USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 8
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On the Ist of June, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, and they began their domestic life in a brick residence which Mr. Wilson had erected on his forty acre farm. This was among the first brick houses in the county, and was the birthplace of their chil- dren. They had four sons and four daughters, who in order of birth were as follows: John W .: Mary E., who became the wife of George M. Simpson, a resident of Kansas, and died February 15, 1910; Margaret J., the widow of John W. Wilson and a resident of Pasadena, California ; Cynthia E., who has been a missionary teacher in India since 1876; George B .; William G .; Rosana T., who has also been a missionary teacher in India since 1886; and Charles B. The father passed away on the 18th of December, 1891, but his wife survived him until the 26th of March, 1896, being laid to rest in Brown cemetery.
After the completion of his preliminary education, which was acquired in the common schools of Louisa county, Charles B. Wilson pursued a business course in a commercial college. He remained under the parental roof until he
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had attained his majority when he rented the old homestead, which he culti- vated for ten years. At the end of that time he purchased it and has since added to his holdings until he now owns three hundred and seventy-five acres on sec- tions 28 and 29, Morning Sun township. In addition to the cultivation of his land Mr. Wilson makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock. He has made a success of his undertakings and now owns one of the valuable properties of the township, his farm being well improved and under a high state of cul- tivation.
Mr. Wilson was married on the 22d of December, 1885. to Miss Anna J. Willson, who was born in Des Moines county on the 7th of August, 1861, a daughter of James R. and Myrilla (Reed) Willson. Her father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to this county in 1850 and here her parents were married at the home of her uncle, David Robinson, February 10, 1853. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Des Moines county, where Mr. Will- son had preempted land, and they continued to reside there until he retired from active labor and removed to Morning Sun, in 1896. He is still a resident of that city, but his wife died there on the 26th of October, 1909. She was born in Ohio and in early life accompanied her married sister on the latter's removal to Des Moines county, Iowa. For about three years she engaged in teaching school in Louisa county, having charge of the same school that her grandchildren-the children of Mrs. C. B. Wilson-now attend.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Wilson were born the following children : Ella M., who was born on the 20th of February, 1894, and died five days later ; E. Raymond, who was born on the 20th of September, 1896, and is now at- tending high school; G. Russell, born on the 22d of February, 1898: James Ralph, born on the 7th of May, 1903; and Ethel Myrilla, whose birth occurred on the 9th of August, 1906.
Mr. Wilson's political support is given such men and measures as he deems best adapted to meet the exigencies of the situation. Although he is a public- spirited citizen and takes an active interest in governmental matters he has never identified himself with any party. For the past six years he has been serving as assessor in his township and has been a member of the school board for twenty years, educational matters always having interested him very much. Mr. Wilson and his family are highly regarded in the township where they reside and among its citizens they number many friends.
LLOYD MARSHALL.
For more than seventy years the name of Marshall has been actively iden- tified with the agricultural development of Louisa county, the family continu- ing to be represented in the person of Lloyd Marshall. He was born in this county on the 15th of May, 1862, and is a son of James H. and Nancy ( Sellers) Marshall. His paternal grandfather, Lloyd Marshall, for whom Marshall town-
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ship was named, came to Louisa county in 1838 and settled about a quarter of a mile west of the village of Cairo. Among his children were Eleanor, who be- came the wife of Newton Sellers; James Marshall, who married Nancy Sel- lers; Mary, the wife of Erastus Weaver; John S .; and Robert, who is a resi- dent of Colorado. Of the union of James H. and Nancy Marshall were born six children : Alva, who is a resident of Louisa county ; Hayes, who is deceased ; Laura, the wife of Dave Brown, of Columbus City township; Lloyd, our sub- ject ; Sherman, who is deceased; and the eldest, who died in infancy.
Upon the completion of his education which was acquired in the common schools of this county, Lloyd Marshall began in life as a farmer, which voca- tion he has ever since followed. He now owns ninety-seven and a half acres of land in Marshall township, where he is engaging in general farming and stock-raising, his efforts in this direction meeting with very good returns.
Mr. Marshall was united in marriage on the 23d of January, 1880, to Miss Annie Ireton, a daughter of Obadiah and Elizabeth ( Mottsinger) Ireton. Of the six children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ireton, but two, besides Mrs. Marshall, are now surviving: William, the eldest, who is a resident of Columbus City ; and Jennie the wife of Frank Huffman, of South Dakota. Those deceased are : Joseph, Spencer and Cora. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall never having had any chil- dren of their own have adopted a son, James Hilton Marshall, who is now ten years of age.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are earnest Christians and in politics he always gives his support to the republican party, considering that its policy is best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. He is highly regarded in the community where he has so long resided, and is known to be one who ever strives to be loyal to the highest principles of life in all of his relations, both public and private.
ANDREW WALZ.
Among the worthy citizens which Germany has contributed to the agricul- tural community of Louisa county is numbered the late Andrew Walz. He was born and reared in the fatherland, where he resided until 1852, at which time he emigrated to the United States, locating in Johnson county, Iowa, and there he was engaged in farming for eight years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Louisa county, where his wife, who previous to her mar- riage was Miss Elizabeth Lindberg, passed away in 1879. The father survived for thirteen years thereafter, his demise occurring on the 15th of May, 1892.
Mr. and Mrs. Walz were the parents of seven children, three of whom sur- vive: Mary E., John C. and Martin S. All acquired their educations in the common schools of Iowa. They have never married and Mary Walz is keeping house for her two brothers, who are engaged in general farming and stock- raising, making a specialty of the breeding and raising of Poland China hogs.
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They own a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres on sections 10, 15 and 2 of Jefferson township, which is well improved and highly cultivated. Their residence is very comfortable and pleasant, while the barns and outbuildings are substantially constructed and conveniently arranged. The property is well fenced and drained, and the fields thoroughly tilled. Careful attention is also given to the grounds which are kept tip in a manner that adds much to the at- tractive appearance of the place. In fact throughout the community in which they reside the Walz brothers are recognized as progressive and enterprising agriculturists whose success is the well merited reward of capably directed ef- fort and untiring energy.
The political views of the brothers coincide with the principles of the re- publican party, for whose candidates they always cast their ballot. They take an active and helpful interest in all township affairs. Both are highly regarded in the community in which they live and where they are counted among the substantial citizens.
CLARK D. SHEAFOR.
One of the citizens of Jefferson township who for more than twenty years has been actively identified with the agricultural development of Louisa county is Clark D. Sheafor, who is engaged in the cultivation of a fine farm of one hundred and nineteen acres. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 28th of October, 1858, and is a son of Haden and Rebecca ( Vanscoyk) Sheafor. The father, who was a native of Kent, Ohio, migrated to Clark county, Missouri, with his family in 1859, and after residing there for two years they came to Louisa county, where both the father and mother passed away. Of the seven children born to them three are now living: Mary K., who is the widow of George Shaw, of Wapello: Sarah E., the wife of Samuel Herlick, of Oakville; and Clark D., our subject.
Clark D. Sheafor has spent practically his entire life in Louisa county, in whose district schools he acquired his education. At the age of sixteen years he began his business career by engaging as a farm hand, continuing to be iden- tified with that occupation until he attained his maturity. He then rented a farm, which he cultivated for several years, after which his wife inherited their present homestead, located on section 16, Jefferson township. Here he has ever since engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
In February, 1891, Mr. Sheafor was united in marriage to Miss Ameda J. Spitsnogle, a daughter of John H. and Sarah ( Shaw ) Spitsnogle, the father a na- tive of Indiana and the mother of Iowa. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Spitsnogle, three of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Sheafor have four children, as follows: Delmar G., who is at home; Desdemona G., attending school in Wapello; Cornelia M .; and Abie Rebecca.
PUBLIC LIRDE
ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDAMONS
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C. D. SHEAFOR AND FAMILY
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MR. AND MRS. HADEN SHEAFOR
MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. SPITSNOGLE
KANT AND
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His political allegiance Mr. Sheafor gives to the republican party and he is now serving as school director. Both he and Mrs. Sheafor affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church and take an interest in all religious activities. Mr. Sheafor, who is one of the substantial and competent agriculturists of Jefferson township, is held in high regard in the community where he resides, as is also his family.
FRANK T. IVES.
Frank T. Ives, clerk of the county court of Louisa county, was born in Wapello, January 12, 1875, and has spent his entire life in this county. A man of industry and sound judgment, he has applied himself to good advantage and is today one of the most useful and popular citizens of the county. He is a son of Cicero J. and Rebecca L. (Townsend) Ives, both of whom were born in this county. His grandfather, Cicero Madison Ives, died April 22, 1847, and his wife survived only three years. The son, Cicero J. Ives, was early thrown upon his own resources and as he possessed very limited advantages in the way of school training, his education was gained principally in the great school of the world. However, he was an apt pupil and overcame many difficulties, grad- ually gaining a foothold as one of the prominent citizens of Louisa county. He was appointed deputy sheriff and in 1875 engaged in the drug business, later branching out into the general merchandise field. He served as deputy county auditor for seven years and in 1899 was elected auditor, which office he filled for six years. After retiring from this responsibility he removed to Fort Dodge, lowa. He is now sixty-seven years of age. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cicero J. Ives, six of whom survive, namely : Frank T. ; Nellie E., who is the wife of Oliver Gunnels, of Fort Dodge; Mamie E., who married William Van Horn, also of Fort Dodge; Rose A. ; Cornelia M., who became the wife of James Phelan, of Fort Dodge; and Walter M1., who makes his home in Fort Dodge.
Mr. Ives, the subject of this review, attended the public schools and later was a student for one year in the Wapello high school. At the age of thirteen ne was obliged to lay aside his books in order to provide a maintenance for himself and he began working at the carpenter's trade, at which he continued at various times for about five years. He also learned steam engineering. In 1899, after the election of his father to the office of county auditor, he was ap- pointed deputy auditor and served for six years, also continuing under H. W. Baker for two years. In May, 1907, he was appointed clerk of the county court and has since very acceptably filled that position.
On August 3, 1903, Mr. Ives was united in marriage to Miss Clyde C. Ship- man, a daughter of O. E. and Samantha Shipman. Two children were the fruits of this union : Louis E., who was born September 1, 1906; and Frances, who was born June 26, 1909, and died in infancy.
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Mr. Ives has proven a capable and faithful official and enjoys the unqualified regard of his friends and associates and the confidence of the people. In poli- ties he adheres to the republican party and fraternally he is a valued member of the Knights of P'ythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. In religious belief he affiliates with the Methodist church. Ilaving as a boy learned the great lesson of self-reliance and the importance of conscientious application in the accomplishment of any worthy object he has performed to the best of his ability whatever his hands have found to do and it requires no prophet to fore- tell that his future will be one of steady progress and large accomplishment.
HARVEY HARRIS.
The late Harvey Harris, who for half a century was identified with the ag- ricultural development of Louisa county, had passed his ninetieth anniversary at the time of his demise, which occurred on the 16th of December, 1907. He was born in Lincoln county, Ohio, on the 21st of September, 1817, and was a son of Thomas and Rachel ( Sutton ) Harris, also natives of Ohio. In the pater- nal line he was of English extraction, the family having located in America during the colonial days. His grandfather, W. M. Harris participated in the Revolutionary war and after the founding of the Union he migrated to the frontier, as Ohio was then termed.
Harvey Harris was reared and educated in his native state, where he con- tinned to reside until 1851, in which year he migrated to lowa and located in Louisa county. Here he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land which he cleared and improved, engaging in general farming and stock-raising during the remainder of his active career. Ile owned about eight hundred acres when he died. In his family were eight children: llarriet, a resident of Morning Sun, and the widow of Alexander Hamilton, of Bushnell, Illinois; Isaac, who is de- ceased; Thomas, a resident of Marshall township; Rachel, who is living on the old homestead; Joseph, who makes his home in Morning Sun ; Jasper N., living in Wapello; Eugene, who is deceased ; and George B., of Morning Sun. Mrs. Harris, the mother of these children, passed away twelve years before her hus- band, her demise occurring on the 30th of January, 1895.
Politically Mr. Harris affiliated with the democratic party. He was a pub- lic-spirited man and possessed a strong sense of his civic responsibilities, so that he always took an active and helpful interest in all township matters of a gov- ernmental nature. He filled the various minor offices of the township and was also county supervisor, giving faithful and competent service in the discharge of his official responsibilities. During the long period of his residence here Mr. Harris saw many changes in agricultural and commercial methods, as well as in the mode of living, as the country developed and civilization spread west- ward. Steam cars superseded the stage-coach, while the amount of manttal la- bor essential to the cultivation of the soil was very greatly minimized by the
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advent of modern farming implements. but probably his most interesting obser- vations were in connection with the development of the Union, which he noted slowly advance through the period of reconstruction to the firm, stable position it holds today with the great nations of the world.
REUBEN HEINDEL.
Reuben Heindel, who is now living retired at Columbus Junction in the enjoy- ment of a comfortable home, the result of his prudence and good business judg- ment, is a native of Columbus City township, and was born June to. 1860, a son of Samuel and Susan ( Rathfon ) Heindel, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania. They came to lowa in 1853 and located on a farm in Louisa county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died in April, 1874, and the mother July 1, 1888. There were nine children in their family, five of whom survive, Reuben being the youngest. The others are: David and Sam- uel, both of whom are living in Colorado; Mary Jane, the widow of Marian Carter and now living in Salt Lake City ; and Julia, who is the wife of Edward Williams, of Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Heindel, of this review, possessed advantages of education in the public schools and grew to maturity under the parental roof. He began farming upon his own account on rented land in Louisa county. After several years he purchased a place on section 3, Columbus City township, which he greatly in- proved by the erection of buildings and fences and the proper rotation of crops. thus largely adding to its value. He engaged in general agriculture but made a specialty of raising and feeding stock for the market, his labors being abun- dantly rewarded. After spending nineteen years upon his farm he purchased a handsome residence in Columbus Junction, where he and his family now live.
On the 22d of March, 1881, Mr. Heindel was married to Miss Emma M. C. Hanft, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. March 20, 1861, a daugh- ter of John and Helena ( Smith) Hanft. Mr. and Mrs. Heindel became the parents of six children, namely : Theodore F., who was born December 5. 1881. and died September 22, 1882; Nellie B., who was born January 25, 1883, and died April 26, 1886; Malcolm J., born November 30, 1885, and now living at home; Helena I., born March 29, 1889, and now the wife of Samuel James, of Columbus City ; Eva M., who was born August 13, 1891, and who is at home ; and Francis E., born January 11, 1894, and also at home.
Mr. Heindel is an adherent of the republican party and, while he has not sought public office, he has served as member of the school board. He is not identified with any religious denomination, but his estimable wife is a valued member of the United Brethren church. He early learned the importance of labor and applied himself so industriously that he acquired a competence, thus making it possible for him to relinquish active labor before being obliged to do so by the encroachments of age. A native of Louisa county, he has spent his
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entire life in this section of the state and has been an interested witness of its progress. He is a man of genial social characteristics, frank, straightforward and modest, and one who has always won the confidence of those with whom he associated. His course through life has been honorable and upright and, there- fore, he is fully entitled to the esteem in which he is held by the entire community.
JOSEPH J. PARSONS.
One of the most extensive landowners of Louisa county was the late Joseph J. Parsons, who with his brother H. J. N. Parsons owned and cultivated twenty- eight hundred acres of land. Mr. Parsons was born in Hardy county, West Virginia, on the 19th of November, 1819, and was a son of Jonathan and Agnes ( Nevill) Parsons, also natives of West Virginia, whence they removed to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1836. Upon their arrival here they located upon a farm, in the cultivation of which the father engaged until the death of his wife in 1855. He passed away in 1882. Four children were born to them : H. J. N., Joseph J., Mary C., wife of the late M. T. Denison, and Asdrubel S. All are now deceased.
Joseph J. Parsons acquired his education in the common schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he adopted for his life vocation after laying aside his text-books. He met with most gratifying success in his work and was one of the largest property holders in the county at the time of his death.
Mr. Parsons was married three times, his first wife being Miss Martha A. Smith, who was a native of Kentucky and whom he married in 1851. She passed away four years later and in 1856 Mr. Parsons married her sister Sarah E. Smith, who died the following year. Of these two unions four children were born, all of whom are deceased. On the 27th of October, 1859. Mr. Par- sons and Miss Mary E. Coleman, who was also a native of West Virginia, were married. Her parents were Fleming and Lydia A. (Smith) Coleman, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. They came to Iowa in 1852, locating in Louisa county, where the mother passed away in 1860. Later Mr. Coleman was married to Mrs. Mary E. Crane of Muscatine county, where they resided for twenty years, at the end of which period Mrs. Coleman died and he made his home with his daughter Mrs. Parsons until his death with the exception of two years when he visited his son in Colorado. His de- mise occurred at the home of Mrs. Parsons on the 13th of January, 1898, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-four years. Eleven children were born of his first union, three of whom are surviving: T. B. S. Coleman, a resi- dent of the state of Washington ; Mary E., now Mrs. Parsons; and D. F., who is living in Wapello. One daughter, Luella, was born of the second union. and she is now the wife of C. G. Terry, of Muscatine. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were born four children: Douglas D., who was born on the Ist of De-
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cember, 1861, and died on the 12th of January, 1904; Olive T., the wife of William C. Smith, of this county; Asdrubel H., also of this county; and Walter F., who was born on the 7th of July, 1870, and died in 1872. Mr. Parsons died on the 4th of February, 1880, and was laid to rest in the Parsons cemetery. In 1891 his widow, Mary E. Parsons, was united in marriage to his brother and business partner, H. J. N. Parsons, who passed away on the 15th of Novem- ber of the same year. She and her two surviving children, therefore, own almost all of the twenty-eight hundred acres of land formerly held in common by the brothers.
The religious views of the family coincide with the articles of faith of the Methodist Episcopal denomination with which church Mrs. Parsons affiliates.
J. W. YOTTER.
The entire life of J. W. Yotter, who is engaged in general farming in Elli- ott township, has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. Born in the state of New York, Mr. Yotter's natal day was the 12th of January, 1855. His par- ents were Christ and Catherine (Byers) Yotter. The father, who was a na- tive of Germany, emigrated to the United States at the age of seventeen years, landing in New York, in which state he was later married. In 1858 he and his wife removed to Iowa, settling on a farm in Lee county, and there the mother passed away in 1860. Mr. Yotter continued to reside on his homestead for eleven years thereafter, but in 1871 he came to Louisa county, where he re- mained for five years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Lee county, where he continues to make his home. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Yotter, a son and a daughter. The latter, who is the younger, became the wife of Christ Elenberger, a resident of Lee county, Iowa.
J. W. Yotter, of this review, who was reared at home and educated in the district schools, remained a member of his father's household assisting in the cultivation of the homestead until he was twenty-one. He subsequently rented a farm in Louisa county, which he operated for twenty-one years, during which time he saved sufficient capital to enable him to acquire property of his own. In 1901 he bought forty acres of land on section 30, Elliott township, in which he has wrought many improvements, having erected some fine buildings and brought the land into a high state of cultivation. In addition to his homestead Mr. Yotter owns twenty acres on section 19, of the same township, which he purchased in 1903.
Mr. Yotter was married April 29, 1880, to Miss Margaret F. Bowers, a daughter of Veit and Dora ( Miller) Bowers, natives of Germany, whence they came to America. Here the father died and the mother, who still survives, re- sides in Oakville, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Yotter are the parents of four children, as follows : William H .; Edward L .; Sadie A., who is a dressmaker ; and Lenna M., who is engaged in teaching. All four are still at home with the parents.
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