USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
224
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
proceeded to bring order out of the confusion and complete the equipment of his men for field work. So well were his duties performed that when the regiment moved into Cuba it was among the best prepared body of men in the army. Lieutenant Reed was present with his regiment every day from the time when at Des Moines he received telegraphic orders to join it until he was mustered out of the service at Savannah, Georgia, in May, 1899, five months of that time having been spent on the island of Cuba. At the close of the war Mr. Reed engaged in the practice of law in Monticello and has since devoted himself con- tinuously to that profession, in which a large and remunerative practice indicates his success.
In 1901 Mr. Reed was married to Miss Gwendolen Doxsee, of Rolfe, Iowa, a graduate of the Iowa State College of the class of 1897. Three children have been born of this union : Elaine, Alfreda and Alice Miriam. In politics Mr. Reed has given his unqualified support to the republican party and is at present chair- man of the republican county central committee. His devotion to the interests of his clients and the pronounced ability which has ever distinguished his conduct of cases secured for him election as city attorney of his home town, a position he held through two terms. In 1901 and 1902 he was county attorney of Jones county, again proving that he was a most competent exponent of the laws of the state and country.
WILLIAM McGOVERN.
William McGovern, who has a large farm in Richland township and conducts a dairy in connection with his agricultural interests, was born in this county, and is a son of William and Jane (Heery) McGovern. The parents were natives of Ireland, where the father was born in 1825 and the mother in 1819, and came to America in 1837. In 1853, in New York state they were mar- ried and the following year came to Jones county, Iowa. Here they rented land for a few years and then bought the farm in Richland township on which their so11 Thomas lives today. It remained their home until their deaths, which oc- curred at the opening of the twentieth century, after they had witnessed some of the more important changes which had been wrought in the appearance and condition of the county since they had taken up their residence here. The father died in 1900, but the mother survived until 1906, when her life was also brought to its close. They were the parents of eight children, only two of whom are now living : William, the subject of this sketch, and Thomas, a farmer in Richland township.
William McGovern attended the common schools of this county, from which he derived a fair education in the rudimentary branches of English instruction. Home training supplemented whatever were the shortcomings of his formal schooling and through practical experience in the tilling of the soil, in which he assisted from his early boyhood, prepared him for the vocation to which he has given his attention. Until he was thirty-three years of age he remained with his parents and then, starting out in life for himself. bought the farm on which he
225
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
is living today. It is a tract of two hundred and eighty acres, which is main- tained under a high state of cultivation, besides being improved with substantial and commodious buildings of an excellent kind. In connection with his purely agricultural interests he conducts a dairy, which has proved a profitable under- taking financially, for the same care and diligence which has characterized his work as a farmer is noticeable here. A certain skill is of course necessary in obtaining the best results from the soil, but it is a skill that comes from ex- perience born of industry and a determination to succeed, rather than from any esoteric maneuvers in a world foreign to his vocation, that has brought Mr. Mc- Govern the good fortune he now enjoys.
In 1891 was celebrated the wedding of Mr. McGovern and Miss Nellie Hogan, who was born in Castle Grove township, Jones county, and is a daughter of D. M. and Catherine Hogan. The former is now deceased, but the latter is living in Castle Grove township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McGovern: William L. G., who is at home; Mary J., who is attending the high school at Anamosa; Dennis M. and Agnes C., who are at home.
The parents are both members of the Catholic church and are rearing their family in that faith. In his political views Mr. McGovern finds himself in sympathy with the democratic party and invariably casts his vote for its can- didate. For himself, however, he has never sought office, although he has served very efficiently as a school director, a position he is still holding.
JOSEPH M. EBY.
Joseph M. Eby, the owner of a tract of four hundred acres of well improved and valuable land in Scotch Grove township, is actively engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. His birth occurred at Sabula, Iowa, on the 28th of February, 1873, his parents being Samuel and Harriet Eby, the former a na- tive of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and the latter of England. They still sur- vive and their children are six in number.
Joseph M. Eby obtained a good practical education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. When twenty-one years of age he went to Oregon, but at the end of a year came to Jones county, Iowa, and took charge of the mill on the farm which is now in his possession. At the present time he owns four hundred acres of rich and productive land in Scotch Grove township and, in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, makes a specialty of feeding stock. Alert, energetic and enterprising, he has won a gratifying and well merited de- gree of prosperity in his undertakings and is widely recognized as a most suc- cessful agriculturist and substantial citizen.
In March, 1897. Mr. Eby was united in marriage to Miss Anna Espy, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1879, her parents being James and Elizabeth (Smith) Espy, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Eby was one of a family of four children and by her marriage has become the mother of three, namely: Raymond L., Hazel I. and Dorothy.
226
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Mr. Eby gives his political allegiance to the republican party and at the present time is serving as a school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church and they are both people of the highest respectability, whose good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the confidence and friendly regard of all who know them.
J. A. OVERLEY.
J. A. Overley, who during his lifetime was one of the substantial agricultur- ists of Madison township, was born in Kentucky, April 6, 1850. His parents were John C. and Lucinda (Arnold) Overley, who came to Jones county when he was about two years of age. In his boyhood he experienced some of the hardships that surround the sturdy men and women who seek to make a home for their families in the country which has but comparatively recently been thrown open to homesteaders. He attended the district schools, obtaining from them a fair education in the fundamental branches of English instruction, while the practical training he received at home, which well fitted him for the responsibili- ties of life, amply supplemented any shortcomings that might have been the fault of the local schools. To agricultural pursuits he devoted all the years of his active life, with a success that was a gratifying interest upon his invest- ment of thought and labor, for when, on the 6th of September, 1905, he was re- leased from the cares of this world, he was in the possession of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land in Madison township. His fields ever bore witness to his thrift and industry, while the buildings, which were his pride during his lifetime, in their substantial construction and fine state of repair in which they were always maintained evinced the good management which dis- tinguished Mr. Overley through all his years. Since his deatlı his widow has carried on the place, operating the farm with a skill which is a credit to her busi- ness ability.
For almost thirty years Mr. and Mrs. Overley were permitted to travel life's highway together. Mrs. Overley was Miss Emily D. Nicholls in her maidenhood and their marriage was celebrated February 10, 1876. She was born in Canada in 1853, being about three years of age when in 1856, her parents, Martin and Eleanor (Nugent) Nicholls came to Jones county. They bought land here and built a log cabin, which remained their home for a considerable period, until having improved their farm and won a good income from the cultivation of their fields, they were able to erect a more durable habitation. Mrs. Overley was one of a family of four children and she is also the mother of four children : Martin S., deceased ; Alice, who is at home; Roy, who is at home; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Overley was actively identified with the Masons, being a member of the lodge at Wyoming, while he was connected with the lodges of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America located at Onslow. He also belonged to the Mystic Workers, to which his widow still be-
J. A. OVERLEY
229
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
longs. She is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Onslow. Politically Mr. Overley was a supporter of the republican party and throughout life took an active part in the local councils of that organization, where his opinion was ever accorded a gratifying deference.
PATRICK ROGERS.
Patrick Rogers, a prosperous farmer of Richland township, was born in Ire- land, December 25, 1848, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (Moonen) Rogers, both natives of the Emerald isle. Shortly after his birth the parents came to the United States, taking up their residence in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father engaged in mining. In 1856 Peter Rogers came to Jones county, where he purchased a portion of the farm which is now in the possession of his son George. On it he spent the remainder of the years allotted to him, devoting himself assiduously to agricultural pursuits with such results that by the time of his death, which occurred in 1880, he was in the enjoyment of a comfortable income. His wife survived him only four years, when in 1884, she too was called to her final rest. They were the parents of five children : Patrick, the sub- ject of this sketch; Michael, who is deceased; George, a farmer of Richland township; Catherine, who lives with her brother George; and Jane, who has passed away.
Patrick Rogers was reared at home, where from the careful training of his parents he derived those lessons which have contributed so much to the success of his later years. He also attended the public schools, in which he learned the rudiments of an English education, so that by the time he had attained his ma- jority he was well equipped for the practical and responsible duties of life. At that age he left the parental roof and bought the farm of ninety-five acres on which he lives today. With the passing years he has been able to add to the original tract until now he owns two hundred and thirty acres lying on sections 4 and 9, Richland township. This he has improved by planting a large grove of spruce trees and by erecting a fine house and many other buildings which are in- dicative of the progressive ideas which have contributed so much to his success. In addition to the cultivation of general crops he has engaged extensively in the raising of hogs, obtaining from both a gratifying income.
In 1884, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Mary Coos, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Nicholas and Susanna Coos. The parents were both natives of Germany, and the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years, making her home with Mr. Rogers. Our subject and his wife have eight children : George P., John N., Catherine, Charles, Joseph, Laura, Lettie and Frank. The eldest is a farmer of this county, with whom Catherine makes her home. Laura has graduated from the common schools.
The family are members of the Catholic church, that being the faith in which the parents were reared, and are devout in the performance of their religious duties. Since he has been of an age to exercise the franchise right of a citizen of this republic, Mr. Rogers has allied himself with the democracy and has re-
230
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
ceived evidence of the confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens, who have elected him to the school board and for twenty years chose him as one of the trustees of the township. This sign of public approval is even more gratifying than the substantial financial success which has rewarded his efforts.
JOHN J. LOCHER.
John J. Locher, a representative of the Monticello bar and in other capacities identified with the best interests, financially and otherwise, of the city, was born in Sandspring, Iowa. December 8, 1877. a son of Anthony S. and Carrie Locher. He was reared at home, while he obtained his first introduction to the world of education in the common schools of his birthplace. Early he evinced a liking for books and study, and the desire to accomplish some achievement through brain work was not silenced through the presence of hardships which would mean that his student life was not to be without its toils and privations. From the age of ten until he had almost reached man's estate he worked upon the farm during the summer months, while in the winter he prosecuted his lessons as best he might. After leaving the common schools he went to Quincy and from there to Chicago, entering finally the law department of Drake University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. In the meantime, however, he had had several years' experience in teaching. that he might thereby obtain the funds with which to continue his education.
Having been admitted to the bar of Jones county, immediately after receiving his diploma Mr. Locher established a law office in Monticello. In the five sub- sequent years he has built up a lucrative practice in his profession, for almost from the first he won the confidence of the men among whom he lives. He is a man who believes in using every opportunity to its fullest extent and accordingly, seeing other business openings, has not hesitated to embark upon them, feeling that beside increasing his income, they would afford him larger experience in the world of affairs, one of the perquisites of a successful lawyer. Therefore he
has opened an insurance agency, in which policies against life, fire and accident may be written and which is known as the Locher Insurance Agency, and under the firm title of Lanigan & Locher has engaged in the real-estate business. An- other association which evidences the width of his interests and sympathies is that with his brother, F. A. Locher, under the name, Locher Brothers, dealers in musical instruments.
Of all the professions, perhaps no other makes such heavy demands upon the man who would succeed in it as does that of the law. A broad, liberal education is but the foundation ; upon it must be built a structure which results from high. mental endowments, a ready sympathy with and understanding of human nature, and the power to present facts, truthfully, concisely and persuasively. Endowed with these, and enjoying the confidence of his constituents, there is every reason to believe that a young man, unafraid of hard labor will come out ahead in the battle for success. It is upon such qualities as these that Mr. Locher has relied in his work; and now having on more than one important occasion given proof
231
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
of the character of the man he is, of his integrity of purpose and of his power, there is every reason to feel confidence in the good fortune which the future holds in store for him.
JOHN F. MOORE.
John F. Moore, whose well tilled fields are representative of the agricultural prosperity of Richland township, was born in Switzerland, April 14, 1854. His parents, Melchoir and Magdalene (Tules) Moore, were also of Swiss birth and came to the United States in 1868, locating in Jones county, Iowa, where Mr. Moore procured eighty acres of arable land. His wife died ten years after her arrival here, but he lived until 1907, in the enjoyment of the many comforts which had requited his arduous toil. Seven of the fourteen children born to the couple still survive. They are Aldine, the wife of Joseph Kipfer, now residing in Livingston county, Illinois ; Adolphine, who is the wife of John Holler, of this county ; Alfred and William, both residents of Jones county ; Nieman, now living in Leadville, Colorado; Edward, residing in Lyon county, Iowa; and John F., who is the subject of this review.
John F. Moore was about fourteen years of age when his parents emigrated to this country. In the public schools of this county he completed the education which had begun in his native land, while at home he received practical instruc- tion for the responsibilities of life. At the age of twenty-one he left the parental roof, going forth to make his own way in the world. For six years he toiled as a farm hand, and then, having married, he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself on land he had purchased in Wayne township. After a period of three years' residence there he sold that place and removed to Richland township, buy- ing the farm on which he lives today. It is a tract of two hundred and twenty acres, on which he pursues a diversified farming which renders him a gratifying income for the many hours of hard labor he has expended in the cultivation of the fields. The place is well improved, as the result of his own efforts, presenting an appearance of prosperity that is indicative of the industry and good man- agement of its owner, qualities which have made him one of the substantial men of his township.
In 1881 Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Anna Jacobs, a native of this county and a daughter of John and Matilda Jacobs. Her mother has passed away, but her father is living in California. Eleven children have been born of this union : Matilde, deceased; John L., now living in North Dakota; Matilde, who has remained at home; Anna, who has graduated from the Cedar Rapids Business College and is now in Cedar Rapids; Charles, who is at home; Martha, who is residing in Cedar Rapids; Frederick, who is at home; George, who has passed away; Laura, who is now attending high school in Monticello; Frieda, who is at home; as is George E., the youngest of the family.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore are consistent members of the German Reformed church and are not only regular in their attendance at its services, but endeavor to put to practical application in their daily lives the lessons taught by it. Politically
232
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Mr. Moore has ever given his support to the republican candidates as the choice of the party in whose principles he places the greatest confidence. As for him- self, however, he has never sought any office within the gift of the people, al- though he has filled with credit the position of school director, and during his incumbency proved that he was deeply concerned for the advancement of his community.
SAMUEL CAIRY MAYBERRY.
Agricultural pursuits characterized the efforts of Samuel Cairy Mayberry, deceased, throughout his entire business career, and the farming interests of Cass township found in him a worthy representative. Born in Pennsylvania on the 13th of April, 1854, he was a son of Alexander and Jane (Walker) May- berry, who came from Pennsylvania to Iowa when our subject was a little lad, locating upon a farm in Jackson county, where their remaining days were passed. In their family were four children, of whom Samuel Cairy, of this review, is the eldest. The names of the others are: Mahala, the deceased wife of E. J. Head, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume; William, who is oper- ating the old home place in Jackson county; and Nancy, who married Charles Chapman and makes her home near Blairsburg, Iowa.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for Samuel Cairy Mayberry during the period of his boyhood and youth, which were spent amid the scenes and environments of rural life. At the usual age he became a pupil in the district schools, where he acquired a fair knowledge of the various branches of English learning, while the periods of vacation were devoted to as- sisting in the work of the home farm. He early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the agriculturist and continued to remain under the parental roof until two years after his marriage. In the spring of 1876 he came to Jones county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section I, Cass town- ship, where he made his home until his demise. He erected a comfortable dwelling and made many improvements upon the place while about two years ago a good barn was built. He carried on general agricultural pursuits and was also engaged to some extent in the dairy business, milking from ten to twenty-six cows at a time. Under his careful management the farm became a well improved property and his industry, energy and well directed efforts were salient character- istics in the creditable degree of prosperity which he enjoyed.
It was on the 20th of October, 1874, that Mr. Mayberry was united in mar- riage to Rachel Barkley, whose birth occurred in Mercer county, Indiana, on the Ioth of September, 1854, her parents being Henry and Matilda (Davis) Bark- ley, both of whom have passed away, the latter when their daughter was only three years of age, and the former when she was seventeen years old. Mrs. Mayberry was the youngest in a family of three children, the others being: Serepta, the deceased wife of Raymond Diley, of Kansas ; and Silas, who is also married and resides on a farm in Maquoketa, Iowa.
233
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mayberry were born seven children, who are as follows: Elmer, of Sherman county, Kansas; Henry J., who also resides in Sherman county, Kansas; Luella, the wife of John Daily, of the same place; Matilda, who married W. F. Hubbard, of Sherman county; John, who went to Stanley county, South Dakota, when twenty-three years of age and took up a homestead claim; Leona, who married Henry Uhr, of Cass township; and Ernest, who operates the home farm. The husband and father passed from this life on the 14th of March, 1892, when the youngest child was but twenty months old, and after his death the widowed mother continued to rear her family on the old homestead until one by one the six eldest were married and established homes of their own. She has proved an excellent mother and something of the wholesome influence which she exerted in the home is manifest in the upright lives of her children. She and her husband were faithful and consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church at Langworthy, in which she still holds membership.
In politics Mr. Mayberry was a stanch republican, giving stalwart support to the principles of that organization although he never sought nor desired public office as a reward for party fealty. He had been ill for about three years pre- vious to his demise and with his passing away the township lost one of its repre- sentative and valued citizens whose interests had been thoroughly identified with those of the community and whose influence was ever on the side of improve- ment, reform and progress. Honorable and just in all of his dealings, his honesty and geniality made him popular with all who knew him and the standard of life that he set up for himself was one that commanded for him the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
THOMAS M. REDMOND, M. D.
One of the successful younger physicians of Monticello, Iowa, is Dr. Thomas M. Redmond, who was born in Dysart, this state, December 24, 1878. the son of James and Mary (Gill) Redmond. The father, who died in Dysart, May 23, 1909, at the age of seventy-two, was born in Acklow, County Wicklow, Ireland, April 5, 1837. The Redmond's emigrated to America in 1851 and became resi- dents of New York state. In 1867 they located in Benton county, Iowa, where the survivors of the older generation still reside. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of four children born to the parental union, the others being : James F., owner and manager of a department store at Lamont, Iowa : William H., a senior medical student at Northwestern University Medical school; and Mae, a student at St. Clara College, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.
Thomas M. Redmond was reared at home and after graduating in 1895 from the Dysart high school entered the employ of the Kullmer Drug Company and after three years as clerk with this firm he became a student at the State Uni- versity, where he combined the academic course with that of medicine. Two years later he enrolled as a student in the medical school of the Northwestern University of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class of 1904. Dur-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.