USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 27
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ing a specialty of the raising and feeding of cattle, which has proven to be a very lucrative venture.
On the Ioth of March, 1905, Mr. Billick was united in marriage to Miss Maud Sheridan, who was born in Columbus Junction, April 6, 1878, the only child of Abner and Rosetta ( Maxwell ) Sheridan, who were among the pioneer settlers of Louisa county. The mother is deceased but the father still survives and continues to make his home in Columbus Junction. Mr. and Mrs. Billick have three children : Louis Raymond, born September 1, 1906; Eva Ruth, November 12, 1907 ; and Leland Bruce, July 9, 1908.
Fraternally Mr. Billick affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America. being a member of the Coneville Camp, and in politics he is a republican. He has never taken a very active part in township affairs but has served as trustee. He is one of the prosperous farmers of Oakland township where he is widely and favorably known, having spent practically his entire life in the community where he is now living.
WILLIAM WESTFALL.
William Westfall, who is engaged in farming in Elliott township, is a native of Louisa county, his birth having here occurred October 18, 1867. He is a son of Reuben and Jane ( Racer ) Westfall. the mother a native of Virginia. The father passed away in 1870 but the mother still survives and makes her home in Oakville. Of the five children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Westfall two are deceased : Albert, who was the third in order of birth : and Thomas, who was the youngest member of the family. Those surviving are as follows: Jacob, the eldest, who is a resident of Louisa county; Lettie, the wife of John Haight, also of this county ; and William, who is the fourth in order of birth.
Born and reared on a farm William Westfall has always lived in the coun- try and obtained his education in the district schools. As is the case with the majority of farmer lads he was early assigned duties and responsibilities about the homestead which were increased as his strength developed. After laying aside his text-books lie gave his entire attention to assisting his widowed mother in the operation of the farm until his marriage. Immediately thereafter he purchased twenty acres of land south of Oakville upon which he located, con- tinuing its cultivation for five years thereafter. At the expiration of that period he disposed of that place and bought forty acres in Elliott township, whereon he resided for eighteen months. Ile then sold it and bought his present farm which contains ninety-tive and a half acres. During the period of his occupancy he has wrought many improvements upon his place and now owns one of the valuable and attractive properties of the township. Although en- gaged in general farming Mr. Westfall makes a specialty of the raising and feed- ing of hogs, which venture has proven to be very profitable.
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Mr. Westfall married Miss Bazzie Dotson, a daughter of David and Lydia ( Bier ) Dotson. Her father is deceased but the mother is surviving and makes her home in Newport, this county. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Westfall has been blessed with a son and daughter: Louva Oleda, now attending high school; and Virgil Eldon.
Mr. Westfall holds membership in the Odd Fellows lodge of Oakville, and both he and his wife are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he has ever remained true to the principles of democracy, the policy of which party he deems best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. He has never been an office seeker, however, always having felt that his own best interests required his undivided attention in the direction and supervision of his business.
FARRIE GAST.
A well tilled farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres does credit to the agricultural skill of Farrie Gast, who is one of the capable farmers of Grand View township. A native of Louisa county his birth occurred in the vicinity of Grand View on the 17th of February. 1870, his parents being Harmon and Sarah (Stineman) Gast. The father came from Germany and the mother from the state of Ohio, but they were married in Iowa. Immediately thereafter they located on a farm where they resided until 1878, when they removed to Grand View, where Mr. Gast operated a mill for several years. He withdrew from this to engage in carpentry work and contracting, with which vocation lie con- tinues to be identified. The mother passed away on the 15th of April, 1906, but the father still survives at the age of sixty-six years, and continues to make his home in Grand View. Four children were born of their union: Margaret, who married H. E. Lang, of Louisa county ; Rush F., who is married and living in Grand View; Ora E., who is keeping house for her father; and Farrie, our subject.
At the age of fifteen years Farrie Gast left the parental roof to begin his career as a wage earner. His early education was acquired in the common schools, but after working for several years he pursued a business course. In 1896 he went into the mercantile business, following this vocation for three years. Disposing of his stock at the end of that time he invested his proceeds in sixty-three acres of land, upon which he has ever since resided. He has effected many improvements in his property during the period of his occupancy and has added to his tract from time to time until his entire holdings now ag- gregate one hundred and twenty-seven acres. The land is well improved and ninety acres is in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Gast was the first agriculturist of his township to attempt to raise alfalfa and now has a fine field of fourteen acres planted to this product.
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On the 6th of January, 1808, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gast and Miss Maggie Kallenbarger, who was born in this county on the 18th of Feb- ruary, 1866. She is a daughter of G. D. and Sophia ( Winkleman ) Kallenbar- ger, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Ohio, but they were married in Muscatine, lowa. For several years thereafter Mr. Kallenbarger engaged in farming as a renter. Afterward he removed with his family three miles north of Wapello and bought a farm upon which he resided for several years. Mrs. Kallenbarger passed away in 1888, since which time Mr. Kallen- barger has lived with his children: Margaret, now Mrs. Gast; Elizabeth and Amanda, twins, both now deceased, Elizabeth having died at the age of twenty- seven and Amanda at eighteen years; G. Adam, who died when he was forty; Nettie, the wife of John Idelbaugh, of Grand View: Annie, the wife of Harry Buster, who died when she was thirty years of age; and Daniel F., who passed away in August, ro10, at the age of twenty-eight years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gast have been born six children: Ruth M., who was born on the 18th of November, 1898; one who died in infancy; May E., who was born on the ist of February, Igor; Paul II., who was born on the ioth of April, 1903; Floyd H .. born on the 31st of October, 1905; and D. F., whose birth occurred June 18. 1900.
In religious belief the family are members of the Plymonths. Mr. Gast has steadily advanced during the twelve years he has been following farming and is now regarded as one of the successful and prosperous citizens of his township.
JOSEPII ELBRIDGE BOLTZ.
A well tilled farm of Morning Sun township is that comprised in the one hundred acre tract of Joseph Elbridge Boltz, which is located on section 33. Mr. Boltz was born in Louisa county on the rith of January, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Edwards) Boltz, who came to Iowa in the early years of their marriage, locating on a farm on which they continued to reside until 1891, when they retired to Morning Sun. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph E .; William S., who is living in Green Ridge, Missouri; Eleanor, who is deceased; Nancy Emma, the wife of William Rey- nolds, of Upland, California; Mary Eva, who married Charles Morrison, of Morning Sun ; and Oscar, who is living in Fairfield, Iowa. Mr. Boltz, who served for three years in the Union army, gives his political support to the candidates of the republican party, while both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church.
The early years of Joseph Elbridge Boltz were spent on the farm, in the work of which he assisted while pursuing his studies in the district school. He remained at home with his parents until he had attained his majority following which he rented one hundred acres of land, which he continues to cultivate.
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He met with a fair degree of success and in 1902 by reason of his industry and careful expenditures was able to purchase the farm in the operation of which he had so long been engaged. Since purchasing the property Mr. Boltz has made many improvements and all of his fields are now well drained and under a high state of cultivation.
On the 17th of October, 1894, occurred the marriage of Mr. Boltz and Miss Sadie Miller, a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Erisman) Miller, who were the parents of six children, as follows: Jacob, who is a resident of Kansas; George, who is deceased; Flora, the wife of George Swearingen, of Sac City, Iowa; Frank, who is living in Winfield, Iowa; Charles, a resident of Santa Ana, California; and Sadie. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boltz have been born two children : Bertha and Valeda America.
Fraternally Mr. Boltz is a member of the Knights of Pythias and his political allegiance is given the republican party. He always takes an active interest in local affairs and has filled some of the township offices. At the present time he is serving as trustee, the duties and responsibilities of which position he is ably and conscientiously discharging.
CHARLES L. DUNCAN.
Charles L. Duncan, who is making a specialty of the feeding and raising of cattle and hogs on his farm in Union township, was born in Louisa county, on the 18th of August, 1867, being the second son of Samuel H. and Sarah E. (Edwards) Duncan. The father, when a child of five years, migrated from his native state of Tennessee to Iowa with his parents. He has for many years been identified with the agricultural interests of Louisa county and both he and his wife continue to reside upon the old homestead in Union township. Unto them were born nine children: J. K .; Charles L .; R. L .; Oscar E .; Gny and Garry, twins; Grace Adela ; one who died in infancy ; and Clyde, deceased.
Reared on the home farm, in the acquirement of his education Charles L. Duncan attended the common schools and later pursued a high school course. He assisted in the cultivation of his father's farm until twenty-one years of age and then began farming for himself. For the first four years he rented land, during which time he accumulated the necessary capital to enable him to become a property owner. He then bought sixty acres, upon which he has since continuously resided, and he is now making a specialty of the raising and feeding of stock. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres in North Dakota.
On the 15th of March, 1894, Mr. Duncan and Miss Minnie May Knaub were united in marriage. Mrs. Duncan was born in Clinton county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 6th of October. 1873, and is a daughter of Henry and Ella Amanda (Sprenkle) Knanb. The parents, also natives of the Keystone state, came to Iowa in 1877, settling in Louisa county, where the father passed away in De-
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cember 6, 1809, but the mother still survives at the age of sixty-one years. Twelve children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Knaub, all of whom are living. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been born three sons and one daughter : Lyle E., who was born on the 12th of April, 1895; Grace I., born on the 7th of March. 1897; Gerald R., whose birth occurred on Christmas day of 1900 ; and Clyde S., who was born on the 23d of November, 1903. Mrs. Dun- can was graduated from the high school at Columbus Junction with the class of 1802, and afterward engaged in teaching until her marriage.
Mrs. Duncan holds membership in the Reformed church, which her husband also attends, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as a member of Cotter Lodge, No. 693, in which he has filled part of the chairs. Mr. Duncan gives his political allegiance to the democracy and at the present time is serving as assessor in his township, the duties of which office le is discharging in a manner highly creditable to his constituency.
ROBERT C. DRYDEN.
Although more than two decades have passed since the death of Robert C. Dryden, he is still remembered as one of the highly respected and substantial residents of Morning Sun township, his well directed efforts along agricultural lines making it possible for him, at the time of his demise, to leave to his family a most valuable estate. A native of Ohio, he came to Louisa county. Iowa, in 1847. and here he continued to reside throughout his remaining years. In early life he had attended the common schools of his native state in the acquirement of an education, and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields of the home farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with all of the various phases of agri- culture. Upon attaining his majority he naturally continued to engage in the occupation to which he had been reared. On coming in this county his mother preempted the farin in Morning Sun township which became the nucleus of his present fine estate. From the first his efforts proved successful and as pros- perity came to him he added to his property until at the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred acres of rich land. He carried on general farm- ing, annually reaping abundant harvests from his well tilled fields, and for a number of years was also a representative of stock-raising interests, making a specialty of horses and hogs.
On the 4th of December, 1851, Mr. Dryden was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mickey, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of John R. and Sarah ( Wasson ) Mickey. Her parents, natives of Ohio and Pennsyl- vania respectively, came to lowa in 1835, the father entering land in Louisa county at a time when the Indians were more numerous than the white men and before Iowa had been admitted to the Union as a state. His home was a log cabin, which he erected on his farm, having a clapboard roof and puncheon floor, and equipped with the proverbial latch-string. He spent the remainder of
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ROBERT C. DRYDEN
MRS. ROBERT C. DRYDEN
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his life in the cultivation of that farm, and after his demise his widow traveled extensively throughout the western states, her death occurring, however, in Den- mark, Iowa. In their family were nine children of whom six survive, namely : Mary, who married Robert C. Dryden ; Jolin M., a resident of the state of Wash- ington; R. B., of Louisa county; Thomas K., of Macedonia, Pottawattamie county, Iowa; Joseph, who is living in Oakwood, Oklahoma; and James D., of Wichita, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Dryden nine children were born but five have passed away, those living being: Sarah A., the wife of Edson F. Mon- shower, of Morning Sun township ; Clarissa Catherine, the wife of Francis Kern, of Harrison county. Iowa ; Laura O., the wife of Jolin Henderson, of Waverly, Coffey county, Kansas; and George H., operating the home farm. There are also fourteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
The death of Mr. Dryden occurred on the 18th of September. 1890. He was long numbered among Morning Sun township's public-spirited citizens, taking a helpful interest in all that pertained to its development and improvement. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was called to fill several minor township offices. He held membership in the United Brethren church and the principles which governed his life were those which spoke for honorable and upright manhood. His widow now resides on a portion of the homestead, which is operated by her son George H. The latter now owns two hundred, three and a half acres of the estate, located on section 17, and is well known and prominent among the younger residents of Morning Sun township as a prosperous and progressive farmer and stock-raiser. He had the benefit of a high-school education, and from an early age has been interested in the political questions of the day, giving his support to the republican party. although he has never sought nor desired public office. He holds membership in the United Presbyterian church and is a young man of excellent character, who has the confidence and good-will of all with whom he comes in contact.
RICHARD ARTHUR.
Richard Arthur, one of the worthy native sons of Louisa county, owns and operates a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Columbus City township. His birth occurred on the 17th of Sep- tember. 1870. his parents being Hugh and Elizabeth (Jones) Arthur, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. He was educated in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained hi- majority. When twenty-one years of age he began the operation of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Columbus City township, the fur- ther cultivation and improvement of which has since claimed his time and ener- gies. In connection with the tilling of the soil he makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs and has met with success in both branches.
Vol. II-15
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On the 2d of April, 1910. Mr. Arthur was united in marriage to Miss Esther E. Williams, a native of Washington county, Jowa, and a daughter of Eltas and Maggie Williams, the former born in Wales and the latter in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her parents now reside in Washington county, lowa. To them were born five children.
Mr. Arthur is a stanch republican in politics but has neither sought nor de- sired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 693 at Cotter, lowa, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He has spent his entire life within the borders of Louisa county and is widely recognized as one of its substantial young agriculturists and representative citizens.
EDWIN R. MCCORMICK.
Edwin R. McCormick, cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank of Letts, lowa, was born in Columbus City in 1879. his parents being William M. McCormick and Lizzie D. (Reiner ) McCormick. The father, William M. McCormick, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, his mother being of Quaker belief, and tracing her genealogy back to the Prince of Wales. After the death of his parents, William M. McCormick came to Columbus City, Iowa, in 1870, shortly after his arrival accepting a position with Colton & Garner in a general merchandise store, where he remained until 1882, at which time he and W. H. Hughes opened a dry-goods store in Columbus Junction, lowa. Selling out his interest in 1888, Mr. McCormick came to Letts and took charge of the Letts Co-Operative store, at that time one of the largest stores of its kind in the state. In 1894 he re- signed this position to accept the position of cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank, then being organized, with which institution he continued to be iden- tified until his demise in October, 1905.
The mother, Lizzie D. McCormick, was born in Washington county, lowa. her parents being John F. and Harriet ( Maxwell) Reiner. She continues to make her home in Letts, near her children, Edwin R. and Max J. McCormick. She and William M. McCormick were married in Columbus City. lowa.
In the acquirement of his education, Edwin R. McCormick attended the public schools of Columbus Junction until 1890, when he with his parents moved to Letts. After graduating from the Letts high school, he pursued a special course at Highland Park College, Des Moines, and upon his return to Letts. entered the bank as assistant cashier, and was appointed cashier after the death of his father in 1905, having been connected with the bank for nearly fifteen years. The Citizens Savings Bank is well and favorably known as one of the largest and strongest banks in Louisa county.
On March 4, 1903, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth J. Garrett, a native of Louisa county, and a daughter of Alexander M. (Dick) and Laura (Dill) Garrett. Her parents, who are both natives of
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Louisa county, were married at Fredonia, and in 1888 moved from a farm to Letts, where Mr. Garrett has since been connected with the firm of Garrett Brothers, dealers in grain and live stock. In 1910 Mr. Garrett was elected by his constituency to the office of state senator, representing his district in a capable manner. Mrs. McCormick is the second in order of birth in her father's family. A younger sister, Augusta Mae, is the wife of Floyd S. Barnes of Marcus, Iowa, cashier of the First National Bank. The brother, J. Bertram Garrett, lives on a farm near Letts.
Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have two young daughters: Harriet, who was born in December, 1904; and Jeanette Laura, whose birth occurred in March, 1909.
Like most men in business, Mr. McCormick has a "hobby," his being the breeding of fine poultry. llis flock of Black Langshans has carried off many ribbons and silver trophies at the leading poultry shows of the country. In connection with the banking business, Mr. McCormick handles. the largest fire insurance agency in the city, representing the leading fire insurance companies. Mr. McCormick is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, and the Mystic Shri- ners. Mrs. McCormick is a member of the Eastern Star lodge, the Methodist Episcopal church and other social and religious orders of Letts. While Mlr. McCormick votes with the republican party, he has never been a seeker for office, but has held many positions of trust in his community, where he and his wife have hosts of friends.
WALTER F. HALL.
Walter F. Hall, who for more than thirty years has been identified with the commercial activities of Columbus Junction, was born in Louisa county, on the Oth of June, 1842. His parents, both of whom are now deceased, were James G. and Celestia .A. ( Miller ) Hall, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of New York. They came to this county in 1837. settling on the pres- ent site of Columbus City where Mr. Hall preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he was cultivating at the time of his death. He passed away in 1876, at the age of sixty-four, but the mother was eighty at the time of her demise. They were both laid to rest in the cemetery at Columbus City. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born ten children, of whom the three eldest died in infancy. The others are: William C. and Morris O., both of whom are de- ceased; Walter F .; Mary J., the widow of G. B. Williams, a son of Judge Williams of Wapello, who was employed in a wholesale house in St. Louis until his health failed when he returned to Iowa, passing away at the home of Walter F. Hall ; Edward I., who is a resident of Jennings, Louisiana; Arthur WV., who is living in Colfax, Iowa; and Frances A., the wife of W. H. Hughes of Washington, lowa.
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Reared on the homestead on which he was born, in the acquirement of his education Walter F. Hall attended the common schools. At the age of twenty- three years he began his business career as a druggist in Columbus Junction and for thirty years continued to be identified with that business. He subse- quently removed to Colfax, lowa, where he engaged in the dry-goods business for two years, at the expiration of which period he returned to Columbus Junction. Here he engages in merchandising and for four years he was also postmaster, his term expiring on the 31st of December, 1910.
On the 7th of June, 1883. Mr. Hall and Miss Octavia Jane Brown were united in marriage. Mrs. Hall is a daughter of Dr. I. C. and Ruth M. ( Hamlet ) Brown, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Indiana, but both are now deceased. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall: Arthur B., who is advertising manager of the Johnson Educator Food Company, of Boston, Massachusetts; Walter Channing, the assistant cashier of the Louisa County National Bank ; Harry O., who is engaged in business with his father ; and Hamlet C., who is attending high school.
Mr. Hall, who is a veteran of the Civil war, enlisted in July, 1861, in Com- pany C, Fifth Iowa Infantry, and went to the front where he served for two years. The most severe and closely contested engagement in which he partici- pated was that at luka. They went into battle with four hundred and eighty men, two hundred and sixteen of whom were killed or wounded within an hour. Three bullets grazed Mr. Hall, one of which, passing across his right hand, would have killed him had it not been deflected in its course by his canteen, which was badly dented by the encounter. Three men on his left were killed and one on his right. He also took part in the three days battle at Corinth and the Vicksburg campaign. After the surrender of the latter city Mr. Hall was discharged because of disability, returning home in July, 1803.
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