USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 6
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Mr. Sprague gives his political allegiance to the republican party and while living in Washington county served as township clerk. He has also occupied a chair in the city council of Columbus Junction. In religious faith lie adheres to the United Presbyterian church. He is a man of good business judgment and is the owner in connection with his brother, of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Kansas and also of several valuable business properties in Columbus Junction, being recognized as one of the most energetic and pro- gressive citizens of the community.
ANDERSON ORCHARD.
One of the pioneers settlers of lowa who is now living retired in Morning Sun is Anderson Orchard, who for forty-three years was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Des Moines county. His birth occurred in Kentucky on the 15th of October, 1821. his parents being John and Anna ( Park) Orchard, also natives of the Blue Grass state, who removed to Brown county, Illinois, in 1832, and there they passed away. In their family were seven children, of whom the son Anderson is the only one now living.
The greater portion of the education of Anderson Orchard was acquired in the little log school house in the vicinity of the old homestead in Brown county, Illinois. He laid aside his text-books in his early youth and assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm, remaining a member of the parental household until he was twenty-one. He subsequently rented his father's farm, in the cul- tivation of which he engaged for eleven years. In 1853 he removed to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he bought a homestead upon which he settled, con- tinuing its operation for forty-three years. He engaged in general farming but always made a specialty of the raising and feeding of stock for the market which venture proved to be very lucrative. In 1896 Mr. Orchard retired and moved to Morning Sun, where he has ever since continuously resided. He still owns two hundred and ten acres of land in Des Moines county in addition to his fine residence in Morning Sun.
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On the 9th of February, 1843, occurred the marriage of Mr. Orchard and Miss Caroline Emrick, who was born in Mead county, Kentucky, on the 12th of August, 1828. She is a daughter of John and Rebecca ( Legg) Emrick, her father a native of Virginia and her mother of Kentucky. They removed to Brown county, Illinois, in 1830, where they resided until they came to lowa to live with Mrs. Orchard, in whose home they passed away. Of the six children born unto them but two are now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Orchard were born fourteen children, the order of their birth being as follows: Columbia Jane, who is deceased: Josephine, who married William Shewey, of Red Oak, lowa; John E., who is living in California: Robert R., also a resident of Cali- fornia : Lucinda, who married George Aldridge, of Wyoming; Joseph, of Des Moines county ; Mary, the widow of Robert. Oberman, also of Des Moines county ; Augusta, the wife of Henry Elliott, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Ella, deceased; Franklin, who is living in Trenton, Missouri; Clara Bell, who mar- ried Charles Plunket, of California; Hugh A., who is a resident of Cedar Rap- ids: Eliza, who married John Musock, of Los Angeles; and Edith Mary, the wife of Grant Shutter, of Morning Sun. Mr. and Mrs. Orchard also have over thirty grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren and one great-great-grand- child.
Ilis political support Mr. Orchard has given to the republican candidates ever since the organization of that party, prior to which time he voted the whig ticket. Ile has never taken a prominent part in political activities but has al- ways been a public-spirited man and while residing in lowa was a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Society, which was a vigilance association organized for the purpose of exterminating horse stealing, which at that time was a very common practice. Both Mr. and Mrs. Orchard are members of the Christian church, having been affiliated with this denomination for many years. Mr. Orchard, who has long outlived the Psalmist's allotted years, has been an inter- ested observer of the onward march of civilization, having witnessed the stage coach give way to the express train, the candle to the electric light and the in- stallation of both the telephone and telegraph, which have grown to be necessi- ties of every day life. Ile and his wife are highly regarded in the community where they have long resided and are shown the respect and deference which should ever be youth's tribute to honorable old age.
LAUNY VAN HORN.
Perhaps no other resident of Louisa county has intimate knowledge of so many branches of business as has Launy Van Horn, whose activity along vari- ous lines has served to give him a broad and comprehensive knowledge of business methods. Born in Niagara county, New York, on the 18th of Janu- ary, 1849, he is a son of Launy and Lucina ( Powers) Van Horn, natives of the Empire state, the father's birth also occurring in Niagara county. The
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parents were married in Lockport, New York, where the father engaged in farming throughout his entire career. He passed away at the age of seventy- eight years, the mother's death occurring when she was seventy-five years old. In their family were five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest. The others are as follows: Harmon, of Niagara county, New York ; Ella, who married C. T. Herrington, deceased, of Niagara county ; Adelbert, a farmer of Niagara county; and Carrie, the wife of Calvin Burnett, of that county.
Lanny Van Horn acquired his education in the common schools of his native county and, although reared to farm work, turned his attention to other pur- suits when he began working independently. He was but sixteen years of age when he started out on his own account, his initial step being in the capacity of brakeman on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad at Hannibal, Missouri. He was thus engaged for only a short time, however, after which he began working at the photographer's trade, with which he was connected for two years. At the end of that time he went upon the road as traveling salesman for the St. Louis Home Journal, remaining thus employed for two years.
Coming to Iowa, he worked for about six months for his uncle in Louisa county, and then returned to his old home in New York where he remained for a short time. Going to Chicago he there accepted the position of manager of one of the branch houses of Gotwalls & McDonough, art dealers, and later made his way to Burlington, Iowa, where he became identified with the R. F. Root Company, publishers, remaining with them for two years as traveling salesman. He next accepted employment with Segner & Condit, publishers, whom he also represented as journeyman for several years, and then began working for the Western Publishing House of Chicago, first as solicitor, in which capacity he remained for four years, and later as manager of a branch house. He then en- tered business on his own account, operating a publishing establishment at San Francisco, California, for five years. At the expiration of that time he re- turned to Chicago and renewed his relations with the Western Publishing House of that city, traveling between Chicago and the Atlantic coast for a few years.
Again embarking independently in business he began installing acetylene lighting systems in houses, and continued in this avenue of activity for three years, after which he laid aside business pursuits to take up the duties of the office of postmaster of Letts, Iowa, to which he had been appointed under the administration of President Mckinley. He remained the incumbent of that office for two years, after which he resigned and again returned to the acetylene lighting business, in which he is yet engaged. Wide and varied have been the experiences of Mr. Van Horn, and each step in his career has witnessed his advancement in the business world until today he is ranked among the sub- stantial and representative citizens of Grand View township.
Mr. Van Horn was married to Miss Allie Coder, a native of Ross county, Ohio, and a daughter of James M. K. and Brunetta ( Keen) Coder, both of whom were born in Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation, although he also engaged in merchandising for a few years. He was married in Ohio
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and soon afterward brought his wife to Iowa, locating on a farm in Muscatine county, which he operated until his retirement from active life, when he re- moved to Letts and there spent his remaining days. He and his wife have both passed away. In their family were eight children, as follows: John, a farmer of Muscatine county; Jane, now deceased; Sarah, the wife of John Idle, of Muscatine county ; Newton G., a resident of Letts; Allie, now Mrs. Van Horn ; Thomas, deceased ; Lemuel, engaged in farming in Muscatine county ; and Charlie, of Letts, lowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn have been born two children: Frank Leslie, a high school graduate, who is now married and is employed as a railroad operator in Ohio; and Lulu May, also a high school graduate, who married B. F. Snyder, engaged in the general merchandise business in Letts.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested, and Mr. Van Horn is well known in Masonic circles here, he being an exemplary member of the order. He belongs to blue lodge, No. 245. A. F. & A. M., of Letts ; Composite Chapter, R. A. M., of Columbus Junction ; is a Knight Templar, holding membership in the commandery at Muscatine, and also belongs to Kaab Temple, N. M. S., of Davenport, Iowa. He gives his political support to the republican party and in January, 1911, was again appointed to the office of postmaster of Lette, which position he is now filling in a most acceptable and efficient manner. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his com- munity. Ilis interests are thoroughly identified with those of Grand View town- ship, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any move- ment calculated to benefit this section of the county or advance its wonderful ‹levelopment.
GEORGE WASHINGTON SCHOFIELD.
That the qualities which characterize success are the same in every vocation is clearly demonstrated in the life of G. W. Schofield, the president of the Wapello State Savings Bank. Mr. Schofield is not only a well known and successful agriculturist of Port Louisa township, but he has also been prom- inently identified with the commercial development of Wapello, being one of those progressive, enterprising men who are always expected to take the initiative in the community where they reside.
He was born near Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, on the 12th of March, 1841, and is a son of Joseph and Charlotte ( Cemister ) Schofield, who were born near Manchester, England, the mother's birth occurring in 1806 and that of the father in 1807. They were married and began their domestic life in the land of their birth but in 1839 they emigrated to the United States, first locating in Franklin county, Indiana, where they engaged in farming until 1852, when they came to Iowa. Upon their arrival in this state they purchased
PUBLIC LID
ASTOR. LENOX IND TILDEN FOI VIA PAYS R 1
GEORGE W. SCHOFIELD
MRS. GEORGE W. SCHOFIELD
TH PUBLIC 116
.
1
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a farm of three hundred and twenty acres located on section 24, of Port Louisa township, in the cultivation of which the father engaged until his retirement in 1885 from active work, although he still continued to reside upon his homestead.
Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schofield, but the eldest died in England. The others are as follows: Aaron, who is a resident of Win- dom, Minnesota ; Elizabeth, of Morning Sun, Iowa, who first married Mathew McChung, and after his death married Elisha Dobbs, also deceased: Isaac, who lives in Morning Sun; Mary, who also married twice, her first husband being William M. Herron and her second a Mr. Tucker, both deceased; G. W., our subject ; Charlotte, who was born in 1843 and died in 1873; Samuel, who was born in 1845 and died in 1857 ; and Emeline L., the wife of George Raucher, of Port Louisa township. The mother passed away in 1882 but the father sur- vived her for ten years, his demise occurring in 1892.
George W. Schofield was only a lad of nine years when the family located in Louisa county, in the district schools of which he acquired his education, and he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead until 1863. On the 7th of December of that year he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, under command of A. J. Smith, and went to the front. He saw considerable active service and participated in some of the sharp skirmishes and notable battles waged in the latter days of the war. On the 24th of August, 1865, he was honorably dicharged at Davenport, having served for one year and eight months. Returning home, he and his brother took charge of the homestead, upon which Mr. Schofield has ever since resided, having acquired by inheritance and purchase two hundred and twelve acres of fine improved and highly cultivated land. He has met with most gratifying success from his various undertakings and in addition to his homestead owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Dundy county, Nebraska, and some business and residence property in Wapello. In addition to his extensive realty hoklings Mr. Schofield is one of the stockholders of the Wapello State Bank and of the Wapello Fair Association, while he was one of the most active promoters, as well as largest stockholders, in the canning factory. He always gives his hearty support and cooperation to every enterprise which he feels is at all likely to advance the commercial interests of the town or county, and owing to his unusual powers as an organizer as well as his executive ability anything he undertakes is usually carried to a successful issue.
In April, 1888, Mr. Schofield was united in marriage to Miss Cassie Will- iams, a native of Louisa county, but she only lived about fourteen months, her demise occurring in June, 1889. The one child born of this union died in infancy. On the 28th of December, 1893, Mr. Schofield was again married, his second union being with Miss Analetta Hamilton, also a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Alexander and Susanna Hamilton. The parents were natives of Ohio, in which state they were married, subsequently coming to Iowa. They were among the pioneer settlers of the southern part of Louisa county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. The mother passed Vol II-4
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away in 1898 but the father still survives at the age of seventy-nine years, and is living on the old homestead with his son. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Mrs. Schofield is the eldest. The others are as follows: Alonzo G., Davilla, Frank, Bertha, George B. and Charley.
Mr. Schofield affiliates with the Presbyterian denomination while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His political support is always given the republican party, and he has practically filled all of the offices in his township. Success has attended the efforts of Mr. Schofield, whose foresight and sagacity, as well as strength and determination of purpose, has enabled him to attain the position to which he aspired.
EDWARD W. SIVERLY.
Edward W. Siverly, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Marshall town- ship, is busily engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising and owns a valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty-six acres on section II. His birth occurred in Oakland township, Louisa county, Iowa, on the 12th of June, 1876, his parents being George and Mary ( Furnas) Siverly, the former also a native of this county. The mother of our subject was born near Troy, Ohio, and was a daughter of Wilk and Maria Furnas, who came to Louisa county about 1850, locating on a farm and here spending the remainder of their lives. The marriage of George and Mary ( Furnas) Siverly was celebrated in Louisa county and the latter here passed away on the 16th of September, 1891. George Siverly, who is still numbered among the respected and worthy residents of this county, was married again, his second union being with Miss Isabelle Trine. Edward W. Siverly was the third in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being as follows: Della MI., the wife of Fred Morrison, of Johnson county, Iowa ; Olive E., who is the wife of Clark Faires, and also re- sides in Johnson county, this state ; Maud M., who gave her hand in marriage to Frank Loehr, of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and S. Isabelle, the wife of Less Hill, of Louisa county.
After completing his more specifically literary education Edward W. Siv- erly took up the study of dentistry at Iowa City, winning the degree of D. D. S. in 1897. The following year he located for practice in North Dakota, there remaining for twelve months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Louisa county, locating at Oakville, where he likewise practiced dentistry for another year, abandoning the profession, however, at the time of his mar- riage. Following that important event in his life he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, locating on the farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres which he still owns and operates on section 11, Marshall town- ship. Among the many substantial improvements which he has placed on the property is a commodious and attractive residence. In connection with the
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tilling of the soil he makes a specialty of raising hogs and horses and has met with success in both branches of his business.
On the 20th of September, 1899, Mr. Siverly was united in marriage to Miss Minnie P. Holland, who was born in Wapello township, Louisa county, on the 29th of September, 1877, her parents being Samuel and Catherine (Myers) Holland, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to this county in 1849, located on a farm and here spent the remainder of their lives. Samuel Holland passed away on the 11th of May, 1888, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 20th of November, 1908. They were the parents of two daughters, as follows: Nellie D., who is the wife of Thomas Delzell, of Morn- ing Sun, Iowa; and Mrs. Siverly.
Mr. Siverly is a stanch republican in politics but has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. Almost his entire life has been spent in Louisa county, where he has a wide acquaint- ance and is favorably known.
ANDREW LISCHER.
Andrew Lischer, a prosperous and representative resident of Wapello, has been for a number of years successfully engaged in the poultry and egg busi- ness at that place. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania on the 22d of October, 1867, his parents being George J. and Katherine (Mentzle) Lischer, both of whom 'are natives of Maryland. They came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1868, locating on a farm, and have since remained respected and worthy residents of this county, now making their home at Columbus City. Unto them were born five children, namely : Andrew, of this review; Sophia; Martha, who is de- ceased : Paul E., living in Des Moines county, Iowa ; and May.
Andrew Lischer attended the common schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage at the age of twenty-four years. Following that important event in his life he removed to Florida and worked at the carpenter's trade for a year and a half. He then returned to Burlington, Iowa, where he was engaged in the drug busi- ness for eighteen months, selling out on the expiration of that period and com- ing to Wapello. After working in a grocery store for some time he embarked in the poultry and egg business, in which line of activity he has since met with gratifying success. He owns a large poultry house and two fine residences and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and enterprising citi- zens of the community.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Lischer chose Miss Bessie J. Marsden, a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Henry and Bessie J. Marsden, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Lischer was one of a fam-
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ily of five children, three of whom are yet living. By her marriage she has be- came the mother of one daughter, Helen MI.
Mr. Lischer is a republican in politics and is now serving his fellow towns- men in the capacity of alderman. Fraternally he is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Columbus City, Iowa, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His wife is a consistent and devoted member of the Presbyterian church. In business his course has been charac- terized by the strictest fidelity to principle and in social relations he displays an unfailing courtesy and a genial cordiality that have won for him many friends.
ROBERT T. JONES.
Robert T. Jones, one of the influential and prosperous residents of Cotter, where he is now living retired, was long and actively identified with agricul- tural interests in Louisa county, owning at one time more than nine hundred acres of valuable land. Ilis birth occurred in Liverpool, England, on the 27th of February, 1836, his parents being David M. and Elizabeth Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales. After emigrating to the United States they re- sided in New York for a time and subsequently removed to Ohio. In June, 1855, they came to Louisa county, Iowa, locating on a farm whereon they re- sided throughout the remainder of their lives and which is still in possession of the family. David M. Jones passed away in 1863, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1890, at the age of ninety years. Their children were six in number, namely: Robert T., of this review ; Alice, the wife of D. G. Lewis, of Columbus City township, this county ; William O. who participated in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Twenty-fifth lowa Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia ; Catherine, who gave her hand in marriage to Hugh Davis and was killed in a railroad wreck near Burlington ; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of J. N. Evans, of Missouri; and Albert, who passed away at the age of seven years.
Robert T. Jones supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study in the Miami University of the state of Ohio, of which institution he is a graduate. During several winter seasons he followed the profession of teach- ing and in the summer months worked at farm labor. After the death of his parents he purchased the old homestead farm and devoted his attention to its operation throughout the remainder of his active business career. Since putting aside the work of the fields he has made his home at Cotter, where he owns a fine residence and lot. At one time his landed holdings aggregated more than nine hundred acres but he has now disposed of all except three hundred and fifty acres. He was one of the organizers of the Cotter State Savings Bank and has been identified therewith as president continuously since. He is like- wise a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Columbus Junction and a stockholder in the Hartline State Bank of Hartline, Washington.
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In February, 1864, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Dinah Davis, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Davis, who were natives of South Wales and came to America in 1853, locating on a farm in Henry county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren, ten of whom grew to maturity and eight of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had four children, as follows: William O., who owns and oper- ates the old homestead farm in Louisa county ; H. T., who is engaged in the banking business at Hartline, Washington ; and two who died in infancy. Our subject and his wife also have eight grandchildren.
In politics Mr. Jones has always been a stanch republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. From 1880 until 1886 he served as a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of Louisa county. His religious faith is in- dicated by his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on this earthly pil- grimage and is enjoying the evening of life in honorable retirement. A resident of Louisa county for more than a half century, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and in his business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good will of his fellow townsmen.
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