USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 24
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Politically Mr. Glick has been a stalwart republican from the time age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise, casting his first vote for Abraham Lin- coln when reelected for a second term. He has held various offices in the town- ship, including that of trustee, clerk and justice of the peace, and was also county supervisor for ten years. Fraternally he is connected with Ancient Land Mark Lodge, No. 200, A. F. & A. M. of Olin, is a Royal Arch Mason and holds mem- bership with the Knight Templars of Anamosa. He also maintains pleasant
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relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Don A. Car- penter Post, G. A. R., of Olin. Patriotism has been a strong element in his life record, for in all matters of citizenship he has been as loyal to his country in times of peace as when following the old flag upon southern battlefields. In all relations of life in which he is found, whether social, business or public, he has been true to high principles of manhood and his salient characteristics are such as have won for him the honor, respect and good will of his fellowmen.
C. J. MURFIELD.
C. J. Murfield, who is filling the office of county supervisor, making a credit- able record by his faithfulness and promptness in the performance of every duty that devolves upon him in this connection, was born in Greenfield town- ship, Jones county, September 3. 1857. The days of his boyhood and youth were here passed in the usual manner of farm lads, the labors of field and meadow early becoming familiar to him. His father. J. S. Murfield, had come to this county in pioneer times, settling in Highland Grove, while from the government he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Greenfield. It was a wild and uncultivated tract, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improve- ment made, but with characteristic energy he began its conversion into rich and productive fields, his labors being in time rewarded with good crops. He mar- ried Miss Mary E. Bancroft. Upon the home farm they reared their family consisting of five sons and three daughters. of whom C. J. Murfield was the fifth in order of birth.
At the usual age, our subject entered the public schools and therein mastered the common branches of learning through the winter seasons, while in the summer months, he attended to the labors of the field that were assigned him by parental authority. Thus he gained broad practical experience in the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He has ever been a man of enterprise and diligence. carefully performing the tasks that have devolved upon him, doing with all his might whatever his hand has found to do. Through- out his business life he has followed farming and has devoted considerable at- tention to the breeding of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.
In 1884, Mr. Murfield was united in marriage to Miss Arra Belle Gregory, a daughter of Samuel Wesley Gregory, who became one of the early settlers of Cedar county. Iowa. He married Miss Isabelle Mckay and Mrs. Murfield is the only living child of that marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Murfield are well known in this part of the county, having a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
At the present time Mr. Murfield is serving as county supervisor and his election was more remarkable in that he was the candidate on the democratic ticket and lives in a district which usually gives a large republican majority. He is appreciative of and adheres to his settled plan of equal rights to all and special privileges to none. He is well known in fraternal circles, affiliating with White Rose Lodge, No. 79. K. P .. of Martelle, and with the D. O. K. K .. at Maquoketa,
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Iowa, of which he is a charter member. He has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Lodge No. 46, A. F. & A. M., at Anamosa, while in the consistory at Clinton, Iowa, he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. His salient qualities are such as have won for him the confidence and regard from all and he is popular and prominent in social and fraternal circles, in politics and in business life, in all which his reliability is recognized as one of his most pro- nounced traits.
LEWIS DARLING.
Among the leading men of Scotch Grove township, whose prosperity is representative of the best interests of his locality, is Lewis Darling, who is now „erving his second term as township trustee. He was born in Lake county, Illinois, June II, 1849, and is a son of Charles and Amanda (Tucker) Darling, both natives of Orange county, Vermont. Mrs. Darling had previously mar- ried John O. Booth, with whom she went to Lake county, Illinois, in 1835, but Mr. Booth died shortly after his advent there and in 1837, his widow married Charles Darling, who reached Lake county in 1836. In 1865, the couple came to Jones county, Iowa. where Mr. Darling had procured a quarter section in the northwest corner of Scotch Grove township. Upon that farm they took up their residence and passed the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1873, but the mother survived almost twenty years, her death occurring in 1891.
Lewis Darling was reared at home and acquired his early education in the public schools, later attending the Monticello high school, from which he was graduated in the class of 1870. Until 1873, he remained at home, associated with his father in his industries, and then in that year began farming for him- self. For one season he operated the home place as a tenant and then, in 1874, purchased it and has made his home thereon for the past thirty-five years. It originally embraced one hundred and sixty acres on the northwest quarter of section 6, Scotch Grove township, but Mr. Darling added eighty acres of tim- ber land on section 5 to it and then sold eighty acres which his father had procured, so that he now owns one hundred and sixty acres. The agricultural pursuits which he has carried on there have brought him such returns that he is well numbered among the substantial men of his locality.
In 1880 Mr. Darling wedded Miss Louisa Bobletter, of Scotch Grove town- ship. To this union four children have been born: Ruth, who is a graduate of the Monticello high school and is now teaching in the Marion high school; Charles J., of Stanley county, South Dakota ; and David E. and Arthur, who are at home.
Mr. Darling has given unqualified support to the republican party and is active in the local affairs of his township for he is now serving the second term as a member of the board of trustees and is secretary of the school board, to which body he has belonged for a considerable period. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Court of Honor
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and the Mystic Workers of America. In the first mentioned he is especially prominent. belonging to the encampment and to the commandery. The record of his life, which is one of successful endeavor, and the part he has played in local affairs, which is marked by devotion to high ideals of honor and integrity, well entitles him to the respect he enjoys among the men who have come in contact with him in business or socially.
A. W. CRAMER.
A well improved farm comprising one hundred and eighty-seven acres in Castle Grove township, which is now the propetry of A. W. Cramer, has been in possession of the family since 1865. The parents, A. K. and Matilda (Pierce) Cramer, were both natives of New Jersey, whence the father went to Ohio in 1816, and purchased land, which he had to clear and on which he built a log cabin. He engaged in farming in that state until 1865 and in that year came to Jones county and purchased the farm on which the son now resides. His family numbered nine children, of whom five still survive. The father died on the home farm. Nevomber 20, 1875. and the mother. surviving for only about two years, was called to the home beyond on the 8th of December, 1877. Both were laid to rest in the Castle Grove cemetery.
A. W. Cramer was born during the residence of his parents in Trumbull county, Ohio. the date of his birth being April 30, 1846. His education was acquired in the schools of that district and he was a youth of nineteen years when the family came to Jones county. The country at that time bore little resemblance to this district at the present time. Then few settlements had been made, the homes were widely scattered and much of the land was still in its virgin state. In a few years. however, the settlers began to come in. take up land and build homes and today Jones county is one of the most prosperous and advanced counties of the state of Iowa. Mr. Cramer was active in helping his father to establish the home here and remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He then started out to make his own way in the world. After he had accumulated a sum of money sufficient to invest in prop- erty, he purchased the old homestead farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres, located on sections 11. 14. and 15. Castle Grove township, and to its care and cultivation he has since bent his energies. The place is supplied with good buildings and everything about the place is kept in good repair, indicating Mr. Cramer's progressive spirit.
Mr. Cramer was married April 27. 1876, to Miss O. E. Smith, who was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of S. H. and Margaret H. (Wilson) Smith, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state, whence they removed to Iowa in 1857. After spending about two decades in this state, in 1877, they removed to Texas and there made their home until they passed away, the father dying in May. 1908, while the mother departed this life in December, 1905. Their family numbered twelve children. of whom ten are still living.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have been born six children: Fred C., who is still at home, has served as assessor of Castle Grove township for the past four years. Margaret M. is the wife of S. C. Pfeil, of this township. Elsie E. is the wife of William Heller and they make their home in Delaware county, Iowa. The fourth member of the family died in infancy. Eda M. is the wife of Pro- fessor J. G. Van Buren, who is now connected with the schools of Little Rock, Arkansas. Olive H., who is a graduate of the Monticello high school, is now engaged in teaching.
Mr. Cramer is a democrat in his political views and affiliations and has served as a member of the school board and in other minor township offices. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His record has been one of unremitting and tireless toil but through this means he has worked his way up until he has become one of the influential and sub- stantial citizens of Jones county.
E. R. YOUNG.
E. R. Young, devoting his time and energy to agricultural pursuits, in which line of activity he is meeting with most gratifying success, was born in Jones county on the 24th of April, 1872, and is a son of James and Amanda (Prince) Young, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Reared under the parental roof he spent the period of his boyhood and youth amid the scenes and environment of rural life, and in the district schools near his home acquired his preliminary education, while later he supplemented that training by a course of study in a seminary at Epworth, Iowa. When not busy with his text-books he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the agriculturist. He gained thor- ough knowledge of the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and continued to give his father the benefit of his aid until thirty years of age, when he started out in the business world on his own account, operating one of his father's farms in the capacity of renter for about two years. He then purchased the farm and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of valuable land located in Madison and Scotch Grove townships. He follows up-to-date and progressive methods in the conduct of his farming interests and his affairs are wisely and carefully managed, his diligence and perseverance being salient elements in the gratifying degree of prosperity which he today enjoys.
It was in 1901 that Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Gowan, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, and was one of nine children born unto David and Elizabeth Gowan. The father is now deceased while the mother still survives and makes her home in Cherokee county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young were born three children, namely: Eloise; Elizabeth; and an infant son. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, the teachings of which form the guiding influence in their lives.
In politics Mr. Young has followed the example set by his father and gives stalwart support to the prohibition party, doing all in his power to further its
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influence throughout the community. He is loyal and public-spirited in citizen- ship and is now serving efficiently as school director, while he has also served as county secretary, being elected on the prohibition ticket. Having passed his entire life within the borders of Jones county, he has gained an extensive circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, and he has won the unqualified respect and good will of his fellowmen by reason of his many excellent traits of character. He is indeed a worthy son of an honored father and the consensus of public opinion accords him a high place among its valued and representative citizens.
S. E. RORICK.
S. E. Rorick, a retired farmer and banker, who is living in the enjoyment of a well earned rest in Oxford Mills, Oxford township, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 31, 1849. His parents, C. H. and Julia F. (Kimball) Rorick, were natives of New Jersey, where they were reared and married, but in 1836, came west as far as Ohio, where they entered timber land and secured a farm. They built a log cabin as their first habitation in the new state, and after twenty years' residence there removed to Indiana, in 1856. Two years later they came to Iowa, locating in Jones county after a period of six months spent in Clinton county. Here the father engaged in agricultural pursuits, and here after many years of active labor his life was brought to a close. His wife also passed away in this county. Of the nine children born to them six now sur- vive, bearing daily witness to the sturdy principles inculcated into them in their youth.
S. E. Rorick was reared at home, acquiring a fair education in the neighbor- ing schools, and he worked upon the farm during his school days, so that he was well prepared through practical experience for the responsibilities of life. Until he became of age his father received the benefit of his labor, but after attain- ing his majority he commenced farming for himself. For six years he rented land in this county, but in 1884 went to Hand County, South Dakota, where he engaged in real-estate transactions. After an experience of one year, however, he returned to Jones county, engaging in the buying and selling of stock of all kinds. During the five years he devoted himself to operations of that kind he was able to purchase three hundred and twenty-three acres in Oxford town- ship, on which he lived for ten years, or until 1900. During that time the fields brought forth bountiful returns for his endeavors, so that when he retired to to Oxford Mills he was able to organize what was known as the Oxford Junc- tion Savings Bank. But the active cares of life were becoming heavier as the years went by and in 1905, Mr. Rorick sold his interest in the institution and retired.
In the three score of years that have now measured his span of life, he has known many hardships and privations, but with determination, he faced his trials, and through unswerving devotion to what he believed to be his duty has at-
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S. E. RORICK
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tained to a position that is attended with the respect ever accorded to success and uprightness.
In 1876, Mr. Rorick wedded Miss Charity Green, who was born in Ohio in 1849. Her mother died when she was but a small child, but her father lived until 1884, when he too passed away. Five children were born to her parents, and through her marriage, Mrs. Rorick has become the mother of two-Cor- nelius H., who is at home, and Edna, who is deceased.
Politically Mr. Rorick has invariably given his support to the democratic party and while he has not been a seeker for office, he has served as trustee of his township off and on for the past twenty years and was twice nominated by his party for sheriff.
Although he does not affiliate with any church, his life has been ordered in accordance with Christian principles so that his success carries no bitterness with it. He belongs to the Oxford Junction Lodge, No. 435, A. F. & A. M., and to the Owls, being at present the treasurer of the local chapter of this latter body, a fact that bears additional testimony to the confidence, those who know him best place in his judgment and integrity.
ALEXANDER McKEAN, M. D.
Dr. Alexander McKean, deceased, who for eighteen years was prominently and successfully connected with the medical profession of Center Junction, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 22d of June, 1838, a son of James and Nancy J. (Smith) McKean. The parents, who were both natives of Ohio, came to Jones county in 1856 and located on a farm in Scotch Grove township, where both passed away. In their family were eight children but only one now survives.
Dr. Alexander McKean remained a resident of his native state until eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Jones county. Later deciding upon a medical career as a life work, he took a course of study at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1884. Returning to Jones county he immediately began practicing in Center Junction, and for twenty-four years. or up to the time of his death. he followed his profession in that city, Onslow. Anamosa and Scotch Grove. During that period he worked up a large and successful practice which, as the years passed and his ability became recognized in the community, continually increased in volume and importance until he was the loved family physician in many house- holds. He ever remained a student and kept in touch with the general trend of progress and improvement made by the medical fraternity through his reading and investigation, and everything that served to bring to man the secret of that complex mystery which we call life was of intense interest to him. He fully recognized the obligations which rested upon him in his chosen field of labor and he ever performed his duties in a conscientious and careful manner that won for him the high commendation and confidence of his fellowmen.
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It was on the 24th of May, 1871, that Dr. Mckean was united in marriage to Miss Delia A. Strohl, who was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, on the 10th of March, 1838. She was a daughter of John and Katherine (Beghler) Strohl, and was one of eight children born unto them, two of whom still survive. Her parents removed to Iowa in 1846 and here their remaining days were passed. Dr. and Mrs. McKean were both members of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder for eighteen years, and both were actively and helpfully in- terested in church work. He assisted in raising the money to purchase the organ and beil for the church in Scotch Grove. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order, the Legion of Honor, and the Odd Fellows, and in these organizations was well known and active. On the 23d of February, 1891, he was called to his final rest and when he passed away Center Junction lost one of its respected, honored and valued citizens, who, during the period of his residence here had proved a factor for good in the life of the community. At the time of his death he was the owner of three sections of land in Texas and also of several acres of timber land in Jones county, and this property is now proving a source of revenue to his widow, who still survives and makes her home in Center Junction. She is a most estimable lady, who through her many good traits of mind and heart has gained an extensive circle of warm friends who hold her in high regard and esteem.
J. T. LANIGAN.
J. T. Lanigan, who for the past eight years has been the editor and pro- prietor of the Jones County Times, was born in Butler county, Ohio, April 12, 1867. His parents. Paul and Mary Lanigan, were natives of Ireland and emi- grated to the United States in 1852. For many centuries the home of the Lan- igan family was near Clonmell. County Ting erary, whence came the valiant men who thought it a sweet and appropriate thing to fight and die for their country. They resisted every encroachment upon their liberties, took part in every revolu- tion stirred up for the liberty of Ireland, but the traits of characters that made them patriots centuries ago have made their descendants fine citizens of today. After coming to this county, Paul Lanigan engaged in farming in Butler county Ohio, winning a large measure of success in his vocation.
John T. Lanigan attended the Mason high school after he had completed the course of study in the common schools and then entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. Upon completing his work as a student he engaged in the profession of teaching, coming to Iowa in 1892. For four years he taught in the schools of Center township. Clinton county, and then entered the employ of Fay Brothers, publishers of the Clinton Advertiser. His duties at that time were manifold, he was solicitor of advertisements and of subscriptions, while he was also special correspondent and contributor. In 1901 he left their employ to pur- chase the Jones County Times, which he has since edited, bringing it up to a high standard as a reputable dispenser of news, increasing its circulation until it is a valuable advertising medium while through tersely written editorials making for
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an advancement of the public thought. Success has attended his endeavors, as is indicated by the fact that he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hughes county, South Dakota, and an equal area in Finney county, Kansas.
A personal friend of William Jennings Bryan, he is a stanch supporter of the democracy advocated by that man, but he has steadfastly refused all nominations to public office. He has not, however, been wholly lacking in public spirit, for from 1893 to 1896 he served in Company L. First Regiment of Iowa National Guards. Religiously he affiliates with the Catholic church, that being the religion in which he was reared.
GEORGE WATT.
Few residents of Cass township more justly deserve the proud American title of a self-made man than does George Watt, who, starting out in life at the early age of thirteen years to earn his own livelihood, has gradually worked his way upward from a humble beginning to a place among the substantial and representative farmers of this township. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on the 27th of October, 1848, he is a son of Andrew and Agnes (Henry) Watt, who spent the entire lives on the old Watt homestead known as Little Elrick Farm. The estate, which originally consisted of twenty acres but now includes thirty- six acres, has been in the family for many years and has been presided over by three generations of Andrew Watt, a brother of our subject by that name being the present owner.
George Watt, whose name introduces this record, was the seventh in order of birth in a family of five sons and five daughters, eight of whom still survive. All make their home in the old country with the exception of our subject. Spend- ing the period of his boyhood and youth in his native land, he was early trained to agricultural pursuits and when only thirteen years of age started out alone in the business world as a farm hand. The two previous years were spent in herding sheep, and with the first money which he earned he purchased a lamb, which cost ten shillings or two dollars and fifty cents in American money. After starting out in his independent career as a farm hand he received but seven- teen and a half dollars for his first six months and during the next six months was advanced to twenty-two and a half dollars, while during the entire period of his connection with agricultural pursuits in his native country he received only seventy dollars for the hardest year's work he ever did. He was engaged in this capacity until he reached years of manhood and then he learned, through an uncle who resided in Canada and had returned to the old country for a visit, that he could easily earn one hundred dollars per year as a farm hand in Canada. Consequently, in 1868, he bade adieu to friends and country and crossed the Atlantic, arriving in Ontario, Canada, with but ten dollars in his pocket. He immediately sought and obtained employment as a farm hand and was thus engaged for ten years in Ontario. He received sixteen dollars per month for the first six months, and that he was capable and efficient in the performance of his duties is indicated by the fact that he continued in the serv-
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