USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 29
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JOHN EVANS.
John Evans, an agriculturist residing on section 8, Scott township, is a native son of that township, his birth occurring on the farm which is still his home on the 12th of September, 1871. His father, Henry Evans, was born in Indiana and when fourteen years of age passed through Madison county, Iowa, on foot and later when his mother located here, he made his home with her for the greater part of the time for several years. He improved her farm, which comprised one hundred and seventy-one and a half acres, and when it came into his possession he still further added to its value by erecting a stone house and developing a stone quarry upon the place. The house is now the residence of our subject. Henry Evans married Miss Elizabeth Adkison, who was born in Nelson county, Virginia, but their marriage was solemnized in Missouri. He was an important factor in local politics in the early days of the county and ran for United States senator on the greenback ticket. To him and his wife were born ten children : Emily, the wife of J. C. Thornbrugh, of this county ; Levada, the widow of Wil- liam Hudspeth, a resident of New Mexico; Laura Ann, who married John Crid- ling, of Winterset, Iowa; Thomas L., a resident of Van Meter, Iowa; William E., who is living in Oklahoma ; Jennie, now Mrs. William McCrosky, of Chicago ; Mary, the wife of Charles Osborne, of Barney, Iowa ; John, of this review ; Harry, who has been in the regular army for fourteen years and is now stationed in the Philippines ; and Rowena, the wife of Owen Peacock, of Los Angeles, California.
John Evans has always resided upon the farm which he now owns and at- tended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. After reaching
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years of maturity he purchased the farm from his parents and took care of them in their declining years. He does general farming and his labors have been pro- ductive of excellent results, his land yielding abundant crops annually.
On the 16th of February, 1896, Mr. Evans married Miss Hattie A. Davis and to their union were born two children, Henry L. and Laura. His second wife was in her maidenhood Miss Bertha M. Jessup, a daughter of Charles E. Jessup of Lincoln township and a representative of a pioneer family of this county. She has became the mother of four children, three of whom survive, Mary Katherine, Ethel L. and Charles E.
Mr. Evans is a socialist in his political views and has been a candidate for office upon that party ticket. His family has been represented in this county for many years and he takes a commendable interest in all matters that concern the public welfare, believing that the good of the community as a whole should be the chief end of government.
GEORGE CASSANDER SACKETT.
George Cassander Sackett is still in good health and takes a keen interest in the events of the day, although he is in his eightieth year, and he has many friends in Winterset, where he is known not only as a man of much personal worth and as a retired farmer but also as a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Tall- madge, Summit county, Ohio, on the 20th of December, 1835, and his parents, Cassander and Henrietta ( Beach ) Sackett, were natives of Connecticut and Ohio respectively. The Sackett family is of English descent, although it was estab- lished in this country many years ago. Three brothers emigrated to America from England at an early day and Sackett's Harbor is named after one of them. The parents of our subject removed to Lee county, Iowa, in 1849, settling near the town of Denmark. The father was a farmer and was successful in his chosen occupation. He was an ardent abolitionist and aided many slaves to escape by way of the underground railroad. Both he and his wife were called to their reward while living in Lee county.
George C. Sackett was reared upon the family homestead and received thor- ough training in agricultural work, although his scholastic education was some- what limited. On the 13th of April, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army and in the latter part of July of that year was mustered into the service as a member of Company C. First Fowa Cavalry. His regiment was detailed on post duty the greater part of the time, and although it saw considerable skirmishing, the battle of Prairie Grove in 1862 was the most important engagement in which he par- ticipated. On the 4th of April, 1864, while on picket duty, he was wounded under the right eye by a minie ball, which penetrated into the cheek bone. For thirty years, eight months and nine days he carried that leaden missile, but it eventually gave him so much trouble that he had it removed. After he returned to the life of a civilian he resumed farming and in 1870 removed with his wife to Adair county, Iowa, where he purchased eighty acres of land, subse- quently adding sixty acres thereto. He farmed until 1896, giving his entire time to his work as an agriculturist. He harvested good crops annually and the sale
GEORGE C. SACKETT
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of his stock added materially to his income. He accumulated a competence that enabled him to retire from active life, and in 1896 he removed to Winterset, where he has a comfortable home on West Court avenue.
On the 6th of November, 1867, Mr. Sackett was married to Miss Emma Arethusa French, who was born in Jackson, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Alvan Duncan and Caroline Arethusa ( Clark) French, both of whom claimed Vermont as their native state. In an early day the father removed to Iowa and was one of the pioneer preachers of Eddyville. In 1864 he took up his residence in Lee county, where he passed away in 1866, but his wife died in Keokuk in 1901. Mrs. Sackett was born in Pennsylvania on the 17th of November, 1841, and accompanied her parents on their removal to New York and later to Iowa. She was an army nurse during the Civil war and her own account of her experiences appears in several numbers of the Madisonian.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sackett were born five children: Frank Alvan, of Des Moines, married Miss Ida Wilson and has four children, Wilber Wilson, George Howard, Harriett Emma and Louise Katharine, twin daughters. Carrie Etta is the wife of Henry C. Youngblood, of Fleming, Colorado, by whom she has a daughter, Ruth. By a former marriage Mrs. Youngblood has five children, namely : Jesse Earl, Ethel, Imogene Emma, Charles Glen and Bruce Marshall Fox. Anna Emma is now Mrs. W. D. Rich, of Sioux City, Iowa, and has a son, Russell Sackett Rich. Ida Florence has been a missionary in South Africa since 1908. Erwin George is a resident of Belden, Minnesota.
Mr. Sackett still supports the republican party, for which he has voted for many years. He and his wife are both members of the First Presbyterian church and he is further associated with the John A. Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R., of Winterset. He remembers very distinctly and accurately the events of the Civil war in which he participated and enjoys especially talking over those times with other Union veterans. About eight years ago he sold his farm and is now with- out any business worries and is enjoying the evening of his life, knowing that he has made sufficient financial preparation to supply him with all of the com- forts that he desires. His wife is also hale and hearty, and they have many friends among the young people of the community as well as among the older men and women and their declining years are rich in honor.
JOHN G. HUGLIN.
John G. Huglin is a retired farmer and stockman, now residing at 1834 Mon- damin avenue in Des Moines. He was born in Baden, Germany, in February, 1847, and was there reared to the age of eighteen years. In December, 1865. he landed at New York and afterward went to Pittston, Pennsylvania, where he worked in a hotel for four months. In April, 1866, he came to Iowa and made his way to Madison county, where he was employed on a farm owned by his cousin. After a year he entered the employ of a Mr. Mosier and for three years continued to work for him by the month as a farm hand. He then purchased teams and broke prairie in Madison and Warren counties for about four years and was thus identified with the pioneer development of those regions. In 1872
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he built a house in Bevington, where he conducted a hotel and butcher shop and also dealt in stock, actively carrying on business there until January, 1914, when he sold out and purchased his present home in Des Moines. Here he has since lived retired. At one time he was the owner of four hundred acres of rich and arable land in Madison county.
In 1871 Mr. Huglin was united in marriage to Miss Lena Henninger, a native of Baden, Germany, who had been one of his early schoolmates. She came to the United States in 1871 and soon afterward they were married. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Huglin is a democrat. He has never sought nor held political office but while in Madison county served as school director. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at St. Charles, Iowa, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Huglin arrived in Iowa a poor boy and worked by the month for some time as a farm hand in order to gain a start. As the years went on, however, he prospered and today is the possessor of a handsome competence. He occupies a pleasant, comfortable home in Des Moines, having retired from all business cares and now at the age of sixty-eight years he is enjoying well earned and well merited rest.
CHARLES D. STILES.
Charles D. Stiles, a worthy native son and representative business man of Madison county, is successfully engaged in the conduct of a general mercantile establishment at Patterson in association with his brother Albert. His birth occurred on the 25th of August, 1874, his parents being Thomas and Mary A. (Stockdale) Stiles. The father, a native of Benton county, Indiana, was reared on a farm in the Hoosier state and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1860 he came to Madison county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which he cultivated, also working as a carpenter, which was his trade. In 186t he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which com- mand he remained for nearly four years, making a creditable record as a brave and loyal soldier. He was wounded at the battle of Parkers Crossroads. After being honorably discharged from the army he returned to this county and re- sumed the pursuits of civil life as an agriculturist and carpenter. He was twice elected to the office of county supervisor and served two full terms, making a most commendable record in that connection. For more than forty years he was a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, and served as master of the blue lodge, while for many years he also served on the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a most devoted and consistent member. To him and his wife were born the following children: Emory, Arthur and Eddie, all deceased; Albert ; Cashis C .; William; Lauren; Henry ; Bessie ; and Charles D.
The last named began his education in the district schools and subsequently attended a graded school at Patterson. After putting aside his text-books he followed farming until 1895 and then began bridge building for the county, while
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five years later he was made foreman of the workmen, holding the position for seven years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the real-estate business but at the end of two years formed a partnership with his brother Albert for the conduct of a general mercantile store at Patterson which he still con- tinues. The brothers carry a large, attractive and well selected line of goods at reasonable prices and are accorded an extensive and gratifying patronage in recog- nition of their honorable methods and unassailable business integrity.
In 1898 Mr. Stiles was united in marriage to Miss Marthola Snyder, of St. Charles, Iowa, by whom he has one child, Thomas Dwight. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and on that ticket was elected county supervisor in 1910, making such an excellent record that he was again chosen for the position in 1913. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is identified with the Masons. He has resided continu- ously in Madison county from his birth to the present time and his record is that of one of its representative merchants and valued citizens.
GEORGE N. BENNETT.
George N. Bennett is successfully engaged in farming an excellent tract of land on sections 26 and 27, Madison township. He is a native of Douglas town- ship, this county, born April 15, 1874, of the marriage of Andrew and Mary E. (Giddeon) Bennett, the former born in Indiana and the latter in Ohio. The father became a resident of Madison county, Iowa, in 1852, accompanying his parents on their removal here in that year. His father entered land in Douglas township and devoted the remainder of his life to its cultivation. As soon as old enough Andrew Bennett began farming for himself and became the owner of land in Douglas township, which he improved and cultivated until his demise, which occurred in December, 1906, when he was seventy-one years of age. His widow survives at the age of seventy-three and resides with our subject.
George N. Bennett was reared under the parental roof and his youth was spent in much the same manner as that of other farmers' sons, as he attended the district schools, assisted his father with the work of the homestead and also found time for outdoor sports. He remained at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, farming the home place in partnership with his father. He then rented land on his own account in Madison township and after operating it for seven years located upon a farm of one hundred acres on sections 23 and 22, Madison township, belonging to his mother. For the past six years he has oper- ated this place, which is a valuable property, the land being fertile and everything about the farm being in excellent condition. His work is done at the proper time and as he employs practical methods and uses up-to-date machinery he is re- warded with excellent crops in their season. His stock is of a high grade and he finds that stock-raising is a lucrative phase of farming.
Mr. Bennett was married in October, 1896, to Miss Belle Beedle, a daughter of Abe and Rachel (Murphy) Beedle, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. They were among the early settlers in Madison county, coming here with their respective parents, both families settling in Union township. Mr.
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Beedle was reared and educated here and since coming to mature years has operated a farm in Union township. His wife is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have become the parents of seven children : Earl, seventeen years of age; Kyle, a lad of fourteen ; Ward, nine years old; Lelia five years of age; Millard and Marion, twins, who died in June, 1908; and Le Roy, who passed away in September, 1912.
Mr. Bennett is an adherent of the progressive party and holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In all relations of life he has proved upright and honorable and is justly accounted one of the forces for advancement and righteousness in his community.
JEROME GRIFFITH.
Jerome Griffith, a well known farmer of Douglas township, is a native of this county, born in Jefferson township on the 29th of June, 1874, the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children whose parents were David A. and Hester Ellen ( Miller ) Griffith. The father was born on the 15th of April, 1841, near Dayton, Ohio, and the mother's birth occurred in 1846. David A. Griffith became familiar with the work of the farm as a boy in Ohio and in April, 1861, when twenty years of age, enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war. His valor and cool-headedness won him promotion to the rank of sergeant, and his record throughout the period of hostilities was one of which he had good cause to be proud. He first served under Mcclellan but was later with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. In 1866 he removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, and four years later settled in this county. He had pre- viously homesteaded land in Buena Vista county. He resided in Union town- ship, this county, until 1893. in which year he located in Douglas township, where he became a landowner and engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is now practically retired. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious adherence to the Methodist church.
Jerome Griffith entered the high school in Winterset after completing the course offered in the district schools of Union township and in 1800 graduated from the high school. He then attended the Capital City Commercial College and also took special work in music. For about four years he taught school at inter- vals but at the end of that time became a candidate for county recorder without his knowledge and was elected in 1896. He served in that office for two terms and proved efficient and systematic in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. On the Ist of January, 1901, he took up his residence on a farm which he had purchased and is now the owner of two hundred acres of fine land in Douglas township. He is progressive in all that he does and seeks to embody in his prac- tice the results of the discoveries of agricultural experimenters and investigators. He is known as the best corn grower in Madison county and has sold as much as four hundred bushels of seed corn in one year. He raises Funk Yellow Dent corn, which he has exhibited at the Madison County Fair and also at the fairs of adjoining counties. He has won many prizes and is considered an authority upon the problems that relate to the growing of corn. He is also a successful stock-
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raiser, specializing in Poland China hogs. He devotes his entire time to his farm, finding that its successful operation demands not only his undivided attention and his greatest energy but his most exact thought. He erected a fine residence in the fall of 1914 which is provided with furnace heat and a good lighting system and is in all respects up-to-date.
Mr. Griffith is active in the republican party and is never remiss in any of the duties of a good citizen. He is Sunday-school superintendent, leader of the Ep- worth League, steward and trustee in the Worthington Methodist Episcopal church and is one of the most prominent members of the organization. For four years he was recorder of the Maccabees and was for a number of years a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, but since removing to the country has not had time to continue his relationship with that order. He is a good musician, trained both in voice and instrumental music, and helped to organize the Worth- ington Band and Orchestra. He has done much for agricultural development in his county and it is to such as he that Iowa must look to uphold her reputation as one of the leaders in corn production in the Union. He is not only meeting with unusual success in his chosen line of work but has also gained the unqualified respect and esteem of his fellowmen, as his salient characteristics are worthy of commendation.
JOSEPH C. RIPPEY.
Joseph C. Rippey, who has resided in Madison county for almost six dec- ades and is one of its venerable and esteemed citizens, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career but is now living retired with his son, J. W., who makes his home on section 34, Lincoln township. His birth occurred in New Jersey on the 25th of September, 1835, his parents being Matthew and Sarah (Cole) Rippey, the former a native of New York city and the latter of New Jersey, where their marriage was cele- brated. In 1854 they removed to Keithsburg, Illinois, and about two years later came to Madison county, Iowa, arriving here in what is known as the "cold winter" of 1856-7. Matthew Rippey entered land on section 29, Lincoln town- ship, and there developed a farm, making it a productive and valuable property. Both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives thereon, and when they passed away the community mourned the loss of two of its honored pioneer set- tlers. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Matthew, who studied medicine and was one of the early physicians of this county but has recently retired and now resides in Lincoln township with his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. James McKibban : Joseph C., of this review ; Thomas, who was employed as a night watchman at Keithsburg, Illinois, for about thirty-five years and still resides there ; John, who makes his home at Coon Rapids, Iowa ; Wood- man, a resident of Waukee, this state; Hope Anna, who is the wife of N. W. Loehr, of Madison county ; and Jane, who gave her hand in marriage to Van Moore, of this county.
Joseph C. Rippey was a young man of twenty-one years when he came to Madison county with his parents and he has remained within its borders continu-
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ously since. General agricultural pursuits claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and he became the owner of a well improved and productive farm of eighty acres on section 32, Lincoln township, which he recently sold. Since the demise of his wife, which occurred on the 20th of September, 1896, he has lived retired with his son, J. W., enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil.
In 1862 Mr. Rippey was united in marriage to Miss Marinda Thornburg, a sister of Lou Thornburg of Winterset, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. To them were born five children, three of whom survive, namely : Charles E., who is a resident of Aztec, New Mexico; George I., living in Grand River township, this county; and J. W. In politics Mr. Rippey is a stalwart democrat and he has ably served in the capacities of school director, constable and school treasurer. His mother was a Quaker and he was reared in that faith. His life has been upright and honorable in its varied relations and he well merits the respect and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.
J. W. Rippey, son of Joseph C. Rippey, was born in Lincoln township, this county, in 1875, and was reared to manhood on the home farm. He continued the work of the fields for some time after attaining his majority but fifteen years ago embarked in merchandising at Ord, a former postoffice, and there acted as postmaster for five years or until the rural free delivery was established. Ten years ago he purchased forty acres of the John A. Macumber farm and moved his store thereon, also erecting a handsome residence. He has since car- ried on agricultural pursuits and also conducts a general store, having built up a gratifying patronage during the fifteen years of his identification with mer- cantile interests.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life J. W. Rippey chose Miss Zoa Weeks, a native of this county and a daughter of James Weeks, a resident of Creston, Iowa. To them have been born four children, namely : Olin, Russell, Gleason and Faith. Mr. Rippey is widely recognized as a pros- perous and enterprising citizen of his native county and both he and his wife have a host of warm friends here.
JAMES BERTHOLF.
James Bertholf, who has practically retired and who owns seven hundred acres of land in Lincoln township, was born on the 8th of February, 1839, in St. Joseph county, Indiana, near the city of South Bend. The city has grown much since that time and from what he can learn it now includes the farm where he was born. He was a child of three years when the family removed from that place and settled in Lee county, Illinois. A sketch of his father, Andrew H. Bertholf, appears elsewhere in this work.
In 1851 the family removed from Lee county, Illinois, to Madison county, Iowa, and settled upon a farm which Mr. Bertholf of this review aided in cul- tivating as soon as old enough. There were scarcely any schools here at that time and most of his education was acquired in his father's log cabin. Until he was twenty years of age he worked upon the home farm and then spent two years upon
JAMES BERTHOLF
MRS. JAMES BERTHOLF
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the western plains going as far as Leadville, Colorado. His father giving him a piece of land in Webster township, he located thereon and operated his farm for two years. At the end of that time he sold and purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township, which has since been his home. He has added other land to his holdings and now holds title to seven hundred acres. While actively engaged in agricultural pursuits he usually raised good crops and he also did an extensive business as a stockman. Although he still resides upon his land the work is mainly done by others and he has practically retired.
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