USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 12
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On the 24th of April, 1867, Mr. La Pella was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Eyerly, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Thuma) Eyerly, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. In 1845 they took up their abode in Washington county, Iowa, where the father was engaged in carpentering and also followed farming for a number of years. In 1865 he came to Madison county, purchasing a farm in Crawford township which he operated for several years and then sold. His last days were spent on his son's farm near Newton, Iowa, his demise occurring in 1870. His wife, surviving
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him for almost three decades, passed away in May, 1899. To Mr. and Mrs. La Pella have been born four children, as follows: Lauretta H., who is the wife of Elmer Roseman and resides in California; Elbertis E., who is an agri- culturist residing in Texas : Elma M., who died on the 26th of January, 1897; and Mary M., who gave her hand in marriage to Clarence DeVault, a farmer of this county.
At the polls Mr. La Pella supports the measures and candidates of the prohi- bition party, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which this country has to contend. He has served as trustee of Madison township and also as school director, making a commendable record in both connections. He is also a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist church, exemplifying its teachings in his daily life. His career has been active, useful and upright and his many excellent qualities of mind and character have gained him a wide circle of friends.
WALTER H. VANCE.
Walter H. Vance, who is filling the office of deputy clerk of Madison county and makes his home in Winterset, was born in Washington county, Indiana, April 19, 1857. Tradition shows that the family comes of Scotch ancestry. The grandparents, however, were natives of West Virginia and became pioneer settlers of Indiana, in which state William M. Vance, the father of our subject, was born in the year 1818. He was reared to the occupation of farming and lived in Indiana until 1865, when he removed to Illinois. Fourteen years were there passed, at the end of which time he came to Madison county, Iowa, establishing his home in Winterset. After a time he removed to a farm in Union township and his remaining days were devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He wedded Mary M. Knox, who was born in North Carolina. She was twice married and with her first husband went to Texas, where his death occurred. She afterward returned to her parents' home in Indiana and it was there that she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Vance. Following their marriage they removed westward and in 1879 became residents of Madison county, where they both lived until called to their final rest. The death of Mr. Vance occurred when he was sixty- eight years of age, while his wife died at the age of seventy-four. . They had two children, but the daughter, Sarah E., died at the age of forty years, leaving Walter H. Vance as the only surviving member of the family.
In his native state Walter H. Vance spent the first eight years of his life and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood upon the home farm. He attended the district schools and also the high school at Oneida, Illinois, and later he entered Monmouth College at Monmouth, Illinois, where he remained as a student for two years. In the periods not devoted to education he worked upon the home farm and was connected with farming interests in Illinois until 1878, when he made his way direct to Madison county, Iowa, taking up his abode in Madison township. He had little capital at that time and rented a farm, devoting the summer months to its cultivation, while the winter seasons were given to school teaching. He fol-
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lowed farming in Madison and Penn townships and for four years was in Polk county, where he took charge of a large shorthorn breeding establishment upon a farm of sixteen hundred acres, which he managed for four years. In 1892 he established his home in Winterset and taught school for two terms. In 1900 he was elected county recorder on the republican ticket and was reelected to that office in 1902. He afterward spent about three years in the study of law under a Mr. Steele and in 1908 he was appointed postmaster at Winterset, which posi- tion he continued to fill until June, 1913. Two years later, or in 1915, he was made deputy county clerk and is now filling that position. When he was upon the farm he had a large herd of shorthorn cattle. He is well informed on every- thing relating to stock-raising and speaks with authority on many questions bear- ing upon that subject.
On the 24th of December, 1880, Mr. Vance was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Nichols, a native of this county and a daughter of George T. and Mary (Johnson) Nichols, who arrived in Madison county in 1854 and settled in Madison township, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Vance have become the parents of eight children: Alice P., the wife of J. M. Wauchope, of Salt Lake City, Utah ; Charles R., who is in the postoffice at Winterset; Claude A., who is connected with the postoffice at Des Moines, Iowa; George V., a farmer of this county; Harry, a clerk in the postoffice at Winterset ; and Lynn, Mary and Robert, all at home.
Mr. Vance has always voted with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and his belief in its principles makes him one of its stanch advocates. He is a prominent Mason, holding membership in the lodge and chapter, and he has been deputy custodian of the grand chapter of Iowa, serving for one year, after which he resigned. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Their circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance and they are both widely and favorably known in this county, where Mr. Vance has now lived for about a third of a century. He has ever worked hard, making industry the basis of his success and advancement and many there are who esteem him highly for his genuine worth of character.
M. E. ADDY.
M. E. Addy, the period of whose residence in Madison county covers a third of a century, has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and now owns and operates a productive farm of sixty- three acres on sections 2 and 11, Madison township. His birth occurred in Ohio in February. 1869, his parents being Marion and Hannah (Davis) Addy, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. The father, an agriculturist by occu- pation, operated a farm in Ohio until 1882, when he came to Madison county, Iowa, driving the entire distance, and bought a tract of land in Jefferson town- ship, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in 1887, while his wife was called to her final rest in the year 1898.
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M. E. Addy, who was a youth of thirteen when he came from Ohio to this county with his parents, continued his education here and remained at home until twenty-four years of age. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account and for seven years cultivated a tract of rented land in Jefferson town- ship, while subsequently he bought a farm in that township which he operated for one year. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought another farm in Jefferson township, which he also sold at the end of a year, purchasing the tract of sixty-three acres on sections 2 and II, Madison township, which he has cultivated continuously and successfully since. The prop- erty is well improved in every particular and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He makes a specialty of thoroughbred registered Duroc Jersey hogs and this branch of his business adds materially to his annual income.
On the 15th of February, 1893, Mr. Addy was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Cox, a daughter of John and Nancy ( McDonald) Cox, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father came to Madison county, Iowa, with his par- ents when a child and as soon as his age and strength permitted turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm in Union township, which he operated until 1901, in which year the death of his wife occurred. He is now living retired in Winterset. Mr. and Mrs. Addy have five children, as follows : Lois, twenty-one years of age, who is a school teacher of this county ; Manferd, a youth of fourteen ; and Mabel, Blanche and Myrtle, who are twelve, ten and six years of age respectively.
Mr. Addy gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith is that of the United Brethren church. He and his wife are highly esteemed by all who know them, and such success as has come to him is well merited, for it has been achieved through energy, industry and honesty.
L. W. HARRELL.
L. W. Harrell, deceased, was long and actively identified with general agri- cultural pursuits in this county and at the time of his demise owned two hun- dred and forty acres of valuable land on sections 17 and 18, Scott township. He was born in Jackson county, Indiana, on the 12th of March, 1832, a son of Wil- liam and Mary (Peck) Harrell, and was reared on a farm, attending the district and local high schools. In young manhood he purchased land. In 1861 he was married and five years later came to Madison county, Iowa, buying a tract of eighty acres in Lincoln township. Subsequently he took up his abode in Scott township and there bought eighty acres of improved land, later extending the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until at the time of his death it embraced two hundred and forty acres. Success attended his well directed labors, and when he passed away, May 10, 1911, the community mourned the loss of one of its substantial agriculturists and highly respected citizens. The property has since been under the able management of his widow and his son Cleveland.
٠ ٨٠ TILAESTE FINDE א L
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In Indiana, in 1861, Mr. Harrell was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha Scott, who was born in Jackson county, that state, on the 26th of February, 1843, a daughter of William and Mary ( Wood ) Scott. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrell were born nine children, as follows: one who died in infancy; W. C., who wedded Achsa Feely, of Nebraska and has one child, Myrtle; Laura B., the wife of E. G. Holmes, of New Mexico, by whom she had four children-Harry (deceased ), Ethel, Floyd and Velma; Maggie, who gave her hand in marriage to Ed Schoenen- berger, of Walnut township: Mary Hettie, the wife of J. B. Deal, of Newton, Kansas, by whom she has two children, Louis and Hazel; Ida, who is the wife of W. A. Sellers, of Scott township, this county ; Frank, who wedded Miss Ella Fredericksen, of Scott township; Johnnie, who passed away at the age of six- teen years; and Cleveland, who operates the home farm.
Mr. Harrell gave his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Christian Union church, to which his widow also belongs. The latter, a splendidly preserved and still active lady, has now resided in this county for almost a half century and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.
B. F. JONES.
B. F. Jones, the period of whose residence in Madison county covers a half century, has long been numbered among its prosperous and representative agri- culturists, residing on section 21, Scott township, and now owning more than three hundred acres of rich and productive land.
The birth of Mr. Jones occurred in Menard county, Illinois, on the 22d of December. 1859, his father being John T. Jones, who was born in Kentucky on the 25th of February, 1813. When a young man the latter removed to Indiana, taking up his abode near Greencastle, and subsequently located in Menard county, Illinois. On the IIth of October, 1864, he arrived in Madison county, Iowa, set- tling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott township, where he passed away July 4, 1886. He was twice married, his first wife bearing the maiden name of Diana Sullivan, by whom he had four children, as follows: James T., who served in the Civil war as a member of an Illinois regiment and was killed in the battle of Shiloh; Margaret, the deceased wife of William King, of Orient, Iowa : William H., who passed away in Los Angeles, California; and Lida, the deceased wife of Mat Reeves, of Kansas. For his second wife John T. Jones chose Mrs. Harriet ( Berry) Nance, who was born in Illinois, November 6, 1827, and passed away in Scott township, this county, on the 19th of October, 1902, in the faith of the Methodist church. By her first husband, Redding Nance, she had four children, namely : Samuel, who is deceased; Martha, twin sister of Sam- uel, who is the widow of Richard Morgan and resides in Cumberland, Iowa ; Sarah, the wife of Charles Farabee, of Nebraska; and Thomas, who is a resident of South Dakota. By the marriage of John T. and Harriet Jones there were born two sons: B. F., of this review ; and A. J.
B. F. Jones was not yet five years of age when brought to Madison county by his parents and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education.
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Subsequently he purchased the old homestead property in association with his brother, A. J., with whom he carried on agricultural pursuits in partnership until 1893. In that year he bought a farm in Scott township, residing thereon during the following thirteen years, on the expiration of which period, in 1906, he pur- chased his present place, known as the Porter Rollstin farm. He has added to the improvements on the property, has remodeled the buildings and erected others and is now the owner of a very valuable, attractive and productive place. He lives in a handsome residence and his landed holdings aggregate more than three hundred acres. His well directed labors as an agriculturist are rewarded by golden harvests annually and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community.
In 1886, in Madison county, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Stella Harrell, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Isaac Harrell, an early settler of this county. To them have been born three children, as follows: Arthur, resid- ing on his father's farm, who married Miss Florence Jones and has two children, Glen H. and Robert; Fred, also living on his father's farm, who wedded Beulah Holmes and has two children, Pauline and Lois; and Melvin, at home.
Mr. Jones gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has held the office of township assessor, making a creditable record in that connection. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist church. He has many friends in the community, the majority of whom have known hin since boyhood, which fact is a lasting tribute to his loyalty in all the relations of life.
THOMAS M. SCOTT.
Thomas M. Scott, identified with agricultural interests in Madison county, his home being in Winterset, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 20, 1866, his parents being Alexander O. and Jane ( Roberts) Scott, natives of West Vir- ginia and Ohio respectively. They were married in the latter state and in October, 1866, arrived in Iowa, settling in South township, Madison county, where Mr. Scott purchased the Cummins farm of two hundred acres. There he engaged in the work of tilling the soil and caring for his crops until death ended his labors, September 18, 1904, when he was seventy-five years of age. In addition to tilling the soil he engaged in stock-raising and both branches of his business brought to him substantial success. In his political views he was an earnest republican and held the office of township trustee, but he was never an aspirant for political preferment. He manifested his loyalty to his country in another way, however. for at the time of the Civil war he enlisted as a sergeant of the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served for one hundred days. In his later years he belonged to the Grand Army post at St. Charles, Iowa. An active member of the Methodist church, he was a good Christian man and his example in many respects was worthy of emulation. His widow survived him until May, 1913, and passed away at the advanced age of eighty years in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she, too, was a consistent member. In their family were six children : Mrs. Rebecca Jane Van Hosen, now living in Springfield, Missouri; William R., who is foreman of the Reporter, a newspaper published at Winterset ;
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Edwin S., living in Portland, Kansas ; Thomas M .; Hester M., the wife of Charles Leggett, who now owns and occupies the old Scott homestead in this county; and Walter M., who was a druggist and died when twenty-eight years of age.
Thomas M. Scott spent his boyhood at home with the usual experiences of farm life, its duties, its pleasures and its opportunities. He attended the public schools and continued to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty- three years, receiving a wage of one hundred and seventy-five dollars per year during the last two years of that time. He then engaged in canvassing one sum- mer and later was connected with a butter and egg commission business at Des Moines. He afterward followed railroading until 1892 and then returned to Madison county, where, on the 16th of March, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Banker, a native of Ohio. She died in July, 1909, leaving one son, Earl B., who is attending school.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Scott rented a farm in Ohio township belong- ing to his wife's father and lived thereon for four years, largely devoting his atten- tion to the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle. He carefully saved his earnings during that period until industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase ninety acres of land in Scott township. He then began operating his own farm and continued thereon for nine years, at the same time breeding Aberdeen Angus cattle. He became the owner of a large herd but eventually sold out. He then served for two years as deputy auditor and in 1908 was elected to that office on the republican ticket. The excellent record which he made during the first term recommended him for reelection and he was once more called to that position by popular suffrage in 1910. On his retirement he became bookkeeper and teller in the First National Bank of Winterset, continu- ing in that position for thirteen months, when he resigned. He now devotes his entire time to the management of his property interests. He is the owner of a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Union township and ninety acres in Scott township which he rents and from these properties he derives a substantial annual income.
On the 5th of September, 1911, Mr. Scott was again married, his second union being with Miss Jean M. Cash, who was born in Winterset, a daughter of Frank 1. and Mary E. ( McMullen ) Cash. Her father was a native of Ohio and arrived in Osceola, Iowa, about 1850. In 1855 he came to Winterset, where he worked at the tailor's trade, being one of the first, if not the first, in his line in Mad- ison county. At the time of the Civil war he went to the front as a sutler and with his wagon accompanied Sherman's army throughout the period of hostilities. He afterward returned and in company with Colonel Cummings opened a tailor- ing shop in Winterset. Later, however, he engaged in business independently, but eventually disposed of his interests and for several years was engaged in the sale of the Singer sewing machine with headquarters at Webster City, Iowa. There he passed away at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. McMullen, was born in Logan county, Ohio, August 21, 1837, and in 1850 arrived in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she was married, accompanying her husband to Winterset in 1855. This was then a small village and the country around was largely wild and undeveloped. Since that time she has made her home in Winterset and has seen many notable changes. She is now more than seventy- seven years of age and is still quite active, and she makes her home with her
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daughter, Mrs. Scott. In the Cash family were six children, of whom two died in early life, the others being: Mary L., the wife of John Michaels, of Ackley, Iowa; John L., who is living in Superior, Wisconsin; T. I., a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Mrs. Scott. The last named was educated here and taught in the Winterset schools and also in Boone, Iowa. In 1910 she was appointed superintendent of schools of Madison county by the county board of supervisors to fill out the unexpired term of Miss Gertrude Duff.
Mr. Scott holds membership in the Baptist church, while his wife is a Pres- byterian in religious faith. Fraternally he is a Mason and has taken the degrees of both the lodge and chapter. In these associations are found the principles and rules which govern his conduct. His life record is one which will bear close investigation and scrutiny, for it has ever been guided by sound principles. He values his own self-respect more than wealth, fame or position and, while he has always been careful that no blot should fall upon his good name, he has also at the same time so carefully managed his business affairs that he has won suc- cess, and he has also found time to devote to public interests, various measures for the general good having profited by his cooperation and generous assistance.
WILBER J. CORNELL.
Wilber J. Cornell has been connected with the Citizens National Bank for thirty-three years and has been a bank cashier longer than any other resident of Winterset. His name has become a familiar one in financial cireles in his part of the state and is widely known as a synonym for business integrity and honor. He was born in Macon county, Illinois, January 1, 1859. a son of Rev. John K. and Samantha (Dowling) Cornell, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they spent their youthful days and were married. The father was a minister of the Church of Christ and in the year 1860 came to Iowa, settling in Van Buren county, where he taught school and engaged in preaching for a few years. He came to Winterset in 1875 and was minister of the church of his denomination at that place until 1877. He afterward had charge of different churches in the state until his death, which occurred in 1904 at Newton, Iowa, when he was seventy- five years of age. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1879 at the age of forty-four years. She also was a most consistent and faithful member of the Church of Christ, and her influence and teachings had a marked effect upon the lives of her ten children, of whom Wilber J. was the sixth in order of birth.
Wilber J. Cornell was brought by his parents to Iowa and lived in different towns in the state, as his father removed from place to place, until 1875, when the family came to Winterset. Here he attended school and when the family went elsewhere in 1877 he remained and for about six years engaged in clerking in a grocery store. In 1882, however, he entered the Citizens Bank as teller and after two years was elected cashier, in which position he has since remained, being now the virtual manager of the bank. He is familiar with every phase of the banking business and is ever a courteous and obliging official, ready to accommodate the patrons of the bank whenever it is possible to do so. At the same time he carefully safeguards the interests of the institution and has made it one of the strong finan-
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cial concerns of the county and this section of the state. He also has business interests outside of the bank, being now the owner of three hundred acres of valuable farm land in Union township which he rents.
On the 13th of June, 1883, Mr. Cornell was united in marriage to Miss Nettie J. Wilson, a native of West Liberty, Iowa, and they have three children : John WV., a stock dealer and shipper of Winterset; Edith, who is filling the office of deputy county recorder ; and J. Robert, who is a graduate of the law department of the State University of Iowa and is located at Cedar Rapids.
Mr. Cornell has ever voted with the republican party and is unfaltering in his advocacy of its principles. He has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but he has never had time nor inclination for office. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Winterset and he and his family are mem- bers of the Church of Christ. Theirs is an attractive home where good cheer reigns supreme, and its hospitality is enjoyed by their many friends. The influ- ence of their lives has ever been for progress and advancement and their work on many occasions has been a direct benefit to city and county.
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