USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 4
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Balis E. Thompson remained at home until he had attained the age of fifteen years, acquiring his education in the common schools. For ten years after leaving the parental roof he worked as a farm hand, during which time he saved sufficient money to enable him to a farm as a renter. He had been cultivating leased land for twenty-one years when he was appointed in 1910 to take care of the county poor house and farm, which position he still retains.
On the 5th of July, 1888, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Frances L. Presbury, of Wapello township, a daughter of John C. and Vic- toria ( Mason ) Presbury, who were natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Presbury were married in Louisa county, following which they settled upon a farm, in the cultivation of which Mr. Presbury was engaged until he passed away in May, 1000. He had survived his wife for three years, her demise occurring in April, 1897. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted as a private in Company F. Nineteenth lowa Volunteer Infantry, and served for seven months, being discharged on account of disability. Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Presbury: Virginia G. and Charles, who died in infancy ; Frances L., now Mrs. Thompson ; William A., a resident of Kansas City, Missouri: Emma, the widow of Harry Kitner, of Kansas City: Susan, who married Joseph Halcroft, of Wapello: Cora, the wife of Charles Martin, of Kansas City: Mand the wife of Burton Redfern, of Bronson, Kansas; and Katie, who married Joseph Ankers, of Kansas City. Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- son have five children : Lulu E., born on the 14th of April. 1889, who attende ! Grinnell College for one year, and is now the wife of Homer Mannefee, of Mount Pleasant, Henry County, lowa; Mary Mckinley, born on the 27th of August, 1894, who has a commercial school education : Rodney K., who was born on the 5th of May. 1897; John M. F .. who was born on the 4th of De- cember, 1900; and Jean Audrey, born on the 16th of December. 1904.
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
The religious faith of the family is manifested through their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Thompson is a member of Col- umbus Junction Lodge, No. 365, 1. O. O. F. Ever since granted the full rights of citizenship he has given his political support to the men and measures of the republican party. Although he has never been an office seeker he has served as township trustee and he was also a member of the school board for eight years. During the year he has been in his present position Mr. Thomp- son has given every indication of being capable of discharging the duties of the place.
J. H. EDWARDS.
Among the citizens of Louisa county, now deceased, whose names are held in loving remembrance was J. H. Edwards, who died October 19, 1888. He spent nearly his entire life in this county and by his industry, enterprise and good judgment accumulated a competency, becoming the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which he bequeathed to his family.
He was born in Blount county, Tennessee, May 17, 1842, a son of Madison and Esther (Johnston) Edwards, both of whom were natives of Blount county, Tennessee. The family came to Louisa county, Iowa, in the '40s and located on government land. Both the parents are deceased, the father having died many years ago, and the mother's death occurring June 10, 1911, at the age of eiglity-seven years.
The only son of his parents, J. H. Edwards grew to manhood at his mother's home, and he possessed such advantages of education and training as were available in the country districts in Iowa in the years preceding the Civil war. After arriving at maturity he began farming on his own account, applying himself with a diligence that soon yielded substantial returns. He became the owner of a productive place in Union township, the neat appearance of the farm indicating that he gave to it his close attention. He was a general farmer and also engaged in stock-raising, and as he was thoroughly acquainted with the most approved methods he marketed his stock to good advantage.
On September 4, 1866, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage in this county to Ella T. Carson, a native of this county and a daughter of Mark and Mary (Colton ) Carson, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Pennsylvania. They came to lowa in the pioneer days and settled in Louisa county upon government land, which became the family homestead. Ella T. was their only child. Her father went to California during the gold excite- ment of 1849 and it is supposed that he died there. His widow and daughter then lived with relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were the parents of ten children, namely: Margaret H., now deceased : Harry L., who makes his home in this county: Mary M., a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; Bessie, who married Charles Holada, of Columbus Junction : Roy, of South Dakota ; Grace,
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
the wife of Harry L. Foster, of Johnson county, Iowa ; Maud, who married M. McGuire, of Louisa county ; Rose, at home; and Nellie and Mark, both of whom are deceased.
Mr. Edwards voted in support of the democratic party and was from the time of casting his first ballot an earnest supporter of its candidates and principles. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order whose teach- ings of brotherhood he greatly admired. Successful in his calling, he wielded an influence for good wherever he was known, always doing what he could to advance the permanent interests of the community. Mrs. Edwards still owns two hundred acres of the old homestead, and also is the owner of a fine residence in Columbus Junction, where she makes her home. She has a large circle of friends throughout this section and is a consistent member of the German Reformed church, with which she has been connected for many years.
ELLIOTT FRAZIER.
An old resident of Louisa county and veteran of the Civil war is Elliott Frazier, who for over twenty years has been identified with the commercial interests of Morning Sun. His birth occurred in Darke county, Ohio, on the 28th of February, 1838. He is a son of Alvis and Martha ( Crommel ) Frazier. the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of Pennsylvania. They removed to Louisa county in 1856, locating upon a farm, where the mother passed away in 1876. The father survived until 1892, and was residing in Tama county, Iowa, at the time of his demise. There were six children born of this union, but only two are surviving: Elliott, our subject : and Mary, the wife of A. Farmer, of South Dakota.
Elliott Frazier, who was eighteen years of age when his parents removed to Iowa, was educated in the common schools of his native state. He remained at home until he was of age, assisting in the work of the farm. On the 17th' of August, 1801, he responded to his country's call and went to the front in defense of the Union, serving in the army for three years. He participated in many of the notable battles of the war, among them being : Pea Ridge, Chickasaw, Bayou, Lookout Mountain and Lookout Ridge, while he also took part in the siege of Jackson and Vicksburg. He sustained but one wound during the period of his service and that was at the battle of Vicksburg, where he was slightly hurt in the left side. He was mustered out in August, 1864, and re- turning to Louisa county he engaged in farming until 1888, at which time he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and coming to Morning Sun established a flour, feed and produce store, which he is still conducting.
Mr. Frazier was married on the 12th of May, 1870, to Miss Nancy J. Pat- ton, who was born in Indiana in 1840, a daughter of Huston and Esther Patton, both of whom are now deceased. Four children have been born of this union, the order of their birth being as follows: Jessie, who is a teacher, living at
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
home; Teresa, the wife of J. W. Whitham, of Morning Sun: Charles, who is a resident of Fulton county, Illinois; and Frank, who is living in Morning Sun.
Mr. and Mrs. Frazier both affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Wapello Lodge, No. 5. A. F. & A. M. His right of franchise he exercises in support of the candidates of the democratic party. He served for fifteen years as a mem- ber of the school board, and for several terms he was a member of the village council. Mr. Frazier has always taken a prominent part in all G. A. R. activ- ities and was one of the locating committee from the state of Iowa sent to Vicksburg to select a position for the soldiers' monument erected there. Al- though he has attained the age when the majority of men think of retiring from active duties Mr. Frazier is to be found at his place of business every day, and fully competent to adequately discharge all responsibilities.
WILLIAM C. SMITH.
An excellent farm of five hundred acres located on section 4, Jefferson township, does much credit to the agricultural skill of William C. Smith, who is one of the successful and competent farmers of Louisa county. He was born in Henry county, Illinois, on the ioth of October, 1864, and is the youngest son of David H. and Esther ( Sornberger) Smith.
The father was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 7, 1834, and was the fourth in order of birth and eldest son in a family of six children, whose parents were Nathan and Susannah (Howard) Smith. They were natives of Pennsylvania and from that state removed to Ohio, where their deaths oc- curred. In the county of his nativity David H. Smith continued to make his home until attaining his majority, in the meantime attending the common schools and Ohio University at Athens. He then removed to Lafayette county, Wis- consin, where he spent seven years, being engaged in farming, teaching and mer- cantile business. In 1861 he took up his residence in Henry county, Illinois, where he operated rented land for five years, and then purchased an eighty acre farm on section 12, Osco township, upon which he erected a fine set of buildings. As time passed he added to his property until he became the owner of several hundred acres.
In Lafayette county, Wisconsin, October 25, 1855, David H. Smith married Miss Esther Sornberger, who was born in Delaware county, New York, March 31, 1834 and was a daughter of George and Hannah ( Olmsted) Sornberger, also natives of the Empire state. By this union six children were born: How- ard H., a resident of Houston, Texas; Charles M., of Boone county, Iowa ; William C., of this review : Myra E., the wife of O. A. Hommersand, of Houston, Texas ; Ella, who died at the age of two years; and Kittie, who died at the age of five months. In 1904 the parents came to this county to make
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
their home with their son William and here the father died December 24, 1909, but the mother's death occurred at the home of her son Charles in Albany, Missouri, September 16, 1905. They were both earnest members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and the father served as road commissioner for five years.
William C. Smith acquired his education in the common and high schools, remaining a member of his father's household until he had attained his ma- jority, at which time he left home to begin life for himself. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding stock for the market, and he is meeting with gratifying success from his various ventures. Mr. Smith is a man of considerable versatility and for more than fifteen years he has been recognized as one of the best auctioneers of his community, de- voting a great deal of his attention to that business.
Mr. Smith established a home of his own by his marriage December 10, 1885, to Miss Olive L. Parsons, a native of Jefferson township and a daughter of Joseph J. and Mary E. ( Coleman) Parsons, natives of West Virginia, who came to Iowa at an early day, locating in Jefferson township, Louisa county, where Mrs. Smith was born. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children : Earl P., who was born on the 25th of November, 1887, and is a farmer of this county ; D. Howard, who was born on the 21st of December, 1893; and Nellie. whose birth occurred on the 28th of July. 1897.
The religious faith of the family is manifested through their affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Smith is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Wapello Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M., while to the men and measures of the republican party he accords his political sup- port. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his township and for ten years served as trustee and he has also been a member of the school board. His life has ever been one of continuous activity and as a result he has attained a position which ranks him among the substantial farmers of his community as well as the most highly respected citizens.
J. W. JAMISON.
One of the highly successful agriculturists and stockmen of Louisa county is J. W. Jamison, who seventeen years ago retired to Newport, where he has since continuously resided. The eldest son of George and Hulda ( Herrick) Jamison, his birth occurred in Louisa county on the 29th of August, 1841. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of New York. They came to Iowa soon after their marriage, locating on a farm in Louisa county in 1840. Eight children were born of their union, of whom four are living as follows : J. W .; Jacob H .; Merritt L., who is a resident of Louisa county ; and O. Brig- ham, also of this county. The third in order of birth and the last died in infancy,
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN VAUGHN
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MR. AND MRS. J. W. JAMISON
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
as did also the fourth and fifth who were twins, and both of the parents are now deceased.
J. W. Jamison early completed his education, which was acquired in the district schools of his township, and then assisted in the cultivation of the farm. When he was twenty-two his father presented him with three hundred acres of land, upon which he immediately settled. He continued to reside on that place, upon which he made all of the improvements, until 1894, making a specialty of feeding and shipping cattle and hogs, from which he realized most lucrative returns. In 1894 he purchased fourteen acres of land in Newport and thereon he erected a very pleasant two-story brick residence and has ever since made this his home.
Upon the 28th of September, 1862, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Jamison and Miss Rachel Vaughn, a daughter of John and Deborah ( Mason) Vaughn. They were the parents of thirteen children, the order of their birth being as follows: a daughter, who died in infancy; Jeremiah, also deceased ; Mary, the wife of C. McCray, of Louisa county; Margaret and Hannah, both deceased ; Rachel, now Mrs. Jamison ; and Isaac and William J., both deceased ; Jesse, now living in Sioux City, Iowa; Aurelia, the wife of George Mason of Woodbury; and Virginia, Minerva and Ziba, who are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jamison have five children: Tuttle G., of Oakville, Iowa; Isaac, who is living in Morning Sun; Hulda J., who became the wife of D. Kremer of Wapello; Minerva, who married T. Dotson, of Louisa county; and Mary, the wife of Wilson Robb, of Louisa county.
The family always attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents are members, and in politics Mr. Jamison is a democrat. He has usually been too deeply absorbed in his personal affairs, however, to ever prominently participate in political activities although he at one time served as assessor. He possesses the ability to undertake and carry to a successful issue extensive operations and to this fact must be largely attributed the achievements of his business career.
C. A. BROWN.
C. A. Brown, who has been engaged in the real-estate business at Wapello for two years past and on account of his large experience and correct judgment of values has met with a goodly measure of success, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, May 16, 1858, a son of Abraham and Susan W. (Storks ) Brown, the former of whom was born in Harrison county, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Dover, Delaware. The father came west with his family in the fall of 1861 and stopped in Louisa county, Iowa, locating in the spring of 1862 on land which became the family homestead. He acquired a comfortable competency and retired at the age of fifty-five years. He is still living on the old homestead but the mother died January 3, 1910, at the age of seventy-nine years. There Vol. 1 !-- x
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
were six children in their family : Olivia, who is the wife of William Robert- son, of this county ; C. A., of this review ; David N., of Martinsburg, Audrain county, Missouri: John, deceased: Mary E., who married J. R. Watson, of Pacific. Missouri; and Carrie, also deceased.
C. A. Brown was educated in the common schools and as a boy became fa- miliar with all classes of farm work. After attaining his majority he continued working for his father for a year and then began farming on his own account. In 1882 he bought forty-three acres adjoining the old home place and applied himself so industriously that he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres. At the age of twenty-six he embarked in the grain business at Oak- ville, Iowa, with which he was identified for about five years. On December IO, 1885, he was appointed first agent of the Iowa Central Railway at Oak- ville and continued in railway service for five years, during which time he learned telegraphy and had full charge of the railway station. A large grain business was built up and as he did not care to continue at the salary he was receiving he resigned, turning over the station to T. M. Storks, whom he had properly instructed for the position. Mr. Brown then continued in the grain business on his own account, also engaging in the shipping of live stock. In a short time, however. he perceived a larger opening at Mediapolis and moved to that point and engaged in shipping grain on a large scale. He leased a plant for one year, which was offered for sale under a receivership, but he did not then care to purchase the property. For two years he engaged in farming and then returned to Mediapolis and bought the plant, which he conducted suc- cessfully for two years. He also assisted in organizing the Oakville Savings Bank and served as president of that institution. In 1900 he came to Wapello and engaged in the grain business with G. W. Hayden, the partnership con- tinuing in existence for four years. He then purchased his partner's in- terest and conducted the business on his own account for two years. In July, 1907, he sold out to E. B. Cook and went to the Pan-Handle of Texas, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he sold the fol- lowing December. Returning to Oakville. Iowa, he purchased the elevator at that point, the business having grown until it amounted to three hundred cars per annum. After twenty months he disposed of his business and settled at Wapello. On the Ist of January, 1909, he embarked in the real-estate business and a month later admitted to partnership Robert E. Eland. They have secured a large patronage and are now conducting one of the most prosperous real-estate agencies in this part of lowa. Mr. Brown owns two hundred acres of land in Louisa county, three hundred and twenty acres in Alberta, Canada, and stock in both banks at Oakville and Mediapolis. He has purchased seven acres of land in the city of Wapello and it is his intention to soon erect thereon a fine modern residence.
On the 20th of March, 1884, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Emma Ernsting. Her parents, Louis and Dorothy ( Reuter ) Ernsting, were both horn near Hamburg, Germany, and were sweethearts in their native land. They came to America on the same vessel in 186t and were married soon after-
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
ward in Burlington, lowa. The father died December 3, 1905, but the mother is still living and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Brown. Mr. Ernsting was a farmer by occupation and a republican in politics. In the family were four children, of whom Mrs. Brown is the oldest. Henry is de- ceased. Lena is the wife of Thomas Myers, residing near Hurdland, Missouri. Minnie is the wife of H. B. Carter, of Oakville. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, namely, Ora C., Pearl E. and Bessie Leona, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Brown has been identified with many enterprises in the course of his career and has always shown keen interest in his business and a clear recog- nition of opportunities. He has been honorable and upright in his dealings and as an active and useful citizen receives the merited respect of his neighbors and friends. Politically he is an adherent of the republican party and fra- ternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of benevolent and humane disposition and is a strong believer in the Bible, being also a sincere member of the Methodist church.
JAMES SLIGIL.
James Sligh, who for many years was engaged in general farming and stock- raising in this county, but is now living retired in Morning Sun, was born in Northumberland county, England, on the oth of August, 1834. The parents, who were natives of Scotland migrated to America in 1850, locating in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, where they passed away. They were the parents of six children : Archibald, who is deceased ; Helen, the wife of John Porter, of Westmoreland county; James, our subject : two, who died in Eng- land, and one whose death occurred in Scotland.
After the acquirement of a common school education, James Sligh worked as a farm hand until he was twenty-five years of age, then rented eighty acres, in the cultivation of which he engaged for five years. At the expiration of that period he rented one hundred and seventy acres, which he cultivated for three years, then removed to Louisa county, Iowa. Upon his arrival in this county in 1868 he rented sixty-three acres, but subsequently purchased eighty acres in Marshall township. In 1883 he increased his holdings by the addition of an- other eighty acre tract, which he still owns. He has made all of the improve- ments upon his homestead, which is well cultivated and recognized as one of the valuable properties of the township. There Mr. Sligh engaged in general farming and stock-raising until 1892, at which time he retired to Morning Sun where he owns a pleasant residence.
Mr. Sligh married Miss Eliza Reed on the 17th of March, 1864. Mrs. Sligh, who is deceased, was the eldest child of Robert and Martha (Barr) Reed, natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of seven children as follows : Eliza and William, twins, both deceased; James, also deceased; Margaret, who
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
is living in Pennsylvania; and Mary Jane, John and Samuel, all deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sligh were born three children: Martha Alice, who is at home; Harry Reed, who is living in Wapello: and Helen Margaret, who died in infancy.
Mr. Sligh is affiliated with the Presbyterian church with which his wife was also identified. His right of franchise he exercises in support of the candidates of the democratic party, but has never held any office save that of school di- rector. The measure of success awarded the endeavors of Mr. Sligh has been the result of his own well directed activities, sustained by good judgment and sotind integrity.
JOHN C. THOMSON.
John C. Thomson, well known as an enterprising general merchant of Oak- ville, is the proprietor of the most extensive establishment of its kind in the town. His birth occurred in Newport, Kentucky, on the 16th of November, 1857, his parents being James Y. and Anna ( Seed) Thomson, who were natives of Scotland and Ireland respectively. The father, who was a civil engineer by profession, emigrated to the United States and took up nis abode in Cincin- nati, Ohio. Subsequently he embarked in business as a wholesale dry goods merchant, conducting the enterprise successfully until he disposed of his in- terests Both he and his wife have passed away. Unto them were born five children, as follows: Jennie, the wife of D. D. Marshall, of Burlington, lowa ; Anna, who is deceased; John C., of this review : William, who died in infancy ; and Cora E., who is a resident of Burlington, lowa.
When a youth of fifteen John C. Thomson began earning his own liveli- hood, being employed as a clerk at Burlington for two years. Subsequently he spent four years on a farm and then went to Nevada, while later he made his way to California and to Oregon. Returning to Iowa, he took up his abode on a tract of land south of Burlington and there followed farming for two years. On the expiration of the period he came to Lonisa county, here being engaged in general agricultural pursuits for about seven years. Ile then en- barked in business as a general merchant of Oakville, where he has remained continuously since, now conducting the largest enterprise of the kind in the town. The building in which the business is carried on is owned by Mr. Thomson and H. B. Carter. It was erected in igor and is a brick structure of two stories, while its dimensions are seventy by sixty feet. His business methods will bear the closest scrutiny and investigation and his probity has gained for him the respect of all.
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