USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 49
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On the TIth of October, 1887, Mr. Marston married Miss Susan Waters, a daughter of Samuel and Mary C. (Lyons) Waters, natives of Ireland and Mor- gan county, Ohio, respectively. The father came to America and located in
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Pennsylvania in 1853, but three years later went to Allamakee county, Iowa. While living in the Keystone state he engaged in mining, but upon removing to Iowa purchased land which he operated until 1910. In that year he removed to Frankville, where he is now living at the age of eighty-two years. His wife passed away on the 7th of February, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Marston have become the parents of four children: J. Harry, twenty-six years of age, who is living in Boone, Iowa; Ruth M., who is teaching school at Frankville; Theodore W .. who is a student in the Earlham Academy ; and Gale A., ten years of age, who is attending the common schools.
Mr. Marston is a republican and supports the candidates and principles of that party at the polls. Mrs. Marston belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and no good canse appeals to her in vain.
JOSEPH JEROME DEVAULT.
The farmers of Madison county, and indeed of the state of Iowa, are those upon whose prosperity depend the growth and welfare of the commonwealth, and they are measuring up to their opportunities as they are, as a class, not only energetic but also progressive. Joseph Jerome Devault, residing on section 16, Jackson township, is a worthy representative of the Iowa farmers and is gaining deserved success in his chosen occupation. He was born in Johnson county, this state, July 18, 1856, the youngest of the six sons of Charles and Rachel (Felkner) Devault. The father was a native of Ross county, Ohio, and his natal day was the 22d of August, 1813, while his wife was born on the 10th of October, 1815. The Felkner family were early settlers in Johnson county, Iowa, the grandfather of our subject, Henry Felkner, assisting in building the first mill on Rapid creek. He also sawed the lumber used in building the first capitol of Iowa at Iowa City. Martin Felkner, his father, owned two hundred acres of land where the site of Columbus, Ohio, now stands.
In 1830 Charles Devault, in company with his two brothers, three sisters and his widowed mother, removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he was married and began his independent business career. He had no capital to start with but after working for two years was able to purchase two ox teams. He then loaded his household effects into an old-fashioned, high-wheeled, home- made Conastoga wagon and removed with his family to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1841. On the overland journey he passed through Chicago when it was known as Fort Dearborn and consisted of the fort and a few log cabins. There were only a few families living in Johnson county, Iowa, on his arrival there, and it would have required a daring imagination to picture the changes that seventy years were destined to bring about. Mr. Devault squatted on land, as the government had not yet formally opened the county to settlement, and at the time the land was thrown upon the market he had but fifty dollars and twelve and a half cents, but, realizing his opportunity, he invested the fifty dollars in land, leaving him only twelve and a half cents capital. His first resi- dence in that county was a round log cabin, the roof of which was held on by weights ; the floor was of split logs; the hinges and locks were of wood; and
MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH J. DEVAULT
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oiled paper took the place of glass in the windows. In those times each family was to a large extent sufficient unto itself, and he made the shoes for his children while his wife spun the wool for the family clothing. Provisions were hauled from Muscatine and it was necessary to take stock there for shipment. As he worked unremittingly and as the family lived sparingly, prosperity attended his labors and he in time erected a better residence. The old log cabin was still standing, however, at the time of the birth of our subject. The father set out trees and made many improvements upon his farm, which became one of the valuable properties of the locality. It was some time before the settlers could erect churches or schoolhouses, and in those first years religious meetings were held at the home of Mr. Devault, although he was not especially active in church affairs. He became the owner of six hundred acres of fine land in Johnson county, and also held title to a part of the family homestead in Indiana. Re- tiring from active life, he removed to Ely, where he was residing at the time of his death. His son, Andrew Jackson, was a member of Company H, Twenty- second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and died from typhoid fever and exposure at Jackson, Mississippi, being buried in the National cemetery.
Joseph J. Devault received his early education in the district schools of Johnson county, which were then rather primitive institutions. The benches and desks were of slabs and the curriculum was very limited in comparison with that of today. He made good use of his opportunities and later attended Western College, now Leander Clark College, at Toledo, Iowa, and was for a year a student at Cornell College. When he was twenty years of age his father divided his landed holdings among his five living sons, but our subject remained at home until he attained his majority. He then removed to the farm which had come into his possession and for some time operated it, keeping bachelor's hall. In 1882 he was married and removed to Jackson township, this county, where he purchased land. In 1894 he had an unfortunate fire that destroyed his home, but he has since replaced it with a handsome modern residence. For the past thirty-two years he has lived upon his home farm here and has added to his holdings, owning at the present time four hundred and fifty-one acres of fine land. He not only cultivates the soil and raises the usual grains but also keeps many head of stock, from the sale of which he derives a gratifying addi- tion to his income.
In 1882 Mr. Devault was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Nicholson, also a native of Johnson county, and a daughter of Henry and Maria (Lyon) Nicholson. Her father was born in Ohio in 1816 and removed to Hooppole town- ship, Posey county, Indiana, as a boy with his parents, but settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1836, when this state was still a part of Wisconsin territory. His residence was one of the largest and best in the township, as he was a well-to- do man, owning land not only in Johnson county but also in Carroll county. He was quite active in the United Brethren church and many of the early circuit riders were entertained at his home when preaching in his locality. A number of years before his death he retired and resided in Carroll county until his wife died in 1887 at the age of sixty-five years. She was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and removed to Johnson county, this state, in 1838, where they were married in 1842. Following her demise Mr. Nicholson resided with his children and was living in Plymouth county, Iowa, when he passed away on
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the 14th of March, 1902. In his family were eleven children, of whom Mrs. Devault is the sixth. To Mr. and Mrs. Devault have been born four children. George, whose birth occurred on the 16th of July, 1883, died on the 21st of October, 1884. Ralph Jerome, born November 6, 1884, married Miss Gladys Wright and they have three children, Bernice, Clare Jerome and Lloyd Wright. Grover Glenn, born March 27, 1886, took a course in mechanical engineering at Iowa State College at Ames and is now in the contracting business in Des Moines. Lois Rachel, born May 9, 1800, married Ralph L. Crouse on the 6th of September, 1911. Mr. Crouse is a graduate of Iowa State College at Ames and is with the Aladdin Electric Light Company of Chicago.
Mr. Devault is a democrat and his opinions carry weight in the local councils of his party. During the thirty odd years that he has resided in Madison county he has at all times aided in the development of the county and has faithfully dis- charged the duties devolving upon him, whether in private life or as a public citizen, and he is justly held in high estimation by his fellowmen.
JAMES THEODORE CREGER.
James Theodore Creger, a prominent citizen of Ohio township, who is en- gaged in farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale, was born upon the family homestead in that township on the 11th of August, 1858. His father, Samuel M. Creger, was born on the 18th of April, 1831, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, of the marriage of John and Mahala ( Moffitt ) Creger. John Creger was born in Pennsylvania in July, 1801, of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and was a farmer by occupation. His wife, a native of Maine and of Yankee parentage, was born on the 18th of April, 1811, and their marriage was solemnized in October, 1827. The year 1853 witnessed their emigration to the west and they located in Ohio township, this county, one mile north of Truro. The father entered land and gave the remainder of his life to its cultivation. He passed away on the 3Ist of January, 1870, and his wife was called to her reward on the 29th of March, 1859.
Samuel M. Creger, the father of our subject, was a young man at the time of the removal of the family to this county, and he entered from the government the land on section 10, Ohio township, where his son William O. now resides. He continued to cultivate his property until 1894, when he and his wife retired from active life and removed to Truro, where they were living when called to the great beyond. His demise occurred on the ist of March, 1903, and that of his wife on the 3d of January, 1911. On the 17th of August, 1862, he enlisted at St. Charles, Iowa, in Company F. Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and within three months of that time was promoted to the rank of corporal. On the ist of May, 1863, he was further advanced, being made sergeant. On the 13th of July, 1863, he was detailed to the signal corps and remained at the front until June 24, 1865, when he was mustered out at Louisville and honorably dis- charged. On the 2d of April, 1857, he was married to Miss Rebecca Reed, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 15th of September, 1840, of the union of William and Susanna ( Porter ) Reed. Her father was a native of
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Ireland, born in 1795, and her mother's birth occurred on the 19th of May, 1818, in Pennsylvania, although she was of Irish descent. They were married in Ohio on the 22d of October, 1839, and remained in that state until 1854, when they removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa. One year later they took up their residence on Hoosier Prairie in Scott township, this county, where the father purchased land, which he farmed until called to the home beyond on the 31st of December, 1855. His widow married Reuben A. Kale in February, 1858, and they took up their residence upon a farm northwest of Winterset. Some time later they removed to Old Peru, and there Mr. Kale died in 1879. His widow was again married, becoming the wife of John D. White, and they resided upon his farm north of Truro, until he retired and took up his residence in that town, where both passed away, he on the 9th of March, 1898, and she on the 15th of February, 1902. To Samuel M. and Rebecca J. Creger were born four children, of whom James Theodore is the eldest. Amanda E., born on the 12th of January, 1861, gave her hand in marriage to T. H. Queen on the 20th of November, 1878, and passed away at Truro on the Ioth of February, 1894. She was the mother of five children: Ora, Vernon, Glendon, Denzil, and Roxie, who died March 28, 1896. W. O., a well known and substantial farmer of Ohio township, is repre- sented elsewhere in this work. Bradie J., who was born on the 28th of May, 1882, is also represented elsewhere in this work.
Samuel M. Creger was a republican and held the offices of assessor and town- ship clerk in Ohio township, served as county supervisor and was a member of the town council of Truro. His wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church of that town and he could always be depended upon to further the moral progress of his community. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic blue lodge and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was one of the leading men of his locality and was honored by all who knew him.
James T. Creger attended the district schools of Ohio township and remained upon the home farm until he attained his majority. He then rented land from his father and began farming on his own account. After his marriage, how- ever, he removed to Phillips county, Kansas, where he bought a quarter section of land, to the cultivation of which he devoted two years. He then returned to Ohio township, this county, and for three years rented a part of the homestead from his father. In August, 1884, he bought eighty acres of land on section 23, Ohio township, which is still his home. As prosperity has come to him he has purchased additional land and has accumulated three hundred and five acres, which constitutes as fine a farm as can be found in Ohio township. The buildings are all well designed and well constructed and his residence is commodious and modern. He is one of the most succesful and most progressive farmers of his township and buys, feeds and sells many head of stock annually.
On the 16th of October, 1879, Mr. Creger married Miss Mary A. Swearingen, a daughter of Thomas B. and Sarah J. (Arnold) Swearingen. Her father, who was born in Virginia in 1831, of German ancestry, first located near Eddyville, Iowa, upon removing westward, but subsequently bought land in Ohio township, Madison county, and resided there until 1880. He then went to the Pacific coast and passed away on the 12th of January, 1906, in the state of Washington. His wife, who was born in Ohio in 1837, and was of Yankee and German descent, is still living in Bellingham Bay, that state. For three years he fought in defense
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of the Union as a member of a regiment of Iowa volunteer infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Creger have become the parents of three children. Euphemia Jane, who was born on the 23d of September, 1882, gave her hand in marriage to J. W. Robinson, a farmer of Ohio township, and they have had three children, but only one, a daughter, Mary Edith, is living. Mona Ellen, born on the 15th of No- vember, 1890, married Charles Kale, of Truro, who is a clerk in the store owned by J. W. Likens, and they have a son, Charles Carman. Honora Amanda, who was born on the 3d of February, 1898, is a student in the St. Charles high school in the class of 1916.
Mr. Creger is a republican and. was for ten years trustee of Ohio township and for five years was road supervisor. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Truro, of which he has been a steward for many years, and his wife is a prominent member of the Ladies Aid Society. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Truro, and his wife was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps of that town as long as the organiza- tion was kept up there. In addition to his extensive interests as a farmer and stockman, he is a stockholder and director of the Truro Savings Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. In all that he does he is enterprising, alert and progressive, and the success that has crowned his efforts is richly deserved.
WILLIAM SIDNEY WILKINSON.
William Sidney Wilkinson was born in Pike county, Illinois, June 26, 1837. His father, John Wilkinson, was born in Ireland in 1803, and his mother, Clarissa Matthews, was born in North Carolina in 1806. The Wilkinson and Matthews families met near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, shortly after the War of 1812. In 1824 both families removed to Pike county, Illinois, and in 1826 John Wilkinson and Clarissa Matthews were married. They remained there till 1846 when they came to Iowa and first stopped in Polk county, south of Des Moines. Early the next year they came to Madison county, and settled on a claim in section 10 in Scott township, where a famliy of ten children were raised to maturity. They continued to own and operate this farm till the death of Mr. Wilkinson, which occurred in 1869. The family consisted of ten children, all of whom were born in Illinois, except the two youngest. They were as follows: Alfred, Thomas, Margaret, David, W. S., John, Matilda, Daniel, A. W. and Samuel. Alfred died of the cholera in St. Louis. Thomas enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry; was severely wounded at the battle of Guntown ; partially recov- ered from his wounds after a term in a Confederate prison; returned home and after a time went west, where he died in 1876. Margaret became Mrs. Fleener and lived in Winterset for a number of years, but afterwards removed to Kansas, where she died a few years ago. David removed to Kansas City, where he still resides. John always lived in Madison county, and died a few years ago near Webster Center. Matilda is deceased. Daniel and Samuel reside in Kansas. A. W. is possibly one of the best known members of the family and resides in Winterset.
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W. S. Wilkinson was about ten years old when he came to this county, just old enough to begin to show his natural traits of character and begin to help do the chores and lighter kind of farm work. As a boy he was industrious, quiet and studious, traits of character which distinguished him in after years. He was always observant of everything around him, talked little and read everything which came in his way. He first attended the rural school, but when he grew to maturity indulged his long cherished desire for more learning by attending the select schools of Winterset taught by J. S. Goshorn and H. W. Hardy. He then engaged in teaching school and was considered one of the best rural school teachers in the county.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry. At the battle of Parkers Crossroads he was seriously wounded; he lay in the hospital at Corinth, Mississippi, for many weeks and at times his life was de- paired of, but his physical vitality and will power finally triumphed and he so far recovered as to be about. An honorable discharge offered him was refused, and after a while he was able to rejoin his regiment, where he remained till the close of the war. He took part in the Atlanta campaign, went with Sherman on the march to the sea, and made one of the number at the Grand Review in Washington at the close of the war. One of the best proofs of his courage and fidelity is the fact that all of his company and regimental comrades always speak of his bravery, in addition to his upright character and warmheartedness.
When he returned home from the war, like a large majority of his comrades, he had an ambition to engage in some useful occupation, and chose farming as his life work. On February 20, 1873, he married Miss Mary Harris, an old schoolmate. He bought a small piece of ground near the paternal home and shortly afterwards traded this for a larger tract farther south. Two boys, Frank and Fred, came to gladden the home, but Frank died while still young. Mrs. Wilkinson died in 1882. He sold the farm the following year, and after residing in Winterset a short time bought of W. R. Mattox the beautiful suburban farm near Middle river, where he resided till the time of his death. He was married to Miss Lena Schoenenberger in 1885. She died May 4, 1900. During the years between 1882 and 1885 and again from the time of his second wife's death until he himself passed away, he and his son Fred were always together and there can be no earthly relation more deserving of admiration than the love and fidelity which the father and son always manifested to one another.
During his last years Mr. Wilkinson was so afflicted with rheumatism that he was unable to do much manual labor, but these years were made enjoyable and profitable by indulging in study and meditation. Although often alone because of his affliction he was never lonesome ; he was always keeping company with the men and things with which he had come in contact during his long and happy life, while he studied and wrote much. No other member of the historical society did as much as he to keep the society alive and store its rooms with interesting relics and valuable records. At nearly every annual meeting he prepared a paper on some salient feature of pioneer life. These papers were always prepared with great care and were listened to with unusual interest. These papers were all composed for the purpose of preserving the facts relating to the early history of the county. He always gladly entered upon this work whenever assigned to him by the officers of the society, and it is doubtful if there has been another
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during the life of the society as competent as he to perform this work or one who could have done it so thoroughly and conscientiously.
These contributions to the history of the county and archives of the society will always be considered as among the most valuable assets. One year ago he was present at the annual meeting of the society and apparently enjoying his usual health ; he read a paper which he had prepared for the occasion with his accustomed care and comprehensiveness, on the history of the Buffalo Mills. This was his last contribution to the society. Shortly after this meeting he was stricken with an incurable malady, from the effects of which he died June 4, 1914.
JOHN LAURENCE MCCLELLAND.
Jolin Laurence McClelland, a retired agriculturist and an honored veteran of the Civil war, is a well known and highly respected citizen of East Peru. His birth occurred on a farm in Coles county, Illinois, on the 15th of November, 1842, his parents being William and Sarah (Laurence) McClelland, who were born, reared and married in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and were people of Scotch-Irish descent. Leaving the Keystone state, they took up their abode near Columbus, Ohio, but at the end of two years removed to Coles county, Illi- nois, where the father entered land and engaged in farming. Mrs. McClelland there passed away in 1850 and six years later the father removed with his chil- dren to Des Moines county, Iowa, there residing until March, 1867. He then came to Madison county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott township on which he made his home until called to his final rest in 1887.
John Laurence McClelland attended a subscription school in the acquirement of an education and was reared to manhood on the home farm, assisting his father in its operation until he personally took charge of the property. In De- cember, 1863, he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, First Iowa Cavalry, under Colonel Dan Anderson. The command went to Little Rock, Arkansas, and took part in the Camden expedition under General Steele. They saw much hard fighting en route to Camden, and on reaching that place were driven back. Mr. McClelland was engaged in scout work until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, and mustered out of service.
He then returned home and resumed farming and after his father's demise took complete charge of the old homestead place in Scott township, Madison county, residing thereon until 1889. In that year he disposed of the property and took up his abode in East Peru, where he embarked in the livery business and was thus successfully engaged until 1902, when he sold out and the following year removed to Excelsior Springs for the benefit of his wife's health. In 1906 they returned to East Peru, where Mr. McClelland is now living retired, spending his declining years in well earned ease.
On the tith of November, 1875. in Monroe township, this county, Mr. McClel- land was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Bennett Johnson, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Charles W. and Elizabeth ( Markley )
JOHN L. MCCLELLAND
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Johnson. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and a gentleman of Scotch- Irish descent. He followed the profession of teaching in early manhood but subsequently turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. His wife was born on the present site of Cincinnati and was a woman of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Their marriage was celebrated in Cincinnati and in the fall of 1858 they came to Madison county, Iowa, locating twelve miles southeast of Winterset in Monroe township, where Mr. Johnson purchased land and en- gaged in farming. In 1881 they removed to Adair county, Iowa, where Mrs. Johnson died in 1899, at the age of seventy-five, while Mr. Johnson survived until 1904, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-two years
In his political views Mr. McClelland is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is that of the United Pres- byterian church, to which his wife also belongs. He has now passed the seventy- second milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
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