USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 38
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Matthias Whetstine. Sr., the great-grandfather of our subject on the paternal side, was born in one of the southern states. He emigrated to Iowa and located in Washington county where he died at the advanced age of one hundred and five years. His son, Matthias Whetstine, Jr., grandfather of our subject, served in the Civil war in the same company with his son, Enoch, a brother of R. S. Whetstine. He was a blacksmith by trade, a republican in politics and a Meth- odist as to religious belief. He married Emelia Lee, whose father was a brother of Colonel Lee, a well known pioneer circus man. She died in Wash- ington county, Kansas, about twenty-two years ago, at the age of seventy-nine years, her husband passing away in the same county when he had reached his eighty-fifth year.
The grandfather on the maternal side was Wesley B. Bolding whose parents emigrated from England. lle was born at Big Springs, Kentucky, August 9, 1810, and was married December 24, 1840. to Nancy Drake, who was born in Gibson county, Indiana. October 22, 1822. She removed with her parents to Coles county, Illinois, in her infancy and died at Coppock, Iowa, December 16, 1001, her body being buried in the Wayland ( Iowa), cemetery. She was a Methodist and her husband was a Universalist, although his father was a Methodist minister. Wesley B. Bokling died at the residence of his son, Dr. W. R. Bolding, at Oakville, Iowa, in 1905, having arrived at the age of eighty- five years, seven months and twenty-eight days. Politically he was a repub- lican. There were eleven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bolding, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth J. Whetstine, of Weilman, lowa; William R., a physi- cian of Burlington, Iowa ; John L., who makes his home at Omaha, Nebraska : Mrs. Permelia Perry, a resident of Galena, Kansas; James M., who died in his thirty-second year ; Daniel D., of Denver, Colorado; Charley W., who died in infancy; Mrs. Alice M. Stonebarger, of St. Michael, Nebraska ; Erasmus M., who lives in Washington state; Mrs. Clara E. Watts, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Mrs. Sarah Eldora Kurtz, of Washington, Iowa.
Wayne Erwin Whetstine received a common school education and from the age of eleven years he has been identified with newspaper work. He began set- ting type in a newspaper office, and, being keenly alert and wide-awake in a calling for which he was well adapted, he developed special ability, so that at the age of sixteen he took editorial charge of the Kalona (Iowa) News. He was at that time the youngest newspaper editor in the United States. He was connected with a number of Iowa papers and on October I, 1905, purchased the Columbus Safeguard, of which he has since had charge. The Safeguard is one of the oldest weekly newspapers in this part of the state, having been es-
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tablished in 1870. It is a representative of the principles of the republican party and has been an efficient instrument in forwarding the interests of that organ- ization. On February 10, 1911, Mr. Whetstine was appointed postmaster of Columbus Junction by President Taft and assumed the duties of his office on the ist of April following.
Mr. Whetstine was married May 18, 1911, to Miss Lola F. Endsley, who was born in Kansas, a daughter of I. A. and Emma ( Duncan ) Endsley, both of whom are residents of Columbus Junction. Mrs. Whetstine has one brother, Willard Endsley. Mr. Whetstine is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Court of Honor and has many warm personal friends in those organizations. Although a young man, he oc- cupies a position of growing responsibility and by his energy and good judg- ment has ably performed his part in promoting the best interests of the com- munity.
CHARLEY F. BEIK.
Farming and stock-raising have always engaged the activities of Charley F. Beik, who is a native of Port Louisa township, his natal day being the 3d of April, 1865. He is a son of Jacob and Emma (Jackson) Beik, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Pennsylvania. They were married in Iowa and began their domestic life upon a farm in Port Louisa township, in the oper- ation of which the father engaged until his demise in 1909. The mother passed away in 1875. Six children were born of this union of whom our subject is the eldest. The others are: Molly, the wife of John Hardman, of Louisa county ; Frank L., who is a resident of Port Louisa township; John, who also lives in this county ; and two who died in infancy. Several years after the death of his first wife Mr. Beik was again married, his second wife being Miss Verda Hand- ley, of Illinois, and unto them were also born six children : Emma, the wife of L. E. Downer, of Muscatine county ; Kate, who married Henry Sweitzer, of Louisa county ; Arthur, who is teaching in this county; Grace, the wife of George Webber, also of Louisa county ; Herakl, who is living in this county ; and Paul, who is living with his mother on the old homestead.
Charley F. Beik remained a member of the paternal household until he had reached the age of twenty-five years, acquiring his education in the district schools. After laying aside his text-books he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm until 1880 when he began farming as a renter, which he con- tinued for fifteen years. At the expiration of that period he and his brother Frank bought one hundred and forty-nine acres of land in partnership. They sub- equently increased their holdings by the purchase of two hundred and twenty acres at one time, one hundred and fifty-two and eighty acres at other times, making the aggregate of their real-estate holdings six hundred and one acres. All but eighty acres of this is in Port Louisa township. It is well improved and
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the greater portion of it in a high state of cultivation. The land is all held and operated in partnership, even the eighty acres which lies in Grand View town- ship, their entire crop being used for the feeding of stock. They are both capable business men and successful agriculturists.
On the 21st of April, 1909. Mr. Beik was united in marriage to Miss Susan Zimmerman, who was born in Louisa county in 1879, and is a daughter of John and Mary Zimmerman. The parents removed to Iowa, locating in Grand View township, this county, in the early days. The father was a carpenter as well as mason and engaged in contracting and building until his death in 1901. The mother is still living and makes her home in Grand View. Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman: Charley, who is living at home; Emma, the wife of James Green, of Columbus City, Iowa; Susan, now Mrs. Beik : Ralph, who is living in the vicinity of Grand View ; Dalas, of Grand View ; Bert ; George; Minnie, who was the wife of Celly Ross and died April 16, 1898; and Nina May, who died in infancy. Mr. Zimmerman had been married previously, and of this union was born one son, Carr, who continues to live at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Beik are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being in the Grand View lodge. Politically he is a republican. He is an energetic but unassuming man whose success can be justly attributed to his untiring industry, perseverance and unflinching determination to win.
ROBERT C. RUSSELL.
A well known resident and business man of Oakville is Robert C. Russell, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 31st of July, 1851. His par- ents were David and Mary Ann (Smith) Russell, the father a native of Adams county, Kentucky, and the mother of Ohio, her birth having occurred on the 16th of February, 1813. They were married in Fulton county, Illinois, and two years afterward removed to Des Moines county, lowa, settling on government land. Upon this Mr. Russell erected a log cabin with a clapboard roof and puncheon floor, while the chimney was constructed from stones, sticks and clay, and the door was opened with a latch-string. The family occupied this crude residence for twenty years, Mr. and Mrs. Russell continuing to reside on the homestead during the remainder of their days. His demise occurred on the 19th of Jan- uary, 1892, and hers on the 22d of December of the same year. Unto them were born seven children: Elizabeth, who married F. Sharar, of Muscatine, Iowa; I ouisa, deceased; William, a veteran of the Civil war, also deceased; Frances, the widow of H. Dixon, of Mediapolis; Ellen, the widow of James Cox; Robert C., our subject ; and Cassie A., deceased.
The boyhood and youth of Robert C. Russell were spent amid the primitive environment characteristic of the rural districts of that period, his education ' being acquired in a log schoolhouse, with an earthen floor and rough, unfinished
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slabs for seats. At the age of nineteen years he relieved his father of the care and responsibility of the old homestead, continuing to reside with his parents until their death. He subsequently purchased the farm, in the cultivation of which he engaged until 1902, when he disposed of same and bought a farm in Elliott township, Louisa county, Iowa. After operating this for three years he sold it and purchased a grocery store and meat market in Oakville, which he conducted for a similar period. He withdrew from commercial activities at the expiration of that time and now owns a sixty thousand dollar interest in the drainage and sewerage contract in district No. 1, Des Moines county.
Mr. Russell has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Rogers, who passed away on the 5th of December, 1887, and was laid to rest in the Creighton cemetery. Four children were born of this union: Vinnie, who be- came the wife of A. Ferris, of Oakville: Frank G., who is in a drug store in Davenport; Bessie A., the wife of William McFadden, of Lone Tree, Iowa ; and Mary Lou, who was born on the 23d of November, 1887, and died on the 2d of February, 1896. On the 26th of October, 1889, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Alice E. Rogers, a sister of his former wife, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 2d of February, 1862. Mrs. Russell is a daughter of George D. and Miranda (Topper) Rogers, the father a native of England and the mother of Pennsylvania. They are both living, the father at the venerable age of eighty-two and the mother at seventy-four, and make their home in Mediapolis, Iowa. Mrs. Russell, who is one of seven daughters. six still living, was a school teacher prior to her marriage. Two children have been born unto Mr. Russell and his second wife: Robert E., whose birth occurred on the 15th of March, 1891, and who is now attending high school; and Elwood Paul, who was born on the 24th of January, 1901.
Mr. Russell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Mediapolis Lodge, No. 226, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife affiliate with the Presbyterian church of Oakville, in the work of which organization they take much interest, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He takes an active part in public affairs and has held a number of city and township offices. Mr. Russell is one of the substantial citizens of Oakville, where he owns a fine residence, the hospitality of which he and his wife gra- ciously extend to their many friends.
THOMAS B. CROSS.
There is no record which the American citizen holds in higher honor than that of the man whose strength of character, determination of purpose and in- defatigable energy have enabled him to work his way upward from a humble position to one of affluence, and who throughout his business career has fol- lowed a straightforward, honorable course that neither seeks nor requires dis- guise. Such is the history of Thomas B. Cross who, when a little lad of but
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eight years, began to earn his own living and has since been dependent upon his owil resources.
Born in Crawford county, Ohio, on the 20th of October, 1847, he is a son of David and Nancy ( Louther ) Cross. The father was a native of Delaware and the mother of Holmes county, Ohio, where they were married. That re- mained their home until the father's death, at which time the mother brought her family to Iowa, locating first in Allamakee county, where they spent one winter. They then went by boat down the Mississippi river to Muscatine county, where they made their home for one year, renting what was known as the Cy Townsley farm. The family remained together for a time, engaging in farming, but after about two years they became scattered, the mother making her home at different times with her various children until her demise, which occurred in Sheridan county, Missouri, when she had reached the age of sixty- six years. She was the mother of eight children, of whom only two now sur- vive. D. W., of Fredonia, Iowa, and Thomas B. The others were: Rose Ann, who married William Slough and passed away in Page county, lowa : William, a veteran of the Civil war, belonging to the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, whose death occurred in Muscatine county ; John, a member of the First lowa Cav- alry, who died at Springfield, Missouri ; Ellen, who first married Samuel Walker, who was killed in the Civil war, and later married Enoch Aurand, both now deceased ; James, whose death occurred in Nebraska; and Finley, who passed away in Kansas City.
During the early life of Thomas B. Cross he attended the common school in the acquirement of an education but when only eight years of age was com- pelled to earn his own livelihood, owing to the straitened circumstances of the family after the death of his father. Thus he entered the business world at a time when other lads were yet attending school, and for sixteen years was em- ployed as a farm hand. He then began business on his own account as a farmer, renting land for about seven years, after which he purchased forty acres in Page county, Iowa, upon which he resided for one year. He then sold that farm and bought eighty acres in Nebraska, which he operated for a similar period, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Nebraska, which remained in his possession for two years. He next removed to Hamilton county, that state, and invested in two hundred acres which he continued to operate for sixteen years. At the end of that time he sold his property and re- turned to lowa, locating in Louisa county, where he became the owner of one hundred and forty-seven acres. There he resided for two years, when he sold out and bought eighty acres in Grand View township, which he farmed for one year, and after disposing of that property he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Grand View township, upon which he now makes his home. Since that time he has added more land until he is now the owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved property, all under a high state of cultivation. He has added improvements, from time to time, until his place is now provided with substantial buildings, modern machinery and all conveniences requisite for carrying on the work successfully. For several years he has made a spe-
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cialty of raising and feeding stock, the excellent quality of which is recognized throughout the community. He is a good judge of stock so that he is able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. Success has attended his efforts in both branches of his business and today he is ranked among the rep- resentative and prosperous agriculturists of the township.
On the 6th of September, 1888, Mr. Cross with united in marriage to Miss S. J. Fester, who was born in Louisa county, a daughter of Harrison and Sarah ( Reynolds ) Foster. The parents were both natives of Ohio, where they were married in January, 1850, immediately after which they came to Louisa county and here resided upon a rented farm for a year. They then bought land in Concord township, upon which they resided throughout their remaining days, and with the passing years accumulated a valuable estate of two hundred acres, all under a high state of cultivation. The father passed away in 1867 but the mother survived until the 23d of December, 1900. Their family consisted of eight children, as follows: Mrs. Mary E. Compton, of Raymond, Washington ; Mrs. Frances M. Foster, of Wayne county, Illinois; Mrs. Fannie C. Bushong, of Fredonia, Iowa: Mrs. Cross; Henry H., of Creston, lowa; Andrew J., oper- ating the old homestead in Concord township; Solomon D., of Conesville, Iowa; and Mrs. Lydia E. Henderson, now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cross have been born five children, namely : Edna B., born on the 21st of August, 1889, in a sod house in Hamilton county, Nebraska, who has a high-school education and now makes her home with her parents; Ralph R., born February 12, 1891, also a high-school graduate: Alvin J., who was born October 4, 1892, and at- tended high school ; Zena A., born July 8, 1804, also a graduate from high-school ; and Sallie E .. who passed away in infancy.
All of the members of the family attend the Church of God and are people of genuine personal worth, highly respected in the community in which they reside. In politics Mr. Cross gives his allegiance to the democracy but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. The history of the career of Mr. Cross is indeed a most creditable one, for it is the record of a self- made man. On the strength of his own resources, through constant application of perseverance, coupled with hard work and careful management, he has been able to rise in the world from comparative penury and obscurity to a position of independence in the agricultural circles of Louisa county.
JOHN DOTSON DEIHL.
A representative of the third generation of the family in Louisa county. John Dotson Deihl, cashier of the Wapello State Savings Bank, has proved a worthy descendant of an honorable ancestry and is recognized as one of the thoroughly energetic and capable citizens of the county. He was born on the old home farm in Wapello township December 10, 1882, a son of George R. and Eva (Dotson) Deihl, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
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Mr. Deihil of this review attended the district school and later entered the Wapello high school from which he was graduated in 1899. He took a stenog- raphic course and after entering upon his business career was fortunate in se- curing leave of absence which enabled him to carry his studies further under highly competent teachers in Drake University. He secured employment in various positions until 1901 when he entered the Wapello State Savings Bank in a clerical capacity and demonstrated his business qualities to such an extent that in 1906 he was promoted to the position of cashier and a year later was elected a member of the board of directors, both of which positions he is now filling. He has discharged his responsibilities with sagacity and circumspection and has thus won the confidence of the business men of the community as well as of private individuals. He uses good judgment in guarding the interests of stockholders and depositors and as he is thoroughly acquainted with the re- sources of Louisa county, his opinions as to loans are generally found to be correct. It is evident that he made no mistake in choosing his vocation.
On the 12th of October, 1905. Mr. Deihl was married to Miss Talma Bly Parsons, a daughter of Douglas D. and Jessie ( Hook) Parsons. There were three children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons: Pearl, who is the wife of Ralph Hunt, superintendent of schools of Louisa county; Talma, now Mrs. John Dotson Deihl; and Dean, who is now a student in school. Mr. and Mrs. Deihl have two sons: Douglas George, who was born July 18, 1906; and Albert Parsons, born July 7, 1908. Mrs. Deihl is a lineal descendant of John Nevill, who as a soldier in the Revolutionary war gained recognition from those higher in authority for his services at Yorktown.
In politics Mr. Deihl gives his support to the republican party. He is not connected with any religious denomination but his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has observed the advantages of education and is a stanch friend of the public schools which he regards as the bulwark of the nation. Since 1908 he has been a member of the school board and during the last two years has served as president of the board. He is not a man who seeks to shirk responsibility and his friends prophesy that in years to come he will gain recognition as a leader throughout a wide section in this part of the state
GEORGE WILBERT KERR.
George Wilbert Kerr, who is enjoying a marked degree of prosperity as a farmer and stock-raiser of Louisa county, comes of a hardy race of pioneers and was born in Henry county, Illinois, April 21, 1865, a son of Thomas Walker and Amanda (Henninger) Kerr, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. The parents were married in 1859 and the father engaged in farming in Illinois. He died February 29, 1896, and his faithful wife passed away November 11, 1908. In the family were nine children, namely : Ella, who married F. O. Withrow, of Geneseo, Illinois; Amy, the wife of James
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Burton, of Kalispel, Montana ; George Wilbert; Lena, who married E. E. With- row, of Los Angeles, California; Mina, who is the wife of Percy Davis, of Geneseo; James, who lives in Louisa county; Thomas and William, both of whom are deceased ; and Harry Z., of Louisa county.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was one of the very early settlers of Henry county, Illinois, arriving in that part of the state when wild animals roamed at will over the prairies and the Indians were camped on the streams. His wife counted as many as thirty-five deer passing the door of their cabin in a single morning and the settlers were obliged to constantly watch their fields in order to prevent the deer and other wild animals from destroying the wheat.
Mr. Kerr of this review was reared under the favorable conditions of farm life and in his boyhood attended the district schools. He continued at the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age, when he bought fifty acres of land in Henry county, later acquiring forty acres additional. After five years he sold out and invested in eighty acres at Eldorado, Kansas, but remained in Geneseo for three years, being engaged in the real-estate business. He then bought eighty acres in Bureau county, Illinois, and also rented seven hundred and fifty acres, which he cultivated to good advantage, ultimately becoming the owner of the old homestead of eighty acres at Geneseo, Illinois. He made various investments, among which may be named the purchase of two hundred acres of good land in Louisa county, Iowa, about 1908. In 1911 he traded all his properties in Illinois for one hundred and eighty-four acres in Louisa county and is now the owner of three hundred and eighty-four acres in this county, all of which is in Columbus City township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and as he is prepared to do so upon an extensive scale there is no doubt that his efforts will meet with abundant reward.
On the 18th of July, 1889, Mr. Kerr was married at Geneseo, Illinois, to Miss Fannie E. Farber, a daughter of Paul and Anna ( Ulan) Farber, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Pennsylvania. They are both now deceased. The father arrived in Illinois in 1830 and entered land from the gov- ernment upon the site now covered by the town of Hillsdale in Rock Island county. This was in the early days of the state, when there were few settlers and the country was largely unoccupied. He often told of having gathered the eggs of wild ducks and geese by the basketful. At one time he drove an ox team to the mill at Rock Island and on the return trip the team became fright- ened and ran away and the entire wagonload of grist was lost in the river. Later he moved with his family to Henry county. There were two children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Farber : Fannie E., now Mrs. George W. Kerr ; and Catharine, who married Warren Sykes, of Stoneville, South Dakota. Mr. Farber was twice married, his first wife being Mary Ann Hill, a daughter of James Hill, for whom Hillsdale, Illinois, was named. By that union there were five children: James W., of Mulvane. Kansas; William H. and Edward, of Geneseo, Illinois: Jane, the wife of Robert Clausen, of Alpha, Illinois; and Sheldon, of Stoneville, South Dakota.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kerr were born nine children: Charles Wilbert, who was born July 6, 1800: Grace Gertrude, born December 3, 1891 ; Paul W., born July 20, 1803: Bernice Amanda, born February 6, 1898; F. Everett, born Feb- ruary 28, 1900; Roy R., who was born February 28, 1902, and died February 29 of the same year ; Irma, who was born May 9, 1904, and died the same day ; Willis, born March 16, 1906; and George Samuel, born June 19, 1908.
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