USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 11
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Mr. Bantle has been married three times. He first wedded Miss Nettie Har- ris, a daughter of Isaac Harris, by whom he had one daughter, Vada, who is now the wife of Roy Fisher and resides near Wapello. Vada was born on the 17th of September, 1884, and six weeks later the mother passed away. In 1885 Mr. Bantle married Miss Helma Nyberg, a native of Illinois, who died in March, 1903, leaving two sons and a daughter, namely: John Harland, whose birth oc- curred in 1888 and who passed away in the spring of 1910: Orville Leonard, who was born in 1800 and is at home ; and Ida Blanche, also at home. On the 27th of December, 1905, Mr. Bantle was again married, his third union being with Mrs. Mary Jacoby, the widow of Reuben Jacoby. The present Mrs. Ban- tle had three children hy her first husband, as follows: Hetty, the wife of H. G.
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Wallace, of Carthage, Illinois; Asa, who is a railway engineer, with headquar- ters in Chicago; and Freddy, who resides at home with his parents and is of great assistance to his stepfather in the conduct of the grocery and meat market.
In politics Mr. Bantle is an independent republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. He was formerly also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. In all of his business dealings he is straightforward and reliable and enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence and good will of those who know him.
D. W. V. HERRICK.
The cultivation of a two hundred and twenty acre farm in Wapello town- ship engages the entire attention of D. W. V. Herrick, who was born in Louisa county on the 13th of April, 1864. Ile is a son of H. S. and Delilah ( Herkins) Herrick, unto whom were born fourteen children: Hulda, the wife of P. T. Benson, of Des Moines ; Henrietta, who married Andrew Davis, of Oklahoma ; Catharine, the wife of E. C. Friend, of Wapello: Emeline, who married E. T. Alstot, of Grand Island, Nebraska; Rose, the wife of W. N. Kettlestrings, of Oak Park, Illinois ; Mary, the wife of Eugene Parce, of South Dakota : Hannah, who married William Owens, also of South Dakota; Mercy, the wife of C. F. Linton, of Missouri; Lydia, who became the wife of James Parsons, of New London, Iowa; D. W. V., our subject : Zilpha, the wife of Harry Parsons, of Kansas ; and Joan, the wife of John W. Jarvis, of Morning Sun ; the sixth and seventh in order of birth both died in infancy.
D. W. V. Herrick, who has spent his entire life on a farm, was educated in the district schools of Louisa county. In 1888 he purchased eighty acres of land, which formed the nucleus of his present homestead, adding to this at divers times as he was able until he has acquired two hundred and twenty acres. which includes the old homestead on which he was born. Here he engages in general farming and stock-raising, both of which under his capable and intelli- gent direction have proven very remunerative.
On the 12th of September. 1894. Mr. Herrick was united in marriage to Miss Della Owens, a daughter of John and Sarah ( Foster) Owens, who were the par- ents of ten children, those who are living being as follows: Edwin, who is a resident of Clearfield, Iowa ; Lola, who married Harry Reece, of Winfield, Iowa : Della, now Mrs. Herrick ; Burtus, of Winfield, Iowa : Jennie, who married John Campbell, of Oakville, this state; Miller, of Winfield, Iowa : Earl, who is a resi- dent of the same place; Clyde of Louisa county ; and Nellie, the wife of Bert Moyers, also of this county. The first in order of birth died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick have become the parents of one son and three daughters, the two youngest, twins. The order of their birth is as follows: Chester M., who is at home; Beulah Alma, Myrtle Sarah and Marie Delilah.
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The family attend the Presbyterian church, of which they are members, while fraternally Mr. Herrick is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and he has taken three degrees in the Masonic order. In politics he has always given his support to the candidates of the democratic party, and for one term he served as supervisor ; he has also been school director. Resolution and perseverance have been the main factors in the success which has attended the efforts of Mr. Herrick, whose homestead, located on sections 24, 25 and 36, is one of the valuable properties of the county.
W. S. KREMER.
Few men have uninterruptedly served in public office for half a century but it has been the destiny of W. S. Kremer, of Wapello, to make a distinctive record and for fifty-four years past he has performed the duties of county surveyor of Louisa county. He has also occupied other public positions of responsibility and throughout his entire life his labors have been so wisely and prudently directed that he has gained and retained the respect and esteem of the people of the county regardless of their political affiliation.
He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Wilkes-Barre, January 1, 1833, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Sleppy ) Kremer, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father died at the age of sixty-six and the mother at the age of eighty-two years. There were five children in their family, namely : W. S .: Isabel, who married G. L. Dunn, of Keithsburg, Illinois, and is now (leceased; Sarah, who became the wife of Joseph Venable, of Keithsburg, and is also deceased : Amanda, the deceased wife of Thomas Arundell, of Oxnard, California ; and Wesley P., who is a resident of Rutherford, New Jersey.
WV. S. Kremer's early educational advantages were limited,. but he attended Howe's Academy at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, for two terms. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching school and continued in that vocation for three years, at the end of which time he was elected county surveyor of Louisa county, an office which he has filled for some years, discharging his duties so creditably that he has never been seriously criticised. He also served with general accep- tance as county treasurer for ten years ; was for many years a member of the school board; and has also been a member of the city council and mayor of Wapello.
On the 14th day of May. 1859, Mr. Kremer was married to Miss Elizabeth Whicher, a daughter of Francis and Susan (Gregory) Whicher. Seven chil- dren came to bless this union, namely : Clarence and Dale, both of whom are living in Louisa county ; Guy, who makes his home at Denver, Colorado; Kate, who resides at home; Stella, who became the wife of H. Limbocker, of I ouisa county ; and Pearl and Glenn, both of whom are at home. The mother of this family died January 31, 1890.
MR. AND MRS. W. S. KREMER
1 10 PUBLIC LIK JOY
ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOI MILLIONS B L
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Mr. Kremer cast his first vote in 1856 for John C. Fremont and William L. Dayton as candidates for president and vice president of the United States on the republican ticket and during the years that have since passed has seen no reason to change his political affiliation. He is an advocate of obedience to the law and the well established usages of society and by his example of industry, patience and self-control has influenced many to lead lives of honor and usefulness. He has always given freely of his time, money and talents toward the promotion of worthy objects and he is recognized as a representative of the model American citizen. The family attend the Methodist church.
JOSEPH W. SWAN.
Joseph W. Swan, who for more than twenty years has been engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising in Morning Sun township, was born in the house in which he now lives on the 17th of August, 1850. He is a son of James Mc- Connell, commonly known as "Mack," and Nancy A. (Rouse) Swan. The father, who was born in Pennsylvania on the 9th of April, 1815, migrated to lowa in his early manhood, locating on one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land which he preempted in Morning Sun township, Louisa county, the deed for his land being signed by President James K. Polk.
The country was very sparsely settled at that time and upon Mr. and Mrs. Swan devolved all of the hardships which usually fall to the lot of pioneers. Their nearest trading post was Flint, which was twenty miles away, and the prairie wolves were so prevalent at that time that often they approached the wagon so closely that it was possible to strike them with a whip. Mr. Swan, who improved his homestead as he was able, felled all of the trees from which he constructed his residence, which is the one now occupied by his son, Joseph W. He placed his land under cultivation as rapidly as possible and engaged in general farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred on the 27th of March, 1867, at the age of fifty-two years. He was laid to rest in Elmwood cemetery, at Morning Sun.
Mrs. Swan, who was born in the 20th of January, 1819, died on the 14th of November. 1875. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swan were born ten children, namely : Rachel, the wife of J. B. Linney, of Linn county, Kansas; John A., who is de- ceased : Eliza Jane, who married William Buffington, of Wapello; Ellen C., the wife of E. P. Green, of Taylor county, Iowa: Martha, the wife of John C. Leeds, of Oklahoma : J. W., our subject : Wrilla, the deceased wife of J. Delong, of Morning Sun : Laura Bell, the wife of George Horn, of Fairfield, lowa; and Mary and Arabella, both of whom died in infancy.
In the acquirement of his education Joseph W. Swan attended the district schools until such time as he had obtained sufficient knowledge of the common branches to enable him to engage in his vocation, which he had decided should be that of farming At the age of twenty-one years he rented the homestead.
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which he cultivated for two years. At the expiration of that period, however, owing to the state of his health, he was compelled to withdraw from agricul- tural pursuits. Coming to Morning Sun he became associated with S. T. Mc- Intire in the implement business. He continued to be identified with this activ- ity for ten years, and in 1889 he returned to the old homestead where he has ever since engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is an enterprising man of progressive ideas and has met with success in his undertakings, espe- cially in the cultivation of his land, one hundred and fifteen acres of which he is now operating. Last year he had twenty acres of the finest corn he has ever raised, the yield being one hundred and five bushels to the acre. Mr. Swan has always taken great pride in his stock, making a specialty of the breeding and raising of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.
On the 20th of June, 1871, Mr. Swan was united in marriage to Miss Diana Peasley, a daughter of S. N. and Sarah Ann ( Savage ) Peasley, who were na -. tives of Athens county, Ohio, in which state her mother died. In 1858 her father came to Iowa, traveling by wagon, and located in Louisa county. His death occurred in Morning Sun in February, 1911. To Mr. and Mrs. Peasley were born three children, as follows: Ann Eliza, the widow of John A. Swan, of Morning Sun : Diana, now Mrs. Joseph W. Swan; and William, who is a resident of Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Swan have seven children five sons and two daughters, in order of birth as follows: Iona, the wife of P. A. Yohe, of Morning Sun ; Warren A., who is a resident of Pottawattomie county, Iowa ; Wallace, who is living in Oskaloosa: Leah, who became the wife of Charles Peterson, of Des Moines : Walter, who is a resident of Morning Sun ; Guy, who is at home ; and Clinton, who is attending business college at Burlington.
The family worship in the First Presbyterian church of Morning Sun, of which James McConnell Swan was one of the organizers. Mr. Swan, who has always taken a very active and helpful interest in all political affairs, gives his support to the republican party. He is now county constable, and during the period of his residence in Morning Sun served in the capacity of marshal, con- stable and street commissioner, in all of which offices he lischarged his duties in a manner highly creditable to both himself and his constituency. Mr. Swan is one of the representative citizens of Morning Sun township, in the develop- ment of which his family has been actively engaged for over sixty years.
HARVEY E. ORR.
Starting in life under highly favorable circumstances as to parentage and surroundings Harvey E. Orr, of Columbus City, has ably discharged his re- sponsibilities and today ranks among the leading men of Louisa county. He and his family occupy a beautiful residence which is provided with all desirable conveniences and he is also the owner of a fine farm in this part of the county
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which yields generous annual returns. He is a native of Washington county, Iowa, born June 27, 1853, a son of Francis G. and Elizabeth (Johnston) Orr.
The family has been traced back in America for a number of generations, the great-grandfather on the paternal side, Thomas Orr, having been one of the pioneers of Washington county. Tennessee. There his son William, the grandfather of our subject, was born. William Orr was reared in Washington county and when a young man went to Blount county, Tennessee, where he married Miss Mary Walker whose father, John Walker, served as a recruiting officer in the Revolutionary war. After the colonies gained their independence he settled in the valley of the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania, but about the year 1800 emigrated to Tennessee. He was a farmer by occupation and a member of the Seceder Presbyterian church. He died at the age of eighty years.
To William and Mary Orr were born the following children, namely : Jane F., now deceased; John W., who died at Conesville, Iowa, in 1886, at the age of seventy-six years; Josiah J., a farmer of Union township, Louisa county ; Francis G., the father of our subject : Robert H., who also engaged in farming in Union township; Mary, who died in infancy ; Lucinda Adeline, who married Joseph Johnston, of Columbus City ; William W., a farmer of Union township ; Esther Ann, the wife of James H. Johnston, of Columbus township : and Nancy Jane, who became the wife of David C. Hammel, of Washington, Iowa. Jane F., the eldest of these children, was twice married. Her first husband was Thomas J. Johnson, of Madison county, Alabama, an'l her second husband was John F. McConnell. She died in Louisa county at the age of eighty years.
At the age of four years Francis G. Orr removed with his parents to Mon- roe county, Tennessee, where the family lived for about two years, then taking up their residence in MeMinn county, Tennessee. He continued with his par- ents until he arrived at the age of twenty-one years. In 1846 he came to Col- umbus City township, Louisa county, but remained only a short time. He pur- chased eighty acres of land near Crawfordsville, Washington county, Iowa, upon which he took up his residence in the fall of 1848.
In 1852 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Johnston and two years later was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and infant son. This was the greatest sorrow of his life and one from which he never fully recovered. A short time after the death of his wife he disposed of his property in Washing- ton county and returned to Louisa county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 4. Union township. He made his home with his brother, W. W. Orr, until after the marriage of his son and then took up his residence with the latter. He died in 1896. He was a highly successful farmer and became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich land in Union township upon which he built a handsome farm residence and other substantial buildings in keeping with the home. He was a member of the Associated Presbyterian church of Columbus City, in which he served as ruling elder for many years. In politics he was a republican.
Harvey E. Orr was reared on the home farm and attended school in the winter, assisting in the work of the fields in the spring and summer. At the
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age of twenty-five years he took his father's place in the management of the homestead and upon the death of the father inherited the estate. He continued to live at the old home until 1904 when he removed with his family to Colum- bus City. Ile rented the home farm for four years and then disposed of it, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Columbus City township, which he still owns. His property in Columbus City covers an entire block of eight lots and the residence is one of the most attractive in the city.
On October 2, 1878, Mr. Orr was married to Miss Mahala Duncan and to this union three children were born, two of whom are now living: Gary, who makes his home in Texas; and Ira, a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The mother of these children died February 23. 1885, at the age of twenty-seven years, and Mr. Orr was married April 21, 1887, to Miss Mary E. Duncan, his second wife being a daughter of James A. and Melinda J. Duncan. Mr. and Mrs. Orr have become the parents of five children, namely : Lulu, who resides at home ; Eva, deceased ; and Helen, Harold and Edith, all of whom are at home. MIrs. Orr was the sixth in order of birth in a family of nine children, the others being : Joseph, deceased: Margaret A., the widow of W. J. Grimes, of Allerton, lowa ; Nancy J., the widow of Robert O. Johnson, of Garnett, Kansas ; William, who died in infancy ; Emma F., the wife of Isaac A. Endsby, of Columbus Junction ; Flora, the widow of W. D. Pyles, of Columbus Junction ; Lon, who married W. E. Murdock, of Columbus Junction ; and Charles R., also of Col- umbus Junction.
Mr. Orr votes in support of the republican party, and while he has never de- sired to hold public office he takes an active interest in the success of the party and lends his assistance in promoting the claims of its candidates. A native son of Iowa, his interest has largely centered in this state and few men can claim a more intimate knowledge of its resources and possibilities. By loyalty to principle and a spirit of progressiveness which have ever been his salient characteristics he has inspired many others to the attainment of higher i leals and has been a potent influence in the upbuilding of the community. Flis re- ligious views are indicated by membership in the United Presbyterian church to which, as to all worthy objects, he is a liberal contributor.
ABE PARSONS.
Among the well known farmers and stockmen of Jefferson township is Abe Parsons, who was born in Louisa county on the 2d of October, 1861, and is a son of the late T. M. and Mary ( Hale) Parsons. The father was a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1835, and she in 1840. They located upon a farm in this county, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father passing away on the 20 of May, 1902, and the mother on the 23d of October, 1906. Six children were born to them, five of whom are still surviving.
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Abe Parsons acquired a common-school education, remaining a member of the paternal household until he attained his majority. He early elected to follow agricultural pursuits, for which he had been fitted by his training from child- hood, and when he left home he purchased a farm and engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding stock for the market.
In 1908 Mr. Parsons was united in marriage to Mrs. Jessie L. ( Hook) Par- sons, the widow of the late D. D. Parsons. She was also a native of Louisa county, her natal day being the 26th of August, 1861. Her parents, G. W. and Emily B. (Trask) Hook, were natives of Virginia and Illinois respectively. The parents were among the pioneer settlers of this county and extensive land- owners The father passed away on the 13th of November, 1895, and the mother on the 31st of January, 1910, at the age of seventy-three years. Unto them were born nine children, eight of whom are still living By her first mar- riage Mrs. Parsons had three children: Talmar, who was born on the 6th of July, 1882, and is the wife of John Deihl, a banker, of Wapello; Mary Pearl, who was born on the 23d of January, 1885, and became the wife of R. R. Hunt ; and Dean H., who was born on the 7th of June, 1895, and is now attending school at Wapello.
Mr. and Mrs. Parsons attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she is a member, while fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Wapello Lodge, No. 5. A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Parsons is a member of the Eastern Star of Wapello, No. 257. Mr. Parsons has always voted the democratic ticket and has been the successful candidate of his party for the of- fice of township trustee. He has met with a moderate degree of success in his business and he and his wife now own two hundred and ninety acres of land on sections 5, 14, and 23, Jefferson township, in addition to which he has four hundred and eighty acres of land in Clark county, Kansas. He is one of the substantial farmers of Jefferson township, where he has resided all his life and has many friends by whom he is highly regarded.
WILLIAM H. DARROW, M. D.
Obstacles which appear unsurmountable to some persons to others serve merely as incentives, and by overcoming difficulties they rise to heights of char- acter and usefulness which the great majority of the human race scarcely real- ize. Such is the epitome of the life of Dr. William H. Darrow, now deceased, who for many years was a prominent physician of Columbus Junction. Begin- ning in a most humble capacity in a drug store he earned the money to pay his expenses at college, thus laying a foundation for future success. He was a val- iant soldier, a patriotic citizen, a true friend to the needy or unfortunate, and in all the responsibilities of life he attempted to ever perform his duty. He was born in Summit county, Ohio, August 17, 1842, a son of George and Har- riet Walker Darrow. Mr. Darrow, Sr., came with his family to Louisa county,
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lowa, in 1845 and took up his residence at Columbus City, where he engaged in the blacksmith's trade. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the call of President Lincoln and enlisted in an Iowa regiment, losing his life in defense of his country. The mother is also deceased.
William 11. Darrow was a member of a family of fourteen children and, be- ing obliged in his boyhood to assist in providing for the support of his brothers and sisters, entered the drug store of Clark & Colton at Columbus City as a clerk. Ile was unusually industrious and, having decided to devote his life to. the practice of medicine, matriculated in the medical college of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1859. In 1861, soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Iowa Volunteers, and later was promoted as hospital steward and assistant surgeon. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg and many of the principal battles of the Army of the West, among which may be named Champion's Hill, Missionary Ridge, Jackson, Corinth, Fort Pillow, New Madrid, luka and Tiptonville. He was wounded in the scalp and in the left arm at the battle of Champion's Hill, but recovered from these injuries and resumed his position with his company, being honorably mustered out after wearing the uniform of the blue for three years and nine months. Upon laying aside the accoutrements of war he returned to Columbus City and engaged in the practice of medicine, later moving to Cairo, and in 1870 to Col- umbus Junction, where he continued during the remainder of his life, becom- ing known as one of the most successful practitioners in Louisa county.
On the 20th of November, 1871, in this county, Dr. Darrow was united in marriage to Miss Emily F. Weaver, a daughter of Erastus and Mary Elizabeth ( Marshall ) Weaver, the former of whom was born at Providence, Rhode Island, and the latter near Xenia, Ohio. Mr. Weaver arrived in Louisa county in 1846 and was here married to Mary Elizabeth Marshall, who was one of the noblest women Louisa county has known. Mr. Weaver also served for the Union upon southern battlefields during the Civil war and was known as one of the most respected citizens of this section. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver: Mary Elizabeth, who married Reese Sellers ; Laura and Annie, both of whom died in infancy; Emily F., who married Dr. William H. Darrow : Lucy, the wife of E. S. Briggs, of Louisa county; Clara, who resides at Morning Sun and is the wife of Dr. C. B. Allen ; H. O., now a leading attor- ney of Wapello and collector of United States internal revenue of the fourth district of lowa : Henrietta, the wife of August Salmon, of Columbus Junction ; and Alice, who died in infancy. A more extended record of Mr. and Mrs. Eras- tus Weaver may be found in the sketch of H. O. Weaver elsewhere in this work.
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