USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 41
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HARRY W. CARLTON.
The enterprising village of Oxford Junction affords pleasant accommodations to visitors and the traveling public in the Corwin Hotel. of which Harry W. Carlton is proprietor. He was born in the village of Oxford Mills. November 10, 1873, a son of L. D. and Frances E. (Whitney) Carlton, the former born in New York and the latter in New Hampshire. In 1862 they accompanied their respective parents on their removal to Jones county, Iowa, where the latter en- tered land from the government. Having learned the blacksmith's trade, L. D. Carlton opened a shop in Oxford Mills and continued to carry on business along that line for about twenty years. Later he engaged in mercantile busi- ness up to within a year of his death and he also served as postmaster of Ox- ford Mills until he retired from business, being appointed to that position during President Harrison's second term. He passed away on the Ist of February, 1905. having survived his wife about three years, her death occurring March 3, 1902. Their only daughter, Effa S., has also departed this life, so that the son, Harry W., is the only surviving member of the family.
Harry W. Carlton acquired his education in the common schools and assisted his father in the store until he attained his majority. In 1902, when his father retired. he assumed charge of the mercantile business in Oxford Mills, this claiming his attention for eight years, while during the same period he acted as postmaster of the village. He then purchased the Corwin House at Oxford and has since conducted that hostelry. It contains twenty-six rooms, is modern
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in its equipment, and its genial proprietor neglects nothing that can add to the comfort of his guests.
Mr. Carlton chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Ada B. Haun, their marriage being celebrated June 18, 1902. Mrs. Carlton was born in South Dakota, November 1, 1871, a daughter of S. S. and Elba O. (Cheney) Haun. The father was born in Pennsylvania, while the mother is a native of Jackson county, Iowa, but they now make their home in Jones county. Mrs. Carlton has a twin sister, Ida D., the wife of John C. Kettlesen, a resident of Wyoming, this county. The former graduated from the Oxford high school and prior to her marriage engaged in teaching for ten or twelve years.
Mr. Carlton gives his political support to the republican party and for ten or twelve years was a member of the school board. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. They are popular with their guests and their social qualities have endeared them to many friends in Oxford.
ELI SIGEL OVERHOLT.
One of the valuable tracts of arable land in Madison township is that on which Eli Sigel Overholt cultivates the cereals for which the middle western states, especially Iowa, are noted throughout the world. A native of Jones county, he was born in Oxford township. May 5. 1862, and is a son of Jonas and Sarah ( Means) Overholt. The parents, both natives of Ohio and of Penn- sylvania-Dutch extraction, were reared and married in the state of their birth, coming in the fall of 1856 to Iowa. The first winter was spent in Clinton coun- ty and then in the spring of 1857 they came to Jones county, settling in Oxford township on a quarter section of land which Joseph Overholt, the paternal grandfather of our subject, had entered some years before. On that farm Jonas Overholt lived continuously until 1885, when he removed to Wyoming, Iowa, to spend the rest of his life in retirement. His death occurred in that village, March 9, 1889. He had been an ardent republican throughout his life but was never an office seeker. His first wife, the mother of Eli Sigel Overholt, died in 1863, and Mr. Overholt later married Miss Minerva Walston, who sur- vived him about two years.
Eli Sigel Overholt was reared at home and attended the public schools, from which he derived a good education. Upon attaining his majority in 1883 he went to Sac county, Iowa. After one season's work as a farm hand he re- turned to Jones county, which has been his home continuously since. In 1885 he married, rented a tract of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits for him- self. Seven years later, in 1892, he purchased his first farm of one hundred and sixty acres, lying on section 8. Wyoming township. He lived thereon until 1907, when he sold it and purchased the valuable farm he now owns. It embraces two hundred acres on section 12, Madison township, and is accounted one of the richest tracts of land in this county. On it Mr. Overholt follows a diver- sified line of agriculture, also devoting considerable attention to dairying. While he is industrious to a high degree his success is also due to the progressive
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methods which have characterized his cultivation of the soil. He has spared no exertion nor expenditure of money in procuring the best results for his labor.
It was in 1885 that Mr. Overholt was united in marriage to Miss Phurby Mitchell, of Wyoming township, this county. Three children have been born to them: Joseph Owen, George and Emma A., all of whom are at home. Like his father, Mr. Overholt has been a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party, but he has never sought any office. Fraternally he enjoys membership relations with Camp No. 183, M. W. A. The record of his years of activity in this township places him among the leading and representative agriculturists here, where he enjoys a respect commensurate with his achieve- ments in his vocation.
HERMAN RICKLEFS.
Among the representative American citizens who claim Germany as their native home is Herman Ricklefs, who was there born on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1867, a son of H. J. and Elizabeth (Liner) Ricklefs, who were also born in the fatherland, where their entire lives were passed. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the youngest.
Spending the period of his boyhood and youth in his native land, Herman Ricklefs acquired his education in the schools of Germany and remained under the paternal roof until twenty years of age. when his attention was directed toward the new world by rumors concerning the broader opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic for business advancement and progress. Accord- ingly on the 25th of March. 1887, he bade adieu to friends and country and came to America, making his way to Jones county. Iowa, where for four years he was engaged as a farm hand. During that period he was actuated by the laud- able ambition to some day take up agricultural pursuits on his own account, and so he carefully saved his earnings until he had accumulated enough with which to purchase a farm of his own. He then bought his present farm con- sisting of one hundred and fifty acres in Scotch Grove township, and to its fur- ther cultivation and development he has since directed his energies. Under his careful and wise management the place has become one of the well improved properties of the community and in its neat and attractive appearance stands as a monument to his industry and thrift. He is progressive and up-to-date in his methods and his close application, good judgment and business ability have been salient elements in the creditable degree of prosperity which he today en- joys.
In 1892 Mr. Ricklefs was united in marriage to Miss Anna Husman, also a native of Germany, who came to America with her parents in early life. The mother has passed away while her father still survives and makes his home in Lovell township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ricklefs have been born five children, namely : Henry J., Lizzie. William, Herman, Jr., and Anna. The parents are both members of the German Lutheran church and are people of the highest
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standing in the community, their many excellent traits of character having won for them an extensive circle of friends.
Politically Mr. Ricklefs gives his support to the democracy and served as road supervisor for two years. For more than two decades he has been identi- fied with the agricultural interests of this part of the state and during this period has, through his own unaided efforts, won a most gratifying degree of success. He is numbered among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption.
MERRITT MORGAN MOTT.
Merritt Morgan Mott, who is one of the oldest photographers of Anamosa, was born in Cortland county, New York, February 21, 1844. his parents being Philander and Harriett (Poe) Mott, also natives of New York, the former born December 29, 1816, and the latter September 16, 1823. His paternal grand- parents were Jeremiah and Lydia ( Messinger) Mott, who maintained the repu- tation held by this family as being very long lived, for different members have closely approached the hundredth milestone, before their lives were brought to a close. Philander Mott and his wife came to Iowa in 1865, locating in Fair- view, where he engaged in the brokerage business. He dealt largely in tax titles and obtained a gratifying income from his operations. Like others of his name he lived to an advanced age, for he had tolled off eighty-eight years before he was called to his final rest.
Merritt Morgan Mott came to Iowa a few years before his parents, and established himself in the town of Fairview in 1862. There he followed the blacksmiths' trade, which he had learned in the east, but, being of an artistic temperament, gave it up to pursue the photographic art, which was at that time just beginning to come into the prominence it enjoys at present. As progress has been made in the business he has advanced until he is now able to produce work which may well stand beside that turned out in other and larger cities. His success is in part due to the fact that he is his own most severe critic, for with the true instinct of an artist he is satisfied with the best only. On many an occasion, it is related of him, he has refused to let work leave his shop because it did not satisfy his exacting taste, although his customer found in it nothing to criticise. Endowed with a keen love of art, and a discrimination in the choice and posing of subjects, he has won a success that equals that attained by promi- nent men in other parts of the country. His reputation as well as the long period of his residence here, amounting to more than forty-seven years, entitle him to the fair name he enjoys as a workman and the respect in which he is held by all those who have come in contact with him, for a high code of honor has guided him in his business dealings as a high grade of achievements in his art has been his ambition.
In 1863. Mr. Mott wedded Miss Elizabeth Cromwell, who was descended from a branch of the family to which the Protector of England Oliver Crom-
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well, belonged. Two children were born of this marriage: Catherine, who be- came the wife of William Richardson: and Wallace A., who married Miss Katie Coon and resides in Hale township. After the death of his first wife. Mr. Mott married Miss Amelia Taylor, a daughter of John and Jane Taylor, both natives of the state of New York. Two of the children born of this mar- riage now survive, John and Mamie. The latter became the wife of Gustus Wilson, of Colorado Springs. Colorado, and they have two children. Mrs. Amelia Mott has also passed away.
Since his young manhood Mr. Mott has consistently voted the democratic ticket, as he has believed in the value of the doctrines advocated in its plat- form. He has for a number of years been connected fraternally with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being now an honorable member of the local lodge.
SAMUEL JOSEPH RICE.
Samuel Joseph Rice, who prepared the account of Scotch Grove township which appears in this history of Jones county, is an agriculturist of note and a man whose foresight in meeting the needs of those engaged in the same line of work, has materially lightened their labors. He was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1859, of sturdy Scotch parentage. His father, Rev John Rice, was born in Paisley, Scotland, February 23, 1824. and, having been educated for the Covenanter ministry, preached in the north of Scotland for a number of years before he came to the United States. In 1853 he crossed the Atlantic and after his arrival upon our shores, pursued the same vocation here as in the land of his birth. On the 23d of May. 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Maria Diven, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Diven, and they became the parents of four children. Samuel J. is the eldest. Robert Martin, the second, died in infancy. Andrew Alexander, who was born March 22, 1864. married Miss Eva Thomas, February 23, 1887. and died September 10, 1899, leaving two daughters, Ethel M. and Miriam E. Mary Elizabeth, born October 13. 1867. is now the wife of Donald O. Sinclair. In 1873 the family came to Scotch Grove township, and in the spring of the following year moved to the homestead now occupied by Samuel Joseph Rice. Here Rev. Rice lived the remainder of his days, responding to the call of death October 9. 1908.
Samuel Joseph Rice was reared at home, acquiring under the guidance of his father those strong qualities which have made him one of the successful members of the community in which he lives. He devoted himself to agricultural pur- suits early in his life, and while he has met with success in that line, it is as the inventor of the adjustable wagon scale stock rack that he is most widely known in this state and elsewhere, for this device has rendered some of the problems that confronted the stockman much simpler. It was patented in 1899 and has since been in general use, finding a ready sale wherever it has been introduced. The fact of the invention indicates the active mind which Mr. Rice has always brought to his daily work, so that it is natural that he should attain results in the cultivation of the soil impossible for a less progressive man. Under his man-
SAMUEL J. RICE
REV. AND MRS. JOHN RICE
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agement the boundaries of the homestead have been extended to include two hundred and twelve acres, eighty acres being valuable timber land, the remainder rich and arable. In connection with his other business, Mr. Rice has operated a threshing machine and sawmill and has also quarried considerable stone, meet- ing with success in all his undertakings.
GEORGE C. LAWRENCE.
George C. Lawrence has been a resident of Jones county, Iowa, almost con- tinuously since the year 1879. In May of that year, being then a boy of but eleven years of age, he was brought to Anamosa, together with his older brother and sister, by his father, from Chicago, Illinois. His initial residence in Ana- mosa, however, was short, for at the expiration of one year, the family removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where twelve years previous, on November 1, 1868, Mr. Lawrence first saw the light of day. After a residence in Wisconsin of two years, the family again removed to Chicago, Illinois, and after residing in the last mentioned city two years more, the family again removed to Anamosa, where, with the exception of about three years spent in Iowa City, Iowa, prin- cipally in attendance upon studies pursued in the law department of the State University of Iowa, at that place, the subject of our sketch has maintained his residence ever since.
Mr. Lawrence is a son of George C. and Eva A. (Redburn) Lawrence, who were natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. On the evening of the day of his admission to the bar, at Iowa City, Iowa, June 10, 1896, he was mar- ried to Miss Etta M. Pratt, of that city, a daughter of Warren and Perlina Pratt, and soon thereafter established a home in Anamosa. Four children, all sons, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence: Warren P., now a boy of twelve years ; Theodore R., who died in infancy; and Ray and Roy, twins, who were born May 22, 1904.
On July 1, 1896, Mr. Lawrence became the junior member of the law firm of Remley & Ercanbrack, under the firm name of Remley, Ercanbrack & Law- rence. H. M. Remley and T. R. Ercanbrack had been associated together in the practice of law for about twenty-five years prior to the accession of Mr. Lawrence as a member of the firm and had always enjoyed a large and lucra- tive practice, and the association of Mr. Lawrence as a member of this old established firm is evidence of the confidence and esteem in which he was held by his associates. The firm continued, however, but a few months, for early in November of 1896, Judge Remley was elevated to the district bench, upon the decease of Judge Wolf. Mr. Ercanbrack and Mr. Lawrence then continued for a short time, and soon thereafter Judge F. O. Ellison became associated as a member of the firm, under the firm name of Ellison, Ercanbrack & Law- rence, and this firm continued until Mr. Lawrence withdrew, in the spring of 1899. to take charge of the collection department of a large manufacturing con- cern in Iowa City. He returned to Anamosa the next year, since which time he has been alone in business. In latter years, Mr. Lawrence but seldom ap-
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pears in the actual trial of causes in court, being more concerned in keeping par- ties out of court, than in extricating them from difficulties after becoming in- volved.
For nearly twenty years, the subject of our sketch was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but upon becoming convinced of the merits of the Christian Science movement, has recently associated himself with this denomina- tion. His political affiliation has always been with the republican party. The family occupy a very commodious and substantial residence of pressed brick, with stone trimmings, erected but a few years ago, which is celebrated for its warm-hearted and cordial hospitality. Mr. Lawrence is one of the progressive men of the city, in sympathy with any movement which he believes will be of value to the community and tend toward the betterment of the conditions of mankind.
JOHN D. NEELANS.
In the thirty odd years that John D. Neelans has lived and worked upon his farm in Clay township, many improvements have been made upon the place, which have brought it to a high state of cultivation and the position it occupies at present, that of being one of the best in the locality. A native of Clay town- ship, he was born upon the place he now owns. September 10. 1874. his parents being William and Mary (Dennison) Neelans, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in March, 1833, and came to the United States with his parents when he was seventeen years of age. The family located in Connecticut, where he found employment in the mines, and in 1866, after his marriage he came to Iowa. He also worked in the powder mills of Connecticut until the accidental death of his brother made him decide to seek other means of livelihood In
1867 he purchased the first eighty acres of the homestead in Clay township, this county. He had nothing when he made the change to his new mode of life except the meager savings which he had slowly accumulated from his wages while working in the mines and the powder mills, but he was endowed with a capacity for work, and knew the value of industry and thrift, so that it was not long before he was well advanced along the road to success and able to add sixty acres to his landholdings. His long, honorable and well spent life was ended in 1904 and he was mourned as a good man and noble citizen. His widow, who was born in 1837, is still living. They were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters: John D .. Elizabeth. Ellen and William, all of whom are living in Iowa.
Reared to the life of a farmer and initiated into hard work. John D. Neelans nevertheless chose agriculture as his own vocation. and, being satisfied with the returns reaped from the soil of the home place, has never sought other fields of labor. He acquired a fairly good education in the public schools of his town- ship, although study was never permitted to interrupt the work which was carried on upon the farm. For four years, however, he sought a livelihood else- where as a day laborer, the experiences of that period only serving to make him better contented with the vocation which had been selected for him. Since he
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has assumed the full responsibility of operating the home farm, he has instituted a number of improvements, not the least being the erection of the fine residence he now occupies. It is fitted with many of the modern conveniences enjoyed by dwellers in the cities, even to a fine furnace, which thoroughly heats the whole house despite the severe cold without. In addition to the raising of many cereals Mr. Neelans has given a considerable amount of time to the stock business, raising large numbers of hogs, cattle and horses and feeding them for the market. As progressive ideas have guided him in his work and industry has been the force which has put them into constant practice, it is but in the natural course of events that Mr. Neelans should be accounted one of the prosperous farmers of this township.
After he had proved to his own satisfaction that he was able to achieve suc- cess in his line of work, Mr. Neelans was married December 20, 1899, to Miss Mate Hanna. Three children have been born to them: Fred J., born January II, 1901 ; Mary D., born April 22, 1904; and Ruth G., born November 21, 1907.
Mr. Neelans is a Presbyterian in his religious affiliations and gives his support in political matters to the democratic party. While he could not be called an office seeker, he has served his township most worthily as township clerk, his terms extending over a period of four years. His life, lived in accordance with high principles and spent in useful endeavor, has been of valuable service to the community and proves him deserving of the respect he enjoys.
C. S. PEET.
C. S. Peet, well known in business circles of Greenfield township as a dealer in grain, coal and feed, is also the efficient rural free delivery carrier of route No. I, Martelle, Iowa, which position he has filled for about a year and a half. A native of this township, he was born on the 26th of October. 1873, and is the fourth son in a family of nine sons whose parents are E. G. and Oriana (Chapin) Peet, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he remained upon the home farm, assisting in its operation until 1903. He then went to Pennsylvania, where for a time he was variously engaged. and later entered the service of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company, with whom he continued until 1905. In that year he returned to his native township and since that time has been identified with the elevator business, dealing in grain, coal and feed. His enterprise has already reached gratifying proportions and is constantly expanding in volume. He has made a close study of the business and keeps well informed on the conditions of the market, so that he is able to buy and sell to the best advantage. For a year and a half he has served as the rural free delivery carrier of route No. I, of Martelle, in which capacity he is proving efficient and entirely satisfactory, while his genial disposition has made him popular throughout the community.
Mr. Peet was married on the 6th of April, 1904, to Miss Myrtie E. Pierce, a native of East Smithfield, Pennsylvania, her parents being Charles and Nellie K. (Wood) Pierce, prominent farming people of East Smithfield. She had one
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sister who passed away in infancy, while two brothers survive, namely : Harry L., residing in Greenfield township: and Loren A., making his home with his parents. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Peet was born one daughter, Florence Lillian, aged four years. The mother passed away on the 28th of September, 1907, in Rochester, Minnesota, whither she had gone for her health, and the little daughter is now living with an uncle, Harry L. Peet.
Politically Mr. Peet gives his allegiance to the republican party, having been a stalwart supporter of its principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is a member of Anamosa Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., and also is identified with White Rose Lodge, K. P., of Martelle, both of which organizations find in him a worthy exemplar. Mr. Peet is an enthusiastic lover of outdoor sports of all kinds and was a member of the famous ball team of Martelle which was instrumental in bringing that town before the public eye. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he has taken a deep interest in all community affairs and his influence is ever upon the side of improvement, progress and reform. During the period which he and his wife traveled life's journey to- gether their home life was largely ideal, their dwelling being the abiding place of a perfect understanding and happiness. They occupied a high place in the community and Mr. Peet today enjoys the unqualified honor, respect and good will of every one with whom he has been associated.
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