all of whom are living. Luther, who is operating a farm, three-quarters of a mile northwest of his father's place, married Grace Allen, and they have two children, Vance Jerome and a baby, Vesta M. Stacy J., who for three years was president of Central College at Central City, Nebraska, but was compelled to give up teaching on account of his health, and is now engaged in farming and the real-estate business in Scott City, Kansas, married Carrie Pringle of Rich- land, Iowa, and they have two children, Landon and a baby, Ruth R. Pliny, who is the principal of New Providence Academy at New Provi- dence, Iowa, married Lena Hanson of Linnville, Iowa. Dymond, a far- mer three-quarters of a mile southeast of his father, married Arthul Had- ley and they have two children, Jessie Thelma and Clifford. C. Sumner,
378
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
a farmer three-fourths of a mile west of his father, married Mary Coffin of Pleasant Plain and they have had one child, who died in infancy. Linneus, who is a teacher, is attending Penn College at Oskaloosa. Tirza married Leonard Mealey, a painter and paperhanger at Pleasant Plain. Duane, who is seventeen, is going to school at Richland, as is also Rufus, who is the youngest member of the family. The six oldest sons either are or have at some time been engaged in teaching, all having been given the advantages of a good education.
In religious faith Mr. McCracken is a Quaker and holds membership in the Friends church at Woolson, to which his wife and family also be- longed, the children having always attended the Sunday school, and Mrs. McCracken was a member of the Missionary Society. In his political views he has always been an ardent republican, of the conservative wing of that party. He has taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the township, and soon after his marriage was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he has ever since served. For twenty-five years he was president of the township school board and for one year he discharged the duties of assessor. Mr. McCracken has always been one of the more progressive citizens of Black Hawk township and has taken a deep interest in promoting the development of the community, his influence and co- operation at all times having been given to advance every movement, the adoption of which would tend to establish a higher standard of life:
JOHN KASOWSKI.
John Kasowski, a successful farmer of Walnut township, is engaged in the operation of two hundred and seventy-five acres of land, two hun- dred of which he owns. He was born on the farm where he now resides, on the 19th of December, 1859, his parents being Albert and Josephine (Pulaski) Kasowski, natives of Poland. His father emigrated to the United States in 1851, first locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained for a brief period then went to Texas. During the succeeding year he hauled merchandise with an ox team from St. Louis to Texas. He next took a position on a boat on the Mississippi river where he handled freight for a year, at the expiration of that time returning to Pennsylvania. There, in 1854, he was married and immediately following took a position in the coal mines. In 1856 he came to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county. Here, he and his brother bought a forty-acre tract of land in Walnut township, erecting thereon a log cabin, which for some years thereafter served as
379
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
their residence. They placed their land under cultivation and when he was not engaged in the operation of his fields, Mr. Kasowski worked out. At the expiration of three years he had sufficient capital to buy the interest of his brother in their little farm. By reason of unremitting energy, self- denial and frugal habits he and his wife acquired the means to enable him to buy other land from time to time, until he owned one hundred and sixty acres, which he continued to cultivate until his death on September 4, 1906. The mother passed away May 4, 1902.
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.