USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 13
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CLEMENT GODBY.
Although a native of England, Clement Godby has thoroughly identified him- self with the interests of his adopted land and there is no more public-spirited citizen in Madison county than he. He is operating a good farm on sections I and 2, Penn township, and derives a good income from his labors. He was born in Dover England, on the 30th of November, 1867, a son of Joseph and Jane (Graham) Godby, natives respectively of England and Scotland. While a young man the father resided in Canada for a number of years. He was an officer in the British army, remaining in the service until his demise, which occurred in January, 1904. He was survived for six years by his widow, who passed away in January, 1910.
Clement Godby was reared and educated in his native land but after leaving school he emigrated to the United States and for three or four years worked for others as a farm hand. He lived frugally and at the end of that time was in a position to rent land, which he operated for one year. He then bought eighty acres in Penn township, Madison county, Iowa, but seven years later sold that tract and purchased one hundred and forty-one acres on sections 1 and 2, Penn township. He immediately set about improving his place and has made it one of the well developed farms of his locality. His wife also owns ninety-six acres of land adjoining the town of Earlham. He is industrious and progressive and has the reputation of being a successful farmer.
Mr. Godby was married in September, 1893, to Miss Lilian L. Wilson, a daugh- ter of Christopher and Martha (Newby) Wilson, more detailed mention of whose lives is given in the sketch of C. E. Wilson, which appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Godby have four children, Dorothy, Robert, Marjorie and Graham, aged respectively seventeen, fifteen, eight and three years.
Mr. Godby is a prohibitionist and does all in his power to overthrow the liquor ยท traffic, believing it to be one of the greatest evils that exists today. He is a con-
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sistent member of the Presbyterian church and contributes to the support of its work. His determination and sound judgment enable him to accomplish what he undertakes and his sterling integrity and willingness to do a kindness for another insure him of the respect and liking of his fellows.
JERRY M. WILSON.
Jerry M. Wilson, who was born in Canaan, Indiana, July 16, 1842, was killed by lightning on the 25th of June, 1910, while a resident of Madison county. His father. Robert Wilson, was born on a plantation in Kentucky in 1803. Following his marriage he liberated his slaves and went to Indiana, where he took up his abode about 1835, residing there upon a farm which he owned. In 1844, however, he came to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county, and in 1852 he made his way to Winterset and soon afterward took up his abode upon a farm in Lincoln town- ship, Madison county. There he entered into partnership with M. Danner for the operation of a sawmill on Middle river and in 1857 he removed to Adair county, where he owned land and engaged in farming until his death in 1869. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Salyers, was born in Kentucky in 1805 and died in 1800. They were married in their native state.
Jerry M. Wilson was the eighth in order of birth in his father's family. He attended a school taught by William Kivett, one of the earliest settlers of Madi- son county, the schoolhouse being located on land which Mr. Wilson afterward owned. J. J. Hutchings was one of his teachers. He started out in the business world as a farm boy and was employed at farm labor and in a sawmill until the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war. In 1862 he joined Company I of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and lost the forefinger on his left hand through dropping a loaded revolver which was accidentally discharged. After the war he returned to his home and during the succeeding winter again attended the district school, then taught by Octavia Lee. The following spring he started with ox teams and provisions for Pike's Peak and after disposing of the provi- sions he engaged in hauling logs to a sawmill and then in hauling lumber into Denver. He remained in that country, however, for but a short time. On the trips west and back he had to watch all of his stuff at night for fear of Indian raids. The white men traveled in large companies so as to protect themselves against the Indians.
At length Mr. Wilson returned home and the next spring began breaking prairie with ox teams for William Early. He led a most busy and active life and was willing to do any work that would yield him an honest living. At length he became the owner of some land which he fenced and built thereon a home. He continued breaking prairie and in the winter of 1868-9 hauled logs for James Bush from the sawmill on Middle river. He earned seven dollars per acre at breaking one hundred acres of brush land for Mr. Bush, and three dollars per acre for breaking prairie and in this way secured the money which enabled him to continue the improvement of his own farm. For many years he lived in Adair county and carried on general agricultural pursuits, bringing his land under
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
a high state of cultivation and adding to it many modern improvements. He became the largest cattle feeder of his community and always raised good stock. He was also a stockholder, one of the directors and one of the first presidents of the Macksburg National Bank. In business affairs he displayed sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise, formulated his plans carefully and carried them for- ward to successful completion. As his financial resources increased he kept add- ing to his property until at one time he was the owner of thirteen hundred acres of land in Adair and Madison counties. He became one of the heaviest stock- holders in the Winterset, Creston & Des Moines Railroad and after the company disbanded he was influential in effecting its reorganization. Of the first company he was the president and at the time of his death he was vice president of the new organization, called the Creston, Winterset & Des Moines Railroad. The Wilson family is largely responsible for the fact that a railroad has been extended into Macksburg.
In 1869 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Laura M. Darby, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, January 3, 1843, a daughter of John E. and Lucy A. (Tuttle ) Darby, both of whom were natives of New York. The former was born at Catskill in 1815 and died in 1890, while the mother, who was born at Rochester, New York, in 1821, passed away in 1849. In his boyhood days Mr. Darby went to Ohio and afterward engaged in teaching school there. They lived in Holmes county when that was a new country and he became principal of the schools of Berlin. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came overland to Winterset in 1855 and was employed as a teacher in the schools of the town, he and his daughter Almira both teaching in an unfinished building here. In 1856 he removed with his family to Cedar Creek in Union township, where he purchased land and engaged in farming. About 1858 he removed to Penn township, where he entered land on section 16. At once he began to improve and develop that property and continued to reside there until his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and took a most active and helpful part in its work. He became a preacher of the denomination and rode the circuit when Adair county was a mission district. Later he actively entered the ministry and for two years had charge of a church at Adel and for two years at De Soto but still maintained his residence upon his farm in Penn township. In politics he was very active as a stalwart republican and was known as the "old war horse" in his district. In the early days he was an ardent abolitionist and his home was a station on the memorable underground railroad, over which many a runaway slave was transported to freedom in the north. While living in Ohio he held membership in the Masonic lodge but did not become identified with the craft in Iowa. Having lost his first wife, he married again in Ohio.
Mrs. Wilson was the third of the six children in the Darby family. She did not come to Iowa with her father and the other children but reached this state in 1860. She became a teacher in the early schools of the county and for ten years continued teaching, following that work even after her marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have always taken the keenest interest in the schools and their work in behalf of education has been far-reaching and beneficial. To them were born five children, as follows: Eugene, who is cashier of the First National Bank of Winterset and the present mayor of the town; Sibyl, the wife of E. B. Marsh, of Grand River township, by whom she has five children; Clarence, an Vol II- 7
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agriculturist of Adair county, who is married and has three children; Alice, who died in infancy ; and Mamie, who owns the old home.
In his political views Mr. Wilson was an earnest advocate of republican principles, active in the work of the party, and in 1899 he was elected from Adair county as representative of the district in the state legislature. He was a very progressive man, interested in the welfare and development of the community, and his cooperation could always be counted upon to further plans and projects for the public good. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1895. He had previously given the land upon which the church edifice was erected and he served as church steward. He also held local political offices, acting as township trustee, as assessor and as a member of the county board of supervisors for six years. While returning to his home from Macksburg he was struck by lightning and his life was thus ended. He had a wide acquaintance and all who knew him recognized in him the possession of many sterling traits of heart and mind. Wherever he was known he was held in high esteem and most of all where he was best known, and his many good qualities endeared him to those with whom he came in contact.
CLARENCE R. GREEN.
The position of county auditor demands a man of business ability and un- questioned integrity and Clarence R. Green, the present incumbent of the office, is proving himself an admirable man for the place. He was born in Jewell county, Kansas, on the 12th of December, 1885, of the marriage of Ellyson and Lida (Boulton) Green. The father was born in West Virginia, but while still an infant was taken by his parents to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Later the family removed to Kewanee, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. His father was a cabinetmaker by trade. When eighteen years of age Ellyson Green went still far- ther west, settling in Jewell county, Kansas, where he was identified with agri- cultural interests until 1903. He then removed to this county and farmed for a year, after which he went to Shenandoah, Iowa, and entered the fire insurance business. He remained there for a year and then returned to Winterset, where he is conducting business along the same line. His wife was born in Louisa county, Iowa, and is also still living.
Clarence R. Green is the oldest in a family of four children and his education was that afforded by the district and high schools of Kansas. After his arrival in Iowa he served a five years' apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade and later worked at carpentering for a number of years. In 1910 he was made deputy county auditor under T. M. Scott and in 1912 was elected auditor on the repub- lican ticket. He took office the Ist of January, 1913, and at the November election in 1914 his record was indorsed by reelection. He is methodical and accurate and is prompt in the discharge of his important duties.
Mr. Green married Miss Mary Newlon, a native of this county and a daugh- ter of W. C. and Lydia ( Philbrick) Newlon. Her father is deceased but her mother survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Green has been born a son, Willard N.
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Mr. Green is a republican and is much interested in the success of his party. He is identified with the Masonic order and with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and in the former organization belongs to the blue lodge, the chapter and the Eastern Star. His religious allegiance is given to the Methodist church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. Both can be depended upon to fur- ther movements seeking the moral advancement of their community and their upright lives are forces for good.
JONAS F. BROCK.
Sixty years have come and gone since Jonas F. Brock arrived in Madison county, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers, and sixteen years have passed since he was called to his final rest, yet he is well remembered not only by the older settlers, but also by those of the later generation, who have known him as a trust- worthy business man and a reliable, energetic citizen. At all times he held to high standards and those who were associated with him learned to respect and honor him because of his sterling worth and integrity of character. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 22, 1822, a son of Thomas Brock, who was probably a native of Maryland and became a pioneer of the Buckeye state. His wife died when their son Jonas F. was born.
In his boyhood days Jonas F. Brock learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed until about 1847, when he went to Maysville, Kentucky, where he was engaged in the manufacture and sale of tombstones for about nine years. In 1855 he came to Iowa, traveling on the river to Savannah, Missouri, and thence by team to this county. He took up his abode in Winterset and there followed the shoemaker's trade until 1859. In 1862 he joined the Thirty-ninth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry and was honorably discharged after the cessation of hostilities in 1865. He was taken prisoner at Allatoona, Georgia, and was confined in various southern prisons. Twice he effected his escape. The first time he was recaptured and on the second occasion he succeeded in making his way northward, although serious difficulties confronted him in this undertaking. After getting out of prison the second time he became ill with typhoid fever and he lay concealed in the woods while thus suffering, receiving only the care and attention that could be given him by some loyal negroes. As soon as he was able to travel he made his way home to Winterset. About that time the sheriff of Madison county died and Mr. Brock was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. He was afterward elected to the office and was reelected, serving altogether for about two and a half terms. In 1868, which was the last year of his service as sheriff, he purchased eighty acres of land in Lincoln township and upon his retirement from office he took up his abode upon that farm and continued to make it his home until his death. He added to his land from time to time as his financial resources per- mitted until he was the owner of two hundred and thirty-seven acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, adding to the place all of the equipments and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century. His methods were at all times practical and progressive and the success he achieved was the merited reward of his persistent, earnest labor.
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It was on the 30th of May, 1855, that Mr. Brock was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Housh, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, February 17, 1836, a daughter of William and Eleanor (Hiatt) Housh, natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. Her paternal grandparents were both natives of Germany. Her parents spent their entire lives in Ohio, where they located in pioneer times, and Mr. Housh followed the occupation of farming. Mrs. Brock's girlhood was spent in the Buckeye state, where she lived up to the time of her marriage, and then she became one of the pioneer women of Madison county, where she has since made her home, witnessing many changes here as the work of development and progress has been carried steadily forward. To Mr.and Mrs. Brock were born five children : Harriett A., now the wife of William Hunter, of Earlham, Iowa; Eleanor, who became the wife of Le Roy Smith and died at the age of thirty-one years; William E., who passed away at the age of twenty-two years ; Charlie, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Des Moines; and Frank B., who is sheriff of this county and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Brock held membership in the Methodist church, to which Mrs. Brock still belongs, and during the later part of his life he was one of its local preachers. He took a most active and helpful part in church work, doing everything in his power to advance the work of the church and extend its influence. He also heid membership in Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R., of Winterset, which he joined on its organization. His political indorsement was always given to the republican party from the time of its organization. He passed away February 20, 1899. He was feeble during the later years of his life and his wife looked after their business affairs. When almost seventy-seven years of age he passed away, re- spected and honored by all who knew him, for his life had been upright and his worth of character endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Mrs. Brock is now seventy-nine years of age, but is as active as most women at fifty. She is one of the prominent residents of Madison county, where she located sixty years ago, coming as a young wife to this section of the country. Great indeed have been the changes which time and man have wrought in the intervening period. Wild lands have been converted into productive farms, pioneer cabins have been replaced by substantial and attractive residences and every indication of pioneer life has long since passed away. Mrs. Brock has ever been an interested witness of the work of improvement and development and, like her husband, she has made her life count for good in this work of general improvement.
JAMES G. GRAHAM.
James G. Graham, a representative and successful agriculturist of Madison county who has resided within its borders for nearly four decades, owns and operates a well improved farm embracing one hundred and three acres on section 17, Lincoln township. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, Indiana, on the 13th of June, 1855, his parents being James and Harriet ( Twiford) Graham, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage was cele- brated in the Buckeye state. James Graham was a wool finisher by trade and worked in the woolen mills of Indiana until 1877, when he came with his family
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to Madison county, Iowa, settling on the farm which is now in the possession of our subject. A log house stood on the property and only slight improvements had been made, but as time passed the place was transformed into a valuable and productive farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. James Graham made their home thereon until they passed away. They had two children, H. C. and James G.
The latter, who was a young man of twenty-two years when he came with his parents to this county, has remained on the home farm in Lincoln township to the present time, the property being now in his possession. General agricultural pur- suits have claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career and in the work of the fields he has won a gratifying and well merited measure of suc- cess by reason of his practical, progressive methods and wisely directed industry. He has built a substantial, commodious residence and excellent barn and has long been numbered among the enterprising and prosperous citizens of the community.
Mr. Graham has been twice married. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Clingenpeel and was a native of Indiana, passed away leaving four children, namely: George H., who is deceased; C. T., who is married and resides with his family in Carroll county, Indiana; Emanuel, who lives with his family in Indiana ; and Elizabeth, deceased. For his second wife Mr. Graham chose Miss Cordelia Harrell, a native of Madison county, Iowa, and a daughter of John Harrell, an early settler of this county. To James G. and Cordelia ( Harrell ) Graham has been born one child, Zeller, who is at home.
Mr. Graham gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served in the capacity of school director for many years, the cause of education ever find- ing in him a stalwart champion. He is widely known throughout Madison county as a progressive farmer and public spirited citizen and he commands the confidence and respect of the entire community.
LACLEDE LOWE.
Laclede Lowe, who was for some time a successful merchant and who more recently has been engaged in farming in this county, is now living retired in Win- terset. He is a native of Warren county, Illinois, born on St. Valentine's day in 1852, a son of John and Margaret ( Reynolds) Lowe. The father was born in England, May 4, 1802, and was reared upon a farm in that country. When twenty- one years of age he crossed the Atlantic to Nova Scotia and subsequently made his way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Not long afterward he removed to Wash- ington county, that state, where he was married in 1836. In 1843 he and his family made the voyage down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers to Oquawka, Illinois, and thence to Warren county, that state. He purchased land in Spring Grove township and farmed it until 1874, when he removed to Red Oak, Iowa, where he lived retired until his demise, which occurred in October, 1878. He owned a valuable farm and was successful in its operation. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1812, and was there reared and married. She became one of the pioneer women of Warren county, Illinois, and performed well her part in the development of that region. She passed away in January, 1866, when
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fifty-four years of age, in the faith of the Disciples church, of which she had long been a devoted member.
Laclede Lowe is the youngest in a family of eight children who reached ma- turity and passed his boyhood under the parental roof, while his education was acquired in the district schools. When eighteen years of age he assumed charge of the work of the home farm and for four years operated the place. He then bought land and began its operation. He felt the need of a more liberal educa- tion, however, and sold some stock, which provided him with funds to attend Monmouth College. Upon leaving that school he began raising stock and also bought stock of others, which he fed and sold at a good profit. In 1882 he dis- posed of his farm and came to Winterset, where he engaged in the furniture busi- ness until 1905. On account of ill health he abandoned merchandising in that year and concentrated his attention upon the cultivation of his land. In 1883 he purchased a small farm near Winterset and he also owns two hundred and forty acres in Lincoln township. In 1914 he sold his stock and rented his farm and has since lived a life free from business cares. He proved successful as a furniture dealer and managed his agricultural interests so as to secure a gratifying addition to his annual income.
On the Ist of September, 1880, Mr. Lowe married Miss Laura Buchanan, who was born in West Virginia and reared there and in Marshall county, Illinois. Her demise occurred on the 29th of June, 1911, and her passing was the occasion of sincere regret to many. She was the mother of two children: Edna J., the wife of Fred Danforth, of Winterset; and Mardie, who is now Mrs. C. C. Cross- ley, of Harrisonville, Missouri.
Mr. Lowe is an independent republican with liberal tendencies and until 1912 was quite active in local political affairs, although he has never been a candidate for office. He was one of the organizers of the Madison County Bank and until quite recently was a director of that institution. In 1903 he was made secretary of the Business Men's Association of Winterset and he was the prime mover of the first good roads meeting in Madison county and is one of the leaders of the Good Roads Association, realizing fully the great importance of good highways in our modern complex civilization. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge, chapter, commandery and Shrine. He has not spared himself in his efforts to advance the interests of his community along a number of different lines and the ease which he is now enjoying is richly deserved.
JONATHAN ALLEN GORDON.
Jonathan Allen Gordon, an old settler of Lincoln township, is a native of Ripley county. Indiana, born June 14, 1845. His parents, Ervin W. and Sarah (Gordon) Gordon, were natives of Pennsylvania but at an early day in the his- tory of the middle west removed to Indiana, whence they came to Madison county, lowa, arriving here on the 15th of October, 1852, after driving across the country with three teams. They crossed the Mississippi river by ferry at Fort Madison. The family home was established in Lincoln township, where the father entered eight or nine hundred acres of government land. He improved
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