USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 7
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Howard Marshall Remley was twelve years of age when he came to Iowa, his youth and early manhood being spent on the farm in Johnson county to the age of twenty-four years except when he was pursuing his education in Iowa City.
H. M. REMLEY
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He afterward entered the Iowa state university and was graduated in 1869 with the degree of bachelor of arts. Making choice of the practice of law as a life work he then made preparation for this calling as a student in the law department of the state university, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1872, while in 1874 his alma mater conferred upon him the master of arts degree.
Judge Remley located for practice in Anamosa in July, 1872, and has since re- mained an active and representative member of the bar in this city save for the period of seven years, when he was district judge of the eighteeth judicial dis- trict. For the past six years he has practiced in partnership with his son, James E. Remley, under the firm style of Remley & Remley. They occupy a foremost position at the bar of eastern Iowa. Devotedly attached to his profession, sys- tematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous and kind in demeanor and inflexibly just on all occasions, these qualities enable Judge Remley to take highest rank among those who have sat upon the bench of the state and made him the conservator of that justice wherein is the safeguard of individual liberty and happiness and the defense of our national institutions.
In 1873 Judge Remley was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Underwood, of Muscatine, Iowa, who was also a graduate of the state university. Four of their sons and two of their daughters are also graduates of these institutions, while another daughter is now a senior there and a fourth daughter is a member of the junior class. The family have a comfortable and attractive home in Ana- mosa, in which one of the chief features is an extensive library. The family numbers ten children, five sons and five daughters. Bertha, the eldest, has been a successful teacher in the Anamosa schools and Iowa Falls. James E. is a graduate of the law department of the state university and now as a member of the law firm of Remley & Remley practices his profession in Anamosa. Arthur is married and is conducting a successful grocery store in Anamosa. Alfred G. is one-third owner in the Anamosa Lumber Company. Robert G., who won an "I" in the athletic team in the state university of Iowa, is now in the grain business in Anamosa. Agnes is a teacher in the high school of Jefferson, Iowa. Elsie and Mary are attending the state university, and Clara and Howard M. are stu- dents in the graded schools of Anamosa.
Judge Remley has always been a republican in his political faith but while firm in his own views he is perfectly willing that others should differ from him, according to each the right of individual opinion. While he has never sought or desired office for himself, he takes an interest in local and state politics and does what he can to further the growth and progress of his party. He holds member- ship in the Baptist church and is a teacher in its Sunday-school, having a class of fifteen or more members, four of whom are more than eighty years of age, while the average age is over sixty years. He has been teaching his class for more than thirty years and in his religious study manifests the same keen ana- lytical spirit which has characterized his professional work so that he is able to present the lessons in a most clear, comprehensive and logical manner. He feels the deepest interest in the Sunday-school work and regards it as one of the most potent forces for good at the present day. He is now widely known throughout the state as one of its leading Sunday-school workers, having been president of
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the Iowa State Sunday-School Convention, while for three terms he was the president of the Iowa Baptist State Convention. He has also been honored with the presidency of the alumni association of the Iowa state university and is a trustee of Des Moines College. His wife is a leading member of one of the chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and for years has been a trustee of the public library at Anamosa. She has received the degree of master of arts from the state university and holds one of the very few life state teach- ers' certificates which has been issued. It will thus be seen that the influence of the family is for the upbuilding and advancement of all those forces which are effective in the contacts of life for the uplifting of the individual and for the bet- terment of conditions of society in general. Few lawyers have made more last- ing impression upon the bar of the state than has Judge Remley, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon the community. He is a member of the state bar associa- tion and for ten years was a member of the committee on law reform. His large representative clientage is indicative of the regard entertained for him by the general public, while the profession manifests high consideration for the integ- rity, dignity, impartiality, love of justice and strong common sense which have ever marked his character as a judge, as an attorney and as a man.
R. H. SPENCE, M. D.
Dr. R. H. Spence, who since 1901 has been engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Wyoming, where he is now enjoying an extensive and lucrative patron- age, was born on the 13th of December, 1874. His parents, John and Isabel (Swank) Spence, were both natives of the state of Ohio. The father, whose birth occurred in the year 1829, followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in defense of the Union as a member of Company I. Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three and a half years. He participated in many hotly con- tested engagements and was wounded at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. His demise occurred in 1905.
R. H. Spence, who was the youngest child in a family of two sons and three daughters, supplemented his preliminary education by a high-school course in Ohio and subsequently attended Maryville College at Maryville, Tennessee. Hav- ing determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he then entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1901. The same year he located for practice in Wyoming, Jones county, where he has since remained. his patronage continually growing in volume and impor- tance. He keeps in touch with the advancement that is being made in the line of his chosen profession through his membership in the County, State and National Medical Societies.
In 1903, Dr. Spence was united in marriage to Miss Eva May Weingartner, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and of German descent. Prior to her marriage she was a teacher in the Cincinnati schools. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Spence has been
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born a son, Willard Cooper, whose birth occurred on the 18th of October, 1905. Fraternally the Doctor is identified with Keystone Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Wyoming, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Pres- byterian church. While yet a young man, he has already attained a creditable position in professional circles, while the salient characteristics of his manhood are such as have brought him the warm regard of those with whom he has been otherwise associated.
JAMES R. KENNEDY.
James R. Kennedy is one of the important men of Clay township, where he owns a large and valuable farm. A native of Iowa, he was born December 8, 1870, his parents being William and Mary (Orr) Kennedy, both of Irish birth. The former, who was born March 21, 1839, came to this country in the spring of 1859, and shortly afterward settled in Jones county, Iowa, where he commenced, his American career. He found employment upon a farm, continuing as a laborer for a number of years until he had saved sufficient from his earnings to enable him to purchase a tract of land. He first bought forty acres, and then, as he had opportunity, added another forty to it, afterward selling it and buying eiglity acres in Buchanan county, Iowa. He was not permitted to enjoy many years of prosperity, however, for he was called by death March 20, 1879. Never- theless when he came to this country he was a poor man and when he closed his life h‹ enjoyed a fair competence. His wife, whom he wedded in this state November 10, was born in July, 1847, and came to America in 1863. She died May 5, 1876. Through her marriage she became the mother of four children : James R., the subject of this sketch; John, who was born December 17, 1871; William Allen, who was born August 9, 1873, and is now living in North Dakota ; and David Hamilton, who was born March 27, 1875, and died August 29, 1879.
James R. Kennedy was but little more than eight years of age when his father died and he was sent to live with a paternal aunt, Mrs Jane Orr French, of Jones county, under whose care he grew to years of maturity. He was a pupil in the district schools, while he spent the hours not given to his lessons and his summer vacations in the cultivation of the fields, a vocation to which he has since devoted himself. Until he was twenty-six years of age, he remained with his aunt. and then, having married, he sought to make a home of his own and achieve a name for himself. He first purchased two hundred and twenty acres and subsequently one hundred and forty-eight acres more, the whole three hundred and sixty-eight acres area constituting the tract he possesses and lives upon today. He follows general farming and is also interested in the stock business, each year pasturing from fifty to sixty head of cattle which he sends to the feeders. While industry has contributed its large share to his progress, the economy which has marked his operations has been an equally conspicuous factor, and in this Mr. Kennedy has had valuable assistance from his wife, whose eager sympathy with his interests, ready counsel, and capacity for managing so that
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the most may be made of each bit of money or produce has rendered him an aid that may not be estimated in tangible quantities.
It was on the 9th of December, 1896, that Mr. Kennedy wedded Miss Min- nie Orr, a daughter of William and Jemina Orr, and their union has been blessed with two children : William Kenneth, born February 10, 1898; and Mary Carol, born December 10, 1904.
Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is trustee, while he gives his support in political matters to the democratic party. While he cannot be called an office seeker, as township trustee he rendered the com- munity efficient service through two terms, and for two and a half terms he fulfilled the duties of town clerk with care and ability. As his record in public life is on a par with that of his private life, both giving evidence of strong quali- ties of a fine manhood, Mr. Kennedy is the recipient of many expressions of good will and congratulation on the part of those whose lives are closely allied with his own.
GEORGE D. and T. J. McPHERSON.
George D. and T. J. McPherson deserve special mention among the agricul- turists of Jones county, where they own and cultivate two hundred and sixty- two and a half acres of choice and valuable land in Greenfield township, consti- tuting one of its fine farms. They are sons of John and Martha (Davis) McPher- son. The father was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1829, and the mother's birth occurred in the same country on the 12th of November, 1835. They crossed the Atlantic on the same ship in 1853 and became residents of Philadelphia. Soon after their arrival in the new world they were married and continued their resi- dence in Philadelphia, for about eight years, or until 1861, when they believed that they would have still better opportunities in the middle west and removed to Jones county, Iowa, where they continued to spend their remaining days. Mr. McPherson secured a tract of land and began farming, being busily occupied in the work of the fields until his life's labors were ended in death in the year 1880. Following the demise of her husband Mrs. McPherson continued to re- side upon the old homestead with her six children and reared them there. The farm is located on section 21, Greenfield township, and Mrs. McPherson not only cared for her children but also managed the business consequent upon the development of the farm. Of her children one son died in infancy, while two daughters have married and gone to homes of their own-Mrs. Ruth Beeman, who is residing in Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. Anna Nosley, whose home is in Linn county, Iowa. The other children yet remain on the farm which has been their place of residence through almost their entire lives. Here the mother died January 12, 1908. She was certainly a most devoted mother, counting no per- sonal sacrifice on her part too great if it would enhance the happiness and pro- mote the welfare of her children, who revere her memory and during her lifetime entertained for her the warmest love.
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The sons, George D. and T. J. McPherson, with their brothers, J. P. and Sam- uel, all reside on the old homestead and are busily occupied with the work of the fields, being known as representative farmers of this part of the state. All are pronounced republicans, but are not offensive partisans. They hold firmly to the principles in which they believe but are not abusive to those whose opinion differ from theirs. They have been reared in the atmosphere of Presbyterianism, are considerate of the rights of others and in all business transactions are thor- oughly reliable.
George D. and Thomas J. McPherson were educated in the pioneer schools of the early days and were reared amid the environments of frontier life, habits of industry, diligence and perseverance being formed by them as the result of the wise lessons impressed upon them by their mother. The result of their labors is seen in the broad acres of the McPherson farm, comprising two hun- dred and sixty-two and a half acres of rich and productive land in Greenfield township. They have added many modern improvements, as evidenced in the house and barns, the sheds and machinery, the well kept fences, the carefully cultivated fields and the high grades of stock. All these are an indication of their thrift, energy and perseverance, qualities which are indispensable to success. Moreover, they enjoy the confidence of the general public as business men and the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN L. RICHARDSON.
John L. Richardson, a retired agriculturist residing in Wyoming, where he has made his home since 1898, is still the owner of five hundred and five acres of valuable land in Madison township, Jones county. His birth occurred in North Argyle, Washington county, New York, on the 31st of January, 1838. His father, James Richardson, who was born at Ewart, Northumberland, England, in 1798, was a carpenter and joiner by occupation and for several years worked at his trade in Edinburgh. In 1827, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in New York, where he worked at his trade tintil the time of his marriage to Miss Susan Small, a native of Jackson township, Washington county, New York. Her parents were from Perthshire, Scotland, and in the maternal line she was descended from the same ancestry as the Beveridge family of which Senator Beveridge is a member. Following his marriage James Richardson turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and in 1850 removed to Morrow county, Ohio, where he followed farming for twelve years. On the expiration of that period, in 1862, he came to Jones county, Iowa, locating in Madison township, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres in 1864. He successfully operated the place for a number of years and on putting aside the active work of the fields sold the property to his son, John L., and took up his abode in Wyoming, where his remaining days were spent. He passed away in 1880 and his wife was called to her final rest eight years later.
John L. Richardson, who was the third in order of birth in a family of nine children, received his education in an old log schoolhouse in Ohio and, though
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his advantages in this direction were limited, he eventually became a well in- formed man through reading, observation and experience. On the 18th of July, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, joining Company E. Twenty-sixth Regiment of Ohio Infantry, with which he served until discharged at Chattanooga on the 3Ist of December, 1863. He reenlisted on the following day-January 1, 1864, becoming a member of Company E, Twenty-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Army of the Cumberland and participated in all the engagements of his command, including those at Shiloh, Stone river, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Resaca, etc. Although in many sanguinary conflicts, he was fortunate in that he was never wounded and when the country no longer needed his aid he returned home, being honorably discharged on the 21st of October, 1865. On the 2d of January, 1866, he arrived in Jones county, Iowa, taking up his abode on his father's farm in Madison township, which he event- ually purchased and which still remains in his possession. However, he extended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase until it now embraces five hundred and five acres of rich and productive land. The work of the farm claimed his attention throughout his active business career and he annually gath- ered bounteous harvests which found a ready sale on the market. In 1898, hav- ing accumulated a handsome competence, he left the farm and came to Wyoming, where he has since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
Mr. Richardson has been twice married and by his first wife, whom he wedded in 1868, had four children, Mrs. Florence Thomas, being the only one living. In 1883, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Elmira Iler, a native of Ohio, by whom he also had one child, namely : Mrs. Ruby E. Peeler, of Wyoming.
In his political views Mr. Richardson is a stanch republican and for seven years has capably served as a member of the town council. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Presbyterian church. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than four decades and he has long been numbered among its most substantial, respected and enterprising citizens.
GEORGE DAVID McDONALD.
One of the representative farmers of Madison township who has met with success in his chosen vocation is George David McDonald, who was born in that township on the 13th of November, 1872, and is a son of David S. and Catherine (Bender) McDonald. The father was a native of Perthshire, Scotland, and when a young man came to the United States with his parents about 1855. His brother, John McDonald, had emigrated to this country about five years pre- viously and although he had not come to Iowa immediately on his arrival in America, he located here before the remainder of the family reached this country and had secured several tracts of government land in Jones county. They settled on the farm now owned and occupied by John A. McDonald, a cousin of our sub- ject. David McDonald, our subject's father, married Miss Catherine Bender, a native of Pennsylvania, and subsequently acquired a tract of land in Madison
GEORGE D. McDONALD
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township on which they made their home until 1900, when he retired from active farming and removed to Center Junction. Two years later, however, they be- came residents of Wyoming, Iowa, where Mr. McDonald now resides. He has figured quite prominently in local affairs and has held several township offices, the duties of which he discharged in a most able and satisfactory manner. Reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, both he and his wife have always affil- iated with that denomination.
George D. McDonald spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the par- ental roof and acquired his education in the common schools near his home. He remained with his parents until their removal to Center Junction, when he and his brother John L. took up the farm which they successfully operated for four years. Our subject then moved to another farm in Madison township but a year later became a resident of Center Junction and for one year carried the mail on the rural route. He then secured the farm where he now resides, consisting of eighty-six acres which had previously belonged to his uncle, John McDonald, who deeded it to him in the spring of 1907. He erected a good residence and a substantial barn and outbuildings upon his place, and after the completion of these took up his residence thereon in September, 1907. He has since devoted his time and energies to the cultivation of the fields and is meeting with well deserved success in his life work.
On the 19th of June, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McDonald and Miss Sarah J. Buck, who was born in Mills county, Iowa, but had taught school in Jones county for four or five years previous to her marriage. They now have one child, Anna B.
Politically Mr. McDonald is identified with the republican party and has taken quite an active interest in public affairs, having served as township assessor for three years and is now serving his fourth term as township clerk. He also acts as secretary of the school board and for several years has been a member of the district republican committee. Socially he is a member of Junction Lodge, No. 711, I. O. O. F., and, being a strong temperance man, also affiliates with the Good Templars. His wife is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and both are held in high regard by all who know them.
HENRY K. PATTON.
Any new theory or innovation of any kind must establish for itself a place by its worth and merit, for it is always subject to opposition on the part of the conservative who resent change of any kind. This has been the history of oste- opathy, but its practice has in the passing years become firmly established as a system of worth in the restoration of health and the prevention of disease. A successful practitioner of this system of healing in Anamosa is Dr. Henry K. Patton. His life record began at Moberly, Missouri, while his parents, Thomas J. and Nellie (Daniels) Patton, were natives of Virginia and Kentucky respec- tively. The parents lived in Missouri for many years and there the father died in 1891 at the age of fifty-four years, while the mother still survives at the old
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homestead in that state. In their family were nine children: Effie L., the eld- est, is the wife of J. B. Baker, a resident of Cairo, Missouri; Oleta, died in in- fancy; Carson, who wedded May Patton, is a resident of Clifton Hill, Missouri; Arthur W., makes his home in Tampa, Florida; Henry K., is the next of the family; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of Fred Melvin, living in Blendinsville, Illinois ; Pleasant L., who married a Miss Hill, resides on the old homestead at Jacksonville, Missouri; Earnest is married and makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri ; and John D., is married and lives in Kansas City.
Henry K. Patton attended the public schools in his early youth and after- ward pursued a complete course in the University of Missouri, thus becoming qualified by a liberal education for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward entered the college of osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, and was grad- uated therefrom with the class of June, 1900. On the 27th of the same month he located at Anamosa, where he has established a large practice, his patronage steadily increasing as the years have gone by and he has demonstrated the value and worth of his professional services. He has comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of the human body and in his practice has done such excellent work that many cures are now recorded to his credit.
In June, 1904, Dr. Patton was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Irene Sullivan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Sullivan, natives of Jones county, Iowa. They had one daughter, Dorothy Josephine. Dr. Patton belongs to Ana- mosa Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., and is also connected with the Mystic Work- ers. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church while his political belief is that of the democrate party. His salient qualities are those of honorable manhood, of progressive citizenship and fidelity to a high standard of professional service, and the regard in which he is held has thus followed as the logical sequence of his salient and commendable traits of character.
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