USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 52
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Mr. Ballou was united in marriage in 1883 to Miss Mary E. Hammond, who was born in 1869 in Oxford township. Jones county, a daughter of Shadrach and Emeline (Kimball) Hammond, both natives of New Jersey. Her father, who was born in Essex county, that state, on the 22d of June, 1831, went to Ohio early in life, first locating in Delaware county and later in Franklin county, where. on the 20th of December, 1854, he was married. He then came to Jones county, Iowa, where his remaining days were spent, his death occurring on the 2d of De- cember, 1895. He was one of the early settlers of Oxford township, this county, and no man stood higher in the regard and affection of his fellowmen. He was a consistent member of and active worker in the Methodist church and assisted in the erection of several church buildings. The following paragraph taken from a local newspaper at the time of his death, indicates something of the feeling entertained for him by his fellow citizens: "Shadrach Hammond had so lived this life that he was held in the highest esteem possible among all those who have known him in the forty years he has been in this township. No one knew him but to honor and respect his manly character. He bore malice to no man. He had no enemies. During his last sickness the interest felt in his condition was only a manifestation of the love his noble life had engendered among his fellowmen, and the announcement of his death brought forth a blessing for him from every lip." His wife has also passed away, her death occurring in Oxford Mills.
As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ballou has been blessed with six children, namely: Virgil, who married Myrtle McClure, of
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Rome township, by whom he has one child. Velma June; Perry, who married Maude Slife and resides upon the home farm with his father; Lydia, the wife of Thomas Lindsey, of Cedar county, by whom she has one child, Ethelyn Murial ; Ella, Frederick and Mabel, all yet under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Ballou casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the prohibition party, to which organization he gives stalwart allegiance, believe- ing that intemperance is one of the greatest evils with which the country has to contend, and that it is the duty of each true and loyal citizen to do all in his power to prevent its existence in the community in which he resides. He is a prominent member of the Wesleyan Methodist Dayton Valley church, in the work of which he has been a very potent factor. He is now serving as class leader and superintendent of the Sunday school. and is also one of the trustees of the local church and of the Iowa conference. He is likewise a member of the book com- mittee of the church which meets every year at Syracure, New York, and is serv- ing his second term in that capacity, each term covering four years. Loyal in his citizenship, no matter having for its object the material and moral growth of the community seeks his aid in vain. What the country needs is more men like him-men whose integrity is unquestioned, whose motives are of the highest and whose actions are actuated by all that is best and noblest in life.
CHARLES A. SUTHERLAND.
Charles A. Sutherland is a worthy representative of one of the oldest families of Jones county, the name having been established here at the time the land was being placed on the market and people were coming from various sections of the country to cast in their lot with the first settlers. Mr. Sutherland was born in this county, June 20, 1858, a son of William and Henrietta (Esby) Sutherland. The father was born in the Red River country of Canada, and in 1839, when but a lad, he accompanied his parents to this state. The grandfather and his family formed a part of a colony that started from the Red River valley on the long and wearisome journey across the border into the United States. There were forty ox carts in the train, the oxen being driven single, and the wheels of the carts were made of logs. After a journey covering six months they reached Jones county and searching for land, the whole company squatted on claims in Scotch Grove township. One long log house was built, this being covered with sod and dirt and here the whole company made their abode during the winter. In the spring Mr. Sutherland, the grandfather of our subject, made a plow from a tree and with this they cultivated their gardens, over which they had to keep a close watch as deer roamed at will over the prairies. When the land was placed on the market all entered claims and thus the Sutherland family established a permanent home in Jones county. In 1849, during the gold excitement on the Pacific coast, the grandfather went in search of the precious metal, remaining in the west for two years. He then returned to Jones county, where he made his home until his death.
WILLIAM SUTHERLAND
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The father, William Sutherland, early became familiar with the privations incident to establishing a home in a wild region, as he assisted in developing and improving the tract which was entered by his father. He was here married to Miss Henrietta Esby, who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and their union was blessed with three children : Charles A., of this review ; John E., now deceased; and Nettie, the wife of Charles Bates, of Jones county. Both still survive and make their home with their son, the family owning three hundred and eighty-six acres of as fine land as can be found in Scotch Grove township. The parents are highly respected in Jones county, being numbered among its most prominent pioneers.
Charles A. Sutherland was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the common schools. After attaining his majority he engaged in feeding and shipping cattle for five years and in this was very successful. His health failed, however, and he sought a home in the Black Hills of South Dakota, but after a time went to Nebraska, and purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land, made his home thereon for five years. He subsequently returned to his former home in Jones county, and now makes his home on the farm in Scotch Grove township, the family being in possession of three hundred and eighty-six acres. He is actively and busily engaged in farm work and is meeting with merited success, for he follows the most modern methods of agriculture and uses the latest improved farm machinery to facilitate his work.
Mr. Sutherland was married in 1884 to Miss Jennie Cameron, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Wesley and Mary (Hudson) Cameron, in whose family were five children. Both the parents are now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland has been blessed with six children: Thomas W., Nellie M., Mildred and Charles P., all under the parental roof; and Nettie M. and Mary, who have passed away.
Mr. Sutherland is a republican, stanch in his support of the party and its principles, and although he is not active as an office seeker, has served as town- ship collector .. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Presbyterian church. The work instituted by the grandfather and carried on by the father is still continued by Charles A. Sutherland. The family have taken a prominent part in the development of the county from its earliest pioneer times down to the present and throughout their career of far-reaching usefulness, their duties have been performed with the greatest care, and business interests have been so managed as to win the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort.
JOHN W. LANGE.
Handicapped though he was by a poverty stricken youth and the fact that he was a foreigner in a strange land, John W. Lange has become one of the representative farmers of Madison township and one of the substantial men of Jones county. He was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, May 15, 1868, and is the son of John and Frederica (Strubing) Lange, both natives of the
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same province. While still a young man the father was taken from this world, leaving his widow to rear and educate their son unaided. In 1883 she came to the United States and, reaching Iowa took up her home in Wyoming. There she was able to secure domestic work in the family of Judge Ellison and after four years, as the result of her own and her son's savings, was able to go into partnership with the latter in his agricultural undertaking. She died in October, 1894, having been a noble, loving and hard-working mother.
John W. Lange received his substantial training for life at home and ac- quired his education in the public schools of Germany, supplemented after his arrival here by two years spent in the public institutions of instruction at Wy- oming. He began life as a tiller of the soil by working by the month as a farm hand. In four years' time his savings, united with those of his mother, were sufficient to enable him to rent a tract of land and gain the profits of his own efforts. For seven years all told, three during the life of his mother, and for four years after her death, subsequent to his own marriage, he operated what is known in Madison township as the Augusta L. Simpson farm. In March, 1899, he bought his present home, which is a fine tract of one hundred and twenty acres devoted to general farming. In 1909 he purchased the John Gorman farm of two hundred acres, reported to be one of the richest tracts in Jones county, but he has since sold it.
On the 22d of March, 1895, Mr. Lange married Miss Pauline M. Hansen, a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and a daughter of John V. and Caroline (Hansen) Hansen. Her father has passed away, but her mother and a brother, Bernhart, are still living in the old country. To Mr. and Mrs. Lange have been born three children: Bernhart J., Gladius F. and Meinhart H. Husband and wife are members of the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Lange is trustee, and they are rearing their family in that faith. Fraternally Mr. Lange is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and is an active member of the Wyom- ing Camp, No. 183, and sincerely interested in the welfare of the brothers. His political affiliations are with the republicans, but he has not sought public pre- ferment from the people, who would loyally give thim their support in recognition of the sterling qualities of the man and in admiration of his almost phenomenal success.
CHARLES GUILFORD.
Charles Guilford, who owns and operates an excellent farm of four hundred and forty acres on sections II and 14, Cass township, was born in Jones county on Christmas day, 1866, and his whole life has been passed within its borders. When a little lad of three years he was adopted by John Lyman Guilford, in whose home he was reared to manhood. G. L. Guilford who was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, lost his father when about sixteen years of age and from that time he was dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. He was engaged in canal work as a youth and when a young man moved to Kalamazoo, Michi- gan, where he became identified with agricultural interests. He remained there until 1854, which year witnessed his arrival in Jones county, Iowa, where he
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entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cass township. As the years passed and he prospered, he was able to add from time to time to his original in- vestment until his possessions finally aggregated four hundred and forty acres, constituting the farm now owned by our subject. He continued to engage in general farming here until 1894, when he retired from active business and returned to Michigan, where he passed away on the 28th of September, 1907. Had he lived until the following March he would have been eighty years old. His wife died just fourteen days after his demise, having reaced her sixty-fourth year. The subject of this review had two sister: Frances, who is now the wife of Fred Like, of Blue Earth, Minnesota; and Mary, the wife of Mead Sanford.
Charles Guilford attended the district schools of Cass township in the acquire- ment of an education and he remained on the home farm with his parents until their removal, in 1894, to Michigan. He then took charge of the farm and has since continued in its operation. At an early age he had assisted his father in the work of the fields and under his direction had acquired excellent training along agricultural lines, so that he was well equipped for the practical and re- sponsible duties that devolved upon him when he took up the management of the homestead, which he now owns He carries on general farming and stock raising, and both branches of his business are proving profitable sources of revenue to him. He makes a specialty of black Aberdeen Angus cattle and now has about sixty head, although he has had a herd of over one hundred.
On the 28th of July, 1897, Mr. Guilford was united in marriage to Miss Min- nie Batchelder, who was born in Langworthy, Iowa, on the 9th of February, 1870, and is a daughter of Albert and Harriett (Hunter) Batchelder, both of whom are now deceased. Unto them were born five children, namely: Glenn, Irene, Clifford, Ruth and Vernon.
Mr. Guilford gives his political support to the republican party but has not sought to figure prominently before the public, although he has ever been true and loyal in all matters of citizenship. He was early trained to habits of industry, enterprise and integrity, and these have proven strong elements in his success and at the same time have gained the unqualified respect of his fellowmen.
JAMES E. KEGLEY.
James E. Kegley, a prominent horseman and agriculturist of Wyoming township, was born on the farm where he now lives, February 21, 1874, and is a son of John E. and Sarah Jane (Ward) Kegley. The parents were both natives of Virginia but came to Iowa at an early day. In 1852 they settled in Jackson county, where they lived until 1867, coming in that year to Jones county. Here they secured the farm on which James E. Kegley is living today and which was their home for the remainder of their lives, the mother dying on it May 13, 1895, and the father a little more than four years later, September 10, 1899. Ten chil- dren were born to them: Sarah J., deceased; Florence V., the wife of Charles Babcock, a resident of Odebolt, Iowa; Alice V., the wife of Francis Trimble, of Waukegan, Illinois; John W., of Kearney, Nebraska; Aletha E., the wife of
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Robert Gabriel, of Armstrong, Iowa ; Oregon M., who married George B. White- leather and lives in California; Gertrude, the wife of Clifton Stockwell and also lives in California : two who died in infancy; and James E., the subject of this sketch.
James E. Kegley received his early education in the common schools of the township, supplementing this instruction by a course of study in the Wyoming schools. At the same time, however, he obtained practical experience in the cul- tivation of the soil through working with his father on the home farm until twenty-two years of age. Having attained his majority he decided to start in life for himself, although he did not change the field of his operations but paid rent for the place on which he had previously lived and toiled. Four years later he was able to buy the homestead, which has since been in his possession. It consists of two hundred and fifty-five acres, lying on sections 32 and 33, Wyom- ing township. He gives considerable attention to agricultural pursuits, but his main interest is centered in horses which he buys, feeds and ships in large num- bers, obtaining a notable reputation in this branch of his business.
On the 15th of January. 1896, Mr. Kegley married Miss Sarah Etta James, who was born in this county in 1877. She is a daughter of Walter and Mary (Sherman) James, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of New York state, who came to Iowa shortly after their marriage and are now living in Wy- oming. Six children were born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Kegley have one son, James Dwight, who was born April 16, 1900. Mrs. Kegley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but Mr. Kegley does not give religious allegiance to any denomination. Politically, he affiliates with the republicans, invariably casting his ballot for the candidates of that party. He is a member of the Key- stone Lodge, No. 206, A. F. & A. M., in which he is very active and in whose welfare he is ever ready to exert himself and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star.
THOMAS D. CRAIN.
Farming and stock raising are closely associated in agricultural life and nearly all of the progressive farmers of Jones county are engaged in both occupa- tions with gratifying results. Thomas D. Crain, residing on section 23, Jack- son township, has proven what can be accomplished through hard work, per- severance and thrift. He owns a fine farm of rich land, and each year shows a substantial increase in his possessions. He was born in Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, September 15, 1852, and is a son of Joseph and Katherine (Ramage) Crain, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. By occupation the father was a carpenter. He and his wife had seven children as follows : Emma, who married John Spencer and died leaving four sons : William H., a resident of Olin ; Thomas D .; Eugene, who lives in Pennsylvania ; Mary, who married Sam Spencer and died in Pennsylvania: Matilda, who married Jacob Shields and lives in Jackson township ; and Fred, a resident of Denison, Texas.
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Until he was eighteen, Thomas D. Crain made his home with his parents, but, being ambitious in 1871, he came west to Jones county, Iowa, and went to work for Seba Johnson, then living on the farm now owned by Mr. Crain. For a time he operated C. M. Johnson's farm, after which he engaged in farming on rented land for three or four years, eventually locating on his present property, which consists of two hundred acres on sections 23 and 26, Jackson township. He also owns forty acres in Hale township, a part of which is timber land lying along the Wapsi river. The buildings are excellent and all of them have been put up by Mr. Crain. He has also made other improvements and has one of the best farms in his part of the county. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, and in addition to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank of Olin. In politics he is a republican, but has never desired public honors. Fraternally he belongs to Olin Lodge, I. O. O. F., and also to the Knights of Pythias.
On February 13, 1883. Mr. Crain married Carrie Coffits, who was born September 5, 1856. in Anamosa, a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Houstman) Coffits. Her father was born in the Rhine country, Germany, where he and his three brothers learned to be blacksmiths. Upon coming to the United States, he located at Anamosa, Iowa, where he conducted a blacksmith shop for the remainder of his active life and made many shoes for oxen in the old days. His death occurred August 9, 1877, when he had reached the age of seventy years, eleven months and twenty-eight days. After coming to Anamosa, he married Lonisa Houstman, who was born in New Jersey and died at the home of Mr. Crain, in April, 1902, aged eighty-two years. She bore her husband three children : Melissa Ann, who died in childhood: Melinda Jane, who mar- ried J. C. Cook of Stone City, Iowa : and Carrie, who is the wife of Mr. Crain.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crain. Blanche, the eldest, married Jacob Wise, of Amber, who died nine months after their marriage, and she passed away just twenty-eight days later, both succumbing to the ravages of typhoid fever. Elsie is now the wife of Clarence A. Miller, of Rome township, Lee and Helen are at home. The Crain household is a happy one, and a cordial hospitality is shown stranger and friend alike. Few farmers stand higher in Jackson township, and the success that Mr. Crain has attained is certainly well merited.
DENNIS BITTNER.
Dennis Bittner, who as postmaster has handled the mail of the village of Olin for the past twelve years, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 10. 1853. His parents, Herman and Rachel (Vought) Bittner, were also natives of that county, where they were reared and married. Shortly after the inau- guration of the Civil war, Herman Bittner enlisted in the Pennsylvania Infantry and had the misfortune to be captured by the rebels and was confined in Libby prison. There his death subsequently occurred, which left his wife with five children to rear and care for. Four of these are still living useful lives and Mrs.
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Bittner also survives although she has reached the advanced age of eighty years. She has never left Somerset county.
Although so early deprived of a father's love and guidance, Dennis Bittner learned well the fundamental lessons of life at home and at school, so that he has progressed far along the road to success. Until he attained his majority he re- mained at home, assisting his mother in all that lay in his power and then engaged in teaching. To this profession he devoted, all told, eleven winters, one in his native state and ten in Jones county, to which he came in 1875. After forsaking that line of work he engaged in farming, but this did not prove sufficiently to his liking to hold him more than four years, when he sold his land, removed to Olin and embarked in mercantile business. His operations were bringing him large returns for his investments, so that he had every reason to be satisfied with his venture, when on the 22d of June, 1892, his stock was totally destroyed by fire. He was not discouraged by this misfortune, however, but starting again with a new line of goods he opened a store in which he has since carried on business. In 1897 lie was appointed postmaster and has discharged the duties of this office ever since, but he has also conducted his general store in conjunction. The qual- ities which have made him a good business man, which have won for him a rep- resentative trade from the people of the village and its environs have also con- tributed to his popularity as a public servant, for he is unremitting in his efforts to secure the satisfaction of those who rely upon him, sparing neither himself nor those in his employ to obtain quick and efficient distribution of the mails, and ready and willing attention to the demands of others.
After coming to this state Mr. Bittner wedded Miss Clara C. Everhart, a native of Taylor county and a daughter of N. M. and Susan Everhart, who are now residents of Olin. She is one of a family of ten children. Mr. Bittner has always supported the republican party, taking a vital interest in local affairs and in politics generally.
EBER G. PEET.
Eber G. Peet, one of the honored and respected citizens of Greenfield town- ship, has for many years been closely identified with agricultural pursuits and through industry, thrift and enterprise has met with substantial success. One of Jones county's native sons, he was born in Fairview township, just west of the town of Fairview, on the 13th of October, 1845, a son of G. N. and Cordelia O. (Wilcox) Peet. The parents, who were married on the 29th of March, 1840, were both natives of Cortland county, New York, the father having been born on the 2d of September, 1814, while the mother's birth occurred in 1816. The father, who followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, passed away on the 25th of October, 1861, while his wife died April 15, 1896. In their family were three sons and one daughter, namely: C. S., who was born on the 5th of May, 1841, and died in 1864: Teresa V. born February 14, 1843, wife of C. T. Myrick, now deceased; Eber G., of this review ; and Adelbert C .. who was born May 23, 1848, and makes his home in Anamosa.
E. G. PEET AND FAMILY
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During the first seven years of his life Eber G. Peet remained in his native township and then came with his parents to Greenfield township, where the family located upon a farm on section 16, the dwelling which they occupied being the first to be erected in that vicinity. The farm had been homesteaded by the father in 1839, and upon it Mr. Peet resided until he reached years of maturity. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the district schools and during the time not devoted to his text-books he assisted in the work of the home farm. early learning lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. After completing his education he continued to give his father the benefit of his assistance until the latter's death, which occurred when Eber was sixteen years of age. He then entered business life on his own account, wisely choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. During the intervening years he has continued to devote himself to agricultural pursuits and in this line of activity has met with gratifying success. He is now the owner of five hun- dred and fifty-nine acres of the choicest land in Greenfield township. being ranked among the extensive landowners of the locality. That he keeps in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifested in agricultural lines and that his knowledge of farming is both thorough and comprehensive is indi- cated by the highly improved appearance of his place, upon which are found sub- stantial buildings and all of the modern accessories necessary for facilitating farm labor.
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