USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 17
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A native of New York city, Judge Ellison was born July 4, 1853, of the mar- riage of Thomas B. and Ann (Ruxton) Ellison, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to America in early life and were married in Connecticut. After living for some time in New York city, they removed to Indianola, Warren county, Iowa, in 1870 and there remained for about ten years, after which they returned to the eastern metropolis. The father died in New York in 1891 at the venerable age of eighty-two years while the mother passed away in 1891 at the age of seventy-two years. In their family were the following named: Levina
F. O. ELLISON
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M., who is the wife of E. M. Pearson and resides in Detroit, Michigan; Anna G., who is the widow of Henry Laird and resides in New York City; Charles R., of New York City, who wedded Mary Brown, now deceased; Margaret and Henrietta, both of whom died in childhood; Thomas W., who wedded Mary Cadugen and died in 1894; Frederick, of this review; George Walter, who died at the age of sixteen years ; Florence A., who became the wife of Dr. D. C. Cox, of New York City, and after his death, which occurred in 1889, married J. W. Cassell ; Nina D., the wife of John Eakins, a resident of New York City.
Reared in the American metropolis, Judge Ellison continued his studies in the high school of New York and also in the academy there. At the age of sixteen, however, he started out in life on his own account and in 1870 took charge of a farm his father purchased for him. The following winter was passed in St. Louis but in the spring he returned to the farm which was located near Indianola, Iowa. About a year later he began reading law with the firm of Todhunter & Williamson of Indianola and after thorough preliminary study was admitted to the bar in 1873. He then located for practice in Clinton, Iowa, where he re- mained for a year and a half and in 1875 came to Jones county, soon establishing a large law practice in Wyoming. His ability was recognized in the able manner in which he handled his cases and his clientage increased in volume and impor- tance, connecting him with much of the litigation tried in the courts of the dis- trict. In June, 1889, he removed to Anamosa, where he has since resided. In 1887 he had been elected county attorney, which office he filled for six years, his reelection coming as the merited expression of public confidence in his ability and trustworthiness. He is so thoroughly well read in the minutia of the law that he is able to base his arguments upon thorough knowledge and familiarity of precedents and to present a case upon its merits, never failing to recognize che main points at issue and never neglecting to give thorough preparation. His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them has been another potent element in his success and the remarkable clearness of expression and adequate and precise diction which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument but his every fine gradation of mean- ing may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplishments.
Judge Ellison has long been recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in his district and in 1894 was elected a member of the Iowa house of rep- resentatives, in which he served for one term. He was then chosen state senator and while serving in the upper house as well left the impress of his individuality and far-sighted judgment upon the laws enacted during that period. In 1904 he was chosen presidential elector from his district and in 1906 was elected judge of the district court and is now serving on the bench, his record as a judge being in harmony with his record as a man and lawyer, characterized by the faithful performance of every duty and a masterful grasp of every problem pre- sented for solution.
On the 3d of November, 1875, Judge Ellison was united in marriage to Miss A. E. McCutchen, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Adams) Mccutchen, who were natives of Pennsylvania and on coming to Iowa in 1868 settled in Indianola, Warren county. There they remained until 1874 when they removed to Lyons, Iowa, where they spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1881
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at the age of seventy-one years while the mother reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. Unto Judge and Mrs. Ellison have been born five children. Dr. Clifford W. Ellison, the eldest, now in New York City, married Miss Maude Spears and they have one son, Frederick Spears. The second member of Judge Ellison's family died in infancy. Frederick Harold passed away in 1895 at the age of eleven years. Roland R. is at home and Mildred is attending the Chicago University.
While Judge Ellison is perhaps best known through the state at large as a strong and able member of the Iowa bar and the capable and impartial judge, ne is regarded in Anamosa as a valued citizen because of the active part which he has taken in municipal affairs and in furthering the interests of the community in various ways. He is now president of the library board and is a director in the Anamosa National Bank. While living in Wyoming, he served as mayor of that city and in 1894 was chosen mayor of Anamosa, capably administering municipal interests so that the welfare of the community at large was conserved. He has also been city attorney for one term. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and with the Masons, belonging to Anamosa Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M .; Mount Sinai Chapter, R. A. M .; Olivet Commandery, No. 36, K. T .; and the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. He is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His life is typical of all that is progressive and loyal in citizenship and honorable in manhood. While on the bench he fully main- tains the dignity of the office, his friends find him a social, genial gentleman, with whom association means expansion and elevation.
FRED J. STORM.
Fred J. Storm, a substantial and enterprising agriculturist of Jones county, is the owner of a well improved and productive farm of two hundred and fifteen acres in Madison township. He was born in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 3d of March, 1865, his parents being Fred and Dora (Ehlers) Storm, the former a na- tive of Mecklenburg, Germany, while the latter's birth occurred in Schleswig- Holstein, Germany. They came to the United States in young manhood and wo- manhood and eventually located in Jackson county, Iowa, where they were mar- ried. There the father took up the work of farming but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, being drowned in the flood on the 17th of March, 1865, when his son, Fred J., was but fourteen days old. His widow afterward mar- ried Conrad Meyers, to whom she proved a faithful companion and helpmate until the time of her demise in April. 1907.
In his youthful days Fred J. Storm attended the common schools in pursuit of an education but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited, as his assistance was needed in the work of the home farm. He lived with his mother and stepfather until twenty-three years of age, when he secured a position with a horse breeder and for five years had charge of thoroughbred stallions. On the expiration of that period he was married and brought his young bride to Wyom-
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ing, Jones county, taking up his abode on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining the town. After residing thereon for six years he disposed of the prop- erty and purchased a tract of two hundred and fifteen acres of land in Madison township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his time and energies. He is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and planting the crops and has won a gratifying and well merited measure of success in his agricultural interests. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raises thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, all of his stock being of the best breeds. The prosperity which he now enjoys is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it has been attained entirely through his own well directed and untiring industry, for he started out in life empty handed, wholly dependent upon his own resources for whatever success he might hope to achieve.
In 1893 Mr. Storm was united in marriage to Miss Anna Louisa Lucksted, of Clinton county, Iowa. Her father was John Lucksted, a native of Germany, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States late in the '50s. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Storm have been born five children : Elmer C .; Ira C., who died August 18, 1909; Arnold F .; Mira D .; and Nora L. The four living are at home.
Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Storm gives his political allegiance to the democracy but at local elections casts an independent ballot, sup- porting the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office. Both he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as people of upright, hon- orable lives.
W. N. FRENCH.
W. N. French, a substantial and enterprising agriculturist of Madison town- ship, where he owns an excellent farm of two hundred and ten acres, is likewise well known as a raiser of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. His birth oc- curred in Clay township, Jones county, Iowa, on the 23d of October, 1857, his par- ents being Joseph and Grace C. (Beaver) French. They were natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio respectively and came to this state as young people. Joseph French, who arrived in Iowa in 1846, spent about two years in Jackson county and then went to Indiana, where he remained for a similar period. Subsequently he returned to Jackson county, Iowa, where he entered a quarter section of gov- ernment land and made his home for three years. At the end of that time he came to Jones county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Clay township at eight dollars per acre. In the year 1883 he took up his abode in Madison township, where he bought the farm of two hundred and ten acres which is now in possession of his son, W. N. After residing thereon for four years he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Wyoming, where he lived retired until the time of his demise in 1900. His political allegiance was given to the men and measures of the democracy, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. He took an active and helpful
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part in the work of the church and served in various official capacities. His up- right and honorable life gained him the esteem of a large circle of friends and he was widely recognized as a most substantial and respected citizen of the com- munity. His widow. who still survives him, has attained the age of seventy-three years and now makes her home with a daughter in Wyoming. She is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church and is highly esteemed for her many good traits of heart and mind.
In his youthful days W. N. French attended the common schools in the ac- quirement of an education, and when not busy with his text-books he gave his father the benefit of his services in the work of the home farm, thus early be- coming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was married when a young man of twenty-one years and subsequently farmed a portion of the home place for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Delaware county, where he was engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for three years. In the meantime he had chosen a location for his future home in Nebraska and had already begun making preparations for his re- moval to that state but was dissuaded from his purpose by his father, who, retir- ing from active life. wished him to purchase and conduct the home farm in Madi- son township, this county. His time and energies have since been given to the further cultivation and improvement of this property, and his labors as an agri- culturist have been rewarded with a gratifying and commendable measure of suc- cess. He likewise raises shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and feeds all the grain which his farm produces, feeding a carload of cattle annually.
In 1878 Mr. French was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Orr of Dubuque county, Iowa, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom still survive, namely : Nellie V .. the wife of N. A. Huston, of Stanley county, South Dakota; Lillian B., the wife of Charles Buck, of Stevens county, Washington ; Grace M., who is as- sistant bookkeeper in a mercantile establishment at Cedar Rapids; and James E., Cecil R., Elta A .. Mildred, Lester D., Elizabeth I. and Dorothy L., all of whom are at home.
Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. French votes the demo- cratic ticket but at local elections casts his ballot for the candidate whom he be- lieves best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliation. His fraternal rela- tions are with Wyoming Lodge, No. 147. I. O. O. F., and Wyoming Camp, No. 183. M. W. A. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the com- munity in which he resides and has gained enviable recognition among the rep- resentative and progressive citizens of his native county.
DR. WILLIAM W. BRONSON.
Dr. William W. Bronson, a veterinary surgeon residing at Wyoming, enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice in this connection and is a prominent repre- sentative of the profession in Jones county. He was born in Wyoming, on the Ioth of June. 1876, his parents being James W. and Augusta M. (Brainard) Bronson, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The paternal
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grandfather, Rev. Asahel Bronson, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, Novem- ber 3, 1807, was a son of Ezra Bronson, of Tolland, Connecticut, but later of Fairfield and Danbury. The latter was drafted at the age of sixteen and be- came a soldier in the war of the Revolution, for many years acting as captain of the militia at Danbury. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Knapp, was a resident of that place. In 1857 the Rev. Asahel Bronson, having secured a transfer from the Wyoming conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in New York to the Upper Iowa conference, took up his abode in Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa. His labors as a minister of the gospel proved effective and far- reaching and he lived to attain the remarkable age of ninety-eight years, passing away August 8, 1905. In early manhood he married Philena Horton White, who was born March 19, 1820, and died July 4, 1904.
James W. Bronson, the father of Dr. W. W. Bronson, was born in West- chester, New York, June 20, 1842, and was a lad of fifteen years when he came with his parents to this county. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Twenty- fourth Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities between the north and the south. The following is an extract from an obituary appearing in one of the local papers at the time of his demise: "He was not only mustered out with an honorable discharge but with a certificate from Chaplain Martyn of Christian character to admit him into membership of any Evangelical church. Said the chaplain to one much interested: 'I bring this young man back one of the few young men who have gone through this war pure and undefiled.' What a great record that was before God and man!" Soon after the close of the war James W. Bronson took a course of medical lectures at Iowa City. Owing to delicate health he did not finish his studies, but was engaged for twenty-five years or more as a veterinarian, in which profession he was quite successful. In 1867 he wedded Miss Augusta M. Brainard, by whom he had two sons, Benjamin and William W. His death, which occurred suddenly on the 19th of October, 1898, was deeply mourned not only by the members of his immediate family but also by a large circle of relatives and friends. He was a man of keen intellect and was, moreover, noted for his brilliant oratorical powers. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he abhorred shams of every kind and his word was as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. He was a valued and honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ben Paul Post, G. A. R .. both of which organizations passed resolutions of respect and con- dolence at the time of his demise.
Dr. W. W. Bronson was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his ยท preliminary education by a course in the Wyoming high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. In early manhood he took up the study of veterinary surgery under the preceptorship of his father and in the fall of 1896 entered the Chicago Veterinary College, attending that institution for one school year. He then returned home and in the fall of 1899 became enrolled as a student in the McKillip Veterinary College of Chicago, there remaining for a year. In 1901 he again entered the Chicago Veterinary College and following his gradua- tion in 1902 he returned to Wyoming and took up the practice of his profession. In 1903 he was employed by the government as meat inspector at St. Paul, Min- nesota, but with the exception of that year has been continuously engaged in the
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practice of veterinary surgery at Wyoming and is widely recognized as a prom- inent and successful representative of the profession in his native county.
In 1900 Dr. Bronson was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Franks, of Wyoming, by whom he has two sons, Howard and William. His political al- legiance is given to the men and measures of the republican party, while his re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also identified. He belongs to Keystone Lodge, No. 206, F. & A. M., and likewise has membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. In whatever sphere of life he is found he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman and en- joys in unlimited degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
HON. WILLIAM M. BYERLY.
Some men are personally popular enough to rise above party lines and ties and to carry all before them. They possess the characteristics needed in public men and these are recognized and appreciated by those in whose hands lies the voting privilege. The Hon. William M. Byerly of Jackson township, present member of the lower house of the general assembly from his district, is a man whose pop- ularity is remarkable and whose public life is without a blemish. He was born in this township. March 31. 1854. and belongs to one of the best known families of Jones county, being a son of the pioneers Michael and Elizabeth ( Jefferies) Byerly.
Michael Byerly was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 10, 1818, while his wife was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, May 6. 1815, but she was taken to Fairfield county by her parents and was there married November 1, 1840. Six years later they came to Jones county, Iowa, locating in Jackson township, which ever afterward was their home. The father died here July 10 1896, and the mother passed away December 22, 1900. Michael Byerly entered the land now owned by his son William M., fifty-six acres being in timber and forty in prairie. He also bought other claims until he owned one hundred and sixty-six acres. This land has never been out of the family or been incumbered in any way. In politics he was a strong democrat and held various township offices. He was also active in religious work and was one of the founders of the Antioch Christian church as well as one of its trustees. He and his wife had the following family : Alvin R., who lives at Fredonia, Kansas; Milton J. and Jolin W. who live in Jackson township: Malinda, who married R. B. Johnson, of Jackson township; William M., of this review ; Elizabeth, who died at the age of eighteen years ; and three children who died in infancy. The eldest, Alvin R. enlisted in 1862 in Company K, Sixth lowa Cavalry and served three years in the Civil war, or until I865.
William M. Byerly has spent his life in Jones county with the exception of three years, from 1880 to 1883, when he was in Barton county, Kansas. He was educated in the conimon schools of Jackson township and at Lennox College, Hop- kinton, Towa. Following this he taught school twelve terms during the winter in
W. M. BYERLY
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the country and boarded among the people of his district. During the summer months he farmed and eventually became the owner of five hundred acres in three farms adjoining each other. For some years he has made a specialty of feeding Duroc Jersey hogs, having three hundred and fifty head. He also feeds horses and about three carloads of steers annually, and he milks about twenty-five cows, selling his product to the creamery. This farm, for it is conducted as one, is a thoroughly modern one and Mr. Byerly prides himself upon his superb equip- ment and methods. In addition to other interests, he is a stockholder and has been a director from its organization of the Miles & Walters Savings Bank of Ana- mosa. He is also a director of the Anamosa District Fair Association.
One of the strongest democrats in the county, he has held many of the town- ship offices and was assessor for twelve years and school director for eighteen years. In 1906 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors by a ma- jority of six hundred and nineteen and was serving as chairman of the board when elected to the legislature. in the fall of 1908, receiving at that time a majority of one hundred and thirty-six in a county normally republican by a thou- sand majority. Mr. Byerly is a member of the democratic county central com- mittee and has often been sent as delegate to state conventions. His work in the house was marked by a broad-gauged policy, which, while defending and pro- tecting the interests of his people, did not swerve from the straight path of moral rectitude. He was reared in the Christian church but is not a member of any religious denomination.
On March 17, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Byerly and Eliza Wag- goner. She was born in Jackson township, December 22, 1857, a daughter of Barnhart and Barbara (Emert) Waggoner, the former born in Alsace, Germany, (then a part of France) August 26, 1803, and the latter in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The mother's death occurred in March, 1859, when she was but thirty-eight. Barnhart Waggoner came from his native land to New York City, February 23, 1827, and to Ohio in 1833. There he was married in 1840 and in 1852 he came to Jones county, where he lived until his death, which occurred February 6, 1898. By his first marriage he had eight children that grew to ma- turity, four boys and four girls, and one son by a second marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Byerly have had eleven children as follows: Claud, who is in the employ of the Illinois Central railroad at Waterloo; Jay, who is at home; Floy, who is the wife of Rev. J. C. Tourtellott, a Presbyterian preacher of Fair- bury, Nebraska ; Blanche, who married Roy Russell of Jackson township; Jennie, who died at the age of ten years; and Guy, Grace, Lee, Beulah, Lillian and Mil- dred, who are at home.
PETER C. LEVSEN.
Peter C. Levsen, the owner of an excellent and highly improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Madison township, is widely recognized as one of the most extensive and successful cattle feeders in the county. His birth occurred near Husum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 23d of October, 1858, his
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parents being Edlef H. and Elsabe (Jansen) Levsen, who were also natives of that country. In the year 1869 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Clinton county, Iowa, where the father became identified with general agricultural pursuits as a renter. Seven years later, in 1876, he came to Jones county, purchasing the farm of two hundred and forty acres in Madison town- ship which is now in the possession of his son, Peter C. Here he made his home until the time of his demise, devoting his energies to the work of farming with excellent success. He passed away in 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1902, when eighty-three years of age. They were both devoted and faithful members of the German Lutheran church.
Peter C. Levsen, who was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his par- ents on their emigration to the new world, supplemented his early education, ob- tained in the schools of his native land, by a course of study in the public schools of this state. He was twenty years of age when his elder brother, Hans, was mar- ried and left the parental roof and thereafter the management of the home farm devolved upon him. Subsequent to his father's death he bought the interest of the other heirs in the property and thus came into possession of one of the most valuable and highly improved farms in the entire county. He has since extended its boundaries by additional purchase until it now embraces three hundred and twenty acres, and he likewise owns a half section of valuable land in the Sas- katchewan district in Canada. For years he has dealt in stock on an extensive scale and is today one of the heaviest cattle feeders in Jones county, feeding from eight to ten carloads annually. He has been very successful in both his farming and live-stock interests and has long been numbered among the most prosperous, enterprising and progressive citizens of the community.
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