USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
Mr. Hays is recognized as a progressive and up-to-date agriculturist and his relations with his fellowmen are guided by honorable principles which insure him a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
FREDERICK IMBODEN.
For many years Frederick Imboden was numbered among the active and suc- cessful farmers of Penn township and became the owner of more than six hun- dred acres of excellent land. However, in 1906 he retired and removed to Earl- ham, where he lived until his demise, which occurred on the 6th of November, 1908. Although Mr. Imboden became thoroughly identified with the best inter- ests of Madison county, his birth occurred in Switzerland, of which country his parents, Frederick and Katharine Imboden, were also natives. He was born on the 15th of September, 1836, and in 1852 came with his parents to America, the family home being established in Holmes county, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming. Both he and his wife passed away in the Buckeye state, mourned by those who were closely associated with them. To their union were born the following children: Frederick; John, of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Eliza- beth, Katharine and Annie, all of whom are deceased; and Margaret, who is liv- ing in Ohio.
Frederick Imboden received his education in Switzerland and after the re- moval of the family to the United States assisted his father with the work of cultivating the home farm in Holmes county, Ohio. In 1866 he migrated west- ward and came to Madison county, Iowa, where he purchased land in Penn town- ship. From time to time he added to the quarter section which constituted his first farm and in time acquired title to over six hundred acres of well improved and productive land. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and was one of the most successful farmers of his township. He became financially inde- pendent and in 1906 removed to Earlham, where he lived retired until called to the home beyond. His widow still owns the homestead on section 34, Penn township, and resides with her children.
It was in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 14th of January, 1866, that Mr. In- boden was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Fites, a daughter of John and Margaret Fites, also natives of Switzerland. In 1833 they removed to Ohio, and in that state all of their children were born, namely: John, now a resident of Earlham; Samuel, who died in the Union army during the Civil war; Christ, and Henry, deceased ; Fred, who is farming in Holmes county, Ohio; William, who has passed away ; Margaret, who is living in Holmes county, Ohio; Mrs. Imboden ; and
FREDERICK IMBODEN
MRS. FREDERICK IMBODEN
377
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
May, deceased. The father engaged in farming in Ohio and there both he and his wife resided until called by death.
To Mr. and Mrs. Imboden were born seven children. Julius, whose birth oc- curred on the 31st of October, 1866, is now a merchant residing in Greeley, Colo- rado. He married Miss Anna McKniff and they have two children, Helen and William. Ed, born February 2, 1868, is farming in Penn township. Lovie, whose birth occurred on the 5th of February, 1871, resides with Ed. Mary, whose natal day was the 28th of October, 1872, is also making her home with her brother Ed. Fred, born July 4, 1875, is farming in Jackson township. He married Miss Bertha Riser and they have four children, Iris, Clifford, Erma and Ona. Cora, born on the 15th of June, 1879, married Cord Boyle, a farmer of Penn township, by whom she has four children, Raymond, Clifton, Ruth and Mabel. Roy, born January 31, 1889, is farming the homestead in Penn township. He married Miss Ruth Hawkins and they have a daughter, Olive.
Mr. Imboden was a democrat and held a number of township offices, proving an efficient official. His religious faith was manifest in his membership in the Penn Center Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow belongs. He was not only successful as an agriculturist, but was a public-spirited citizen, honorable in all relations of life, and the high respect in which he was generally held was well deserved.
DAVID F. CLAMPITT.
David F. Clampitt has gained an enviable reputation as a progressive and successful farmer and stock-raiser, his property on sections 6 and 7, Douglas township, being one of the well improved farms of his locality. He was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, on the 3d of March, 1853, a son of William H. and Sally A. (Keathley) Clampitt. The father, who was born in that county on the Ist of March, 1828, was reared upon a farm and in addition to becoming familiar with agricultural work learned the carpenter's trade. He enlisted in the Second Indiana Regiment under Captain Davis and fought in the Mexican war. Later he made the journey overland to Iowa and arrived in Winterset on the 20th of November, 1854. He purchased land at a dollar and a quarter per acre and thus profited by the liberal terms granted to settlers by the gov- ernment. He did much for the upbuilding of the country, continuing the de- velopment of his farm, although there were many hardships to be endured and many discouragements in those early days of settlement, when the dream of a prosperous farming country with many villages and cities seemed far off. Mr. Clampitt, in common with the other settlers, suffered much during the winter of 1856 and 1857, when the snows were especially heavy. In addition to culti- vating his land he followed his trade as a carpenter, and many of the pioneer homes were his work. In 1862 he moved to Worthington and began freight- ing goods to Denver, Colorado. On account of the Indian outbreak, however, he made but few trips. He was with the last train that came east in 1863. For the following three years he devoted his attention chiefly to carpentering, but Vol II-17
378
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
in 1866 again took up farming and continued to cultivate the soil and work at his trade until he removed to Petoskey, Michigan, where he concentrated his energies upon the work of a carpenter and builder. He passed away in that city in 1892.
He was very popular and as he was a well-read man and possessed consider- able executive ability he was one of the acknowledged leaders of his community. He was quite active in political affairs but never sought office. The Methodist Episcopal church profited much by his interest and his work in its behalf, and he assisted in building the church edifice of the Worthington Methodist Epis- copal church in Madison township, Iowa county, lowa. . He was known wherever he lived for his integrity and steadfastness of purpose and possessed the moral courage to stand for the right even if doing so meant being alone in his position. His wife was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, May 17, 1832, and passed away in 1873. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are deceased, the two living being: Henry Thornton, a minister in the Church of Christ at Guthrie Center, Iowa; and the subject of this review.
David F. Clampitt was a student in the first schools of Madison township and sat upon log benches while mastering the three Rs which constituted the curriculum. He remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age and then hired out as a farm hand to James Henderson, of Guthrie county. After remaining there for a year he returned to Madison county and worked in the employ of others until 1880. He then began farming upon land which is now a part of the municipality of Earlham. He has lived in a number of localities and has owned land in both Adair and Madison counties, but is now residing in Douglas township, this county, where he owns eighty acres. He raises thoroughbred Chester White hogs and ships to all parts of the country, but although his stock comes from the best herds in the United States he has never cared to exhibit. He also carries on general farming to some extent. He is energetic and progressive and is reaping the reward of his labors in continued prosperity.
In 1879 Mr. Clampitt was united in marriage to Miss Annis J. Miller, who was born in Linn county, Iowa, of the marriage of Israel and Cynthia D. (Owens) Miller. The father was born near Columbus, Ohio, on the 16th of June, 1818, and died in 1912, while the mother, who was born in Ripley county, Indiana, on the 10th of November, 1828, is still living. Mr. Miller came to Madison county, Iowa, in 1857, and purchased wild prairie land in Lincoln township, which he broke and began to farm. In 1863 he drove back to Indiana to spend the winter with friends. Upon his return to Iowa he removed to Linn county, where he put in a crop, but soon afterward sold his interests there and returned to his farm in this county. He passed the remainder of his life here and aided in securing the development of his locality. He owned a quarter section of land and for nearly a half century was well known as an agriculturist. When a boy he united with the Christian church and from that time until his death did all in his power to further the interests of that organization. He was one of the organizers and charter members of the Early chapel in Jackson township, and in all that he did he placed the greatest emphasis upon righteousness, be- lieving that matters should be settled from the standpoint of right and wrong and not from that of expediency. He and his wife were the parents of seven
379
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
children, but only two are living, the sister of Mrs. Clampitt being Mrs. W. B. Stock, of Omaha, Nebraska.
To Mr. and Mrs. Clampitt have been born six children, as follows: Charles, born September 11, 1880, is a farmer in Greene county, Iowa. He married Miss Pearl Cunar and they have four children, Russell, Eugene, Lavon and Raymond. R. Lee, born August 6, 1884, is carrying on agricultural pursuits in Warren county, this state. He married Miss Dolly Davis, of Winterset, a de- scendant of one of the pioncer families of this county, and they have three children, Donald, Mildred and Emily. Clara, who attended the Teachers' Col- lege at Cedar Falls, is now teaching in the district schools of this county. Nellie and Elsie are both at home, and Frank, born March 8, 1899, is attending school at Earlham.
Mr. Clampitt has been a member of the Christian church since his youth, and his children have received the benefit of careful training in religious matters. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and his fraternal con- nection is with the Masonic order. He is a member of the Chester White Swine Record Association and finds that connection of value to him in his stock-raising. He is respected because of the ability that he has displayed in the conduct of his business affairs and because of the integrity and probity that are characteristic of him in all relations of life.
WV. H. McCLEARY.
Among the extensive stock-raisers of Penn township is numbered W. H. McCleary, who resides on section 12 and also gives some attention to general farming. He is a native of this county, born in February, 1865, a son of Charles and Mary (Yost) McCleary, natives of Ohio. In 1859 the father came down the Ohio and up the Mississippi by steamboat to Keokuk and thence drove across the country to Madison county. He bought land in Jefferson township, which he cultivated the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife passed away- in October, 1907.
W. H. McCleary was reared and educated in Jefferson township and re- mained upon the homestead farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then went to Colorado, where he spent four years, and after his return was associated with his father in agricultural pursuits about twelve years. On the 12th of February, 1906, he rented the A. Diggs farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 12, Penn township, and for the last nine years has operated that place. Although he pays some attention to general farming, he specializes in the stock business, feeding from five to ten carloads of cattle annually. He also raises thoroughbred Poland China hogs, from the sale of which he derives a good profit.
Mr. McCleary married Miss Maude Stevenson in March, 1913. She is a daughter of Grandison and Margaret (Hamden) Stevenson, natives of Ohio. The father, who was a farmer, removed to Iowa at an early day, and during the Civil war served as a soldier in the Union army for three years and four months. In his later years he followed the trade of a mason and also engaged
380
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
in contracting. He passed away in 1909, but his widow survives him and resides in Des Moines.
Mr. McCleary supports the democratic party and believes firmly in those basic principles for which Jefferson and Jackson stood and which have found many eminent exponents in the later history of our country. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. A native son of this county, he has always felt that his interests were identical with those of the county and has always been glad to cooperate with all movements seeking the best interests of his com- munity.
JASPER S. DEVAULT.
Among those who have made valuable contribution to the agricultural pros- perity of this county is Jasper S. Devault, a farmer living on section 9, Jackson township. He is a native of Johnson county, this state, born in 1857, of the marriage of Jonathan and Malinda ( Stevenson ) Devault. The father was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1822, and the mother in the same county two years later. Mr. Devault farmed for a time in his native state after arriving at years of maturity, but in 1850 went to California by way of New York and the water route. He was there for four years, and in addition to working a placer mine owned about thirty dairy cows, which he pastured in the valley, selling the milk to the miners and transporting it to the camps on burros. In 1854 he returned to Indiana with considerable gold, but after remaining in the Hoosier state for a short time went to Johnson county, Iowa, removing his household effects in an old linch-pin wagon. The Mississippi was crossed on the ice. He homesteaded land in Johnson county and became one of its leading pioneer citizens. He was school director there for many years, and both he and his wife were active in the prohibition ranks, although in his early man- hood he was a democrat. He owned about four hundred acres of land in Johnson county and followed general farming successfully. Subsequently he removed to this county, settling in Penn township, and acquired four hundred and eighty acres of land here. He passed away upon his farm in 1897 and was survived by his wife until 1910. To them were born eight children, four of whom are living in this county. Our subject is a twin to Sarah Jane, who is living upon the home farm with her brother John.
Jasper S. Devault was given better educational advantages than fall to the lot of the average boy, as he was a student in Cornell College at Mount Vernon. When twenty-one years of age his father gave him his "time" and he began shucking corn. The following spring he commenced farming for himself upon land belonging to his father in Penn township. After seven years, or on the 13th of March, 1886, he took up his residence on an eighty-acre tract in Jackson township, which he owned. He has since lived there and has added to his farm as his resources have increased, and now holds title to three hundred and twenty acres of land. He raises Black Angus cattle for commercial purposes, and also raises, feeds and ships hogs. He finds that his farm work leaves him little time for outside interests, but he feels that he is rewarded for his labors
381
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
in the good financial return that he derives from his farm and also values the independence of farm life.
On the 9th of April, 1882, Mr. Devault married Miss Hattie Rowe, who was born in German township, Holmes county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Andrew and Susan ( Sheneman ) Rowe, the former born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1815, and the latter's birth occurring on the 21st of September, 1812. Both the Rowe and Sheneman families removed from Cumberland, Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, to Holmes county, Ohio, at a time when there were many Indians in that section. Henry Sheneman, the grandfather of Mrs. De- vault, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. Rowe became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land which his father preempted from the govern- ment in Holmes county, and continued to operate his farm until his demise, which occurred in 1863. He was proud of his German descent and manifested those excellent traits of character that have made the German-Americans such a valuable factor in the life of this country. He took quite an active part in public affairs and was especially interested in the welfare of the public schools, serving for some time as school director. His wife died on the 24th of February, 1884. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Devault is the youngest. She attended the district schools near her home and later was a student in Shanesville College at Shanesville, Ohio. She taught school first in the country and later in Baltic, Ohio, specializing in German and English. From the age of seventeen to the present time she has been a Sunday school and church worker. In her girlhood she was a member of the German Reformed church but now belongs to the United Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Devault have been born two children. Arthur C., whose natal day was the 9th of February, 1883, is a farmer of Scotland, South Dakota. He was given fine educational advan- tages, as he attended both the Dexter Normal and the Iowa State Normal at Cedar Falls. He taught school for a time but decided that farming would be more congenial and profitable. He married Miss Isa M. Banker and they have a son, Franz B. Jonathan Clifford Rowe, who was born November 29, 1892, is operating a portion of his father's farm. He was married February 24, 1915, to Miss Bessie Fife, a native of Winterset, Iowa.
Mr. Devault is a democrat in his political belief, and fraternally is con- nected with the Masonic lodge of Earlham. He was a member of the Pitzer lodge until it surrendered its charter, and held the offices of junior warden and senior warden. His life has been guided by honorable principles and he has not only won a fair measure of material success but has also gained the un- qualified respect of his fellow citizens.
W. L. COCHRAN.
W. L. Cochran, who is farming on section 24, Grand River township, was born upon the family homestead in that township on the 10th of June, 1874, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth ( Hamblin) Cochran, a record of whose lives is given elsewhere in this work. He acquired a common-school education, and through assisting with the farm work as a boy received valuable training in
382
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
agriculture. His father gave him two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Grand River township, and he has since added thereto eighty acres, making a total of three hundred and twenty acres, which is in a high state of cultiva- tion and produces excellent crops. He also raises stock quite extensively and finds that business profitable.
Mr. Cochran married Miss Bertha Cook, and they have two daughters, Marie and Helen. He supports the democratic party at the polls.
JAMES M. KELLOGG.
James M. Kellogg was for many years a farmer of Scott township, Madison county, and was highly respected by all who were brought in contact with him. Born in Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 24th of January, 1852, his father was Miles Kellogg, whose birth occurred in Butler county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1823. When nine years of age the latter removed with his parents to Fountain county, Indiana, and was there reared and married on the 3d of July, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 20th of Jan- uary, 1822, but grew to womanhood in Indiana. In 1845 they came to Iowa, remaining in Davis county for about six months, after which they settled in Mahaska county. In 1855 they removed to Madison county, locating upon a quarter section of land in Scott township. Mr. Kellogg was one of the county's earliest settlers and did his share in the work of transforming the wilderness into cultivated farms, as his land was wild prairie and timber land when it came into his possession. While making the journey from Indiana to Iowa he had a number of interesting experiences. They traveled in a one-horse wagon and it required thirteen days to make the trip. In Hancock, Illinois, they were held up on what was known as Nauvoo Swamp by a band of Mormons and their wagon was searched, but as no valuables were found they were allowed to proceed on their way. Mr. Kellogg died July 1, 1897, having survived his wife for five years, as her demise occurred on the Ioth of March, 1892. Four of their seven children died in infancy, the others being: Sylvester B., who passed away on the 23d of January, 1876; Mary J., the wife of Jonathan A. Gordon, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and James M., of this review.
There are many representatives of the Kellogg family in this country and a two volume genealogy has been compiled which gives the names of more than ten thousand members of the family.
James M. Kellogg removed with his parents to this county in 1855 when he was but three years of age and grew to manhood on a farm in Scott township. As a boy and youth much of his time was given to assisting in the farm work and when he reached mature years he continued to follow agricultural pursuits. He became the owner of eighty acres of fine land and devoted his time and energy to its cultivation and improvement. He was industrious, managed his affairs wisely and his land yielded him a competence.
In 1876 Mr. Kellogg was married to Miss Ellen James, who was born in Mad- ison county, near Winterset, on what is now Judge Lewis' farm, on the 3Ist of March, 1860. Her father, John H. James, a native of Indiana, was left an orphan
JAMES M. KELLOGG AND FAMILY
385
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
in childhood and when a young man removed to Iowa, becoming a prosperous farmer of Madison county. He married Miss Permelia Smith, a daughter of Aquilla and Elizabeth Smith, early settlers of this county. Mr. James passed away September 3, 1879, and his widow was called to her reward on the 25th of March, 1912. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg: Charles, of Odebolt, Iowa, who married Miss Margaret Cort, by whom he has a daughter, Florence ; and Frank, who is at home with his mother and is taking charge of the operation of the farm.
Mr. Kellogg was a republican in his political belief and held membership in the United Brethren church. He was unostentatious and quiet in manner, but those who were associated with him knew him to be a man of much genuine worth and he had many friends who were grieved by his death, which occurred on Christmas Day, 1903.
ROBERT DUFF.
Among the many progressive and energetic farmers in this county is Robert Duff, residing on section 15, Jackson township. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 5, 1842, of the marriage of James and Elinor ( Donnelly ) Duff, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father removed to the Buckeye state, where he carried on general farming until 1859, when, with his family of four daughters and one son, he came overland to this county. He purchased land, a part of which is now in the possession of our subject, from a man by the name of Clark, who had received a patent for it from the govern- ment. When Mr. Duff settled here there were but few houses in the county and almost all of the work of development and improvement remained to be done. He at once set out trees and strove continually to make his home com- fortable and attractive. He remained in this county until his death and took an active part in establishing schools and churches here. He was a charter member of the United Presbyterian church near his home and assisted materially in the erection of the house of worship. The church, however, was moved to Pitzer a number of years ago. Mr. Duff died when seventy-three years of age and his wife when seventy-one years old. Three of their children still live in this county, those beside our subject being Elizabeth and Margaret, who reside on part of the father's original homestead.
Robert Duff was seventeen years of age when he accompanied the family on their removal to this county, and most of his education was acquired in Ohio. However, he attended school one year in this county. He remained at home with his parents until twenty-two years of age. when he enlisted at Win- terset in Company D, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and served for eight months under Captain Fabrin and Colonel Pomootz. The regiment first went to Daven- port, thence to Chattanooga and later joined Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. Duff was mustered out at Washington, D. C., in 1865 and subsequently re- turned to this county and began farming the tract of land which he has oper- ated continuously for the last fifty years. In that time the changes in the county have been but little short of marvelous, and it is a source of satisfaction
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.