USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 37
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M. O. BRADY.
M. O. Brady, who is successfully engaged in general farming on section 5, Monroe township, was born in Gentry, now Worth, county, Missouri, on the 5th of February, 1856. The father, Robert Brady, was born in Tennessee, and when but three years of age was taken by his parents to Andrew county, Mis- souri, later becoming a resident of Gentry county, that state. He was a farmer, and some time after the birth of our subject removed with his family to Daviess county, Missouri, where he purchased land, which he continued to operate until his demise. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Stites and was a native of Missouri, passed away in Daviess county. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Brady, who was born in North Carolina, of Scotch and Irish descent. He, too, spent his last days in Daviess county, Missouri.
M. O. Brady was reared in his native state and there attended the district schools. When eighteen years old he made a trip to Iowa, driving hogs, and re- ceived for his labor fifty cents a day and board. During the journey he was often compelled to sleep out of doors at night, and one night when sleeping in a
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strawstack in Ringgold county, this state, he suffered severely from the cold. The year following he came to Madison county, Iowa, and for several years worked by the month upon farms. He then followed agricultural pursuits on his own account and more than a quarter of a century ago purchased the Aikin farm in Monroe township, comprising eighty-two acres. He began to improve his place immediately and as the years passed remodeled some of the buildings and also erected a number of others, providing shelter for his stock, granaries for the storage of grain and sheds for protecting his farm implements from the weather. His residence is a commodious and comfortable structure, and everything about his place is in good condition. He purchased more land, but has sold that, his farm now comprising only the eighty-two acres which he first purchased and ten acres of timber. He not only cultivates the usual crops but also raises live stock, and both branches of his activities are profitable.
Mr. Brady married Miss Emma Belle Aikin, who was born in Davis county, lowa. Her parents, Louis and Mary Aikin, subsequently settled in this county and formerly owned the farm now in the possession of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Brady have five children: Ora, who is farming in Webster township; Minta Fay, the wife of M. A. Cox, of Macksburg; Millie, who married Bob Harrell, of Morgan, Minnesota ; Eva, who gave her hand in marriage to Daniel Silverthorn, a farmer of Monroe township; and Cleo, at home.
Mr. Brady is a republican and has been elected to various township offices, including that of county supervisor, which he held for six years. He is a member of Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., of Winterset; Grand River Lodge, No. 406, I. O. O. F., of Macksburg, and the Modern Woodmen of America at Macksburg. He has lived in conformity with high moral standards and his sterling worth has caused him to be held in high estimation by his fellowmen.
FRED L. BISSELL.
Among the well known and highly esteemed farmers of Jackson township is Fred L. Bissell, who was born in that township on the 4th of August, 1861, a son of Orrin B. and Caroline L. (Lattin ) Bissell, natives of Portage county, Ohio, and Trumbull county, Ohio, respectively. The father farmed in the Buckeye state for some time, but in the early '50s he removed to Madison county, Iowa. More extended mention of him appears in the sketch of Elmer E. Bissell.
Fred L. Bissell, as a boy, attended the district schools of Jackson township, and some idea of the primitive nature of the schoolhouses and furniture may be gathered from the fact that the building was of logs and the seats at first but rude benches, although later pine seats were provided. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Bissell became a teacher in the country schools and continued to follow that profession until he began farming on his own account. At one time he proved up on a claim in Dakota and at the same time taught school, but practically all of his life has been spent in his native county, and the greater part of the time he has concentrated his energies upon farming. He raises
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pure-blooded Duroc Jersey hogs, most of which he sells to other farmers in this county, and his stock has a deservedly high reputation. His energy and initia- tive have been potent factors in his success, and his sound business judgment enables him to so manage his financial interests that his resources increase from year to year.
Mr. Bissell was married in 1883 to Miss Fannie A. Bissell, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel and C. Emelia (Sikes) Bissell, the former born in Massachusetts in 1797 and the latter in Connecticut in 1828. The father, who was a minister of the Presbyterian church, was principal of the Twinsburg (Ohio) Institute, a private academy. He was a graduate of Yale and was not only a thorough scholar himself, but also a forceful teacher, and the school of which he was for many years the head was a well known educational center. His wife was for about twelve years a preacher and was a highly educated woman. Rev. Bissell died in Twinsburg, Ohio, in 1895, and his widow passed away in this county two years later. The wife of our subject was their only child. She is one of the valued members of the Church of Christ in Jackson township, known as the Early chapel, and is one of the workers in its Sunday School.
Mr. Bissell has no political aspirations and is very retiring in disposition, seek- ing to avoid publicity. The work of cultivating and improving his quarter section of fine land leaves him no time for outside interests, but in doing well the work that lies closest at hand he is not only gaining individual prosperity but is also contributing to the wealth and the agricultural development of his county.
WILLIAM H. WEEKS.
William H. Weeks, who died on the 24th of March, 1915, owned and operated a farm in Monroe township. He was born in Coles county, Illinois, on the 25th of March, 1837, a son of George W. and Lovina Weeks, natives of Kentucky and early settlers of Illinois. The father, who farmed during his active life, resided with our subject for a number of years previous to his demise, which occurred in this county.
William H. Weeks grew to manhood in the Prairie state but following his marriage came to Madison county, Iowa, arriving here in 1862. He purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, to the development of which he gave his entire time and attention. As his resources increased he bought other land until he owned two hundred and forty acres, all under cultivation, from which he de- rived a good income. His wife still lives upon the farm where they located more than fifty years ago and during that time they witnessed a great transformation in the county. Mr. Weeks was one of the factors in the agricultural development of his township and the competence which he gained was fully deserved.
Mr. Weeks was married in Missouri to Miss Mary Davis, who was born in that state in 1842 and is a niece of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America. To this union ten children were born. Alva B., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mary E., who died when a young woman ; William E., Edgar, Henry and C. C., all residents of Colorado; May, the wife of L. A. Pinckney, of Grand River township; Blanch, the wife of Hilton Powers,
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who is operating the Weeks farm; Alta, the wife of E. J. Tilton, of Monroe town- ship; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Weeks was a republican but never aspired to political preferment. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church, to which his widow also be- longs, and they sincerely endeavored to guide their lives by the teachings of Christianity. He held in full measure the respect and goodwill of all those who came in contact with him and his personal worth was universally acknowledged.
WILLIAM OSCAR CREGER.
William Oscar Creger, one of the most prominent farmers and stockmen of Ohio township, is a native of this county and has thoroughly identified his interests with those of the community in which he resides. His birth occurred on the farm which he now owns and on which he makes his home, on the 31st of August, 1866. His parents, Samuel M. and Rebecca J. ( Reed ) Creger, were born, respec- tively, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 18, 1831, and in Carroll county, that state, on the 15th of September, 1840. His paternal grandparents, John and Mahala (Moffitt) Creger, were both born in the east, the grandfather's birth oc- curring in Pennsylvania in July, 1801, and the grandmother's in Maine, on the 18th of April, 1811. A number of years after their marriage they located in Ohio township, Madison county, Iowa, where the grandfather entered land. Their son, Samuel M. Creger, also took up a claim, proving up on the farm on section 10, Ohio township, where our subject now lives. In 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Creger removed to Truro, where they lived retired until called to the home beyond, the father dying in 1903 and the mother eight years later. He enlisted on the 17th of August, 1862, in Company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and rose to the rank of sergeant. He served for almost three years, being mustered out on the 24th of June, 1865, with a military record distinctly creditable to his courage and loyalty. His wife was a daughter of William and Susanna ( Porter) Reed, the former born in Ireland in 1795 and the latter born in Pennsylvania in 1818, of Irish descent. In 1855 they became residents of Madison county, locating on Hoosier Prairie in Scott township, where the father farmed until his death on the 31st of December of that year. The mother subsequently married Reuben A. Kale, and following his demise became the wife of John D. White. She passed away in Truro on the 15th of February, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Creger were the parents of four children, as follows: James Theodore is the subject of a sketch which appears elsewhere in this work. Amanda E., who was born on the 12th of January, 1861, was married on the 20th of November, 1878, to T. H. Queen, and passed away on the 10th of February, 1894, leaving five children, Ora, Vernon, Glendon, Denzil, and Roxie, who died on the 28th of March, 1896. W. O., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Bradie J., who was born on the 28th of May, 1882, is also mentioned on another page of this volume. Samuel , M. Creger was a republican and held all of the local offices, and fraternally was connected with the Masons and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a man who took an active part in everything that related to his community, and was most highly esteemed by all who knew him.
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM O. CREGER
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William O. Creger attended the district schools in Ohio township and assisted his father in the cultivation of the land which he had entered from the govern- ment. As his strength increased he was given more and more of the farm work to do, and by the time that he was grown he was a very efficient agriculturist. He has continued to devote his time to farming and stock-raising throughout his entire active life, and now owns and operates four hundred and seventy acres of valuable land in Ohio township. His home farm, which comprises a quarter section, is one of the best improved places in the township, and his residence is a commodious and attractive structure, provided with the conveniences of the twentieth century. He buys and sells both cattle and hogs, being one of the most extensive stockmen in the county, and does his own shipping, using the Chicago markets. He is an excellent judge of the value of stock and is seldom mistaken in his purchases. He also watches the market carefully, so as to sell to the best advantage, and his operations in that field of activity bring him a handsome in- come. He is one of the representative and substantial men of his county and . has been connected with its development along many lines. He was one of the organizers of the Truro Savings Bank, and is a stockholder and director of that institution.
On the 17th of December, 1800, Mr. Creger was married by the Rev. W. W. Williams, of St. Charles, to Miss Ida Penelope Worthing, a daughter of John and Julia ( Bargar ) Worthing. Her father, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 16th of October, 1845, was a son of Richard and Sarah ( Ingram ) Worthing, and came of Welsh descent. His wife was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 14th of November, 1846, and her parents, Abraham and Mary ('Velch) Bargar, were of German and Irish stock, respectively. The marriage of John Worthing and Julia Bargar was solemnized on the 22d of January, 1867, in Guernsey county, Ohio, by Rev. J. G. Whittaker. In 1881 they came west and located in Ohio township, this county, where the father engaged in farming two miles northeast of Truro. Subsequently a removal was made to Monroe township, where he farmed for six years, after which he located in Winterset and turned his attention to the hotel business, conducting for twelve years the Worthing House, which is now known as the Arlington Hotel. At the end of that time he and his wife removed to Des Moines, where he was employed il Davidson's wholesale house. In 1914 they took up their abode in Truro, where they are now living. Mr. Worthing is a veteran of the Civil war, having served at the front in Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-second Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. To him and his wife have been born nine children, all of whom survive: Ida Penelope, who was born on the 14th of December, 1867, and is now the wife of our subject ; Mary Belle, born October 17, 1870; Sarah A., whose birth occurred on the 26th of October, 1872; Alta E., whose natal day was the 30th of October, 1874: Jennie M., born February 27, 1877; Abraham Bargar, born March 10, 1879; Richard Seth, whose birth occurred on the 23d of August, 1881; John Welch, born October 10, 1884; and Blanch Agnes, born January 15, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Creger have had two children : Samuel Merrill, who was born on the 13th of August, 1895, and who, after attending the schools of Truro, completed the two years' agricultural course at the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, graduating with the class of 1914, is now bookkeeper in the
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Truro Savings Bank; and John Theodore, born December 13, 1904, died April 28, 1912.
Mr. Creger is a republican and is now serving as township trustee, proving an able and conscientious official. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Truro and both take an active part in its work. He is in the tenth year of his service as trustee and his wife is a leading member of the Ladies Aid Society. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Truro and his wife belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps, the Order of Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters. Their lives are well rounded and well balanced, as they have never allowed material interests to monopolize their time and energy but have realized that the development of the community along moral, civic and social lines is a matter that should be of great concern to every citizen and have cooperated gladly with many movements that have sought the general welfare.
MANFORD ERASMUS SEEVERS.
Manford Erasmus Seevers devotes his entire time to farming and stock-rais- ing, owning a tract of well improved land on section 25, Jackson township. He is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Oskaloosa, October 14, 1851. His parents, George W. and Mary ( Wheeler) Seevers, were natives of Coshoc- ton county, Ohio, the former born October 6, 1819, and the latter in 1826. Both are deceased, the father dying in July, 1897, while the mother preceded him in death by five years, her demise having occurred in 1892. The father was reared on a farm in the Buckeye state, but in 1841 he made his way to the middle west and first lived on the land where Oskaloosa is now situated, having made the overland trip to this place. In 1845 he returned to his native state and was there married to Miss Mary Wheeler, after which he brought his bride to this state. For many years thereafter he was identified with the farming interests of Ma- haska county, Iowa, but in 1864 he came to Madison county, settling on a tract of two hundred acres. He set out a large quantity of fruit and was engaged in the nursery business, with headquarters in Oskaloosa. He was a lover of fine horses and had some of the fastest driving stock in his part of the country, his animals being exhibited at the county fairs. Mr. Seevers was a great writer and many of his poems were published in the Oskaloosa Herald, the last he wrote being entitled My Old Elm Tree, the subject being suggested from an elm which he had planted on the public square. In 1800 he removed to Orland, Cali- fornia, where he made his home until the time of his death. He gave his political support to the populist party and although urged to become a candidate for vari- ous offices always declined, preferring to do his duty as a private citizen.
Manford Erasmus Seevers, who is the third in order of birth in a family of eight children, was educated in one of the old time log schoolhouses of Oska- loosa and also in the district schools of Douglas township, Madison county, and shared with the other members of the family in the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Upon starting out in life for himself he chose as his work the occu- pation to which he had been reared and for seven years farmed on rented land in Douglas township. He then took up his abode in southwestern Missouri,
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where he spent two years, while four years were passed in logging camps and in the fishing industry in Aberdeen, Washington. In 1894 he once more took up his abode in Iowa and has since made his home in Madison county. He is now living on section 25, Jackson township, and has here a well improved farm. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of polled Dur- ham cattle and Poland China hogs.
In 1884 Mr. Seevers was united in marriage to Miss Olive Leach, who was born in Winterset, Iowa, a daughter of John and Margaret (Shaffer) Leach, the former born in Trumbull county, Ohio, August 6, 1837, and the latter in Indiana May 20, 1835. The father emigrated to Iowa when a young man and here engaged in teaching school for a time. In 1855 he located in Madison county, where three years later, or in 1858, he was married to Miss Margaret Shaffer. He later engaged in farming here and made several trips across the plains, freighting from Omaha to Denver. He always made his home on the farm where he first located after taking up his abode in Douglas township to the time of his death, which occurred April 14, 1897. Mrs. Leach survived him for many years, passing away, July 18, 1912. Mr. Leach was a very active man and kept up with the trend of the times, always keeping on hand the most modern and improved machinery to facilitate his farm work. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Mrs. Seevers being the third in order of birth.
To Mr. and Mrs. Seevers have been born two daughters. Virgie is the wife of Walter MeCorkle, a farmer of Jackson township, and they have two children, Lola Kozette and Kenneth Manford. Mary Aletha, the younger daughter, is a high-school student in Winterset.
Mr. Seevers is strictly a home man, having no fraternal associations. Mrs. Seevers belongs to the West Star Methodist Episcopal church and is active in its work. The name of Seevers is one well known in Madison county and he whose name introduces this review is fully sustaining the high and honorable reputation that has always been borne by the members of the family.
H. P. ANDERSON.
H. P. Anderson, of the firm of Switzer & Anderson, general merchants of St. Charles, was born December 19, 1869, at the family residence in St. Charles. His father, Dr. William M. Anderson, was for a number of years one of the leading physicians of the town and a sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this work.
H. P. Anderson was reared in St. Charles and here attended the public and high schools. Upon putting aside his textbooks he was for a time engaged in the drug business but in his early manhood also farmed and still owns land in South township, the cultivation of which he supervises. In 1902 he became the partner of Samuel S. Switzer, who has been engaged in merchandising here for many years, and in the last thirteen years the store of Switzer & Anderson has become recognized as one of the largest and best in St. Charles. The firm name is a synonym for business integrity and enterprise and as they carry a full stock and
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are content with reasonable prices, the volume of their business is constantly increasing.
Mr. Anderson was married on the 15th of September, 1894, to Miss Anna Irwin, a daughter of the late Hon. Samuel Irwin, former representative from Warren county in the Iowa state legislature. He was an early settler in that county, having emigrated to America from the Emerald isle, where his birth occurred. Mrs. Anderson was born and reared in Virginia township, Warren county, and completed the course afforded by the St. Charles public schools. By her marriage she has six children, four sons and two daughters: Boyd N., who is now a medical student in the State University of Iowa; William Samuel, who was named for his grandfathers and who is teaching in the county; Gerald H., attending school; Amanda Isabell, who was named for both of her grandmothers and is also in school; Margaret Anna, likewise a public-school student; and Robert Eugene, at home.
Mr. Anderson has consistently supported the democratic party and has at all times taken a commendable interest in matters that concern the public welfare. He has the advancement of the public school system especially at heart and for twelve years or more has served upon the school board. His wife is numbered among the faithful and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has won marked success as a business man and finds the greatest pleasure in pro- viding liberally for his family. Their residence in St. Charles is attractive and commodious and is a favorite meeting place for their friends.
JAMES WALLACE SAWHILL.
James Wallace Sawhill, a farmer residing on section 33. Jackson township, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, on the 4th of March, 1867, a son of Rev. James and Martha ( Wallace) Sawhill, more detailed mention of whom is made in the sketch of John C. Sawhill elsewhere in this volume. Our subject attended the common schools of Dubuque and Madison counties, passing from grade to grade, and was later a student in the Dexter Normal School. When twenty years of age he began farming upon land which he owned in Jackson township, this county, and so continued until 1907. He then removed to Canon City, Colorado, where he owned a fruit ranch and a grocery store. Upon his return to this county he resumed farming and stock-raising and now owns two hundred and forty acres in Jackson township and a like tract in Monroe township. He is unremitting in his industry, displays good business judgment in the management of his affairs and is today recognized as one of the well-to-do men of the county.
In 1890 Mr. Sawhill was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. George, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, a daughter of William F. and Ella (Kipp) George. The father was born in Urbana county, Ohio, in 1815 and passed away in 1885. He was reared upon a farm and when twenty years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois. He engaged in the mercantile business at Berwick, that state, and also owned considerable land, which he devoted to general farming and stock-raising. In 1875 he removed to Jackson township, this county, and acquired seven hundred acres of land which he operated chiefly
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as a stock farm. He was a democrat and prominent in local political circles, and his religious belief was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He passed away upon his farm in Jackson township. He was married three times and had fif- teen children, eight by the third union. Mrs. Sawhill is the youngest of that family and her mother, who was born in Rome, New York, on the 27th of March, 1832, makes her home with our subject. Mr. George was opposed to the Civil war and hired substitutes for his sons who were drafted.
Mr. and Mrs. Sawhill have five children: Ray, who was born in 1891 and is now a senior in Colorado College at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Bessie, an alumna of the Canon City high school; and Gaylord, born June 22, 1897, George, born March 27, 1899, and Bertha, born in 1902, all at home.
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