USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 23
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
He is honored and respected not only as a man of known integrity and as a successful farmer, but also as one who in the nation's hour of peril unflinch- ingly stood by the Union.
GEORGE W. EYERLY.
George W. Eyerly is actively engaged in farming in Douglas township and as an old soldier is entitled to the respect of those who are enjoying the prosperity of our united country-united because such men as he offered themselves in its defense. He was born in Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, on the 17th of Jan- uary, 1843, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Thuma) Eyerly. The father, who was of English and Scotch descent, was born in Maryland, May 2, 1803, and the mother, who came of Holland Dutch parentage, was born in Pennsylvania in 1814.
Samuel Eyerly learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and followed that occupation for many years, although after his sons were grown he turned his at- tention to farming and for a considerable length of time he both cultivated the soil and did carpentering, being a landowner in Ohio. In 1846 he removed to Washington county, Iowa, settling on Dutch Creek Prairie. At that time there were but few families living in the county and there was nothing to be seen but the grass-covered prairies, an occasional grove of oaks and innumerable wild pigeons. Deer had not yet disappeared and Mr. Eyerly was sometimes able to kill them while standing in his cabin door. His first work upon his arrival was to erect a log cabin, which remained the family home for some time. He found con- siderable demand for his trade as new settlers came into the country and he built many of the first frame houses in Washington county. In that early day the rivers were important highways and he removed from Ohio to Washington county by boat, making the trip from Cincinnati to Keokuk by that means. In 1858 he removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he became the owner of valuable land. Two years later, however, he went to Jasper county, where he farmed and fol- lowed his trade until 1863, in which year he came to Madison county, settling in Crawford. He worked at carpentering and farmed a small tract of land with the assistance of his youngest son, James Harlan, three of his sons having enlisted in the army. A short time prior to his death he returned to Jasper county and passed away there in May, 1867. He was very prominent in the early Methodist Episcopal church in Iowa and while living in Washington county helped to organ- ize the first church of that denomination there. He was especially interested and active in Sunday-school work, feeling that to influence the children is to determine the lives of the men and women of tomorrow. He served acceptably as justice of the peace but had no ambition for other office. His indignation was aroused by slavery and he was a leader in abolition circles in this state. He built the first mill on Skunk river, which was known as the Smedley mill and was located near Brighton, this state. His wife survived him for many years, passing away in 1900.
George W. Eyerly attended the common schools in Washington county and at Brighton, Iowa, but his education was not confined to lessons learned in books, as through assisting his father he learned much of value concerning agricultural
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work. He was engaged in farming when the Civil war broke out and, feeling that his country needed his services, he entered Company E, Fortieth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry, enlisting on the 11th of August, 1862, in the face of parental opposition. Before he was eighteen years of age he had drilled with the Second Iowa Cavalry and desired to enlist then but his father thought he was too young. His brother, Captain J. B. Eyerly, was a member of the Thirteenth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, and served for four years. He afterward located near Newton, Iowa, where he became very prominent and well known. He died on the 11th of March, 1907. Another brother, William Eyerly, was also a member of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was killed in the siege of Atlanta. George W. Eyerly participated with his regiment in the battle at Jenkins Ferry on Saline river, in Arkansas, and there was wounded, a spent bullet passing through his knapsack and clothing, causing a surface wound, which gave him very little trouble, however. He was also in the siege of Vicksburg and was under the command of General Grant. He was mustered out on the reservation of the Cherokee Nation, August 16, 1865, at Fort Gibson.
Mr. Eyerly then returned to his home in Madison county and resumed work as an agriculturist. Although he has passed the three score years and ten allotted to man by the Psalmist he is still performing his part in the world's work and is operating his farm. He raises the crops best suited to the soil and climate of the state and also keeps some stock, and his wise management of his affairs insures him a good profit on his year's work. He raises shorthorn cattle and Shire horses and has exhibited a number of the latter at the county fair.
On the 9th of December, 1865, Mr. Eyerly was united in marriage to Miss Martha Angeline Howell, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, who was born February 18, 1849, and died in 1892. She was a sister of Lanson Howell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Eyerly were born thirteen children: Louella M., the wife of S. M. Cocklin, a mail carrier and farmer of Ridgeway. Missouri, by whom she has nine children; Vinson Arthur, a farmer of Madison county, who was born July 4, 1868, and died on the 26th of February, 1905, leaving a widow and two children ; Alice E., who gave her hand in marriage to Graham Scott, a farmer of Ridgeway, Missouri, by whom she has three sons and two daughters; Virgil E., born March 19, 1872, who is farming his own land near Earlham, in Dallas county, Iowa, and who has three children ; Frank L., a landowner and farmer of Union township, born October I, 1874, who is married and has three children; William C., born October 31, 1876, who owns land in Grand River township and who is married and the father of six children; Charles L., born December 26, 1878, who is farming in Douglas township and who has four children ; Earl E., born June 12, 1881, who is a farmer and auctioneer residing in Grand River township and who is the father of three children : George R., who was born April 6, 1883, and died December 25, 1888; Loren H., born December 18, 1885, who resides in Hamill, South Dakota, and has three children ; Ray V., born December 16, 1887, who is farming in Jackson township and has three children ; Fred R., born December 24, 1889, who is farm- ing in Jefferson township and has two children; and Ralph H., who was born May 1, 1892, and died November 5, 1901.
On the 31st of December, 1897, Mr. Eyerly was again married, Miss Clara Bailey becoming his wife. She is a native of this county, born in Douglas town-
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ship of the marriage of Moses and Mary (Chandler) Bailey. Her father's birth occurred on the 15th of January, 1825, and her mother's in 1832. Mr. Bailey is still living but his wife died on the 6th of August, 1911. He learned the car- penter's trade in his youth and was for a number of years a cabinetmaker. He also learned the jeweler's trade. In 1853 he came to Winterset and founded one of the first jewelry stores in the town. He also became a landowner and upon retiring settled upon his farm, spending much time in the care of his bees and flowers. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of whom Mrs. Eyerly was the ninth in order of birth. She was reared in the Quaker faith but is now identified with the Christian church and has taken an active part in the work of both the Christian and Methodist Episcopal churches situated in her locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Eyerly have been born seven children : Beulah, born January 17, 1899; Emerson, born on the 30th of October, 1900; Howard R., born May 8, 1904; John Hugh, whose birth occurred November 25, 1905; Mabel, born April 29, 1907; Lloyd W., born February 21, 1909; and Samuel O., born December 26, 1910. Mr. Eyerly is the father of twenty children, has forty-one grandchil- dren and one great-grandchild.
He has always supported the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has served acceptably as trustee. Since 1857 he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in addition to giving money for the building of the first West Star Methodist Episcopal church he gave the ground upon which the structure was erected. He has held office in both the church and Sunday school and his life has been a strong factor in the moral advancement of his community. He also holds membership in Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R., at Winterset. The measure of success that he has gained has been due entirely to his energy and good judgment and the high place that he holds in the estimation of his fellow citizens is the reward of his integrity and uprightness.
HENRY LEVEKE.
Henry Leveke, a native of Germany, is one of the substantial, well-to-do farmers of Winterset, owning five hundred acres of excellent land in this county and three hundred and twenty acres in Adair county. He was born June 11, 1847, in the province of Lippe-Detmold, the region in which the Germanic tribes defeated the Roman legions in 20 B. C. His parents, Henry and Amelia (San- ders) Leveke, were both born in that province, the former in 1813 and the latter two years later. Henry Leveke, Sr., was a mason and had the reputation of being an excellent workman. He was employed at his trade in the erection of many important structures, including the castle and other buildings owned by the Prince of Lippe-Detmold at Schieder. He served his term in the German army, was burgomaster of his town and was an elder in the German Reformed church. He was not only prominent but was popular and sincerely respected in his com- munity. His first wife died in 1852, leaving five children, and he subsequently remarried, having one son by his second wife. He passed away in 1879 when about sixty-six years of age.
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Henry Leveke of this review was the third in order of birth of six children and remained with his father and stepmother until 1867, when, not wishing to enter the army, he left for the United States in company with a sister and made his way direct to Herman, Gasconade county, Missouri, where he lived with an uncle. He had previously learned the mason's trade, which he there followed for one year, but in 1868 came to Winterset and was employed on the erection of the courthouse and also worked on some of the better residences of the county. In 1869 he worked at his trade in Des Moines and later assisted in building the state house. In the meantime he had invested his savings in land in Adair county and in 1872 began farming on section 25, Grand River township, that county. He raised, fed and shipped stock extensively, and his financial resources steadily increased, as he managed his affairs wisely. From time to time he bought more land, eventually acquiring five hundred acres in Madison county and three hun- dred and twenty acres in Adair county. In 1903 he retired and took up his abode in Winterset, where he is now living in well earned leisure. His success has not been due to any fortuitous advantages but solely to his willingness to work and ability to plan his labor so as to secure the greatest possible results.
On the 19th of March, 1871, Mr. Leveke married Miss Rosina Augustine, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on the 6th of March, 1851, a daughter of Christian and Margaret Augustine, both natives of Germany. The father was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, learning his trade in Germany, and in 1857 took up his residence in Adair county, Iowa, where he became the owner of con- siderable land in Grand River township. He specialized in the raising of high grade stock and was very successful in that occupation. As a workman in his trade he was painstaking and skillful. Mrs. Leveke passed away on the 19th of November, 1908. She was the mother of nine children. Mary Amelia is the wife of Rev. Camphoefner, a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, stationed at Webster City, Iowa, and they have three children. Fred- ericka gave her hand in marriage to John Kleinschmidt, bookkeeper in a whole- sale house of St. Louis. Frederick, born March 4, 1877, became a well known farmer and passed away on the 4th of March, 1910. Henry, whose birth oc- curred on the 10th of February, 1879, is a successful farmer in Webster town- ship, Madison county. Mary is the wife of S. M. Joliffe, a jeweler of Logan, Iowa, and they have one child. Rosa is the widow of Elmer Minshall and also lives in Logan. Ernest, born June 26, 1886, is a city advertising solicitor for the Des Moines Daily News. He is married and has one child. Harry W., born December 18, 1891, is married and is farming the homestead in Adair county. Ruth, the youngest of the family, is studying music at Simpson College, In- dianola, Iowa.
On the ist of January, 1912, Mr. Leveke was united in marriage with Miss Clara E. Perkins, for many years a prominent teacher of this county. She is a daughter of E. G. and Rose ( Merrill) Perkins, more extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Leveke is a republican with progressive views and has taken an active part in public affairs in this county. He has held all of the township offices, was secretary of the school board for ten years and since removing to Winterset has served on the school board several terms, much of the time as president, and for two years has been councilman. He is equally active in the work of the Meth-
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odist Episcopal church and while living upon the farm was for seventeen con- secutive years superintendent of the Sunday school of Wesley Chapel of Web- ster township, this county, and contributed generously to the erection of the church edifice. During the many years that he was actively engaged in agricul- tural pursuits he not only accumulated a handsome competence but also aided in the development of this section of the state along the lines of farming and stock- raising and at all times he has done his share and more in promoting the moral and civic advancement of his community. All those who know him, and his circle of acquaintances is a wide one, entertain for him sincere respect and there are many who value highly his friendship.
C. P. CLINE.
C. P. Cline, the proprietor of the Pilot Grove Farm on sections 3, 4 and 9, Penn township, is especially interested in the raising of thoroughbred stock. He is a'native of the county, born in Douglas township on the 3d of November, 1854, and a son of Frederick and Mary (Williamson) Cline, both natives of Ohio, the father of Ross county and the mother of Guernsey county. The mother accom- panied her parents upon their removal in 1836 to what is now Louisa county, this state, although it was then a part of Wisconsin territory. The father also set- tled in Louisa county at an early day and there they both grew to maturity, met and were married. In 1854 they came to Madison county and entered land in Jackson township, the father devoting the balance of his life to farming here. He served in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting at Winterset, and was promoted to the rank of corporal. He passed away on the 9th of November, 1881, and was survived by his widow until the 7th of May, 1893.
C. P. Cline was reared in Jackson township, where he attended the public schools and thus prepared himself to take an intelligent part in the life of his community. He received other training, however, that was equally as valuable, as under his father's instruction he early learned practical methods of agricul- ture. After his father's demise he assumed charge of the home place, which he cultivated until 1889. In that year he removed to Penn township and pur- chased two hundred and eighty-four and a half acres of land on sections 3, 4 and 9. He immediately began its improvement and has since operated it, being very successful as a general farmer and as a stock-raiser. He specializes in thor- oughbred Poland China hogs and Polled Angus cattle. For many years he fed one hundred and fifty head of cattle annually but as he has acquired more than a competence he is now taking things somewhat easier and feeds only about a carload per year. He has other business interests aside from his farm, being a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank of Earlham and president of the Pitzer Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Pitzer.
On the 25th of March, 1892, Mr. Cline was married to Miss Laura Eppard, a daughter of J. A. and Jane (Weaver) Eppard, natives of Virginia, who became residents of Madison county at an early day in the history of this part of the state. The father engaged in farming here until 1914, when he and his wife removed to St. Charles, where they are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have
C. P. CLINE
RESIDENCE OF C. P. CLINE
Anim
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
become the parents of four children: Pearl, the wife of Emanuel Bilz, who is conducting the Iowa Hotel of Des Moines; Ruth, now Mrs. Glenn Trapp, of Des Moines; Fred, who died when two years of age; and Blanche, who passed away in 1894 when but seven months old.
Mr. Cline is a democrat in politics, is a member of the Christian church and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. These associations indicate much concerning his interests aside from business and in all relations of life he is willing to discharge the duties devolving upon him. He has served for two years as trustee of his township and last November was re- elected to that office, his excellent record commending him to his constituents.
J. W. GRAVES.
J. W. Graves, who is successfully operating his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott township, was born in Stark county, Illinois, in 1870, a son of Joseph S. Graves, who was born in Ohio but after the Civil war removed to Illinois, settling in Stark county, where he owned two good farms. He passed away on the 27th of January, 1914, at the advanced age of eighty years. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Mary J. Whitten, who was likewise a native of the Buckeye state and who is still living on the old homestead at the age of sixty-seven years. The father was a republican in politics and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. Three of their nine children are deceased and two brothers of our subject are also living in this county, M. R. and T. P., both residents of Lincoln township.
J. W. Graves passed his boyhood days upon the homestead and devoted much of his time during the winter months to study in the public schools. He also attended Abingdon Normal College for one winter. Following his marriage he began farming on one of his father's places and from the first year was rewarded by abundant crops. In February, 1904, he removed with his family to this county and purchased one hundred acres on section 36, Walnut township. After living there for five years he traded his place for his present farm of a quarter section of fine land on section 17, Scott township. He immediately took up his residence there and has since built a fine large house. The other buildings upon the place are commodious and well adapted for their purpose. He carries on general farming and as he uses the most improved machinery and scientific methods in the cultivation of his land he is meeting with gratifying success as an agriculturist.
Mr. Graves was married in Illinois to Miss Nannie Biggs, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Biggs, the former of whom died many years ago while the latter is still living in Marshalltown, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have three children, Edith, Earl and Mary.
The parents are members of the Christian church and not only attend its services but contribute to its support. The republican party has a stanch sup- porter in Mr. Graves and he is now serving his second term as township trustee. He was for two terms school director and is still much interested in everything relating to the welfare of the public-school system. Fraternally he is a member Vol. II-12
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of the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the lodge at Winterset. In the eleven years that he has lived in this county he has become well known and all who have been brought in contact with him hold him in high respect.
JAMES R. DAVIS.
James R. Davis, who is living retired in Winterset, has been a prominent official of this county and is also entitled to honor as a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of September, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Rollstin) Davis, also natives of that county. The father was born on the 26th of March, 1808, and the mother on the 5th of December, 1814, and their marriage was celebrated in 1830. William Davis worked upon the "pike" in Washington county, Pennsylvania, for a time but in 1841 removed with his family to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he farmed until 1857, when he came to Winterset, Iowa, arriving here on the 2d of May. He made the journey with ox teams and settled in Union township, this county, where he became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land. He re- mained there until 1870, when he went to Kansas, in which state he passed away in 1878. He survived his wife for about twelve years, as she died on the 4th of May, 1866. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church and was highly esteemed in his community.
James R. Davis attended the district schools of Guernsey county, Ohio, in the acquirement of his education and after reaching maturity began farming, con- tinuing to follow agricultural pursuits in this county until the Civil war broke out. On the 19th of August, 1862, he offered his services to the federal government in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company F, Thirty-ninth Volun- teer Infantry. He was made corporal and never faltered in the performance of his duty as a soldier. When driving an ammunition wagon he was taken prisoner but fortunately was rescued by his comrades. On the 5th of June, 1865, he was discharged at Washington, D. C.
Returning to his farm in Union township, this county, Mr. Davis resumed the cultivation of the soil and the raising of stock, both of which occupations proved very profitable. In 1879 he was elected sheriff of the county on the repub- lican ticket and proved an efficient officer of the law. In 1887 he was appointed steward of the county home and held that position for seven years. He set out trees upon the place and made a number of substantial improvements. While he was vigilant in safeguarding the interests of the county, he also did all in his power to make the home as pleasant as possible for the inmates. For eight years he served as justice of the peace in Union township and following his removal to Winterset in 1908 was justice of the peace here but has now resigned. He is living retired, as he has accumulated a competence that assures him of the necessi- ties and comforts of life during his remaining years.
Mr. Davis married on the 10th of February, 1853, Miss Margaret Henderson, whose birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1833. Her father, John Henderson, was born on the Ist of January, 1809, in Ohio and fol- lowed the occupation of farming. In 1857 he removed to Monmouth, Illinois,
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where he passed away a number of years later. He was a devout member of the United Presbyterian church and religion played a very important part in his life. His wife, who was born on the 27th of June, 1809, proved a true helpmate indeed and both were accorded a high place in the estimation of those who knew them.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of nine children, five of whom are living: Nancy J., who gave her hand in marriage to W. C. Young, a farmer of Minnesota, by whom she has five children; Martha, the wife of C. A. Higgs, a farmer of Alberta, Canada, by whom she has three children; James B., a farmer of Wapello county, Iowa, who is married and has three children; William Thomas, born March 13, 1866, who is farming in Madison county and who has four children; and John M., of Kasson, Minnesota, who has three children. Mary M. became the wife of A. T. Rees, a son of one of the pioneer blacksmiths of this county, and passed to her reward, leaving three children. Mr. and Mrs. Davis lost three other children, Findley, Leslie M., and Elizabeth Ann, and the wife and mother passed away June 17, 1899. There are eighteen grandchildren living and ten great-grandchildren. On the 28th of March, 1901, Mr. Davis mar- ried Miss Hannah Kennedy, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a daughter of James and Elinor ( Ferguson) Kennedy, both natives of Ireland, the father born in County Derry in 1813 and the mother in County Tyrone in 1814. Mr. Kennedy was a weaver of linen in Ireland and on coming to the United States in 1838 settled in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade until 1854. In that year he removed to Ohio and turned his attention to farming. Two years later he went to Indiana and there cultivated land until 1871, when he came to Union township, this county. He owned land both in Indiana and in Union township and was a successful agriculturist, although when he first began farm- ing he knew nothing about it. His religious faith was that of the United Pres- byterian church. His death occurred in 1892 and that of his wife in 1875.
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