USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 46
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WILLIAM BECK.
One of the well known financial institutions of Morning Sun is the Exchange Bank which was founded twenty-five years ago and of which William Beck, who was one of its founders, has long been at the head. He was born in Des Moines county on the 26th of October, 1847, and is a son of Conrad and Sophia (Grota) Beck, natives of Germany. The father, who was an agriculturist. located in Des Moines county during the pioneer days. In his family were nine children: Mary, the deceased wife of David Schank, of Memphis, Ten- nessee; Sarah, a resident of Morning Sun; William, the subject of this sketch; Caroline, the wife of F. N. Smith, senator from Des Moines county ; Ilenry, of Morning Sun; Cassie, the wife of E. L. MeChurkin; Elizabeth, who married O. B. Jamison, of Louisa county ; Emma, the widow of James Barr. of Bur- lington, Iowa; and Senna, the wife of Joseph Schwaller, also of Burlington.
The education of William Beck was completed in the schools of Nauvoo. Illinois, following which he returned home and assisted his father in the culti- vation of the fields and the care of the stock. Later he came to Louisa county, lowa, buying one thousand acres of land west of Morning Sun, where he pur- sued general farming and stock-raising until 1886. In that year he removed to Morning Sun and became associated with his brother-in-law. E. L. McChur-
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kin. in establishing the Exchange Bank, of which institution he has been the president for some time past.
On the 10th of December, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Beck and Miss Ella Berryhill, a daughter of William De Witt and Annie Depni ( Day ) Berryhill, in whose family were the following children: Andrew, a resident of Idaho; William, of Colorado; Fannie, the wife of Thomas James, of Des Moines; Lisle, the deceased wife of James Scroggs, of South Dakota; Ella, now Mrs. Beck; Frank, living in Louisa county; Emma, the wife of A. B. Ilook, of Jefferson county; Hastings, also a resident of Jefferson county ; and twins, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have four children, in order of birth, as follows: Lemma, who was born on the 2d of August, 1893, and is now attending college at Mount Pleasant ; Joseph, born on the 30th of August, 1895; Leila, born on the ist of September, 1807; and Lillian, whose birth oc- curred on the 14th day of March, 1900.
The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church and the political allegiance of Mr. Beck is given to the democratic party. Possessed of good judgment and business sagacity, he has given conclusive proof of his qualifica- tions to successfully direct the policy of the institution with which he has long been connected.
JACOB A. HANFT.
Jacob A. Hanft, who for the past nine years has been engaged in the hard- ware business in Columbus Junction, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. on the 20th of March, 1855. Ile is a son of Jolin N. and Helena ( Smith ) Hanft, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Pennsylvania. They came to Louisa county in 1864. settling on a farm in Columbus City township. The father, who had always been a farmer, upon his arrival here first purchased only forty acres, increasing his tract at different times until he owned two hundred and sixty acres at the time of his death. He was an extensive as well as an intensive agriculturist and at one time he was engaged in the operation of two thousand acres, in connection with the cultivation of which he also raised cattle and hogs. Frequently he kept as many as twenty teams at work at one time in tilling the fields and harvesting the crops. In his family were thirteen children : William 1I. and John, both of whom are deceased; Milton D., who is a resident of Columbus Junction ; Jacob A., our subject ; Theodore F., who is living on the old homstead; George S .. of Columbus Junction; Emma, the wife of Reuben Ileindel, of Columbus Junction ; Martha, who married George Wren, of Sheridan, Wyoming; Cora, who died in infancy; John T., who is living on a farm near Columbus Junction ; Sarah, the wife of A. J. Willett, of Colum- bus Junction ; Edward, deceased ; and Louis, who died in infancy. The death of the father occurred in Columbus Junction in July, 1888.
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The school days of Jacob A. Hanft began in the Keystone state, in which lie resided during the first nine years of his life. When the family located in Louisa county he resumed his studies in the district school in the vicinity of the homestead. He remained at home with his parents until he was of age, during which time he worked for his father. For four years thereafter he was em- ployed by his father, following which he cultivated rented land for two years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Keokuk, where he remained for a year, and then went to Van Buren county. There he engaged in the lumber business for five years, going from there to Warsaw, Illinois, where he continued in the same business for a similar period. He subsequently went to South Dakota, where he ran a stock ranch for two years. In 1895 he returned to Louisa county, and the following year he rented two hundred and forty acres of land northwest of Columbus Junction, which he operated for two years, He next rented the old Colonel Garner farm, also containing two hundred and forty acres, and after cultivating this for three and a half years he came to Columbus Junction and embarked in the draying business. Disposing of his interest in this at the end of three years, he has since engaged in the hardware business. This has proven to be a very successful venture and Mr. Hanft now owns the largest and best assorted stock of the kind in the town.
Keokuk, Iowa, was the scene of the marriage, on the 3d of November, 1878, of Mr. Hanft and Miss Lucy Wetherell, who passed away in March, 1901. Un- to them were born three sons and two daughters, as follows: Jesse Edward, who is residing in Indianapolis, Indiana; Clyde J., who is living in Columbus City township: Mary Helen, the wife of John S. Dowson, of Wadsworth, Illinois ; Bessie, who is a teacher in Columbus Junction ; and Allan W., who is at home. In June, 1903, Mr. Hanft was again married, his second wife being Miss Sadie Segafoos, who is a daughter of Dan Segafoos.
Mr. Hanft is a member of the Presbyterian church and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political support is always given to the men and measures of the republican party. He is well and favorably known through- out the community, being numbered among the progressive and enterprising business men of the town.
R. C. DITTO, M. D.
To Dr. R. C. Ditto, who has been engaged in practice in Oakville for eight years, belongs the distinction of being the first resident physician now in the village. He was born in Seaton, Illinois, on the 24th of December, 1873, and is a son of L. N. and Elizabeth (Wheatley) Ditto, the father a native of Ohio and mother of Kentucky. His parents removed to Illinois in early life and were united in marriage September 10, 1861. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary September 10, 1911, at the same homestead where they
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first located. Unto them were born eleven children, all surviving and helping them celebrate their golden wedding.
Dr. Ditto was reared at home, acquiring his preliminary education in the public and high schools of his native town, following which he entered the Theological Seminary at Abingdon, Illinois, and was graduated from the col- lege at Dixon, Illinois. He later matriculated at the Medical College at Keokuk, where he pursued his medical and surgical course. In 1901, Dr. Ditto opened an office at Augusta, Illinois, where he practiced for two years. At the expira- tion of that period he came to Oakville, Iowa, where he has since continued to reside. During the period of his residence here Dr. Ditto has succeeded in building up a very good practice, not only in Oakville but in the adjacent country.
Dr. Ditto was united in marriage in 1898 to Miss Ethel Halstead, who is a native of Illinois and a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Willard) Halstead. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living and continues to make her home in Dixon. They were the parents of three children. Four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Ditto, as follows: Richard H., who was born on the 17th of July, 1899: Geraldine, whose birth occurred on the 16th of April, 1902; Darlyne, born on the 21st of February, 1905; and Justine, who was born on the oth of February, 1907. and died on the 12th of February, 1908. Mrs. Ditto, who is a graduate of the Dixon high school was engaged in teaching prior to her marriage.
Dr. Ditto is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Christian church. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Royal Order of Moose, and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political support is given the democratic party. He has met with success in his profession and in addition to his fine home and his office building in Oakville, he has a half interest in two hundred and forty acres of land in the country. twenty lots in town and six hundred and forty acres of land in Canada. He is highly regarded not only professionally but as a citizen in the community where he resides and has made many friends.
C. A. WOODRUFF.
C. A. Woodruff, who is a farmer and also a real-estate dealer of Columbus Junction, may safely be designated as one of the prosperous men of Louisa county. He was born in this county December 25, 1856, a son of David and Mary A. ( Turner ) Woodruff, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1851 and located upon a farm. The father is still living and has arrived at the age of eighty-three years, the mother having passed away in 1903. In their family there were eight children four of whoin survive.
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After gaining his preliminary education in the public schools Mr. Woodruff of this review continued to assist his father in the work of the farm and thus became thoroughly acquainted with the various details of agriculture and stock- raising. Upon reaching his majority he rented land on his own account and five years later purchased ninety-four acres in Columbus City township, which was the foundation of his present farm, comprising three hundred and fifty acres. He has never spared any pains in order to secure the best results from his work and has made use of the most approved modern methods. He has also made many substantial improvements, thus adding greatly to the value of the farm. Later he purchased sixty acres adjoining the city limits where the family now reside. In addition to farming he is engaged in the mercantile business, having established a lumberyard at Columbus Junction in 1909. He also handles coal, cement and lime and is at the head of a thriving enterprise that gives promise of substantial development.
In 1880 Mr. Woodruff was married to Miss Mary Ogier, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Isaiah and Emeline (Nixon) Ogier, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. Her parents settled in Louisa county, Iowa, and here passed the remainder of their days. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff, namely: Anna, who married L. L. Ballentine, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mable, who died at the age of seventeen years; Alice, now Mrs. A. A. Ballentine, a resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Grace, who is the wife of John Hanpt, of West Liberty; Everett, Claire, Myra, Almond, and Max R.
Mr. Woodruff and his estimable wife are members of the Baptist church and are active workers in its behalf. Politically he is in hearty sympathy with the republican party. Always earnest and efficient in his undertakings, he has met with more than an ordinary measure of success and has demonstrated the possibilities that await young men who are willing to labor and if necessary to deny themselves luxuries early in their efforts, in order to possess a competence later.
NOAH E. HUDSON.
Noah E. Hudson, who is meeting with success in agricultural pursuits in Morning Sun township, was born in Des Moines county on the 6th of April, 1877. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Dowell) Hudson, natives of Penn- sylvania and Indiana respectively. The father has been a farmer all of his life and continues to make his home on the farm which he has been cultivating for so many years, but his wife passed away on the 20th of October, 1907.
The boyhood and youth of Noah E. Hudson were very similar to those of other lads who are reared in the rural districts. In the acquirement of his education he attended the common schools, during which time he also assisted in the work of the farm. When old enough to begin life for himself he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cultivated for four years. At the expiration of that time he purchased a similar amount in Morning Sun
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township and there he engaged in general farming. He has recently begun to breed and raise white face cattle, which bids fair to be a successful venture. There is a very fine stone quarry on Mr. Hudson's farm, from which was taken all of the stone used in the construction of the courthouse at Wapello.
On the 18th of March, 1903, Mr. Hudson was united in marriage to Miss Irene Webster, a daughter of Eli and Harriet ( Sellers) Webster, in whose family were three children as follows: Talma, who died in infancy ; Walter H., who is a resident of Des Moines; and Irene, now Mrs. Hudson. Mr. and Mrs. Hud- son have two daughters: Alice Leona, who was born on the 12th of September, 1 04; and Harriet Elizabeth, whose birth occurred on the 5th of January, 1910.
Ilis political allegiance Mr. Hudson gives to the republican party, but he has always been too much engaged with the development of his private interests to prominently participate in township affairs of a governmental nature. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an earnest and helpful interest.
J. C. HUNT.
J. C. Hunt, who is engaged in general farming in Morning Sun township, was born on the farm where he is now living on the 3d of April, 1860. His father, S. G. Hunt, was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, while his mother, who prior to her marriage was Josephine Curran, was born in Maryland. They came to Iowa during pioneer days and located on a farm where they resided continuously until they passed away. Unto them were born nine children, five of whom are still living, as follows: M. G., now residing in Aurora, Illinois; Caro- line, the wife of D. D. Hamilton ; J. C., our subject ; W. P .; and Sophronia, who became the wife of S. C. Bell, of Missouri.
In the acquirement of his education J. C. Hunt attended the district schools and continued at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. then went to Henry county, Iowa, where he farmed for three years. At the expiration of that period he decided to go west and removed to Kansas, where he remained for ten years. From there he went to Oregon, of which state he was a resident for two years. In 1892 he returned to Henry county, where he again spent three years, and then came to Louisa county. After residing here for six years he removed to Sedalia, Missouri, where he spent three years. Re- turning to Louisa county at the end of that time, he bought his present home- stead, containing one hundred and ten acres of land, upon which he has made quite extensive improvements, including some fine buildings.
Mr. Hunt was married December 23, 1887, to Miss Kate Hall, who was born near Prairie City in Fulton county, Illinois, a daughter of John D. and Margaret (Virden ) Hall. Her father, who was a native of Somerset county, New Jersey, and a farmer by occupation, died in Kansas, December 22, 1901. but the mother is still living. She was born in Illinois and is now living on
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the old homestead in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt had two children : Hazel, who died in infancy ; and Margaret J., who is now attending high school.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents are members, and fraternally Mr. Hunt is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support he gives to the candidates of the democratic party, considering that the policy of that party is best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. He never actively participates in township affairs, however, always preferring to give his undivided attention to the direction and supervision of his personal interests.
GEORGE W. REDDICK.
George W. Reddick, who has been engaged in agricultural pursuits during the greater portion of his life, was born in Adams county, Ohio, on the 7th of July, 1866. He is the eldest son of William H. and Rachel A. (Stahl ) Reddick, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Decatur, Illinois. The family came to Iowa in 1876, locating in Kossuth, where they resided for two years, and then removed to Northfield where they spent a similar period. At the ex- piration of that time they went to Newport, where they lived for seventeen years, following which they located in Muscatine county, and there the father passed away in 1903. He was taken to Letts for burial and there his widow has since continued to reside. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having en- listed in 1861 in Company E , Thirty-third Ohio Volunteers. He served for four years and was discharged with the rank of second lieutenant. His eldest son has the sword which was presented to Lieutenant Reddick by his admirers and friends in Ohio and upon one side is engraved: "Presented to Lt. William H. Reddick by his friends in Locust Grove, Ohio, May 15, 1863." On the other is inscribed : "Reward of Valor, Thirty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteers." He had the misfortune to be taken prisoner at Big Shanty, Georgia, when the Union army seized the Confederate train. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William H. Reddick were born eight children besides our subject: Clark T., who is a resident of Centerville, Kansas; Emmer L., of Muscatine county; Jackson A., of Louisa county : Frank G., also of Muscatine, Iowa; Lilly M., the wife of Marion Frizzell, of Grangeville, Idaho; Merritt, of Muscatine: William H., of Louisa county ; and Leora D .. the wife of Clark Altakruse, of Muscatine county.
At the age of sixteen years George W. Reddick began his business career by renting twenty-eight acres of land in Louisa county, in the cultivation of which he engaged for five years. At the expiration of that period he purchased the old Florence place, eight miles southeast of Wapello, which contained one hundred and sixty-six acres. After operating this for two years he disposed of it and removed to Newport, where he resided for two and a half years, and then rented one hundred and eighty acres four miles south of Wapello, where he resided for three years. He subsequently went to Coneville, Muscatine county, Vol. II-25
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where he farmed until August, 1909. following which he came to Oakville. where he is now residing.
Mr. Reddick completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his mar- riage on the 21st of May. 1893, to Miss Della M. Shaffer, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah ( Pontjius) Shaffer. They were the parents of the following chil- dren : George E., who is a resident of Wapello; Della M., now Mrs. Reddick ; Frank 11., of Louisa county; Etta R., the deceased wife of Albert Babbitt, of Muscatine ; William D., of Louisa county ; Stella E., the wife of Stanley Honts, of Muscatine county ; James R. L., deceased, and Charles W., also deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Reddick were born seven children: one who died in infancy ; Vinnie G .; Cecil F., deceased ; George C .; Harrold D .; Jessie S .; and Cleda R.
The religious views of the family are manifested through their affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mr. Reddick is identified with the Masonic order. His political support he always gives to the candidates of the republican party, although as he has never been an aspirant for public honors or the emoluments of office he does not prominently participate in polit- ical affairs, preferring to give his undivided attention to his personal interests.
WILLIAM T. BARNETT.
For thirty years William T. Barnett has been employed by the Rock Island Railroad as telegraph operator and ticket agent at Letts. He was born in Cory- don, Wayne county, lowa, on the 10th of March, 1853, and is a son of the Rev. William and Judith ( Saunders ) Barnett. The father was a native of Kentucky and the mother of West Virginia, and the latter state was also the scene of their marriage. The Rev. Barnett was a captain on a boat on the Ohio river until 1848. when he came to the west, locating in the vicinity of Corydon, Iowa. He passed away in 1896 and his wife died in 1903. Seven children were born to them, in order of birth, as follows: Maggie, the widow of J. C. Chambers, of Corydon, Iowa ; William T., our subject ; M. C. who married I. K. Shell. of Corydon ; A. N., who is a resident of Cambria, Iowa; E. A., the wife of M. C. Rush, of Cambria; George M., a resident of Centerville, Iowa; and J. M., who lives in Des Moines. After locating in Iowa, the Rev. Barnett began preaching the gospel as a missionary in the Baptist church, and for over forty years he occupied the pulpit of one church.
William T. Barnett received a common-school education, in the acquirement of which he attended the public schools of his native town. When he attained his majority he began life for himself. his first position being that of brakeman on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad for two years. At the expiration of that time he went into the office of the company and there he qualified as a tele- graph operator and ticket agent. In 1875 he entered the employment of the Rock Island Railroad Company and was assigned to the position of assistant agent at Lineville. Iowa, whence he came to Letts. Mr. Barnett owns ninety-
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one acres of finely improved land a mile from Letts, all of which, with the ex- ception of ten acres of timber, is under a high state of cultivation, and in addition to this he also has a nice residence in Letts.
Mr. Barnett first married Miss Minnie Taylor, a native of Unionville, lowa, by whom he had one son, Ethan A., who was born in 1879, and is a high-school graduate. Ile is now married and living in Fresno, California. He has one child, Helen, who is five years of age. On the 25th of September, 1885, Mr. Barnett married Miss Katie Freeland, who was born in Grand View, lowa. Her parents, Isaac and Julia Freeland, were married in Grand View, where the father was engaged in the mercantile business until 1904, when he retired. Mrs. Freeland passed away in 1905. There were three children in their family : Albia, who is in the mercantile business in Fontana, Kansas; T. L., who is asso- ciated with his brother in the same business; and Katie, now Mrs. Barnett, a graduate of the Grand View University, Grand View, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have been born three children, two of whom Julia and Helen J., are de- ceased. Their only son, Jay Lincoln, who was born in 1890, is a train dis- patcher at Trenton, Missouri, being the youngest man by nine years employed in this capacity by the Rock Island Railroad. He is unmarried.
Mr. Barnett always votes the republican ticket but has never been an office seeker. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has at- tained high rank. lle is identified with the blue lodge of Letts, the chapter of Centerville, the commandery at Muscatine and Shrine at Davenport. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. in the work of which organization they take an active and earnest interest. During the long period of his residence in Letts Mr. Barnett has made many friends who hold him in high esteem because of his many fine personal qualities.
JOHN C. HULL.
John C. Hull, who for the past two years has been engaged in the automobile business in Columbus Junction, was born in Canton, Missouri, on the 19th of June, 1873. He is a son of John C. and Emily ( Patrick ) Hull, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Louisa county in 1800, locating in Columbus City, where they continue to reside. Unto them were born three children: Anna, who died in infancy; John C., our subject; and Myra, the deceased wife of John Ward, of Memphis, Tennessee.
At the age of sixteen years John C. Ilull laid aside his school book, an l entered a shop to learn the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed until 1009. For the first two years after locating in Iowa he conducted a shop at Columbus City, but at the expiration of that period he removed to Columbus Junction, continuing business there until two years ago. With the increasing popularity of automobiles and motor trucks he recognized the advantages offered in the business and so withdrew from wagon-making in order that he might engage
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