USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 33
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JOHN W. BYERLY.
John W. Byerly, one of the substantial farmers of Jackson township, is a man of considerable force of character and one who occupies a prominent place in his community. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 13, 1845, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Jeffries) Byerly. The founder of the family in America was Andrew Byerly, who came from his native land, Germany, about 1745 and participated in the French and Indian war, serving with Washington. His wife bore the maiden name of Beatrice Gulding and was a native of Berne, Switzerland. A great-grandfather of John W. Byerly, George Creamer, took part in the Revolutionary war as a private in the Second Pennsylvania Con- tinental troops and served under Colonel Philip De Haas. Six children were born to Michael Byerly and wife, of whom John W. Byerly was the third in order of birth. Michael Byerly was a son of Francis, and great grandson of Andrew Byerly, the founder of the family in this country.
In 1846, the Byerly family came to Jackson township, Jones county, Iowa, and this has been the home of John W. Byerly ever since. He received a common- school education and after he had finished school, he taught for five winters in Jones county and during the summer farmed for his parents until he assumed the management of the home place. He now owns this farm, which consists of two hundred and ten acres on sections 20, 21 and 29, Jackson township. It is in excellent condition and all of the present improvements have been made by Mr. Byerly. He makes a specialty of stock raising and feeding and has met with gratifying results in his work. This farm was entered by his uncle John Byerly. When the family came here they had no money but plenty to eat and their home was always open to those less fortunate than themselves. So hospitable were they that many times they boarded whole families upon their arrival here, and could never be induced to accept a cent. No one was ever turned away hungry. Mr. Byerly and his brother Milton are the only ones now residing in Jackson township who were here when Iowa as admitted to the Union.
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The Byerlys have always been democrats and our subject follows in the foot- steps of his forebears and supports the candidates of that party. He has been called upon to fill the offices of school director and road commissioner and has made a good public official.
On March 7, 1873, Mr. Byerly married Susie M. Johnson, who was born in Lenawee county. Michigan, June 21, 1848, and was brought to Jones county by her parents in 1856, having since made it her home. She is a daughter of James and Maria ( Whaley) Johnson, natives of England, who came to America after their marriage, in 1838. and located in Michigan. The father's death occurred in Crawford county, Iowa, and the mother's in Clinton county, the same state. Mr. and Mrs. Byerly have had two children: Eva Mary and Earl Russell. Miss Eva Mary is now at home and is a very well educated lady, for after taking a high-school course she attended the Iowa State Normal School, where she was graduated and she also secured the degree of A. B. at .Ann Arbor, Michigan. and the degree of A. M. at Columbia University in 1908. She has been a teacher in the high-school of Cedar Rapids. Earl Russell was educated in the Anamosa high school and is now a farmer of Jackson township.
Perhaps no family is better known than the one bearing the name of Byerly. Its representatives have done much to develop and improve their part of the county and all have become well-to-do, have borne their part in public affairs and always led law-abiding lives.
JAMES STIVERS.
James Stivers, deceased, was for many years one of the representative men of Jackson township, where he was a pioneer. Through hard work and constant economy he accumulated five hundred acres of fertile farming land and was a well-to-do man at the time of his demise, July 25, 1884. He was born in Genesee county. New York. October 20. 1825, being a son of Benjamin and Saphrona ( Strong) Stivers, natives of New York. In 1836 the family moved to Pomeroy. Ohio, and in 1855 nugrated to Jones county, Iowa, but the father died on the trip at Tipton, this state. He was an exhorter of the Methodist church. His widow returned to Ohio, where she passed away two years later. They had a family of seven sons and two daughters, as follows: Polly Gilmore, Timothy. George. William. Daniel, all deceased: Adelia Pratt, a resident of Kansas ; James, deceased ; Norman, of California ; and Benjamin F., who was a captain in the Civil war and is now deceased.
When James Stivers came to Jackson township the country was in a wild state and he had to go to Davenport for all his supplies. He began by buying seventy acres on section 36, Jackson township, but adding to his farm, he finally owned five hundred acres where his widow now resides. Not only did he put up a house and barns, but he set out shade and fruit trees and did all he could to develop and improve his property. In his younger days he followed black- smithing, but later in life devoted himself to his agricultural pursuits. In 1849
JAMES STIVERS
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he made a trip overland to California and returned two and one-half years later.
Prior to his marriage with the present Mrs. Stivers, Mr. Stivers married her sister, by whom he had one son, Enos H., a resident of Olin. After her death, he married in 1852 Elizabeth Clark, who was born in Virginia, October 31, 1829, but was only six months old when she accompanied her parents to Meigs county, Ohio, where she was married. She is a daughter of John S. and Kath- arine (Ewing) Clark, natives of Virginia, who died in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Clark had nine children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Jane, Mary, Alcinda, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Samuel and Catherine.
Mr. and Mrs. Stivers had ten children, who reached maturity, namely: John, who lives at Anamosa; Elvira, who married Samuel Monroe, of Olin; Alice, who married a Mr. Hayden of Jackson township; Charles ; Olive, who married James Glenn, of Olin; Emma, who married Horace Story, of Madison township; Dan, who lives in Madison township; Nellie, who married William Osborn, of Kansas; Elizabeth, the wife of G. L. James, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and James C., who is on the home place with his mother. There are two deceased: George M., who died at the age of fourteen months; and Minnie, who died at the age of eight years.
As a man Mr. Stivers was honored and respected by all who knew him. Possessing as he did fine natural abilities and those qualities which constitute the true man and valuable citizen, it was not difficult for him to win the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and business associates, and he was deeply mourned. While still living in Ohio Mr. Stivers joined the Methodist church, having been reared according to its teachings. Mrs. Stivers owns eighty-eight acres of the homestead and James C., who is with her, owns fifty-five acres. He is a good farmer and devoted to his mother and her interests.
S. A. BROWNELL.
Representative of the best agricultural interests of Madison township, which has been his home for more than two score years, S. A. Brownell is one of the well known men of his section, for not only is he one of the early settlers of the township but he is also one of those whose success has set a standard for others to strive to reach. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, January 10, 1836, his parents being Stephen and Thurza (Day) Brownell. They were both of New England birth, but as young boy and girl with their parents went to Chautauqua county where they grew to maturity, married and lived through- out the remainder of their lives.
S. A. Brownell was reared at home, acquiring his education in the common schools of his locality. In 1857 or 1858 he made a trip to Jones county, Iowa, spending here the months from January to June. Then he returned to his native state and in 1860 commenced railroading, following that business for some two years after the conclusion of the Civil war. In the spring of 1868 he came again to Jones county, this time to stay, for he purchased eighty acres of the
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farm he occupies at present. On it he erected his house and devoted himself assiduously to the cultivation of the soil. Later he was able to buy eighty acres adjoining, so that the area of the place is twice that of the original tract. As success rewarded his endeavors and large harvests increased his means, he bought two hundred acres in Madison township, although he has now disposed of that land. He has followed general farming, for which his soil is well suited, but while his methods have been those most approved by the best authorities and while he has spared no efforts to produce the finest quality of cereals possible, his advancement in his vocation is due as largely to the careful husbanding of his resources as to his untiring industry. The union of these capacities for work and good management have been and still are the means of his success.
It was in 1883 that Mr. Brownell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Winslow. She was reared in Chautauqua county, New York, but her birth- place was in Connecticut. Six children have been born to the couple: Lilly B., who is the wife of H. H. Peck, of Wayne township, Jones county ; May O., who was graduated from the Wyoming high school with the class of 1906 and is at home; George, who is deceased; Irene A., who graduated from the Wyoming high school in the class of 1909; and Aurrell L. and Nelson F., who are pupils in the high school.
Mr. Brownell has been a strong adherent of the republican party and never fails to cast his vote on the occasion of an election, but while he has served as treasurer of the school board, he has steadily refused to accept any public office, although his fellow citizens, having regard for the strong character and integrity of the man have eagerly besought him to accept some evidence of their respect for him. Fraternally he is a Mason, having been a member of the Wyoming lodge for a number of years.
JOHN HENRY HUNWARDSEN.
No country has given the United States better citizens than Germany, and sons of the fatherland are always welcomed here for they all have those homely virtues of honesty, sincerity, energy and frugality which when combined are certain to be productive of good citizenship and prosperous results. John Henry Hunwardsen, a farmer residing on section 30, Oxford township, is one of the best known German-Americans of Jones county. He was born in Schleswig, Germany, November 12, 1872, and when but twelve years old was brought by his parents to this country. He is a son of John H. and Matte (Thompson) Hunwardsen, both natives of Schleswig, Germany, the former born in 1837, and the latter in 1838. Upon coming to the United States, the little family made their way to Oxford township, Jones county, Iowa, and on reaching this locality settled upon a farm, where the mother died in 1905. The father now resides near Lost Nation with his son John. In the family were six children, as follows : Thomas, who lives in Woodbury county, Iowa; Edward, who lives in Oxford township; Emma, who married Henry Fiddersen, of Oxford township; Martin, who has
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passed away; John, who lives at Lost Nation, and John Henry, Jr., whose name heads this sketch.
John Henry Hunwardsen lived with his parents until his marriage, at which time he commenced farming on his own account, continuing upon rented prop- erty for six years. He then bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 30 and 31, Oxford township. Nearly all of the improvements have been made by Mr. Hunwardsen, and he resided upon his property until 1909, when he rented it and removed to Oxford Junction, which is now his home.
On April 23, 1907, Mr. Hunwardsen married Christina Jansen, who was also born in Schleswig, Germany, September 14, 1890, and came to the United States with her parents in 1905. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunwardsen : John Henry, Matte and Harman.
PETER H. PAULSEN.
The tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Scotch Grove town- ship, which represents the landholdings of Peter H. Paulsen, is one of the most up-to-date farms in the locality, being tilled by the most approved methods and enhanced by buildings of comfort, utility and real beauty. The man who has toiled so diligently that this gratifying state of things has resulted was born in Germany, September 25, 1868, a son of Bahne and Sabina Dorateha (Hansen) Paulsen. The father died in Germany, and the mother, with her three young children, came to the United States in 1870. She made her way to Lyons, Clin- ton county, Iowa, where she lived, and later in Charlotte, that county, was united in marriage to Nicholas Holst, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
As Peter H. Paulsen was but two years old when his mother came to this country, he has virtually passed all of his life in this state. From the common schools of Clinton county he obtained his fundamental training for the practical duties of life, while at home on the farm he became initiated into the work of agriculture. Even after he reached his manhood he remained in the employ of his stepfather and it was not until 1899 that he began his career as a farmer, In that year he bought the place on which he now lives-a fine tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres. In the intervening years since its purchase and the present Mr. Paulsen has added many improvements which have increased its value mani- fold. For instance, he has tiled the land and built one of the modern and com- modious houses which are owned by the most prosperous farmers of Jones county. Of an age when a man usually comes into the fullest realization of his powers, the success of the past years should be but an indication of what the future has in store for him if he is most progressive in his ideas-a man who does not believe in standing still, rather in doing things and is always looking for some means whereby he may improve his place and increase the productive- ness of the soil. Such ideals combined with the large capacity for toil cannot but bring the most gratifying results.
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On the 16th of February, 1899, Mr. Paulsen was married at Zions Evangeli- cal Lutheran church in Wayne township, to Miss Sophia Catharina Bohlken, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerke H. Bohlken, prominent farming people of Scotch Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen now have five children. Bern- hard Nicholas, Agnes Sabina, George Heinrich, Meinhardt Paul and Amanda Christina.
In his political views Mr. Paulsen has consistently supported the democratic party, feeling more in sympathy with the principles annunciated by it than those of any other political organization, but has taken small part in local affairs. With his wife he is a member of the German Lutheran church and the success of his life has not been gained through any violation of its teachings.
ELMER J. NOBLE.
Elmer J. Noble, who occupies one of the finest homes in Castle Grove town- ship, was born in Pickering township, province of Ontario, Canada, August 2, 1855, and is a son of Alfred and Margaret Hawkins (Vardon) Noble. The former was born in Markham, Ontario, Canada, May 27, 1824, his parents being Ambrose and Hannah (Badgerow) Noble. Ambrose Noble was a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, while his wife was born in the vicinity of the town. As a young man he walked to Canada, carrying a bundle of his possessions over his back, and his wife's people also journeyed on foot to that country, driving two cows with them. They located in the forest, about sixteen miles from Toronto, where Ambrose Noble procured a farm and conducted a tannery in connection with his agricultural interests. Nine of the children born to him and his wife are now living. Alfred, the eldest, was the father of our subject; and Martin, the youngest now resides with Alfred's widow.
During all his life Alfred Noble followed farming. He was about forty-three years of age when, in 1867, he came to the United States and located in Castle Grove township, Jones county, Iowa. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added one hundred and sixty more in the course of a few years, making a farm of three hundred and twenty acres on which his son Elmer now lives. Some years later he bought one hundred and twenty acres, adjoining the first farm, on which his widow now lives and which was his home until January 18, 1891, when he responded to the call of death. The greater number of the improvements on the two farms are largely the result of his efforts, for he was a man who had learned well the lessons of tilling the soil to the best advantage and lost no opportunity of increasing the value of the land he held. In March, 1847. Alfred Noble wedded Miss Margaret Hawkins Vardon, who was born in New Brunswick, January 19, 1829. on the farm on which her father, Thomas Vardon, was brought into the world. Her mother was also a native of New Brunswick, having been born in Penfield, near St. Johns. In the year 1840, Mr. Vardon moved his family to Ontario, where he and his wife passed the remaining years of their lives. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Noble four died in infancy. The others are Hannah, who died at the age of nineteen years :
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Emma, who is the wife of Kenneth McCoullough, of Long Beach, California ; Elmer J., the subject of this sketch; Marshall, of Houston, Texas; Harriett, the wife of Frank Scott, of Chico, California; Nellie, the wife of John Deischer, of Castle Grove township; and Minnie, who married Albert Starr, of Oelwein, Iowa. Blanche, the youngest of the family, died at the age of three years.
Elmer J. Noble was about twelve years of age when his parents came to this county, and now for more than forty years has been a farmer in Castle Grove township, for he worked for his father for a number of years, and later assumed the full management of the home place. It consists of the three hundred and twenty acres first purchased by his father and is under a high state of cultivation. He assisted the older man in the erection of the many outbuildings which are one of the features of the place, but the handsome twelve room dwelling, which was built in 1904, is the results of his own efforts and planning. Although its size alone would entitle it to special recognition among the houses of the township, it is its equipment, the modern conveniences and the many touches of refinement that have given it the name of being one of the finest in this county.
It was in 1881 that Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Scott, who was born in Castle Grove township, March I, 1864, and is a daughter of Na- poleon B. and Mary Jane (Twamley) Scott. Mr. Scott was a native of Indiana and has now passed away, but his wife is residing in Lyon county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Noble four daughters have been born: Blanche, Elsie Claire, Grace Darling and Florence Elizabeth.
Since the organization of the Peniel Presbyterian church of Castle Grove township about eight years ago the family have been members of its congregation and Mr. Noble has been one of its elders. Politically he finds himself in sym- pathy with the republican party and has taken some part in local affairs, although he could hardly be called a seeker for official preferment.
WILLIAM ECKLER.
Among the older generation of farmers of Clay township who have not yet completely given up interest in agricultural matters, despite his advancing years and the fact that others of greater strength and possessed of the enthusiasm of younger years have assumed their heavier cares is William Eckler. He was long known as one of the most enterprising and successful farmers as well as one of the early settlers of his township. He was born in New York, June 16, 1822, and there grew to maturity, was married and lived until 1852, when he came to Iowa. Here he bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he is still living and also sixty-two and a half acres of timber. The fields, which have proved to be such rich, arable land, were at that date in the wild state, but as it was prairie, the work of preparation for the reception of seed was not as severe as if the land was wooded, yet there was much to be done in break- ing the land before he might sow his crops. He built all the houses and barns which now cover the place and instituted whatever other improvements were necessary. As in his New York home, he followed other pursuits in conjunc-
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tion with his farming, so, after coming here he engaged in milling. He erected a sawmill at Clay Mills, which he operated throughout the whole year and until within a few years ago when he sold it, that he might give more attention to purely farming interests, for he found that stock raising afforded an even greater opportunity for a fortune than did the cultivation of cereals, and each year he gave more and more attention to it, feeding a large number of hogs and cattle for the market. Recently he has abandoned all active participation in the work of the farm, feeling justified in retiring by the fact that he had won a fairly large fortune in return for his labors.
While still living in New York state, Mr. Eckler was married to Miss Ma- thilda Hall, also a native of that state, where she was born May 27, 1825. She died in 1898, having reared a family of five children, namely : Adelbert, who was born in Herkimer county, New York, April 30, 1845; Jane A., who was also born in Herkimer county, October 13, 1847, and has married George Hanna; Roseltha, who was born in Iowa, December 15, 1853, and is the wife of Peter Blackmer; Susan Josephine, who was born in Iowa, February 18, 1861, and be- came the wife of Archibald Robinson; and James, who was born in Iowa, July 19, 1867, and has also married.
Mr. Eckler is a republican in his political views and has participated in the public affairs of his township, for he served for a number of years as justice of the peace. Many years ago he gave land from his farm for the erection of a school and the Baptist church, contributing generously to the latter for its build- ing and later for its support. Mr. Eckler has been deacon of that church for a long time, and is still active in its work. When he started upon his business career he was without a dollar, but through industry and good management, united to wise judgment, he has accumulated a bountiful property. As it is the result of his own efforts, it carries with it no bitterness as do frequently fortunes which have been accumulated upon the misfortunes of others, and the record of his life is one which commands the respect of all. Mrs. Eckler, too, had the love and admiration of all during her life and was a devout member of the Baptist church, in which faith she died.
MARTIN HENRY CALKINS, M. D.
Dr. Martin Henry Calkins, whose life record covered the intervening years between September 15, 1828, and September 27, 1909, was born near Mexico, Oswego county, New York, and was the second son of John and Caroline (Hal- bert) Calkins. His only sister died in 1852 and his only brother perished in a watery grave in 1865. He was a lineal descendant of Thomas Cushman, who preached the first sermon ever printed in America; of Mary Allerton, the last survivor of those who came in the Mayflower ; and of Hugh Calkins, who came to America from Wales in 1638. He was also descended from Sir Thomas Kinne, who was knighted in 1618 and one of his Kinne grandfathers, Thomas Kinne, served in the war of the American Revolution. He attended the schools
LUCINDA LOUDEN CALKINS
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M. H. CALKINS, M. D.
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of his home county and became a successful teacher. He was teaching in Oswego, New York, when the first train of cars came to that city. When ringing bells and blowing whistles announced the approach of the marvel of the time the young schoolmaster said "School is out," and hurried away with the children to gaze upon the wonder which was then more marvelous than the flying machine of today. He held in 1851 one of the first state certificates issued by the educa- tional department of the state of New York, his being number six.
He read medicine in the office of Doctors Bowen and Dayton in his native town and first attended lectures in the College of Medicine in Geneva, New York, and finished in the University of New York City. For three years he practiced in Constantia and North Bay, New York, and then came west, locating in Wyom- ing, Iowa, June 14, 1856, where he continued in the active practice of medicine until failing health in 1903 no longer permitted him to respond to the calls for his professional services. For forty-seven years he administered to the people of his vicinity in one of the closest, confidential and holiest relations in social life and into that life was so woven his cheery ways, sympathetic impulses, ten- derness and helpfulness that he became a part of the collective whole bound by ties that time cannnot efface. His presence at the bedside of the sick and suffer- ing was often more potent for good than his powders and potions and the devotions of his patients was a natural sequence following the sunshine of his presence. He was thoroughly allied with the pioneer life of this vicinity and there were no journeys too long for him to make on horseback, or on foot some- times when roads were impassable, to alleviate suffering. For forty-seven years he practiced in this vicinity and but few there are who are not indebted to him for some kindly service. Probably no physician in Jones county has done more work gratuitously. He was devoted to his family, a loyal friend and good citi- zen, and as such will always be remembered. He served his fellowmen with unbounded charity and kindness and was ever responsive to the dictates of duty. In the words of Dr. McClaren: "He did his best for every man, woman and child, year in, year out, in the snow and in the heat, in the dark and in the light, without rest and without holiday for more than forty years."
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