USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 42
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On April 16, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mann and Miss Minnie Heyde, a daughter of Henry and Kate (Faber) Heyde, the father a native of Jefferson county and the mother of New York. The father, who was born and reared in the country began farming in Jefferson county. As soon as he had acquired the necessary means he bought a tract of raw land in Walnut township, and energetically applied himself to placing it under cultivation. He operated this farm until 1907, when the rental of his property and the returns netted by the competence he had accumulated made it possible for him to retire from active life, and he and the mother removed to Brighton, where they still live. To Mr. and Mrs. Mann there
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have been born three children: Rhua, who is six; Ralph, now four; and baby Eugene, two years of age.
Despite the exactions of his many personal interests, Mr. Mann always finds time to fulfill his share of the governmental duties of the township and to meet the other requirements of citizenship. In his political views he is a democrat and for the past four years he has been acting as town- ship clerk, and he also served as school director. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and belongs to Green Mountain Lodge, No. 205, I. O. O. F., Brighton. Mr. Mann has always been regarded as a very capable and reliable business man, and as such is often times put in positions of trust and responsibility and is now acting as the guardian of John H. Mount, of unsound mind. He represents the third generation of his family in Walnut township, so is widely known and is held in favorable regard be- cause of his fine personal worth and upright principles.
WILLIAM BOOS.
William Boos is one of the estimable citizens and highly successful agriculturists of Jefferson county, where he has spent his entire life. He was born in Lockridge township, in October, 1869, and is a son of John and Louise (Shuppy) Boos, the father a native of France and the mother of Pennsylvania. In his early manhood John Boos left his native land, crossing the Atlantic to become a citizen of the United States. He located in Jefferson county in 1855, and soon thereafter acquired a tract of govern- ment land in Lockridge township. This he cleared and developed, de- voting his attention to its cultivation until 1897, when he sold it and bought. a smaller place adjacent to Fairfield. Although his circumstances would easily have permitted him to live retired, he had led too active a life to be happy in idleness, so continued to operate his farm until his demise on the 22d of March. 1905. He had been an energetic and industrious man, whose high principles and upright conduct won him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
William Boos remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, obtaining his education in the district schools. The value of thrift and industry and a full appreciation of these virtues in the acquirement of success was early instilled in his youthful mind, and when little more than a boy he was entrusted with many of the heavier duties about the farm. In 1890 he started out for himself and for six years thereafter worked out by the month. At the end of that time he had acquired enough money to begin farming for himself as a renter, so he
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leased land that he operated for twelve years. During that period he met with justifiable success, acquiring sufficient capital to buy one hundred and twenty acres. The further development of his property has ever since en- gaged the attention of Mr. Boos, who during the succeeding years has ex- tended the boundaries of his farm by the addition of another eighty acres. Here he engages in diversified farming, in connection with which he makes a specialty of stock-raising, and annually prepares for the market about seventy-five hogs, while he keeps thirty head of cattle and ten horses. His farm presents a most attractive appearance, the buildings are in good repair, while the grounds and fences bespeak careful attention, everything about the place suggesting capable supervision and competent management. Vigilant and alert Mr. Boos gives his sole consideration to his fields and his crops, and the high grade of his stock is evidence of unremitting care and incessant' labor. To his personal direction no less than the prudent conduct of his affairs must be attributed much of his success.
On the 18th of December, 1895, Mr. Boos was united in marriage to Miss Ida T. Crile, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Fichner) Crile, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Jefferson county. Mr. Crile came to this county during the pioneer days, and when old enough to make his own way in the world bought and improved a farm in Walnut township. There the mother passed away in 1884, but he is still living on his homestead, the cultivation of which claims his entire attention.
Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boos there have been born three children : Clarence William, who is fifteen years of age: Harry Andrew, who is nine; and Mabel T., who passed away in February, 1902.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Boos affiliate with the Lutheran church, and in politics he is a republican, and has served as school director. He is widely known in the community where he resides, as practically his entire life has been spent in the immediate neighborhood, where he has a large circle of friends whose esteem he has won and retained by reason of his valuable traits of character.
WASHINGTON W. KNOX.
Washington W. Knox, who since 1903 has been postmaster at Abing- don, in Polk township, Jefferson county, Iowa, was born February 6, 1849, on the farm in Wapello county on which his maternal grandfather, Skillman Doughty, settled in 1845. He is the son of William D. and Amanda Jane (Doughty) Knox, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Skillman Doughty, who was a blacksmith by trade, was born in Virginia
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in 1897 and came to Iowa in 1845, where he resided until his death, June 12, 1887. His wife, Jane (Downey) Doughty, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, in 1795 and survived her husband by three years, dying in 1890 at Abingdon. At the time of her husband's death they had been married seventy years and three months, lacking one day-an occurrence that is very unusual in life. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Knox, was born in Virginia in 1768 and died in Illinois in 1865. He was a minister of the gospel in the Christian church and also followed the occupation of farming. William D. Knox, the father, was born in 1822. He followed the occupation of farming until 1853, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Abingdon, Iowa, and remained there until 1856. He then re- moved to Illinois, where he resided until 1859, at which time he went to the gold mines of California and is still living in that state. He served in the rebellion against the Mormons at Nauvoo, Illinois. In Wapello county, Iowa, he wedded Amanda Jane Doughty, who was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, in 1825. After his departure for California the wife, together with her children, returned to Abingdon, Iowa, where she lived until 1879 and then removed to Eldon, Iowa, at which place she died in July, 1880.
Washington W. Knox remained at home with his mother and attended school in Abingdon until 1872 and then began farming in Polk township, where he remained until 1886. At that date he removed to Locust Grove township and the following year returned to Abingdon where he bought town property and began working as a traction and stationary engineer. He followed this trade until 1893. Under President Roosevelt's adminis- tration in 1903 he was appointed postmaster of Abingdon, a position in which he is still serving.
Washington W. Knox has twice been married. On January 25, 1872, he wedded Miss Sarah L. Ramey, who died in Abingdon, December 23, 1887. She was a daughter of Henry Ramey, a farmer of Polk township. To this union five children were born: Mary, who is the wife of Joseph Lawson, a coal miner and farmer, living five miles south of Fairfield; William H., who lives with his brother-in-law, Mr. Lawson, and is a farmer and wood chopper; John M., who resides with his father; Rachel, the wife of Bert Robinson, a railroad man of El Dorado, Arkansas; and Martha Ellen, the wife of Charles Bender, a farmer of Wapello county, Iowa. On December 31, 1893, Mr. Knox was married to Miss Rosetta Vanness, a daughter of Amos Vanness, who resides near Abingdon. They are the parents of two children: Flossie, who is at home and helps her father in the postoffice; and Norris A., who is at home and attends the high school in Abingdon.
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Mr. Knox is a stalwart republican and a public-spirited man, taking an active interest in all local politics in the town of Abingdon. He has served as justice of the peace in Polk township for three years and as constable for two years. He is greatly interested in the cause of education and has been a member of the school board since 1896. His wife is a' faithful worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and they both have many friends in Abingdon. His support of any movement or measure is never half- hearted nor is his position an equivocal one, therefore his cooperation constitutes a valued factor in the furthering of the interests of the public welfare.
GUST SAMUELSON.
Gust Samuelson, who passed away on the 30th of December, 1907, enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the substantial agriculturists and prominent citizens of Black Hawk township. His birth occurred in Oster- gotland, Sweden, on the 6th of August, 1859, his parents being Samuel and Gertrude Sophia (Anderson) Samuelson, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of John O. Samuelson, a brother of our subject. Gust Samuelson was a lad of eleven years when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his father and was reared to manhood under the parental roof in Black Hawk township. Jefferson county, Iowa. He followed farming in asso- ciation with his father and brother for several years prior to his marriage and at the age of thirty-five years started out upon an independent career. Making his way to the state of Washington, he there worked by the month for a year and then returned to the home farm in Black Hawk township, this county. Subsequently he took a trip to his native land, returning to this country at the end of a few months. Again journeying to the state of Washington, he there remained for two years and on the expiration of that period returned home, working with his father for three years. A short time previous to his marriage he purchased a fine farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Black Hawk township, this county. On that place he spent the remainder of his life, extending its boundaries by an addi- tional purchase of eighty acres. He won a gratifying measure of pros- perity in his undertakings as an agriculturist and was numbered among the successful and representative citizens of the community. In 1908 his widow removed to Packwood, where she purchased a nice home and began the work of educating her children. She intends to provide them with the advantages of a collegiate course of study and in the future will prob-
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ably take up her abode in Fairfield, that they may attend Parsons College at that place. Mrs. Samuelson leases her farming property and is one of the well known and highly esteemed women of Packwood.
It was on the 12th of May, 1897, that Mr. Samuelson was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Fray, who was born in Sweden, on the 7th of January, 1870, her parents being John W. and Louise (Ram) Fray, like- wise natives of that country. John W. Fray, who served in the Swedish standing army for fifteen years, emigrated to America in 1885 and located in Jefferson county, Iowa, operating rented farms in Polk and Black Hawk townships for a number of years. In 1907 he removed to Keokuk county and purchased a farm of eighty acres and also the Manhattan Rolling Mills, which he owns and operates at the present time. His wife is also living and they are pleasantly located on their farm just a quarter of a mile from the mill.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson were born four children. Grant Dewey, whose birth occurred February 2, 1898, is named for General U. S. Grant and Admiral George Dewey and is now attending the Packwood high school. Samuel Edward, whose natal day was September 16, 1900, is also attending the Packwood schools. Ruth Margaret, who was born on the 16th of January, 1902, is likewise pursuing her studies at Packwood. Retha Irene, born June 6, 1904, is a public-school student at Packwood.
Mr. Samuelson exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but neither sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith was that of the Swedish Lutheran church, to which his widow also belongs. Prior to his marriage he was identified with the Knights of Pythias at Fairfield but eventually dropped out of the lodge because of the long distance to town. While his life was quietly passed in some ways, it was nevertheless fruitful of good in that he was always faithful to every trust reposed in him, progressive in his citizenship and reliable in his business connections.
DILLON TURNEY.
Dillon Turney, active in the industrial circles of Fairfield, is now man- ager of the wagon manufactory of Joel Turney & Company, in which con- nection he displays marked mechanical skill and keen sagacity. He was born in Trenton, Iowa, October 10, 1865, a son of Joel and Sarah M. (Parent) Turney. The father, who was born in 1826, learned the wagon- maker's trade at Columbus, Ohio, and in 1844 came to Iowa, settling at Trenton, where he followed his trade, conducting both a blacksmith and Vol. II-25
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wagon-making business. There he remained until 1888 when he removed to Fairfield, establishing the business now conducted under the firm style of Joel Turney & Company. He was one of the oldest if not the oldest wagon-maker in this state at the time of his death, having begun the manu- facture of wagons in Iowa in 1852. In 1888 he built a factory in Fairfield and following its destruction by fire in 1897 at once rebuilt and was closely associated with the business until his death, which occurred in 1905 when he had reached the venerable age of seventy-nine years. His name is still retained in the firm style, in recognition of the important part which he played in building up this enterprise, which is regarded today as one of the most important industrial undertakings of the county. Joel Turney de- veloped the business from a small beginning and deserves much credit for what he accomplished as he arrived in Iowa with a cash capital of but fifty dollars. Later he borrowed some money of an uncle and established his wagon shop in the '40s, doing a large amount of repair work for emigrants who were en route for California between the years 1849 and 1852. He carefully saved his earnings and when his economical expenditure had brought him sufficient capital he began the manufacture of wagons in 1852 and for more than a half century continued in the business which gradually developed until it assumed large proportions. His widow, who is still a resident of Fairfield, was born in Indiana, October 6, 1831, and in 1838 was brought to Iowa where she has since made her home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Turney were born five children of whom two daughters died in in- fancy, while Clayton died in 1886 at the age of twenty-seven years. Another son, Ellsworth, born in 1856, is one of the prominent residents of Fairfield.
Dillon Turney, who completes the family, spent his youthful days under the parental roof at Trenton and supplemented his common school educa- tion by a course in business college. He then entered his father's wagon factory and thoroughly mastered the business in principle and detail. In 1888 when twenty-three years of age he came with his parents to Fairfield and continued as his father's assistant in the wagon manufactory until 1905, when upon his father's death he assumed the management of the business which is now carried on under his direction. His long experience well qualified him for the onerous duties that devolved upon him. He is today at the head of an enterprise that uses a plant containing ninety- eight thousand square feet of floor space. There are brick buildings one and two stories in height and a two-story brick warehouse. At times em- ployment is given to one hundred workmen and the capacity is about six thousand wagons annually. They manufacture the Charter Oak and Fair- field wagons and are also builders of bobsleds. The business has grown steadily along substantial lines and under the direction of Dillon Turney
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the output has been steadily increased to meet the increasing demand of the trade. In addition to his efforts in this connection he is a director of the Iowa State Savings Bank and of the Farmers Savings Bank of Pack- wood.
In 1894 Mr. Turney was united in marriage to Miss Louise Bella Shipman, a native of Fairfield and a daughter of Captain John A. Ship- man. They have two children, Kathryn Louise and Margaret Christine. Mr. Turney belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Royal Arcanum. He is president of Company M, Armory Company. He is likewise secretary of the board of trustees of the Jefferson County Hospital and is in sympathy with various benevolent projects and with progressive movements that have for their object the welfare and up- building of the community. . While the greater part of his attention has been concentrated upon his business interests he has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship.
WILLIAM E. SUPERNOIS.
William E. Supernois is now conducting a prosperous business as a tile manufacturer at Packwood, where he has improved a plant and de- veloped an enterprise of large and creditable proportions, his success hav- ing its root in his industry, determination and honorable business methods. He was born in Vermont, in April, 1865, and is a son of William and Thola (Lovell) Supernois, the former a native of the Green Mountain state and the latter of New York. The father was a farmer by occupation and, removing to Indiana, there engaged in general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He afterward removed to Illinois, where he en- gaged in farming for some time, and then went to Adair county, Iowa, where he rented land and thus carried on farming for several years. He afterward returned to Indiana, making his home in Hammond, that state, until his death, which occurred in September, 1911. His widow still sur- vives him and now lives in Chicago with a daughter.
William E. Supernois was a young lad at the time of the removal of the family to the middle west and was largely reared and educated in Illi- nois, where he attended the district schools and completed his education as a student in the high school of Oneida, that state. At the age of twenty- one years he began farming on his own account, removing to Adair county, Iowa, where he rented land, which he continued to cultivate until 1895: He then returned to Illinois, where he engaged in the milling business, con- ducting a feed mill at Woodhull for a few years. On the expiration of
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that period he came to Packwood and purchased an old tile factory, which he has remodeled and improved wonderfully. Since that time he has con- ducted the business along successful lines, manufacturing all sizes of drain tile and also making building blocks. He is a man of unfaltering energy and persistent purpose and if success can be won through the exercise of these qualities it will be his. Already he has a large patronage, his out- put finding a quick sale on the market.
In February, 1897, Mr. Supernois was married to Miss Josephine Schooley, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Schooley, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Daniel Schooley removed to Adair county, Iowa, in 1887 and there they lived until 1907, when they removed to Nebraska, where the father passed away in February, 1910, while his wife is still living in Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Supernois have been born four children, Lewis, Leon, Robert and Clarence. In his fraternal relations Mr. Supernois is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics he is a republican. His wife holds membership in the Meth- odist church and both are highly esteemed in the community, having won a large circle of warm friends by their many sterling characteristics. Mr. Supernois well deserves classification with the representative business mer, of the county, for he started out in life empty-handed and has worked his way steadily upward, depending upon diligence and industry and straightforward dealing for the success which has come to him.
GEORGE WILLIAM HORTON.
George William Horton, a wide-awake and progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Round Prairie township, is a native of Jefferson county and has resided here all his life, meeting with much success in the pursuit of his calling. He was born in Lockridge township, January 19, 1873, a son of Samuel and Ellen O. (Chrenshaw) Horton, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Lockridge township, Jefferson county. The father passed his youth in Illinois and when a young man came to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county in 1837. He had tilled the soil in Illinois and in this occupation he continued after his arrival in Iowa. He bought a farm of his father-in-law, who was a large landowner, having holdings in the vicinity of Four Corners. On this farm Mr. Horton lived for many years, improving the land until it was greatly enhanced in value. He then sold it and, being by this time advanced in age, lightened his bur- den by farming on a small scale. For this purpose he bought a small tract of land consisting of forty acres, now owned by Raymond Hopkirk,
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and this he operated until his death, August 29, 1904. His wife survived him about two and a half years, passing away in January, 1907.
Brought up on the old home farm in Jefferson county, George W. Hor- ton here received his schooling and was early trained in the arts of hus- bandry. At the age of twenty-two he purchased forty acres of land in Round Prairie township, which he improved and operated for some time, when he bought fifty-four acres adjoining his land, thus possessing a tract of ninety-four acres. He cultivated this land with much success for four- teen years and, on being offered a good price, sold it and purchased a farm more than twice the size of his former place, consisting of two hundred acres formerly owned by a Mr. Hickenbottom. Here he has dwelt ever since and by dint of persistent effort and close application has improved the place until it is now one of the fine farms of the county. He is a prac- tical farmer and progressive in his methods, being well equipped for his work, both in the knowledge at his command and the improved appliances which he uses. He raises on an average fifty head of hogs and feeds thirty- five head of cattle annually. He is also the owner of fourteen horses.
In December, 1895, Mr. Horton was united in marriage to Miss Etta Maxwell, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah E. (Logsdon) Maxwell. Four children were born of this union, namely: Clarence L., aged fourteen years ; Clifford F., aged eleven; Gladys C., aged seven; and Florence R., aged two. Mr. Horton and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church in which they are earnest and loyal workers. In his political convictions he has always given his stanch support to the cause of prohibi- tion. Although he has not yet arrived at the zenith of his powers, Mr. Horton has through his enterprise and industry laid the foundation for a secure future to which he may look with a steadfast eye and an untroubled spirit.
EPHRAIM STOUT.
One of Jefferson county's oldest pioneer settlers is Ephraim Stout. who with his parents located in Round Prairie township more than seventy- five years ago, at which time there were but five white families in the township. He was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on a farm six miles south of Springfield, his natal day being the 29th of August, 1830, and is a son of George and Phoebe (Riggs) Stout. His father, who was of Ger- man extraction, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, whence he removed in his early manhood to Illinois. There he engaged in farming until 1836, when together with his wife and family he came to Jefferson county, set-
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tling on a farm in Round Prairie township, that he had purchased on a trip to the county two years previously. His holdings comprised one hun- dred and sixty acres, for which he paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and were located just west of Glasgow. After making the necessary improvements upon his place and putting the land under cultivation, Mr. Stout started on horseback for Texas. Upon his return trip he was taken ill and died at St. Louis, where he was buried, in 1838. He had been mar- ried twice, his first union having occurred in Pennsylvania, while his mar- riage 'to Miss Riggs was celebrated in Illinios. She was also of German extraction and her mother died on shipboard en route from the fatherland to the United States, and was buried at sea. Mrs. Stout survived her husband for about twelve years, continuing to make her home on the farm, where she died on the 14th of August, 1850.
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