USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 5
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ranks of the legal fraternity of Jefferson county. He is notable for the care and precision with which he prepares his cases; his briefs always show wide research, careful thought and the best and strongest reasons that can be urged for his contention, presented in cogent and logical form and illustrated by a style unusually lucid.
THOMAS HENRY DOOGAN.
Thomas Henry Doogan, who engages in general farming and stock- raising in Lockridge township, has been a resident of Jefferson county for thirty-one years. He was born in Ireland in Monohan county, township of Diescart, near Carrickmacroso, in September, 1854, and is a son of James and Bridget (Rafferty) Doogan, also natives of the Emerald isle, where his father owned a farm that he cultivated during the entire period of his active career. There he passed away in 1881, but the mother survived until 1890.
Reared and educated in his native land, Thomas Henry Doogan re- mained at home assisting his father about the farm until he was twenty- six years of age. Having decided to seek a larger field in which to expend his energies in a country where efforts would be rewarded by more than a living, he took passage for the United States in May, 1880, and on the 2d of June landed in New York city. He made his way inland to Fairfield, where he worked for a year on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. Later he worked in the coal mines and also as a farm hand, having been in the employ of Mr. Sampson, a farmer residing in the vicinity of Lockridge, for four years. As he was ambitious to become the owner of a farm, Mr. Doogan was very thrifty, carefully saving as much of his meagre wages as he could until he had sufficient capital to begin for himself. For ten years thereafter he farmed as a renter, meeting with such success in his efforts that at the end of that period he had the means to purchase a forty- acre tract, that formed the nucleus of his present homestead in Lockridge township. His unremitting energy and the intelligent direction of his activi- ties enabled him to extend the boundaries of his farm by the addition of another forty acres, and in 1906 he increased his holdings by the purchase of an eighty-acre tract in Round Prairie township. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, all of which is under cultivation. In connection with the operation of his land Mr. Doogan is engaged in stock-raising, and keeps about twenty head of cattle and six horses, while he annually raises thirty hogs. He has always been very successful in both . undertakings and during the period of his residence here has made many
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and extensive improvements, having erected good barns and outbuildings as well as a residence on his premises, all of which are kept in good repair, everything about his place suggesting a careful regard for details that be- speaks success.
For his wife Mr. Doogan chose Miss Alice Nicholson, their union being celebrated on the 14th of March, 1884. Mrs. Doogan is a daughter of George and Anzaletta (Bonnifield) Nicholson, natives of England and Vir- ginia, respectively. The father, who was born in 1808, emigrated to the United States in 1835, locating at Waterville, New York, later removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for some time. He subsequently came to Jefferson county, purchasing a farm in Lockridge township that he im- proved and operated until 1865, when he disposed of it and removed to Wapello county, Iowa. There he purchased a hundred-acre tract that he operated until his death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson passed away in 1878, her demise occurring in July, at the age of fifty-three years while he died in September, after attaining his seventieth year. To Mr. and Mrs. Doogan there have been born five children: Charles, who died on the 19th of March, 1910, at the age of twenty-three years and four months; Martha Edna, who is twenty-two, living at home with her parents ; Mary, the wife of Arthur Davis, of Lockridge; Lucinda, who died on the 14th of Janu- ary, 1894, at the age of six months ; and John, who is a youth of sixteen years at home.
Mr. Doogan is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which he was born and reared, but his wife and family affiliate with the Baptist church. He votes the democratic ticket. but has never held any official position save that of school director and has served in this capacity for the past ten years. The entire credit for his success must be given to Mr. Doogan, as he began his career in the United States with prac- tically no capital save his determination of purpose and tireless energy, by means of which he has attained the position he now holds in the community.
ROBERT BRUCE STEPHENSON, M. D.
Dr. Robert Bruce Stephenson, engaged in the practice of medicine for more than a quarter of a century, in which period he has ever been con- scientious and faithful in the performance of his professional duties, was born in Lockridge township, Jefferson county, on the 19th of December, 1857, his parents being Robert and Elizabeth (Hopkirk) Stephenson, the mother the only daughter of Hon. William Hopkirk. She was born in New York, and is now a resident of Fairfield. The father, Robert Stephen-
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son, was a native of England, and died in Fairfield, February 14, 1909, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents on the voyage across the Atlantic, the family home being established in West Virginia, whence they afterward removed to Indiana and subsequently to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county before the state was admitted to the Union. Robert Stephenson was engaged in farming in this county prior to the Civil war. After the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south he joined the Union army and lost his right leg in battle. He afterward engaged in raising fruit and also filled several local offices, serving as justice of the peace and post- master at Lockridge, while for four years he was county recorder. In the family were nine children, of whom five have passed away, three dying with diptheria during the war and the other two dying in infancy since the close of hostilities. The four yet living are: Robert Bruce; Ralph, who is at the head of the Iowa Telephone Company in Des Moines ; John, acting as rural mail carrier out of Fairfield; and Flora, the wife of Oscar Baltz, of Fairfield.
Dr. Stephenson made his start in life working by the month as a farm hand and also in early manhood engaged in teaching in the district schools. He supplemented his early education by a course in Parsons College, at Fairfield, from which he was graduated with the class of 1883, and thus with a good literary education to serve as a foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his professional learning, he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and was there graduated in the class of 1885. Returning to this county he then practiced for seven years in Lockridge and for two years thereafter in Mystic. In 1894 he came to Libertyville, where he has since remained and a growing and extensive practice has been accorded him. He possesses marked ability in the field of his chosen calling because he is continually studying and his perusal of the best medical journals and works, keeps him in touch with the advanced thought and methods of practice of the present day.
In 1886 Dr. Stephenson was married to Miss Laura Effie Jenks, who was born in Buchanan township, this county, and is a daughter of Samuel and D. A. Jenks. She is a graduate of Parsons College and taught school. They now have two children: Laurence B. and Edwin J., both graduates of Parsons College. The elder completed his course in 1902 and is now a student in the engineering department of the Iowa State University. Edwin J., was graduated from Parsons College in 1911, and in the fall of the same year entered the engineering department at Iowa City. Both sons are good ball players, as was the Doctor before them, and were leaders in the baseball, the basket ball and football teams at Parsons College. Dr. Stephenson has always encouraged his sons in manly athletic and outdoor
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sports. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, serving for some time as a member of the county central committee but never seeking political office. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and is a faithful and devoted member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has filled the offices of elder and also superintendent of the Sunday school. His influence is always on the side of right and progress, of reform, justice and truth, and his nobility of character, his public-spirited citizenship and his professional skill have gained him a most creditable position in the regard of his fellowmen.
HENRY RUPP.
General farming and stock-raising have always engaged the attention of Henry Rupp, who owns one of the valuable and attractive homesteads of Lockridge township. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 9th of August, 1849, and is a son of John and Lena (Bateman) Rupp. His parents were both natives of Germany, whence they emigrated in 1848 to the United States, first settling in Ohio. There the father suc- cessfully engaged in farming for six years when in 1854 he removed with his wife and family to Jefferson county. Upon his arrival here he invested in two hundred acres of government land in Lockridge township, that he cultivated and improved until his death, meeting with such lucrative re- turns from his endeavors that he was later able to extend his holdings. He passed away on his farm in May. 1893, while the mother died in April, 1890.
Henry Rupp, who was only a lad of five years when he came to Jefferson county with his parents, obtained his education in the district schools of Lockridge township. When he had acquired such knowledge as was deemed essential for the successful pursuit of an agricultural career, he left school and gave his undivided attention to the operation of the home farm under the supervision of his father. In 1877, at the age of twenty-eight years, he began to work for himself, settling in Montgomery county where he bought a farm that he operated for five years. In 1882 he disposed of his property and returning to Jefferson county bought the old homestead, containing three hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred of this being located in Henry county and the remainder in Lockridge township. Here he has ever since engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in both of which he has met with most excellent success.
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He raises about seventy-five hogs annually and keeps fifty head of cattle and fifteen horses. Mr. Rupp takes great pride in the appearance of his farm and during the period of his occupancy has effected many improve- ments that have added greatly not only to the appearance but value of the property. His barns and outbuildings are substantially constructed and kept well repaired, while his residence is a comfortable farmhouse sur- rounded by neatly kept gardens and lawns, that afford a pleasing and inviting appearance. A man of progressive ideas and business sagacity, his place is provided with such modern agricultural implements as will lessen the labor and expedite the work connected with the tilling of the fields or care of the crops.
Mr. Rupp has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Josephine Vohries, the event being celebrated in 1877. Mrs. Rupp was a daughter of Daniel and Malinda (Austin) Vohries, natives of Ohio, who were among the early settlers of Jefferson county. The father acquired some government land that he cultivated for many years, but he is now living retired in Mount Pleasant, this state, while the mother is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Rupp there were born the following children: Hattie, the wife of Ernest Rauscher, a farmer of Lockridge township; Harlan E., a druggist at Botha, Washington; Harry, who is a blacksmith at Lock- ridge; Ida, the wife of C. F. Bogner, a farmer of Lockridge township; Ernest E., who is living at home; and one who died in infancy. On the 8th of June, 1892, after an illness of eight days, Mrs. Rupp passed away. In 1896, Mr. Rupp married the second time, his present wife having been prior to her marriage, Miss Lizzie Achenbach, a daughter of Ludwig and Margaret Achenbach, who are mentioned at greater length in the sketch of Lewis Achenbach.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rupp affiliate with the German Lutheran church, numbering many friends among its congregation. He is one of the highly respected and estimable citizens of Lockridge township, where he has resided during the greater part of his sixty-two years, the loyalty of his friends being a tribute to the character of the man whom they have known from boyhood.
EDWIN TULLER.
Coming to Jefferson county in 1855 at the age of thirteen years, Edwin Tuller has lived here almost continuously since that time, thus being inti- mately associated with the historic changes and material development that have been wrought in this part of the country through the passing years
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He was born two miles south of Worthington, in Franklin county, Ohio, May 18, 1841. He is a son of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Loy) Tuller. The father was descended from Yankee parentage, being born in Connecticut. He chose the pursuit of agriculture for his calling, and, finding opportuni- ties in this direction more bountiful in the rich agricultural sections of the middle western states, migrated to Ohio. There he was married to Eliza- beth Loy, a native of Virginia, whose parents had removed to Franklin county, Ohio, when she was a girl. Mr. and Mrs. Tuller followed the westward trend of population, coming to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1855. Four years later, the father died on his farm five miles southeast of Fair- field ; and, subsequently, the mother removed to Missouri, where she passed away, in 1876.
The early years of his life Edwin Tuller spent in Ohio, being a resi- dent of Franklin county during the first eight years and then of Madison county. When his parents removed to Iowa, in 1855, he completed his education in the district school near his home, assisting with the work in the fields until he reached maturity. He then formed a partnership with David Sears, of Locust Grove township, engaging in the harvesting of crops on a basis of a two-thirds share. After his marriage, Mr. Tuller operated the farm owned by his wife's mother. This he managed for two years, when he discontinued farming in order to try himself in another occupation. The romance of the west attracted him to the foothills of the Rockies, and there he secured employment in hauling freight for a firm in Omaha, Nebraska. During this time, the scenes of his labors were amid the rugged mountain region of northern Utah; his daily journeys taking him within three hundred miles of Salt Lake City. Presently, he returned home and once more took up farming. In 1866, our subject re- moved to the farm on which he lives at present, and, three years later, bought the place ; adding to it by subsequent purchases until he owned at one time four hundred acres of rich and productive land. Not wishing to continue the burden of operating so extensive an area, he parted with some of his holdings, retaining one hundred and ninety-six acres for his own use. This tract he now rents to his son, only supervising the management in an advisory capacity. Always industrious and faithful in the perform- ance of those duties which devolved upon him, he was rewarded in his work with well deserved success.
Mr. Tuller and Miss Susan A. Sears, a daughter of Jacob L. and Mary (Sargeant) Sears, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively, were united in marriage on December 24, 1863. The Sears family came from Coles county, Illinois, to Iowa in 1839; the father entering land from the govern- ment in Locust Grove township, Jefferson county. He operated the farm and was an extensive landowner, being recognized as one of the substantial
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citizens of the county, where he and his wife lived until their death. Mrs. Tuller passed away at the family residence on the homestead, May 22, 1903, leaving six children: George, who operates a farm seven miles southwest of Ottumwa, Iowa, is married to Sarah Long, of Batavia, Iowa, by whom he has two children, Raymond and Arthur Le Roy; William H., who lives on the home farm, is married to Miss Nellie Gow, of Fairfield, by whom he has one child, Gladys Marie; Mary, the wife of W. B. Duns- worth, a dairyman and farmer of Kittitas county, Washington, has one child, Edwin Burrell; Cora E., the wife of H. D. Smith, a farmer of Batavia, has five children, Verle Carleton, Eura Delle, Glenn Tuller, Eunice Cora and Exie Olive; Charles, a dairyman and farmer of Kittitas valley, Washington, is married to Miss Mary Stansell, of Jefferson county, Iowa, by whom he has eight children, Harry Israel, Adalene Elizabeth, Orville Edwin, Lloyd, Elbert and Everett, twins, Irene Lucile and Viola May ; Bertha M., the widow of Emory Parrett, a farmer who died October 27, 1903, is the mother of two children, Ila Hester and Alberta Maude.
In his religious faith, Mr. Tuller is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. Politically, he is a stanch democrat, believing in a liberal policy for the best interests of the country. In the community in which he lives, he is held in high esteem by all who know his devotion to the principles of truth and justice. He is a man possessed of a strong personality, and has a host of warm friends.
JUDGE CHARLES D. LEGGETT.
Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order, or for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community than has Judge Charles D. Leggett, now practicing as a member of the firm of Leggett & McKemey. A large law practice is accorded him in recognition of his ability, which enables him to successfully cope with the intricate problems of the law and by reason of clear analysis and keen insight to reach a logical conclusion. He has spent almost his entire life in Jefferson county, although his birth occurred in Carrollton, Carroll county, Ohio, October 8, 1849, his parents being Richard H. and Beersheba (Viers) Leggett. The father was for many years one of the enterprising and prominent citizens of Fairfield, to which city he removed with his family in 1855. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 25, 18II, and was a son of Jesse and Mary (Cheek) Leggett. He came of English ancestry in the paternal line, the family having been founded in
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America during colonial days by representatives of the name who settled in Maryland. Richard H. Leggett was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents to Carroll county, Ohio, and to the common school system of that district he was indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed. Early in his business career he engaged in merchandising and subsequently became proprietor of a hotel in Ohio. When the country became involved in war with Mexico he put aside all business and personal considerations to espouse the American cause and raised a regiment and was commissioned its colonel. The troops, however, were never called out for active duty on account of the termination of the war.
While living in Ohio, Richard H. Leggett was married in Jefferson county, on the 25th of April, 1833, to Miss Beersheba Viers, who was born at Island Creek, that county, April 29, 1815, her parents being Elisha W. and Margaret (Ferrell) Viers. Her father, who was of English descent, was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, while her mother, who came of Irish parentage, was a native of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Leggett began their domestic life in Ohio; there they retained their residence until 1855, and then came to Fairfield, Iowa. For eighteen years he had been engaged in the conduct of a hotel in Carrollton, Ohio, and upon his arrival in Jefferson county, Iowa, opened a hotel in Fairfield, remaining for a con- siderable period the proprietor of a popular hostelry known as the Leggett House. This brought him a wide acquaintance and his genial manner and personal worth gained him the warm friendship of the majority of those with whom he came in contact. His early political allegiance was given to the deomcratic party but when Fort Sumter was fired on he joined the republican party and continued one of its stanch supporters until his de- mise. His fraternal relations were with Clinton Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M. and his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church, which she joined in 1858. The death of Mr. Leggett occurred September 8, 1884. and his wife passed away October 23, 1892. In their family were nine children, of whom three died in childhood, while two sons and four daughters reached adult age. These are: Samantha, the wife of Rev. John Huchuly ; Ella, who became the wife of Dr. Thomas Smith, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and died March 15, 1857: James Milton, who wedded Jessie Coulter, and died in Chicago, April 15, 1890: Permelia, the wife of George W. Phelps, of Fairfield; Charles D .. whose name introduces this review : and Frank E., the wife of Charles Whiting, of Aradell, New Jersey.
In taking up the personal history of Charles D. Leggett we present to our readers the record of one who is widely known in Jefferson county. having for fifty-six years made his home within its borders. He was a lad of six summers when the family came to Iowa and in the schools of
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Fairfield he pursued his early education, which was supplemented by study in Griswold College, Davenport, and a course in Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1869 at the head of his class. A review of the broad field of business in its agricultural, commercial and professional departments, led him to decide upon the practice of law as his life work and he therefore began reading with the Hon. D. P. Stubbs, of Fairfield, as his preceptor. He thoroughly acquainted himself with Kent, Blackstone and other commentaries and after careful preparation successfully passed the examination that admitted him to the bar on the 5th of January, 1872. Soon afterward he was admitted to practice in the United States circuit and supreme courts and on the day of his admission to the Iowa bar he formed a partnership with his former preceptor, D. P. Stubbs, under the firm name of Stubbs & Leggett. For five years he practiced in that connection and then on the dissolution of the firm was joined in a partnership relation by Jacob S. McKemey. They were asso- ciated under the firm name of Leggett & McKemev until the senior partner was elected to the bench of the second judicial district in 1886. He served for one term and his course was distinguished by high legal ability. His opinions were exceptionally free from all bias. His thorough legal learning and wide experience in the courts, the patient care with which he ascertained all the facts bearing upon every case which came before him, gave his decisions a solidity and exhaustiveness to which no members of the bar could take exception. Upon his retirement on the expiration of the four years' term he resumed his former partnership relation and the firm of Leggett & McKemey remains as one of the most prominent in the annals of Iowa's jurisprudence. Judge Leggett has argued many cases and lost but few. No one better knows the necessity for thorough preparation and no one more carefully prepares his cases than he. His course in the court room is characterized by a calmness and dignity that indicate reserve strength. He is always courteous and deferential toward the court, kind and forebearing toward his adversaries and his handling of a case is always full, comprehensive and accurate, while his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive.
On the 2d of September, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Judge Leggett and Miss Beatrice Cunningham, of Centerville, Iowa, a daughter of P. F. Cunningham. She was born in Centerville and is a graduate of Parsons College, at Fairfield. The children of this marriage are: Richard. C., born October 8, 1886; Ruth, born March 21, 1889; George P., born January 19, 1893; and Elizabeth, born January 21, 1897. Judge Leggett has always given his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought office outside the strict path of his profession, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the duties that come to him as a member of
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the bar. His devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial and his position in the public regard is indicated in the fact that his name is always found high on the list of the leading citizens of Jefferson county.
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