USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 15
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acres of the Churchman farm, which he operated for three years. Diligence and economy had enabled him to amass the capital necessary to procure a farm of his own, so in 1892 he purchased his present homestead. The land is all fer- tile and tillable and during the period of his residence here Mr. Mewhirter has made extensive improvements upon the property. In connection with the cul- tivation of his fields he makes a specialty of raising and feeding Poland China hogs, under his able direction both branches of his business have proven very profitable.
Mr. Mewhirter consummated his plans for a home by his marriage on the 2dl of July, 1881. to Miss Phoebe A. Dawdy, a daughter of A. R. and Mary ( Gunter) Dawdy. They became the parents of four daughters and one son : Grace E., who is now the wife of Joseph Toms, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has one daughter, Frances Marion: Arthur, who married Leona Sellers and has one son, Harold E. : Jennie, Mabel and Marion, the three latter at home. The son is now operating the farm which belonged to his grandfather. Mrs. Mewhirter passed away on the 6th of August, 1908.
His political allegiance Mr. Mewhirter gives to the candidates of the re- publican party, and he holds membership in the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he has always taken an active and helpful interest, and at the present time he is an elder of the church and superintendent of the Sunday school. Both he and his family are highly regarded in the township where they are residing, the hospitality of the best homes being extended to them.
JOHN JACOB STAPP.
About a third of a century ago John Jacob Stapp, who is now one of the pros- perous citizens of Columbus Junction, started out to win for himself an honor- able place among his fellowmen. His early dreams have largely been realized and through his energy, perseverance and integrity of character he ranks among the leaders in Louisa county. A native of Columbus City township, he was born December 15, 1856, and is a son of Reuben and Sarah A. ( Reece) Stapp. The Stapp family traces its ancestry to Germany and the progenitors in America arrived in the colonies preceding the Revolutionary war, a great-grandfather of the subject of this review having served as a soldier in the patriot army. Jacob Stapp. the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life. He married Anna Berry, also a native of the Keystone state, and there were three children in their family: Reuben ; Caroline, who resides in Columbus City township and is the widow of Jonas Diehl; and Mary, who married William Klotz, of Columbus Junction and is now deceased.
Reuben Stapp was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 15. 1821. As an indication of his character it may be stated that he paid his own tuition at school by laboring with his hands. At the age of twenty he began learning the carpenter's trade in his native county and served an apprenticeship of two
JOHN J. STAPP
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PUBLIC LI Y
ASTOR LEVT AND TILDEN F.
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years. In 1844 he removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and there worked at his trade for eight years. While residing in this county he was married, Decem- ber 28, 1848, to Miss Sarah A. Reece, a daughter of John and Jane ( Nichols ) Reece, both of whom were born in Virginia, the daughter Sarah also having been born in that state. In 1852, believing that the west offered more favorable inducements than he perceived in Indiana, Mr. Stapp visited Louisa county, Iowa, to investigate its agricultural possibilities and was so greatly pleased that he bought land on section 16, Columbus City township, and brought his family here in 1853. He built a log cabin eighteen by eighteen feet in size, in which the family lived for about eight years, when a more commodious structure was erected. No one appreciated more highly than Mr. Stapp the value of the rich lands of Louisa county and as his resources increased he purchased additional property until he became the owner of several hundred acres. He was also a stockholder and a director of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Columbus Junc- tion. He took a deep interest in the development of the resources of the county and was for many years one of its prominent citizens. He was an active mem- ber of the Reformed church and politically gave his support to the democratic party.
Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Stapp were the parents of twelve children, the first four of whom, Thomas, Caroline, Mary E. and Amanda, died in infancy. The others are: Anna, the wife of T. J. Klotz, of Louisa county ; John Jacob, the subject of this review ; Ada L. and Ida L., twins, the former of whom became the wife of J. S. Blair, of Louisa county, and the latter of whom married J. J. Duncan, of Columbus Junction; George B., of Cotter; Cora, the wife of Sher- man Willey, of Louisa county; and Garry and Harry, twins, the former of I ouisa county and the latter of Longmont, Colorado.
John Jacob Stapp, whose name introduces this review, received a common- school education and continued at home until after reaching his majority. At the age of twenty-two years he rented one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cultivated for one year, and then bought one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he took up his home, developing his farm into one of the valuable prop- erties of the township. After eleven years he disposed of it and purchased two hundred and fifty acres of good land on sections 16 and 21, Columbus City township, which he now owns. On the 25th of November. 1904, he moved to Columbus Junction, having purchased a beautiful home in which he and his fam- ily reside. He engages in the real-estate business and, as he has good judgment concerning the value of land, he has attracted a lucrative clientage. He is vice president of the Cotter Savings Bank, of Cotter, Iowa, and a member of the board of directors of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of Columbus Junction, being a stockholder in both of these institutions.
On the 24th of December, 1878, Mr. Stapp was married to Miss Flora A. Ogier, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy ( Grimes) Ogier, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Louisa county, Iowa, and here passed the re- mainder of their lives. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stapp. namely: Harry R., who is engaged in the insurance business at Dayton, Ohio:
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Elsie, who married Frank Letts, of Clarendon, Texas; Nancy, who became the wife of Harry R. Owen, of Longmont. Colorado; J. Jay, who is in charge of his father's farm and Mona and Mary, both of whom are at home.
In politics Mr. Stapp gives his support to the democratic party. He has never sought public office but has served in minor township offices. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in religious belief is identified with the Reformed Lutheran church. Ilis life is a striking exemplification of the effect of perseverence and industry, based on sound judgment and an upright character.
M. C. ROSS. *
The business interests of Grand View township find a most worthy repre- sentative in M. C. Ross, one of the progressive and prosperous residents of Letts. He was born in this township on the 27th of April, 1866, a son of Oscar and Mary A. ( Lindsey ) Ross, natives of Kentucky and lowa respectively, their marriage occurring in this state. The father, a farmer by occupation, followed that pursuit until his retirement in 1907, since which time he has made his home with his son in Letts, having now reached the age of seventy-five years. His wife passed away near Grand View in 1883. Of the family of seven chil- dren M. C., of this review, is the only surviving member, the others being as follows: Elmina and Mary, who passed away in early childhood: Myra whose death occurred when she was thirty-eight years of age; Evert, who died when eleven years old : Millard, who passed away at the age of seventeen years ; and Emma, who had reached the age of twenty-two years when called to her final rest.
M. C. Ross is indebted to the pubile school system of his native county for the educational advantages which he enjoyed during the period of his boyhood and youth, and after completing his studies remained on the home farm, assist- ing his father in the cultivation of the fields until he was eighteen years of age. He then began working as a farm hand, being thus employed for seven years, after which he began learning the blacksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years. At the end of that time he established a shop of his own in Letts, in the conduct of which he has since continued. He now has a fine trade, for his is the most important enterprise of its kind in this locality, and in addi- tion to conducting a general blacksmith's business also handles various kinds of farm implements, buggies, wagons and gasoline engines, carrying a very ex- tensive stock of standard manufacture. The volume of his business is con- stantly increasing with the passing of the years, and he is recognized today as one of the substantial and representative citizens of Grand View township.
Mr. Ross was married on the 16th of March, 1898, to Miss Emma Soder- strom, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, and passed away three years after her marriage. Unto this union was born one son: Oscar M., whose birth
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occurred on the 13th of October, 1899. On June 24, 1908. Mr. Ross was again married, his second union being with Miss Pearl Furnace, whose birth occurred in Letts, her parents being M. P. and Ella ( Curtis) Furnace. They still sur- vive, making their home in this town, and are the parents of three children of whom Mrs. Ross is second in order of birth, the others being: Etta, the wife of J. H. Garrett, of Concord township: and Frank, yet at home. By his second marriage Mr. Ross had two children, twins, both of whom are now deceased. Their birth occurred in February, 1911, one passing away at birth and the other surviving for three months.
Mr Ross holds membership with the Fraternal Aid Association, and since attaining his majority has supported the men and measures of the republican party. He has served on the city council of Letts for the past eight years, is also a member of the school board and is now acting as president of the Ceme- tery Association of the city of Letts. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of the community in which he resides and he casts his influence on the side of advancement and progress along material, political and intellectual lines. He is meeting with a success in business which is well merited, for his has been a life of unceasing activity, governed by honorable and upright prin- ciples. He and his wife occupy a beautiful home, the cordial hospitality of which is enjoyed by a large circle of warm friends.
DANIEL E. BARRICK.
General farming and stock-raising engross the attention of Daniel E. Bar- rick, who is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sec- tions 26 and 34, Marshall township. His birth occurred in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of October, 1866, his parents being George W. and Mary Jane ( Mixell) Barrick. The mother has passed away, but the father is living at the age of seventy years and now makes his home in Wapello. having come to Louisa county in 1902. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George W. Barrick there were born six children: Harvey, who is deceased; Laura Bell, the wife of D. S. Devore, who is a resident of Louisa county ; Daniel E., our subject ; Samuel C., also a resident of this county : Susan R., the wife of Adam Henderson, of Green Spring, Pennsylvania : and Merven E., who is living in Boulder, Colorado. For his second wife the father chose Mrs. Susan (Griffin) Reese, and to them were born two daughters: Lillian Gertrude, who became the wife of Wilbur Stoner, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Cora E., who is living in Wapello.
Daniel E. Barrick laid aside his text-books after the mastery of the common branches, for which purpose he attended the district schools, and at the age of twenty years he began his business career as an agriculturist. In 1891, feeling that he knew enough regarding farming to warrant his beginning for himself. he rented two hundred and forty acres of land in Warren county, Illinois. He met with such success in the cultivation of this that in 1899 he had the
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requisite capital to enable him to buy his present place. However, he continued to cultivate rented property for two years thereafter, removing to his Iowa farm in 1002. Here he has resided ever since, during which time he has effected many improvements upon his place. Ile has erected a fine two story, ten room modern house, good barns and outbuildings, by which he has greatly added to the attractive appearance and value of his property. His fields are well drained and substantially fenced, as well as carefully cultivated, and as a result he reaps abundant harvests. He devotes attention to the raising of Shrop- shire sheep, in addition to which he is quite an extensive feeder.
On the 25th of February, 1801, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bar- rick and Miss M. DeEtte Smith, a daughter of Samuel Hayden and Mary Ann ( Tinkham) Smith. Her father is a native of Ohio but her mother was born in Illinois. Mrs. Smith died in March, 1908, and Mr. Smith is now living retired in Kirkwood, Illinois. To them were born four children, those beside Mrs. Barrick being as follows: Jessie, the wife of T. J. Callahan, who is a resident of Wapello; Frederick Hayden, of Warren county, Illinois; and Edna Fay, the deceased wife of Charles Cannell, of Monmouth, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Barrick have become the parents of three children: Fern Marie, who was born on the 15th of May, 1892; Ray, born on the 18th of March, 1894; and Leslie Clair, who was born on the 17th of February, 1896, and died on the 5th of September, 1897.
The religious faith of the family is manifested through their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Barrick is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance he has never accorded to any party, always having cast his ballot in support of those men and measures he deemed best adapted to meet the requirements of the situation. Progressive and enterprising, he is in every way a modern agriculturist and is meeting the reward of capable supervision and judicious management in lucrative returns.
EVAN IL. ARTHUR.
Among the prosperous farmers of Louisa county is Evan H. Arthur, who lives upon a well improved place in Columbus City township which is each year becoming more valuable on account of well considered improvements. He is a native of this county and was born August 9, 1875, a son of Hugh and Elizabeth J. (Jones ) Arthur, a record of whom appears upon another page of this work in the sketch of William Arthur, a brother of our subject.
Evan H. Arthur acquired his elementary education in the district schools, but in the years that have since passed has greatly broadened his outlook by reading, observation and contact with the world. He continued with his par- ents until after the death of his father and since that time has engaged in farm- ing on his own account, being now the owner of one hundred and twenty-seven acres, which he cultivates to excellent advantage. Hle is a lover of horses and
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has made a specialty of breeding thoroughbred Norman horses. He is the owner at the present time of three registered mares and three registered colts, the names of the latter being Topsy, Daisy, and Daisy Dean. As a general farmer he receives generous returns for his labor and each year witnesses a handsome increase in his revenues.
On January 27, 1909, in Louisa county, Mr. Arthur was married to Miss Ruth Peters, a daughter of Richard and Gwendolyn Peters, and they have one child, Eveline, who was born November 30, 1909. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peters, namely: Jennie, who married Arthur Williams and now lives in Wayne, Nebraska; Lewis, who makes his home in Louisa county ; Annie, who is the wife of John Arthur, of Louisa county ; Ruth, now Mrs. Evan H. Arthur ; Richard, also of Louisa county ; and Lizzie, Belle, Daniel and Mary, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Arthur takes a lively interest in fraternal organizations and is an hon- ored member of the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen. Religiously he is con- nected with the Methodist church and politically his support is given to the re- publican party, in behalf of which he is an active worker. He is a good friend of education and is also a strong believer in cultivating social faculties, he and his wife dispensing a generous hospitality which attracts many of the best peo- ple of this part of the county.
F. P. BROWN.
The agricultural interests of Louisa county find a worthy and successful representative in F. P. Brown, who is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 4 and 5, Marshall township. His birth oc- curred in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 15th of August, 1852, his parents being Isaac N. and Hester A. (Storks) Brown, the former a native of Circleville, Ohio, and the latter of Maryland. The mother came to this county in 1863, locating on a farm in Elliott township, where she spent the remainder of her life. She reared a family of three children.
F. P. Brown attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he rented a farm in Elliott township, devoting his attention to its operation for fifteen years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of land in Elliott township, where he was actively engaged in the tilling of the soil for thirty-two years altogether. After disposing of his property in that township he purchased and located on a farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 4 and 5, Marshall township, which had already been brought under a high state of cultivation and on which he has resided to the present time. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle, hogs and horses, this branch of his business adding materially to his annual income.
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On the 5th of September, 1875. Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Julia B. Schultz, a native of Indiana and a daughter of John and Hester ( Rob- inson ) Schultz. Her father was born in France, while her mother's birth oc- curred in the Hoosier state. John Schultz, who served as sergeant of a com- pany of Union soldiers during the Civil war, was killed at the battle of Shiloh. llis widow subsequently removed to Des Moines county, Jowa, and in the '70s located in Oakville. She was the mother of three children. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have no children of their own but reared an adopted son, P. T. Brown, who assists our subject in the conduet of his farming interests.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Brown has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its princi- ples are most conducive to good government. He has served as a school director and has ever been a stanch friend of the cause of education. Both he and his wife are consistent and devoted members of the Church of God. Mr. Brown's life has been such as to merit the respect of his fellowmen and by his honesty. uprightness and industry he has contributed much toward the upbuilding of the county in which he has made his home for almost a half century.
WILLIAM N. KELLER.
A highly cultivated farm of one hundred and eighteen acres, situated on section 14. Morning Sun township, pays a glowing tribute to the labors of Will- iam N. Keller, who is the owner of this property. He was born in Knox county, Ohio. January 31, 1840, a son of George and Mary ( McLean) Keller, who were natives of Germany, emigrating to America in their childhood days. They spent their married life in Ohio and there both departed this life. Their marriage was blessed with ten children, only three of whom are now living, namely : Mary F., the wife of James France, a resident of Knox county, Ohio; Adam, who makes his home in Indiana ; and William N., of this review.
William N. Keller enjoyed such educational advantages as are offered by the common schools and the period of his boyhood and youth was spent under the parental roof. He gave his father the benefit of his services until he had reached mature years, and in 1861, the Civil war having been inaugurated, he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company H. Eighty-second Ohio Infantry. He remained at the front for three years and in the meantime took part in the battles of Bull Run, Pea Ridge, Winchester, Fredericksburg, and in other minor engagements. Ile was fortunate in that he never received even a scratch while doing duty at the front. He was mustered out at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after which he returned to his home in Knox county, Ohio, and for three years worked as a farm hand for others. At the end of that time, seeking the broader opportunities of the west, he came to Louisa county and worked as a farm hand here for several years. He eventu- ally established a home of his own by his marriage, after which he located on
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a tract of land which he rented for four years. During this period he saved a sum of money sufficient to invest in farm property and thus became owner of one hundred and eighteen acres on seetion 14. Morning Sun township. He has made the improvements on this place and it is today one of the attractive as well as cultivable traets of this township. He carries on general farming but makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs.
Mr. Keller was married to Miss Margaret D. Cunningham, who was born in Louisa county, March 14, 1854, a daughter of Condy and Elizabeth ( Hamil- ton) Cunningham. The father was a native of Ireland, but the mother claims the state of Ohio as the place of her nativity. They located in Louisa county in 1843 and here spent their remaining years, the mother passing away in 1888. while the father, surviving for a few years, departed this life in September, 1893. They were the parents of four children, only two of whom are now liv- ing. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keller have been born eight children: Ezra, who is living in the state of Washington ; George, at home : Richard, a resident of Ore- gon ; Charles, Lee, Grove and Marion, all at home ; and Lena, deceased.
Mr. Keller always casts his vote for the candidates of the democratic party, but he has never songht nor held office for himself, preferring to devote his entire time to his private business affairs. He and his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. When on the battlefield Mr. Keller dis- played the spirit of loyalty and determination and these characteristics have been strongly manifest throughout his entire life, for when he started out in the business world it was in a humble position, but he has overcome all obsta- cles and difficulties that have beset his path and today ranks among the men of prominence and influence in his locality.
JOSEPH M. DOTSON.
A veteran of the Civil war, Joseph M. Dotson is now living retired at Co- lumbus Junetion where he has made his home and has been favorably known for nearly forty years. He is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born February 21, 1837, a son of B. S. and Mary (Davidson) Dotson. The father was born in Maryland, but the mother was a native of England and emi- grated to America in childhood, the families locating in Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and in 1844 Mr. Dotson arrived with his family in Des Moines county, Iowa. In 1849 he removed to Louisa county and located upon government land in Wapello township. Here he built a frame cottage of two rooms which was one of the first frame buildings of the county and was regarded as an object of great interest by the early settlers. The father and mother continued to live at the old homestead during the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom sur- vive, namely : Joseph M .; Sarah J., the wife of George Turner, of Washington ; Mark, who makes his home in Louisa county ; Harriet, now Mrs. E. Stevens, of
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Wapello : Irene, a resident of Spokane, Washington ; Oliver P., of Eldon, Iowa ; and Eva. the wife of George Deal, of Wapello.
Joseph M. Dotson, of this review, came to Louisa county with his parents and continued at home until after reaching his majority. Upon the breaking out of the Civil war he responded to the call of President Lincoln for defenders of the Union and enlisted in Company K, Second Iowa Cavalry, in which he served continuously for four years and two months. He participated in several of the great battles of the war and in many minor engagements, passing through almost unscathed, as he received only a slight wound on the head during the entire period named. He was a good soldier and was always to be found at his post of duty. He was honorably mustered out of service at Davenport, Towa, and returned to Louisa county, where he purchased seventy acres of land in Wapello township, and which he cultivated for two years. He then sold out and spent two years at Wapello, after which he rented a farm for a period of two years. In 1872 he located in Columbus Junction and entered the hotel business, which proved a successful venture. He gained an enviable reputation as a hotelkeeper on account of his pleasing manner and the generous accom- modations available at his house and continued in the business for twenty years. He has since lived in honorable retirement, being the owner of a handsome residence and of other property in Columbus Junction.
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