USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 44
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upon to cooperate in any worthy movement and in 1865 was elected captain of the Lincoln Home Guards. He was a Methodist and helped to organize the West Star church and to erect its house of worship. To him and his wife were born five children, of whom Mrs. Breakenridge is the second in order of birth. She has become the mother of four children, two of whom are living: Harold G., born September 14, 1894, who graduated from the Winterset high school in 1914 and is now at home; and Raymond D., born August 17, 1897, who is attending the Winterset high school. Aletha died in infancy and Glenn died when ten years of age.
Mr. Breakenridge is a republican and his opinions carry weight in the local councils of his party. He is at present serving as trustee of Jackson township and for several years was justice of the peace, while he has also been on the board of supervisors. His church membership is held in the West Star Methodist Epis- copal church and he is a consistent and influential member of that society. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His ability is evident in the success which attends his stock-raising activities and his integrity and uprightness are manifest in his daily life.
JAMES H. McCONNELEE.
James H. McConnelee, a well known farmer of Union township, resided in Winterset during his last years and there passed away, his demise being the occasion of much regret. He was born in the state of New York on the 6th of April, 1833. of the marriage of William and Margaret ( Hill) McConnelee, also natives of that state and of Scotch descent. When but six years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Logan county, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood and early youth. However, in the spring of 1855 the family emigrated still farther westward, settling in the vicinity of Iowa City, and the next spring they came to Madison county and located in Scott township.
Mr. McConnelee remained at home with his parents until his marriage and thereafter settled in Scott township. At one time he conducted a store in Patter- son but on account of ill health traded his business for a farm in Union town- ship and for many years devoted his energies to the improvement and develop- ment of that place, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres. The labor which he bestowed upon his farm was repaid by abundant crops, from the sale of which he received a good sum of money yearly. At length he removed to Winterset, where he passed away on the 18th day of December, 1891.
On the 5th of February, 1868, Mr. McConnelee was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Potter, a daughter of John and Jane ( Fundy) Potter, both natives of New York and of Scotch and Dutch lineage respectively. They were married in Michigan but in 1854 located in the vicinity of Patterson, Crawford township, this county. The father bought land there and after farming for a number of years removed to Patterson and there passed away. His wife was called to her rest on the 18th of March, 1857, while living upon the farm in Crawford town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. McConnelee adopted Alice Beerbower, a daughter of Eli
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Beerbower, when she was but seven years old and gave her full measure of love and care. On the 14th of November, 1888, she became the wife of William T. Davis, a son of James R. and Margaret Davis, and to this marriage have been born four children. Ethel Margaret, whose birth occurred September 8. 1889, married Arthur Nicoson, a farmer of Warren county, lowa, and they have three children, Merrill, and Mack and Mildred, twins. Sadie, born Septem- ber 17, 1891, gave her hand in marriage to Boyd Porter, a liveryman of Truro. Harold James, born July 1, 1900, is attending the district schools. Vernon Leslie, who completes the family, was born August 8, 1908.
Mr. McConnelee was a republican and served for some time as clerk of Scott township with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Both he and his wife held membership in the United Presbyterian church and were important factors in the furtherance of its work. He took pardonable pride in his military record, which was highly creditable, as he served with the Union army from 1862 until the end of the war. He was a member of Company F, Thirty-ninth lowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Brown, and was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. He also participated in the battle of Corinth and in a number of other important engagements. He retained throughout his life a great interest in everything relating to the Civil war and was a loyal member of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Winterset. He was not only connected with military and agricultural interests but was also a factor in the educational field, as following his removal to Madison county he taught until he enlisted in the army and after his return continued to follow that profession a few terms before giving his attention to farming. Whatever he did was done conscientiously and well and he was held in high estimation by all who came into contact with him. Although almost a quarter of a century has passed since he was called to his final rest his life is not forgotten and the memory of his honesty and integrity is an influence for good in his community.
Following Mr. McConnelee's death his widow removed to a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 26, Ohio township, which she owns and which her son-in-law, William T. Davis, is now operating. She has resided in the county for many years and has made a host of friends who hold her in warm regard.
ALLEN H. ROWE.
Allen H. Rowe, a farmer owning one hundred and fifty-nine acres on see- tion 14, Grand River township, is a native of that township, born on the 11th of September, 1870, a son of Martin Rowe, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. Our subject was reared upon the home farm and received his education in the public schools. When he was twenty-seven years of age he engaged in farming on his own account, buying one hundred and fifty-nine acres of land from his father, and he has since concentrated his energies upon its cultivation and development. The place is improved with a good set of build - ings and everything is kept in excellent repair, as he is energetic and progres- sive. He does general farming and derives a good income from his labors, which are wisely directed.
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Mr. Rowe married Miss Nellie Gattenby, a daughter of J. K. Gattenby, an account of whose life is given elsewhere in this work. To this marriage have been born four children: Kenneth; Rollin; Herman, who died in infancy; and Allen. Mr. Rowe gives his political allegiance to the republican party and takes the interest of a good citizen in everything relating to the public welfare. A native son of the county, he has resided here all of his life, believing that the opportunities offered are the equal of those to be found elsewhere.
JOHN HINDMAN.
John Hindman, a retired farmer of East Peru and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born on the 10th of December, 1840, in Brooke county, West Vir- ginia, a son of William and Jane (Cleland) Hindman. The father was born in Pennsylvania of Irish stock and the mother was a native of County Antrim, Ire- land. When fifteen years of age she accompanied her parents to America and her marriage occurred in West Virginia. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs. Hindman went to Washington county, Ohio, where she passed away in 1852. In 1854 Mr. Hind- man removed with his family to Madison county, Iowa, and the following year entered four hundred acres of land in Walnut and Scott townships. Later he traded that property for two hundred acres on section 15, Walnut township, on Clanton Creek. He died there in September, 1868, but representatives of the family lived on that farm for a half century. To him and his wife were born the following children besides our subject: James, deceased; William, who has passed away, leaving a son, Frank, now a farmer of Nance county, Nebraska ; Robert, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah Jane and Margaret, all deceased; and Rebecca, who makes her home with our subject. She was born on the 24th of April, 1846, and is the youngest of the family.
John Hindman as a boy attended the Isaac Baker school, which was taught by Samuel Ruby, of Winterset. The greater part of his time, however, was taken up by assisting his father with the work of the farm until the 15th of August, 1862, when he answered the call of the president for troops by enlisting in Com- pany A, Thirty-ninth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry under Colonel Cum- mins. The command went into rendezvous at Des Moines and later was sent to Davenport. On Christmas Day, of that year, it left the state for active service and on New Year's Day, 1863, our subject took part in the battle of Parkers Crossroads, in Tennessee. He also fought in the battles of Stone River, Look- out Mountain and Missionary Ridge and was with Sherman in his march upon Atlanta. He was in the midst of much hard fighting, but escaped being wounded. He participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., and was mustered out of the service on the 5th of June, 1865. The following day he started for Iowa and was discharged at Clinton, this state. He returned home and resumed agricultural work. At the death of his father he took charge of the farm and continued to operate it until 1913. He was quite successful as an agriculturist and accumulated a competence that enabled him in that year to sell the farm, , which comprised one hundred and seventy acres, and to move to East Peru, where
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he and his sister Rebecca are now residing. In 1855 he and his brother William brought into the county the second threshing outfit ever used here. They had purchased it the year previous and first utilized it in threshing in the vicinity of Oskaloosa. For three years they did all of the threshing between Grand River and Indianola and the machine was considered a wonderful invention, although it would now seem very primitive, as it was of the old chaff piler pattern. While he was actively engaged in the work of the farm our subject raised thorough- bred shorthorn cattle and Berkshire hogs, having probably the best stock in the county. On the 8th of May, 1911, his home was destroyed by fire, burning to the ground, and but little of the furniture was saved. He immediately rebuilt, erecting a commodious and well designed residence.
Mr. Hindman and his sister are both members of the United Brethren church and are highly esteemed residents of the county, in which they have lived for a half century. He is a republican but has never felt any desire to hold office. For a number of years he was identified with the Grand Army of the Republic post at Truro, but has allowed his membership to lapse. He is public-spirited to a marked degree and was among those who gave one hundred dollars each to secure the first railroad in Winterset, realizing the immense advantage that would accrue to the town from having rail connection with outside points.
WILLIAM M. DRAKE.
William M. Drake, who is engaged in farming and stockraising in Jackson township, is a native son of Madison county, born on the 10th of April, 1858, his parents being John R. and Amanda ( Bigler) Drake. The former was born in New Jersey in 1826, and died in 1868, while the mother, who was born in Penn- sylvania, June 29, 1828, passed away November 23, 1907, when she had reached the very advanced age of seventy-nine years. John R. Drake was employed as a drover in the eastern states until 1854, which year marked his arrival in the then "far west." He settled on a farm in Webster township, this county, when but few families had preceded him to this section and engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising, eventually becoming the owner of six hundred and forty acres. At the time of his death he owned four hundred and forty acres of this tract, comprising a part of the first land on which he located when he came to Madison county. He engaged quite extensively in the raising of cattle and was one of the first to bring Durham cattle to this county. He was a very active and busy man, devoting his entire time and attention to his farming and stock- raising interests. In politics he was a republican and was a member of the Meth- odist church.
William M. Drake, who is one of a family of seven children, acquired his education in the district schools of Webster township. At the age of eighteen years he began work as a farm laborer and when twenty years old took charge of the homestead, being thus engaged for two years. In 1880 he removed to Norton county, Kansas, where he took up a homestead, but because of the drouth in that state he returned to Madison county and for three years engaged in black-
WILLIAM M. DRAKE
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
smithing in Webster. In 1883 he made his way to Montana but only spent one year in that state, when he returned once more to Madison county, where he spent his time until 1886. In the latter year he again went to Norton county, Kansas, and there engaged in farming until 1900, when he once more came to Madison county, and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising here. He has been successful in his chosen calling and is today the owner of two hundred and eighty-five acres of well improved land, on which good buildings are found.
Mr. Drake chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss Mary M. Morse, whom he wedded on the 9th day of July, 1881. She is a native of Maine and a daughter of William H. and Maria (Verrill) Morse, who were pioneer settlers of the Pine Tree state and are now deceased, the father having passed away in 1901, at the age of sixty-eight years, while the mother, who was born in 1839, died in 1899. William H. Morse was a carpenter by trade. While still a resident of Maine, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Fifth Maine Infantry. He was promoted to the rank of corporal and served his country three and a half years. Following his service in the army, in 1865, he located in Henry county, Illinois, and for three years followed his trade in Geneseo, during which time he aided in the construction of several churches and many other buildings which stand as monuments to his skill and en- terprise. From 1868 until 1873, he followed his trade in Adair county, Iowa, after which he located in Stuart, Iowa, and from that place removed to Des Moines, where he lived retired for many years. However, at the time of his death he was a resident of Florida. He was of a retiring manner but made friends wherever he went.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Drake has been blessed with two sons and two daughters, as follows: Nina, the wife of Ora C. Hart, a farmer of Webster township, by whom she has two sons, Floyd and George; Warren E., who was born July 27, 1888, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising in South Dakota ; Cora B., who is a nurse employed in Indianola, Iowa; and Edgar W., who was born June 1, 1896. Mrs. Drake is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church of Webster. Mr. Drake, following in the political footsteps of his father, has always supported the principles of the republican party. He is prominent and influential in the district where he now makes his home and his success has placed him among the well-to-do citizens of Madison county.
IRA IRVIN TRINDLE.
Ira Irvin Trindle, a farmer residing on section 21, Jackson township, was born in Jefferson township, this county, on the 9th of June, 1867. His parents, John H. and Margaret ( Holmes ) Trindle, were both born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, the father on the 26th of August, 1831, and the mother on the 4th of January, 1833. John H. Trindle, who was a carpenter by trade, resided in the Hoosier state until 1854, when he removed to Warren county, Iowa, which re- mained his home until 1865. In that year he came to Jefferson township, Madi- son county, where he purchased land, which he continued to cultivate until his Vol. II -- 22
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death in 1882. He was active in the work of the United Brethren church. His widow continued to operate the farm and reared their children. of whom there were eight in all, our subject being the fifth in order of birth, training them so that they have become efficient and respected men and women. Two are now de- ceased and one is a missionary in China. The mother was living at Van Meter, Iowa, at the time of her demise, which occurred in 1908.
Ira I. Trindle received his education in the district schools of Jefferson town- ship and in 1887, when twenty years of age, went to Nebraska, where he lived for a decade. At the end of that time he returned to his native county and has since devoted his time to farming here. He has, however, lived in several town- ships since his return but is now cultivating eighty acres of land on section 21, Jackson township, to which he holds title.
In 1892 Mr. Trindle married Miss Mary Brooker, who was born in Jeffer- son township and is a daughter of John and Mary ( Hubbard ) Brooker, the for- mer born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 11th of April, 1838, and the latter born in Lawrence county, Indiana, on the 20th of March, 1845. Both have passed away. Mr. Brooker removed with his parents to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1847, and after reaching mature years engaged in merchandising with his brothers, George and Gudliff. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry and went with his command to the front, where he participated in a number of hard-fought battles. Upon the close of hostilities he returned to Clayton county and resided there until 1867, when he came to this county, buying one hundred and forty acres of land in Jefferson township. I11 1904 he moved to Winterset, passing away there in April of the same year. He was a republican and served upon the board of supervisors from 1892 to 1898. He was active not only in the political and civic affairs but also in the religious life of the community and was known for his honesty and integrity.
Mr. Trindle is a republican in politics but takes no part in public affairs other than to cast his ballot. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the United Presbyterian church and he can be counted upon to forward a move- ment that seeks the moral betterment of his community.
D. S. DE WITT.
D. S. De Witt, a well known farmer of Union township, was born in Hardin county, this state, on the 6th of October, 1871, a son of Seymour and Sarah De Witt, both natives of the Dominion of Canada. In 1868 they removed to Hardin county, Iowa, where the father became a substantial farmer, owning eight hundred acres of land. Both are now living at New Providence in the enjoy- ment of rest and leisure. Their religious faith is that of the Friends church. To them were born nine children, but the subject of this review and a brother are the only ones living in Madison county.
D. S. De Witt attended the district schools of Hardin county and the high school at New Providence. After completing his formal education he returned home and farmed with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he began his independent business career and in addition to cultivating the soil
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he dealt in farm land to some extent. In 1902 he removed to Madison county and purchased the Kennedy farm in Union township, later buying the Butler Bird farm. His holdings comprise two hundred and forty acres and in addition to general farming he feeds a number of cattle and hogs each year, thus deriving a good income from both phases of his work.
Mr. De Witt married Miss Minnie Mitchel, who was born in Hardin county, and they have four children, Rodney, Ruth, Louise and Alice. Mr. De Witt has been a democrat for twenty years and is most loyal to that party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an energetic and able farmer and the excellent condition of everything about his place testifies to the care which he bestows upon it. He has built two barns upon the property and has made many other improvements. In his work he uses the latest machinery and is always willing to apply the results of experiments along the line of scientific agriculture. It is a matter of just pride to him that his prosperity is due to his own efforts and good management.
CHARLES LUDWIG HOENESS.
Charles Ludwig Hoeness, a prosperous and efficient farmer of Jackson town- ship, is now living largely retired, having accumulated a competence in former years of labor. He was born in Erpfingen, Reutlingen, Wurtemburg, Germany. on the 18th of November, 1848. The family history goes back to 1721, but, as the town and the records were destroyed during the Thirty Years' war, the ances- try cannot be definitely traced previous to that date. John Bernard Hoeness, who was born in 1721 and died in 1749, was a surgeon. His son, John Bernard, who was a farmer and brewer, was born in 1748 and passed away in 1834. Karl Ludwig, a son of the latter, was born in 1791 and died in 1830. He was a farmer by occupation and fought from 1813 to 1815 inclusive against Napoleon. His son Samuel was the father of Charles L. of this review.
Samuel Hoeness, who was born on the 22d of November, 1820, owned land in Germany and followed the occupation of a farmer. During his service in the German army he held the rank of sergeant and he was councilman of his village. He possessed an unusually keen mind and as he was also well read had consid- erable influence in his community. In 1898, after retiring from active life, he joined his son and passed away here on the 19th of July, 1901. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church and quite active in its affairs. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Kathrina Seigler, was born in 1818 and died in 1884. To their union were born six children and two of their sons became residents of the United States.
Charles L. Hoeness was given excellent educational advantages, attending both public and private schools in his native land. He worked upon his father's farm and also entered the employ of nearby farmers and by saving his earnings was at length enabled to purchase land which he operated until 1881. He then emigrated to America and made his way to McLean county, Illinois, which re- mained his home until 1894. In that year he came to this county and has since been numbered among the energetic and efficient farmers of Jackson township.
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His farm of two hundred and ten acres is on section 23, and is all under cultiva- tion and well improved. He is a general farmer and stockman and his work is done systematically and thoroughly, neither time nor energy being wasted. His resources have increased from year to year and he is now living largely retired, enjoying the leisure which is his just reward.
In 1877 Mr. Hoeness married Miss Elizabeth Schlegel, a daughter of George and Caroline (Schlegel) Schlegel, the former a farmer and landowner of Ger- many. Mrs. Hoeness was born in 1847 and passed away in 1887, leaving a son, Samuel G. In 1888 Mr. Hoeness was married to Miss Ursula Messner, who was born in Trossingen, Wurtemburg, Germany, a daughter of Paul and Caroline (Specht ) Messner, the former born in 1816 and the latter born in 1819 in Stutt- gart. Mr. Messner learned the printer's trade in Stuttgart and served the re- quired length of time in the German army. He later turned his attention to farming. He was active in the German Lutheran church and was highly esteemed in his community. His wife passed away in 1872 and his demise occurred some years previous. To their union were born four children, two sons and one daughter of whom came to the United States. Mrs. Hoeness is the only one of the family now living. Mr. and Mrs. Hoeness have two children. Helen, who attended Earlham Academy, is a teacher in the district schools and Katherine, who attended the Winterset high school is now teaching the home school. Helen is also a Sunday school teacher and both are very active in all lines of church and Sunday school work.
Mr. Hoeness is a republican and for seven years served as township trustee. He is a valued member of the United Presbyterian church at Pitzer and has always taken a great interest in its work. In all things he is progressive and his influence has invariably been given to the side of right and truth.
MARTIN GRISWOLD.
Martin Griswold, for many years a farmer in Madison township, this county, was born in Ohio in 1818, a son of Hezekiah and Mary Griswold, who were likewise natives of that state. They owned an orchard comprising sixty acres of land and in addition to engaging quite extensively in the fruit business the father carried on general farming. Both passed away in the Buckeye state.
Martin Griswold was reared and educated in Ohio and remained with his parents until he reached mature years. He was then married and subsequently came to Madison county, Iowa, arriving here just before the close of the Civil war. He bought land in Grand River township, which he operated for four years, and then sold it, removing to section 2, Madison township, where he purchased eighty acres. He began to improve the place and in the course of time made it one of the attractive farm properties of his locality. He gained a competence from his agricultural labor and was regarded as a capable farmer. He passed away upon his land, December 14, 1880.
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