USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 4
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The motive spring of his conduct and of his relations with his fellowmen was to be found in his Christian belief. He was a faithful follower of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which he long served as an officer and also as superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. He took the greatest delight in the work of the church and did everything in his power to further its interests and extend its in- fluence. He was also prominent as a Mason and was in fullest sympathy with its basic principles concerning the fatherhood and the brotherhood of man. He was accorded the highest honors within the gift of the order in the state. He was grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of Iowa in 1886-7 and grand com- mander of the Knight Templars of Iowa in 1896. He was also grand patron of
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
the Order of the Eastern Star from 1882 until 1886 inclusive. He had attended seven conclaves of the Knight Templars, was for many years a thirty-second de- gree member of the Iowa Consistory at Cedar Rapids and belonged to El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine. On the occasion of his death W. H. Norris, grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Iowa said that Mr. Ercanbrack's demise was a great loss to the Masonic fraternity and especially to the order of Christian knighthood. He continued: "His life has been such as to command the respect of all Masons. None can truthfully write the history of Masonry in Iowa without devoting much time and space to his life. For a long period he has been the committee on fraternal correspondence and his work has been thoroughly ap- preciated by his brethren. He has been promoted again and again in the per- formance of the high duties and responsibilities of Masonry. He was one of the originators of the grand chapter charity fund of so much value to our order." In local connections Mr. Ercanbrack was equally active in behalf of Masonry. Soon after his arrival in Anamosa he was elected master of the lodge and served for four or five years, and at the organization of the Royal Arch chapter he acted as high priest for twenty-seven years. He also became the first eminent com- mander of the Knight Templars, performing an immense amount of work and was retained in that position for five or six years. On the occasion of his fu- neral many of the leading representatives of Masonry in Iowa gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to the departed brother. Mr. Ercanbrack also be- longed to the Odd Fellows fraternity.
In his political allegiance he was a republican and was often called to repre- sent his ward in the city council. He also was active in county politics and many times served as a member of the county central committee and as its chairman. He also kept informed on the questions and issues of the day, political and other- wise, was an omnivorous reader, a close and discriminating student and possessed a remarkable memory. He was, moreover, an eloquent speaker and left the impress of his individuality upon the public thought and action. He strove to promote the mental activity of the city and stood at all times for those things which are highest and best in life.
In the absence of his pastor, Rev. J. F. Black of the Methodist Episcopal church, Rev. W. E. Glanville, of the Baptist church at the funeral services said : "During my residence in Anamosa I have been somewhat closely associated with Mr. Ercanbrack in promoting the literary welfare of the community. First as one of the organizers and most active and prominent members of the Cosmopoli- tan Club, and more recently as one of the organizers and presidents of the University Extension Club, our friend rendered valuable service. At a time of life when many are seeking an easy chair and dismissing mental activity from their attention. Mr. Ercanbrack displayed unusual intellectual vigor. Especially during the past two years he manifested a remarkable grasp of economy and of the causes and conditions governing these problems, which was a surprising reve- lation to his fellow members. The varied and accurate information he possessed charmed and edified his hearers. He was a gifted conversationalist. When in the mood he would pour forth reminiscence after reminiscence with a flow and a freedom, a lucidity and a dignity of language that was delightful. In the later years of his life those who were in close contact with him failed not to discern
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
a mellowing process going forward in his soul which regarded with charitable tendencies the failings and infirmities of others. To his friends he was stanch and loyal. Concerning one of them he made the remark a year or two since, 'I would do anything for that man ; yes, anything.' As a citizen, a man of affairs, a counsellor and a friend, Mr. Ercanbrack stood as a unique personality in our community. His life, reaching nearly three score years and ten, was filled with intelligence and industry even on to its latest moment."
Mrs. Ercanbrack is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and loyal to its teachings and active in its work. At the time of her husband's death he was possessed of a set of abstract records and his widow has retained these and has since engaged in the abstract business, in which she has been successful. She was also in full sympathy with her husband's activity in Masonry and belonged to the ladies' auxiliary of the order. She became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1881 and served as worthy matron of the chapter of her own town for fifteen years. In 1886 she was elected worthy grand matron of the state and filled that position for five years. In 1889 she was elected right worthy grand treasurer of the General Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of the world and is still holding the office, having served therein for twenty years. She has also been active in other societies and is a lady of broad general culture and intelligence, well fitted for the position of leadership which has been accorded her in connection with the Eastern Star.
BENJAMIN B. BEHRENDS.
Benjamin B. Behrends, who located in Lovell township a few years ago and is now a successful farmer and dairyman here, was born while his parents were crossing the Atlantic ocean, April 12, 1861, being a son of Henry and Anna (Heiken) Behrends. They were natives of Germany and started upon their journey to the United States shortly after their marriage. For a year and a half after their arrival in this country they lived in Alton, Illinois, coming to Jones county in 1863. Here the father engaged in farming, although he was permitted to enjoy life in this section of the state for only three years, his death having oc- curred in 1866. His wife is still living in Jones county. Two children were born to them, Benjamin B. Behrends alone surviving, for their daughter, Margaret, has passed away.
Benjamin B. Behrends was but five years of age when his father died, so that as soon as he was able he had to assist his mother. Until he was twenty he re- mained at home, and then went to St. Louis to attend high school, having long looked forward to the time when he might continue the education received in the county school. Afer one year spent in that city he obtained a position as clerk in a grocery store, going two years later to Le Mars, Iowa, where he engaged in the grocery busines for himself. Two years later he sold his interests there, going thence to Monticello, where he opened a store, which he conducted very profitably for eleven years. At the end of that period, however, he decided that he would like an agricultural life better, so he came to Lovell township, where he leased thie
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
farm he tills at present. It is a tract of one hundred and sixty-six acres, which besides being fitted for diversified farming, affords a good pasture for his cattle, for he has engaged extensively in the dairy business. The venture has so far prospered very well and Mr. Behrends has every reason to be pleased with his change of occupation. Although the agricultural life and the commercial are far different in character the principles upon which he based his success in the busi- ness world are not unlike those upon which he hopes to build his prosperity as a farmer. Through years of experience he has learned the value of hard work if one is to satisfy his ambitions, and of good management if he is to win the best returns for his expenditure of effort. The capacity for these two essentials have always been among his salient characteristics.
In 1887 Mr. Behrends wedded Miss Rosie Ichenberger, a native of Switzer- land. Seven children were born of this union : Henry T., Frederick, Otto, George, Benjamin, Jr., Anna M., and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Behrends died in 1898, and when Mr. Behrends married again his second wife was Miss Margaret Lubben. She was born in Germany but had come to America with her parents in 1881. Five children were born of this union : Anna Marie, William, Frieda C., and Herman and Arthur, who were twins and have died. The parents are mem bers of the German Reformed church, while politically Mr. Behrends has alwa s given his support to the democratic party. He has never been an , nant public office. however, although he takes an interest in the progress c' fidi
S. W. FLAHARTY.
Public spirited and with a deep interest in all matters which tend toward the development and improvement of the city in which he makes hi home, S. W. Flaharty is at present serving as mayor of Olin. He is also well known as one of its most enterprising merchants, having for several years been engaged in mer- cantile pursuits here. He was born in Ohio, March 25. 1849. a son of Elza and Nancy (Hazlett) Flaharty, who were also natives of the Buckeye state and removed to Cedar county. Iowa, in 1849. The father was a shoemaker by trade and his time was thuis occupied for three years subsequent to his removal to Iowa. At the end of that period he returned to Ohio, where he still resides. The mother, however, is deceased, her death occurring in 1854.
S. W. Flaharty was reared in the state of Ohio and it was in the public schools there that he acquired the education that qualified him for teaching, which pro- fession he followed during eleven winter terms. In 1871 he came to Iowa and for eighteen years followed farming. This pursuit, however, did not prove con- genial to him and he then went to Morley, where he engaged in the mercantile business for seven years. Removing to Olin at the end of that time, he' was for a similar period engaged in the drug business but eventually sold -1-20,19 terests in that line and once more embarked in merchandisins ich he itase 19 lowed to the present time. He carries one of the most complete lines of goods"- be found in this city and the success he has won in this field of labor is due to mod- ern methods, push and square dealing.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Although Mr. Flaharty is busily engaged with his private interests, he finds time to devote to public affairs and on the republican ticket was elected to the office of mayor of Olin in 1908, in which position he is now serving most effi- ciently. For six years he served as township trustee and in this office discharged his duties in a most acceptable manner. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 245, at Olin.
In June, 1870, Mr. Flaharty was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Lamley, a daughter of William and Jane Lamley. Mrs. Flaharty is one of a family of twelve children and was born and reared in Ohio, where she made her home until the time of her marriage. She has become the mother of three sons: Edgar C., making his home in Los Angeles, California; Harvey L., who has departed this life; and R. A., at home. The family is well known in social circles, while in business circles, Mr. Flaharty is equally well known, drawing his trade from various sections of Jones county.
THOMAS DAWSON.
Hew 1
3 are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising town Junction than Mr. Dawson. He has been an important factor in
rtess . .. s and his . erity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that e is the proprietor of the brick and tile factory and for the past ulice years has also owned and conducted a lumberyard at Center Junc- tion. A native of England, his birth occurred in that country on the 20th of March, 1849. His father, John Dawson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1850, taking up his abode in New York, where he followed his trade of wagon making. At the end of a year, however, he left the Empire state and located in Hamilton, Canada, where he made his home until 1866. In that year he removed westward to Iowa, settling in Sabula, Jackson county, but twelve months later went to Spragueville and subsequently to Preston. After a short residence there he took up his abode in Audubon county, Iowa, where his remaining days were spent, his demise occurring in 1905, when he had attained the ripe old age of eighty-two years.
Thomas Dawson was but a year old when brought to this country by his par- ents. He obtained his education in the common schools and on putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the wagon shop. After attaining his majority he conducted a shop of that character in Spragueville for about two years. In April, 1874, he opened a shop at Center Junction, Jones county, and in addi- Jun to the manufacture of wagons was also successfully identified with carpen- 7 and building interests for a number of years. For the past twenty-three
; OWI. and conducted a lumberyard in Center Junction and he is alpe the owner of the brick and title factory at that place. A prominent and Influential factor in the industrial and commercial circles of the town, he has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in
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IHISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
Mr. Dawson has been married twice. In 1871, he wedded Miss Alice Foster, of Spragueville, Iowa, by whom he had one child-Hon. Albert F., who is a resident of Creston, Iowa, and is now serving for the third term as congressman from the second district. Losing his first wife in 1873, Mr. Dawson was again married, on the 15th of August, 1885, his second union being with Miss Della Corbet, a daughter of Miles Corbet, who died while defending the interests of the Union in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have four children, as follows : Miles H., who is in the employ of Curtis Brothers, sash and door manufacturers of Clinton, Iowa; Alice, the wife of Dr. J. M. Young; John V., a resident of American Falls, Idaho; and Minnie B., who is a trained nurse and lives at home.
Politically Mr. Dawson is a stalwart advocate of the republican party, being convinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. He has done effective service for the cause of education as a member of the school board for many years and has also capably served as a member of the town council, having been repeatedly elected to that body. Fraternally he is identified with Center Junction Camp, No. 892, M. W. A., and Center Junction Lodge, No. 85, Mystic Workers. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are deeply and helpfully interested. His salient char- acteristics are such as have commended him to the confidence and good will of all and he now occupies an enviable position in public regard while in business circles he has gained that material reward for labor that now classes him with the substantial and prosperous residents of Jones county.
CAPTAIN A. M. LOOMIS.
Captain A. M. Loomis, a prominent, influential and respected citizen of Wy- oming, has continuously served as postmaster of the city since 1904. His birth occurred in Jefferson county, New York. on the 30th of April, 1831, his parents being Milo and Lucy A. (Greenly) Loomis, likewise natives of that county. The paternal grandfather, Aaron Loomis, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Milo Loomis, who was born in 1802, removed to Medina, Ohio, in 1833 and there fol- lowed the shoeniaker's trade until the time of his demise in 1852, his death being occasioned by typhoid fever. His wife also fell a victim to that disease and died six weeks later. They left a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. of whom A. M. was the second in order of birth and the eldest son, so that the care of the other children largely devolved upon him. All became prosperous and worthy members of their respective communities. M. B. Loomis, a brother of our subject, studied law, became a successful practitioner of Chicago and likewise served on the bench. T. G. Loomis remained in the state of Ohio, where he became a very prosperous merchant and farmer and was elected a member of the state legislature and senate. F. R., the publisher of the Norwalk Chronicle for many years, was well known in journalistic circles.
A. M. LOOMIS
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
In early manhood A. M. Loomis learned the shoemaker's trade under the direction of his father and in the year 1856 came west to Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, where he followed his trade until the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of a newly organized company-Company K of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected second lieu- tenant, James D. Williams being made captain and Thomas Green first lieu- tenant. His regiment was assigned to the Department of the Gulf and he loyally fought for the Union until its supremacy had been established. He participated in many important engagements with his command, was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley and took part in the Red River campaign with General Banks. In June, 1865, he was mustered out as captain, having served with that rank for eighteen months, and he returned to Wyoming with a most creditable military record.
Once more taking up the pursuits of civil life, Captain Loomis was engaged in general farming for two years, at the end of which time he became a member of the mercantile firm of Fordham & Norton. Mr. Norton passed away in 1869 and the name of the concern was changed to Fordham & Company, thus conduct- ing business until its dissolution a few years later. The company had been en- gaged in the mercantile business and also in the buying and shipping of stock, and when it was dissolved Mr. Loomis took over the mercantile department and, in association with his brother-in-law, A. E. Spitzer, established the firm of Loomis & Spitzer. Subsequently, however, the enterprise was conducted under the name of A. M. Loomis until it was sold out in 1899. Thus for almost a third of a century he was a prominent factor in the business life of Wyoming and the success which attended his efforts in this direction came as the direct result of his close application, unfaltering energy and capable management.
Captain Loomis has been married twice. In 1851 he wedded Miss Jane Briggs, who passed away in 1866, leaving two children. In 1868 Mr. Loomis was again married, his second union being with Miss Alice Spitzer, a native of Ohio, by whom he had four children, two of whom still survive. The record of the chil- dren is as follows : Josephine, who died at the age of twelve years ; Jessie Fremont, who is now the wife of Dr. C. S. Shepard; Finney, a resident of Akron, Ohio; Mabel, the widow of Dr. J. W. Kirkpatrick, who was a popular physician and highly respected citizen of Wyoming and whose sudden death came as a severe blow to the community ; and Milo, a medical practitioner of Omaha.
Politically Captain Loomis is a stalwart republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and is an active and prominent factor in the local ranks of the party. He has capably served his fellow townsmen in the office of mayor, also as justice of the peace, as a member of the school board and in various minor capacities. Honored by election to the state legislature, he served as a member of that body in 1896, 1897 and 1898. In 1904 he was appointed postmaster at Wyoming and has since acted in that capacity, having been reappointed in 1908. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith and has been the president of the Jones County Sunday-School Association, while for a half century he has served as chorister and Sunday-school superintendent in one church. In citizenship he has been as faithful to his country as when he followed the old flag on southern battle- fields, and public opinion, which seldom errs, places him in the front rank among
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
those who are deserving of the admiration and respect of their fellowmen. He has justly earned the proud American title of a self-made man and is now enabled to spend his remaining days in a beautiful home in Wyoming, surrounded by many of the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth living. The period of his residence in this county covers more than a half century and he has therefore witnessed a wonderful transformation as pioneer conditions have been replaced by all the evidences of an advanced civilization.
W. I. CHAMBERLAIN.
WV. I. Chamberlain, a well known and successful representative of the legal fraternity in ' nes county, having practiced his profession at Wyoming since June, 1870, has also been prominently connected with journalistic interests for the past twenty-nine years as the editor and publisher of the Wyoming Journal. His birth occurred in Broome county. New York, on the 24th of March, 1846, his parents leing Park and Mary Rebecca (White) Chamberlain. who were likewise natives of the Empire state. the former born in Broome county and the latter in Westchester county. In 1864, when he was forty-six years of age, Park Chamberlain came to Wyoming, Iowa, and after following farming for a time accepted a position with the Iowa Mutual Insurance Company. He re- mained a worthy and respected resident of Wyoming until called to his final rest March 7. 1884. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. all but one of whom yet survive.
W. I. Chamberlain supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the public schools of his native state, by a course at Binghamton Academy. He was a young man of eighteen years when the family home was established in this county, and here he took up the study of law under the direction of his uncle, B. H. White. a prominent attorney of Wyoming. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1870, and has practiced in Wyoming to the present time, having occupied the same office since 1874. Throughout the years he has enjoyed a large clientage and has been regarded as one of the strong and able members of the Jones county bar, preparing his cases with great thoroughness and care, while the presenta- tion of his cause indicates cogent reasoning, sound logic and comprehensive familiarity with the principles of jurisprudence. On the 30th of May, 1880, he purchased the Wyoming Journal, which had been established in 1870 and has since edited and published the paper with signal success.
In 1875 Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage to Miss Lucy W. Witter, a native of Ohio, who was engaged in teaching school at Wyoming. Her mother lived to attain the ripe old age of ninety-three years, passing away in October, 1908. For twenty-five years she had made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain. Our subject and his wife have three sons, all of whom are graduates of the Wyoming public schools and the Iowa State University. Park, the eldest, whose birth occurred in 1877 and who is a lawyer by profession, is now acting as cashier of the Anamosa National Bank. William, born in 1879, is a prominent lawyer of Cedar Rapids, practicing his profession as a member of the firm of
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Barnes & Chamberlain. Ben. H., a physician of Wyoming, is mentioned on another page of this work.
Politically Mr. Chamberlain is a stalwart advocate of the democracy. He has held the office of mayor in Wyoming and has also served as a member of the town council and as president of the school board, ever proving a most capable and faithful public official. Fraternally he is identified with Keystone Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Wyoming, to which his three sons also belong. He is a public- spirited man and popular, an unfeigned cordiality and uniform courtesy gaining him the warm friendship and kindly regard of the greater number of those with whom he comes in contact.
E. A. GRIMWOOD.
E. A. Grimwood, whose success in commercial lines is evidenced in his well appointed drugstore. has been numbered among the leading pharmacists of Ox- ford Junction for about two decades. He became connected with the business interests of the town in May, 1887, being then a young man of twenty-three years. He was born in northeastern Iowa December 8, 1863, a son of Isaac and Eliza (Moore) Griniwood, both of whom were of English birth. In childhood they had come to America with their parents in the latter part of the '20s, set- tling in the state of New York. Subsequently they came to Iowa, taking up their abode in the northeastern part of the state. where the father died in 1880 The mother still survives at the venerable age of eighty-six years and makes her home with her son.
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