USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 26
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On the 22d of August. 1882, Mr. Fairbanks was united in marriage to Miss Maggie S. Black, who was born in Jones county, February 7, 1863, and is a daughter of T. K. and Susanna (Eberhart) Black, both now deceased. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks. Allen T., the eldest, secured a homestead in Adams county, North Dakota, in 1907. A. Ray lives in Cass township and a sketch of him appears in another part of this volume. Gladys M. is in the third year of her course at Cornell College, and Blanche B., the youngest, in the second year of her course at that institution.
Although on national issues Mr. Fairbanks invariably allies himself with the republicans. he is independent in his political views as regards matters of local concern and votes for the men and measures he believes best for the advancement of the highest interests of the community. He keeps well informed in regard to matters of popular concern, and for six years as trustee assisted in guiding the township along a progressive course.
NATHAN BUNDY LATHROP.
Nathan Bundy Lathrop, owning and operating a well improved and produc- tive farm of one hundred and seventy acres on section 31, Oxford township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Jones county, his birth having occurred in Oxford township, on the 3d of December, 1880. His father, Hon. George W. Lathrop, was born at Fremont. Ohio, on the 18th of March, 1836, and when four years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the family home being established near Toronto. Two or three years later they took up their abode in Allen's Grove. Scott county.
In 1853. George W. Lathrop formed a partnership with his half brother. A. Courtright, for the conduct of a general mercantile establishment at Toronto, being thus identified with the business interests of the town for three years. On the expiration of that period they sold out the enterprise and, in association with their father, purchased the water power at Oxford Mills and erected a gristmill. George W. Lathrop was connected with the mill until 1868. at which time the property was sold to Robert McDonald. Subsequently he again entered mer- cantile circles. establishing a store at Oxford Mills, where he built up an exten-
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GEORGE W. LATHROP
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sive and profitable trade. It was through his influence that the branch line from Davenport was turned from its course, already surveyed through Lost Nation and Smithtown, to Oxford Mills and Oxford Junction. In 1882, he purchased a farm of four hundred acres south of the Mills, where he was extensively engaged in the raising of thoroughbred stock, including cattle, hogs and sheep, until the time of his retirement in December, 1903. His remaining days were spent in well earned ease at Oxford Junction, where he passed away on the 3d of De- cember, 1907. A stanch republican in his political views, he always took a very active interest in the work of his party and was honored by election to the six- teenth and twenty-second general assemblies of Iowa. He also held many local offices within the gift of the people, ever discharging his official duties in a most efficient and highly satisfactory manner. The following is an extract from an obituary appearing in the Oxford Junction Mirror at the time of his demise: "He was a man of unusually generous impulses, always on the outlook for really helpful acts to be rendered his fellowman and among the first to discover and relieve want and grief where possible. He was the founder of the first mercantile establishment, the first gristmill, the importer of some of the finest breeds of live stock in this part of the country, and the primal cause for the existence of this city. He was an ardent supporter of our public school system and of his chosen political party, a man of the largest circle of acqaintances of any in this section, and a man whose loyalty to his town and state was never doubted." Uniformly loved, respected and honored, his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret and the community was deprived of one of its most influential and prominent citizens.
When a young man of twenty-four years, Hon. George W. Lathrop was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Amelia Noble, a native of New York and a daughter of Rev. Noble. Unto them were born six children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Frank Noble, a resident of Martelle; James Howard, living in Pierre, South Dakota; Nathan Bundy, of this review; and Gladys Marie, the wife of John Stuhr, of Oxford township. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in May, 1901.
Nathan Bundy Lathrop, who has lived in Jones county from his birth to the present time, remained under the parental roof until he was married, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- turist through the assistance which he rendered his father in the work of the home farm. He is now the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of rich and arable land on section 31, Oxford township, annually gathering bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. The property is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He makes a specialty of propagating seed corn and in addition to his farming interests is also engaged in the raising of stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratify- ing annual income.
On the 3Ist of December, 1903, Mr. Lathrop was united in marriage to Miss A. Maude Lyons, whose birth occurred in Center Junction, Iowa, on the 3Ist of January, 1880. Her parents, Robert and Sarah (Barnhill) Lyons, are now
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residents of Plainview, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop now have a son, Robert Wendell, and a daughter, Ruth Mildred. They lost one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Lathrop gives unfaltering allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed young people of the community, having won the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom they have been associated.
IVES D. TERWILLIGER.
Among the many men who left the east and came to Jones county when they were desirous of securing a home of their own, may be numbered Ives D. Ter- williger, who for the past twenty-four years has been a resident of Lovell town- ship. A native of the state of New York, he was born in Cortland county, Jan- uary 27, 1854, his parents being Lewis and Lucy (Briggs) Terwilliger, both natives of the same state. The mother died when her son was but four years old, and the father survived only until he was eleven. A year after his wife's death, however. Mr. Terwilliger broke up housekeeping and Ives D. found a home with a Mr. Hammond, with whom he remained until his fourteenth year. For the five subsequent years he worked for various farmers in the locality of his birth. and then, at the age of nineteen, started upon his journey to the west.
He stopped first in Boone county. Illinois, where he spent the greater part of three years, working in the store of an uncle in Belvidere. In 1876 he came to Iowa, locating in Boone county, where he found employment for two years as a farm hand. At the expiration of that period he returned to New York state, but after a few months' sojourn there started upon his second western journey, following roughly the same line of travel as on the previous trip. for he spent some time in Illinois before he came to Iowa again. He lived for one year in Sac county, after reaching this state and then in 1882 came to Jones county, locating in Monticello, where he found employment in a mercantile establish- ment and later with the Diamond Creamery Company. It was in 1885, after his marriage that he engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county for a number of years operating rented land belonging to his father-in-law. and then in 1901 purchasing the farm. In consequence. for a period of almost a quarter of a century it has continuously been his home and has been the scene of those exer- tions which have been so well repaid that he is now numbered among the suc- cessful men of his locality. His place embraces one hundred and fifty-three and a half acres, and while other farms may exceed it in arca. few can equal it in the fertility which makes possible the plentiful harvests, for which Mr. Ter- williger has attained a reputation.
On the 9th of June, 1885. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Terwilliger and Miss Flora P. Hall. She is a daughter of David M. Hall, who came to Jones county from New Hampshire in 1863, and took up his residence in Lovell township, where he became one of the substantial agriculturists. Three
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sons have been born of this union: David M., Lewis D. and Burgess H. The eldest is now attending the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, while the two younger are pupils in the high school at Monticello and live at home.
Mr. Terwilliger gives unqualified support to the republican party, finding him- self in agreement with the principles expressed in its platform, but is not active in political matters. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of Root Camp, No. 282, and with the Mystic Workers of the World, as a member of Lodge No. 159. With his wife he belongs to the Presbyterian church. Progressive in his ideas, hardworking to a high degree, and guiding his life by strong principles of honor, he has every reason to be grati- fied by the success which has come to him from his many years of toil, all the more so since he is aware that it represents his own efforts, for he was com- pelled to start in life for himself at an age when many another boy gives little thought to the real responsibilities of life.
EDWARD McCANN.
Edward McCann, a progressive and enterprising farmer of Greenfield town- ship, Jones county, was born at Mount Vernon, Iowa, June 2, 1859, a son of Michael and Johanna (Colbert) McCann, who came to Iowa in the year 1851. He was one of a family of five children born unto this worthy couple, the others being: John, who died in infancy; Margaret, who passed away at the age of fifteen years ; Daniel, a twin brother of our subject, residing in Greenfield town- ship ; and Michael, living on the old homestead farm.
Edward McCann spent the first two years of his life in the city of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Boone county, Iowa, in 1861. In the following year the family returned to Linn county. where they remained until 1865, when they came to Greenfield township, locating on what is now known as the McCann homestead, owned by Michael McCann, a brother of our subject. On this farm Mr. McCann spent the years of his boyhood and youth. attending the district schools in the acquirement of an education, while he devoted the periods of vacation to the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He continued to reside upon the old homestead until 1882, in which year he went to Sac county, Iowa, but after three years returned to the old homestead in Green- field county, where he remained until 1887. He then removed to section 20, Greenfield township, where he had purchased the farm which is now his home and upon which he has resided continuously since with the exception of four years spent in Martelle. The farm, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres. is a well kept place, indicating in its appearance the progressive and up-to- date methods of its owner, who has made a close study of agriculture and knows the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and the proper care of same.
On the 3Ist of May, 1888, Mr. McCann was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Kerwin, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Dawling) Kerwin, both
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natives of Ireland. Mrs. McCann, who was born in 1863, is the eldest in a family of six children, the other members being: John, who resides near the old homestead in Cedar county; Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven years; Annie, who passed away when five years old; Richard, who makes his home with his mother on the old homestead in Cedar county; and Lizzie, also still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kerwin. as also did the parents of Mr. McCann, came to this county empty-handed, but through industry, thrift and persever- ance, have secured a substantial home of their own. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCann has been blessed with two children: Lucian H .. aged eighteen years; and Willard I ... aged thirteen years. Both have attended the public schools of Greenfield township and Martelle, while the elder son has pursued a course in music and voice culture. in which he shows considerable ability and in which he has made rapid progress. The family belong to the Catholic church at Lisbon. Iowa, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their lives.
The parents are both members of the Mystic Toilers. No. 138. of Martelle, while Mr. McCann gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He was trustee of Greenfield township for six years, was treasurer and member of the board for eighteen years. and during his four years' residence in Martelle served as a member of the town council. The success which Mr. McCann today en- joys is not due to his own industry and energy entirely. but also to a great extent to the thrift and careful management of his esteemed wife. They are people of high standing in the community in which they reside. are sociable and hospitable to an eminent degree and by their many excellent traits of character have gained the respect and high regard of an extensive circle of warm friends.
H. L. BATCHELLER.
H. L. Batcheller, one of the older representatives of farming in Oxford township, was born in New Hampshire. October 3. 1837. a son of James and Amanda M. (Brown) Batcheller. who were likewise natives of that state, and there the father passed away. Subsequently the mother, in 1849, came west with her family, which consisted of five children, of whom three survive. She, too. has departed this life. her death occurring in Cedar county, this state, where she located upon her arrival in the west.
H. L. Batcheller was a lad of twelve years when he was brought to Iowa, and his education. which was begun in the common schools of the east. was con- tinued in the schools of Iowa. He remained with his mother, giving her every aid and assistance possible, until he attained his majority. when he started out to make his own way in the world. He first broke prairie with ox teams, this claiming his attention for some time. He established a home of his own in 1858 by his marriage to Miss Mary Jane Patrick. He was married a second time, in 1862, to Miss Louise Rogers, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, a daughter of Chauncey and Nancy (Pike) Rogers. They took up their abode in
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Clinton county, Iowa, in 1851, but later removed to Jones county, where they both passed away.
Following his second marriage Mr. Batcheller engaged in teaming, which he followed for thirteen years and he now operates one hundred acres of land, which he owns, this being located in Oxford township. He has his place im- proved with good buildings, while the soil has been made to yield good crops through the attention he gives to it each year.
Unto Mr. and Mrs Batcheller have been born six children, but four are deceased. One daughter and one son survive: Charlotte A., the wife of George Coker, a resident of Jones county ; and Frank, who also makes his home in this county. Mr. Batcheller gives his political support to the men and measures of the democracy but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to live a quiet life. He is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 435, at Oxford Junction, while his wife is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. From an early age heavy responsibilities have rested upon him, since he was deprived of a father's care when only about twelve years of age. He has, however, brooked no obsta- cles that could be overcome by determination and energy and his excellent farm is the evidence of his well spent life.
JOHN McQUILLEN.
John McQuillen, one of the wealthy farmers of Richland township, was born in Albany, New York, September 23, 1841, and is a son of John and Mar- garet (Lang) McQuillen, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Richard McQuillen on another page of this volume. He was but five years of age when his parents came to Jones county, and can well remember the early years of their life here, where their first shelter from the elements was a rude log cabin. The school in which he was a pupil was also housed in a building of logs, but he maintains that even more valuable lessons were learned there than in the more commodious and handsomely fitted schoolhouses of the present. For two terms he was also a student at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Naturally he early assumed some of the responsibilities of the operation of the farm, and united with his brothers in lifting the heavy burden from the shoulders of their mother, whose lot would have been severe enough under the best of circumstances, but was especially difficult at that early date. The brothers remained together until 1870, when the family circle was broken through George's removal to another township, and then in 1890 the property was divided, John McQuillen acquiring the homestead. He has added to it in the last twenty years, so that it now em- braces four hundred and forty-four acres, a tract of land that is excellently well adapted to general farming, which he pursues. In addition to his purely agricultural interests, Mr. McQuillen has engaged to some extent in the breed- ing of registered shorthorn cattle and has found this branch of his business very lucrative. Indeed, as the result of his earnest toil, his application and the habits of economy and foresight which he learned early in his youth he has
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become one of the most substantial and widely respected representatives of his calling in Richland township.
In 1891, Mr. McQuillen married Miss Elizabeth Lawler, of Monticello, iowa. Six children have been born to the couple, and four survive. They are: Mar- garet Ann, Henry Albert, William Satolli and Mary Josephine, all at home. The family are devout members of the Catholic church, while Mr. McQuillen is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Politically he has ever given his sup- port to the democratic party, and as trustee and one of the school board he has rendered efficient service to the township. The former office he hield through three or four terms, and his administration was distinguished by those quali- ties of integrity and high principles which have marked the course of his private life.
GEORGE W. JAMES.
George W. James, familiarly known as General James, is one of the promi- nent and prosperous agriculturists and stock raisers of Jones county and owns an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Madison township. He was born close to the Virginia and Maryland line on the 7th of September, 1844, his parents being Walter and Susanna ( Ault) James. They came to Iowa in 1855, taking up their abode in Canton, Jackson county, where the father was employed in a sawmill for about two years. At the end of that time he made his way to this county, locating on a farm in Madison township, one mile west of the present home place of our subject. His property comprised two hundred and ten acres, in the cultivation and improvement of which he was actively and suc- cessfully engaged until he put aside the work of the fields and took up his abode in Wyoming, where his remaining days were spent. He had attained the ripe old age of eighty-four years when called to his final rest and had long been numbered among the most substantial and respected residents of his community. His political allegiance was given to the democracy but he had no desire for the honors and emoluments of office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his private affairs. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in the work of which they took an active and helpful interest.
George W. James was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the district schools. On the 15th of August. 1862, when not yet eighteen years of age, he enlisted in defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company K, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities. He was wounded at Winchester on the 19th of September. 1864, and was confined in a hospital at Philadelphia for about two months, at the end of which period he rejoined his regiment. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, on the 15th of August, 1865, and returned home with a most creditable military record, having never faltered in the performance of any task assigned him. He was married in 1866 and established his home on his present farm in Madison township, though at that time it comprised but eighty acres. He had purchased this property a short time prior to his mar-
MR. AND MRS. G. W. JAMES
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nage and it has continued his place of residence to the present time. He has, however, extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, which annually yields bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon it. He feeds all of his grain to stock and raises shorthorn cattle on an extensive scale, being very successful in this line of activity. The prosperity which he now enjoys is but the merited reward of his untiring industry and capable management and he is well entitled to recognition among the substantial and representative citizens of the county.
Mr. James has been married twice. In 1866 he wedded Miss Phoebe Rich- ardson, of Madison township, Jones county, by whom he had four children, two of whom still survive, as follows: Raleigh, who follows farming in Kossuth county, Iowa; and Walter, a commercial salesman of Chicago, Illinois. The mother of these children passed away in 1874 and subsequently Mr. James was again married, his second union being with Miss Carrie B. Burch, of Madison township, this county. Unto them have been born nine children, namely : Lee R., a commercial salesman residing in Cedar Rapids; Viola M., who married James C. Glenn ; Florence E., a dressmaker of Wyoming; James, a resident of Cedar Rapids ; and Cora B., Ethel M., George E., Raymond F. and Hazel B., all of whom are at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. James has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party but has never sought office as a reward for his fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. A resident of the county for more than a half century, he is widely known within its borders and the sterling qualities which he has displayed in his social and business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good will of his fellow-townsmen.
EDWARD STOCKTON STONE.
Edward Stockton Stone, whose orderly progression in business circles has brought him to a prominent place in the ranks of Anamosa's merchants, is now proprietor of a jewelry store, which carefully managed is bringing to him sub- stantial success. He was born at Garden Plain, Whiteside county, Illinois, June II, 1869, and is a son of Dr. Elijah D. and Esther K. (Cook) Stone, who were natives of Vermont and Indiana respectively. They were married, however, in Illinois and resided in Garden Plain for a number of years or until the father's death, which occurred in 1880, when he was sixty-five years of age. He had practiced medicine in Whiteside county for about forty years and had enjoyed a large practice. While he received the patronage of many of the most substan- tial families of the county he never refused to answer a call from the poor, even when knowing that no financial remuneration could be expected. He was a true friend to humanity and the world is better for his having lived. After his death the family removed to Morrison, Illinois.
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Dr. Stone was twice married, his first wife being Amanda Stockton, by whom he had two children: Alice, who is now the wife of Charles Baird, of Laporte City, Iowa, and by whom she has seven children. Fred, Susy, Roy, Cance, Fay, Paul and Louise ; and Amanda, who married Edward M. Spangler, of Ames, Iowa, and has six children, Mabel, Myrtle, George, Julia, Boyd and Leland. For his second wife Dr. Stone married Mrs. Esther (Cook) Kilgore, the widow of David Kilgore, by whom she had two daughters: Lizzie, who is now the wife of H. L. Collins, of Greenville, Iowa, and has five children, Edda, Florence, Frank, Grace and Orville; and Katherine, who is the wife of F. W. Watts, of North Platte, Nebraska. and has six children, Milo, Sylvia. Thomas, Ruth, Olive and Archie.
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