USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 58
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On October 4. 1866. Mr. McIntyre wedded Miss Sarah Ann Overley. She was born in Kentucky, August 1, 1841, and was a daughter of John C. and Lu- cinda (Arnold) Overley, both natives of the same state. In 1852 they came to Iowa, entering land in Jones county, where they made their home until 1891, when Mr. Overley retired from active life and moved his famliy to Onslow. That same year Mrs. Overley passed away, but he survived until April 30, 1905, when he too was released from the trial of this life. Seven children were born to them : Henry, who was killed in the Civil war while fighting for the preserva- tion of the Union ; Margaret J., deceased ; Sarah A., who married Mr. McIntyre
WILLIAM MCINTYRE
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of this review; Nancy E., William L. and John A., deceased; and Charles C., who is living in Wyoming, Iowa.
One daughter, Catherine L., was born to Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre, whose birth occurred July 9, 1868 In 1891 she was graduated from Cornell College, Mount Vernon, and shortly afterward married H. L. Nash. In the course of a few years her health failed rapidly and she was taken to California, where she died in 1896, leaving a mother, husband and a son, Harold, to mourn her loss.
Mr. McIntyre had for years before his death been a member of the Masonic lodge and was accounted one of the most active in promoting its interests and those of his fraternal brothers, among whom he had made many stanch friends. Mrs. McIntyre is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah. In 1891 she. removed to Onslow, where she has since made her home, occupying one of the fine resi- dences of the village. She at one time owned a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, but this she disposed of.
W. G. WHERRY.
W. G. Wherry, one of the native farmers of Wyoming township who have won a substantial success through their calling, was born April 3, 1865, and is a son of J. W. and Mary (Moore) Wherry. The parents, who were born, reared and married in Ohio, came to Iowa in the early '50s, settling in Ox- ford township and later removing to Jackson county. About 1863 they settled on a farm two miles north of Wyoming, and after living in Wyoming two years they removed to the farm they had purchased in Wyoming township-that on which their son is living today. Here they made their home until June 1I, 1908, when J. W. Wherry responded to the call of death. His widow, however, is still living in Wyoming. Four children were born to them: T. H., who is now in Nebraska ; Minnie J., who is the wife of C. M. Jamieson, of Monmouth, Illinois ; Lydia, who lives with her mother; and W. G., the subject of this sketch.
W. G. Wherry received his early training for life in the schools of Wyoming township and then completed his education in a business college at Burlington. Until he attained his majority he remained at home, working for his father, and then began life for himself. For the first four years thereafter he rented the farm on which he had been reared, going at the end of that period to Wyo- ming, where he engaged in the livery business. Twelve years later he sold his interests there and returned to agricultural pursuits, to which he has since given his attention. He bought first two hundred acres on section 30, Wyoming township, on which he made his home for eight years, when he sold it to buy one hundred and sixty-five acres on section 9, and one hundred and sixty acres in Hyde county, South Dakota. He is now living on the home farm, of which he was made administrator after the death of his father. Here he pursues a diversified line of agriculture, but has given, perhaps more attention to the raising, feeding and shipping of stock, finding it both profitable and to his liking. He is now at the age at which a man has
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come into the fullest enjoyment of his powers, so that with the good fortune of preceding years behind him he may look forward to an even greater success.
On the 16th of March, 1886, Mr. Wherry wedded Miss Alice M. Pattison, who was born at Winterset, Iowa, in 1861, and is a daughter of Rev. Alex and Mary (Barnes) Pattison. The former was a native of Ohio, while the lat- ter was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa at an early date, remaining here until their deaths, the father dying at the age of eighty-nine years, the mother when she was seventy-eight years old. Their union was blessed with four children, only two of whom are now living: W. A. and Mrs. Wherry. The latter is mother of three children: Raymond M., who was born December 20, 1888, and was attending school at the time of his death, January 5, 1907; Harold P., who was born April 8, 1890, and died August 5, 1907, having completed the high school course in June before his death; and Edna Marie, born December 6, 1893, who has graduated from the Wyoming school and is now a student in Monmouth ( Illinois) College.
Mr. and Mrs. Wherry are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which he is a trustee, while in political matters he gives his support to the re- publican party. Both he and his wife take a deep interest in local affairs, for he has served as township trustee for two terms and Mrs. Wherry is a member of the school board at Wyoming. Fraternally he is connected with Wyoming Lodge, No. 138, M. W. A., in which he has been active, while his wife has been prominent in the Hawthorne Club, of which she was president for two years. Successful, enterprising and public spirited the couple are highly respected by their associates.
SIMEON BALLOU.
In the days of his activity Simeon Ballou was one of the prosperous farmers and stockmen of Jones county. He has now retired from a large farm to a smaller one. feeling that the success of his past years entitled him to a partial rest. A native of this county, he was born April 18, 1864, and is a son of Andrew and Philissa Ballou. The former was born in New York state, the latter in Ohio, but in 1850, they came here and took up government land. For more than half a century, the homestead remained the residence of Andrew Ballou. He had not only witnessed the many changes that had transpired here, but had taken part in work of development and upbuilding, for he was a man of great public spirit. When the republican party was organized he became one of its stanch adherents, was vigorously active in the anti-slavery agitation before the war and when the nation again settled into calm, he filled many of the local offices of his township and county. He was seventy-four when he was called from the cares of this world, January 22, 1905, but his widow is still living in Olin at the advanced age of seventy-seven. Seven children were born to them, only one of whom has passed away.
Simeon Ballou was reared at home and supplemented the meager education to be obtained from the district schools by practical experience on the farm
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which laid the foundation for his future success in his chosen vocation. Until he became of age he remained at home, assisting in the work that was carried on the old farm, and then moved to another part of the township where for one year he tilled the soil as a renter. He then located on the land which he now owns in Rome township. It lies on section 36, is two hundred acres in ex- tent and has been his home for more than twenty years. In 1906 Mr. Ballou was able to purchase one hundred and fifty additional acres, situated in sec- tions 13 and 24 of the same township. He has pursued general farming and has also engaged largely in the breeding and raising of shorthorn cattle, finding a ready market and good price for his stock in the cities of the east. The good fortune that attended all his operations has enabled him to relinquish the heavier cares of this life, and to retire to a life of comfort and ease. He still retains his landholdings, however, though the greater part of them are rented.
On the 19th of September, 1886, Mr. Ballou was married to Miss Melissa Carter, who was born in Jones county in 1864. Her father, James Carter, was born in England in 1832, and is still living in Jackson township. His wife, who was Miss Rhoda Benadon in her maidenhood, was a native of Ohio, and through her marriage became the mother of seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Ballou no children have been born. Bred to belief in the stability of the principles of the republican party, Mr. Ballou has continued to give his political allegiance to its platform, not blindly, however, but because he believed it to present the best ideas for the government of a nation. He belongs to Olin Lodge, No. 200. A. F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
E. L. BARBER.
E. L. Barber, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Wyoming town- ship, was born in Marshall county, Iowa, November 17, 1876, and is a son of William and Loretta (Tripp) Barber. The parents were natives of New York state, where they were married, but came west to make a home for themselves and their children. For a time they lived in Lee county, Illinois, and then, upon coming to Iowa, located in Marshall county, where they passed the rest of their lives. Of the seven children born to them five are now living: Frank E., who resides in Marshall county; Mattie. who is the wife of M. H. Ulery of Boone county, Iowa : Carrie, who married William Gould and lives in Marshall county ; Bert, a resident of Humboldt county, Iowa; and E. L., the subject of this sketch.
E. L. Barber did not long remain under the parental roof for at the age of fourteen he went to a sister, with whom he lived until he became nineteen. He had obtained a fair education in the public school in his locality, although the years of his attendance at it were limited and the training of a kind inferior to that which farmer's boys receive today. However, he was not unprepared for his life work when, upon leaving his sister's home he engaged in business for himself. For a number of years he rented a tract of land and then bought a farm, which he traded subsequently for a livery business and sale barn in
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Kinross, Iowa. The acquaintance he had gained with land values and the peculiar aptitude he felt he possessed for the real estate business suggested to him the feasibility of continuing his connection with operations in that field.
On the 6th of January, 1898, Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Taylor. She was born in this county and is a daughter of George L. and Myra (Hall) Taylor, the former deceased but the latter a member of Mr. Barber's household. Two children have been born to the couple: one who died in infancy and Bernice A. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are members of the Presbyterian church of Wyoming, with whose work they are closely identified and in accord- ance with whose teachings they have endeavored to conduct their lives. When he is called upon to exercise his right of franchise Mr. Barber invariably casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party as he places deep confi- dence in the principles enunciated in its platform. He is not a man, however, who seeks for office from his fellow citizens, although he has always displayed a commendable interest in public affairs. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, being a member of Keystone Lodge, No. 206, A. F. & A. M., and with the Modern Woodmen of America. In both of these organizations he has made stanch friends among the men who, through constant intercourse with him, have come to respect the strong traits of his character.
DANIEL McCANN.
Daniel McCann is one of the prosperous and representative farmers of Green- field township, who having endured the hardships and struggles of early days, has contributed largely to the development of his township and county. His parents. Michael and Joanna (Colbert) McCann, were of Irish nativity, the former having been born in County Longford, the latter in County Waterford. They came to this country at the time of the rebellion in the land of their birth and made their way west to Iowa, settling first in Linn county, and later removing to Greenfield township. Jones county. Here they joined their efforts with those of the other early settlers to make this county one of the richest farming dis- tricts in the state. The father lived to be sixty years of age, and the mother celebrated her eighty-second birthday March 17, 1909. They were the parents of five children : Edward and Daniel, twins, who were born June 2. 1859; and live in Greenfield township within three miles of each other: John, who died at the age of nine years ; Margaret, the only daughter, who died at the age of fif- teen ; Michael, who lives on the old homestead about two miles from Daniel in Greenfield township.
Daniel McCann was born in Linn county, Iowa, June 2, 1859. His parents shortly after moved to this county, and in Greenfield township he grew to man- hood, receiving such education as he could obtain in the public schools. He worked at home during his youth and has always followed farming. In 1891 he pur- chased his present place, which consists of two hundred and ten acres ,and which has been brought under a fine state of cultivation through the up-to-date methods Mr. McCann employs. He has made many substantial improvements
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upon the farm, putting up buildings and remodeling those that were already there. The home may be singled out for especial mention. It is a handsome structure, modern in its construction, and having not only all the necessities, but many of the comforts of life.
On the Ist of June, 1886, Mr. McCann was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Bauer, a daughter of Joseph and Carrie (Serusie) Bauer and a sister of Bernard Bauer, who lives in Chicago. The couple have three children: Michael, born August 30, 1887 ; Goldie, born March 21, 1891 ; and Arthur, born August 23, 1900. All the children are at home and are being reared in the most perfect surroundings of love and harmony. They and their parents are members of the Catholic church at Lisbon, and are punctilious in the perform- ance of their religious duties.
A democrat in his political views, Mr. McCann is interested in public matters, though he has not sought for office. For fifteen years, however, he has served the people as a member of the school board and has been found faithful in the discharge of his responsibilities and eager to advance the cause of education. Ambitious, willing to work, and endowed with high principles, he stands forth as typical of those whose endeavors have met with deserved success, whose ad- vancement has kept pace with the progress of the times.
JOHN C. BAILEY.
John C. Bailey, who is the postmaster at Amber, where he is engaged in general mercantile business, was born in Wayne township, Jones county, May 23, 1878, and is a son of John and Mary (Bohlken) Bailey. The former was a native of New York state, but Mrs. Bailey was born in Germany. She came to this country in her girlhood, however, and died in Wayne township in 1891, when she was only thirty-eight years of age. Mr. Bailey is still living and makes his home in Amber. He is the father of five children: John C., the subject of this sketch; Luella, the wife of John Goodman, of Anamosa; Emma, who lives in Seattle, Washington; William, of Jackson township; and Theresa, who was adopted by Henry Bohlken and now lives in Monticello, Iowa.
John C. Bailey has resided in the vicinity of Amber all his life. He received a good education in the fundamental branches of English training in the local public schools and even as a young boy was well known as an active worker in his village. In 1903 he embarked in general merchandising here and on the 17th of December of the same year was appointed the postmaster. In the six years that he has distributed the mails to the citizens of his part of Wayne township they have come to know him as a painstaking official, attentive in the administration of his duties and to the wants of those who depend upon him. The same desire to satisfy his customers distinguishes him in his business deal- ings and he has the confidence of his fellow townsmen.
It was in the year 1899 that Mr. Bailey wedded Miss Alta E. Davis, who was born in Madison township, Jones county, March 20, 1881. Her parents, William H. and Catherine (Cowell) Davis, have long been residents of this
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county and now make their home in Center Junction. Three children have been born of this union: Harold, Howard and Wilma, who are just of an age to be especially interesting to their parents. Between his official duties and his respon- sibilities as the proprietor of an up-to-date general store, Mr. Bailey finds his time fully occupied, but he has learned the first lessons toward substantial suc- cess in the business world and as the years pass by he will very probably attain to an enviable position.
R. D. COOLEY.
R. D. Cooley, one of the successful agriculturists of Wyoming township, was born on the farm on which he now lives. November 20, 1874, and is the son of D. S. and Catherine (Hogel) Cooley. They were natives of Licking county. Ohio, but came with their parents to Iowa in 1841, when the most primitive conditions prevailed in the places they selected, or might select, for homes. The families located first in Cedar county and later removed to Jack- son county, where they built a log cabin, which served to shelter them for many years. Indeed, it remained D. S. Cooley's home for many years after his mar- riage, until, in fact, some time in the '6os, when he came to Jones county and purchased the farm on which his son lives today. On this he built for his habi- tation the brick house which is still standing and in good condition, a tribute to the excellent workmanship of that time. He and his wife are still living in Onslow, enjoying the results of their labor, which did considerable toward effecting the progress Jones county has experienced in the last forty odd years. Seven children were born to them: Smith, who is now living in Lyon county, Kansas; Geneva, who is the widow of S. A. Paul and lives in Onslow; O. C., who is in Oakland, California; Josie, deceased; Elizabeth, who is the wife of J. F. Cohoon, of Cedar Falls; Loa B., who is the wife of O. E. Tabor, of Ma- quoketa. Iowa; and R. D., who is the subject of this sketch.
In the house in which he was born R. D. Cooley passed the years of his boyhood and youth, obtaining his early education in the common schools of the township, and then attending a business college at Cedar Rapids, where he com- pleted his training. He next engaged in teaching, but after two terms he re- turned to the farm, remaining here in the employ of his father until he was twenty-four. At that age he was married and given the responsibility of operat- ing the place. To it he has since given his attention and through unremitting toil in the cultivation of the fields has obtained rich harvests. He has made a specialty. however, of raising and feeding cattle for the market. His farm embraces two hundred and forty acres, lying on section 9. Wyoming township, is well improved, both as the result of his father's efforts and of his own, and is cultivated by methods which seem to increase the bounty of the crops.
At the age of twenty-four Mr. Cooley wedded Miss Dessa D. Scott, who was born in Olin, Iowa, in 1876, and is a daughter of Winfield and Ella (Tufts) Scott. The parents are descendants of the Fairbanks family and are now living in Olin. Three children were born of their union. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley
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were born two children: one who died in infancy; and Hubert L., who was born October 8, 1908.
They are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose work both are active, while Mr. Cooley affiliates politically with the democratic party. He takes but slight interest in public affairs, however, and has never been desirous of holding any office within the gift of the people. Fraternally he is connected with Keystone Lodge, No. 206. A. F. & A. M., at Wyoming and with his wife belongs to the Eastern Star. In this organization Mrs. Cooley was for a time associate matron, the same qualities which made her a popular teacher before her marriage winning her friends among those with whom she has come in contact.
E. R. EASTERLY.
E. R. Easterly, a well known agriculturist of Jones county, was born on the farm in Rome township on which he now resides. He first opened his eyes to the light of day March 5, 1871, and is the son of T. W. and Martha Jane (Rummel) Easterly. The father, who was a native of Richland county, Ohio, was seventeen years of age when in 1852 his parents came to Iowa and entered - two hundred and forty acres of land in Rome township. He assisted in building a house of hewn logs, and there lived until 1884, when his life's labor was over. His wife still survives, making her home in Olin, Iowa. Six children were born to the couple, all of them living. They are Mary E., the wife of B. F. Steward, of Dana. Greene county, Iowa ; Alberta E., who married H. E. Davidson and lives in Olin ; D. C., a resident of this township ; E. R., the subject of this review : B. R., who lives at home; and Della I., the wife of W. E. Sealls, who lives in Missouri.
E. R. Easterly attended the common schools from which he received his training in the elementary branches of English education. He worked on the farm at the same time that he prosecuted his lessons, and upon the completion of his school period returned to his home, assisting his father until he became of age. For eight years thereafter he rented the farm on which he now lives, and then bought eighty acres of the old homestead which his grandfather had received from the government. He has made the raising and feeding of hogs his specialty and has met with success in his undertakings. He has also been treasurer of the Union Switch Board Telephone Company, of Olin, since January 1, 1908. Full of .exacting cares as his life has been, he has yet found time to devote to the interests of his fellow citizens and for eleven years has borne the responsibilities of the position of school treasurer.
In 1892 Mr. Easterly was united in wedlock to Miss Ida A. Coppess, who was born in Cedar county, Iowa. Her father, Harvey Coppess, was a native of Ohio, while her mother, who in her maidenhood was Miss Caroline Booth, was a native of Indiana. In 1870 the couple came to Jones county, Iowa, and then a few years later removed to Cedar county, where Mr. Coppess is still living. Mrs. Coppess passed away in 1881, leaving a husband and six children to mourn
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her loss. To Mr. and Mrs. Easterly there was born a daughter, Eva L., August 23, 1892. She is still at home and is one of the pupils of the Olin high school. Mr. Easterly, his wife and daughter are members of the Reformed church, in which he is one of the elders. They take an active part in all religious work and are generous in their support of the interests of the congregation. Politically Mr. Easterly finds his views most in accord with the platform of the republican party and has always cast his vote for its candidate at elections. He is a member of lodge No. 200, A. F. & A. M., at Olin and also of lodge No. 526, M. W. A., of that town, and he and his wife are members of Hiawatha Chapter, No. 394, O. E. S. His fraternal brothers have found him a loyal friend, as have the citizens of this township-a man in whom confidence may well be reposed.
ROBERT H. RUSSELL.
Robert H. Russell, one of the well-to-do farmers of Greenfield township, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1864. His parents, J. H. and Sophia (Werner) Russell, were married November 28, 1848, and for almost two decades afterward lived in the east before coming to Iowa to try their fortunes in this comparatively new state. In 1867 they made the journey across the country, settled first at Lisbon, and six months later, removed to Greenfield township and lived on a farm on section 22 for five years. At the end of that time they located on the farm on which they spent the remainder of their lives and which is the home of their son today. Both have passed away, the father in June, 1902, at the age of seventy-eight years ; the mother, October 4, 1907. They became the parents of ten children : William, who died when very young; Joseph, who died at the age of thirty years; Mrs. Emma Kendall, of Mechanicsville; Amanda, who died at the age of twenty-four; Frances E., who died in early childhood; George, who resides in Independence, Iowa; Richard S., who lives in Greenfield township, about half a mile from his brother Robert H .; Robert H., of this review; Alice, who passed away at the age of sixteen ; and Edward, who is a resident of Rome township.
Robert H. Russell was but three years old when his parents came to Iowa, and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Greenfield township, which has been the scene of his endeavors up to the present. It embraces three hundred and three acres of excellent land, on which Mr. Russell has made a number of important improvements since it has come into his hands. The buildings are of modern construction, and the fields are tilled in accordance with the most approved scientific methods. Through a careful study of the soil and of the subject of the rotation of the crops, he has been able to prolong and increase the measure of its fertility.
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