USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 18
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PUBLIC DOEN
A . TENDAY AND TILDEN SHE' R L
MR. AND MRS. E. W. SIVERLY
MR. AND MRS. I. S. SIVERLY
L
R
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
E. W., Jr., who is a resident of Wapello; Frank, who makes his home in Arizona ; Augusta, who is now the widow of F. F. Curran, of Morning Sun, Iowa; Amanda, the widow of George Smith, of San Francisco, California ; and Eva, who married A. E. Baldridge, of Wapello.
I. S. Siverly received limited advantages of education as he grew to manhood and continued upon the home farm until he enlisted in the Civil war as a mem- ber of Company F, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Vicksburg, Sterling Farm, Mobile and Meadow- ville. He was taken prisoner by the Confederates while on the Red River ex- pedition and was confined for ten months at Tyler, Texas, at the end of which time he was exchanged. He returned to his regiment and was present at a number of hard fought battles and engagements of the Army of the Gulf. In 1865 he was honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama, and returned to Louisa county, later purchasing the old family homestead, which he has greatly im- proved. He has been very successful not only as an agriculturist but in handling live stock and is known as one of the thorough and prosperous farmers of his locality.
On the roth of January, 1867, Mr. Siverly was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Rice, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Israel and Lucinda (Ayers ) Rice. By this union nine children were born, seven of whom are 110w living. John R., who now makes his home in Linn county, Iowa, wedded Mary Buck, now deceased, and for his second wife married Minnie Sutzin. By his first union there are two children, Hazel and Ruth. Robert E., a resident of Louisa county, married Emma Casten and they have four children, Guy W .. . Jessie Marie, Fred and Pauline. William S., of Laclede county, Missouri, married Ida Myers and after her death wedded Bessie Nurse. He has one child, Violet, by his first marriage, and another, Ernest L., by the second. James A., who re- sides in South Dakota, married Cora Wilson and they have one child. Arthene. Georgia M. is the wife of Arthur Wilson, of Louisa county, and they have four children, Roxey, Mary, Harold and Verne. Ernest L., of Morning Sun, mar- ried Mearle Losey. Harry H., a resident of Burlington, completes the family. The mother of these children died April 18, 1896, and was laid to rest in the Rice cemetery.
Mr. Siverly was again married October 30, 1901, his second union being with Mrs. Rachel Boorn, a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Lafayette and Emma (Rice) Boorn. Her father is now living in Wapello but her mother is deceased. They were both natives of New York state. By her first husband Mrs. Siverly had one daughter, Jessie Marie, who was born April 28, 1895. Mr. Siverly has two grand-children living with him: Hazel, who was born January 19, 1902; and Ruth, born October 18, 1905. They are the daughters of John Siverly, the eldest son, and since the death of their mother have made their home with their grandfather.
In politics Mr. Siverly has since reaching manhood voted in support of the principles and candidates of the republican party. He has served very efficiently as township trustee and as school director but has never aspired to the honors Vol. II-10
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of political office, as his interests have been centered on his farm. He is now about seventy-five years of age and can look back over many years of usefulness, in the course of which he secured a competency that enables him to enjoy the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He fully deserves the respect in which he is held by the people of Louisa county.
JOHN K. BROWN.
John K. Brown, now deceased, was born near Freeport, in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 30th of May. 1830. a son of James K. and Mary ( Dryden) Brown, also natives of the Buckeye state. The parents came to Iowa in September, 1853. locating in Louisa county on the farm which is now the home of our subject's widow and which remained their place of residence until their deaths. In their family were seven children but only one now survives, Josephine, who married John Woodruff, now of Arkansas.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for John K. Brown during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was passed on the old homestead farm, and under the direction of his father he received thorough training, which well qualified him for the successful conduct of a farm of his own when he took up agricultural pursuits as a life work. For a number of years he operated the old homestead farm and the prosperity which attended his efforts is an indication that his choice of a vocation was a wise one. He carefully studied the soil and climatic conditions, practiced rotation of crops and in the management of his affairs pursued practical and progres- sive methods, and his close application and the care which he bestowed upon his fields were rewarded by abundant annual harvests.
On the 20 of October. 1861, in Lonisa county, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Ellenor Edwards, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, December 28, 1843, a daughter of Hugh and Ellen ( Williams) Edwards. Her parents were born, reared and married in Wales and had three children on their emigration to America in 1840. It was in 1858 that the family took up their abode in Morning Sun township. Louisa county, Iowa, where the father died February 13. 1893, and the mother passed away March 29, 1899. In their family were twelve children, seven of whom are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born six children, as follows: Ora A., who married Albert H. . Bozman, of Louisa county ; Dora E., the wife of Lee Marshall, a land and mine owner of Alaska ; Hugh L., a resident of Henry county, Iowa : Laura A., at home : Albert S., of Idaho; and Bert D., also at home.
On the Ist of March, 1904. Mr. Brown was called to his final rest, his re- mains being interred at Elmwood cemetery, and with his passing Morning Sun township lost one of its well known and highly respected citizens. His political support was given the men and measures of the republican party and he took quite an active interest in public affairs, never withholding his aid from
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any movement calculated to advance the general welfare of the community in which he lived. He was a man of exceptionally good business ability and sound judgment and his advice was frequently sought by his neighbors and friends. In 1867 he united with the Presbyterian church and throughout the remainder of his life continued one of its most ardent workers and liberal supporters. He was charitable almost to a fault and no one in distress or need was ever refused his assistance. To such men as Mr. Brown is due the remarkable development and growth of the grand old state of Iowa and the advancement and prosperity of its people.
Mrs. Brown now resides on the old homestead and is the owner of one hun- dred and seventy-four acres of land on section 15, 16 and 21, Morning Sun township. This constitutes a well improved and valuable farm, to the opera- tion of which she gives her attention, and in its management she has displayed unusual business ability and sound judgment. She is a member of the Presby- terian church and in its work she is deeply and helpfully interested. She is a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind and is held ir high esteem by friends and neighbors alike.
L. W. HUFF.
At the advanced age of seventy-nine years L. W. Huff is now living retired in a comfortable home at Columbus City, having by his industry and good bus- iness judgment accumulated a competence. His residence is located on five acres of ground, beautifully shaded, and which is one of the attractive spots of the city. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born September 14, 1831, a son of Jolin and Anna ( Eisenhart ) Huff. The parents were both born in the Keystone state and there passed their entire lives. Of the eight children in their family three are still living.
L. W. Huff was reared at home and acquired a common school education. He continued with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age and then for two years served as agent for a railroad. Having given up this position he purchased a boat which he operated on the Pennsylvania canal, then an im- portant highway of commerce in the state. An experience of two years as a boatman proved sufficient and after disposing of his boat he engaged in farming in his native state.
In 1871, at the age of forty, believing that the great west presented a more favorable field for agriculture and stock-raising than he perceived in Pennsyl- vania, he removed to Louisa county, Iowa, and purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land in Columbus City township. He made his home upon this place for more than twenty-five years, engaging quite extensively in general farming, but devoting special attention to raising and feeding stock for the market. Upon his farm was located the county station for the agricultural de- partment, whose headquarters are at Washington, D. C .. and many improved
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methods tested at this place have been successfully applied in other parts of the county. For sixteen years Mr. Huff was a member of the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Columbus Junction, and always dis- charged his duties in such a way as to meet the approval of the stockholders and officers of the bank.
On the 14th of February, 1854, Mr. Huff was married in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Anna S. Hipple, a daughter of Frederick and Mary B. Hipple, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Nine children were born to this union, six of whom survive, namely: Anna, who is now the wife of Henry Cutcomb, of Louisa county: John, also of Louisa county; Harry, who makes his home in Dallas county : Elmer, of Louisa county: Agnes, who is the wife of J. M. Harris, of Columbus Junction; Mamie, who married Orville Sipe, of Cedar Rapids. For forty-four years Mr. Huff and his wife traveled life's pathway together and then, on July 15. 1898, he was deprived by death of the presence and companionship of one who had been to him indeed a true friend and counselor. Her remains were interred in the cemetery at Columbus City.
Mr. Huff is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church, as was his wife, and in the various relations of life he has ever striven to apply the principles of the Golden Rule, thus gaining the respect and confidence of all with whom he has associated. Politically he gives his support to the republi- can party and has served in township offices. lle began his business career as a young man with nothing to rely upon except his own indomitable courage and a good constitution which he inherited from sturdy ancestry. As the years passed he became in a large degree financially independent and it is to his credit that he never sought to advance his own interest to the injury of others. Of him it may be said that he has always been upright and progressive, never failing to be true to any responsibility intrusted to his charge, and therefore he truly merits the esteem of the entire community.
HON. JAMES M. BROCKWAY.
A highly successful agriculturist, with extensive landed interests in Louisa county, is the Hon. James M. Brockway, who is engaged in the cultivation of one of the fine farms of Grand View township, but not only business interests claim his attention for public affairs also profit by his practical and progressive ideas and cooperation, and at the present time he is representing his district in the state legislature. He was born in Washington county, Iowa, on the 22d of January, 1879, and is a son of E. Frank and Rowena ( Letts) Brockway. Ex- tended mention of the father, who was long one of the prominent citizens of this part of Iowa. is made on another page of this work.
In the acquirement of his early education James M. Brockway attended the common schools of Washington county, following which he was graduated
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
from the State University at lowa City. Having been born and reared on a farm, he liked the independent, free out-door life, and decided to adopt agricul ture for his life vocation. With this object in view he pursued a course in the agricultural department of the Iowa State College at Ames, considering that farming as well as any other vocation requires special study if the best results are to be obtained. After the completion of his education Mr. Brockway en- gaged with his father in the cultivation of the homestead until the latter's de- mise. He now has the entire control and management of his father's estate. which has never been divided, and is continuing the operation of the farm1.
On the 12th of October, 1910, Mr. Brockway was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Horton, who was born in Muscatine, lowa. Mrs. Brockway is a dangh- ter of Colonel C. C. and Belle ( Ogilvie) Ilorton, who were married in Musca- tine, of which town Mrs. Horton is a native. They subsequently located on a farm in that county, which Colonel Horton cultivated for fifteen years. He was in the government pension service until 1897, when he took charge of the Ok Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown, and at the present time continues to be chief officer of that institution. Four children were born of the union of Colonel and Mrs. Horton, as follows: Lisle and Frank, who have a large sheep ranch in Wyoming, where they are also conducting a bank; Mary M., now Mrs. Brockway; and Bertha, who has a college education, living at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Brockway hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political allegiance he gives to the republican party. He takes an active interest in governmental affairs and at the present time is representing his county in the state assembly. He is proving one of the active members of the house and is now serving on the following committees : ways and means, board of control, roads and highways, railroads and transportation, public accounting, public lands, the suppression of intemperance and drainage ; and is chairman of the committee on animal industry. Mr. Brockway is one of the enterprising and capable young men of the county, whose future in both public and private affairs seems most promising.
MOSES T. WATERHOUSE.
The late Moses T. Waterhouse was born in Ohio on the 14th of February, 1836, and was a son of Charles and Jane Waterhouse, natives of the same state. The parents migrated to lowa during the pioneer days, first locating in Des Moines county, where the mother passed away. The father subsequently re- moved to Louisa county where he bought a farm, and upon which he was re- siding at the time of his demise. Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse were the parents of eleven children.
Moses T. Waterhouse, who was still quite young when his parents located in Iowa, acquired his education in the common schools. He was always engaged in agricultural pursuits and was living on his farm at the time of his death.
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IHISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
Following the demise of his parents he purchased from the other heirs their interest in the old homestead, upon a portion of which the town of Oakville now stands.
In Des Moines county Mr. Waterhouse married Miss Alice M. Bell, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and a daughter of William M. and Maria L. ( Stout) Bell, who located in that county in the early days, later coming to Louisa county, where both parents passed away. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are surviving. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse were born eleven children : William T., James O., and John M., all of whom are residents of Oakville; Daisy B., who married George W. Campbell, of Louisa county ; Ura M., the wife of James A. Duncan, of this county ; Jacob G., who is living in Oakville : Ralph R., who is still at home : Nellie M., the wife of G. H. Williams, of Oakville: Violet E., who married Oscar Swanson, of Des Moines county ; and Raymond P. and Elva M., both of whom are at home. Mr. Waterhouse passed away on the 8th of February, 1891, and was laid to rest in the Creighton cemetery.
Mrs. Waterhouse still owns one hundred and five acres of the old homestead. located on section 23. Elliott township, where she resides. She has many friends among the people of the community, to whom she has endeared herself by her kindly spirit and neighborly offices.
SAMUEL DOTSON.
Samuel Dotson, an enterprising and progressive business man of Wapello, is numbered among Louisa county's native sons, his birth here having occurred on the 25th of March, 1858. His parents, David and Mary ( Jackman ) Dotson, were born and reared in Pennsylvania, but resided for many years in Louisa county. They are now deceased, the father passing away at the age of eighty- one years and the mother when seventy-nine years old. In their family were eight children, as follows: John, now deceased; Basil, of Nebraska : William, who has likewise passed away; O. Ella, who married Lafe Packwood, of Ne- braska : Nancy Jane, deceased : Samuel, of this review ; ITattie K., at home ; and George W., a resident of Wapello township.
Samuel Dotson was reared to farm life, acquiring his education in the country schools, and remained with his parents until after attaining his majority, assist- ing in the work of the fields and thereby gaining a thorough and practical knowl- edge of agriculture. When twenty-two years old he took up the carpenter's trade and since that time has divided his attention between that occupation and general agricultural pursuits. His home is located on a tract of fourteen acres. all of which is under cultivation and upon which he raises good crops, and he is also interested in Texas land, being the owner of ten lots in that state. In his trade he is proving himself capable and efficient, doing all kinds of general
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carpentering work, and in the conduct of both branches of his business he is meeting with gratifying results.
Mr. Dotson was married, on the 3d of February, 1909, to Mirs. Nellie E. (Brady ) Allen, of Louisa county, who by her former marriage has two chil- dren, Roy and Samuel G., the latter four years old. By her marriage to Mr. Dotson she has become the mother of a daughter, Mary Evelena, one and a half years old. The religious faith of Mr. Dotson is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, and he also is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political support to the republican party and has held several minor township offices, including that of trustee, the duties of which he has ever performed in a most faithful, efficient and satisfactory manner. His life has been one of well directed activity and in- telligent effort, resulting in the attainment of a fair measure of success, and wherever he is known he is honored by reason of his genuine worth and high personal character.
E. K. GABRIEL.
Among the landowners of Columbus City township who have reflected credit upon farming pursuits and are entitled to mention in a history of Louisa county is E. K. Gabriel. A native of Iowa, he was born in Muscatine county, October 30, 1853, his parents being Conrad and Susan ( Kegg) Gabriel. The father was born in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, and the mother in Pennsyl- vania. He arrived in America in his boyhood and was one of the early settlers of Muscatine county. His wife died in that county and later Mr. Gabriel moved to Louisa county, where he purchased a farm upon which he spent the remainder of his life. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel, four of whom survive.
E. K. Gabriel, of this review, attended the district schools and in his boy- hood and youth assisted in work upon the home farm. He remained with his father until arriving at maturity and then rented a place upon his own account for four years. In 1881 he purchased sixty acres in Columbus City township and, as his resources multiplied he increased his holdings until eventually he be- came the owner of two hundred and twenty-four acres, constituting a very val- uable and desirable property. The farm is on section 12 and annually yields abundant harvests in response to the care and labor expended upon it. Mr. Gabriel has been very successful as a stock-raiser and in all branches of his business has shown a foresight and ability that seldom fail to produce hand- some returns. He is the owner of a fine residence in Columbus City.
On March 5, 1876 Mr. Gabriel was married to Miss C. A. Bretz, who was born in Louisa county, a daughter of Peter and Cathrine (Cutkomp) Bretz, both of whom were born in Germany. Mr. Bretz settled upon a farm in Louisa county, about 1855. where he continued until about 1895, when he retired to
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Columbus City, lowa, where he resided until his death, which occurred Febru- ary 3, 1903. The mother is still living and makes her home in Columbus City. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel, namely : L. R., who lives in Louisa county ; C. O., who is now making his home in the state of Wash- ington ; Lydia G., who is deceased ; and R. O. and C. E., both of whom are at home.
Mr. Gabriel is a supporter of the republican party but not in the sense of being an office seeker. as he has never aspired to political honors. tie and his wife are valued members of the Evangelical church. He is enterprising and progressive in his business and, as he is genial, pleasant and unaffected in his bearing, he readily attracts friends and exercises a kindly influence wherever he is known. He liberally supports movements which he regards as import- ant in the advancement of the general interests and is recognized as a most use- ful citizen.
CHRISTIAN WEBER.
Christian Weber, who for many years has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Lonisa county, was born in Germany on the 8th of January, 1847, and is a son of George and Frederica ( Hartman ) Weber, also natives of the fatherland. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1849, making their way westward to Louisa county and arriving in Port Louisa with two other families. Their combined assets amounted to only seven dollars. The other men immediately obtained employment in the packing house at Wapello but Mr. Weber worked at his trade of blacksmith, and by means of rigid economy they were later able to buy forty acres of land near Wapello, in the operation of which Mr. Weber engaged for several years. Subsequently disposing of his interest he bought one hundred and twenty acres in the vicinity of Long creek, this county, where he resided until his demise in 1866, when he had attained the age of sixty-one years. The mother of our subject had passed the eighty-sev- enth anniversary of her birth when she died in 1903. Of the eight children in the family four are living: Hannah, the widow of Henry Deppe, of Louisa comity : Christian ; Caroline, who married John Storey, of Nebraska; ard lohn HI., who is living in Lonisa county. Those deceased are as follows: Henrietta, Amelia and the two eldest who died in Germany.
As he was only two years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, Christian Weber has spent practically his entire life in the county where he is now residing, obtaining his education in its district schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, assisting in the cultivation of the homestead. In 1872 he began working for himself and bv means of thrift and diligence had acquired sufficient means at the time of his father's death to buy the interest of all the other heirs, except that of his brother John, in the old farm. When his youngest brother attained his majority Mr.
MR. AND MRS. CHRISTIAN WEBER
ASTOR, LENIN A.D TILDEN F NDATIONS L
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Weber sold the farm to him and bought one hundred and thirty-five acres adjoin- ing Wapello. He has a very fine piece of property here, upon which he has made all of the improvements and engages in general farming and stock-raising.
On the 30th of March, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Weber and Miss Ella J. Peters, a daughter of John and Sarah (Twigg ) Peters. Ten chil- dren were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Peters, the order of their birth being as follows: Ella J .; Edward F., who is residing in Nebraska; and Katie and Annie, both of whom are deceased; William, who is living in Louisa county; Minnie, deceased; Charles, who is living in Minnesota ; John, of Missouri; Ida. the wife of Joseph Hammond, of Louisa county ; and George, also of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weber have been born six daughters and three sons: Effie, who married William A. Miller, of Maryville, Missouri; Anna, who is teaching school in Gregory, South Dakota: Sadie, the wife of Leonard J. Shipman, of Butte, Nebraska: George, who is living in Columbus Junction, Iowa; Nellie, who died at the age of two years : Edward, who died at one year of age; Ben- jamin, who is living in Whitman, Nebraska; and Lena and Grace, who are at home.
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