USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 3
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In 1865 Mr. Buffington was married to Miss Nancy A. Getz, a daughter of Jacob and Hannah Getz, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, and twelve children were born to this union: James C., who makes his home in Omaha, Nebraska : Annie [ .. the wife of Dr. Paxton, a veterinary surgeon of Colum-
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
bus Junction : Florence, who married John Bell, a building contractor of Fort Worth, Texas; Jacob, a resident of Sheridan, Iowa; Albert Perry, of Ana- conda, Montana; Maud, now Mrs. J. P. Huston, of Montrose, lowa; Cora, who married Edward Bergman, of Sheridan; Frank, a resident of Kansas ; David S., of Anaconda, Montana; Rutherford B., who makes his home in Los Angeles, California : Bruce, a resident of Anaconda, Montana ; and Bessie, the wife of Daniel Lutz, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The mother of these children died in January, 1902, and in 1903 Mr. Buf- fington was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Selman, a daughter of Warner and Rebekah ( Wolfe) Selman. The father is a native of Maryland and was born November 18, 1818, being now ninety-three years of age. When a young man he emigrated from Maryland to Smithfield, Jef- ferson county, Ohio, and there married Rebekah Wolfe. She was born at Smithfield, August 7, 1828. Mr. Selman came with his family to Columbus City, Iowa, in 1854 and for twelve years engaged in the cooperage business. He then purchased a farm in Columbus City township upon which he has since resided, having lived there for over forty-five years. Mrs. Selman died on the 28th of September, 1896, and was buried in the cemetery at Columbus City. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Selman became the parents of the following children: Thomas, born September 3. 1848 and who died July 27, 1901; George W., born August 10, 1850. now a resident of Columbus Junction ; Mary, now Mrs. David S. Buffington : Eli, born September 1, 1856, who makes his home in Muscatine; Nancy Ann, born November 5, 1858, who married Harry Smith and resides with her father on the old homestead; William, born March 12, 1860, and is now living in Mus- catine : Eva, born April 16, 1862, and who is now the wife of William Carter, of Columbus City : Emma, the first wife of William Carter, born August 6, 1864, and who died June 4, 1887: Robert Warner born January 21, 1866, and who died at the age of fourteen, and Lola Ellen, born July 27, 1868, and who died November 5, 1877.
Mr. Buffington is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also actively identified with the Reformed church. His wife is connected with the Christian church but attends services with him. They occupy a pleasant new home immediately adjoining the business district of the city, and in the improve- ment and beautifying of this home Mayor Buffington finds one of his greatest pleasures.
THURMAN A. DOTSON.
Thurman A. Dotson, a prosperous farmer of Wapello township, is the owner of an eighty- acre tract of land located on sections 34 and 35, known as the Twin Willow Farm. He is a native son of Louisa county, his natal day being September 22, 1867. He is a son of David, Jr., and Lydia A. (Bier)
L
MR. AND MRS. THURMAN A. DOTSON
PIR.I( 11
AUTOR TIDEN F R
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
Dotson, the former born October 15, 1841, in Pennsylvania, and the latter in Louisa county. The father brought his family to Louisa county in an early day and here spent his remaining years, his death occurring in 1906. The mother still survives and yet makes her home in Louisa county on the old home place in Wapello township. Unto them were born five children: Thur- man A., of this review ; Sionilli, the wife of George Mellinger, of Louisa county ; Bazella, the wife of William Westfall, also of this county; Etta, at home ; and one who died in infancy.
Thurman A. Dotson was reared on the home farm, early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to the farm lad as he assisted in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting in the spring and summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district school. When he attained his majority he started out upon an independent business venture, choosing as his life work the occupation to which he was reared. For five years he operated rented land, and at the end of that time began the manufacture of brick and tile in Newport, which he conducted for four years. However, this did not prove congenial to him, and he disposed of his business interests and invested his money in the farm which is now his home, this tract comprising eighty acres on sections 34 and 35, Wapello township. His place, known as the Twin Willow Farm, is well improved with good buildings, while the land has been placed in good condition through the efforts of Mr. Dotson. He makes a specialty of raising seed corn and he also raises good grades of stock.
Mr. Dotson was married November 19, 1889, to Miss Minerva Jamison, who was born in Louisa county, January 29, 1872, a daughter of J. W. and Rachel (Vaughn ) Jamison, likewise natives of this county and both still living, their biographies appearing on another page of this work. Mrs. Dotson is the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, and by her marriage has become the mother of a son and daughter: Walter Elsworth, who was born July 21, 1890, and is still with his parents; and Lois Alta, who was born May 6, 1897.
In his political views and affiliations, Mr. Dotson is a republican and at the present time is serving as assessor of his township, and he is also filling the office of school director. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church and they enjoy the high regard of a host of friends.
ALVA C. RUSSELL.
A capable representative of the agricultural interests of Louisa county is to be found in Alva C. Russell, who owns two hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 28, 29, 32 and 33. Elliott township. He is a native of this county. his birth having occurred on the 9th of November, 1867, he being the eldest son of the late William S. and Isabell ( Kurts) Russell, the father a native of Iowa and the mother of Pennsylvania. Of this union there were born two other children : May, the deceased wife of T. L. Bailey, of Louisa county ; and
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Myrtle, who is also deceased. The father passed away on the 23d of December, 1910. Mr. Russell was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted and gone to the front in 1861 with Company K. Second Iowa Cavalry. He remained in the service three years, during which time he participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, receiving his discharge at Rock Island, Illinois, in 1864.
After the completion of his education Alva C. Russell turned his attention toward agricultural pursuits, this being the natural inclination of one who had been born and reared upon a farm. He now owns two hundred and sixty acres of Louisa county's fertile land, which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, in both of which ventures he is meeting with favorable results.
On the 21st of January, 1802, Mr. Russell married Miss Zoie E. Gates, the eldest daughter of S. E. and Mary ( Ogle) Gates, whose biographical sketch appears on another page of this volume. Three children blessed this marriage : Lillian, who was born on the 22d of August, 1893; Fred, whose birth occurred on the 29th of August, 1898; and Letha, who was born on the 2d of April, 1903, and died on the 2d of March, 1910.
The family affiliate with the Presbyterian church and Mr. Russell is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ever since attaining his major- ity he has given his political support to the candidates of the republican party, but has never aspired to public honors or the emoluments of office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the development of his personal affairs, in which he is meeting with deserved success.
GEORGE WILSON GRAHAM.
George Wilson Graham, an enterprising and progressive representative of journalistic interests in Louisa county, is the editor of the Oakville Sentinel, a weekly newspaper. His birth occurred on a farm near Wapello on the 13th of October, 1872, his parents being B. I. and Ann ( Blackburn) Graham, both of whom are still living and are numbered among the worthy and respected residents of Wapello. Wilson Graham, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer settler of Louisa county, and it was here that B. I. Graham was born on the 30th of April, 1846. The maternal grandparents, Samuel and Caroline Blackburn, are bothi deceased. Mr. Graham of this review is the eldest of a family of four children, the others being as follows: Samuel R., who was born on the Ist of July, 1875, and who is now manager of the Wisconsin Lumber Yards at Peterson, Iowa ; Frank R., born May 20, 1880, who is a ma- chinist for the Iowa Central Railroad at Peoria, Illinois ; and Jennie M., born April 12, 1885, who is a teacher of English and German in the schools at Chariton, Iowa.
George W. Graham attended the schools of Wapello in the acquirement of an education and was graduated therefrom in 1893. Since putting aside his
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
text-books he has been identified with journalistic interests, making his first venture in independent newspaper work on the Ist of June, 1902, when he established the Oakville Sentinel for S. H. Creighton of whom he purchased the paper six months later. He has since remained the editor and proprietor of the sheet, which is a non-partisan weekly and is devoted principally to the dis- semination of local and general news. It has a circulation of about eight hun- dred and an excellent advertising patronage.
Politically, where questions of national importance are concerned, Mr. Gra- ham is a republican. Fraternally he is identified with the following organiza- tions : Black Hawk Lodge, No. 281, K. P., of Wapello; Louisa Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., of Wapello: Lodge No. 5. A. F. & A. M., of Wapello; and the Eastern Star. His influence has always been found on the side of material, in- tellectital and moral development and his work has been an element in the ad- vancement of his native county.
D. D. HAMILTON.
D. D. Hamilton, an agriculturist whose efforts have been attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity, is the owner of three hundred and seventy acres of land, constituting one of the most highly improved farms in Marshall township. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Louisa county, his birth having here occurred on the 3d of February, 1850. His parents, Samuel and Mary ( Holland) Hamilton, both of whom were natives of Ohio, came to this county in 1840. The father here entered a tract of land and erected a log cabin, making his home therein for several years. He continued to reside in Louisa county throughout the remainder of his life, passing away on the 13th of September, 1886, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 15th of March, 1895.
Samuel Hamilton was widely recognized as a leading business man and, though classed as an agriculturist, turned the active work of the fields over to his sons. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he was always an active worker in the local ranks of the party but supported Lincoln when the great emancipator was made a presidential candidate for the second time. For more than forty years he served as justice of the peace in Louisa county, his fair and impartial decisions winning him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." He was a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence.
Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, as follows: Ann, whose natal year was 1829 and who has passed away ; Alexander, who is a resident of Wapello township: Sarah I., Stephen G. and Susan E., all of whom are de- ceased : Mary J., the wife of James Banks, of Wapello, Iowa ; Lorane, deceased : Lydia M. and Melvina, twins, who died in infancy ; another, who died in infancy ; D). D., of this review : and Samuel T. who is likewise deceased.
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
D. D. Hamilton attended the common schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. When twenty-one years of age, he secured a tax title to five acres of land and as his financial resources increased owing to his untiring industry and capable man- agement, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until at the present time his farm embraces three hundred and seventy acres, all of which he cleared of the timber. The many substantial improvements which now adorn the prop- erty and which make it one of the model farms of the township stand as monu- ments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Large crops of grain are annually garnered and in connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Hamilton also raises stock, this branch of his business proving to him a profitable source of income.
In 1885 Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage 'to Miss S. C. Hunt, who was born in Morning Sun township, Louisa county, in 1854, her parents being S. G. and Margaret ( Curran ) Ilunt, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of J. C. Hunt, a brother of Mrs. Hamilton. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, namely : Samuel, whose natal day was December 19, 1886, and who passed away Septem- ber 13, 1887; Frane M., who was born on the 19th of October, 1888, and now follows the profession of school teaching: Stephen C., who was born on the 17th of November, 1890, and is at home; Mary S., born June 24, 1892. who graduated from the high school at Morning Sun with the class of 1911 ; and D. D., Jr., whose birth occurred on the 24th of June, 1896, and who is also at home.
Mr. Hamilton is a stalwart democrat in politics but has never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of office. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. They have spent their entire lives within the borders of Louisa county and are well and favorably known, the hospitality of the best homes of the locality being cordially extended to them.
EDWIN HICKLIN.
Edwin Hicklin, postmaster of Wapello, comes of worthy pioneer ancestry and in the course of a varied and interesting life has shown traits of industry. fortitude and perseverance which were prominent characteristics of the brave men and women who conquered the wilderness. He is a native of Wapello, born September 4. 1867, a son of James Hall and Sarah Ellen ( Williams ) Hicklin. His maternal grandfather, Robert Williams, was the first white man to build a cabin in the Indian reservation. This was in 1836. The Indians were un- friendly to the intruders from the east, but they respected Mr. Williams on
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
account of his white hair and beard and he was permitted to dwell among them in safety. His sons, however, were obliged to retire for a time to the pro- tection of the settlements.
The father of our subject came to Iowa with Daniel Ellege, a minister of the gospel, in 1840 and settled in Louisa county. He often referred to the fact that he ate his first supper in this county on the spot where the old mill was later erected near Wapello. After living here a short time he became dis- satisfied and walked to Sedalia, Missouri, where he had relatives, but later changed his mind and returned to Louisa county, devoting his attention to farming and running a ferry boat. He also engaged in the mercantile business with several partners. Many emigrants were passing through Iowa into the newly opened west and Mr. Hicklin, who possessed a trustful and generous nature, supplied their wants, holding their promises to pay while they were es- tablishing themselves in their' new homes. His faith in human nature, how- ever, led to financial disaster, as many of the bills were never paid, and as a result he was obliged to retire from the mercantile business. He spent the remainder of his life upon a farm. He possesed good fighting blood, which he demonstrated by participating in the Mexican and Civil wars. At the age of eighteen he joined General Taylor's command at Vera Cruz and was one of the mounted guard which rode with the commanding general into the City of Mexico after the surrender of the Mexican capital. He enlisted in Company G, Nineteenth lowa Regiment, in the Civil war and served as sergeant under Captain A. M. Taylor. He was present at the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkan- sas, but was discharged from the army on account of defective eyesight. There were seven children in his family: Mary F., who is now the wife of Henry Bremmer, of Wapello: Martha, who married Rufus M. Archibald, of Wapello ; Millard F., also of Wapello; Monroe, who is deceased; Amanda, the wife of Thomas A. Gallagher ; James D., of Wapello; and Edwin, of this review.
At the age of seventeen years Edwin Hicklin met with a severe disaster in the loss of his left arm while duck hunting, but he bravely resolved to per- form his mission in life regardless of misfortune. He began working at ten cents a day as bookkeeper at the age of eighteen and soon afterward entered newspaper subscription work and also took up the study of shorthand. He taught school for a while and for two years was connected with the county treasurer's office. For five years he was employed in the office of clerk of the district court and performed his work so acceptably that he was elected clerk of the court, a position which he filled for eight years. He was then con- nected with the law office of H. O. Weaver for a year and for a similar period was cashier of the Wapello State Bank. After giving up this position he en- tered the law office of C. A. Carpenter, of Columbus Junction, and continued with Mr. Carpenter until May 9, 1910, when he was appointed by President Taft as postmaster of Wapello. Mr. Hicklin is of a genial and accommodating disposition and, as he thoroughly understands progressive business methods, he has met with deserved recognition as one of the most efficient postmasters Wapello has known.
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
On the 6th of June, 1804. Mr. Hicklin was married to Miss Millicent Reich- ley, a daughter of George W. and Catherine ( Brookhart) Reichley. She was one of a family of eight children : Mary Elizabeth, who married Joseph Meeker, of Muscatine county, and is now deceased; Joseph A., who is living in Minnea- polis : Margaret E., the wife of Rev. Charles Blanchard, of Des Moines : Sarah, who is also deceased : George C., of Arkansas : Henry E., who is living in Hutch- inson, Kansas; Millicent, now Mrs. Edwin Hicklin; and Laura, the wife of W. V. Runyon, of Letts, Iowa. Eight children same to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs: Hicklin, namely: Edwin, Millicent, Mary, Jean, Catherine, Albert Otis, Laura Alice and Millard Fillmore.
Mr. Hicklin ever since arriving at his majority has voted in support of the candidates and principles of the republican party. He is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias. A man of strong determination of character and unusual perseverance and energy he has succeeded where others have failed. He can claim a host of warm personal friends in Wapello and is recognized as one of the leading and valued citizens of Louisa county.
FRED MEYERHOLZ.
The birthplace of Fred Meyerholz was the farm upon which he is now residing in Jefferson township, and his natal day the 11th of October. 1807. He is the son of the late Henry and Elizabeth ( Burchold) Meyerholz, both natives of Ger- many. The father, who was born in Oldenburg in 1829, embarked on a German vessel as cabin boy at the age of fifteen years, under Captain Kern. They sailed to Greenland and other northern countries, six months and twenty-three days elapsing before they returned to the home port. Later he joined the crew of an English merchantman which plied between the English ports and those of Germany, France and the United States, continuing to follow the sea for four years. His last voyage was made on the ship Edmond on which he came to the United States by way of Cuba, landing at New Orleans in 1849. There he boarded a river boat and went to Cincinnati, thence to the city of Madison, Indiana, where he apprenticed himself to the trades of carriage and wagon making. At the expiration of a year and a half the factory in which he was engaged removed to Burlington, Iowa, and he went with the company, contin- uing in their service for another two years. He subsequently withdrew from their employment and went to the territory of Nebraska, where he lived among the Indians for two years. At the end of that period he returned to Iowa and. locating in Wapello, Louisa county, secured employment at his trade with a Mr. Allison. He continued with him for eighteen months and then returned to Madison, accepting a position as a mechanic in the car shops there. It was there he met and subsequently was married in September, 1853, to Miss Eliza Burchold, a native of Hanover, Germany. Shortly after their marriage Mr. Meyerholz returned to Burlington, Iowa, with his bride, and two years later
HENRY MEYERHOLZ
٢
TIL YR
B
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
settled in Louisa county, where he rented land, which he cultivated until 1863. He then purchased forty acres, which formed the nucleus of his homestead farm in Jefferson township. He was successful in his agricultural pursuits and was able to add to his realty holdings at different times until he had acquired, at the time of his demise, seven hundred and ninety-six acres of land. His death occurred on the 24th of July, 1906, and his wife passed away February 13, 1878. Unto them had been born eight children, the order of their birth being as fol- lows: William, who is a farmer in Jefferson township; Emma, the wife of J. W. Lindley, of Muscatine county ; Mary, who is living on the old homestead ; Elizabeth, who has been teaching for twenty years, owns seventy-six and a half in Wapello township; Fred, our subject; Minnie, the wife of Charles Shipman, of Chicago; and Charles, who is professor of history in the Woman's College at Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Reared on the old homestead Fred Meyerholz obtained his early education in the district schools, following which he pursued a high-school course. After the completion of his education he assisted with the cultivation of the farm until he was twenty-one when he rented the property which he later purchased. He now owns three hundred and twenty-three and a half acres of land on sections I and 7, Jefferson township. It is one of the finely improved, highly cultivated and attractive farming properties of the district, as well as one of the most valuable. Mr. Meyerholz is a man of progressive ideas, ever ready to adopt such modern scientific theories as he finds available in the cultivation of his fields or the raising of stock. He has been most successful in his farm- ing as well as his stock-raising, of which he makes a specialty, and is recognized as one of the substantial agriculturists of the county.
Mr. Meyerholz has never married nor have his sisters, Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary Meyerholz, so they all live together on the old home farm. Miss Elizabeth, a teacher, also residing on the old homestead; Frank, who is living acres of land on section 2, Jefferson township, and Miss Mary owns fifty-six and a half on section I of the same township.
Fraternally Mr. Meyerholz is a member of the Odd Fellows, being affiliated with Wapello Lodge, No. 19, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His political support he gives to the candidates of the republican party and has served in the capacity of school director. Being both resourceful and capable, by the application of modern business methods in the direction of his affairs. Mr. Meverholz is meeting with increasing success from year to year.
BALIS E. THOMPSON.
Balis E. Thompson, who has been superintendent of the county poor house and farm for the past year, is a native of Louisa county, his natal day being the 18th of August, 1862. His parents, Henry and Sinah ( Hurley ) Thompson, were natives of Ohio and Delaware respectively. They were married in
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
Louisa county and began their domestic life on a farm in Grand View town- ship, in the cultivation of which Mr. Thompson engaged until his demise on the 4th of March, 1860. His widow continued to reside there until 1878, at which time she removed to Wapello and kept the lowa House for one year and then moved to Morning Sun, where she resided with her daughter until 1900, when she went to Wapello to live with her son, William A. She still survives, although she has long passed the Psalmist's allotment of years, her age being eighty-three. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born thirteen children, six of whom survive: William .A., who is the eldest of those living. a resident of Wapello; Minerva, who married James Billings, a button manufacturer of Muscatine, Iowa : Laura E., the wife of William IT. Melrose, of Colfax, Wash- ington : Balis E., our subject : Frances, who is unmarried and lives in Chicago: and Ilenry W., a resident of Van Buren county, lowa. Those deceased are : Martha .A .: Maria B .; Mary A., the wife of J. F. Cornelius, also deceased : John E .; Harry ; and the twelfth and Altha, the twin sister of Frances, who died in infancy. Mrs. Cornelius left four children: James, who is living in Chicago ; Roy E., deceased ; Lulu, the wife of Lorinza R. Mckinney, of Morn- ing Sun; and Howard, of Louisa county.
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