USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 53
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It was on the 19th of December, 1867, that Mr. Peet was united in marriage to Miss Oriana Chapin, a daughter of George and Oriana (Lounsbury) Chapin, the former born in Cortland county, New York, March 1, 1814, and the latter on the 18th of November. 1815. Her parents are both deceased, the father passing away on the 23d of November, 1854, while the mother survived until the 24th of July, 1901. In their family were five children. the eldest child, born in 1839, passing away in infancy. The others were : Minerva, who was born on the 14th of August, 1840, and passed away August 7, 1871 ; James B., who was born July 14, 1842, and resides at Perry, Iowa; Mrs. F. G. Peet, the' wife of our subject ; and C. W., born May 9, 1847, who now makes his home in Green- field township.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Peet was blessed with nine sons. Harry L., the eldest, was born September 19, 1868, and now resides north of Martelle. He was married on the 20th of February, 1895. to Miss Katie Baird, by whom he had one daughter, Edna, who lived but three days. Glenn A. Peet, born on the 22d of January, 1870, was united in marriage to Clara B. Robbin on the 28th of September, 1893. They had one son. Gale, who passed away at the age of two years, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1900. Mr. Peet was later married to Miss Evalina Miller, and to this union were born four children, Ray, Cecil. Ora, Lottie and Grace Isabel, aged seven, five, four and six months, re- spectively. The next son, Claude G. Peet, was born on the 23d of September, 1871, and on the 14th of February. 1900, became the husband of Mary Arm- strong. by whom he has a daughter, Merle, seven years of age. Collis S. Peet was born on the 26th of October, 1873. is now conducting a grain and feed business in Martelle. He was married on the 6th of April, 1904, to Myrtle Pierce. of Pennsylvania, and unto them was born one daughter, Florence, aged four years.
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who is now living with her uncle, Harry Peet. The mother passed away Septem- ber 25, 1907. Earl C. Peet was born September 29, 1875, and on the 3d of April, 1904, was united in marriage to Gladys G. Shoup, this union being blessed with one son, Roscoe L., aged four years. The next child was born on the 13th of August, 1877, and died in infancy. The next three sons, Vestus J., Clarence B. and Grove E., born on July 6. 1880, October 4, 1883, and June 25, 1886. respectively, still reside on the home farm. Seven grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Peet are now living.
Not only on account of the creditable success which he has gained in agri- cultural lines, but also because of the prominent part which he has taken in the local politics of the community has Mr. Peet become well known to his fellow citizens. He has always taken a deep and active interest in public affairs and has been honored by his fellowmen who have called him to responsible positions in the township. He served as township trustee for a number of years, has been as- sessor for three terms and was elected to fill the office of county supervisor for three terms, besides being appointed to that office for one year. He has held the position of school treasurer in Greenfield township for thirty-seven years, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of his duties and his apprecia- tion of the responsibilities that rested upon him were such as to make him a most acceptable incumbent in the various offices to which he was elected, and his record as an official and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
OLIVER POSTLEWAITE.
Oliver Postlewaite, who has carried on a profitable life insurance in Prairie- burg for the past nine years, was born in Sierra county, California, in 1856. His father, John J. Postlewaite, was a native of Pennsylvania but went to California even before the rumor of the discovery of gold spread through the country, for he was one of the first men to cross the prairies and mountains. While he was living there he became acquainted with Miss Emily Lockwood, a native of Indiana, and some time in 1847 they were united in marriage. Mrs. Postlewaite died in 1861, when she was only thirty-eight years of age, and the same year he came to Jones county, taking up his residence in Anamosa He did not remain here long, however, for he enlisted in the Union army and served through- out the Civil war, participating in the battle of Pittsburg Landing and accom- panying Sherman on his historic march to the sea.
Oliver Postlewaite has spent the greater part of his life in Jones and Linn counties. In his youth he learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for many years while he lived in Anamosa. A good workman, clever and rapid, he had no trouble in finding sufficient employment, but he believed he would find larger opportunities open in other fields. Therefore, in 1900, at the beginning of a new century he foresook his trade and embarked upon the business of life insurance. He secured the Prairieburg agency of the Anchor Insurance
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Company of Des Moines, Iowa, and set to work to make a success of the new field of endeavor. He began in a small way, of course traversing on foot the country in the vicinity of the town, to find and persuade men of the necessity of providing a future for those who would suffer through their demise. His engag- ing personality, the convincing manner in which he presented his arguments, and his energetic prosecution of his business soon brought him a contingency that made it possible for him to abandon the modest way in which he had opened his operations, and to establish himself in quarters which were in keeping with the vigorous methods he had pursued and large partronage he had gained. Although the success the past nine years have brought him is gratifying in a high degree, he regards it but as a stepping-stone to larger opportunities which he intends to grasp in the future. He is one of the men who place little reliance in chance, or rather, who believe that chance, so called, is of their own making, that it comes in response to their own seeking and to the industry with which they pursue their vocation.
Mindful of a father who fought in the defense of the Union and of a brother, John J., who as a member of the Thirteenth Iowa Regiment was killed in the battle of Atlanta, July 21, 1864, Mr. Postlewaite has given his allegiance to the republican party, for it was the support of the nation through the years of trial and warfare. He has played no part in local public matters, however, although he has been deeply interested in the welfare of his fellow citizens, never failing to exert his influence in their behalf. Fraternally he is a member of Prairieburg Lodge, No. 421, A. F. & A. M., of the Prairieburg Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., and of the Cedar Rapids Lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men.
In March 1897, Mr. Postlewaite was united in marriage to Miss Barbara J. Howard, a daughter of Anthony Howard. Two children have been born to them, Anna May and Edward Arthur. The parents are members of the Pres- byterian church, in whose doctrine the children are being reared, and make every effort to order their lives in accordance with its teachings. While church mem- bership does not in every case constitute a good citizen, when the strong qual- ities of manhood are spiritualized by a practical application of religious truths, as in the case of Mr. Postlewaite, the community cannot but be the better for his living in its midst.
URIAH BARR.
For more than fifteen years Uriah Barr has cultivated his farm of one hun- dred acres on section 23, Greenfield township, and has found no reason to re- gret that he has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits or that he chose Greenfield township as the scene of his labors. He was born in Fairfield, Ohio, where his parents spent their entire life. They were Jacob and Sarah (Spohn) Barr, both now deceased, in whose family were five children: Uriah, Lizzie, Jacob, David and George. Lizzie and George have passed away; David is liv- ing in Colorado; while Jacob remained in Ohio, the state of his birth.
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Uriah Barr was born September 12, 1846, and remained in his native state until twenty-six years of age, when he sought the prairies of Iowa and the op- portunities they afforded. For eight terms he devoted himself to teaching, to instructing boys and girls, some of whom almost men and women, who could be spared from their home. He had already had some experience in teaching in the schools of his native state, for when his own education was completed he was determined to improve upon his early training. It was not until 1893. that he bought the farm he now owns in Greenfield township. He paid fifty dollars an acre for it at the time but it has almost doubled in value because of the natural advance in land and the many improvements he has placed upon it.
In 1866 Mr. Barr married Miss Mary E. Coplin, who died June 25. 1868, leaving one daughter, Lizzie. The latter became the wife of Fred Pieper and they had a son, Uriah, born April 17. 1891. Three days after his birth Mrs. Pieper died and the baby was taken by his grandparents, with whom he has al- ways made his home. On the 11th of October. 1870. Mr. Barr was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth A. Lamb. Her mother died in Ohio, in 1881 and her father came with his youngest daughter to Iowa and made his home with Mrs. Barr till his death. Mrs. Barr is one of a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters: Mary and Clara, both deceased; Ella, who makes her home with Mrs. Barr: Hiram, who lives in Ohio: Jonas, of Grundy Center. Iowa: Henry. deceased ; and J. M., of Dickinson county, Iowa. Anna, the only child of Mr. Barr's second union, was born July 20. 1874. On the 14th of December. 1893. she married Ed Henderson, of Cedar county, Iowa, and is now the mother of four children: Harry, Harlan, Vera and Verna.
Mr. Barr is a stanch adherent of the democratic party and has always dis- played a sincere interest in public affairs. This has been appreciated by his fel- low citizens, who during a period of thirteen years chose him as their assessor. He has also served on the school board since he took up his residence in Iowa, and his influence has ever been given to advancing the interests of education. Reared in the Methodist faith, he and his family are devout members of the local church of that denomination and have ordered their lives in accordance with its doctrines.
JAMES INGLIS.
James Inglis, who is one of the leading stock and grain men not only of Wyoming township, which is his home, but even of Jones county, handling in conjunction with his brother, Daniel Inglis, more cattle than any other firm here. was born in Hale township. March 31. 1862, and is a son of Robert and Jane ( Porter) Inglis. The parents were natives of Scotland, the former having been born in Ayrshire, January 2, 1822. Ilis life record covered eighty-seven years, nine months and two days. his death occurring October 26. 1909. He was reared in his native country and there married Miss Jane Porter on the 22d of June. 1852. Ambitious to possess a home of their own and believing that bet- ter opportunities could be secured in America, they sailed for this country in
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1858. In Scotland Mr. Inglis had served as the coachman on the great estate of Sir Humphrey David Blair, called Blairwhan, and Mrs. Inglis acted as the dairy- maid. His duties included the opening and closing of the gate that led to Blair- whan castle. Those who were intimately acquainted with Mr. Inglis will remem- ber the peculiarly polite salute he would always give those he met as he raised his hand and touched his hat to greet one in a way different from anybody else, this undoubtedly resulting from his training in this position with Sir Humphrey. After crossing the Atlantic Mr. and Mrs. Inglis made their way to Marengo, Illinois, where resided her uncle Robert Porter. There she remained while Mr. Inglis continued on his western way to Iowa to seek a location. He chose a farm near Hale, on which John Inglis still resides. He soon became closely iden- tified with the agricultural development of the district and was not only success- ful in tilling the soil but also became prominent in local affairs. When he se- cured his naturalization papers and became a citizen of the United States he espoused the cause of the republican party and became a factor in its local coun- cils, his opinions being regarded as of value. He was several times called to local offices and made a reputation as a trustworthy servant of the people. He was elected to the positions of township treasurer and trustee and was also county supervisor for one term. For a number of years and up to the time of his death he was an elder in the Presbyterian church, to the interests of which he was always most loyal, while with its work he was intimately connected. He was an unusually strong, robust man in every way, being endowed with a strong body and attractive personality as well as a keen mind. One who knew him well often remarked that he strikingly resembled the great Scotch writer and preacher, John Watson, better known as Ian Maclaren. He had a wonderful mind and few laymen had a better knowledge of the Bible or did more effective work as a Sunday-school teacher. expounding the scriptures with clearness and truth. His wife, who had shared with him the joys and sorrows of life for more than half a century, was called to her final rest September 9, 1909.
James Inglis was reared upon the home farm in Hale township, receiving good training for the practical duties and responsibilities of life from his parents and in the district school which he attended. later completing his education in the high school at Wyoming. At the age of twenty he engaged in teaching, al- though he followed that profession for only one winter, when he returned to his home and devoted himself to his father's interests. Until his marriage in 1894 he worked with his parent and then came to Wyoming township and in partnership with his brother Daniel engaged in the cattle and grain business. In the past fifteen years these men have perhaps handled and fed on grass more cattle than any other firm in this section of the state. Their landholdings in themselves are significant of the extent of their operations, for they have eleven hundred and ninety-two acres in this and Jackson counties, besides half a sec- tion in South Dakota and half a section in the Saskatchewan country of Canada. Daniel Inglis also owns four large elevators in Cambridge, Story county, in which James Inglis is likewise interested. Hard work and unremitting industry have been the foundation upon which the brothers have builded their success ; they have been unsparing of themselves and of their resources to attain a posi- tion which would enable them to stand in the fore rank of the cattle and grain
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men of this state. So far their endeavors have been handsomely requited and Mr. Inglis has every reason to be gratified with the results of his labor.
On the 18th of February, 1894, Mr. Inglis wedded Miss Elizabeth Jennings, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio. Two children have been born of their union-Elizabeth J. and Eloise J. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Inglis is a trustee, and take an active part in the work of the congregation. Politically Mr. Inglis' sympathies are with the republican party, but he has been too busy a man to seek for office although the people would gladly bestow one upon him in recognition of his pronounced ability. He prefers, however, to give his attention to his large and important business in- terests and is widely recognized as a man of keen discernment and sound judgment.
L. K. MILLER.
L. K. Miller, one of the older generation of farmers, who has now retired from the active pursuits and lives in Rome township, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 31, 1828, and is the son of Jacob and Mary ( Keller) Miller. The father, whose birthplace was in Rockingham county. Virginia, was one of those hardy men who found outlet for their strength and courage in the wilds of a new country. He went from his native home to Ohio when the territory of that state was first opened for colonization. His father had entered land, built a log cabin, on which he put a clapboard roof, and cleared his land for farming. In 1844, when Iowa was opened for settlement, Jacob Miller came to this state, entered land and built a log cabin, which was his home for five years. On this land he lived until his death in 1881 in the eighty-second year of his age. His wife, who had come from a home in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to share his hard life with him, survived until 1895, when her ninety-two years of life was brought to a close. She had borne her husband a family of ten children, only two of whom are now living: L. K .. the subject of this sketch; and B. H., a resident of Anamosa.
L. K. Miller was reared at home and participated in the work of clearing the land and making a home in the heart of the wilderness. He received such an education as the common schools of the period afforded and worked on the home farm in his youth and until he became of age. When twenty-one he acquired his farm in Rome township, virgin soil at that time, but he prepared it for the reception of seed and for further agricultural work. He improved it, too, in many other ways, adding buildings of good character and cultivating his fields in such manner that they produced richly. As the years brought him success he was enabled to add to his original tract and at one time owned five hundred acres of excellent land. This he has now either sold or bestowed upon his children. for with advancing years he was desirous to be relieved of its care.
In 1852, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Green, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, in 1832, and was the daughter of Thomas and Effie (Stingley) Green. Her mother was a native of Ross county, Ohio, while
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her father was born in New York state. In 1840 the parents came to Iowa, having traversed the prairies by means of a team of horses, and they took up their residence in this part of the state. They passed away at the dawn of the new era, for whose advent they had prepared. One of a family of fourteen children, Mrs. Miller became the mother of ten: Thomas M., of Rome township; Loretta J., deceased; William A., now a resident of Davenport, Iowa; Alice, the wife of Samuel Pieper, of Olin; Edward S., of Olin; Jacob N., deceased; F. W., of Olin ; John H., of Anamosa ; Henry D., of Rome township; and Emma, the wife of J. O. Farnham, of this same township. Mrs. Miller died May 22, 1902, leaving a husband and eight children to mourn her loss as a faithful wife and devoted mother. She was laid to rest in Center Chapel cemetery.
Mr. Miller has always been stanch in his allegiance to the democratic party, and was for twelve years a school director, in this capacity rendering the town- ship valuable service. A man reared from childhood to the necessity of hard work, he has lived to see the benefits of persistent industry. He was successful beyond the average, and the rest he now enjoys is well deserved and very enviable to those who are still struggling along the road he has already traversed.
MYRON W. GRAY.
Myron W. Gray, one of the older generation of farmers of Cass township, was born in Saratoga county, New York, June 25, 1835, and is a son of John B. and Lucy (Heath) Gray, both natives of the same county as their son. In 1853 they brought their family of fourteen children to the middle west, settling first in Elgin, Illinois, and then in October, 1856, coming to Iowa. They located in Fayette county, where they made their home until they were called to their final rest. During his active life Mr. Gray had been a farmer and with the help of his wife reared to maturity sixteen children. A seventeenth did not survive the period of infancy and nine have since passed away, so that only five boys and two girls are now living to bear witness to the excellent instruction received at the family hearthstone. Two of the sons, Horatio and William Harrison, were soldiers in the Civil war. The former enlisted from Elgin, Illinois, and served for three years; the latter joined the army from Fayette county, Iowa, for one hundred days' service. He was ill during part of this period but recov- ered his health and is still living.
Myron W. Gray was eighteen when his parents came to the west, and many of the experiences of the trip are still vivid in this memory, for it was a much more difficult journey then than it would be today when the railroads have attained to such efficiency of service. He can also remember crossing the prairies from Illinois to Iowa, and as he looks over the fields he owns now he finds them much different from those on which he and his brothers and sisters settled after they came here. Until 1865 Mr. Gray farmed in Fayette county, and then came to Jones county. Here he rented for five years, or until 1870, when he bought his present farm of eighty acres in Cass township. Here he has carefully tilled his fields and has engaged also in stock raising, making a specialty of
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Poland China hogs. He has the distinction of having sold the largest hog that was ever raised in this county, weighing seven hundred and thirty-three pounds when it was sent to market. He is especially interested in the raising of potatoes, in which branch of his business as in his stock breeding and feeding he is commonly regarded as an authority.
On the 30th of May, 1858, Mr. Gray married Miss Emma Graves, who was born in Wyoming county, New York, in 1840, and was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Ann ( Noble) Graves. She came west with her mother and her brothers and sisters about the same time that Mr. Gray came here with his parents, and the two families met in Dubuque. The Graves later moved to Fayette county, where Mrs. Graves died, but her husband had passed away while they lived in New York state. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray: William Wallace, of Wayne township: Carrie M., who is the wife of Sam Lawrence, of Cass township: Myrtle, who is the widow of Frank Gibson, a resident of Cedar Rapids: Susan, who married Harry Smith, the warden of the State Reformatory at Anamosa : Nellie, who is the wife of William Reep, of Marion, Iowa : John, who lives at home : Harry, of Cass township : and Margaret, who is the wife of Benjamin McClout, of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Gray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Anamosa, and is in accord politically with the platform of the republican party. He has not taken any part in public affairs, however, save as a member of the school board and as justice of the peace. He is nevertheless highly regarded as a man who knows how to win large crops from the ground he tills and how to raise stock of a good grade, and this capacity united with the fact that he is ever guided by sound principles has made his judgment valuable to those with whom he is associated.
W. E. TALLMAN.
One of the native farmers of Rome township, who has advanced steadily with the progress of the times, is W. E. Tallman. He was born April 20, 1863, and is the son of John and Lucinda ( Low) Tallman, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Maryland. In 1845. shortly after their marriage the parents came to lowa, locating in Rome township. Jones county, where they had entered gov- ernment land. It was in the early days of the state's existence and the majority of houses were rudely built of logs. Mr. Tallman's differed but slightly from the other cabins about him, save that he with great labor put a roof of clapboards above the logs and the flooring was of boards. After the addition of a door. only too uncommon, the building that was to shelter his family from the inclem- ency of the weather, was complete, and it remained their home for ten or twelve years. When, on the 30th of July, 1893. the father was called away, these old conditions were but memories, of which he told and retold as if they were fairy tales to the grandchildren who gathered about him. His widow died September 6, 1909, in her eighty-eighth year. To John Tallman and wife were born ten children : James H., deceased ; Nathaniel C., of Greene county, Iowa : Reuben S .. also of Greene county. Towa; Elizabeth, who makes her home in Chicago, Ill-
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JOHN TALLMAN
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nois; Winfield H., also of Greene county, Iowa; Mary J., deceased; Rose A., the wife of Arthur G. Neff, of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Samantha E., the wife of Peter Kane, of Vinton, Iowa; Angeline, who married R. T. Boots, of Rome town- ship; and W. E. the subject of this sketch.
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