USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 50
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C. P. WALKER.
One of Louisa county's agriculturists who donned the blue and went to the front in those perilous days in the '6os is C. P. Walker, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on the 13th of April, 1843. He is a son of Francis S. and Catherine ( Percy) Walker, natives of Virginia and Tennessee respectively, both of whom have passed away. They were the parents of eight children, in order of birth as follows: Vashti. the widow of John Edgar, of Henry county ; Le- ander, deceased; Louvini, of New Mexico; Rebecca, deceased; William P., of Missouri; C. P., our subject ; Clarinda Ann, the wife of William Edgar, of Henry county ; and Maggie, the wife of Jesse Vaughn, of Sioux City.
C. P. Walker came to Iowa with his family in 1856, locating in Henry county, where he worked as a farm hand for one year, and then went to Des Moines county, where he remained for five years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Henry county, where he continued to reside until the 22d of November. 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, going to the front with the Thirty-fourth Towa Infantry. He was sent from Helena, Arkansas, to Chi- cago with rebel prisoners, and from the latter city he went to Vicksburg, where he joined General Sherman, participating in the siege of that southern stronghold. On the 15th of August. 1865. he was mustered out at Houston, Texas, and was paid off on the 22d of September, 1865. at Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Walker was at Fort Morgan when Farragut ran the blockade and captured the Confederate ironclad, Tennessee.
After receiving his discharge he returned to Henry county, Iowa, where he farmed an eighty acre tract which he rented for three years. At the end of that time he was married and subsequently went to Nebraska, where he resided for a year. Returning to Iowa in 1869. he rented one hundred and twenty acres
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for fourteen years and then went to Texas for a year. In 1884 he came to Louisa county, where he purchased three hundred acres of land, but he has since disposed of all but fifty-seven acres, upon which he continues to reside. He has placed all of the improvements upon his property and is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising.
On the 4th of July, 1808, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Ruth E. Fox, and by this union there were born eight children, as follows: Samuel N .. a resident of Louisa county; Everna, the wife of E. C. Frazelle, of Clark county : Albert. deceased; Thomas, at home: Leander, also of Louisa county ; Flossie, who married John Russell, of this county ; James G., at home ; and John, cleceased. The wife and mother passed away in December, 1890, and for his second wife Mr. Walker chose Mrs. Sarah A. ( Houseman ) Edgar, the widow of Thomas Edgar. She is a daughter of Jacob and Susanna ( Spearman ) Houseman, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Kentucky, both now deceased. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: John, a resident of Nebraska; James ; Sarah A .. now Mrs. Walker ; Elvira, the wife of William Hill, of Henry county ; Alice, who married John Crane, also of Henry county ; Belle, deceased; Charles, also deceased; Alva, a resident of Wyoming ; and William, who is living in Canada. Mrs. Walker had eight children by her first husband: Jennie, the wife of Thomas Buckingham, of Henry county ; Harry, of Seattle, Washington ; Frank, who is living at Lowell, lowa; Mattie, the wife of Bar Mosscropp, of Henry county; Arbie; Arthur, of Henry county ; Susan, who married Claud Wilson, also of Henry county ; and Charles, of Des Moines county. Mrs. Edgar became Mrs. Walker on the 6th of July. 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker affiliate with the Christian church, and he is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His first vote he cast for Abra- hain Lincoln on a steamer on the Mississippi river, and his political allegiance has ever since been given to the republican party. He has never participated in public affairs, not being an aspirant for office, but when his services are needed in the support of any just or worthy cause he is ever found to be as willing and loyal in his allegiance as he was in the '60s.
JAMES GARLAND UMPHREY.
James Garland Umphrey, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Morning Sun township, was born in Louisa county on the 30th of September, 1878. His parents. Thomas J. and Mary B. (Copeland) Umphrey, are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and on attaining his majority started out as an agri- culturist on his own account, renting a tract of land comprising fifty acres. Since that time he has devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising with excellent results.
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On the 3d of October, 1907, Mr. Umphrey was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Ruth Hupp, a daughter of Ezra and Elizabeth ( Doty ) Hupp. The father still survives and makes his home in Wapello but the mother has passed away. Their children were three in number, namely : Belle, the wife of F. B. Tierley, of Portland, Oregon ; Ethel, who gave her hand in marriage to George Nicholas and also resides in Portland, Oregon; and Mrs. Umphrey.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Umphrey has sup- ported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. In religious faith he is a Methodist. In the community where his entire life has been spent the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
ROBERT F. DUNCAN.
Robert F. Duncan is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Louisa county and was here born on the 24th of August, 1844. His parents were J. Kennedy and Margaret ( Johnson ) Duncan, natives of Tennessee, who on coming to lowa in 1840 settled in Louisa county where the father entered land from the government. It was a frontier district to which he came and the family had to meet all of the experiences and hardships of pioneer life. Much of the district was a wild, uncultivated prairie, and not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the land which J. K. Duncan acquired. How- ever he at once began transforming the tract into well tilled fields and for years successfully carried on farming adding to his property at different times until he was the owner of six hundred acres, all in this county. He also engaged quite extensively in stock-raising. Unto him and his wife were born eight children : Catharine, now deceased; S. H., a resident of Louisa county ; Sarah J., who has also passed away ; Robert F., Isabella J., the widow of J. W. Oates of Columbus Junction : J. J .. also living in Columbus Junction ; and twins who died in infancy.
Robert F. Duncan was early trained to the work of the farm and in the public schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited as Jowa did not at that time have a school system which equaled that of the present day. He was twenty-five years of age when he started out in business for himself, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land which he immediately began to cultivate. Close application and hard work brought the usual reward and as a result he was able to extend the boundaries of his farm until he owned two hundred acres. In connection with tilling the soil he bought and sold stock and found this branch of his busi- ness so profitable that he decided to discontinue general agricultural pursuits and devote his entire time to the purchase and sale of cattle. Selling his farm. in 1878 he removed to Columbus Junction where he hought a lot and erected a substantial two-story residence which he has since made his home. Some years ago his hearing began to fail and for a considerable period he used an car trum-
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pet. But feeling that the time was coming when even this would not suffice, he determined to learn the movement of the lips and thus interpret the speech of others while it was yet possible for him to hear in some degree. In this way he seems to have developed what might be termed a sixth sense for although his hearing has now totally gone he can read the movement of another's lips so (leftly that he can carry on business transactions and take part in ordinary con- versation. Ile possesses a very pleasant and genial disposition, greatly enjoying the humorous feature of any situation, and his many good qualities have gained for him the warm regard and friendship of all with whom he has come in contact.
Mr. Duncan was united in mariage on the 9th of March, 1870, to Miss Melissa Bobo, a daughter of Jacob and Rosanna ( Wren) Bobo, the latter a native of Pennsylvania while the former was born and reared in Ohio. In the Bobo family were twelve children: Sarah, now the wife of Henry Elliott, of Colorado; Filena, the wife of James O'Connor, of Columbus; four who died in infancy ; Michael, Minda and Allan, who are also deceased; Melissa, now Mrs. Duncan ; Harrison, who resides in Davenport ; and Anis, the wife of Sam- uel Edmonson, of Muscatine, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been born three children: Ollie, now the wife of Clarence Sherer; Viola, the wife of Richard Wilcox; and Ella, the wife of Thomas Hendrickson. All are res- idents of Columbus Junction.
Mr. Duncan gives his political support to the democratic party of which he has been an advocate since age conferred upon him right of franchise. Both he and his wife are members of the Reformed church and in its membership they have many friends. Mr. Duncan is regarded as a most trustworthy and hon- orable business man, conducting all business transactions with regard to the rights of others, and thus he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been associated. Few men are more familiar with the history of Louisa county than he for through more than two-thirds of a century he has wit- nessed its growth and development. He has seen the wild lands transformed into productive farms, villages grow into thriving towns, while churches and schools have been established and business enterprises of many kinds have been introduced all contributing to its prosperity. In the work of upbuilding he has borne his part to the extent of his ability and the capable management of his bus- iness affairs has ranked him with the men of affluence in his community.
S. A. KUNTZ.
S. A. Kuntz, who has been a resident of Oakville for the past three years, during which time he has been engaged in the operation of a machine shop, was born in Livingston county, Illinois, on the toth of April, 1881. His parents, Christian and Amelia (Smith) Kuntz, were both natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to America. Upon their arrival they located in
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Illinois but in 1904 removed to Des Moines county, Iowa, settling upon a farm, in the cultivation of which the father has ever since been engaged. Of the thirteen children born to them twelve are still living.
Reared in the country, S. A. Kuntz acquired his education in the common schools of Illinois and Iowa, remaining a member of the paternal household until he was twenty-one. Always having lived upon a farm, in the work of which he had engaged from his earliest boyhood, his duties increasing as his strength and ability developed with the passing years, Mr. Kuntz first engaged in farming as a vocation. For the first three years after leaving home he rented one of his father's farms, which he cultivated. At the expiration of that period, however, he disposed of his interests and learned the boilermaker's trade. In 1908 he came to Oakville, where he bought a machine shop, and has since con- tinued to reside here. He repairs all kinds of machinery and does some manu- facturing in a small way, his efforts having been rewarded with very good results.
Mr. Kuntz was married in 1903 to Miss Mary Berger, a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, and unto them has been born three children: Olivia, Milton and Dorothy. Mr. Kuntz is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Mrs. Kuntz is affiliated with the Amish church. His political views coincide with the principles of the republican party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot, but he does not actively participate in civic affairs as he feels that the development of his business requires his undivided attention.
R. H. DUNCAN.
The cultivation of a farm of one hundred and four and a half acres occu- pies the time and attention of R. H. Duncan, who is a resident of Union town- ship, Louisa county. He was born in the township where he now resides on the Ist of December, 1874, and is a son of F. M. and Elizabeth ( Sands ) Duncan, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of lowa. The parents came to Louisa county in 1847 and settled on a farm west of Columbus City. To them were born eight children: J. Carter, a resident of Columbus Junction ; Melvin, deceased ; William Nelson, an agriculturist of Union township; Ida M., the wife of Harry Edwards, also of this county; R. H., our subject ; Frank. who is living in Columbus Junction ; Earl, deceased; and Jesse, also a resident of this county.
R. H. Duncan obtained his education in the common schools in the vicinity of the home farm on which he was reared. After laying aside his studies he began preparing himself for the vocation which he is now following by assisting his father with the work of the farm. When he attained his majority he left the parental roof and began operating rented land. In 1907 he bought the farm upon which he is now residing and which contains one hundred and four and a half acres of land, located on section 3, Union township.
Vol. II-27
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In 1901 Mr. Duncan married Miss Frances Crim, who was born in Louisa county and is a daughter of George W. and Frances ( Butcher ) Crim, also na- tives of this county. Her mother passed away in December, 1879, and her father on the 8th of February, 1901. They had two daughters, Catharine, who is unmarried ; and Frances, now Mrs. Duncan. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan has been blessed by four children: Merle 1., who was born on the 17th of November, 1901 ; Roy V., born on the toth of April, 1903; Armilla V., born on the 20 of October, 1904; and Reuben C., whose birth occurred on the 23d of December. 1906.
Fraternally Mr. Duncan is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in the lodge at Columbus Junction, and politically he is a republican but has never been an office seeker, always having preferred to give his undivided attention to the development of his private interests.
JOHN ARTHUR.
John Arthur, who devotes his attention to farming and live stock interests, is the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of rich and productive land on section 28, Columbus City township. His birth occurred in Louisa county on the 31st of May. 1877, his parents being Hugh and Elizabeth ( Jones ) Arthur, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Ohio. Hugh Arthur, who for many years was numbered among the successful agriculturists of this county, passed away on the 25th of January. 1896. His widow makes her home at Cotter. Unto them were born eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Sarah Jane, who is now deceased; William L., a farmer and stock- man of Columbus City township; Evan HI. and Richard, who are residents of Louisa county ; John, of this review ; and Catharine, living at Cotter.
John Arthur was reared to manhood under the parental roof and attended the common schools in pursuit of an education. When twenty-three years of age he started out in life as an agriculturist on his own account, farming the old homestead property. He now owns one hundred and ninety acres of valu- able land on section 28, Columbus City township, and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he be- stows upon them. He also devotes considerable attention to the raising of horses and hogs, which branch of his business adds materially to his income.
On the 28th of December, 1901, Mr. Arthur was united in marriage to Miss Anna Peters, a native of Wales and a daughter of Richard and Winifred Peters, who were likewise born in that country. They emigrated to the United States when their daughter Anna was but a child and are still residents of Louisa county, lowa. Our subject and his wife have two children, Hugh S. and Grace.
Mr. Arthur gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Independ-
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ent Order of Odd Fellows at Cotter, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Reformed church. lle has resided in Louisa county from his birth to the present time and enjoys the warm regard and friendship of all who know him.
JOHN FRANK HUPP.
John Frank Hupp, whose attention from earliest boyhood has been turned in the direction of agricultural pursuits, was born in Louisa county on the 14th of August, 1882. His father, John C. Hupp, was a native of Pennsylvania but for many years was numbered among the earnest and hard-working farmers of Morning Sun township, where he passed away in October, 1883. The mother, who prior to her marriage was Delia A. Jones, is also deceased. In the family were four children, but the two eldest died in infancy, those surviving are: Horace, whose birth occurred on the 2d of July, 1879; and John Frank, our subject.
The education of John Frank Hupp, who was only a little more than a year of age when his father passed away, was acquired in the district schools in the vicinity of the family homestead. Early trained to habits of thrift and in- dustry he has ever been enterprising and energetic. Owing to the early widow- hood of his mother, both he and his brother had to assume the duties and responsibilities which really belong to men when still quite young lads. They now own and operate the old homestead, which contains one hundred and twenty acres of arable land, in connection with the cultivation of which they also raise cattle and hogs. Their fiekls are well drained and tilled, all being under a high state of cultivation, while they have sufficient room in barn and sheds to provide adequate shelter for their stock, grain and implements. The improvements upon the place are substantial and in good condition and the grounds are neatly kept, this making the farm one of the attractive properties of Morning Sun township.
Both John F. Hupp and his brother affiliate with the Presbyterian church. and his political support is given to the republican party, but he has never been an office seeker. He is one of the industrious and capable young agriculturists of the township, among whose citizens he numbers many friends.
WALTER F. MARSDEN.
It speaks well for any section of the country when ambitious and enterpris- ing young men continue to make their home at the place of their birth, feeling that it would be difficult to find a more favorable location. Such has been the experience of Walter F. Marsden, who continues to reside on the old home farm
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of two hundred and seventy-eight acres in Columbus City township. He was born October 22. 1878, a son of W. P. and Julia E. ( Baker ) Marsden. The father was a successful farmer of this township and in 1903 retired with his wife at Columbus City where they are now living. There were six children in their family : Charles, Nellie and Harry, all of whom died in infancy ; Maud, who is married and lives in Columbus City; William Archie, who lives at Seattle, Washington ; and Walter F., our subject.
Mr. Marsden whose name stands at the head of this sketch attended the common schools and as he grew to manhood was instructed by his father in the various details pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. After the re- tirement of his father from active labor the son assumed management of the farm and has succeeded admirably as is indicated by the prosperous appear- ance of everything pertaining to the place. He raises cereals and makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep and graded cattle and hogs, receiving handsome returns for his labors.
On January 22, 1002, Mr. Marsden was married to Miss Nellie McRoberts, a daughter of David and May ( Smith ) McRoberts. Mrs. Marsden was the eldest of seven children, the others being: Walter, who lives in Louisa county ; Robert. of Kansas; Hilt, who is a veterinary surgeon at the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa; Alice, who is married and lives in Louisa county ; Elsie, the widow of William McFadden, of Washington county ; and Ernest, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Marsden are the parents of two children: Harry, who was born April 17, 1905; and Hilda, born October 30. 1906.
Few men in Louisa county are better acquainted with the natural resources and capabilities of this section than Mr. Marsden and he has been able to make use of his knowledge so as to produce very satisfactory results. He is practical and progressive in his methods and is ever willing to assist in forwarding the permanent welfare of the community. Politically he is a republican and firmly believes that this party is founded upon principles which are essential to the preservation of the Union. In religious belief he is a Methodist. Mrs. Mars- den is a woman of many attractive characteristics and unites with her husband in making their home a welcome gathering place for a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM P. HUNT.
One of the prosperous agriculturists of Morning Sun township is William P. Hunt, who was born in Louisa county on the 23d of January, 1862. His parents were Stephen G. and Josephine (Curran ) Hunt, the father a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and the mother of Maryland. They were among the pioneer settlers of Louisa county, where the father engaged in agricultural pur- suits and where they passed away.
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William P. Hunt has spent his entire life in Louisa county, in whose com- mon schools he obtained his education. After laying aside his text-books he engaged with his father in the cultivation of the home farin, remaining with his parents as long as they lived. He has always engaged in farming and now owns one hundred and fifty acres of land on sections 21, 22 and 29, Morning Sun township. Here he carries on general farming but makes a specialty of raising stock, particularly horses and hogs. This business has proven to be most lucrative and Mr. Hunt is recognized as one of the successful and sub- stantial agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Hunt married Miss Mamie E. Nelson of Ringgold county, Iowa, whose parents are both now deceased. He gives his political support to the republican party and has for years served as a school director, the cause of education always finding in him a strong supporter. He is one of the well known citizens of Morning Sun township, where he has lived practically his entire life and has many friends, by whom he is highly regarded.
JOHN RONALD.
Descendants of Scotch or Scotch-Irish ancestry in America are to be met with in every state of the Union and it is to their credit that they rank among the most intelligent and progressive people on the continent. Of this number was John Ronald ( the name in the carly days was spelled Ronalds and in vari- ous other ways ), who arrived in Indiana in 1820 and for fifty years was actively connected with the development of the west. He was born at Ryegate, Caledonia county, Vermont, July 12, 1799, a son of George and Elizabeth ( Smith) Ronald, the former of whom was born in Sterlingshire, Scotland, and the latter in New Hampshire. George Ronald emigrated to America in 1786 and located at Rye- gate, Vermont, with Robert Brock, Sr., and his wife and Jean and Elizabeth Miller. Elizabeth Miller was the third wife of James Nelson, of Ryegate, and married Edward Miller about 1789. Mr. Ronald worked for Deacon Andrew Brock at Brook's Mills in Newbury and afterward bought a part of Joseph Smith's farm at Ryegate. In 1789 he married Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of Joseph Smith. In 1795 Mr. Smith sold his farm to Ezekiel Manchester, of Barnet, Vermont, and took up his residence at West Bath, New Hampshire. where his descendants are now living. In 1820 Mr. Ronald came west with his family and settled on Garrison creek, ten miles west of Connersville, Indiana. There he died September 5. 1821, being then in the sixty-first year of his age.
John Ronald, of this review, received his early education in the public schools of Vermont and removed with his parents to Indiana when he was twenty-one years of age. He learned the wagon-maker's trade after arriving in Indiana and also devoted his attention to farming, applying himself with an energy that produced highly satisfactory results. Ile was a man of excellent ability and was thoroughly capable in everything he undertook. He was greatly respected
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