USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 51
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Clara Crawford Betteys was born at Oxford, Michigan, April 4, 1849, and died at the same place, February 4, 1903. She was the second child of Calvin and Clarissa Morris Crawford, who were pioneers of Oxford, Michigan, moving from New York State in 1844. They were married December 1, 1844, in Oxford, Michigan, and lived there continuously until their death, the husband July 20, 1905, and the wife June 1, 1908. There were seven children, all of whom were born in Oxford, Michigan.
Calvin Crawford was the son of John Barclay and Elizabeth Thompson Craw- ford. He was the third child and was born in Crawford, Orange county, New York, September 4, 1818, and came to Oxford, Michigan, in November, 1844. He was a carpenter by trade and in the pioneer days built some of the substantial residences yet in use in Oxford. By his own industry he acquired over one thou- sand acres of land, six hundred of which are around Oxford, Michigan. On December 1, 1894, they celebrated their golden wedding, all of their children and grandchildren being present. On December 1, 1904, they celebrated their six- tieth anniversary.
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Clarissa Morris Crawford was born in Blooming Grove, Orange county, New York, October 6, 1825, and died in Oxford, Michigan, June 1, 1908. She was the eldest child of James B. and Bethia Mowatt Morris and removed with her par- ents to Michigan in the fall of 1844, where they all lived the remainder of their lives. James B. Morris was born February 20, 1799, in Orange county, New York, and died in Oxford, Michigan, March 20, 1865. He was married to Bethia Mowatt in Blooming Grove, Orange county, New York, January 1, 1825. They had twelve children. Bethia Mowatt was born September 25, 1802, and died at Oxford, Michigan, October 18, 1884.
John Barclay Crawford was the fourth child of John and Sarah Barclay Crawford and was born December 26, 1789, and died January 31, 1852. Eliza- beth Thompson Crawford was born March 30, 1794, and died July 3, 1859. She was married to John Barclay Crawford, December 11, 1813. John Crawford was the second child of Samuel and Anna Kidd Crawford and was born at Walkil, Orange county, New York, June 20, 1761, and died November 19, 1834, at the town of Crawford, Orange county, New York. At the age of sixteen years he entered the American army and served in the war of the Revolution throughout the entire struggle for independence. He owned a farm at Crawford, New York.
Sarah Barclay Crawford was born in Montgomery, New Jersey, November 18, 1761, and died at Crawford, New York, February 17, 1838. She was the daughter of James Barclay, who came to America, landing with the Clinton party at Cape Cod in 1729. The Barclay family is of English origin, descending from Sir Alexander de Barclay, who was born in 1326 in Gloucestershire, England.
Samuel Crawford was born June 9, 1732, and was the fifth child of James and Mary Wilkin Crawford, who came from Golen, Scotland, and were married at Enniskillen, Ireland, and came to America in 1718, settling in Orange county, New York. The Crawford family is remotely related to Alexander Hamilton, the mother of Alexander Hamilton being a Crawford, and the name of Alexander has been retained in the family.
John Wetmore Betteys and Clara Crawford Betteys were married at Oxford, Michigan, November 30, 1875, and lived there continuously in the same town- . ship all their lives. All their brothers and sisters were born in the same town- ship. All their brothers and sisters who are dead, died there, all their grand- parents died there, they died there themselves, and all are buried in the same cemetery at Oxford, Michigan.
Robert McClain Corbit was married to Aileen Marjory Betteys by Rev. J. C. Hageman in the Congregational church, Oxford, Michigan, at noon October 22, 1902. 'A few days later they came to Clarence, Cedar county, Iowa, where they resided until May 18. 1903, when they removed to Wyoming. Jones county, Iowa, where they have lived ever since. There is one child, a boy, Clarence John Cor- bit. born at Wyoming, Iowa, August 24, 1903.
Aileen Betteys Corbit received her education in Michigan. She entered the Oxford (Mich.) union school in the fall of 1887, and was graduated from the high school June 22, 1893, in the first class to graduate from the twelfth grade. She entered the University of Michigan in September, 1898, and was graduated from the medical department. June 19. 1902. In July, 1902, she was admitted to
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the practice of medicine in Michigan, and in April, 1903, she passed the Iowa state medical examination at Des Moines with a high mark and was admitted to practice, her Iowa certificate being dated May 21, 1903.
Dr. Aileen Corbit is a member of the Jones County Medical Society, also a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, and for a number of years was a mem- ber of the American Medical Association. She has held various offices in the county society and has taken an active part in the programs and general main- tenance of the association. For several years she was the local health officer. Dr. Corbit is possessed of an unusually bright intellect, and this, added to the fact that she has received a fine education, renders her splendidly equipped for her chosen profession. To the profession of medicine, she has added that of home- maker and motherhood, with no small degree of success. She is of a genial disposition, enjoying the society of her fellow beings, and her home is often the scene of pleasant social functions. She has taken an active part in the literary and social affairs of the town, being a member of the Hawthorne Club, and the Bay View Historical Club, always being ready with her part, faithfully and with exactness performing her duties either on the literary program or in the social function.
JOHN WESLEY RUNDALL.
John Wesley Rundall, a farmer of Greenfield township, is one of the men who can remember when this part of the state presented an appearance far dif- ferent from the order and prosperity it now displays. He was but two years old when in 1842 his father brought him from his Ohio home and settled upon a farm in Viola, Linn county, Iowa. At that time, and all through his boyhood, the land was wild, covered with forests, inhabitated by all kinds of wild game and still the hunting ground of the red man.
He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, January 5, 1840, and was the son of John and Elizabeth (Hall) Rundall. On the farm his father cleared he grew to manhood, assisting the older man in the hard work as soon as he was able, and can well remember the difficulties that attended agriculture in those early days as contrasted with the means employed at present. In 1871 he removed to Greenfield township, Jones county, purchasing the homestead on which he now lives. It consists of one hundred and twenty acres, is situated on section 8, and is well improved and cultivated by up-to-date and progressive methods. On it Mr. Rundall follows general farming and finds his labors well repaid.
On the 31st of January, 1865, Mr. Rundall was united in marriage to Miss Martha Foos, a daughter of Benjamin and Julia (Thompson) Foos, who were the parents of eleven other children, ten boys and one girl: Cephus, deceased ; Henry, who lives in Oregon; George, deceased; Shadrach, who was killed in the battle of Shiloh; John W., of Greenfield ; James, who lives in Oregon ; Oscar, deceased ; Robert, living in Nebraska; Amy, living in Linn county, Towa ; Wash- ington, who resides in Nebraska, and Zilla, who lives in California. To Mr. and Mrs. Rundall have been born two children: Benjamin and Docia R., now the
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wife of C. C. Miller. Mrs. Rundall died July 29, 1903, and since that date Mr. Rundall has made his home with his son Benjamin on the homestead which he still owns. The son was married May 22, 1902, to Miss Mertie Garrettson, and is now the father of three young children : Jennie Elizabeth, born March 7, 1905; John R., born December 6, 1906; and Robert Benjamin, born April 27, 1909.
Mr. Rundall has always been a firm democrat and has believed in the plat- form of that party. He has not been a politician, however, although he has ren- dered efficient service as a member of the board of education of Greenfield town- ship. His son is a member of White Rose Lodge, No. 279, K. P., of Martelle, where he has a number of good friends. To hear Mr. Rundall tell of the days of the pioneers one realizes how far we have progressed beyond those early days, and yet is reminded that without their sacrifices and heroism the development that surrounds us would not have been possible.
JOHN FAGAN.
John Fagan, a progressive farmer of Scotch Grove township and one of the representative citizens of Jones county, was born in County Meath, Ireland, April 20, 1844. His parents were Thomas and Mary (O'Brien) Fagan, both natives of the Emerald isle, who came to the United States in 1847. They located first in Jersey City, New Jersey, where Thomas Fagan found employment in a starch factory. There strong traits of character-industry and the capacity to con- trol men-won for him rapid promotion and he became foreman of the plant before he had been there many years. Nine years after his arrival in this coun- try, he came to Iowa, in 1856, taking up his residence in Scotch Grove township, Jones county. He purchased first eighty acres of government land, for which a brother-in-law, Michael O'Brien, had secured a warrant, paying a dollar and a quarter an acre for it. On that farm he engaged in agricultural pursuits with a success that enabled him to add to the original tract from time to time until at his death he owned five hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Jones county. Consequently, in 1898, when his life was brought to a close, in the eighty-first year of his age, he was accounted one of the more prominent agriculturists of his section of the county, able to bequeath to his sons, not only a substantial legacy of land, but also an honored name. His wife passed away a number of years previous to his death, at the age of sixty-eight years.
John Fagan was reared at home, acquiring under his parents' guidance im- portant lessons in the practical affairs of life. He attended the common schools and was graduated from the high school of Monticello with the class of 1868. At the age of twenty-five he began to teach, and for the next twelve years devoted himself to educational work. It was in 1877 that he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, when he purchased ninety acres of his present farm. on section 23, Scotch Grove township. Like his father he has added to the original tract until he owns today three hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land. On it he has pursued diversified farming, which has brought him a gratifying
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THOMAS FAGAN
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return upon his investment of thought and labor. As industry and good manage- ment have brought to him success he is today numbered among the prosperous and respected men of Scotch Grove township.
On the 18th of February, 1873, Mr. Fagan was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Rogers, of Washington township, this county, her parents being num- bered among the early settlers of this section of the state. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fagan six survive. They are Thomas L., who is a miner in Butte, Montana; Lewis T., a mechanical engineer in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and James H., John W., Francis L. and David A., who are at home. Mrs. Fagan died November 12, 1907, and, having been a devout member of the Catholic church, her demise was attended with all the consolations of that religion. Mr. Fagan and his children are also adherents of that faith and are faithful in their attention to their religious duties. In politics he has given his support to the democratic party, but has never evinced any desire to hold public office. His influence, nevertheless, has been far-reaching, as is that of any man whose life is ordered by sound principles of honor and integrity.
THOMAS H. STORY.
Thomas H. Story is one of those men who were destined from birth to be in the vanguard of progress, and as he has followed the calling of a farmer he has been the first of the agriculturists of Madison township to obtain those im- plements which have not only lightened the labor of tilling the soil but have contributed to prolonging its fertility as well. He is descended from English ancestors in whom was bred the determination to make a position for them- selves, and that will to do was transmitted to him. His father, William Story, was born in England, but as a young boy came with his parents to the United States. The family located in New York state, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Hannah Bartow, a native of that state. In 1854 he joined the courageous band of pioneers who were emigrating to the west to get a new start in life from the rich land which the government had just opened for those who wanted a home. After arriving in Iowa he assisted a brother by conducting a sawmill on Buffalo creek a little above Anamosa. There, after a short time, he found six men who would be his companions on a journey west to Wall lake, where they might enter land. They reached their destination and put up their shanties, but the hostility of the Indians made them desist from their intention and seek more civilized regions. William Story then went to Jackson county, Iowa, where he entered one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which he resided for about thirteen years, when he came to Jones county, locating in Madison township, for he had acquired four hundred acres here. Some time in the early 'Sos he bought an extensive tract of land in Cass county, and about 1883 or 1884 went to live upon it, making it his home until his death, which occurred August 10, 1889, in the sixty-third year of his age. His wife survived him until 1902, when on the Ist of January, she too passed away at the age of seventy-four. In politics Wil- liam Story was a stanch republican, but was never an office seeker.
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Thomas H. Story, the subject of this sketch, was born in a log house in Madison township, November II, 1854. He acquired such an education as he was able to obtain in the district schools and gained practical experience in farm- ing at home under the instruction of his father. In 1879, when he was twenty- five years old, he began his business career. For a portion of a year he worked on the construction of the Bellevue & Cascade Railway, which has now been incorporated in the Milwaukee & St. Paul system, and then, in 1880, he came to Madison township. He located on eighty acres of his present farm, which he had purchased from his father, and engaged in farming which has since been his vocation. He now cultivates three hundred acres, two hundred and twenty of which Mr. Story himself owns, while eighty acres belong to his wife. Besides general farming which he carried on, Mr. Story raises a large number of short- horn cattle, making a specialty of dairying and milking from twenty-five to thirty cows. He is progressive and enterprising in his methods, keeping well abreast of the times as they bring improvements in the means of cultivating the soil. The fact that he was the first man in his section to buy a field corn husker may be an illustration of this statement.
In 1880 Mr. Story wedded Miss Sarah Guthrie, a daughter of Clement Guth- rie, who was one of the early settlers of Hale township and during his life one of the well known men of this county. Of this union there have been born five children : Anna H., Ralph E., James H., Ettie M. and Nellie A. All the young people are still unmarried and live at home.
On national issues Mr. Story is a republican in his political views, but at local. elections he always votes for the best man irrespective of party. Though not an office seeker, he takes a vital interest in the welfare of his community and has rendered efficient service in the past twenty years as a school director. While not a professed member of any church he believes in the efficacy of religions work and is ever generous in his support of it. To his farm and his stock he gives the best of his time and strength, in which lies the secret of the phenomenal success that the years have brought him and in the bosom of his family finds his keenest enjoyment when he rests from the toil of the day. He owns an automobile, and his enthusiasm for that diversion finds large outlet in long trips through the country.
JOSEPH W. ORR.
Farming has claimed the attention of Joseph W. Orr from his early youth to the present time and he is now operating eighty acres which he purchased in 1895, in addition to carrying on the home farm of one hundred acres, all located in Scotch Grove township. Mr. Orr was born in Clay township, Jones county, April 15, 1864, a son of William and Jemima (Orr) Orr, both natives of the Emerald isle, whence they came to the new world after reaching mature years. Each located in Connecticut and in that state in 1855 they were united in marriage. In April of that year, about two months subsequent to their mar- riage, they sought a home in the west, making a location in Jones county. Here the father worked as a farm hand for several years, while for four years he
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operated rented land. Both he and his wife were economical and industrious and their united efforts eventually brought them the capital that justified the pur- chase of a farm and Mr. Orr then bought eighty acres of land ready for cul- tivation and twenty acres of timber land. Locating on his newly acquired tract he continued to carry on farm work till the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th of January, 1888, when he had reached the age of fifty-five years. The mother still survives and yet makes her home on the farm left to her by her husband.
Joseph W. Orr was reared at home, acquiring his education in the common schools. He was associated with his father in the farm work until the latter's death, when the son assumed its management and has since carried on the work for his mother. In 1895, Mr. Orr purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the home place and he now has charge of the one hundred and eighty acres, this land lying in Scotch Grove township. He follows general farming and his excel- lent knowledge of the best methods of agriculture are bringing to him gratify- ing results.
Mr. Orr was married on the 24th of August, 1887, to Miss Ella J. Lee, of Clay township, a daughter of James F. Lee, who came when a boy with his parents to Jones county from Dubuque county, this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs.' Orr have been born seven children, but two of the number are deceased. Those who survive are: Vera J., who is a student in Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa ; and William L., Ruth N., John Harold and Ralph J., all still under the parental roof.
Mr. Orr is a democrat in his political views and affiliations and keeps well informed on the current events of the day. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, while his fraternal relations connect him with Onslow Lodge, No. 398, I. O. O. F. and Onslow Camp, No. 2120, M. W. A. Mr. Orr is one of the substantial and influential men of Scotch Grove township, where his entire life has been spent and his record will therefore prove of interest to our readers.
AUGUST CARSTENSEN.
Among the farmers who have come to this country to make a place for themselves that would be impossible in the land of their birth and who have contributed to the sum total of prosperity that is characteristic of Madison town- ship is August Carstensen. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and is a son of John H. and Bothilde (Albertson) Carstensen. The parents were also natives of Schleswig-Holstein and came to the United States in 1892, making their way to Madison township, Jones county, Iowa, directly after their arrival on our shores. After six or seven years spent in farming in this locality John H. Carstensen retired from active life and in 1907 passed away at the age of seventy-four. His widow is still living in Wyoming, Iowa.
In the public schools of Germany. before he came here, August Carstensen had received his education, but he had no other preparation for life and arrived
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in this country a poor boy. He had, however, the ability and the strong will to work and succeed, and his present substantial position is but another indica- tion of what these qualities can accomplish. For several years he and his father worked together but by the fall of 1902 he had saved sufficient of his earnings to enable him to buy his present farm. It embraces sixty acres of excellent land, on which Mr. Carstensen carries on diversified farming. Fortune has smiled upon him, or rather, he has reaped a generous return for his many hours of tedious toil, and from poverty has attained to a competence and a substantial position not only in Madison township and Jones county.
In 1901, Mr. Carstensen was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Peterson. Her parents, Martin and Elsape (Baudicksen) Peterson, had come from Ger- many and joined the farming community of Jones county, which became the birthplace of their daughter. They are now residents of Oxford township and have attained to a respected position there. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carstensen: Emma, Hattie, Herman and Martin.
When he became a citizen of this republic Mr. Carstensen decided that the platform of the democratic party was most in accord with his political views and has since given his support to its candidates at election times. He is liberal in his views, however, and in local affairs votes for men and measures as he thinks right and for the greater good of the community. In the seventeen years he has been a resident of Jones county Mr. Carstensen has attained to an enviable position of prosperity, the result of his own unremitting labors united to a definite purpose. He enjoys the respect of those who have watched his progress, from the beginning, and the lesson of his life might well be emulated by men of all ages.
FRANK BALLOU.
No citizen of Hale township is more highly respected nor more richly de- serves the honer which is uniformly accorded him than Frank Ballou, a progres- sive and successful farmer and a consistent, earnest church worker. He was born on the 17th of April, 1862, on the farm which is now his home, his parents being Asa and Dilla (Bachelor) Ballou, natives of New York and New Hampshire, respectively. The father, who was born January 29, 1835, came west with his father, Jerry Ballou, and a brother, Andrew, arriving in Iowa in 1852. He was a farmer, engaging in that occupation in Hale township throughout his entire busi- ness career. A few years prior to his death, however, he removed to Clarence where he lived retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former years of toil. He had been very successful in his chosen field of labor and at one time owned one thousand acres of land, his estate at the time of his death being valued at one hundred thousand dollars. He passed away in July, 1897, while his wife, who was born in January. 1845, still survives and makes her home in Clarence, Iowa. In their family are six children, namely : Hosa, residing in Clarence ; Frank. of this review : Amanda, the wife of Frank Root, of Oketo, Kansas ; Susannah, who married William Gardner, of Clarence; James, who makes his home in Clar- ence : and Mrs. Daisy Root, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Amid the scenes and environment of rural life Frank Ballou was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools near his father's home. The period of his boyhood and youth was passed in the usual manner of the country lad, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks that were assigned to him by parental authority. During the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the home farm and early learned lessons concerning the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, while the success which he today enjoys is an indication of the fact that his early training along agricultural lines was both thorough and com- prehensive. He still resides upon the farm upon which he was born, having made this his home throughout his entire life. He now owns two hundred acres of excel- lent farming property, one hundred and twenty acres on section 26, constituting the home place, and eighty acres on section 35. The farm comprises one of the most highly improved properties in the district and the buildings which stand upon it, consisting of a comfortable and attractive dwelling, two large barns and substantial outbuildings, are exceptionally fine, there being none better in the entire township. He carries on general farming and stock raising and for the past ten or twelve years has been an extensive feeder of steers, while for a few years he made a specialty of raising white-faced cattle. He has also found time to direct his attention into other channels and is now the owner of one thousand acres of land in Beal county, South Dakota, having been a dealer in Dakota lands for the past five years. He is systematic and businesslike in the conduct of his affairs which, carefully managed, are bringing to him a most enviable de- gree of prosperity, while his various interests combine to make him one of the leading and influential citizens of the township.
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