USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 14
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On the 8th of February, 1875, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Helen Sales, a daughter of Dr. J. T. and Sarah (Fleck) Sales, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Some time in the early '50s they came to Iowa, settling in Brighton, where they passed the remainder of their lives.
Until 1900 Mr. Cunningham voted the democratic ticket but has since that time given his political allegiance to the republican party and has ever taken an active part in local affairs, serving the public well as chief of the fire department, as street commissioner, and for six years as constable. Fraternally he is prominent in the ranks of the Knights of Pythias and has held many offices in the lodge, filling
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the positions of grand vice-chancellor and trustee, besides serving on numerous committees. Among the Mystic Workers of the World he has also been active, for he served as director for six years, and was afterward elected supreme master, in which capacity he served for four years. His religious adherence is given to the Episcopal church.
Liberal and progressive in his ideas, broad minded in his outlook upon life, Mr. Cunningham is one of those men who has let few opportunities slip through their hands. On the contrary he is ever on the alert to benefit through experience, and having discerned a need of the community and a ready means to satisfy it, he has the ability to carry it to its conclusion. These qualities united with a great fund of energy have procured him success, but more than that they have placed him among the important men of Anamosa and of the county.
JAMES H. MAPLE.
James H. Maple, a farmer of Wyoming township, is one of those men, who despite a youth which knew more hardships than comforts and that saw few opportunities for study or advancement, has attained to a position among the agriculturists of his locality which is almost enviable. He was born in Columbi- ana county, Ohio, January 4, 1852, and is a son of Louis and Rebecca A. (Paul) Maple. The parents were both natives of the Buckeye state but came to Iowa in 1854 and here they secured a claim of government land. After a residence of about three years, they returned to Ohio, where the father died shortly after- ward leaving the mother with three young children. Later she returned to Jones county, where she reared her family and where she is still living at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. James H., the subject of this review, is the oldest of the children; Elizabeth is now the wife of R. E. McCain, of Water- loo, Iowa; and Grace has been a teacher in the schools of Onslow for the past nineteen years. She lives in the village and makes a home for her mother.
As the oldest of the fatherless family, James H. Maple early had to assume a man's responsibilities. Indeed he was but fifteen when he undertook to man- age the farm for his mother, tilling the soil faithfully and diligently until he became of age. He had been able to obtain only the most meager education, but through experience, united with a determination to succeed, he has made his way along the highroad of life. Upon attaining his majority he rented the home farm for a few years, and then bought it, adding to it from time to time, as occasion offered until he now owns a tract of two hundred and twenty-four acres. It is well improved and highly cultivated, although Mr. Maple has given his attention especially to the raising and feeding of stock, is now a breeder of pure breed Aberdeen Angus cattle. When he started out in life for himself, the conditions were much more difficult than they would be now for any boy similarly situated, but the courage which inspired his mother to come to a land that was at the time practically in the first state of development was his birthright and supported him in the years of his struggle, which are now little more than memories, though they do afford him a justifiable gratification as
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glancing from them he views the position he now occupies in the community of Wyoming township.
On the 17th of July, 1884, Mr. Maple wedded Miss Viola K. Thomas, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 16, 1860. Her parents were Benson and Eliza (Hough) Thomas, the former a native of Maine, the latter of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa, however, when this state was first being sought as the place of residence, owing to government inducements. Mr. Thomas pursued farm- ing until his death, which occurred in Wyoming, but his widow is still living with her children, of whom there were seven. Mr. and Mrs. Maple have had four children : Florence B., who has had a fine musical education and is now in Colorado teaching that branch of art; Louis T., who is at home; and Paul H., who is in Idaho in the drug business ; and Benson, who died when about a year old.
Mr. and Mrs. Maple give their religious support to the Presbyterian church, of which they are both consistent members, and in whose work they take an active interest. Politically Mr. Maple finds himself more closely in sympathy with the republican party, but he has never aspired to any public office, although the substantial success he has won would naturally suggest him to his fellow citizens as a worthy candidate for their support. He is a member of Keystone Lodge, No. 206, A. F. & A. M., and is frequently seen at its meetings.
JOSEPH PAWELKA.
Joseph Pawelka occupies one of the fine homes of Oxford Junction and is known as one of the progressive citizens of his part of the county, as loyal to pub- lic interests and the general welfare as he was to the old flag when in the for- tunes of war he followed the stars and stripes upon southern battlefields. He was born in Bohemia, January 13, 1843, and was a youth of eleven years when he came to Jones county, Iowa, with his parents Wensel and Katharine Pawelka. The father preempted forty acres of land on section II, Oxford township, in the year of his arrival. The family took up their abode upon that farm, which through the efforts of the father was converted into a rich and productive tract of land. He spent his remaining days thereon, while his widow died at the home of a daughter in Tama county, Iowa. By a former marriage the father had four children, and by the second union there were three children: Joseph; Antone, deceased ; and Annie, the wife of John Dolize, of Tama county, Iowa.
Joseph Pawelka spent the first eleven years of his life in the land of his na- tivity and on the 13th of September, 1854, arrived at Iowa City in company with his parents. Soon afterward he took up his abode on what became the family homestead in Oxford township, Jones county, and remained with his father for a short time, but later began to work for Solomon Pence in Wyoming township, in whose employ he remained for eight years. He was afterward in the serv- ices of different men until he enlisted in the Civil war, being enrolled among the boys in blue on the 13th of September, 1861. He was one of the first three years' men from this district. He joined Company I, Twenty-sixth Iowa In- fantry, with which he served for one year and nine months, when he was hon-
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orably discharged, having had his ankle crushed by an ambulance. He was transferred from one hospital to another, owing to the outbreak of typhoid fever. He took part in the battle of Little Rock, Arkansas, and in Sherman's charge at Vicksburg and the campaign of the Yazoo river. Being taken ill he was sent to the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, and was at length discharged at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. He then returned home but was laid up for a year with his injured ankle. He afterward engaged in threshing for two years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 14, Oxford township. This he improved, residing on it until 1904 when he came to his present home in Oxford Junction. In the years which he devoted to general agricultural pursuits he met with substantial success, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation, his energy and diligence being the chief factors in his prosperity. On coming to Oxford Junction he erected a fine resi- dence, one of the most attractive homes of the town. He has now retired from active business but is a stockholder in the Oxford Junction Savings Bank.
It was in 1863 that Mr. Pawelka was united in marriage to Miss Delia Mori- vick, who was born in Bohemia, May 4, 1845, and in December, 1854, came with her parents, John and Barbara Morivick to the United States, the family honie being established in Jackson county, Iowa, where both her father and mother passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pawelka have been born four children: Joseph, now living in Hale township; Frank, whose home is in Oxford township; Annie, the wife of Henry Shimerada of Oxford township; and Emanuel, at home. They also lost four children: John, who died in infancy ; Fannie, at the age of three years; and Eddie, at the age of six years ; and Eddie, the second of that name.
Mr. Pawelka holds membership in the Grand Army post at Oxford Junction. When he was enrolled his name was placed on the records as Joseph Pawelker, but he prefers to retain the original Bohemian spelling. He was a most loyal defender of the stars and stripes and at all times has been a faithful citizen, de- voted to the best interests of his adopted country. Earnest, persistent labor brought him success, and he is now living retired in the enjoyment of rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
WILLIAM G. PEET.
William G. Peet figured for many years as one of the most successful farmers of Jones county, carrying on business on a most extensive scale. He was born here during the pioneer epoch in the history of the county and lived to witness its wonderful transformation, bearing an active and helpful part in the work of progress and development. He was seldom, if ever, at error in matters of business judgment and his enterprise and keen discrimination enabled him to win success that placed him among the county's most wealthy citizens. He was born near Fairview, in Fairview township, Jones county, May 8, 1846, and was of Welsh extraction. His parents, James and Anna Peet, came to this county at a very early day, being among its first settlers. They were worthy
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people and aided in the reclamation of the district for the purposes of civiliza- tion. They entered land in Fairview township and the father devoted his ener- gies to the work of transforming the wild prairie into richly cultivated fields that he might provide thereby for the support of his family.
William G. Peet was reared to manhood on the old homestead, amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, sharing with the family in all of the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of those who established homes on the frontier. At the usual age he attended the public schools, but the methods of instruction were very inferior to those in vogue at the present day. His training at farm labor was not meager, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he took his place in the fields and continued in that line of work for many years. He remained upon the old homestead until 1888, when he removed to Anamosa, there spending the rest of his life. While on the farm he engaged largely in the tilling of the soil and also in buying and selling stock. He con- tinued in the latter after his removal to Anamosa and also engaged in the grain trade. As he prospered in his undertakings he made investment in farm lands from time to time until he became one of the most extensive landowners in this part of the state, his possessions at the time of his death aggregating over two thousand acres in Jones county.
In 1872 Mr. Peet was united in marriage to Miss Eliza E. Saum, who was born in Rome township, this county, July 28, 1847, and is a daughter of George and Susanna Saum, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Indiana. They were among the first settlers of Jones county, arriving in 1839, at which time they took up their abode in Rome township, where Mr. Saum entered land from the government. He was one of the honored early settlers here and the history of his life is given at length on another page of this work.
In his political views Mr. Peet was a democrat but had neither time nor in- clination for public office, for his business interests claimed all of his energies. He manifested keen sagacity and insight in all of his investments, was thoroughly reliable in his undertakings and was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any business transaction. He did all things openly and above board and as the years passed became one of the county's most wealthy and honored citizens. He was a man of tall and commanding pres- ence, courteous and kindly in disposition and merited the high regard which was uniformly given him.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peet were born four children of whom one died in in- fancy. The others are James S., Lorinda M. and Truman G. The last named is married and resides in Anamosa. The daughter is the wife of James Temple- man, a farmer of Walnut Grove. The eldest, James S. Peet, was born at Wal- nut Grove, in Rome township, June 11, 1875, attended the district schools and afterward continued his education in the public schools of Anamosa and in a business college at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On leaving school, he went upon his mother's place and managed the farm for about six years but in 1900 took up his abode in Anamosa, where he has since lived. In 1905 the Peet Lumber Company was organized, the stockholders being James S. Peet and his mother. In this connection they carry on an extensive business as dealers in lumber and coal, the company being now accorded a large patronage. Mr. Peet manifests many
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of the sterling business qualities which his father displayed and in the control of his interests gives evidence of a spirit of progress and enterprise which is al- ways an essential factor in the attainment of success. His political support is given to the democracy, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day he has neither time nor inclination for public office, as his business affairs claim his attention and make ample demand upon his time.
ALLEN LEONARD FAIRBANKS.
No history of Jones county would be complete without extended mention of Allen Leonard Fairbanks, who although he has already passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten is still an active and helpful factor în the world's work. He comes from a most illustrious family and one which has long been identified with American interests. All representatives of the name in America trace their ancestry back to Jonathan Fairbanks, the founder of the fam- ily in this country, who came to Boston, Massachusetts, from Yorkshire, Eng- land, in 1633. Since that time various members of the family have figured prominently before the public eye. Mr. Fairbanks, of this review, is a relative of former Vice-President Fairbanks, of the United States, and also claims relation- ship with Erastus Fairbanks, the well known manufacturer and politician, who patented the famous Fairbanks scales and was also governor of the state of Ver- mont for two terms.
Born in Hyde Park, Vermont, on the 25th of February, 1832, Allen Leonard Fairbanks is a son of Adam and Cynthia (Wilber) Fairbanks, natives of Massa- chusetts and of England respectively. The mother came to America in childhood and was married in Vermont, where she passed away when the son was twelve years of age. The father, a farmer by occupation, was again married and spent the latter part of his life with our subject, his death occurring in 1882 when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-three years. He was the father of seven children, of whom Allen Leonard was the sixth in order of birth. The others were: Victor Monroe, of LeRoy, Minnesota, who has attained the age of ninety- two years ; Caroline Lane and Volney W., who are both deceased; Carlow, who was killed during the Civil war, having enlisted as a soldier from Vermont ; Lor- inda Chesley, deceased ; and Cynthia Janette.
No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of daily life for Allen Leonard Fairbanks during the period of his hoyhood and youth, which were spent on his father's farm in Vermont. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the common schools, which he attended until sixteen years of age. He re- mained under the parental roof until twenty-one years old, and in the meantime was variously engaged about the home farm, assisting in the work of the fields and picking stone and brush from the rough land. When he attained his major- ity, however, he entered the business world on his own account, going to Man- chester, New Hampshire, where he remained for about two years, being there employed in the cotton mills and also in the machine shops of the locomotive works.
A. L. FAIRBANKS
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On the 15th of August, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriett N. Glazier, a native of Johnson, Vermont, born on the 31st of December, 1833. Dur- ing the infancy of their daughter Harriett, the parents removed to Hyde Park, Vermont, where she was a schoolmate of Mr. Fairbanks. She went to Manchester, New Hampshire, a year previous to the arrival of our subject in that city, and there was employed in the cotton mills. She wove the cloth which was awarded the premium at the World's Fair at Paris. She and Mr. Fairbanks were employed in the same mill, No. 3, Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, and after their mar- riage continued to work therein for a time.
On the 6th of March, 1854, they started for the west, coming direct to Jones county, Iowa, the journey as far as Warren, Illinois, being made by train and the remainder by stage. It took them one week to make the trip to Dubuque, Iowa. Their destination was Cass township, Jones county, and Mr. Fairbanks rented a farm in Castle Grove township for a year, operating the place on shares. In May of the same year he entered an eighty-acre ·tract, which now forms part of his present farm, and with the passing of the years he has added to his original hold- ings until eventually this farm consisted of five hundred and twenty acres. He now owns three hundred and sixty acres in Cass township located on sections 2 and 3. He has engaged very extensively in buying and selling property but has never traded nor speculated. At one time he owned thirteen hundred acres and now he and his sons own one thousand acres all in one body, located in Cass and Castle Grove townships. He has now been engaged in farming for fifty-five years and during this time has been identified with various branches of agricultural pursuits. During the early days of his residence in Jones county he made a spe- cialty of cultivating wheat, raising one hundred and twenty-five acres annually, which sold for two dollars per bushel. His product was a specially fine grade of winter wheat which he sold for seed, and was known and used extensively by farmers throughout the surrounding country. Later he was identified with the dairy business and for about fourteen years, in connection with his general farm- ing. was engaged in making cheese, keeping fifty cows for that purpose. At first there were no railroads for the convenience of shippers, and he was compelled once a month to go to Dubuque with his product. The superior quality of his cheese commanded a ready sale upon the market and brought excellent prices, his re- turns being as high as nine dollars per day during the season. He was also engaged very extensively in the hog business, shipping three carloads at a time which sold for six dollars and forty cents per hundredweight. He received as much as four thousand dollars for one shipment which he raised. At one time he was a large cattle raiser, making a specialty of polled Angus cattle, but later he sold the bulk of that business to his son. However he still owns one hundred and eight head of fine steers, and last year shipped three carloads of cattle, inde- pendent of his son. In the conduct of these varied interests he has manifested excellent business ability, wise sagacity and keen discrimination and these factors have proved the salient elements in a success which has given him rank among the most substantial and well-to-do farmers of his section of the county.
Not only was Mr. Fairbanks a well known and leading figure in agricultural circles of Jones county, but he also found time to engage in other lines of activity. For two years he served as the president of the Castle Grove Cooperative Cream-
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ery Company and was the first chairman of the Castle Grove Horse Breeders Association, occupying that office for two years, when he withdrew. Mr. Fair- banks was a director of the Jones County Agricultural Society for twenty years and also served as vice-president and president of the society. He is now a director in the Lovell State Bank at Monticello, having served in that capacity since its inception. He has also been an active and prominent figure in public af- fairs, having lent his aid to many measures and movements which have had for their object the permanent upbuilding and growth of the community. He assisted in building the Methodist church at Hickory Grove and has since held membership in that organization. Until recently he was chairman of the board of trustees of Cass Center cemetery, having been thus connected with that body since its origin He has ever been a stanch champion of the cause of education, having been inter- ested in schools since the organization of Cass township. He served as a member of the board which had charge of the building of all schoolhouses in the township. They first erected four buildings and later erected others until they now have eight schoolhouses in the township. He has held the office of director, president, secretary and treasurer of the township school board and is now acting as treas- urer. In politics he is a republican and has given stalwart support to the principles of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was county supervisor for seven years and was also chairman of the board for a long time, during which period he superintended the construction of a number of river bridges. He assessed Cass township fourteen different times and took the census of 18So. He enrolled the township three times during the Civil war and was com- missioned by Governor Kirkwood second lieutenant and was also deputized provost marshal for the second district. He served notices on drafted man and in this capacity performed the hardest duty which ever came to him. He has always been a leading and influential figure in local party ranks and has several times served his party as delegate to various district, county and state conventions. He has ever made an excellent official, discharging the duties of the various offices in a manner that not only brought honor upon himself but also reflected credit upon his constituents. In whatever relation of life he is found the rules which govern his conduct are ever in harmony with the principles of honorable and upright manhood, and the consensus of public opinion accords him a foremost place among the valued and representative citizens of Jones county.
As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks has been blessed with eight children, as follows: Alice, who passed away September 14, 1867. when thirteen years of age; Harriett M., the wife of Clarence Thomas, of Mohall, North Dakota; Arthur Lincoln, residing upon a neighboring farm in Castle Grove township; Eunice, who died when eight months old; Charles Allen and Alva Monroe, also residing near the homestead, the former in Cass township and the latter in Castle Grove township; Mary E., deceased wife of G. G. Gill, by whom she had one daughter, the mother passing away in May, 1906; and Bertha, who married August Blassing and died in January, 1901, also leaving one daughter.
Such in brief is the life record of Allen Leonard Fairbanks, who for more than a half century has been identified with the growth and development of Jones county. When he arrived in this district he was the second to take up his abode
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upon the open prairie, an act frought with considerable danger and peril inasmuch as bands of redmen still roamed the country and the earlier settlers who had braved the dangers of the frontier had erected their homes within the shelter of the forests. The country was but sparsely settled, there being but one house be- tween his home and Monticello and only three between him and Anamosa. Deer were plentiful during the early days and Mr. Fairbanks has seen as many as thir- teen head on his place at once. An Indian 'once killed five on his farm in one afternoon, all of which he carried at once into camp. Threshers had not yet been introduced into this county, the nearest machine being located in Delaware county, and this was operated throughout the entire year. Few other improvements had as yet been made, for although the land was rich in natural resources, its oppor- tunities had not yet been utilized. During the years of his residence here, however, Mr. Fairbanks has witnessed a wonderful transformation and in the work of general progress and development has taken his full share. In his seventy-seventh year he is still active and interested in the world's work, and he now enjoys the unqualified honor, respect and good will of everyone with whom he has come in contact.
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