USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 30
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Being but a lad of five years when his parents settled in Iowa Samuel H. Duncan acquired his education in the public schools of the Hawkeye state, which he attended until he had obtained sufficient knowledge of the common branches to enable him to assume the heavier responsibilities of life. His early years were not unlike those of the majority of lads of the pioneer days, when life west of the Mississippi was very primitive in the rural communities. At the age of twenty- five years he began his independent career as an agriculturist, and has ever since been identified with farming. He now owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of
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land which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Here he engages in general farming and also makes a specialty of raising Jersey Red hogs, and horses. At one time he was a very extensive feeder of cattle but has now withdrawn from this entirely. Mr. Duncan has the misfortune to be ab- solutely deaf, this affliction having proven to be a great handicap in the trans- action of business, yet he has made of life a success far greater than many a man who is not thus handicapped and deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished.
On the 5th of November, 1863, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Edwards, and unto them have been born nine children: J. K .; Charles; R. L .: Oscar E .; Guy and Garry, twins; Grace Adella ; one who died in infancy ; and Clyde, who died at the age of seventeen years.
In matters religious the family manifest their faith through their affiliation with the Reformed church, of which the parents are members, and in politics Mr. Duncan is a democrat but has never held any office save that of school director. He is widely and favorably known in the community where he has so long resided and among whose citizens both he and his wife number many friends.
T. EDGAR JOHNSTON.
A well known and highly respected business man of Grand View is T. Edgar Johnston, who for the past nine years has been associated with Peter Müller in the mercantile business here. He was born in the vicinity of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of July, 1864, being a son of Thomas and Kezia ( Kendall ) Johnston. The parents were born, reared and married in the Keystone state and there the father passed away in 1889. The mother, who is now seventy-seven years of age, still resides on the old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were born nine children, of whom six still survive: J. K., who is living in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania; Ellawea, who is a resident of the same place ; Oscar S., who is living in Topeka, Kansas; T. Edgar, the subject of this sketch ; Mary M .. who became the wife of C. R. Mccutcheon, of Zanesville, Ohio; Nora K., who lives in Pittsburg, Kansas, and is now Mrs. Owen Dunlap. Those deceased are : Laila, who passed away in Pennsylvania ; John F., whose demise occurred in the vicinity of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania ; and Morris, who was a resident of the same state at the time of his death.
Reared on a farm T. Edgar Johnston was early trained in the work of the fields. In the acquirement of his education he attended the common schools, following which he gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-six he decided to start for himself and migrated to Colorado, where he farmed for two years. Coming to Iowa at the expiration of that time he located in Louisa county and for eight years engaged in general farming and stock- raising. At the expiration of that time he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and went to Washington, Iowa, where he conducted a grocery store for two years
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Disposing of his interests at the end of that period he came to Grand View and bought a half interest in the mercantile business of Peter Müller, with whom he has ever since been associated. They are enterprising and progressive business men and now own one of the leading stores in the town. Their stock is large and well selected, tastefully displayed and most graciously exhibited to patrons, and they enjoy a large and constantly increasing trade as the result of their method of conducting their business.
In Louisa county, March 5. 1801, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Walker, who was a native of this county, her natal day having been the 3d of September, 1864. Mrs. Johnston was a daughter of J. P. and Mrs. Walker, unto whose union there were born two sons and two daughters, of whom she was the youngest. In order of birth the others are as follows: William, who is living in Grand View ; Daniel, a resident of Charles City, lowa ; and Anna, the wife of J. K. Chambers, of Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Johnston passed away August 16, 1909, her death resulting from the effects of a surgical operation for gall- stones, and she was laid to rest in the cemetery of Grand View.
Mr. Johnston is a member of the Congregational church, with which his wife also affiliated, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. IIe does not prominently participate in civic activities, however, not being an aspirant to public honors or the emoluments of office. Ilis energies are all directed toward the development of his business interests, in the adminstration of which he is meeting with most gratifying success.
JOHN G. THOMAS.
John G. Thomas, a leading agriculturist of Columbus City township, devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising with excellent results. He was born on the 27th of January, 1878, and the farm upon which he now resides has always been his home. Ilis parents were Dennis and Elizabeth (Griffith) Thomas, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Louisa county, lowa. The demise of Dennis Thomas here occurred in 1899 but his widow is still living on the old homestead where she was born and reared and where our subject still makes his home. In the family were four children, as follows: Mary E., the wife of J. H. Jones; John G., of this review ; and David L. and Daniel, both of whom are deceased.
At the time of his father's death John G. Thomas took charge of the old homestead farm of two hundred and sixty acres and has since devoted his attention to its further cultivation and improvement. He also owns and operates a tract of two hundred and thirty acres three miles distant and in the conduct of his agricultural interests has won a gratifying measure of prosperity. In con- nection with the tilling of the soil he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock.
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On the 16th of April, 1908, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Anna Davis, of Louisa county. Her father, John J. Davis, is mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children, one of whom died in infancy. The other is Elizabeth I., whose natal day was February 9, 1910.
In politics Mr. Thomas is a republican, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 693 at Cotter, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias at Columbus Junction. In social relations he is held in the highest regard and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JAMES DVORAK.
James Dvorak, who owns and cultivates an excellent farm of three hundred and fifty-two acres in Union township, was born in Bohemia on the 8th of September, 1854. His parents Vexclay and Barbara (Adam ) Dvorak were born and married in Bohemia and there they resided until 1872 Emigrating to the United States in the latter year they remained for six months in Baltimore, migrating from there to Chicago. After a two years' residence in the latter city they again started westward, Iowa being their destination. They settled on a farm in Washington county and there the mother died in 1884. The father then came to Louisa county to make his home with his son, with whom he was living at the time of his demise on the 14th of March, 1903. Of the nine children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak six passed away in Bohemia, while they lost two more after locating in the United States, and thus the son James is the only surviving member of the family.
The first eighteen years of the life of James Dvorak were spent in his native land in whose common schools he obtained his education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age at which time he was married and began for himself. Thrifty and industrions he had carefully saved as much of his wages as he could, which sum he had invested in fifteen acres of land. He now cultivated this in connection with some other land which he had rented, but at the end of a year he disposed of his interests in Washington county and removed to Louisa, where he rented for three years longer. At the expiration of that period he invested in two hundred and eighty-six acres of land, but shortly thereafter he sold one hundred and twenty-six acres of this. He now owns three hundred and fifty-two acres of finely improved land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. In addition to the tilling of his fields. he raises and feeds stock, which venture has proven to be very remunerative. When he first settled on his home- stead the improvements were very crude ; the house which was built of logs con- tained but one room; and all of the other buildings were equally poor. He has erected a comfortable residence, new barns and outbuildings, thus having added greatly not only to the appearance but the value of the property.
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It was on the 9th of January, 1882, that Mr. Dvorak was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hosek, whose birth occurred in Bohemia in March, 1863. She came to America when a child of four years with her parents who located in Washington county, where her father engaged in farming until his death in July. 1892. The mother is still surviving and continues to make her home on the farm, which contains two hundred and forty acres of excellent land. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hosek: Joseph, who passed away in 1905; Mary, now Mrs. Dvorak ; Annie, who married Joseph Lear of Washington county, now living on the old homestead; and Frances, the wife of Frank Skubal, of Washington county.
Unto this union of Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak there have been born eleven children : Joseph William, who was born May 7, 1882, and for his wife took Neva Waltz, a native of this county, where they continue to reside; Mary Frances, who was born February 2, 1884. the wife of Elmer Pearson, of Clay Center. Kansas; Anna B., born January 7, 1886, who married Theodore Rath, of Washington county ; James, who was born December 14, 1887, and is still at home ; Rose, born October 4. 1880, the wife of George Longquist, of Louisa county, lowa; Frank, born June 9. 1802; Amelia E., who was born March 1. 1894; Clara Matilda, who was born March 7. 1896: Helen Agnes, born August 18, 1898; Alby, born February 10, 1901 ; and Nora, whose birth occurred September 11, 1903. All of the members of the family are at home with the exception of the four who are married.
The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally Mr. Dvorak is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Columbus Junction Lodge, No. 365. In politics he is a democrat but has never been an office seeker. Mr. Dvorak, who owns one of the valuable properties of the township and is recognized as one of the prosperous agricul- titrists, has won his success through close application and tireless energy.
CLAUS DALLMEYER.
Claus Dallmeyer, whose demise occurred in Concord township on the 2d of March, 1892, was long and successfully identified with general agricultural pur- suits in Louisa county, accumulating three hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Germany on the 8th of August, 1820, and the first thirty years of his life were spent in the fatherland. In 1850 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Jackson county, lowa, where he remained for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to Louisa county and purchased a tract of land comprising twenty acres, improved the prop- erty and continued its operation until called to his final rest. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until at the time of his death it embraced three hundred and sixty acres. His widow still owns and
MR. AND MRS. CLAUS DALLMEYER
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operates a quarter section thereof but the remainder of the land was divided among the children.
On the 13th of July. 1867, Mr. Dallmeyer was united in marriage to Miss Dora Wilkins, who was born in Germany on the 10th of March, 1845, her parents being Mathias and Catherine Wilkins, likewise natives of that country. She came to America with her sister in 1854, while her parents followed four years later. Mathias Wilkins died while en route from New York to Chicago, his widow con- tinuing the journey to Iowa and joining her daughter here. They had six children, as follows: Mrs. Dallmeyer : Gertrude Westerman, who is a resident of Wapello, Iowa; Emily, who passed away at the age of twenty-four years; and three who died in Germany. Unto our subject and his wife were born six children, namely : Minnie, whose natal day was .August 24, 1809, and who is the wife of John Rich- ley, of Muscatine ; Matilda, born November 17, 1873, who is the wife of Louis Lee, of Letts, Iowa ; Charles, who passed away at the age of seventeen years ; Louis M., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume ; Ida, whose birth occurred on the 21st of June, 1884, and who is the wife of Harry Littrel, of Louisa county ; and Dora, born January 29. 1887, who is the wife of Arthur Cromley, of Louisa county.
Mr. Dallmeyer gave his political allegiance to the democracy but neither sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist. Coming to the United States in early manhood, he wisely utilized the opportunities afforded in a land unhampered by caste or class and worked his way steadily upward to a position among the substantial and repre- sentative citizens of his community.
HUGH R. NEWELL.
Hugh R. Newell, one of the enterprising and progressive young agriculturists of Concord township, is also numbered among the worthy native sons of Louisa county, his birth having here occurred on the 12th of June, 1883. His parents. Thomas and Mary ( Dowson ) Newell, are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. His preliminary education was supplemented by a two years' course of study in the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts at Ames. Since putting aside his text-books he has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent results. He is now busily engaged in the operation of a farm of two hundred and eight acres in Concord township, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
In December, 1907, Mr. Newell was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Shellabarger, a daughter of Thomas B. and Sarah M. ( Westlake) Shellabarger. who were natives of Louisa county and were married at Wapello, Iowa. Mr. Shellabarger operated a farm in Kansas for five years after his marriage and then disposed of the property and returned to Louisa county, Iowa, being here en-
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gaged in the cultivation of the homestead farm until called to his final rest in March, 1897. His widow still survives and resides on the homestead. Their union was blessed with seven children, as follows: Roy, who was born in Kansas and died when but one year old; Sevilla, also born in Kansas, who passed away at the age of six months; Mrs. Newell; Perry, who follows farming in Louisa county ; and Thomas E., W. Ralph and Russell B., all of whom are at home with their mother. Unto our subject and his wife were born three children but the first two, twins, died unnamed. Thomas Herbert was born on the 26th of September, 1909.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Newell has sup- ported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of The Church of God. He is a public-spirited citizen, interested in the welfare of his county and home locality. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.
ALVIN W. JENNINGS.
General farming and stock-raising engages the attention of Alvin W. Jen- nings, who owns an excellent tract of land of four hundred and forty acres in Elm Grove township. One of Louisa county's sons, his natal day was the 13th of March, 1858, and his parents Benjamin and Nancy Ann (Jeffers) Jennings. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were natives of Pennsylvania but they came to lowa during the pioneer days and here the mother passed away in August, 1863, but the father survived until the 3d of September, 1894. Of their marriage there were born ten children: Elijah, who died while serving in the army during the Civil war; Mifflen, who is a resident of Jewell county, Kansas; William Henry, a resident of Davenport, Nebraska; Taylor, who lives in Dexter, Iowa; Enoch, of Van Meter, lowa; Jeffers, who is deceased; Franklin, also deceased; Ellen, the wife of A. H. Trindell, of Loveland, Colorado; Alvin W .; and Emma Jane, who is deceased. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Jennings was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Harris, and unto them was born one daughter. Ginevra, now the wife of C. N. Johnson, of Columbus City.
Alvin W. Jennings was educated in the common schools of Louisa county, and while pursuing his studies he also assisted in the cultivation of the farm, thus fitting himself for his chosen life work. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority at the end of which time he began work- ing out as a farm hand. He followed this occupation for six years and then rented eighty acres of land which he cultivated for about nine years. During this period he had, by means of hard work and rigid economy, acquired the necessary capital to enable him to buy eighty acres which he cultivated in con- nection with a quarter section that he rented. He kept adding to his original
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tract from time to time as he was able until he now owns four hundred and forty acres on section 24, Elm Grove township. Here he engages in both general farm- ing and stock-raising, both of which are proving successful. All of his land is tillable with the exception of fifteen acres which is in timber. The improvements on the place have been put there during the residence of Mr. Jennings, who has a very comfortable farm house and ample barns and sheds for the accommoda- tion of both stock and grains. His land is highly cultivated, fences and build- ings are kept in repair and the grounds are well cared for, thus making his one of the very attractive homesteads in the community.
The 25th of January, 1883, was the wedding day of Mr. Jennings and Miss Isabel Jester, a daughter of Stephen and Emily ( Peckenpaugh) Hester. The latter was twice married, her first husband having been Elijah Hester, who was killed when serving as a soldier of the Civil war. She afterward married his cousin, Stephen Hester. The children of her first marriage were: Albert, of Shumach, Washington ; and a daughter who died in infancy. The children of the second marriage are: Mrs. Jennings ; Dora, the wife of Baldwin Dunn, of Dallas county, Iowa; Ada, who became the wife of Henry Riley, who was killed in a mine explosion in Utah, after which she married Dr. William Hayden, of Cooper. Jowa ; Emma, the wife of John Moody, of Earlham, lowa; Robert, living in Jefferson, this state ; Millie the wife of Otis Wright, of Odell, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of Dr. Aldridge, of Lawrence, South Dakota; Ina, the wife of William Robinson, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Lela, who became the wife of Todd Summers, of Denver, Colorado; Harvey, also of Denver; Lona, at home; and Alma, deceased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jennings seven children have been born in the following order: Lois, the wife of Carl Buffington, of Elin Grove township; Verdi, who married R. M. Buffington, a resident of the same place; Bruce A., of Louisa county ; Boyd B., who is also a resident of this county ; one who died in infancy ; Donald Dean, living in Louisa county ; and Jefferson M., who is at home.
The family attend the Evangelical church and Mr. Jennings votes with the republicans. He always takes an active and helpful interest in public affairs as did his father, the latter having been one of the twelve first supervisors appointed in the county. For the past twenty-one years A. W. Jennings has been secretary of the school board and he has also filled all of the township offices. He is one of the prosperous agriculturists and highly regarded citizens of Elm Grove township among whose inhabitants he numbers many friends.
SYLVERIUS S. PRESTON.
Sylverius S. Preston, who engages in general farming in Oakland township, was born in Licking county, Ohio, October 24, 1872. He is a son of Benedict and Rachel ( Fringer ) Preston, both natives of Ohio, in which state they were also married and resided for thirty years thereafter. At the expiration of that
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period they removed to Kansas where they remained for two years and then came to Iowa, settling on a farm in Concord township where they resided until the father passed away in 1901. The mother is still surviving and at the present time is making her home in Davenport, Iowa. Seven children were born of their union: Judson, who is a resident of Louisa county, Iowa; Lanetta, who is living in Oklahoma ; Ruth Anna, who is still at home with her mother ; Sylverius S., our subject : Zelora, a resident of Illinois City, Illinois; Gertrude, who is at home : and one who died in infancy.
The education of Sylverius S. Preston was acquired in the common schools, following which he devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age, and then operated the farm belonging to his wife, located on section 24. Oakland township. This is one of the valuable properties of the neighborhood and has been brought to a high state of cultivation. Good improvements have been made, the appearance of the place bespeaking capable management and careful regard for all details.
Mr. Preston was married on the 31st of December, 1901, to Miss Pearl Ryan, who was born in Conesville. Iowa, in 1883. Mrs. Preston is a daughter of the late J. and Emma ( Wiltrout ) Ryan. The mother died when Mrs. Preston was four years of age while her father passed away in 1897. Following the death of her mother she lived with her grandparents until their deaths, after which she worked out by the week until her marriage. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Preston two children have been born: Reba Viola, who was born February 28, 1903 ; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Preston votes with the democratic party but he has never been an office seeker, always having preferred to devote his energies to the development of his farm in the cultivation of which he is meeting with very satisfactory result -.
ROWLAND REES.
Rowland Rees deserves mention in this volume among the well-to-do and prosperous citizens of Louisa county, his possessions embracing five hundred and thirty acres of land located in Columbus City township. The family has long been represented in this part of Iowa and have become prominent in agricultural circles. Mr. Rees, of this review, was born here February 18. 1863. a son of John A. and Elizabeth ( Morgan ) Rees, both of whom were natives of Wales, whence they emigrated to the United States and located in Louisa county in 1843. Here the father entered land from the government and. building a log cabin thereon, lived in true pioneer style for many years. He later made more modern improvements on his farm, and was engaged in farming throughout his business career. He died in September. 1898, having for about thirty years survived the death of the wife and mother, who departed this life in 1868. To their union were born nine children but only four of the number are now living, these being : John M., a resident of this county; Catharine N., the wife of Richard Jenkins.
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of Cotter : Mary E., the wife of Hugh J. Davis, also of Louisa county; and Rowland of this review.
Rowland Rees was reared on the home farm and was early trained in the duties of the farm, assuming larger responsibilities as his age and strength increased. He remained with his father until the death of the latter, when he purchased the land of the other heirs and now owns five hundred and thirty acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and this branch of business has added not a little to his annual income.
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