USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 14
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MR. AND MRS. JONATHAN A. GORDON
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his property and lived upon the farm for about twelve years, but at the end of that time, having accumulated a competence, he removed to Winterset, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1865. Two years later his wife also passed to the home beyond. Their children were six in number, namely : William, who died in this county ; Samuel A., a veteran of the Union army, who died in Adair county ; Martha Jane, the deceased wife of Moses A. Carmichael, who fought in the Civil war; John N., familiarly known as Newt, who resides in Winterset ; Sarah Ann, deceased, who married John W. Price, who has also passed away ; and Jonathan Allen.
The last named passed the days of his boyhood and youth as did most boys upon farms at that time, attending the common schools during the winter months and helping with the farm work. After completing the course offered in the common schools he became a student in the Winterset high school, from which he was graduated. On the 15th of August, 1862, when but seventeen years of age, he went to Davenport and joined his brother and brother-in-law, Samuel A. Gordon and Moses Carmichael, who had enlisted for service in the Civil war as members of Company F, Thirty-ninth lowa Volunteer Infantry. On the Ist of November he was permitted to join the company as he was a drummer and fifer and his services could be used to advantage. On the 17th of August of the fol- lowing year he returned home on a furlough on account of sickness and not long afterward was honorably discharged. He remained at home and for four years was engaged in teaching school. In 1868, on the day after Grant's election as president. Mr. Gordon located on the tract of land which he has since cultivated. At that time it contained no buildings save a two room shanty. He enlarged the house, built a barn, set out a grove of evergreen trees and has from time to time added other improvements to the place. His wife owns eighty acres of good bot- tom land which she inherited from her father's estate.
On the 30th of September, 1865. Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Kellogg, who was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, a daughter of Miles and Elizabeth (Smith) Kellogg, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. She is the only one of their nine children who survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon six children were born: Emmett, who died in infancy ; Elmer, a resident of this county, who married Mary Martin, by whom he has three chil- dren, Grace, Daisy and Mabel; Eleanor, who died in infancy ; Edna, the wife of Otis Gilliland, of Douglas township, by whom she has a son, Cresley ; Ellsworth, deceased, who married Rosa Holloway, by whom he had four children, Iris, Thelma and Elaine, who live with the subject of this review ; while Cleta makes her home with her maternal grandparents at Winterset; and Essie, who passed away when three years old.
Mr. Gordon has been a member of the First Christian church of Winterset for thirty years, and his life and influence have been factors in the moral develop- ment of his community. In his early manhood he voted the republican ticket but in later years has been a democrat. He is a member of J. A. Pitzer Post, No. 55. of the Grand Army of the Republic, and enjoys the association thus made possible with his comrades of the Union army. Practically all of his life has been passed in this county and as his memory is clear and exact his accounts of the early conditions here and the subsequent development are of great value to the generation of today, which finds it difficult to conceive of the county as other
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than the prosperous and populous region that it is at the present time. The esteem and respect of his fellow citizens are accorded Mr. Gordon in full meas- ure, and this high place in the estimation of those who have come in contact with him is richly deserved.
ALFRED R. TATE.
Alfred R. Tate has been for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of February, 1850, the youngest of a family of eleven children born to Lee and Sarah ( Eberhart) Tate, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. The paternal grandparents were probably born in Scotland and the grandfather became a farmer of the Keystone state. His son, Lee Tate, also followed farm- ing there until 1865, when he removed with his family to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and there cultivated land. He passed away in 1872, when about seventy years of age. He was a devout member of the Baptist church and an indefatigable student of the Bible, which he read through twenty-four times. The maternal grandfather, Adolph Eberhart, a native of Germany, was a glass blower by trade. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Sarah Phillip, was the daughter of a Revolu- tionary soldier. The mother of our subject was reared in Pennsylvania, where her marriage occurred, and passed away in Iowa in 1871, when sixty-six years of age.
Alfred R. Tate was reared at home and received his education in the district schools. In 1865 he took up his residence in Mahaska county, Iowa, where he was identified with farming until 1874. In that year he arrived in Madison county and bought eighty acres of raw land in Lincoln township, which he imme- diately began to improve and develop. From time to time he purchased addi- tional land until he became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres, which he operated successfully until 1903. In that year he rented and removed to Winterset in order to give his children the advantages of the city schools. As they have all now received an excellent education he intends to remove to a farm of ninety-eight acres in Lincoln township which he has recently bought and which he is planning to operate himself. He is still renting his farm of two hun- dred and eighty acres. He is a progressive and efficient agriculturist and has found farming a very lucrative occupation and also a congenial one, as he values highly his independence and prefers an outdoor life.
On the 2d of November, 1880, Mr. Tate married Miss Artie Gee, who was born in Davis county, Iowa, of the marriage of William and Mary Elizabeth (Barkley) Gee. The father was a native of Missouri and at the time of the Civil war enlisted in the Union army. He passed away in an army hospital in 1862. His wife, who was a native of the north of Ireland, was brought to the United States by her parents when but a child of seven years. Following her marriage she became a resident of Davis county, Iowa, and after her husband's death she removed to Polk county, this state, where she became the wife of Wallace Wicks. Eventually she became a resident of Madison county, where she passed away on the 2d of June, 1909, when sixty-nine years of age. She was a consistent member
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of the Church of Christ and was highly esteemed by all who knew her. Mrs. Tate, who is the only child born to her parents, was educated in Warren county, Iowa, and arrived in this county in 1879. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children : Ralph Arthur, a traveling salesman whose territory is in Canada; Edith, the wife of Charles Rhyno, of Lorimer, Iowa; Beth, who married W. J. Stephens, of Des Moines, Iowa; Helen, the wife of Phillip Sproul, of Des Moines; Gladys, who is attending Drake University ; and Alfred Lee, at home.
Mr. Tate gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., of Winterset, and with the chapter. He has achieved a large measure of material success and takes just pride in the fact that his prosperity is due entirely to his own work and wise management of his affairs. He possesses those qualities of self-reliance and in- itiative that are so highly regarded in this country and that have contributed so much to its unprecedented material development.
JOSEPH E. BRITTAIN.
Joseph E. Brittain, a farmer of Madison township, was born in Jefferson township, this county, on the 30th of January, 1885, a son of P. C. and Sarah (Cox) Brittain, natives of Missouri and Indiana respectively. The father was a successful agriculturist and removed to Madison county before the Civil war, here following his chosen occupation. In 186t he placed the great need of the country above all private considerations and enlisted in Company A, Thirty- ninth Iowa Infantry, serving with his command until the close of the war. His record was one in all respects highly creditable to him and he participated in many hard fought battles. At the close of hostilities he returned to Madison county and bought land in Jefferson township, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time until 1902. He then sold that place and purchased one hundred and twenty-three acres of land on sections 10 and 11, Madison township, a well improved property, which he operated until his demise. He passed away on the 4th of November, 1909, and is survived by his widow, who is still living upon the home place.
Joseph E. Brittain was reared and educated in this county and has always remained under the parental roof. He and his father farmed in partnership until the latter's demise and since then our subject has assumed complete charge of the home farm. He also operates ninety-seven acres adjoining, which he owns individually. His effective methods and good business management insure his continued success as a farmer, and he is justly considered one of the most progressive and able agriculturists of the county.
Mr. Brittain married Miss Alcy Jennings, the wedding being solemnized on the 4th of July, 1909. Her parents, Taylor and Elizabeth ( Hunt) Jennings, were both born in Ohio but removed to Dallas county, Iowa, at an early day in the history of that part of the state. The father purchased land there, which he has cultivated for forty years. His wife is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Brittain have a son, Clyde J., four years of age.
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Mr. Brittain is a republican and is at present treasurer of the school fund, his fellow citizens having elected him to that position of trust. As a member of the Masonic order and as a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church his life conforms to high ethical standards and he is always ready to extend a helping hand to his fellowmen in need. He has won deserved success as an agriculturist and has found general farming and stock-raising more profitable than confining his efforts to one phase of agriculture. He raises thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs and has done not a little in improving the grade of hogs raised in his township. His prosperity is the result of the exercise of qualities that may be cultivated by all, such as close application to the" work at hand, systematic management and unswerving integrity in all business dealings.
JOHN WESLEY LIKENS.
John Wesley Likens, who owns a general mercantile store in Truro and is president of the Truro Savings Bank, was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 2d of December, 1857. His parents, Levi and Susan ( Bossler) Likens, were both natives of Blair county, Pennsylvania, and the father was born the 3d of January, 1823, of Dutch and Scotch descent, while the mother was of Pennsyl- vania Dutch stock and was born May 18, 1830. They were married in the Keystone state in December, 1850, and in 1852 removed to Scott county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and engaged in agriculture. In 1869 he sold his farm there and removed to Sheridan county, Missouri, where he bought land, which he cultivated until his demise, which took place on the 20th of March, 1902. Following his demise the mother removed to Truro and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. A. F. Rankin. There were seven children in the family : Angeline, who was born on the 8th of November, 1851, is the widow of George Townsend and makes her home in Oklahoma. William Watson, born April 8, 1853, died on the 12th of April, 1854. Alberta Florence, born January 3, 1855, married Benjamin Rankin, who has passed away. She is now living in Truro, Iowa, and more detailed mention of her life is given elsewhere in this work. John Wesley, of this review, is the next in order of birth. Anderson, who was born on the 14th of November, 1861, is now living in Oakland, California. Laura May, born May 25, 1867, married Van Stephens and they are living in Flagg, Missouri. Ida Lulu, who was born October 6, 1873, gave her hand in marriage to Jesse O. Peek and they now reside in Oklahoma. .
John Wesley Likens began his education in the district schools of Scott county, Iowa, and later attended high school in Davenport. He accompanied his parents upon their removal to Missouri and engaged in farming until January 10, 1884, when he arrived in Old Peru, this county, and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness with his brother-in-law, Benjamin R. Rankin, under the firm name of Ran- kin & Likens. On the 15th of October, 1885, Mr. Likens came to Truro and established a general store here, which he has since conducted with gratifying success. One phase of his business that has proved especially profitable is the buying and selling of country produce and many of the farmers in the country tributary to Truro deal with him. In 1898 he founded a private bank in Truro,
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which he conducted as such until April, 1911, when it was reorganized as the Truro Savings Bank. He served as cashier of the institution until 1913, when he was elected president, which office he still holds. In 1904 he removed with his family to Des Moines in order to educate his daughters and is still living there. He owns a good residence property in that city and has made many friends there.
On the 6th of May, 1885, in Missouri, Mr. Likens married Miss Jessie Over- holt, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of two daugh- ters. Belle, who was born on the 6th of December, 1886, became the wife of P. W. McMartin and passed away on the 26th of October, 1909. Nola, whose birth occurred on the 21st of April, 1888, is at home with her parents in Des Moines. She was educated in the Des Moines high school and in Drake Uni- versity.
Mr. Likens is a republican and takes a commendable interest in everything relating to public affairs but is not an office seeker. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Truro and he also holds membership in the Masonic blue lodge, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America of that place. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, belonging to the consistory and Shrine of Des Moines. He supervises the operation of the Truro Savings Bank, of which he is president, and the conduct of his general store in Truro and is one of the important factors in the commercial life of that city, although for the past eleven years he has resided in Des Moines. He holds a high place in the estimation of the people of Truro and there are many who value highly his friendship.
THOMAS F. MARDIS.
Thomas F. Mardis, who passed away in 1908, was a prominent contractor of Winterset and erected many of the best buildings of the city. He was born in Ohio on the 19th of November. 1837, and was reared in New Comerstown, that state, where he attended the common schools and laid the foundation of his education, later becoming a student in the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. He learned the mason's trade under his father and in 1857 removed to Washington county, Iowa, where he resided for a year or so, after which he became a resident of Osceola. He worked there for some time and saved money enough to enable him to attend college for two terms. He then taught school for a similar length of time in his alma mater, after which he returned to Osceola and again took up the mason's trade. In 1874 he arrived in Winterset and soon established himself as a contractor and mason, building up an enviable reputation for thorough, honest work. He erected many of the leading business blocks and also a number of fine residences and would not tolerate any but good workmanship from his employes. In all of his business dealings he was honor- able and upright and he was ranked among the successful men of the city. He was active until a short time before his death, which occurred on the 7th of April, 1908.
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On the 17th of October, 1860, Mr. Mardis married Miss Annie Clark, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 28th of July, 1841, and in 1855 accompanied her parents on their removal to Iowa. She began her education in Illinois, continued it in Van Wert, Iowa, and supplemented the knowledge acquired in the common schools by attending the Osceola high school. To Mr. and Mrs. Mardis were born four children: John C., who is a leading contractor of Des Moines; Hattie, who married Fred Grout, of Richardson, North Dakota; Fred, who is engaged in the coal business in Winterset, and of whom mention is made on another page of this volume; and Anna, the wife of Charles Merrill, of Des Moines.
Mr. Mardis was a republican, his political views coinciding with the principles of that party. Fraternally he was a thirty-second degree Mason, becoming a member of Bellport Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M. at Osceola, in 1862. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was very popular not only in those organizations but among all of the residents of Winterset, his genial nature and large-heartedness winning him friends wherever he was known. He was a consistent member of the Presby- terian church and no good cause ever appealed to him in vain.
HENRY L. KAIL.
Henry L. Kail, who has lived retired in Earlham since December, 1897, was for a long period an active factor in agricultural circles of this county and won a measure of success that has enabled him to spend his declining years in well earned ease. His birth occurred in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in June, 1832, his parents being Hiram and Mary (Leyde) Kail, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. The father removed to Indiana in 1850 and seven years later to Illinois, where he followed farming until 1868, when he came to Iowa, purchasing a tract of land in Wayne county, which he cultivated for six years. On the expiration of that period he retired and took up his abode in Jackson township, Madison county, there continuing to reside until he passed away on the 10th of June, 1880. His wife had been called to her final rest on the 30th of May, 1871.
Henry L. Kail acquired his education in a log schoolhouse of his native county and remained with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. Subsequently he cultivated rented land in Illinois until 1862 and then enlisted for service with the Union army as a member of Company B, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, with which command he remained for three years, making a most creditable military record. When the country no longer needed his aid on the battlefield he returned to Illinois and purchased a farm in Shelby county, which he improved and operated for four years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and came to Iowa, buying a farm in Wayne county, which he operated for five years and then sold. In 1875 he came to Madison county and purchased and improved a farm of eighty acres in Penn township, which he operated until December, 1897, the careful conduct of his agricultural interests resulting in a
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gratifying annual income. Eighteen years ago he retired and has since made his home in Earlham, owning an attractive and comfortable residence in the town.
On the 25th of December, 1858, Mr. Kail was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E. Brant, a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Jackson) Brant, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father removed to Indiana in 1850 and followed farming in that state until 1864, when he went to Illinois, there carry- ing on agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in Shelby county on the 8th of August, 1871, while his wife passed away on the 24th of May, 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Kail have been born nine children, as follows: Mary O., who is the wife of A. J. Evans and resides in Montana ; Grant, who was formerly an agriculturist of this county and is now engaged in the automobile business at Lohrville, Calhoun county, Iowa; Margaret, who is the wife of J. H. Junkin, a retired agriculturist residing in Earlham ; Rezin I .. , who passed away on the 13th of October, 1893; Emmett E., living at Twin Falls, Idaho; Henry L., who died on the 22d of May, 1899; Robert R., whose demise occurred in September, 1880; Myrtle Blanche, who gave her hand in marriage to B. N. Jewett, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Laura B., formerly a teacher in penmanship and art, who is now recorder in an insurance office of Des Moines.
Mr. Kail is a stanch republican in politics and has served as justice of the peace in Penn township for three years, while he has also been assessor of Earlham. For four years he acted as mayor of Earlham, giving the town a most beneficial administration characterized by many measures of reform and improve- ment. He still maintains pleasant relations with his soldier comrades as a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and in religious faith is a Presbyterian, exemplifying the teachings of that church in his daily life. The period of his residence in Madison county now covers four decades, and his record is that of one of its prosperous, esteemed and valued citizens.
PORTER ROLLSTIN.
Porter Rollstin was for many years actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits but at the time of his death was living retired in Winterset. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 22d of March. 1831, and was reared upon a farm in that county. Much time in his early years was given to the acquirement of a public-school education but he also received practical train- ing in farm work, and when twenty-one years of age started out as a farmer for himself. For two years he resided in Winona, Minnesota ; then was at home for a year; and in 1857 removed to Madison county, Iowa. Here he found work as a carpenter and also farmed. Carefully saving his money, he was at length enabled to buy land in Scott township, purchasing forty acres at a time until he had one hundred and twenty acres. He devoted the remainder of his active life to the operation of his farm and his labor and careful planning resulted in the production of excellent crops, the sale of which brought a good income. He also raised high grade stock and found that phase of his activity likewise profitable. In 1898 he removed to Winterset, living retired during the remainder of his life.
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On the Ist of July, 1858, Mr. Rollstin was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Shields, a native of Marion county, Indiana, born September 16, 1843. Her parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Heizer) Shields, were born respectively in Pennsylvania and Indiana. In 1855 the family journeyed overland to Iowa, their household goods being transported in wagons drawn by horses. They established their home in Union township, Madison county, where the father bought two hundred and twenty acres of land, partly improved. Subsequently he sold out and removed to Washington county, Kansas, where both he and his wife passed their remaining days. He died at the age of seventy-three and she passed away when sixty-five years old. Mrs. Rollstin was about eleven years old when she accompanied her parents to this county and has since resided here. She became the mother of ten children, four of whom died in infancy, the others being: Capitola, the widow of J. N. Holmes, of Winterset ; Sherman, who is oper- ating a cement plant in Longmont, Colorado; Ella, the wife of U. S. Woodward, a farmer of this county ; Belle, who gave her hand in marriage to F. G. Martin, who is following agricultural pursuits here; Junetta, who married F. G. Martin and passed away at the age of twenty-six years ; and Myrtle, who became the wife of H. C. Litton and passed away when thirty-two years of age.
Mr. Rollstin was an adherent of the republican party and took that interest in public affairs which is incumbent upon a good citizen. He was a member of the Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany A, Thirty-ninth lowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until June, 1865, being often under fire and proving at all times a brave and loyal soldier. He was with the Eastern Army and accompanied Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. Mr. Rollstin's life was characterized by that energy and aggressiveness which we think of as typically American and his labors brought him a competence. He died on the 20th of December, 1913. His widow owns a good home and is in comfortable financial circumstances. She is still hale and hearty and quite active and is honored as one who has performed well her share in the work of the world and has used her influence for right and justice.
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