USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 36
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most of which is now in the hands of his children. In addition to his general farming he dealt extensively in livestock and both branches of his business proved most gratifying sources of annual revenue.
It was in 1850 in Ohio that Mr. Ketcham was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wheaton, a native of Seneca county, New York, born on the 30th of July, 1824. She is a daughter of Squire an'd Mercy (Jacobus) Wheaton, both natives of Morris county, New Jersey, and went to Delaware county, Ohio, with her parents, where she was united in marriage to Mr. Ketcham. In their family were seven children, namely : William Lewis, who died in Cass township in 1906, at the age of fifty-six years, leaving a widow and four daughters; Emma, the widow of George W. Lake, of this township, by whom she has five children: Johanna Louisa, residing at home; Harriett Martha, also at home; James Har- rison, who is also married and lives on the home farm; John Merritt, who passed away in infancy in Ohio; and Elmer, residing on a farm in Cass township, who is married and has two children. All of the members of the family were born in Delaware county, Ohio.
Mr. Ketcham was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, and was a member thereof for many years. At the time of his death, however, he held membership with the Cass Center Congregational church. He was a stalwart supporter of the repubican party, and although not an office-seeker, did all in his power to further the interests of the party in the community. He was most public-spirited in his citizenship, the weight of his influence being thrown at all times upon the side of improvement, progress and reform. He passed away on the 28th of June, 1902, at which time Cass township lost one of its most valued and representative citizens. His wife still survives at the ripe old age of eighty- five years, and resides upon the old homestead. She has become widely known during her many years of residence in this township, and her many excellent traits of character have endeared her to a large number of warm friends.
JOHN HENRY GRAFFT.
John Henry Grafft, a hard-working farmer of simple tastes, a born agricul- turist and a good citizen, is one of the native-born sons of Jones county, Iowa, having come into the world one mile north of his present home in Jackson town- ship, September 3, 1853. He has spent his life in that township and makes his home on his well improved farm of three hundred and eighty acres, which he has secured through his own individual efforts. He is a son of David W. and Christine (Byerly) Grafft, natives of Ohio, who came to Iowa in the '40s. Their married life was spent in Jackson township, where David Grafft entered land, eventually becoming the owner of about seven hundred acres. Nine children came to them, as follows: William S., who lives at Central City, Iowa; John Henry; Mary Katherine, who married Frank Blayney, of Jackson township; Martha Ann, who married Louis Porter, of Cherokee county, Iowa; James Albert, who lives in California; David Edward, who lives in Lyon county, Iowa ; Della Jane, who married Robert McMurn, of Cherokee county; Frank, who
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lives in Rome township; and Elizabeth Ellen, who married William Lust, of Cherokee county.
John Henry Grafft has one of the best farms in Jackson township and has made his own improvements. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and, recognizing the value of blooded stock, makes a specialty of high grade Durham cattle. He has inaugurated many new methods of farming and has his three hundred and eighty acres under a high state of cultivation. This farm lies on sections 28 and 29, Jackson township, with the exception of eight acres in Rome township.
In 1874, Mr. Grafft married Amanda Jane Gilmore, who was born in Rome township, July 4, 1858, a daughter of George and Amanda Gilmore, natives of Ohio, who were married in Iowa. Both died in Jones county. Mr. and Mrs. Grafft have had a family of seven children, as follows: William Edward, who lives in Rome township; Essa May, who is the wife of Howard Miller, of Ana- mosa; Francis Delbert, who was killed at the age of thirty by a horse : Stacy Clyde, who lives in South Dakota ; Bertha Pearl, who married Raleigh Shoop, of Rome township ; and Clarence Ray and Jessie, who are at home.
The Grafft family are widely known and much respected. Nearly all bearing the name are connected with agricultural pursuits, and as the farmers of Iowa and other western states are fast becoming the most important citizens, being in comfortable circumstances and interested in advancing their communities. John Henry Grafft is a democrat in political faith and supports the candidates of his party with steadfast fidelity.
JAMES BROWN.
There are in every community men of great force of character and exceptional ability who by reason of their capacity for leadership in one or other ways, be- come recognized as foremost citizens and are called upon to bear an important part in public affairs. Such a man is James Brown, who has the distinction of being the wealthiest man of Jackson township and who has won his prosperity through natural sagacity, industry and good investments.
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. September 27, 1842, being a son of John and Margaret ( Lockie ) Brown, natives of Berwickshire, Scotland, where he was born July 25. 1810, and his wife August 17, 1812. They were married in 1837. In 1838, they became residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1844 removed to Davenport, Iowa. Not being suited with the place in two weeks they left it for Galena, Illinois, where they remained about ten years, and finally came to Jones county, Iowa, settling near the present farm of James Brown on section II, but the house now stands on section 2, Jackson township. Here the father died October 10. 1891, while his wife preceded him, having passed away February 28, 1889. In their family were the following children: Margaret, who died in Ga- lena, Illinois, aged six years ; Janette, who died in Galena when three years old; George, who died when eleven years two months and twenty-two days old, in August. 1865; James, who was the fourth in order of birth; John who owns
JAMES BROWN
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two hundred acres in Jones county, Iowa, but lives in Los Angeles, California ; and two children who died in Cincinnati.
On March 20, 1884, James Brown married Mary McBride, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was brought to Jones county, Iowa, by her parents, John and Isabella Jane (Craig) McBride. She died May 27, 1888, at the age of thirty- five years two months and twenty-one days, leaving two children; Margaret Ja- nette and John N. In 1891 Mr. Brown married Minnie Ahlrich who was born in Oldenberg, Germany, in August, 1863, and was brought to Jones county by her parents John and Katherine Ahlrich when she was twenty years of age. By this marriage there were two children: James George, who was born April 3, 1892, and died January 17, 1909; and Katherine Elizabeth, born August 24: 1900.
Mr. Brown owns two hundred and sixty-eight acres of rich farming land on sections 2 and II, Jackson township. At one time he had ninety acres more but disposed of it. In addition he owns nine hundred and sixty acres of land in Nueces and Starr counties, Texas, in partnership with his son. He has other investments which pay well and he enjoys a large income annually. It has always been his practice to live economically, to save a portion of his earnings and to invest them wisely, and thus it is that his holdings have increased to their pres- ent proportions. In politics he is a republican and he was elected school director when twenty-one years of age, which office he held for a number of years. His religious affiliations are with the United Presbyterian church. Such men as Mr. Brown are a credit to any community and he can always be depended upon for a sound, conservative judgment upon matters of public import.
In the early years of his residence here Mr. Brown has seen as many as forty deer in one herd in Jackson township as the country was then wild and un- improved, the prairie grasses being higher than a man's head when on horse- back. In 1854 he once started out on foot to hunt his cows which had strayed from his home one mile west of Center Junction and before finding them walked four or five miles northwest of that town, traveling about four miles before he came to a fence of any kind. In the work of development and progress he has ever borne his part and is recognized as one of the honored early settlers of the county.
EDWARD M. HARVEY.
Edward M. Harvey, now filling the position of justice of the peace in Ana- mosa, was for almost a half century closely identified with the building oper- ations of the city and surrounding district as a contractor. In this connection he became recognized as a capable and expert workman and as a man of the ut- most reliability in all business transactions.
His birth occurred in Onondaga county, New York, September 24, 1835, his parents being John and Lydia (Booker) Harvey, who were natives of Chester, Suffolk county, England. They were reared in that city, which is one of the oldest and quaintest on the "merry isle," still showing evidences in the old stone wall which surrounded the city after the invasion of Julius Caesar in 50 B. C., for that monarch was the builder of the city wall. Mr. and Mrs. John Harvey
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were reared and married in England and in 1832 crossed the Atlantic to America in one of the old-time sailing vessels which were the only means of navigation at that period. They settled in the state of New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in 1868 at the age of seventy years, his birth having occurred in 1798. The mother died in 1843 at the age of forty-five years, and both were laid to rest in the burying ground at the old home. They were the parents of nine children : William B., Jane, Mary, John, James, Harriet and Charlotte, all now deceased; and Henry G., who is residing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is the only survivor of the family with the exception of our subject.
Edward M. Harvey spent the first eighteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and then went to another part of the state, where he learned the carpenter's trade. Two years later, in 1855, he made his way westward to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he followed his trade for two years and then returned to the Empire state. It was in New York, on the 7th of January, 1858, that he wedded Miss Lucy L. Clark, a daughter of Alexander and Jemima (Jackson) Clark, both of whom were natives of Onondaga county, New York.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harvey came to Anamosa, where they have since resided. It was then a small town of comparatively little com- mercial or industrial importance and with its substantial improvements since that time Mr. Harvey has been closely associated. He began contracting and build- ing here and continued actively in that business with growing and gratifying success until the year 1904. He was then called to the office of justice of the peace, which position he is still filling. His decisions are fair and impartial and his course in office has "won him golden opinions from all sorts of people."
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey was blessed with four children: Hattie M., the eldest, is now the wife of J. W. Gerber, a resident of Washington, D. C., and they have a daughter, Helen C., at home. Charles H .. a graduate of the Anamosa high school, of the Beloit ( Wis.) College and of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, is now president and manager of the Knoxville Elec- tric Railway & Light Company of Knoxville, Tennessee. He married Ida Locke and they have two daughters, Edith C. and Helen W., both at home, but their mother died about 1902. Jane M., the third of the family, is a graduate of the University at Ann Arbor and for eleven years has been connected with the pension office in Des Moines, Iowa. James E., the youngest of the family, died in infancy.
Mr. Harvey is well known in fraternal circles. He belongs to Anamosa Lodge, No. 40. I. O. O. F., and has been identified with the fraternity since June. 1860. He has filled every office in the local lodge and in 1872 became a member of the grand lodge. He is a charter member of McDaniels Encampment. I. O. O. F., in which he has filled every position and is also a member of the grand encamp- ment of the state. His name is on the roll of charter members of the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 48, at Anamosa and also of the Legion of Honor, and in both of these organizations he has held all of the offices and from the latter has been a delegate to its grand lodge. His wife is a charter member of the Rebekah lodge, of the Eastern Star and of the Woman's Relief Corps and belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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In his political views Mr. Harvey has been a stalwart republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. He has taken quite an active part in local politics, serving as a member of the city council three terms ; as a member of the school board six years ; as mayor of Anamosa in 1888 and 1889, and was township trustee for over thirty-five years. As a citizen he stands for all that is progressive in community affairs and for all that promises improvement and advancement. There is no better indication of his genial manner, his spirit of justice and his consideration for others than is to be found from the fact that for over forty years he was associated with Colonel Shaw, during which time they never had to resort to written agreement nor was there ever any trouble or misunderstanding between them. Mr. Harvey and his wife now occupy a comfortable home and the columns of the front porch were made by him fifty years ago for use on another building and were later transferred to his present place of residence. Here he and his wife, with whom he has traveled life's journey for more than a half century, are living happily and comfortably, the success which he has achieved being well merited for it has come as the direct reward of his intelligently directed labor and business probity.
DAVID SIM.
David Sim deceased, who for many years of his active life was one of the successful farmers of Wyoming township, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1848. His parents, John and Rachel (Robinson) Sim, were natives of Scotland and came to the United States in 1845. They located in Pittsburg, where they remained for about seven years, and then came to Jones county, Iowa, where they procured land from the government. On this, which was the home of their son William during his active life, they passed the last years allotted to them. In their family were two sons, both now deceased, for James, the older, died at the age of sixteen.
David Sim received a good common-school education in Wyoming township, supplementing his early training with practical experience upon the farm. for he early began to assist his father in the work there was to do. As he grew older more and more of the responsibility of the place devolved upon him and when his parents died the land passed into his possession. He was successful in the vocation to which he had devoted his energies, winning large returns from the soil he tilled and in 1901 felt he was justified in retiring to Onslow, where his death occurred March 13. 1903. At that time he owned two hundred acres near the village in Wyoming township, besides fifteen acres of timber land and fourteen acres and thirteen lots in the village, where he had the fine house now occupied by his widow. All of this property Mrs. Sim has retained in her pos- session, proving herself a business woman of no small ability in her management of it.
Mr. Sim was ever a stanch supporter of the republican party, never failing to cast his vote for its candidates on the occasion of an election. and always taking a deep interest in political matters. He was for years active in local affairs, for
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he filled a number of the township offices, all with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of those who had placed their trust in his ability. In religious matters he affiliated with the Presbyterian church, in which for more than a quarter of a century he was an elder. Mrs. Sim is also an adherent of that faith and is very active in all church work, in which her skill and ability is of the utmost service. Mr. Sim had through many years of unremitting toil attained to a successful position among the agriculturists of this county ; he had ordered his life by high standards and had come into the possession of a substantial income. His wife, who had aided him greatly during his lifetime, by her thrift and care for his welfare, possesses that business acumen that has enabled her, to conserve that which was bequeathed to her so that in the course of time it will increase and not diminish in value.
GEORGE SLOUHA.
Over half a century has come and gone since the arrival of George Slouha in Iowa and through the passing years he has witnessed the development of one of the finest agricultural districts of the country, which sixty years ago was a vast wilderness inhabited by the Indians who hunted the deer, elk and buffalo that roamed wild through the forests and over the plains. Born in Bohemia, Sep- tember 8, 1845, nine years later he accompanied his parents, Paul and Anna Slouha, also natives of that country, on their emigration to America. They first took up their abode in Maquoketa. Jackson county, Iowa, but shortly afterward removed to Jones county, where the father purchased fifteen acres of land which he cultivated and improved, adding to the tract each year, as his income in- creased by reason of the abundant harvests, until when he sold the farm to his son George, it contained ninety acres. Unto Paul and Anna Slouha were born six children; George, the subject of this sketch: Joseph, John and Frank, now deceased; Anna, who became the wife of Bert Nowcheck and resides in Oxford township; and Mary, who wedded John Wlach, of Oxford Junction. The father of this family lived to be eighty-three years of age but the mother died when she was in her fifty-second year.
Early thrown upon his own responsibilities in the new world George Slouha sought and secured employment as a farm hand, working by the month, and in return for his labors received his board and clothing. Energetic and enthusiastic. however, he had worked only a year and a half in this way when he was able to command a more substantial equivalent for his labor and eventually purchased a part of the farm whereon he now resides, which has now been in possession of the family for about fifty years and has been owned by three successive generations.
On December 28. 1868, was celebraed the marriage of George Slouha and Miss Josephine Wlach, who was born in Bohemia. December 20, 1848, and is a daughter of Joseph and Josephine Wlach, who came to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1854, where Mrs. Slouha resided until her marriage. Joseph Wlach died in Johnson county in October, 1868, while the mother resided with Mrs. Slouha until she had reached her eighty-fourth year, her death having occurred August
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8, 1899. There were eight children in her family, of whom four are now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Slouha were born six children, namely: Frank, who makes his home in Oxford township, this county; Anna, who became the wife of Frank Fritz, of Wyoming township; Mary, who died at the age of three years and three months; Emanuel, who died in infancy; Christina, who wedded Mike Wacek, of Oxford township; and Charles, who is operating the home farm.
Charles Slouha, the youngest son, was born November 18, 1882, and has here continued to make his residence, having bought the old home place which con- tains one hundred, seventy-seven and a half acres. Since his father retired from active participation in the work of the fields, he has taken upon his shoulders the entire responsibilty of caring for his parents and operating the farm. He not only engages in general agricultural pursuits but makes a specialty of stock rais- ing. The life record of the father, George Slouha, serving as his inspiration and an example well worthy of emulation, the son is now attaining that success which is ever the reward of earnest, persistent toil. On the 4th of October, 1904, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Burda, who was born in Oxford township, August 16, 1884, and is the daughter of John and Anna Burda, also of Oxford township, Jones county, and unto Mr. and Mrs. Charles Slouha have been born two children, Gracy and George Ernest.
HOWARD B. BRUTSMAN.
Howard B. Brutsman, whose well tilled fields and subtantial buildings are indicative of his success in his chosen vocation, that of an agriculturist and dairyman, and of the prosperity which distinguishes Madison township, was born in Lee county, Illinois, June 14, 1868. His parents were Frank and Eliza- beth (Short) Brutsman, who came to Iowa from Illinois in 1870. They located first in Madison township, Jones county, and then removed to Jasper, where Mr. Brutsman lived for about fifteen years. Since the end of that period he has made his home with different members of his family.
Howard B. Brutsman was reared at home, under the careful guidance of his parents, until nine years of age, when he went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Craven. He attended the common schools of his township. deriving from them a substantial training in the rudimentary branches of English education. In 1890 he married and began agricultural pursuits for himself, working first as a farm hand and then, after a year, renting a tract of land. After an experience of four years as a tenant, in 1895, he was able to purchase one hundred and twenty acres of the farm on which he now lives, adding to it seven years later forty acres adjoining, so that he is now possessed of a fine tract of one hundred and sixty acres. Since he has assumed the ownership of the place he has greatly im- proved it, bringing it up to a high standard of productiveness as regards the soil, and erecting buildings for the accommodation of his stock, that are in accordance with the most advanced ideas in that line of farm industry. To dairying he has devoted the greater amount of his attention, milking from fifteen to twenty cows
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and finding that it is as profitable as the cultivation of cereals, to which a large part of his farm is given over.
In 1890, Mr. Brutsman was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Fox, of Mon- mouth, Jackson county, Iowa, and their union has been blessed with six children : Pearl, Bessie, Gladys, Hazel, Lila and Edna. Since he has been of an age to exercise the franchise right of an American citizen, Mr. Brutsman has stanchly given his support to the democratic party, believing in the value of the princi- ples enunciated in its platform. He is at present secretary of the school board, but he cannot be called an office seeker in any sense of the word, although he is always interested in public affairs, especially in the welfare of his fellow citi- zens. His voice is ever raised on the side of justice and progress, qualities which have distinguished his administration of his own affairs, which have placed him in the front rank of those who till the soil in Madison township. He belongs to the Wyoming Camp. No. 133, M. W. A .. and is active in the inter- ests of his fraternal brothers and in the work of the society.
JOHN A. MCDONALD.
All the strong qualities of his sturdy Scotch forebears have had a part in making John A. McDonald one of the substantial men of Jones county and one of the farmers of unequivocal success in Madison township, where his farm of two hundred and fifty acres lies. A native of this township, he was born April 8, 1861, and is a son of Andrew and Margaret ( Smith ) McDonald, both natives of Perthshire. Scotland, who as young people came with their parents to the United States about 1855. John McDonald, a brother of Andrew McDonald, had preceded the families to this country by some five years. He had not come to Iowa directly, however although he located in Jones county before the arrival of his parents and here had bought large tracts of land from the government. On this, which is the farm now occupied by John A. McDonald, the family located. Subsequent to their marriage Andrew McDonald and his wife ac- quired a place to the west of their son's present farm, and there spent the active years of their life, ur'il they retired to Center Junction, where their deaths occurred in 1906, the father's at the age of seventy years, the mother's at the age of seventy-six. Keared in the faith of the Presbyterian church they passed away attended by its consolations, for their lives had been spent in strict con- formance to its doctrines. In the years he had lived here. Andrew McDonald had become one of the well known men of Jones county, having held the position of commissioner for a number of years and for six or seven years having been steward of the poor farm. His duties he ever fulfilled with honor and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
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