USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 45
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. Griswold was married on the 5th of October, 1860, to Miss Mary Jane Withrow, a daughter of James and Mary (Williams) Withrow, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. The father, who was a shoe-
D
MRS. M. J. GRISWOLD AND FAMILY
499
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
maker by trade, went to Ohio at an early day and resided there for a number of years, before he returned to Pennsylvania, where his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold became the parents of five children : John A., who died in July, 1905; D. M., a farmer of Madison township, this county; E. B., the proprietor of the Griswold Medicine Company of Des Moines ; Joseph, who is living in Ohio ; and Emma J., who died in February, 1907.
Mr. Griswold was a republican and was unwavering in his allegiance to that party. He was a member of the Baptist church, was a sincere Christian and did all in his power to advance the cause of Christianity. Mrs. Griswold is a devout member of the Methodist church. She has resided upon the farm since her huis- band's death with the exception of four years which she spent in Dexter, lowa. She now rents the land to C. P. Cline and derives a comfortable income therefrom.
EDGAR E. POMEROY.
Edgar E. Pomeroy, a carpenter of St. Charles, has also been identified with agricultural interests in the county .. He was born and reared in South township, this county, his birth occurring on the 7th of January, 1871. His parents, N. P. and Sarah (Collins) Pomeroy, were natives of Ohio, the former of Holmes and the latter of Clinton county. The paternal grandfather, John Pomeroy, farmed in Ohio, but passed away in St. Charles while on a visit here. The maternal grandfather, James Collins, followed agricultural pursuits in Clinton county, Ohio, for many years, but his death occurred in this county.
N. P. Pomeroy remained in Holmes county, Ohio, until he was twenty-seven years of age and in 1854 made his first visit to Madison county. He returned to Ohio but subsequently purchased land in this county and took up his residence thereon. His brother George also bought a farm in South township, which is now in possession of our subject. N. P. Pomeroy subsequently bought two hun- dred acres more, his second farm being located in Ohio township. He resided upon the homestead for many years and was very successful as a general farmer and stockman. His political belief was that of the democratic party and he and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was con- nected with the financial interests of the county as a stockholder in the Bank of St. Charles. He passed away on the 15th of September, 1911, at St. Charles when he was eighty-three years of age and his wife is still living there at the age of seventy-three. To them were born seven children, as follows: G. C., of Gray county, Kansas; Margaret, who died in this county; J. C., a farmer of Phelps county, Nebraska ; Mrs. Amanda Wilcox, of Madison county; Mrs. Ella Sayres, of Gray county, Kansas; Edgar E .; and Mrs. Daisy Hill, of this county. Margaret, who became the wife of Stephen Bradshaw, was a teacher for some time and Daisy served for two terms as deputy county recorder.
Edgar E. Pomeroy owns about one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land in South township and operates a part of his land. He learned the carpenter's trade and for a number of years has given the greater part of his time and atten- tion to work along that line, finding it more congenial than farming. For the past
500
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
six years he has resided in St. Charles and has gained recognition as one of the leading carpenters of his town.
On the 17th of January, 1894, Mr. Pomeroy was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Martin, who was born on the 12th of November, 1865, in South town- ship, this county. Her parents, James and Mary (Cramer ) Martin, who are now both deceased, were married in Pennsylvania and came here in the fall of 1853 from Edenburg, that state. Mr. Martin was of Irish parentage, his mother being born in Derry county, Ireland, and his father upon the ocean while his parents were crossing to America. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Pome- roy located in Pennsylvania in 1794 and her grandfather, Boyd Martin, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a surveyor by profession and laid out the city of Newcastle, Pennsylvania. Her father was a farmer by occupation and died in this county in 1865 when still a young man. Her mother survived until the 8th of March, 1892, being seventy-three years of age when called to the home beyond. They were the parents of five children: Martha, the wife of Thomas Scriviner, of South township; Isabelle, now Mrs. King, of St. Joseph, Missouri; J. B., of South township, who is farming a part of the homestead; J. G., a stock buyer of Patterson; and Mrs. Pomeroy.
Mr. Pomeroy is a republican and is stanch in his allegiance to that party. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Yeomen and his wife is a social member. He was formerly identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but is not active in that organization now. Both he and his wife attest their religious faith by their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and by their uprightness and charity. They have a comfortable home in St. Charles.
WILLARD FENIMORE.
Willard Fenimore, who is recognized as one of the most progressive farmers and stockmen of Jackson township, was born in Scott township, this county, on the 12th of August, 1867, a son of William and Martha (Ogburn) Fenimore. The father, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, on the 11th of January, 1834, continued to reside there until 1854. when he came overland to Madison county, Iowa, and became identified with the agricultural interests of Scott town- ship, where he owned seven hundred and fifteen acres of land. He fed stock extensively and was very successful, his labors yielding him a good income. When he came to this county he found much land that was not under cultivation and many evidences that a few years before the region had been an unbroken prairie. He was quite active in civic affairs, although without political aspiration. Remov- ing to Peru in 1870, he became president of the Bank of Peru and also engaged in general merchandising. In 1908 he removed to Roswell, New Mexico, where he dealt extensively in land, but in 1910 he took up his residence in Diamond, Mis- souri, and in November, 1914, removed to Carthage, that state, where he is now living retired. He is a member of the Christian church and politically supports the prohibition party. He has been married three times. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Martha Ogburn, was born in Indiana in
501
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
1837 and passed away in 1875. She was the mother of ten children, of whom Willard is the seventh in order of birth.
Willard Fenimore attended the district schools of Scott township, this county, and also did his part of the work of the farm, thus becoming familiar with agri- cultural methods. When twenty-one years of age he purchased land in Scott township and was engaged in farming and stock-raising there until 1903, when he removed to Jackson township, where he is now living, his farm comprising one hundred and fifty-five acres of land. He specializes in the buying, selling, feed- ing and shipping of cattle and, as he is an excellent judge of stock and understands the proper proportioning of rations, his cattle are in good condition when sold and bring a high price upon the market. He also raises some grain and in all of his work manifests a commendable spirit of progress.
In 1888 Mr. Fenimore married Miss Iva A. Moore, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, a daughter of James F. and Martha ( Noble) Moore, the for- mer of whom was born in North Carolina in 1827 and the latter in Kentucky in 1831. The father became a resident of Indiana in 1849 and was one of the early settlers of his locality. He began farming in Putnam county and for a number of years followed that occupation there. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in an Indiana regiment of infantry and proved a brave soldier. Following the close of the war he removed to Missouri and in 1873 settled in Walnut town- ship, this county. Two years later, however, he removed to Mahaska county, lowa, where he resided until 1883, when he returned to Madison county, but he passed away at New Sharon in 1908. He at first gave his allegiance to the green- back party but later became a republican, and while living at Old Perit he was quite active in the work of the United Presbyterian church. His widow is still living and resides in Mahaska county. They were the parents of eight children, Mrs. Fenimore being the fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Fenimore have three children: Mabel, the wife of Frank W. Comp, a farmer of Jackson town- ship; Irma, the wife of George Finney, a farmer and school teacher of Jackson township; and Virgil, who was born in October, 1895, and is at home assisting his father.
Mr. Fenimore supports the democratic party at the polls but has no political aspirations. He is an influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives not only of his money but of his time to the furthering of its aims. No movement for the good of the community appeals to him in vain and he is one of those citizens whose lives count in the advancement of public interests as well as in the attainment of individual success.
L. M. BERTHOLF.
L. M. Bertholf, a well known farmer residing on section 20, Lincoln township, was born upon the farm which is still his home in 1855, a son of A. H. Bertholf, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He passed the period of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and as the years went by he assisted his father more and more with the work of cultivating the fields and during the winter months attended the district schools. He took his part in community affairs
502
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and on reaching mature years continued to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits. There have been few striking events in his life but his steady, per- sistent labor and wise management have not only brought him individual success but have been factors in promoting the prosperity of his community. He is now the owner of the old homestead and in all has four hundred and sixty acres of fertile land. He follows general farming, finding that more profitable than devoting his time to one branch of agriculture.
Mr. Bertholf was married in Dallas county, Iowa, to Miss Sarah J. William- son, who was born in Davis county, this state, on the 4th of February, 1860, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Adams) Williamson. Her father was born in England on the 17th of September, 1835, but was brought by his father to the United States when but eight years of age. He was married in Davis county, Iowa, to Miss Mary Adams, who was born in Indiana on the 22d of February, 1839. After farming for some time in Davis county Mr. Williamson removed to Madison county and still later to Dallas county. Both he and his wife are de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bertholf have been born six children: Edna, the wife of C. T. Cummins, of Lincoln township; Ray, who married Myrtle Burch, of Winterset, and now resides in Des Moines ; D. D., a resident of Muncie, Indiana, who married Stella Pratt, of Winterset, Iowa, and has two children, Lucile and Aileen; Mamie, who is a school teacher by profession and resides at home; Don, a resident of Des Moines, who married Pearl Harper, of Winterset, and has one child; and Cole, who is attending the East high school of Des Moines.
Mr. Bertholf is a democrat and has served as trustee and school director. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of Winterset and is well known in the local camp. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of his locality and the success that has attended his efforts is well deserved.
ISAAC J. KETMAN.
Isaac J. Ketman is prominently identified with the industrial expansion and growth of Winterset as one of the owners of the Scarless Remedy Company and of the Munson Manufacturing Company, both prosperous concerns. He was born in Humboldt county, Iowa, on the 12th of February, 1874, of the marriage of Henry J. and Frances (Deschmidt ) Ketman, both natives of the Netherlands, the former born in 1831 and the latter in 1835. Upon emigrating to the United States in 1847 the father settled in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. He became a farmer and resided there until 1867. In the meantime he had married and, several sons having been born to him and desiring to raise them where they would not come under the influence of saloons, he removed to Iowa in that year, becoming a resident of Humboldt county. He was active as a farmer and stock- man there until 1885 and was well known as an extensive shipper of cattle. He was quite prominent in the German community in that county and his reputation for strict honesty and incorruptible integrity extended over a wide district. In 1885 he removed to Dakota City and was made president of the Humboldt County Bank. He was the owner of a large amount of land and was one of the sub- stantial men of his locality. He never desired political office but was at one time
Atéman
505
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of supervisors. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon, and he spared neither time nor money in advancing the cause of Christianity. He passed away in 1909 at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife is still living and is residing in Palo Alto, California.
Isaac J. Ketman was the thirteenth in a family of fourteen children and re- ceived his education in Dakota City and in Central University at Pella, Iowa. When but sixteen years of age he began working as a farm hand and thus pro- vided for his own support. His parents believed in the value of a good educa- tion, and he was given stock in two building corporations, the dividends on which he was to use in attending school. Although both companies went into bank- ruptcy it was not necessary for him to work his way through college. In 1896, when twenty-two years of age, he came to Winterset and engaged in the shoe business with H. D. Aikens. He retained his interest in that business until 1906, although in 1900 he organized the Scarless Remedy Company, which has since required a great deal of his time. He first manufactured only the Scarless Lin- iment, but as the trade name became more widely known and the volume of his business increased, he added other remedies until the company now makes fifteen stock and poultry preparations. He is president of the company and has had much to do with its growth and development. It now employs four traveling salesmen and the territory in which the name Scarless is associated with high grade stock preparations is constantly increasing. In 1913 he organized the Mun- son Manufacturing Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer and which makes revolving cultivator shields and advertising novelties. Although it has been in existence but a short time, it has already proved a paying proposition and its products have gained a high reputation.
Mr. Ketman was married in 1897 to Miss Eleanor Aikens, who was born in Marion county, Iowa, a daughter of Henry D. and Ann Eliza ( Weber) Aikens, born respectively in Pennsylvania in 1844 and in Indiana in 1845. The father came to this state in 1855, locating on a farm near Pella. In 1864 he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at Pella and served until the close of hostilities. As he was a splendid penman, he acted as secretary to his commanding officer. Upon his return to civil life he ran a mill at Pella and was also engaged in the general merchandise business there. In 1896 he came to Winterset and was a shoe dealer here until his death, which occurred in 1914. Both in Pella and in Winterset he was known as an active worker in the Baptist church, holding all of the official positions therein. His wife is still living in Winterset. Mrs. Ketman, who was the third in a family of four children, has become the mother of five children: Lillian, born April 9, 1899; Florence, whose birth occurred on the 26th of November, 1904; Henry, whose natal day was the 28th of April, 1908; Evelyn, born May 17, 1911 ; and Carol, born December 25, 1913.
Mr. Ketman exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates of the republican party but has never desired office. He has, however, served as a member of the board of education and takes a great interest in everything relat- ing to the welfare of the public schools. He is one of the active and influential members of the Baptist church, in which he is deacon, and is quite prominent in Sunday-school work. For three years he served as president of the Commercial
506
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Club and under his direction that body was able to accomplish much for the growth of Winterset. The two companies which he organized and which he largely controls are valuable additions to the industrial life of the city and he has proved himself a business man of aggressiveness and sound judgment. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the most widely known men of Winterset and also one of the most sincerely respected, as he has not only succeeded finan- cially but has attained prosperity without having had recourse to questionable methods. It is well known that he observes the highest rules of business ethics and his success has never been at the expense of someone else's failure.
WESLEY ROBERTS.
Wesley Roberts, who was a well known farmer of Madison county, passed away at his home in St. Charles on the 16th of March, 1910. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of February, 1842, a son of J. D. and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Roberts, who spent their entire lives at Scenery Hill, that county. The father was a farmer by occupation and both he and his wife were Lutherans in religious faith. They were the parents of seven children, of whom one brother and two sisters are deceased and three sisters are living.
Wesley Roberts was reared in the Keystone state and when a young man was called upon to decide whether or not he would go to the defense of the Union at the risk of his life, and, like so many others, put the need of his country above all else and became a Union soldier. He enlisted on the 12th of August, 1862, when he lacked six months of being twenty years old, and was enrolled as a member of Company B, Twenty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. He served for almost three years, holding the rank of a noncommis- sioned officer, and was discharged on the Ist of May, 1865. He returned home and in March of the following year made his way westward, settling in Madison county, Iowa, where he continued to reside until called by death. He first located north of Winterset and for a year lived with a sister but at the end of that time purchased one hundred and twenty acres on Clanton Creek in South township and for twenty-six years resided there. By that time he had accumu- lated more than a competence and, desiring to put aside the greater part of his care and responsibility, he purchased forty acres of land just south of St. Charles and took up his abode upon that property. In 1906 he became a resident of St. Charles, buying and improving the home where his widow still resides.
On the 18th of February, 1869, Mr. Roberts was married in this county to Miss Mary Madaline Johnston, a daughter of the late Jehu M. Johnston, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, as follows: Walter M., whose birth occurred on the 15th of January, 1870, died on the 20th of February, 1873. Cora D., born on the 17th of Novem- ber, 1873, gave her hand in marriage to E. L. Slinker, of Ohio township, this county, who is now a salesman for Dr. Koch, and they reside at Payette, Idaho. They have three living children, Cora Blanche, Paul W. and Eunice Myrtle, and have lost three. Carrie Myrtle, born on the 23d of July, 1875, is the wife of
507
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
F. F. Lytle, a farmer and mechanic of Truro, and they have three children living, Jennie Fae, Lyle Raymond and Wendell Roberts, while Forrest, their first born, died when four years of age. Lucy Elizabeth, whose birth occurred on the 15th of January, 1879, died September 6, 1891. Nettie died on the 3d of September, 1881, when but a day old. Clyde and Harry, twins, were born October 8, 1884, and Clyde passed away on the 23d of August, 1885. Harry, who operates the home farm near St. Charles, married Miss Blanche Trumbar, a daughter of E. J. Trumbar, of Hanley, this county, and they have a son, Clyde, who is one year old.
Mr. Roberts was a democrat where national issues were definitely involved but otherwise was independent in the exercise of his franchise. For six terms he served as assessor of South township and was strictly impartial in discharging his duties, thus gaining the approval of his constituents. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Grand Army of the Republic, and his wife and daughters belong both to the Eastern Star and to the Woman's Relief Corps. He was an earnest worker in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a member, as are also his widow and family. Early in life he determined to build his career upon the tried principles of industry and integrity, and that course of action continued in led to the attainment of material prosperity and the high regard of his fellow citizens.
JAMES SMITH.
James Smith, deceased, was one of the well known and progressive farmers of Lincoln township and his demise in 1898 was the occasion of sincere grief to many. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, February 15, 1816, and in 1869 he removed to Iowa, arriving here on the 6th of August-the day before the total eclipse of the sun. He purchased land in Lincoln township and devoted his time and attention exclusively to the development of his farm, which became one of the up-to-date and splendidly improved agricultural properties of his locality. He not only cultivated the fields but also raised a good grade of stock, and his labors yielded him a good income year by year.
In 1840 Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah Ann Stubbs, who passed away Septem- ber 9, 1863, and for his second wife he wedded Miss Martha Johnson, who was called to her final rest on the 13th of December, 1896. He was the father of thir- teen children : Sarah S., the wife of George Proctor, of Adair county, Iowa; Wil- liam S. and I. T., deceased, the latter dying in Ohio ; Elizabeth A., the wife of J. W. Leinard, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mary M., who gave her hand in marriage to M. C. Leinard, of Winterset ; Minerva, now Mrs. T. I. Killam, of St. Charles, Iowa; Margaret, who was a twin of Minerva and died in childhood; James N., of St. Charles; one who died in infancy; Martin J., engaged in farming in Lincoln township; Nina B., the wife of J. A. Hale, of Win- terset ; Effie, who died in 1871 ; and Maggie M., who married F. M. Daniels, of Rocky Ford, Colorado.
Mr. Smith became a member of the Methodist church when a youth of twelve and from that time until his demise regularly attended its services and was an active worker in the organization. For a quarter of a century he was class leader,
508
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and his influence was productive of much good in his community. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. He performed well the work that was given him to do and those who knew him still remember him as a man of sterling character, of commendable public spirit and of much kindness of heart.
R. MURRAY MOORE.
Among the up-to-date and energetic agriculturists of Penn township is R. Murray Moore, who is a native of Illinois, born November 26, 1857. His parents, Joseph W. and Hannah A. (Buchanan) Moore, were both natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and became residents of Illinois at an early day in the history of that state. The father farmed there until 1866, when he removed with his family to Boone county, Iowa, Nine years later he left that county and came to Madison county, where he purchased land in Jackson town- ship. He operated that place until 1892, when the property came into the pos- session of our subject and the father moved to Penn township, where he farmed for a few years. At the end of that time he and his wife retired and resided at Dexter, Dallas county, until the latter's demise, which occurred on the 15th of September, 1907. Since that time the father has made his home among his children.
R. Murray Moore was reared in Boone and Madison counties and there at- tended the public schools, supplementing his education so acquired by study in a business college at Des Moines. When twenty-three years of age he rented land, which he operated for a number of years. He then purchased a quarter section in Adair county, Iowa, which he cultivated in partnership with his brother-in- law for four years. During that time, however, he bought seventy acres more just across the line in Madison county and at the end of the four years he sold out and purchased the homestead in Jackson township, this county, which he farmed for seven years. Upon selling that property he went to Adair county again and there purchased an eighty acre tract of land. A year later he traded for one hundred and twenty acres in the same county, which he operated for four years. He next sold that farm and returned to Jackson township, Madison county, buying the old Niblo place, comprising a quarter section. Four years later he sold out and purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres in Penn and Madison townships. Some time later he disposed of the twenty-five acres lying in Madison township but still owns and operates the two hundred acres on sec- tion 13, Penn township. He has one of the finest places in the county and has taken advantage of all of the inventions which promise to make the work of the farmer more efficient and his life richer and fuller. His residence is thoroughly modern and supplied with conveniences that are often associated only with city life. His energy and progressive spirit are salient factors in the success which has rewarded his labor and his example is one that might well be followed by others.
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.