USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 36
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JOHN F. JOHNSTON.
John F. Johnston is well known in financial circles, being the proprietor of a private bank known as J. F. Johnston's Bank of St. Charles. He also owns a tract of good land in this county, the operation of which he supervises. He is a native of the county, born in South township, November 15, 1853, a son of Jehu M. and Hester ( Mckeown) Johnston, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work.
John F. Johnston was reared in this county, attended the public schools, and when still in his teens entered the stock business. When but seventeen years of age he became associated with his father, who was an extensive buyer, feeder and shipper of stock, and our subject thus gained much valuable business experience. Upon turning his attention to other lines he entered the drug business, in which he continued for a year. For the past forty years, however, he has been actively engaged in stock-raising and stock-shipping, and has also become active as a money-lender. In 1900 he entered the banking field and in 1901 established his present bank to handle an increasing volume of business,
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which is known as J. F. Johnston's Bank and which possesses in great degree the confidence of the community. He now leaves the actual work of the farm to others, although he still directs its operation, but for many years he has been one of the largest shippers of hogs in this section of the state, a business to which he still devotes the greater part of his time. He also served for some years as live stock agent for the Des Moines & Kansas City Railway in this locality.
Mr. Johnston was married in June, 1876, to Miss Louisa Coltrane. Her father, Samuel Coltrane, was a native of South Carolina. He was married in Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1839, to Elizabeth Allen, and subsequently removed, first to Warren county, and later to Madison county, Iowa, arriving here in the late '6os. Mr. Coltrane followed farming in both counties and was actively engaged in agricultural work until his demise, which occurred in 1887 when he was seventy-one years old. His wife died in 1892 at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Johnston was reared in this county and attended the public schools here. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, Carrie E., gave her hand in marriage to C. C. Guilliams, cashier of J. F. Johnston's Bank.
Mr. Johnston is a republican, having supported that party since he became of age. Fraternally he is connected with Model Lodge, No. 315, A. F. & A. M., and with the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a member and in which they have both held office. They are also both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Johnston is a public-spirited citizen, who has the faith and confidence of all who know him. His recreation, as he calls it, is the buying and selling of stock, and he is today one of the best known and best posted men in that business in his section of the state. Success has attended his ven- ture in the banking world and his business is housed in the Johnston block, a two-story structure which he erected and owns, the upper story being devoted to office and lodge rooms. He also owns three other business and five residence properties in St. Charles; is well informed as to local real-estate conditions and has invested most wisely, his properties yielding him a gratifying addition to his income. He is thoroughly reliable and upright in all of his dealings and his sound business judgment insures wise management of his interests and the safety of the funds intrusted to his care.
EDGAR HARRELL.
Edgar Harrell, a representative and prosperous agriculturist of Madison county, is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable farm land in Scott and Walnut townships. His entire life has been spent in this county, his birth having occurred on his father's farm in Scott township on the 19th of Sep- tember, 1864. The period of his minority was passed under the parental roof, and in the acquirement of an education he attended the country schools and the schools of Winterset. When he had attained the age of twenty-one years he began the cultivation of a tract of eighty acres in Lincoln township, which had been given him by his father, but he did not live thereon and at the end of
MR. AND MRS. EDGAR HARRELL
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three years disposed of the property and bought one hundred and twenty acres of improved land on section 32, Scott township. As time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase and now owns three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land on section 32; a tract of eighty acres on section 20, Scott township; and also eighty acres in Walnut township. The prop- erty is well improved in every particular and his undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying and well merited measure of success, so that he has long been numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the community.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Harrell chose Miss J. E. Hircock, who was born in Scott township, this county, on the 2d of Octo- ber, 1865. Extended mention of her parents, William and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Hircock, is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of John W. Beem, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Harrell. To our subject and his wife have been born eleven children, as follows: Elmira, the wife of Glen Newton, of Lincoln township, by whom she has two children, Wayne and Lois; Omer Ellsworth, who wedded Miss Bessie Thompson, of Walnut township, and has one child, Katherine ; Ada Elizabeth, the wife of J. W. Wilson, of Nebraska, by whom she has one child, Dorothy; Edmund Basil, who married Miss Millie Brady, of Scott township, and has two children, Paul and Margaret; Flora May, the wife of Henderson McDonald, of Scott township, by whom she has two children, Edgar and Thais; Nellie, who died in infancy; and William Lee, Charles Gay- land, Ernest Glen, Nora Leota and Mary Margaret, all at home.
Mr. Harrell gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has ably served in the capacity of school director. Both he and his wife have always lived in this county and have a host of warm friends who esteem them highly.
JOHN G. MOORE, JR.
John G. Moore, Jr., is living retired upon his farm in Douglas township, this county. He was born in 1849, in Monroe county, New York, a son of John G. and Elizabeth (Axe) Moore, both of whom were born near Bremen, Germany, the father in 1825 and the mother in 1830. Following his marriage, in early life, John G. Moore, Sr., came to the United States, settling in Monroe county, New York. He bought land near a thriving town and devoted his life to truck gardening. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States and cast in his interests with those of his adopted country.
John G. Moore, Jr., was the second child in a family of five and acquired his education by attending the district schools of his native county. When a youth of eighteen years he left home and went to Henderson county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for a short time. In 1868 he removed to Madison county, Iowa, and entered the employ of Joe Graham, breaking land and doing other things as well. In 1871 he began farming for himself and has since followed that occupation, save for the years 1896 and 1897, which were spent on a horse ranch in Dallas county, this state. At one time he went to Vol TI-18
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Nebraska but conditions were unusually bad and he did not remain long. It was necessary, among other discouragements, to haul wood thirty-six miles. He has carried on general farming on his land in Douglas township, this county, and under his able management his eighty acres have yielded him a good annual income. In addition to cultivating the usual crops he raises a good grade of Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs. Since 1904 he has to a large extent lived retired.
In 1871 Mr. Moore married Miss Nancy J. Peed, who was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, the eldest in a family of three children. While she was still a child her parents removed to this county and she went to school in the first schoolhouse built in Douglas township. Before that time she attended school held in the homes of the settlers. She witnessed the events of the early days in the history of the settlement of this county and has lived to see a change that is little short of miraculous. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore was born a daughter, Katie M., whose natal day was the 25th of September, 1872. She gave her hand in marriage to George H. Reinert, who was at one time editor of the Star Journal at Ainsworth, Nebraska, but who is now operating a cattle ranch in Brown county, that state. Mrs. Reinert passed away in 1899, leaving two chil- dren : Leo M., born in July, 1894, and George B., born April 15, 1899. Both have made their home with our subject and his wife since the death of Mrs. Reinert. George B. Reinert is now a high-school student at Dexter. Mrs. Moore has always taken a great interest in church work and her daily life is the expression of her religious faith.
Mr. Moore has supported the republican party since attaining his majority and has served upon the school board, doing much in that capacity for the good of the local public schools. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and during the many years that he has resided in this county he has made a host of friends, who honor him for his manly qualities of character.
S. G. HOENESS.
S. G. Hoeness, a general stockman and farmer of Jackson township and one of the leaders in Sunday school work in the county, was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, on the 28th of February, 1880, but in his childhood accompanied his parents to this country, the family home being established in McLean county, Illinois. He attended district schools there, and following the removal of the family to Jackson township, this county, continued his education in the public schools here. He remained at home, assisting his father, until 1904, when he began farming for himself, operating a nearby farm until 1908, when he began the cultivation of land which he had purchased in 1907. His farm comprises one hundred acres and is a well improved and valuable place. He raises stock in addition to the production of the usual grains, and as he is up-to-date and energetic and has no outside business interests to claim his time, he derives a good income from his land.
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In 1904 Mr. Hoeness was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Comp, a daughter of Joseph Comp, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Hoeness have two children: Lloyd Comp, who was born on the 18th of February, 1906; and Harry Eugene, whose birth occurred on the 11th of Sep- tember, 1908. Both the sons are attending school.
Mr. Hoeness is an adherent of the prohibition party, but is altogether with- out political aspirations. In general civic affairs, however, he is very active and progressive and he was one of the organizers of the lyceum at Pitzer. He is also a member of the Madison County Chautauqua Association. believing heartily in all that seeks to provide educational facilities and wholesome recre- ation. He holds membership in the United Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder. For seven years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school and in 1914 was elected president of the Madison County Sunday School Association. He has also been delegate to state Sunday school conventions. He is convinced of the need of greater cooperation among farmers and indorses the work of the Farmers Mutual Association, of which he is a member. Although he is yet a young man, he has accomplished much for himself and his community along various lines, which is an earnest of the achievements yet before him.
SAMUEL S. SWITZER.
Samuel S. Switzer, of St. Charles, member of the firm of Switzer & Ander- son, who conducts one of the large stores of the county, was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 14th of October, 1858, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Lowry) Switzer, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Both families settled in the Keystone state in the early days of our country's history and were well known in their locality. Samuel Switzer removed to Ohio upon leaving his native state, but about 1848 came to Des Moines county, Iowa, whence two decades later he removed with his family to Clarke county. He was a successful farmer and stock feeder and accumu- lated a competence. He passed away in 1886, having survived his wife for five years. He was almost sixty-seven years of age at the time of his demise and she was about fifty-eight when called to her reward. She was a true Christian woman and a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of eight sons and three daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter are living. The subject of this review is the only one residing in Madison county. Two live in Clarke county, Iowa; one in Missouri, one is a railroad man in Wyoming, and a sister resides in Idaho.
Samuel S. Switzer was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to Clarke county and continued his education in the public schools there. From 1879 until 1882 he was telegraph operator for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and upon severing his connection with that corporation he entered the employ of the Narrow Gauge railroad and was assigned to St. Charles as agent and telegraph operator. He at length decided to seek other fields of endeavor, resigned his position with the railroad company, and in No-
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vember, 1885, was appointed postmaster of St. Charles, serving for three and a half years. He also started a grocery store as a member of the firm of Stiffler & Switzer. In 1889 Mr. Lawhead was admitted to a partnership and in 1892 Mr. Switzer sold out, but in the following year began business as senior member of the firm of Switzer & Fleming, which continued until 1898, when Mr. Fleming sold to Mr. Horton. Business was conducted under the firm name of Switzer & Horton until 1902, when H. P. Anderson became the partner of our subject, and the present firm of Switzer & Anderson came into being. They conduct one of the largest general stores in Madison county and their trade is increasing from year to year, as their honorable methods enable them to hold custom once gained. They take great pains to keep their stock fresh and attractive, and as their goods are selected with a view to meet- ing the needs of their community, they are justly accounted among the pro- gressive merchants of St. Charles.
Mr. Switzer was married in 1883 at St. Charles to Miss Hester J. Johnston, a daughter of J. M. Johnston, a well known stockman of St. Charles. She was reared and received her education here. To Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have been born three sons and four daughters: Ray, who is in his father's store; Beryl; Edith, deceased; Philip, the present postmaster of St. Charles; and Nevin V., Dorothea and Ruby, all at home.
Mr. Switzer is a democrat and for several terms was a member of the town council. Fraternally he is well known in local Masonic circles, having belonged to the order for many years. He has served several times as master of Model Lodge, No. 315, of St. Charles, and holds membership in Lebanon Chapter, No. II, R. A. M., of Winterset. Both he and his wife belong to Model Chapter, No. 174, O. E. S., of St. Charles, of which she is past worthy matron. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and can be relied upon to further all good causes. Mr. Switzer is justly highly esteemed in his com- munity, having at all times measured up to the standards of honor as man, merchant and citizen.
F. L. COCHRAN.
F. L. Cochran, a representative of agricultural interests in Grand River township, was born on the Cochran homestead, in that township, on the 10th of February, 1877, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth (Hamblin) Cochran, an account of whose lives will be found elsewhere in this work. He was reared under the parental roof, and, in addition to attending the public schools, assisted with the farm work, thus gaining valuable knowledge concerning practical methods of agriculture. After his marriage he began farming for himself upon land which his father gave him. His farm comprises two hundred and forty acres in Grand River township. He follows general farming and stock-raising and as he manages his affairs well and is industrious and progressive he is meet- ing with gratifying success.
Mr. Cochran married Miss Mate Ethel Terry, a native of Greene county, Iowa, and they have four children, Elizabeth, Pauline, Dorothy and Wesley
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Wallace. He casts his ballot in favor of the candidates of the democratic party, as its principles coincide with his political belief. He has earned a place among the prosperous and wide-awake farmers of his township.
W. C. NEWLON.
W. C. Newlon, who was for a number of years a real-estate dealer in Win- terset, was born in Ohio, in 1837, a son of Nathan and Eliza ( Winder ) Newlon, both natives of the Keystone state. The father, who was by trade a carpenter, settled in Louisa county on his removal to Iowa, but in 1854 came to Madison county and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. He was a leading member of the United Presbyterian church and his daily life testified to the sincerity of his faith. When he passed away in Union township his demise was regretted by many who held him in warm regard.
W. C. Newlon was the third child in a family of seven and was reared under the parental roof, attending the district schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation. On the 21st of May, 1861, he answered Lincoln's call for troops and enlisted in Company G, Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being one of the first men to join that company. He was soon promoted to the rank of first sergeant and proved a gallant soldier. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and at the battle of Hatchie received a serious wound that necessitated the am- putation of his leg. On the 6th of April, 1863, he was honorably discharged and returned home, and from that year until 1865 he was deputy provost marshal. He then became a real-estate dealer in Winterset. He owned some excellent farming land but never gave much attention to agriculture, being more interested in his real-estate business. He was an excellent judge of realty, especially farm properties, and transacted a large volume of business annually. In 1881 he was elected county clerk, and for four years performed the duties of that office in a manner satisfactory to his constituents and creditable to himself. His demise, which occurred in 1892, deprived the city of one of its successful business men and there were many who realized that they had lost a true friend.
In 1863 Mr. Newlon married Miss Lydia A. Philbrick, a daughter of Dr. David H. and Drusilla (Knight) Philbrick, natives, respectively, of Vermont and Kentucky. Dr. Philbrick attended school in the Green Mountain state, but in his young manhood emigrated to the west, settling in Illinois. He was married in that state and there practiced the medical profession, for which he had made thorough preparation. In 1853 he removed to Winterset and became the owner of the first drug store in the city, having turned his attention to that business when the condition of his health prohibited his further practice. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church.
Mr. and Mrs. Newlon became the parents of nine children. Charles C., who was born in 1864, is now engaged in the hardware and implement business at Heyburn, Idaho. He is married and has two children, Fitzroy and Margaret. Frank D., born in 1865, is engaged in the grocery business at Melcher, Iowa. He is married and has two sons, Robert and Clark. Edgar A., born in 1867, is
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now cashier of the Great Falls ( Mont. ) National Bank. Milo C., who is in the monument and fancy tile business at Bakersfield, California, is married and has a son, John E. Carrie gave her hand in marriage to W. E. Sham- baugh, of Lee township. George G. is now in the insurance business in Mis- soula, Montana. Lida R. is the wife of Philip Wilkinson, county attorney of Madison county, who is residing in Winterset. Will C. is now a resident of Leadville, Colorado. Mary, the youngest of the family, is the wife of C. R. Green, county auditor, and they have a son, Willard.
Mr. Newlon was a republican and was quite active in working for the success of his party. He was connected with the Baptist church and gave lib- erally to the crection of the new house of worship. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, and in all relations of life measured up to as high standards as he did when in his young manhood he joined the ranks of the "boys in blue."
A. W. WILKINSON.
A. W. Wilkinson, of Winterset, has not only gained a high position at the bar of the county as an able attorney but has also an enviable reputation as a judge, having served on the district bench for sixteen years. He was born in Scott township, this county, on the 22d of November, 1848, and an account of his par- ents is given in the sketch of W. S. Wilkinson, which appears on another page of this work.
Our subject was educated in the district schools and at Winterset Academy, taking what would now be termed a high-school course. He became a surveyor and civil engineer and for three years held the office of county surveyor. How- ever, he decided that the law offered the most attractive field for his life's work and he accordingly prepared for the legal profession and was admitted to the bar in 1872. The year following he went to California and was employed as a civil engineer and teacher for about two years. . On the Ist of January, 1875, he returned to Winterset and opened a law office here. He was spared the dreary waiting for clients that is so often the lot of the young attorney and as he handled successfully the cases entrusted to him his practice grew steadily. In 1882 his ability was recognized by election to the office of district attorney for the fifth judicial district of Iowa, which then. included Polk county. He served one term of four years and displayed such a thorough knowledge of the law that in the fall of 1886 he was elected district judge and was reelected a number of times, hold- ing the office in all for sixteen years. He was an excellent jurist, maintaining the dignity of the court, expediting the course of the law by wise rulings and, above all, maintaining an absolutely impartial attitude of mind. His decisions possessed the merits of lucidity, simpleness and purity of style and his ability commanded the respect of the profession and the general public alike. Following his service as judge he returned to the general practice of law and won additional laurels in that field.
Mr. Wilkinson married Miss Ellen R. Davis, who was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and whose parents became early settlers of Burlington, Iowa. They both
A. W. WILKINSON
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died when she was quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson had six children. Lina, the eldest, is at home. Maud is now the wife of Major Parker, U. S. A., who is stationed in the Philippines. By a former marriage she has two children, Beatrice and Florence. Ralph R. received his elementary and preparatory education in the Winterset schools and his professional training in the Ohio Medical College. He took first honors in competitive examinations in both the Jewish and German Deaconess Hospitals of Cincinnati and served as an interne, thus gaining much valuable experience. He is now on the staff of the Jewish Hospital of that city. He married Miss Grace Scott and they have one child, Jean. Philip R. entered the law department of the State University of Iowa after completing his course in the Winterset high school and also studied in the law school of Drake University at Des Moines. Since 1902 he has been associated with his father in the practice of law at Winterset and in 1914 was elected prosecuting attorney of Madison county. He married Miss Lida Newlon and they have a daughter, Helen. Ruth became the wife of B. F. Buffington and passed away, leaving a daughter, Betty, who makes her home with her grandparents. Jack is in the employ of the Regis- ter and Leader of Des Moines.
Mr. Wilkinson is a republican and his advice carries weight in the local coun- cils of his party. He has been a Mason for many years, holding membership in Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., of Winterset ; Lebanon Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M., also of Winterset ; in Temple Commandery, No. 4. K. T., of Des Moines ; and in Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, S. P. R. S. He is connected with the financial circles of Winterset as a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of this city. He has been honored with important positions of public trust and has at all times proved worthy of the confidence reposed in him and has so ordered his life that those who know him most intimately entertain for him the highest respect and warmest regard.
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