USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 60
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WV. M. WALTON.
W. MI. Walton, one of the older farmers of Rome township, was born in Indiana, May 29, 1858, and is the son of Samuel L. and Diana (Whitesell) Wal- ton, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Indiana. In 1871, they came to Iowa, locating in Hale township, Jones county, but are now living in Madison township where Samuel L. Walton follows farming. Six children were born to the couple and are all living lives of usefulness and activity.
WV. M. Walton received his early training for life in the common schools of his native county, and at the age of seventeen, when his parents came to this state, he began earning his living as a farm hand. For eight or nine years he obtained employment by the month, and then as the result of his industry and economy was able to rent a piece of land, which made it possible for him to
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derive the entire benefits of his toil. By dint of hard work and frugality he was able in 1884 to buy part of the farm on which he lives today. As his operations have prospered he has added to the original tract until he now owns two hundred and forty-eight acres in Rome township, which is under a high state of cultivation, bespeaking the good husbandry of the man who tills the fields.
On the 15th of November, 1883, Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Mrs. House who born in New York state in 1850. Her parents, George F. and Elizabeth House, were natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively, but came to Iowa in 1854 when its rich prairies of the state were being given by the government to those who ivould make their homes here. They located in Jones county, and upon the claim he entered Mr. House put up a shanty, with- out doors or windows which was to shelter his family from the elements. Jones county remained their home until death, though they had retired to the town of Olin to spend the last days of their lives. One of the four children born to her parents, Mrs. Walton has become the mother of six children and is the grandmother of an equal number. By her first marriage she had a son Franklin H., of Cedar county, lowa, and a daughter, Gertrude A., who is the wife of S. W. Clymer, of Rome township. Of her marriage to Mr. Walton there have been four children born: Elsi May the wife of G. F. Garden, of this county ; Leo E., of Rome township: Le. is W. and Albert N., who live at home.
Mr. Walton and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are consistent in maintaining the tenets of their faith. When called upon to exercise his franchise as a citizen of this republic Mr. Walton gives his support to the candidate of the republican party, believing firmly in the principles laid down in its platform. He is a member of the Fraternal Brothers of the World and also of the Mystic Workers, and in both organizations has made firm friends, he possessing those qualities that appeal to all mankind, awakening confidence and regard in every land and clime.
JOHN HOLUB.
John Holub, one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Wyoming town- ship, was born in Austria, June 24, 1857, and is a son of John and Catherine (Moravec) Holub. The parents were also of Austrian birth, but came to America shortly after the birth of this son and after living for a time in Jackson county. Iowa, came to Jones county, where they passed the remainder of their days.
John Holub received his education in the schools of Wyoming township and obtained a practical knowledge of farming under his father's direction. for he early assisted in the work that was carried on at home, thereby learning lessons of industry that served him well when he engaged in business for him- self. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when he married and established a home of his own. For three years he operated rented land and then purchased the place on which he is living today. It embraces
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one hundred and forty acres, lying on section 31, Wyoming township, on which Mr. Holub follows diversified farming, although he gives particular attention to the raising and feeding of cattle for market. Industrious and possessing the ability to make the most of the opportunities which lie at his hand, he has won from his operations a success that is very gratifying and one which has ob- tained for him the confidence of his fellow agriculturists and stockinen.
It was in 1882 that Mr. Holub was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Levisen, who was born in Germany but came to America with her parents when she was but seven years of age. Five children have been born of this union : Anna K. and Elmer, deceased; Edward F. and Elsie L., who are graduates of the Wyoming high school and live at home; and Grover C., who is a pupil in the high school.
Mrs. Holub was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Holub was instructed in the tenets of the Catholic creed. Politically he has been a steadfast adherent of the democratic party. While he has never aspired to any public office, for a period of eighteen years, he rendered valuable service to the citizens of the township in the capacity of school director, for his in- fluence was ever given to measures which had as their aim the improvement of the educational advantages. He is one of the active members of Wyoming Lodge, No. 183, M. W. A., at whose meetings he is in regular attendance.
JOHN CLINTON MCCONAUGHY.
John Clinton McConaughy. a native of Greenfield township and one of its successful farmers, was born February 1, 1875, and is a son of Ard D. and Min- erva (Ernsbarger) McConaughy. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1837, and was about five years old when, in 1842, his parents removed to Delaware county, Ohio. In 1856 he came to Jones county, Iowa, settling in Greenfield township, about a half a mile from his son's present home. In 1861, after he had endured the hardships of the life here alone for five years, he married Miss Minerva Ernsbarger, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, June 12, 1842. For more than four decades they traversed to- gether in the highway of life, sharing the privations of early days and enjoy- ing the comforts with which later years were graced, until October 19, 1905, when Mr. McConaughy died. His widow is now living in Martelle, and, at the age of sixty-seven, is one year younger than her husband when his life was ended. Six children were born to them: Francis, who died in infancy; Herbin S., of Greenfield township; George Willis, of Des Moines, Iowa; Clarence E., of Greenfield township; John Clinton, of this sketch; and Archie D., who died in infancy. The three brothers, Herbin, Clarence and John live near the old homestead and within half a mile of one another.
Reared in Greenfield township, John Clinton McConaughy early became familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Even through his school period he participated in the work of the home farm, and when he embarked upon his own career as a tiller of the soil he was fully versed in means
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and methods of obtaining the best returns from his efforts. He has not been content, however, to follow the methods of the past alone, but as the times have advanced he has progressed, and modern buildings, up-to-date machinery and scientific agriculture have been accountable for his success. The homestead con- sists of two hundred and ninety-five acres, and the excellent condition of its fields bespeaks the good farming of the man who is concerned for its pro- ductiveness.
On the 22d of September, 1903, Mr. McConaughy wedded Miss Cleo V. Mur- field, who was born in Greenfield township, March 2, 1884. Her father, C. W. Murfield, is one of the most prominent farmers of Jones county. He was born January 1, 1851, and on the 22d of February, 1874, he married Miss Passy Newman, whose birth occurred December 31, 1854. Ten daughters were born of this union : Ada Grace, Millie Malvina, and Lulu Elizabeth, all three deceased ; Mrs. Amy Abigail Holcomb, of Greenfield township; Tracy Delia, deceased ; Cleo V., Mrs. McConaughy ; Mrs. Bessie Beulah Zimmerman, of Greenfield : Mrs. Ola Florence Dumont, of Greenfield; Elva, deceased; and Avenel, also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McConaughy have one daughter, Tracy Geneva, who was born August 20, 1904.
In their religious views both husband and wife incline towards the church of Christ and guide their lives by its teachings. Politically Mr. McConaughy is a democrat, but has taken no part in local affairs. He has, however, been appointed treasurer of the Cherry Grove independent school district and as an- other proof of the position he holds in the minds of the citizens of this town- ship was made treasurer of the Cherry Grove Telephone Company. In White Rose Lodge, No. 279, K. P., of Martelle, Iowa, he has made many sincere friends, for he has ever been found loyal and upright, and willing to assist others in the time of need.
S. A. FIRST.
One of the men of Wyoming township who has proved his skill as a farmer is S. A. First. who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, May 30, 1860, and is a son of Ellis and Susanna (Brown) First. The parents were both natives of Ohio but came to this state in 1858, locating in Jackson county, where they lived for a number of years. Later they removed to Jones county, which remained their home until their deaths. They came here when the most primitive con- ditions prevailed and their early years were marked by hardships due to con- ditions which had entirely passed away at the close of their lives. Four chil- dren were born to them: B. E., who is living in Delaware county, Iowa; A. T., a resident of Oxford Junction ; Elvie Etta, who is the wife of John F. W. Allen, of Wyoming township; and S. A., the subject of this sketch.
S. A. First received his education in the common schools of the county, supplemented by practical experience in farming, which he obtained at home under the guidance of his father. Until he attained his majority he remained with his parents and then started out to win his own success in life. For two
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years he worked as a farm hand in the employ of others and then rented land for a period of four years. At the end of that time he felt he was in a position to purchase property, so he bought a farm in Hale township, which remained his home for four years. Upon selling that he came to Wyoming township, buying the place on which he now lives. It consists of one hundred and twenty acres. on section 34 and was only partly improved when he took possession of it. In the past twenty years Mr. First has proceeded vigorously with the work of building and cultivating so that now the place ranks high among others of its size in the township as regards value and fertility, for as arable land its yields large returns for the labor expended upon it, while it also affords a rich feeding ground for the cattle and hogs of which Mr. First makes a specialty.
On the 24th of December, 1887, Mr. First wedded Miss Sarah E. Walston, who was born in this county and is one of a family of fourteen children, her parents being W. N. and Sarah Walston. The father was a native of Olio, but his wife was of English birth and is still living. Mr. Walston, however, was released front the cares of this world in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. First have three children : Clarence A., Mildred M. and Alice J. All are at home and the young- est is attending the high school in Wyoming. Mrs. First is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and regular in her attendance upon its ser- vices.
Mr. First has always given his political support to the republican party, never failing to cast his vote for its candidates. He has taken some part in local affairs, for he is now serving his fifth term as a trustee of the township, and for the past ten years has been treasurer of the school board. In this time he has proved that the confidence the citizens placed in his honor and ability was not unfounded, but that successful in his private concerns he is also endowed with that public spirit which makes him highly regarded in the community where he lives. Fraternally he is a member of Wyoming Lodge, No. 185. M. W. A.
W. F. HOUSTMAN.
W. F. Houstman, one of the native sons of Jones county, was born Novem- ber 5, 1866, and is the son of M. H. and Agnes ( Merritt) Houstman, who were among the early settlers of this locality. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother was born in the Empire state, but in 1838 shortly after their marriage they came to Iowa. They took up a government claim in Jones county, where the father built a little cabin of logs which served his family at their first shelter in this new land. Here the parents lived until their death and here their ten children, only six of whom now survive, were started upon the journey of life.
W. F. Houstman received such an education as was obtainable by the farm- ers' boys of that period, working with his parents through all his school period and after his lessons were completed remaining at home to assist in the conduct of the agricultural labors that gave the family a livelihood. At the age of twenty-
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one he started to make his own way in the world unaided. He began as a farmer, renting land for one year, and then went to the Black Hills of South Dakota. where for two years he herded cattle. The experience served to render him satis- tied with the life of a farmer and he returned to Jones county, buying some land in Jackson township. For three years hè devoted himself to the tilling of the soil and then sold his farm and engaged in mercantile business in Olin. Com- mercial pursuits held him for only a single year, however, and he returned to farming, renting the land which he now owns and occupies. It embraces one hundred and twenty acres, is under good cultivation and Mr. Houstman has not had reason to regret his return to agricultural life.
Desirous of starting a home of his own, Mr. Houstman wedded Miss Jennie M. House, who was born in ,ones county and is the daughter of George F. and Elizabeth (Dennison) House, of whom mention is made in the sketch of W. M. Walton, in another part of this volume. Seven children were born to Mr. Houst- man and his wife: Chauncey R., George M., Arthur L., Oscar J., Alta Jean- nette, Edgar M., and an infant, but the second and the youngest have passed away, the eldest of the family is a student at Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Houstman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have taken an active part in its work. Politically Mr. Houstman supports the republican party, feeling convinced of the wisdom of the policies it advo- cates. He is not active in public affairs, however, though for a period of five years he has served as a member of the school board. Industrious, unafraid of hard work, he has always been on the alert to grasp the means of attaining the greatest success. Having made trial of several other kinds of work, he has returned to farming and has found that his efforts have been generously re- warded. while the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision.
HERBIN S. McCONAUGHY.
One of the successful farmers of Greenfield township, who has been deeply interested in promoting the advancement of the community, is Herbin S. McCon- aughy. A native of this township, he was born March 25, 1866, and is a son of Ard D. and Minerva (Ernsbarger) McConaughy. The father was born June 29. 1837, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, but passed the greater part of his youth in the state of Ohio. He came to Iowa in March, 1856, and in Green- field tonwship married the woman who was to share his life with him. She was born in Hancock county, Ohio, June 12, 1842, came to Iowa in 1848, and is still living in Martelle. Mr. McConaughy, however, has passed away, his death having occurred October 18, 1905. Six children were born to the couple: Francis. who died at the age of eighteen months; Herbin S., the subject of this sketch; George Willis, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Earl, who lives in Greenfield township ; John C., also a farmer of the same township; and Archie D .. who died at the age of six months.
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Herbin S. McConaughy was reared on a farm and attended the district schools, where he received a fair education to prepare him for his life's work, but the more effective training for his vocation was received from his father, who having had the experience of a lifetime was able to save the younger from many of his mistakes. Though he made the most of this instruction, Mr. McConaughy has not failed to profit by the advances that have been made in agricultural methods in the course of years. His farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on section 3, in the northeast quarter of Greenfield township, is under a fine state of cultivation. Its buildings, always kept in good repair, give evidence of the thrift of their owner, and the general appearance of the fields bespeak his skill in husbandry.
On the 28th of September, 1892, Mr. McConaughy and Miss Jennie M. Armstrong were united in marriage. James H. Armstrong, Mrs. McConaughy's father, was born in the state of New York, April 13, 1841, and came to Jones county in the year 1852. He married Miss Ann E. Brady, and their union was blessed with seven children, four daughters and three sons: Jennie, who mar- ried Herbin McConaughy of this sketch; John S., residing in Greenfield township; Eugene D., also of that township; Mrs. Mary E. Peet; Mrs. Everly Brown; Carl, of Greenfield township; and Cora G., who died at the age of sixteen years. Mr. Armstrong died August 23, 1906, but his widow is still living in Martelle. For five years Mrs. McConaughy was one of the successful teachers of Jones county and still retains her interest in the schools here. Her experience is of great assistance to her husband, who is secretary of the board of education of Cherry Grove and is active in increasing the efficiency of the local institutions of instruction.
A democrat in his political views, Mr. McConaughy is not what might be called a politician in the sense of seeking office, and yet he is sincerely interested in all measures that have as their aim the advancement of the community and for a period of four years has discharged the duties of clerk of Greenfield town- ship to the satisfaction of the citizens who supported him. He is a member of the White Rose Lodge, No. 279, K. P., of Martelle, and has held all the offices in the order. With his wife he belongs to the church of Christ. and in accord- ance with its teachings orders his daily life. Upright and progressive in his ideas, he richly deserves the success with which his efforts have been attended, and the respect his life has inspired in the minds of his fellow citizens.
EUGENE R. MOORE.
Eugene R. Moore, who has been prominent in the municipal affairs of Ana- mosa, was born at Mount Carroll, Illinois, August 1, 1859, and is a son of Samuel Moore. His mother died when he was but twelve years of age, but his father lived until 1889 and during his active life was engaged in the furniture business. During the progress of the Civil war Samuel Moore enlisted in the Union army, although he had been born and reared in Maryland, so that his sentiments, it would seem, would be in sympathy with the cause of the Confederate states.
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E. R. MOORE
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The ideals of freedom and unity, however, appealed to him with a stronger force than his home training, and through the years of strife his support was valiantly given to the cause espoused by the northern states. After the conclusion of hos- tilities, when his country no longer needed his assistance, he returned to the civil life in Mount Carroll, Illinois, where he was able to give his son the ad- vantages of a good education.
After completing the course prescribed by the common schools of his native town, Eugene R. Moore entered the high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1877, when he was only seventeen years of age. For the next fifteen months he worked upon a farm and then engaged in teaching, although during the summer months he continued to devote himself to agricultural pur- suits. After four years' experience in the rural schools he taught in the gram- mar department of Savanna, Illinois, coming to Iowa two years later, in 1886, to assume the principalship of the schools of Oxford Junction. The following year he was elected upon the democratic ticket as superintendent of schools for Jones county polling his first ballot in Iowa on the day on which he obtained the majority necessary to place him at the head of the educational institutions of the county. In 1889 and 1891 he was reelected to the position and then in 1892 was appointed as a member of the state normal school board at Cedar Falls. After a period of four years' efficient service he was elected by the legislature as trustee of the Feeble Minded Institution at Glenwood. His term was for six years, but at the expiration of his second year he was superseded by the board of control.
In 1894 Mr. Moore embarked in the insurance business in Anamosa, his ability and his pleasing personality rapidly winning for him a pronounced suc- cess in this field of activity. He still retains a large patronage, although since 1904 he has given his attention primarily to the Anamosa Journal. In the five years that he has been its editor and proprietor he has not only enhanced its value as a news and literary medium but has more than doubled its circulation, which is now two thousand, the largest of any paper published in Jones county. On many occasions, during the years of his residence in this town, Mr. Moore has represented the first and fourth wards in the city council, while he has also been a member of the school board. His service has always been marked by high ideals and fidelity to the trust imposed upon him, while his many years of practi- cal experience as a teacher makes him a valuable addition to the body of men who have the destinies of the public schools in their hands.
At Maquoketa, Iowa, November 28, 1901, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Moore and Miss Mary V. Wynkoop, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Wynkoop. She is a graduate of the Bellevue high school and the Iowa state nor- mal, and successfully engaged in teaching in the Anamosa high school from 1886 to 1888. She afterward gave excellent satisfaction as a high school principal at Savanna, Illinois, and at Maquoketa, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have one son, Don Wynkoop, who was born August 22, 1904.
Throughout his life Mr. Moore has been a strong adherent of the demo- cratic party and has always taken an active interest in politics. At present he is a member of the democratic state committee, is chairman of the democratic county committee, while he also belongs to the senatorial and congressional committees,
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in which his opinion is always accorded a respect and deference that is befitting his record as a public servant. His fraternal affiliations are limited to the Knights of Pythias, but he has many stanch friends in county and state who are not bound to him by lodge ties, but those who know him intimately are unanimous in their loyalty to him as a friend.
ROBERT MELVIN PEET.
Robert Melvin Peet is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Jones county. He is also an extensive landowner, having some valuable prop- erty in this county, while his home place, pleasantly situated about five miles from Anamosa, has been in possession of the Peet family since 1840, in which year it was purchased by his grandfather. Mr. Peet was born on this farm, March 20, 1856, the second son and third in order of birth in a family of four children, whose parents were James M. and Ann (Dallas) Peet.
James M. Peet was born in Cortland county, New York, September 1, 1821, a son of Gideon and Abigail (Wildman) Peet, who came originally from Con- necticut and located in Cortland county, New York. Gideon Peet was an expert mechanic but followed farming as a life work. Following his marriage he lo- cated on a farm in central New York and there reared a family of eight sons and one daughter, all of whom lived to become heads of families. It was about 1840 that Gideon Peet removed with his family to the west, for he believed that this district offered better advantages and possibilities than the older settled east. He decided upon Jones county as a suitable place to locate and accordingly went to the land office in Dubuque and entered five hundred and sixty acres of land in Fairview township, on which he took up his abode. He lived to enjoy his new home for only a brief period, his death occurring in 1842. The sons then assumed the management of the home farm for their widowed mother, whose death oc- curred five years later, in 1847.
Subsequent to the mother's death, James M. Peet, who was then a young man of about twenty-six years, purchased the interest of the other heirs and became sole owner of the homestead farm. Taking up his work in earnest, he prospered · as the years passed by and in the course of time added to his original possessions until his holdings embraced nine hundred acres, all in Jones county. He was very methodical and systematic in carrying on his work and took great pride in keeping everything about his place in good condition, so that on five different oc- casions his farm won first premium for being the best managed property in Jones county.
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