USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 23
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Sherman A. Graves, who is managing the home farm for his mother, at- tended the common schools of Louisa county, during which time he also as- sisted in the cultivation of the home farm. Later he learned the carpenter's
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trade but did not follow it very long, always having remained at home with the exception of two years he spent in California. In addition to the cultivation of his fields he is also engaged in the raising and feeding of stock, in which he is meeting with very favorable returns.
A. D. Graves, who is the youngest surviving son of G. W. and Sarah E. ( Fairbanks) Graves, was born on the 31st of December, 1866. He acquired his education in the district schools in the vicinity of his home and after laying aside his text-books devoted his entire time and attention to the work of the farm, remaining at home with his mother until he had attained his majority. For twelve years thereafter he rented the old homestead and after his marriage purchased the farm, which consists of eighty acres of land on section 16, Jef- ferson township, and to this he has added until he has three hundred and twenty-four acres. He has wrought many improvements in his property dur- ing the period of his occupancy and it is now regarded as one of the most valiable farms in the township.
In 1892 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. A. D. Graves and Miss Carrie Spitsnogle, who was born in Louisa county on the 23d of February, 1870. Mrs. Graves, who was a teacher prior to her marriage, is a daughter of John and Sarah ( Shaw ) Spitsnogle, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Iowa. Five children were born to them, two of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have the following children : Nellie M., who was born on the 27th of July, 1895, and is now attending school at Wapello: Merle Lea, who was born on the 1 1th of March, 1898: Gladys L., born on the 2d of November, 1900; and Carrie 'A., whose birth occurred on the 14th of April, 1909.
The church affiliation of the family is with the Methodist Episcopal de- nomination, and Mr. A. D. Graves, who is a school director, casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party, whose policy he deems best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. The Graves family has been identified with the interests of Jefferson township for more than half a century, during which time they have always been recognized as capable business men, thor- oughly reliable and trustworthy and most estimable citizens.
THEODORE F. HANFT.
Theodore F. Hanft, now owning and operating the old Hanft homestead in Columbus City township, is one of the active and prosperous agriculturists and stock-raisers in this locality. He was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of March, 1857, a son of John and Helena ( Smith) Hanft, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. The family home was established in lowa in 1864, at which time the father, a farmer by occupation, purchased forty acres of land in Louisa county, to which he added by subsequent pur- chases, and at the time of his death he was the owner of a fine property of two hundred and sixty acres. At one time he also operated two thousand acres
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of rented land in addition to his home place, and often had as high as twenty teams at work at one time in the cultivation of his fields and the harvest of his crops. In connection with his extensive farming interests he also gave con- siderable attention to raising cattle and hogs, and was one of the most sub- stantial and successful agriculturists in his part of the county. Ile passed away in Columbus Junction in July. 1888. In his family were thirteen children, as follows: William H. and John, both now deceased; Milton D., a farmer of Louisa county : Jacob \ .. engaged in the hardware business in Columbus June- tion ; Theodore F., of this review ; George S., also of Columbus Junction ; Emma, the wife of Reuben Heindel. likewise of that city ; Martha, who wedded George Wren, of Sheridan, Wyoming: Cora, who passed away in infancy ; John F., a resident of Columbus Junction : Sarah, the wife of .A. J. Willett, of that city ; Edward, deceased; and Louis, whose death occurred in infancy.
Theodore F. Hanft was a little lad of seven years when brought to Louisa county, lowa, by his parents, and in the public schools of this district acquired his education. Reared to farm work, he has since continued to concentrate his energies upon that line of activity which George Washington once designated as "the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation a man can follow." Ile remained with his parents, assisting his father in the cultivation of the home fields, until he laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own through his marriage January 19, 1887. to Miss Elizabeth Cassabaum, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, and came to Louisa county with her parents when but two months old. She was a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Everhart ) Cassabaum, who came to Louisa county in 1859, where the mother passed away six months later. The father's demise occurred in 1800. In their family were ten children, only five of whom now survive.
After his marriage Mr. llanft rented the old homestead for about five years, at the expiration of which period he purchased it and has since con- tinued to make it his place of residence. It is an excellent property of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 5, Columbus City township. all well improved and highly cultivated. The fields annually yield rich harvests in re- turn for the care and attention bestowed upon them, and in addition to general farming he also raises and feeds stock. In both branches of his business he has prospered for, actuated by a laudable ambition to succeed, he has closely ap- plied himself to the management of his affairs and has so directed his efforts as to bring forth the best possible results.
As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hanft has been blessed with five children, as follows: Edward H., living at home ; Fred- erick J., born March 29. 1800, and who passed away May 27. 1800: Nellie M., who was born September 15, 1891, her death occurring March 10, 1892: and Ruth Anna and Cyril F., both of whom reside at home and attend the high school.
The parents are exemplary members of the United Brethren church, in which they have been active and helpful workers for many years, and in politics Mr. Hanft gives his support to the democracy, although he is not an office seeker.
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Ile is one of the most highly respected and esteemed residents of Columbus township, wherein he has passed the greater portion of his life, and where he has gained for himself a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
F. V. WILSON.
After a long and active life devoted to agricultural pursuits F. V. Wilson is now living retired, but he still retains his residence on his finely improved farm located on sections 26 and 27, Morning Sun township, Louisa county. He was born in Pennsylvania. November 22, 1850, a son of William 1. and Hannah ( Clark) Wilson, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state and lived and died there. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Deborah J., the wife of Alexander McClure, of Pennsylvania : Elizabeth, the wife of W. Reader. also of that state; Hannah C., the wife of Samuel Colter, of Indiana ; Harriet, who is still single and makes her home in Kansas; F. V., of this re- view ; Sarah, the wife of Charles Mccullough, also of Pennsylvania ; Ithamar, a resident of Ohio; W. B. and J. P., twins, who make their home in Kansas ; and one, who is deceased.
F. V. Wilson was reared and educated in the state of his nativity, remaining on the home farm until he attained his majority. . He then for a few years farmed his father's land on his own account but in 1875, seeking the broader opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed in the middle west, he came to Iowa, first establishing his home in Taylor county. He spent but a brief period there, however, and then came to Louisa county, working for a few years as a farm hand. In 1881 he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on sections 26 and 27, Morning Sun township. He made all the improvements on this place, including a nice country home and substantial outbuildings which furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. For many years he was actively engaged in the operation of this place and raised consid- erable livestock, giving the major portion of his time to the latter industry. He is now living retired, but retains his residence on the farm, where he can super- vise his interests.
Mr. Wilson was married after coming to Louisa county, to Miss Mary J. Henderson, who was born and reared here. Their marriage has been blessed with four children: Elizabeth B., the wife of E. Long, a resident of Minnesota ; Maud, the wife of E. Carrick, a resident of Des Moines county, Iowa; Lucia Zell, the wife of MI. McElhaney, also of Des Moines county; and Sadie F., at home. The wife and mother departed this life in October, 1902, her remains being interred in the Elwood cemetery at Morning Sun.
Mr. Wilson is a republican in his political views and affiliations and has served as a director and as secretary of the school board almost from the time of his arrival in this county to the present time. He is a strong advocate of
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a good school system, having himself been accorded a high school education and having taught for several years in his earlier life. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also a member. When he came to lowa he possessed but little capital, but he possessed a stont heart and willing hands and it was not many years before he became the owner of land. From that time on he prospered until he is now enabled to put aside business cares and live in honorable retirement. Truly he may be termed a self-made man, for his success has come to him through his own good management, and at the same time it has been honorably won.
ALONZO B. HOOK.
One of the most extensive farmers and stockmen of Louisa county is Alonzo B. Hook, of Jefferson township, who is engaged in the cultivation of seven hundred and fifty-six acres of land. He was born in this county on the 9th of August, 1855. and is a son of George W. and Emily B. ( Trask ) Hook. The father, whose birth occurred in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1825. came to Louisa county at the age of twelve years, and continued to reside here until 1850, at which time in company with several other prospectors he started for California in search of gold. The trip, which was made overland with ox teams, was a long and tiresome one, several months being spent en route. Mr. Hook was quite successful in finding gold, and later he engaged in mercantile business, which proved to be most lucrative. He returned to Iowa at the end of three years, again locating in Louisa county, where he bought three hun- dred and six acres of land on sections 14 and 15. Jefferson township. The year following his return he was united in marriage to Miss Emily B. Trask. a native of Illinois, who removed from that state, to Louisa county with her parents, about 1836. Nine children were born of this union, as follows : Alonzo B., our subject : Elisha 1 .; Sophia J .. the widow of Dr. Frank Tustison : Jessie L., the wife of Abe Parsons; Grant, a farmer of this county; George, Jr. ; Emma, the widow of Dr. Frank Wright, of Wapello; Lola, the wife of W. E. Edwards, of Wapello; and Dr. Merritt B., of Kremmling, Colorado. Mr. Hook passed away in 1895 but the mother survived until January, 1910.
Alonzo B. Hook has spent his entire life in Louisa county, in whose district schools he obtained his education. When he had acquired such knowledge of the common branches as he deemed essential to enable him to begin his chosen vocation he laid aside his text-books and devoted his entire time and attention to the work of the farm. When he was twenty-one years of age he entered into partnership with his father, engaging in general farming and stock-raising. together until the demise of the latter. Subsequently Mr. Hook purchased the home farm from the other heirs and now owns seven hundred and fifty-six acres of fine farm land. In addition to the tilling of his extensive fields Mr.
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Hook makes a specialty of raising and feeding all kinds of stock and has met with most gratifying returns from his undertakings.
On the 3Ist of October, 1888, Mr. Hook was united in marriage to Miss Emma Berryhill, who was born in Iowa City on the 20th of July, 1865, and is a daughter of William De Witt and Anna ( Depin) Berryhill, natives of Harris- burg, Pennsylvania. The parents came to lowa at an early day, locating in Johnson county, where the family continued to reside until 1881. Mr. Berryhill, however, joined a party of gold-seekers in 1851 and went to California, where he remained for two years. Returning to lowa at the expiration of that time he purchased a large tract of land in Johnson county, which he operated until he came to Louisa county in 1881. Here he again settled on a farm, where he was living at the time of his death in February, 1907, having survived his wife for thirty years, as her demise occurred in Iowa City in 1877. Of the nine children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Berryhill eight attained maturity, all but one of whom are now living. Mrs. Hook, who was given the advantage of a collegiate education, prior to her marriage was a teacher in the public schools. She has become the mother of two daughters and one son, as follows: Fannie J., who was born on the 18th of October, 1890, and is a graduate of the high school of Wapello, now teaching : Cornelia, born on the 16th of May, 1895: and Albert A., whose birth occurred on the 3d of August, 1897.
The family attend the services of the Methodist Protestant church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Hook is also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in politics he is a republican. He always takes an active interest in all township affairs and is now serving as trustee and a member of the board of school directors. He has ever made the best possible use of his time and opportunities and by the capable and wise direction of his affairs has become recognized as one of the affluent citizens of Jefferson township.
JAMES E. BLANCHARD.
One of the pioneer agriculturists of Louisa county is James E. Blanchard. who was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 13th of July, 1831. He is a son of Timothy and Mary ( Holmes ) Blanchard, also natives of the Empire state from which they migrated to Edgar county, Illinois. They were the par- ents of nine children : Lesha and Holmes, both deceased; James E., our sub- ject ; Jacob, also deceased; Esther, deceased: Elizabeth, the wife of George Bolton, a resident of Louisa county; Caroline, the wife of Mayland Starks, of Missouri : Calvin, deceased ; and Timothy, also a resident of Missouri.
James E. Blanchard was reared and educated in Illinois, remaining at home until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he migrated to Iowa. During the first eight years of his residence in the Hawkeye state he worked as a farm hand. At the expiration of that time. however, he purchased forty
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acres of land, upon which he erected a log house. He subsequently erected a two-story frame dwelling and barns and outbuildings upon his farm in the cul- tivation of which he met with success. As the years passed Mr. Blanchard ex- tended the boundaries of his homestead until his holdings aggregated three hundred acres. In addition to his lowa property he also owns three hundred and eleven acres of land near Raymond, Canada.
On the 20th of October, 1856, Mr. Blanchard was united in marriage to Miss Tamson Welch, who passed away on the roth of May, 1901 Four chil- dren were born of this union: Alfa, who is deceased; Ida, the wife of John Morris, of Davis county, lowa; Charles, who is associate editor of the Christian Union of Des Moines ; and Leota, the wife of Charles Sione. Mr. and Mrs. Stone, who are living on Mr. Blanchard's farm, have four children : Jessie, the wife of Ed Blaise, of Marion county, lowa; Howard, who is at home ; Ralph, who is deceased ; and Arthur, who is also at home.
His political allegiance Mr. Blanchard has always accorded the democratic party, and he has served as supervisor and school director. ITis religious af- filiation is with the Christian church. Mr. Blanchard has been a resident of this county for more than fifty-six years, during which time he has made many friends, whose high regard he has won because of the fine personal qualities he possesses.
THOMAS NEWELL.
A prominent and highly successful agriculturist of Louisa county is Thomas Newell, who in addition to the cultivation of his farm has for the past decade been acting as vice president of the Citizens Savings Bank of Letts, Iowa, and during the past three years he has also been president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Columbus Junction. A son of pioneer settlers Mr. Newell was born in Louisa county, on the same section in Concord township where he now resides, on the 7th of April, 1847. His grandfather, Thomas Newell, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his maternal great-grandfather, James Flaharity, served for six years and seven months under General Washington in the Revolutionary war.
Our subject's father, Robert F. Newell, was a native of Holmes county, Ohio. while his mother, who prior to her marriage was Miss Christina Newell, was also from the Buckeye state, her birth having occurred in the vicinity of Bellefontaine, Logan county. They were married in Eddyville, Iowa, on the 31st of December, 1843. Mr. Newell subsequently rented a farm which he cultivated for eleven years, following which he purchased a homestead in Concord township, which he improved and cultivated until his death on the 12th of May, 1898. The mother, who is now ninety-three years of age, makes her home at Fredonia, Iowa. with her son Robert M. Newell. At the time of his demise the father owned four hundred acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. There were nine children in the family : Elizabeth, the widow of Dr. Cushman of Tacoma, Wash-
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MR. AND MRS. THOMAS NEWELL
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MR. AND MRS. THOMAS DOWSON
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT F. NEWELL
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ington, and the mother of Congressman Frank Cushman; Thomas, our subject ; Cardine, the wife of L. A. Riley, of Wapello; Hugh, who died at the age of eighteen months; Mary, the wife of Ed Curtis, of Concord township; John and William, both of whom are living in Nebraska ; Robert M., a resident of Fredonia, Iowa; and Hattie, who became the wife of B. F. Sidnas, of Norton county, Kansas.
Thomas Newell acquired a good common-school education, during which time he was also qualifying himself for an agricultural career. He began farming for himself at the age of thirty, by cultivating land in Concord township which he had purchased previously. Later he disposed of this and bought seventy acres, which formed the nucleus of his present homestead. Intelligence and good judg- ment in the administration of his affairs, as well as energy and close application, have enabled Mr. Newell to make a success of his vocation. He now owns three hundred and sixty-five acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultiva- tion with the exception of forty acres. It is divided into two separate faris, both of which are highly improved, his homestead being located on section 22. He is a capable business man as well as agriculturist and has successfully directed his energies along financial lines. As a stockholder and officer of both the Citizens Savings Bank of Letts and the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Columbus Junction he has given evidence of possessing more than average skill both as an organizer and executive.
On the 5th of April, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Newell and Miss Mary Dowson, who was born in Concord township on the 2d of November, 1853. She is a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary ( Robson ) Dowson, who were born, reared and married in England, from which country they emigrated to the United States in 1849. Her father was from Cumberland county and her mother from the city of Sunderland. When they arrived in this country they located in Cincinnati but soon afterward removed to St. Louis, where Mr. Dowson followed the carpenter's trade for four years. At the end of that time they came up the Mississippi river to Muscatine and from there to Louisa county. Here they entered forty acres of government land in Concord township, for the break- ing of which Mr. Dowson exchanged carpenter work. They continued to reside upon that place for twenty years, during which time he added to his holdings another sixty acres. Selling this to advantage he then purchased one hundred and twenty acres two miles farther south, where they lived until their retirement in 1893. They had met with more than average success and at that time owned three hundred and seventy-five acres of good tillable land. When they withdrew from the farm they went to Columbus Junction, Iowa, to live but Mrs. Dowson passed away January 16, 1894, since which time the father, who is now eighty- nine years of age, spends a large portion of his time among his children. To Mr. and Mrs. Dowson were born eleven children but only six are now living: Jane, the wife of C. Bonnichsen, of Columbus Junction; Mary, now Mrs. Newell; Robson, who is a farmer of Concord township; John, a resident of Clear Lake, Iowa; William, who lives in Nebraska; Charles Henry, of Detroit; three who died in infancy ; and Thomas and Florence E., who are also deceased.
Vol. 11-13
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Mr. and Mrs. Newell have seven children, two daughters and five sons, 11 order of birth as follows: Mary C., who received a high-school education, is now the wife of Rudolph Schlichting, of Concord township; Robert J., who is married, and was for a time a civil engineer in the government service in Idaho but recently established an office of his own at Boise City, is a graduate of High- land Park College, where he pursued his engineering course; Hugh R., also married, pursued a two years' course in agriculture at Ames in the Iowa State College and is now farming in Concord township, this county; Jesse D., who is married and farming in Grand View township, also had training as an agriculturist, having spent two years in the Agricultural College of Nebraska; Thomas R., a graduate of the high school at Columbus Junetion, is now taking his third year in the civil engineering department at Ames College ; Edwin O., also a high school graduate, has had one year in the State University at Iowa City; Frances B. is attending high school and studying music.
In matters of religion the views of Mr. Newell coincide with the teachings of the Universalist church. In politics he is a democrat and has always taken an active interest in matters of a governmental nature. He has served as township assessor for eight terms, while for one term he was county supervisor and for several years he was secretary of the school board. Mr. Newell is held in high regard in Concord township as a business man. agriculturist and private citizen, and numbers among his friends many of the comrades and schoolmates of his early boyhood.
WILLIAM O. SYPHRIT.
A well improved farm of one hundred and eighteen acres on section 36. Wapello township, gives evidence of the success which William O. Syphrit has attained in life, for he started out in the humble capacity of a farm hand but by hard work and economy has gained a substantial place among the citi- zens of Louisa county. He was born in Grand View, Louisa county, August 22, 1866, a son of Joseph B. and Harriet ( McNattan ) Syphrit, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They came to the west in an early day, settling first in Grand View but later removing to a farm in Wapello township. The mother died there in 1803. She had eight children, of whom two are deceased. In 1898 the father was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Helverson.
William O. Syphrit remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and in the meantime he acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home. He then began working by the month as a farm hand for T. G. Jamison. He carefully saved his earnings and in due course of time was enabled to begin farming on his own account. renting the land which he today owns, comprising one hundred and eighteen acres in Wapello township. He has made some improvements on the place, which is now one of the valuable
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