USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 33
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Mr. Metzger was twice married, his first wife being Miss Lydia Heller, and of their union there were born eleven children. The mother passed away in 1892, and in the 11th of September, 1895, Mr. Metzger was married to Mrs.
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Amelia Strauss Darrell. Mrs. Metzger had been married twice before, her first husband being Perig Simmons, and of their nion there were born two children : Calvin, who is deceased ; and Lottie, the wife of Walter McRoberts, of Louisa county. Mr. Simmons passed away in 1890, and the following year his widow married Duke Darrell. By her second husband Mrs. Metzger had one son, Ever- ett Dale Darrell, who was born on the 2d of February, 1893. He is now operat- ing his mother's farm, which contains forty acres of land.
The religious affiliation of Mr. Metzger was with the Evangelical church and he gave his political support to the democratic party. He never was an office- seeker, however, always having been too deeply engrossed in the development of his farm to take part in public affairs. He passed away on the 20th of Janu- ary, 1993.
MI. R. EDMONDSON.
Enterprise, industry, thrift and economy are the characteristic elements in the life of M. R. Edmondson, who is numbered among the substantial agricul- turists of Concord township, where he owns four hundred and twenty-seven acres of land on section 28. His birth occurred in that township on the 5th of June, 1865, his parents being R. 11. and Jane ( Reeder ) Edmondson, the former a na- tive of Blount county, Tennessee, and the latter of Louisa county, lowa. Their marriage was celebrated in this county. The father was born in East Tennessee, October 8, 1830, and was a son of David and Nancy ( Scott) Edmondson, who were natives of Virginia and emigrated to Tennessee at an early period in the development of that state. They reared a family of five children, of whom R. H. Edmondson was the third in order of birth. In 1836 the family went to Indiana, where David Edmondson entered and improve 1 a claim, which he sold on his re- moval to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1855. There his death occurred in 1862, whil? his wife passed away in 1866. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to England, for David Edmondson was a son of David and Jennette ( Wilson ) Edmondson, both natives of England. The maternal grandfather of M. R. Edmondson was Micajah Reeder, who organized the first Masonic and Odd Fel- lows lodges in Louisa county.
R. H. Edmondson, who followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, at one time owned two hundred and ninety-five acres of rich and productive land. Since 1904. however, he has lived retired, making his home with his children. His wife was called to her final rest on the 8th of August, 1897. Unto them were born nine children, five of whom yet survive, namely: W. L., who is a resident of Decatur county, lowa; Nancy, the wife of C. McDaniel ; and M. R., G. W. and Emma, the wife of T. J. Carey, all living in Louisa county.
When a young man of twenty M. R. Edmondson started out as an agricul- turist on his own account and for several years devoted his attention to the ope-
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ration of a tract of land which he rented from his father. Subsequently he pur- chased a farm of eighty acres which has since remained in his possession and in the further cultivation and improvement of which he has been busily engaged to the present time. As his financial resources increased he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until they now embrace four hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuable land, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation. In connection with the tilling of the soil he has devoted considerable attention to stock and both branches of his business have proven profitable.
On the 22d of March, 1884, in Linn county, Kansas, Mr. Edmondson was united in marriage to Miss Ida MeCleary, who was born in Louisa county, lowa, on the 19th of January, 1862, her parents being George W. and Nancy ( Simpkins) McCleary, likewise natives of this county. The father was a son of Abraham and Sarah ( Trimbul) McCleary, both natives of Ohio, in which state they were reared and married. They afterward made their way down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to Port Louisa in 1836. Abraham MeCleary had previously visited the county in 1835 and was so well pleased with the district that he re- turned the following year. Ile then located in Grand View township, upon a farm which remained the home of himself and wife until they were called to their final rest. Their family numbered six children, of whom only two sur- vive-George McCleary and Mrs. H. B. Chamberlain, of Grand View, Iowa. The McClearys were Scotch Irish and emigrated to America at an early day. George W. McCleary followed farming here until 1883, when he removed with his family to Linn county. Kansas, there residing until 1890. For the past twenty-one years he and his wife have made their home in the Peoria Indian Reservation of Indian Territory. Unto them were born thirteen children, as follows : Mrs. Edmondson ; S. J., who is a resident of Columbus Junction, lowa ; Mrs. Helen Classin, living in Linn county, Kansas; Mrs. Victoria Carpenter, who also makes her home in Linn county, Kansas ; John, of Kansas City ; Mrs. Bertha Martin, residing at Miami, Oklahoma ; MIrs. Annie Holtz, of Lynch, Okla- homa ; Mrs. Lulu Davis, who lives in New Mexico; Jeff D., who makes his home at Miami, Oklahoma ; Mrs. Pearl Skye, of Peoria, Oklahoma ; Grover, at home ; and George and Ruth, both of whom died in infancy. Our subject and his wife have five children. Elmore, the eklest, who was born December 14, 1885, was graduated from the high school at Columbus Junction and also spent one year as a student in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. He engaged in teaching for one year in Louisa county, Iowa, and subsequently was graduated from the law department of the state university, being now a practicing attorney of Brighton, Iowa. Maud, whose birth occurred September 2, 1887, attended the high school of Columbus Junction and also received a musical educa- tion, acting for a time as organist in the Methodist Episcopal church at Fredonia, lowa. She is now the wife of Alva Shaw, of Concord township. George, born September 24, 1800, William, born April 11, 1893, and Harold, born April 25, 1896, are at home. All of the children have enjoyed the advantages of a high school education, as did their mother, who also attended the Eastern
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lowa Normal School at Columbus Junction and taught school for two years in Jowa and one year in Kansas.
Mr. Edmondson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as township trustee for three terms. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Subordinate Lodge No. 365 at Columbus Junction and Columbus Encampment No. 112, in both of which he has filled all of the chairs. He is also a member of Silver Leaf Lodge of the Re- bekahs at Columbus Junction, as is his wife. For two years he served as dis- trict deputy grand master and for a similar period represented Louisa county in the state organization. He likewise belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 101, A. O. U. W., at Columbus Junction. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife belongs. Mr. Ed- mondson is a man of strong character and sterling worth and well merits the high regard in which he is held throughout the county where his entire life has been spent.
G. W. MOYERS.
A well tilled farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Wapello township pays tribute to the agricultural skill of G. W. Moyers, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 12th of April, 1849, and is the eldest son of Samuel N. and Lucinda H. (Deen ) Moyers, pioneer settlers of that county. The birth of the father occurred five miles north of Carrollton, in Greene county, Illinois, and from that state he came to Jowa in 1839, locating in Des Moines county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement from active labor in 1884. He then removed to Mediapolis, Iowa, where his wife died November 9, 1909, at the age of eighty-six years, but he is still living at the age of eighty-four. In politics he is a democrat and has held several township offices. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is also connected with the Grange. Although well advanced in years he is a hale and hearty old gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet and know. In his family were two sons and two daughters as follows: Marietta, deceased ; G. W., of this review; Sarah Ellen, the deceased wife of James Larkin, of Des Moines ; and Jacob, who is living in Spokane, Washington.
The early life of G. W. Moyers was very similar to that of other lads of the period in like circumstances, his education being acquired in the district schools of his native county, such time as he was not there engaged being devoted to the work of the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he settled on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres belonging to his father, which he cultivated for nine years. At the expiration of that period he returned to the old homestead and managed it for two years, following which he removed to Edwards county, Kansas. There he purchased a half section of land, which he cultivated for three years and then returned to the old home farm in Des Moines county.
PIRIN PARY
A TOK : ENOX AND TIENDATIONS L
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. MOYERS
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL N. MOYERS
ΕΝAX A D SUATED L
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where he lived for a year. In 1896 Mr. Moyers came to Louisa county, pur- chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wapello township, where he has since resided. Here he engages in general farming and stock-raising, in both of which he has been very successful. He has made all the improvements on his farm, having erected during the period of his occupancy some very fine buildings. All of the land is tillable, well drained and substantially fenced, while the fields are under a high state of cultivation, thus making it one of the valuable properties of the township.
On the IIth of November, 1869, Mr. Moyers was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca E. Pence, a daughter of Jonathan and Polly (Tootwaler ) Pence, both of whom were natives of eastern Virginia, whence they removed to West Virginia at an early day. Her father served in the Third Virginia Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war but after about two years at the front he died from exposure. The mother had passed away in 1848. Mrs. Moyers came to Des Moines county, Iowa, with her brother-in-law, Martin Deen, his wife and her sister, when she was nineteen years of age and there she was subsequently married. She was the youngest in a family of three daughters, the others being : Margaret E., the wife of D. Shumacher, of West Virginia; and Mary V., the wife of Martin Deen, of Cass county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Moyers were born ten children: Samuel L., who is deceased; Mary L., the wife of George Dotson, of Louisa county ; Pearl Alfred, of Des Moines county ; Hattie May, the wife of Samuel Walker, of Louisa county ; Cora Ellen, who married Frank Hamilton, also of this county; James Burton, of Des Moines county ; Gertie Edna, who is deceased; Edward Nelson, now living in Robstown, Texas; one who died in infancy ; and Hally Roy, at home, who married Martha Cath- erine Baxter and has one child, Dwight, who was born on the 16th of August, 1909.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Moyers are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political support he gives to the democratic party. He has never been prominently identified with township affairs but he has held some of the minor offices. A capable agriculturist, the efforts and intelligence he has ex- pended in the direction of his business have been well rewarded and Mr. Moyers is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of Wapello township.
CHARLES J. DYCHE.
General farming and stock-raising have characterized the efforts of Charles J. Dyche since entering the business world, and as a result of his well directed labor and enterprise in this direction he is meeting with gratifying success. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Washington county on the 11th of January, 1880, his parents being John and Alice ( Boyd) Dyche. They are both natives of Ohio, who came to Iowa in early childhood, locating in Washington county where they were reared and married. Later they removed to Lonisa county, Vol. II-18
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where they have since made their home on a farm in Oakland township. Of their family of six children only four sons are now living. The period of his boyhood and youth was spent by Charles J. Dyche on the home farm, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. He also re- ceived thorough practical training in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the country lad. As his years and strength increased, however, his duties became more numerous and important until, upon attaining his majority, he was well equipped by thorough knowledge and broad experience to conduct an independent agricultural venture. Consequently, when twenty-two years of age, he left home and for six years was engaged in the opera- tion of a rented farm, after which he was able to invest in two hundred acres of land in Louisa county, located on section 6, Columbus City township. He is a progressive business man, following the latest and most approved methods of tilling the soil, and he has greatly improved his place, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. The farm is now one of the valuable and desirable properties of the township and since his occupancy he has reaped bountiful harvests which, from year to year, have enabled him to place himself in prosperous circumstances. He also engages in stock-raising to a considerable extent, making a specialty of raising and feeding cattle, hogs and horses, and in this branch of his business also he is meeting with good returns.
On the 20th of May, 1903, Mr. Dyche was united in marriage to Miss May McCormick, of Columbus City, a daughter of J. T. and Sabina McCormick, na- tives of Ohio, who came to Lousia county at an early date. Both are still living, now making their home at Columbus City. In their family were two children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dyche have been born two children, namely: Nella Ester, who was born November 29, 1903; and Irma Alice, born August 13, 1905.
Mr. Dyche is a member of the Catholic church of Columbus Junction, while in politics he gives his support to the democratic party, believing that the plat- form of that organization is best adapted to conserve the public good. He is yet numbered among the younger representatives of agricultural pursuits in Colum- bus City township and in the conduct of his affairs is actuated by an enthusiasm and ambition which are proving resultant forces in his business career.
WILLIAM NELSON DUNCAN.
William Nelson Duncan, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on his eighty acre farm in Union township, was born in Louisa county, on the 26th of March, 1870. His parents are F. M. and Elizabeth ( Sands) Duncan, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Iowa. They came to Louisa county in 1847, settling on a farm west of Columbus City, where they continued to reside for many years. Unto them were born eight children, as follows: J. Carter, a resident of Columbus Junction ; Melvin, who is deceased : William Nel- son ; Ida M., the wife of Harry Edwards, of Louisa county ; Harrison, who is re-
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
siding in this county ; Frank, who makes his home in Columbus Junction ; Earl, deceased ; and Jessie, who is also a resident of Louisa county.
The early years in the life of William Nelson Duncan were not unlike those of other lads who are reared in the rural districts. He acquired his education in the common schools and while pursuing his studies was also becoming ac- quainted with the practical side of agriculture, for at such times as he was not in the school room he was expected to assist in the work of the fields. At the age of twenty-one he began his independent career as a farmer and bought two hun- dred acres of land which he cultivated for five years. He disposed of his hold- ings at the expiration of that time, following which he purchased a quarter of section 4, Union township, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. During the period of his residence here he has sold one-half of his original tract and is now cultivating but eighty acres.
In early manhood Mr. Duncan married Miss Jennie Orr, a daughter of W. W. and Jane ( McCooney ) Orr, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Iowa. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Orr there were born nine children : Rufus, who is a resident of Colorado ; James L., who is living in Kan- sas : Jennie, the wife of Mr. Duncan ; Ella, deceased ; Margaret, who married W. W. Krone, of Kansas ; Frank, who is living in Montana ; and John L., Arthur and Earl, all of whom are residing in Kansas. Having no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are rearing Milo Fulton, who is now thirteen years of age.
Mr. Duncan gives his political allegiance to the republican party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot. Ile does not actively participate in town- ship affairs but has served in the capacity of assessor. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dun- can affiliate with the Reformed church among the membership of which they number many of their friends.
MARSHALL E. JONES.
Marshall E. Jones is engaged in the cultivation of the farm where he was born on the 26th of August, 1873. His parents, Barton M. and Martha A. (Enyart) Jones, were natives of Bureau county, Illinois, whence they migrated to Louisa county, Iowa, about 1860. Here the father passed away in March. 1898, and the mother in July, 1904. Of the eight children born unto them, five are surviving: Mary E .; Lewis A., who is a resident of Cedar Rapids, lowa : Daniel, who lives in Washington county, Iowa; J. H., who is residing in Louisa county ; and Marshall E.
The education of Marshall E. Jones was obtained in the common schools in the vicinity of his home in Elm Grove township. After mastering the usual branches he laid aside his text-books and devoted his entire attention to the work of the fields. When he had attained his majority he rented the farm of his father and cultivated it as a tenant for four years. Following the death of his father he purchased the property which contains one hundred and thirty-nine acres of
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land on section 23, Elm Grove township. Since residing here he has effected quite extensive improvements on the place, which have added much to both the appearance and value of the property. In connection with the tilling of his fields he makes a specialty of raising stock, and is meeting with very satisfactory returns from both sources.
On the 15th of September, 1910, Mr. Jones completed his plans for a home by his marriage to Miss Minnie I. Pfeifer, a native of this county and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Pfeifer. The mother is deceased but the father is sur- viving and now resides in Moran, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Pfeifer were the parents of four children.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Evangelical church and frater- nally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being identi- fied with the lodge at Cairo, lowa. He also holds membership in Camp No. 4969, M. W. A., of Winfield, lowa. His political allegiance Mr. Jones has given to the republican party ever since granted the right of franchise upon attaining his majority. He takes an active interest in local politics and has served in the office of school director and of supervisor. He is one of the prosperous farmers in Elm Grove township among whose citizens he has many friends, the majority of whom were comrades of his youth.
R. F. JOHNSTON.
Among the younger generation of men who are making their mark in. the agricultural circles of Louisa county is numbered R. F. Johnston. His entire life has been passed within the borders of Columbus City township, for his birth occurred on the farm upon which he now resides on the 29th of June, 18du. His parents, T. J. and Margaret ( McConnell ) Johnston, both natives of Penn- .sylvania, came to Louisa county, Iowa, in the '40s, and here cast in their lot with the early settlers of this district. The father passed away in the fall of 1893, but the mother still survives, making her home in this county. In their family were four children, namely: Clara J .; N. M., now deceased; Elizabeth; and R. F., of this review.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for the last named during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was passed on his father's farm, and amid the scenes and environment of rural life he was reared to manhood. During the winter seasons he attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education, passing through the consecutive grades until his graduation from high school. The summer months were devoted to work about the farm, for he was early made familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad. Thus neither his mental nor physical training was neglected, and upon entering the business world he was fully equipped to cope with the duties and responsibilities thereof.
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On attaining his majority he purchased the old homestead, consisting of two hundred and ten acres located on section 5, Columbus City township, and there- on he has since continued to reside. Under his wise management and progres- sive methods the place has been well improved, containing substantial and com- modious buildings and inclosed within neat and well kept fences. The soll is rich and arable and yields its full quota per acre. In connection with the cultiva- tion of the fields Mr. Johnston engages rather extensively in stock-raising and feeding, and is well known throughout the township in this connection.
In 1905 Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Daisy S. Wiederrecht, who was born in Louisa county, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Wiederrecht, resi- dents of this county. Unto this union have been born two children : Rexford N., whose birth occurred March 17, 1907 ; and Robert L., who was born on the 15th of September, 1908. Mrs. Johnston is very well educated, having received the benefit of a course of study at the college at Cedar Falls, and for a number of years prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching school.
Mr. Johnston gives his political support to the republican party, and, public- spirited in his citizenship, his interests are thoroughly identified with those of the community in which he has passed his entire life. He has gained a large circle of warm friends, which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance, for he possesses those qualities which win and retain friendship, while in business circles his honorable dealings have commanded the confidence and trust of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
EDWARD B. GIPPLE.
Edward B. Gipple, an enterprising agriculturist, owns three hundred and sixty-five acres of land in Elm Grove township, which he carefully and success- fully cultivates. He was born in this county, on the 23d of June, 1859, being a son of George W. and Mary Ellen ( Brooks) Gipple. The parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, came to Iowa in 1845, settling in Louisa county where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement. They are now living in Letts and have recently celebrated the sixty-fourth anniversary of their marriage. Both have reached a venerable age, the mother having been eighty- four in October, 1910, while the father passed his eighty-fourth birthday on the 4th of May, 1911. Of the children born of their union eight attained maturity. the two oldest having passed away. The others, according to birth, are as fol- lows : Fmma, the wife of Mark Sharp, of Fall City, Nebraska; Anna, who mar- ried L Hudler, of South Dakota : Cynthia, who became the wife of A. H. Dala- hide, of Audubon county, Iowa ; Charles, a resident of Letts; Edward B .; Har- vey, living in Bentonville, Arkansas; Carrie, who married John Holtz, of Mus- catine county ; and Link N., who is engaged in the drug business in Letts.
In the public schools of Louisa county Edward B. Gipple acquired his educa- tion. In common with the majority of farmer lads he early assisted in the work
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of the homestead, giving his entire attention to this after leaving the school- room. When he attained his majority he considered that he was fully qualified to begin his independent career as an agriculturist, and so bought eighty acres of land in Audubon county, which he operated for eight years. Disposing of that farm, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Elm Grove township, Louisa county. Meeting with success in his farm work he has been able to add to his holdings at various times until he now owns three hundred and sixty-five acres of valuable and productive land. During the period of his resi- dence here he has erected all of the buildings now standing on his place, having large, commodious barns and sheds and a fine house. In connection with the till- ing of his extensive fields, which are almost entirely sown to such cereals as are used in feeding, he raises stock. He feeds and ships his own cattle and hogs, this having proven to be a very lucrative venture.
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