USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 36
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
Reared at home and educated in the district schools, John Kasowski remained under the parental roof until he was nineteen years of age. He left the farm in 1878 and went to Washington, Iowa, where for six months he worked on the Rock Island Railroad, from where he went to Chicago, taking a position on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad as freight handler. A reliable and willing worker, at the end of a year he was promoted to the position of checker in the freight department, serving in this capacity for two years. He was next put on the road as sealer for a year, and then marked cars for three years, while for one year he was night switchman. At the expiration of that time he was sent back to the freighthouse as assistant foreman. He had held this position for about a year at the time of the Haymarket riot, when he went on one of the river boats. During the next year he checked freight on the Anchor Line, and then became foreman over the loading and unloading of the boats. When he had held the latter position for three years, he was given charge of the shipping department. At the end of six years he resigned this position and returned to Jefferson county, where, on the 5th of February, 1896, he purchased the old farm. Although his interests had been along entirely different lines for many years, Mr. Kasowski had not forgotten the efficient training he had received from his father in practical methods of agriculture in his youth, as is manifested in his remarkable success. His business experience proved most helpful to him, teaching him the value of method and system in any undertaking, and much of his pros- perity can unquestionably be attributed to his recognition of the value of following a definite plan of action. Energetic, alert and progressive, as well as practical, he has met with more than an average degree of success in his endeavors, and now owns two hundred acres of fine land. He has improved his place during the period of his ownership by the erection of a modern residence, large, commodious barns and substantial outbuildings, chus providing ample shelter for both his stock and grains as well as his farming implements. Mr. Kasowski besides his large property interests is a stockholder and trustee of the Jefferson County Insurance Union, having been officially connected with this organization for the past six years. He also owns stock in the Brighton Mutual Telephone Company.
380
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
The 13th of November, 1888, was the wedding day of Mr. Kasowski and Miss Mary Klinger, a daughter of August and Eva (Matusik) Klinger, natives of Poland. Her father, who was a farmer in the old country, emigrated to the United States in 1855 and settled in Chicago. He worked for the McCormick Harvester Company in that city until 1873, when he engaged in the retail grocery business until his death in 1899. He was long survived by his widow, who passed away in 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Kasowski there have been born seven children: Albert and Robert; Margaret, who died in infancy; and Leo, Raymond, Bernard and Joseph.
The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church of East Pleasant Plain, of which Mr. Kasowski is one of the trustees. He is a democrat in his political views and for the past four years has served as a member of the board of school directors. In 1896, Mr. Kasowski had the misfortune to lose a large barn which was struck by lightning and very soon thereafter he secured the agency for the lightning rods put out by both the Rayborn & Hunter Company of Chicago and Thomas Thompson Company of Burlington. Although he is too busily engaged with his farm to devote much attention to his agency, he has done suffi- cient business to make it worthy of consideration. Mr. Kasowski's busi- ness career reveals a steady and permanent progress from the first, every change marking a definite point in the development of his prosperity, which has been achieved through unremitting energy and persistence.
JOHN J. GINTHER.
John J. Ginther, the well known and efficient postmaster of Pleasant Plain, was long and actively identified with general agricultural pursuits but is now living practically retired. His birth occurred in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 5th of July, 1845, his parents being John M. and Rosina (Stocker) Ginther, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1845 the father drove from Ohio to Buchanan county, Iowa, and in making the journey crossed only one railroad and this being then in course of construction. He entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Buchanan county and began the improvement of the property, while sub- sequently he entered more land. In this county he followed general agri- cultural pursuits for eighteen years and on the expiration of that period disposed of his farm and removed to Dallas county, where he also pur- chased and improved a place, operating the same until 1872, in which year he sold the farm and made his way to Dixon county, Nebraska, where he
381
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
bought a homestead and spent his remaining days, passing away in 1874. His wife was called to her final rest in 1876.
John J. Ginther was reared and educated in Buchanan county, this state, but did not begin his studies until thirteen years of age, for there were no schools in the locality prior to that time. He remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he was married and estab- lished a home of his own. In 1872 he accompanied his father on his re- moval to Nebraska and after the latter's death, operated the homestead place in that state until 1883, making many substantial improvements thereon. After disposing of the farm he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, and here cultivated rented land for three years. At the end of that time he removed to Keokuk county, this state, there purchasing and improving a farm and operating the same until 1893. In that year he sold the place and returned to Jefferson county, purchasing and improving a tract of twenty-eight acres in Penn township. Subsequently he put aside the active work of the fields, sold his farm and bought property in Pleasant Plain, where he has resided to the present time.
Mr. Ginther has been married twice. In July, 1865, he wedded Miss Mary Stewart, a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Wayman) Stewart, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, made his way to Dallas county, Iowa, in an early day, there purchased and improved a farm and operated the same until his demise, which occurred in 1867. Mrs. Stewart passed away in 1873. To John J. and Mary (Stewart) Ginther were born five children, as follows : Helen, the wife of A. D. Chapple, a farmer of Nebraska; Ida, who is the wife of B. C. Johnson and resides in Penn township: Rosina, the wife of J. N. Mick, an agriculturist of Minnesota; Loretta, whose demise oc- curred in 1885; and Leando, who died in 1881. The wife and mother passed away in 1879 after an illness of four months' duration. On the 3Ist of December, 1882, Mr. Ginther was again married, his second union being with Miss Betsy Ellis, a daughter of Isaac and Betsy (Heston) Ellis, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. Coming to this county, the father entered, cleared and improved a tract of land and cultivated the same throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in 1887, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1893.
At the polls Mr. Ginther supports the prohibition party, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the greatest evils with which this country has to contend. He has served as assessor and town treasurer of Pleasant Plain and is again holding the latter office at the present time. In 1896 he was appointed postmaster, serving in that capacity for a period of seven years or until he resigned. In May, 1911, he took charge of the office again and has since ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in
382
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
this connection. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Friends church. Being a man of sterling character, he has always merited and received the confidence and respect of all with whom business, official or social relations have brought him in contact.
H. EDWARD WOOLUMS.
H. Edward Woolums is the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of fine land in Black Hawk township, his home farm comprising two hundred and forty acres which is highly cultivated and improved with many modern equipments that indicate his progressive spirit and practical methods. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, November 25, 1863, a son of Fieldon C. and Matilda J. (Walker) Woolums. The father's birth occurred in Highland county, February 12, 1841. He was of Scotch- Irish descent and was a cooper by trade, learning the business under the direction of his father in his boyhood days. Later he turned his attention to farming and in 1867 removed westward to Illinois, spending four or five years in Henry county, where he carried on general agricultural pur- suits. On the expiration of that period he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, settling in Black Hawk township where for one year he cultivated a rented farm. He then purchased eighty acres on section 19, Black Hawk town- ship, known as the old Woolums homestead. As the years passed by he prospered and invested more and more largely in farm property until he was the owner of six hundred and twenty acres of fine land all in the same township. That his life was well spent and that his business judg- ment was sound was indicated by the fact that when he came to Iowa his possessions consisted of little more than two horses and a wagon. As the architect of his fortunes he builded wisely and well and his record shows what may be accomplished when energy and determination point the way. He had resided upon his farm until 1901, when, with a hand- some competence acquired through his own labors, he retired to private life and removed to Packwood, where he passed away on the 25th of August, 1911. He died very suddenly of heart failure, being taken ill while milking, and in fifteen minutes the end had come. His widow is still a resident of that town and is widely and favorably known in the county where she has made her home for almost forty years. In their family were four children of whom H. Edward is the eldest, the others being: Elijah W., of Barnes City, Iowa, who is proprietor of a general store there; Jennie May, the wife of Dr. S. D. Packwood, a practicing
.
383
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
physician and surgeon of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Curtis A., a farmer living on the old homestead on section 19, Black Hawk township.
H. Edward Woolums accompanied his parents to Iowa in his boyhood days and remained upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he began farming on his own account although he continued to reside with his parents until his marriage. He then rented land for three years and in 1892 purchased eighty acres of his present homestead farm, to which he has added from time to time until he has two hundred and forty acres in this tract. He also has one hundred and eighty acres else- where in the township and with the aid of his sons operates his entire holdings, comprising four hundred and twenty acres. The soil is naturally rich and productive and responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. His methods are both practical and progressive and his home place is equipped with all of the modern accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century.
On the 21st of March, 1889, Mr. Woolums was united in marriage to Miss Anna B. Duke, a daughter of Luther and Mary Jane (McCreery) Duke. Her father was born in Virginia, came of English descent and was a farmer by occupation. The mother, who was of Scotch-Irish lineage, was born in this county near Abingdon. Mr. Duke came to Iowa prior to the Civil war and settled near Abingdon, where he made his home until 1896, when he went to Trenton, Grundy county, Missouri, where he and his wife now reside. He has retired from active business cares and is enjoying the rest to which his former labor well entitles him. In the Duke family were nine children: Mrs. Woolums; George T., a real-estate man living in Hedrick, Iowa; May, the wife of George B. Carpenter, a farmer of Grundy county, Missouri; Frank, who is also a resident farmer of Grundy county, Missouri; Orville, who died when but five weeks old; William W., a ranchman living near Centerville, New Mexico; Jesse, a farmer of Grundy county, Missouri; Mabel, the wife of David Lenz, who follows farming in Grundy county ; and Lena V., who is at home with her parents in Trenton, Missouri.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Woolums has been blessed with two children. Irl R., who was born February 20, 1890, and spent one year in the high school at Trenton, Missouri, after attending the district schools, now assists his father in the operation of his farms. Don C., born May 15, 1895, is a pupil in the Packwood high school and his attention is given to the farm work when not busy with his studies. The parents are both members of the Christian church of Packwood and are interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual and moral development of the community. Mr. Woolums votes with the democratic party and has served as school director in district No. 4 of Black Hawk township for
384
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
a year. He was also supervisor of roads in the township for seven years but otherwise has never sought nor desired public office, feeling that his farming interests make ample demands upon his time and energies. He is, however, public-spirited and in business affairs is diligent and deter- mined, recognizing the fact that industry is the basis of all honorable success and therefore working persistently and energetically to attain the prosperity which now crowns his efforts.
JOHN C. RUGGLES.
Seventy years have passed since John C. Ruggles, a well known and retired agriculturist of section 4, Polk township, first came to Jefferson county and, therefore, he may be said to have been a witness and an assistant to its entire growth. At that time the Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers and Mr. Ruggle's remembers the time when he played with the children of the Black Hawk tribe, who were liv- ing in near-by villages. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 21st of March, 1832, and is a son of Jesse and Lavina (Whetstone) Ruggles. The father was born in Kentucky in 1806, of English descent on the paternal side and of German lineage on his mother's side, and went to Ohio about 1830, where he located in Miami county. In 1834, when John C. Ruggles was two years of age, his parents left Ohio for the middle west, stopping in Illinois for one year and then locating in Lee county, Iowa, where they rented a farm for three years, before settling permanently in 1839 at Blue Point, in Black Hawk township, Jefferson county. Here he entered considerable land, which he cultivated until the time of his death in 1848, and his widow made this her home until she passed away in 1851.
John C. Ruggles remained at home until the time of his father's death. He acquired his early education in the schools near his home and later was engaged in teaching in Black Hawk township for nine months. In 1854 he joined a party of six and went to California, making the trip with ox teams in six months and twenty-six days, but, not meeting with the success in mining that he had anticipated, he returned home after nine months. He made the trip via Cape Horn to New York, from which city he came overland to Iowa. The following year he went to Kansas to investigate the possibilities in agriculture in that state, but after careful consideration decided that Iowa offered better opportunities and so he returned to this state. He engaged in agriculture in 1859 after purchasing a farm, on section 4, Polk township, just north of his present homestead. This property was his home until 1865, the year in which he purchased
385
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
eighty acres of the farm upon which he now resides. At a subsequent date he acquired eighty acres additional, which was situated east of the original property, and he is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of this land, having sold forty to his son. His property is under a high state of cultivation and shows the result of many years of active work and scientific management on the part of the owner. In 1892 Mr. Ruggles discontinued active farming and since that time his son, Charles B., has undertaken the management and development of the home property. By persistent energy and unceasing toil, carried on under the difficulties which only the early settlers can fully appreciate, Mr. Ruggles has earned a success as substantial as it is deserving. He has turned land upon which labor had never been expended into such a state of productivity that it annually yields in increasing returns and presents an appearance which attests to the skill and ability of its manager.
Mr. Ruggles was married, on the 3Ist of December, 1857, to Mrs. Martha Ann Bowman, the widow of Solomon Bowman and a daughter of James and Nancy (Ruggles) Orsborn. Mr. Orsborn was a native of Ireland but came to America when very young, his father having drowned on the way across the water. James Orsborn was apprenticed to a Ken- tucky hat maker and learned the hatter's trade, but in 1841 came to Jeffer- son county, Iowa, and located in Black Hawk township, where he took up agriculture and resided until his death on February 17, 1879. Mrs. Orsborn was a native of Kentucky and died at the home of her son-in-law, Isaac Webb, in Polk township. By her first marriage Mrs. Ruggles had a son. J. S. Bowman, who is an agriculturist in Adams county, Iowa, and is married to Allie White, of Keokuk county, Iowa. They are the parents of the following children: Hulbert K., Howard J., Alta, Willard, deceased, Lottie, Columbus, Fay, Lonnie and Doris. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles the following children have been born, all of whom, with the exception of Owen Perry and one who died in infancy, survive. The eldest, Jesse O., is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Keokuk county and is married to Clementine Lewis, of Polk township. To them four chil- dren have been born: Gilbert Wayne, Mabel, Tony and Lilly. Amos Henry is an agriculturist of Polk township and married Evelena McVey. Their children are Ora, Iris, John C., Bernice, Martha, William, James and Leonora. Charles B. is residing with his father and is managing the home place. He has been twice married. His first union was with Louisa Marshall, of Keokuk county, and to them one child was born, Nona Joyce, who is residing with her father, her mother having died on the 26th of April, 1900. Charles B. Ruggles was married February 5, 1903, to Miss Hattie Hale, of Davis county, Iowa. He is a director and was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Linby Savings Bank of Linby and
386
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
has served as director of school district No. 7 and as road supervisor in district No. 3 of Polk township. He also holds membership in Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., of Ioka, Iowa, and in the Modern Woodmen of America of Packwood. Mrs. Ruggles is a member of the Rebekah Lodge of Ioka. Cyrus R. is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Polk township and mar- ried Miss Lillie Cline, of Polk township. They are the parents of one child, Orville. Nancy Jeannette became the wife of Frank Johnston, who is employed by Miller & Son in Packwood. To them two children have been born, Edwin Clayton and Opal Ruth. Omar S. is a farmer of Wapello county and wedded Lydia Downing, of Polk township, by whom he has two children, John C. and Thomas Cleo. Lilly Jane became the wife of E. A. Romac, an agriculturist of Polk township, and is the mother of one child, Jessie Marie.
In politics Mr. Ruggles has always been a loyal and enthusiastic demo- crat. He has served as trustee of Polk township for two terms, as town- ship road supervisor for a number of terms and as a member and secre- tary of the district school board for thirty years. In 1896 he was defeated as a candidate for state representative although he ran far ahead of his ticket in a county strongly republican. In religious faith he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which his wife holds membership. He is also a member of the Masonic lodge of Ollie, Iowa, and Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., of Ioka, and his wife holds membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. Throughout his community Mr. Ruggles is regarded as one of the earnest and honorable citizens and as one whose life has been devoted to the moral, social, industrial and intellectual development of the county.
GEORGE W. RUSSELL.
George W. Russell, who is now living retired on section 4. Polk town- ship, was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on the 12th of May, 1839, his parents being Thomas and Sarah (Maffett) Russell, who were married in Morgan county, Indiana. The mother was born in Indiana and was of American descent and the father, whose birth occurred in Kentucky, was of Irish lineage and was engaged in agriculture. He went from Indiana to Montgomery county, Illinois, in 1859, where he took up farming and resided until his death, on the 25th of November, 1865. His wife had been in ill health for some months previous to his death and her condition was so alarming that a short time before passing away Mr. Russell fore-
387
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
told that she could not long survive him, the prediction coming true as her death occurred December 5, 1865.
George W. Russell received his education in the district schools of Indiana and up until his father's death assisted on the home farm. In 1866, however, he came to Iowa but after a three-week stay removed to Illinois until he returned permanently in 1868 to this state. After resid- ing for a year in Keokuk county he came to Jefferson county and located upon the farmn where he now resides. The sixty acres which formed the nucleus of this property was purchased January 23, 1869, and today the farm contains one hundred and twenty acres, all of which has been much improved and is in a high state of cultivation. In 1900 Mr. Russell re- tired from active farming and in the following year he suffered the severe misfortune of losing his eyesight. Since his father's retirement George T. Russell has assumed complete charge of the management of the home- stead and today is carrying on general farming and stock-raising success- fully.
Mr. Russell was married November 4, 1869, to Mrs. Adaline (Sheets) Holler, the widow of Hiram Holler, an agriculturist of Keokuk county, and a daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Winslow) Sheets. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother near Fall River, Massachusetts, their marriage occurring in Holmes county, Ohio. In 1852 they removed to Iowa, locating in Keokuk county on the farm which was their home until their deaths on November 26, 1869, and February 10, 1896, respectively. Their two sons, Seymour and Leander, both served in the Civil war, enlisting from Keokuk county, and the former gave up his life for the Union cause in the battle near Little Rock, Arkansas. When Mrs. Russell first came to Iowa she went to Ottumwa on business when there was but one house in that place and also but one between Fremont and Fairfield. Because of the unsettled condition of the near-by country it was necessary for the family to bring their provisions mostly from Keokuk. Mrs. Russell had one child by her first marriage, Eliza Irene Holler, who became the wife of S. H. Bradfield, deceased, a farmer of Polk township, and to them three children were born, Hiram W., Vern T. and Levi G. To Mr. and Mrs. Russell five children have been born. Minnie Belle, the eldest, is the wife of Eugene B. Bowman, a blacksmith of Packwood, Iowa, and they have been the parents of six children, Ray, Lucy, Mary. Ruth, Samuel and Hazel, deceased. Samuel Oscar, who is engaged in farming near Birmingham, Van Buren county, Iowa, married Miss Rose Caldwell, of Abingdon, and to them four children have been born, William, Olive, Gaylord and Gilbert. Mary Frances died at the age of ten years and six months. Lucy May, who wedded William Barngrover, a carpenter of Polk township, has been the mother of three children, Lowell, deceased,
388
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
and David Earl and Dennis Vearl, twins. George Thomas resides at home on the farm with his parents and married Grace Ethel Smith, a daughter of David Smith, of Linby, Iowa. To them two children, Nellie Leona and Milton Clark, have been born. George T. Russell is a republi- can and holds membership in Justice Lodge, No. 230, A. F. & A. M., of Ollie, and Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., of Ioka. His wife belongs to the Rebekahs. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Russell also have two great-grandchildren, Aura and Clarice V. Bradfield, the children of their granddaughter, Mrs. Vern T. Bradfield, who resides in Abingdon.
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.