USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 30
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
310
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
brought under a high state of cultivation, so that his farm is one of the valu- able and desirable properties of the township.
On the 3d of April, 1904. in Fairview township, Mr. Peet was united in marriage to Miss Gladys G. Shoop, who was born in that township on the 27th of November, 1878. a daughter of Leander and Adelaide ( Bates) Shoop. the latter the eldest daughter of Dr. Ira Bates. Mr. Shoop was born in Trum- bull county, Ohio, in 1848, and in 1856 came to Jones county, Iowa, with his parents, Moses and Caroline Shoop. Moses Shoop was born near Akron, Ohio, in 1802, and died at his home in Jones county, Iowa, in 1861. His wife, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where her birth occurred in 1803, lived to the ripe old age of eighty-five years. In their family were five children, namely, Calvin Almond, Nancy, Caroline and Leander. The last named was united in marriage to Miss Bates on the 17th of February, 1878, and they now make their home about six miles south of Anamosa in Fairview township. Unto them were born eight children, all of whom still survive. Gladys, George, Cassius, Raleigh, Au- gusta, Bertha, Blanche and Lillian. In early life Mrs. Peet enjoyed the advan- tages of good educational training. for after her graduation from the common schools she pursued a course at the Western College (now Leander Clark Col- lege) at Toledo, Iowa. In 1895 she began teaching in the public schools, and was thus successfully engaged up to the time of her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peet has been born one son. Roscoe 1 ... whose birth occurred on the 28th of November, 1905.
Mrs. Peet became an active member of the United Brethren church of Forest Chapel, Fairview township, in 1894, and since that time her life has been guided by the teachings of that denomination. Mr. Peet belongs to no special creed or sect but is very liberal in his views, his conduct at all times being in harmony with the spirit of the Golden Rule. A very conservative but estimable couple, they occupy a high place in the regard and esteem of their fellowmen and the con- sensus of public opinion accords them a prominent place among the valued resi- dents of the community. In his political views Mr. Peet is a stalwart republican and for nine years served as a director of Greenfield Center school, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. He was early trained to habits of industry, enterprise and integrity, and these have proven strong elements in his success and at the same time have gained the unqualified respect and con- fidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
ROBERT C. STIRTON.
Few if any of the legislators of the state of Iowa are more widely and more favorably known that Robert C. Stirton, who is frequently called the "real com- moner." A man of the people, he has exerted his best talents in their behalf, and being a hardheaded, practical business man, who has achieved success in whatever field he engaged in, he did not leave the general assemblies of the state without leaving his mark upon their policies and acts. A self-made man
311
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
in the best sense of the term, his is a life which might serve as an example to others, for there is no blemish upon his reputation or upon his character, his standing in the commercial world or his political record. Despite the fact of his English birth, he is a typical Iowan, and none of her native sons nor those of American parentage could be more devoted to its best interests.
Robert C. Stirton was born in Devonshire, England, April 2, 1861, a son of Robert and Anne Stirton, both natives of Scotland. The father, who was em- ployed as a forester, died when his son was but two years old. The widowed mother thereupon took her family to Scotland, where they remained until 1871. when they emigrated to this country, locating first in Delaware county, Iowa. In 1873 they came to Monticello, which has since been the home of Robert C. Stirton. For several years he worked upon farms in the vicinity of the town during the summer months, while he attended school in the winter, thereby ac- quiring a thorough and practical education. He was enrolled as a pupil in the high school of Monticello and although he never graduated he took the exam- ination for a teacher's certificate, having secured which he proved himself a competent instructor. In 1887 he was appointed assistant postmaster of the town but resigned that position after three years to enter the employ of G. W. & G. L. Lovell, the pioneer bankers of Monticello. In 1897. when the insti- tution was reorganized under the state laws, he was made cashier of the concern, a position he holds to the present time.
In 1903 Mr. Stirton entered upon his political career, being in that year the candidate upon the democratic ticket in the Jones-Cedar district for state senator. Despite the fact that the district was strongly republican, he won by a majority of four hundred and seventy-one votes, sitting in the thirtieth, thirty-first and thirty-second general assemblies. What he did during those years any one may read, for there is nothing of which he or his constituents need be ashamed. He introduced the two-cent fare bill in the senate at the first session in which he participated : voted for the passage of the anti-pass law, which lost by only one vote ; urged the Crossley primary election bill, which is the only bona fide bill of its kind introduced into the senate: voted for the resolution to elect United States senators by direct vote of the people : voted for the pure food law ; voted for the law to prohibit and regulate child labor; and again voted for the anti- pass bill, which has now become a law. In short, while representing the people, he strove by all means in his power to do what in his judgment he believed to be for their best interests. Upon the expiration of his term in the senate he was made the democratic nominee for congress from the fifth district in the cam- paign of 1907, and in the campaign of 1908 he was his party's nominee from the fifth Iowa congressional district for presidential elector, an indication of the strength he holds in the ranks of his political brethren. who rightly regard him as a man who has won the confidence of the voters of the district in which he lives. While he does not lay claim to being an orator, he has the power to speak effectively when there is need, but it is as a man easy of approach, affable and sympathetic that he has won those who have come into personal contact with him.
At Cincinnati, Ohio, January 25, 1893. Mr. Stirton wedded Miss Agnes Rus- sell, a daughter of the late Dr. Isaac Russell, of Monticello. Two daughters
315
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
have been born to them: Agnes, now fifteen years of age; and Anne, who is twelve years old.
Mr. Stirton attends the services of the Congregational church, although he is not a member thereof, while fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen. He has been particularly active in the former. having served as master of the local lodge. In a political way he has also been signalled out by the citizens of his town and county, for he has acted as president and secretary of the Jones county fair and as president of the school board for a period of ten years. Should he again enter the political arena Mr. Stirton has little to fear on the score of support, for although this section is strongly re. publican, yet the record of his life, his public policy, his reputation as a man who adheres to the cause of the people who elected him, these and other qualities which have made his a character of strength and honorableness should win above party considerations.
K. T. LAMB.
K. T. Lamb, one of the prosperous merchants and progressive men of Olin. was born on a farm one and a quarter miles west of the city. October 19, 1856, being a son of Jacob and Mary Jane (Easterly) Lamb, the former born at Greencastle, Lancaster county, Ohio, in 1825, and the latter at Bellville, Ohio, in 1833. In 1848 Jacob Lamb came to Anamosa, Jones county, Iowa, purchasing a farm on what is now known as Strawberry Hill. The following year he went overland to California, joining in the mad rush westward and spending two years in mining. His return was made by the isthmus, up the Mississippi river to Davenport and thence to Anamosa. He sold his farm, buying land in Rome township. Jones county, as well as a large tract in Cedar county and some west of Olin, a portion of which was slightly improved. He placed his land under cultivation and in the winters taught school. It was while doing this that he met his future wife, who was one of his pupils. Her people had come from Ohio in 1852, locating in Rome township. In 1853 they were married and began house- keeping on their farm west of Olin, which they developed into a fine property and where Mr. Lamb died in 1863. aged thirty-seven years. He owned three hundred and sixty-five acres of land in Rome township and over one thousand acres altogether. A strong Douglas democrat, he took an active part in politics, party feeling running high at the time of his demise. His widow survived him until August, 1904 She was a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Watts) Easterly, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came first to Ohio and then to Jones county, Iowa, where they died.
The Lamb family is of English origin and trace their ancestors back to Pierce Lamb who came from Kent, England, some time between 1630 and 1640 and settled on the coast of Maryland. His son Francis had several sons, some of whom settled in Kentucky and some in Virginia. K. T. Lamb's family tree follows his branch down through Maryland, Virginia. Ohio and Iowa.
313
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Jacob and Mary Lamb had eight children, as follows: Florence, who is the widow of John Q. Cronkhite, of Olin: Matilda Katherine, who is the wife of J. W. Moore, of Marion, Kansas; K. T., the subject of this sketch; Siera N., who is the wife of L. M. Carpenter, of Olin; Dora H., who died at the age of fourteen years; Ida L., the wife of F. E. Austin, of Cedar Rapids; Castor C., who lives at Olin ; and Maggie May, who died in infancy.
K. T. Lamb was reared on his father's farm west of Olin and received a good common-school education. However, farming did not appeal to him and he began his mercantile career in 1876, when ouly twenty years of age. His mother had married for her second husband. D. R. Carpenter, and the stepfather took the young man in business with him under the firm name of D. R. Carpenter & Company, the members being D. R. Carpenter, L. M. Carpenter, and K. T. Lamb. This association continued until 1880, when the firm was changed to Lamb, Carpenter & Lamb, with K. T. Lamb, L. M. Carpenter and C. C. Lamb as partners, this Mr. Carpenter being a stepbrother of the Lambs. In 1885 the Lamb boys bought out Mr. Carpenter, and the firm became Lamb Brothers, which continued until 1909, when it was changed to Lamb & Son, C. C. Lamb retiring from active business and K. T. Lamb taking his only son, Roscoe, into the house.
The firm do a general merchandise business and their store is the largest and oldest established in Olin. It enjoys a splendid patronage from a wide ter- ritory about Olin. The firm owns the splendid building they occupy, a brick structure, forty by eighty feet, which was built in 1892. Mr. Lamb also owns the old home farm of three hundred and fifty acres where he was born and which he helped to operate during his younger days.
In 1878 Mr. Lamb married Margaret Halsey, who was born near Oswego, New York, in 1857, a daughter of George W. and Caroline (Dickinson) Halsey, the latter of whom was cousin of Secretary Dickinson of President Cleveland's cabinet. The Halsey family is one of the oldest of America's colonial familes and is descended from a long and honorable line of ancestors in this country and England. The first to come to America was Thomas Halsey as early as 1637 and all the American Halseys are descended from him. Among the colonial records of New York are the names of Halseys who took a prominent part in the French and Indian wars, while in the Revolution others served. In the wars of 1812 and 1848 were several Halseys and many a "forty-niner" were of this family. In the Civil war many of the name fought, bled and died, one being Frank N. Halsey, an uncle of Mrs. Lamb, who lost his life at Gettysburg. In civil life also many of the Halseys have served the public, some as members of congress, many as state legislators and a greater number as county officials. Mrs. Lamb's parents came to Wyoming, Iowa, at an early day bringing her with them. Mr. and Mrs. K. T. Lamb became the parents of four children: Jessie, who is the wife of Earl Mills, of Des Moines: Frances, who is the wife of Allen Metcalf, of Cedar Rapids; Helen, who is the wife of M. H Crissman, of Olin ; and Roscoe, who is junior member of the firm.
Mr. Lamb takes an active interest in politics, being an ardent republican and having held numerous school and township offices. A member of the Methodist church he has ever been faithful in his support of it and is now one of its trustees. Since 1885 he has been a Mason, belonging to Ancient Land-
314
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
mark Lodge, No. 200. He is chairman of the committee on lodges under dis- pensation, which makes him a member of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. He is also a member of Des Moines Consistory, No. 3. and El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mr. Lamb is a good business man, far-seeing and quick to take advantage of offered opportunities, and yet he is a man on whose integrity there has never rested the slightest stain. Ever ready to advance the welfare of his city, a de- voted family man, proud of his children and the business ability of his only son, stanch in the support of his party and church, a loyal and indefatigable worker for his fraternity, he sets an excellent example for others to follow as a repre- sentative American of the smaller cities of the middle west.
JOSEPH J. WALTERS.
Among the native sons of Jones county who are meeting with success in agricultural and stock-raising lines is Joseph J. Walters, who was born in Castle Grove township on the 22d of February, 1861. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Smye) Walters, both natives of County Cork, Ireland, the former born on the 10th of November, 1819, and the latter on the 19th of May, 1830. The father had come to America alone, hoping here to obtain better business advan- tages than were offered in the old country, and took up his abode in Boston for a time. The mother, who had lost both parents when only eight years of age, came to this country with a brother, landing in Boston, where she made the acquaintance of Mr. Walters. He made a trip to Jones county. Iowa, and upon his return to Boston was united in marriage on the 10th of May, 1857, to Miss Smye. Having been favorably impressed by the opportunities offered by the middle west, he again came to Jones county, Iowa, bringing his young bride with him, and for a few years both worked by the month in this county. Later Mr. Walters began working a farm on shares and in 1868, with the money which he had carefully saved from his earnings, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 24 and 13, which tract formed the nucleus of the farm now owned by the subject of this review. They continued to make this their home up until the time of their death, and with the passing of the years they prospered, the father owning at the time of his death one hundred and ninety- three acres. He was called to his final rest on the 29th of December, 1893, while his wife survived until July 2, 1909. Both had been reared in the faith of the Episcopal church but after their arrival in Jones county became identified with the United Brethren church here. The father was a republican in politics and was well known in the community where he made his home as a public-spirited citizen and an honorable, upright gentleman. Our subject is the only child born unto this worthy couple.
Agricultural pursuits have characterized the entire business career of Joseph J. Walters, who spent the period of his boyhood and youth amid the scenes and environments of rural life. He acquired his education in the district schools and at the same time assisted in the work of the home farm, early becoming
-
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS WALTERS AND SON, JOSEPH J. WALTERS
317
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
familiar with the best methods of carrying on agriculture. He continued to give his father the benefit of his aid up until the latter's death, when he took charge of the homestead and has since directed his energies toward its further development. That his early training in the occupation of farming was thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the fact that as the years have come and gone he has been most successful and has been able to add to his original hold- ings until today he is the owner of three hundred and eighty-seven acres of land all lying in one body on sections 24, and 13. and all under an excellent state of cultivation. The improvements on the place were all made by our sub- ject, and his father, and the farm ranks among the valuable and desirable proper- ties of the county. The former carries on general farming and stock-raising, and he also devotes some attention to the dairy business, keeping on hand twenty- six cows for that purpose. His various business interests are all carefully directed and are proving a source of most gratifying remuneration to him.
It was on the 26th of March, 1889, that Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. Worster, who was born in Wayne township, Jones county, on the 21st of October. 1865. She is a daughter of Selim and Lucy (Ripley) Wor- ster, natives of New England, their deaths occurring in Jones county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walters have been born seven children, namely: Joseph Henry, Hattie May, William Worster, Mary Elizabeth, Cora Lucy, Nellie Miranda and John Waldo.
Mr. Walters gives his political support to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his business affairs. He is not lax, however, in matters of citizenship, but on the other hand is ever ready to give his aid and cooperation to any movement which tends to benefit the community. He has gained an extensive circle of friends in the county within whose borders he has passed his entire life, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from his boyhood, is an indication of the fact that his salient char- acteristics are in harmony with the principles which govern honorable and upright manhood.
A. M. KIMBALL.
A. M. Kimball, a well known capitalist of Madison township, is now living practically retired on the old Kimball farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Springfield. Massachusetts, on the 25th of December, 1840, his parents being Abner and Sarah D. ( Spinney) Kimball, the former a native of Lyme, New Hampshire, and the latter of Portsmouth, that state. In the spring of 1843, they made their way westward to Wisconsin, where they resided for about thirteen years. on the expiration of which period they came to Iowa, purchasing the farm in Madison township. Jones county, which is now in pos- session of our subject. Abner Kimball first bought the tract of one hundred and sixty acres on which the old homestead stands but later extended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase until it embraced about three hundred and ninety acres. In early manhood he supported the whig party but later gave his
318
- HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy. He never had any desire for the honors and emoluments of office, however, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private affairs. When he passed away on the 4th of October, 1908, at the age of ninety-seven years, Jones county lost one of its most respected and worthy pioneer settlers and one who had been success- fully identified with its agricultural interests for more than a half century. His wife was called to her final rest on the 18th of December, 1896, when eighty-three years of age. Their children were six in number, as follows: Sarah J., who resides on the old home farm with her brother. A. M. ; John M., a resident of Norman, Oklahoma: A. M., of this review : Ann M., the wife of J. K. Conmey, of Madison township, this county: James M .. living in Scranton. Iowa. and Mrs. Ellen R. Bruntlett, who died in 1909.
A. M. Kimball was reared under the parental roof and obtained a good public- school education. When not busy with his text-books he assisted in the work of the home farm and thus early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After attaining his majority he continued his connection with farming interests in association with his father and as the latter advanced in age he gradually undertook the management and conduct of the home place. which has now been under his supervision for many years past. At the present time, however, he has largely put aside the active work of the fields and is living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Energetic, enterprising and progressive. he has won a goodly measure of suc- cess in the conduct of his agricultural interests and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous and representative citizens of the county.
In his political views Mr. Kimball is a democrat but at local elections casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified for the office in question. He is a stanch friend of the cause of education and. though never an office seeker, has capably served in the position of school treas- urer for several years. Having made his home in this county for more than a half century. he is well and favorably known here and has gained the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
THOMAS W. HEANEY.
Thomas W. Heaney, who for more than twenty years has been a member of the agricultural community of Richland township, was born in Onondaga county. New York. March 25. 1840. His parents were John and Mary (Hussey) Heaney, both natives of the town of Ballymore. Ireland, where they were mar- ried. In 1832, as their wedding trip. they embarked on their journey to the United States and after thirteen weeks and three days upon the water landed in New York. They went to Utica, that state, where they remained a short time going next to Onondaga county, where John Heaney obtained employment as foreman in a stone quarry. In 1855 they came to Iowa, locating first in East Dubuque, where the father and a brother worked for a stone contractor, and then in 1857 coming to Jones county, for Mr. Heaney had bought eighty acres
319
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
of land in Richland township upon coming to the state. On this he established his family and spent the few years of life that remained for him. He passed away March 21, 1865, but his wife lived until May 8, 1891, when she too died. having attained an advanced age.
Thomas W. Heaney was reared at home and acquired his practical training for the responsibilities of life in the common schools. He remained with his father on the farm until his twenty-second year, when he married and started to make his own way in the world. For one year he worked for his father- in-law and then renting a piece of land engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. After one year's experience as a tenant he bought a tract in Whitewater, Dubuque county, on which he lived but one year, when his father's death compelled his return to his old home. In 1866 he took up a different line of work, going west as one of the men who were employed upon the con- struction of the Union Pacific Railroad. For three years he worked for that concern and the Central Pacific Railroad, and then went to Maryville. Missouri. where he remained but three months, when he came to Jones county and took up his residence in Monticello, living there from the fall of 1869 to July, 1871. At that latter date he removed to Cascade, where for ten years he was engaged in the grocery and liquor business. Then, again he took up agricultural pursuits, moving in 1882 to a farm in Richland township, which he and his brother John operated in conjunction for about five years. In 1887 Mr. Heaney purchased the Robert Reed place, his present home, to which he has since devoted his energies. It is a tract embracing one hundred and sixty acres, well improved and cultivated, on which he pursues general farming.
On the 9th of February. 1862, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Heaney to Miss Hannah O'Brien. She is a daughter of Dennis O'Brien, who came to this country from Ireland in 1847 and after residing in New Jersey for a time came in 1856 or 1857 to Jones county. He located in Richland township, where he followed farming throughout his active years. No children have been born to the couple, but they have reared three. Clarence was legally adopted. Nettie Hughes is now the wife of David Lahey. of Imogene, Fremont county, Iowa, Lizzie, the third child who shared their home and who was known by the name of her foster parents, married Archibald Farrell, of Ryan, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Heaney are consistent members of the Catholic church, while politically he has allied himself with the democratic party.
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.