USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 5
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Dr. Robert R. Davisson passed his boyhood under the parental roof and attended the public and high schools of Winterset. When about eighteen years of age he began working in a printing office here, but shortly afterward entered the Keokuk Medical College, having decided to follow the profession to which his father and grandfather had devoted their lives. After spending a year in that school he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1890. He returned to his native city and has since remained here, building up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Madison County, the Rock Island and the Iowa State Medical Societies and finds much of value in the deliberations of those bodies. He has never supposed his knowledge concerning disease and its treatment to be com- plete, but has continually sought by study to keep informed in regard to the dis- coveries of investigators in all parts of the world. He is painstaking in diag- nosis and this trait has had much to do with his gratifying success as a physician.
Dr. Davisson is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge, the Des Moines Consistory and the Shrine, and not only wears the pin that signifies him a Mason, but is true to the basic principles of Masonry, Vol. 11-3
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namely the brotherhood of mankind. That he should achieve professional suc- cess in his native city and hold the personal respect and regard of those who have known him from boyhood is high tribute to his worth as a physician and as a man.
JOHN CATTERLIN.
John Catterlin is conducting the leading harness establishment in Winterset and is the oldest merchant in this line of business in the city. He became identified therewith in 1864 and for many years has conducted the establishment of which he is the proprietor. Well defined purpose and unfaltering energy have been the salient factors in his advancement and have made his record one which might profitably be followed by those who wish to attain honorable success.
Mr. Catterlin is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Adams county on the 4th of October, 1841. His father, John Catterlin, was a native of Mont- gomery county, Ohio, and was a son of Joseph Catterlin, who was probably born in Germany. His last days were spent in Ohio, where he passed away at the notable old age of one hundred and five years. His son, John Catterlin, was reared, educated and married in Ohio and when a young man he removed to Indiana, making the journey westward with a yoke of oxen and a wagon. He settled in the midst of the timber and there he hewed out a farm, clearing the land of trees, grubbing up the stumps and then cultivating the fields. He became the owner of two hundred acres of rich and productive land and upon that farm resided until his death, which resulted from pneumonia in 1852. He was a suc- cessful farmer for those days and he was an active and consistent member of the Methodist church. He married Hannah Heath, who was also a native of Ohio and was of Scotch descent. She became one of the pioneer women of Indiana, meeting the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life. Her home was always the headquarters for the preachers who visited the neighborhood and she was always willing and ready to entertain the traveler. She had twelve children, ten of whom reached adult years and reared families.
John Catterlin, whose name introduces this review, was the eleventh in order of birth. His boyhood days were spent upon the home farm in the wilds of Indiana, where he remained until 1855, when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than the work of the fields, he left home and went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to learn the harness maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. It was in 1858 that the family removed to the west, settling near New- bern, Iowa. John Catterlin accompanied his mother and family and worked in Chariton until September. 1861, when he returned to Van Wert county, Ohio. There he enlisted as a soldier of the Union army in response to the country's call for troops, becoming a member of Company A, Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, in which he served as a private for two years, when he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and in other important engagements. In the fall of 1863 he returned to Iowa, making his way to Madison county, where he carried on general farming for a year. In 1864 he took up his abode in Winterset and here began working at his trade. At
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that time there were only a few houses in the town and on all sides were seen evidences of pioneer life. Mr. Catterlin worked for others for about fifteen years and then opened a harness shop on his own account, establishing business on a small scale. His trade increased, however, as the years went by and he has been continuously in business in this city until he is today the oldest merchant of Winterset. A liberal patronage has long been accorded him and as he is thor- oughly acquainted with every phase of the harness trade he is able to meet the wishes of his patrons.
In 1863 Mr. Catterlin was united in marriage to Miss Martha Ellen Heath, a native of Ohio. She died in Winterset in 1873, leaving three children: Sherman, a traveling man of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Myrtle, who has passed away; and Daisy, who is the wife of I. W. Barnett, living in California. For his second wife Mr. Catterlin chose Miss Nannie Eyerly, a native of Iowa, who died in 1898. They were the parents of four children : Fay, who died at the age of seven years ; Fern; John, deceased; and Mary. Mr. Catterlin's third wife was Miss Idlewild Redfield.
Politically Mr. Catterlin is a republican, stanch and stalwart in his support of the party, but while he has loyally advocated its principles he has never accepted office as a reward for party fealty. In 1863 he was made a Mason at Chariton and when he removed to Winterset he demitted to Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M. This was in the winter of 1864 and he is now the only living member of the lodge that was here at the time he joined. He is likewise affiliated with Winterset Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M., and the Knights Templar Commandery and Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. He is likewise connected with Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army com- rades. His religious belief is indicated in his membership in the Methodist church, which finds in him a loyal supporter. He is today the oldest active busi- ness man in Winterset and the oldest Mason of his lodge. He has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey and yet is as active as most men of sixty. He began business here with a small harness shop and limited capital and he now has a large establishment, employing several men and carrying a full line of har- ness, saddlery, blankets, etc. Success has come to him as the merited reward of close application and unfaltering energy. Besides his business he owns a fine modern residence and is ever a courteous and genial host. He possesses a happy, kindly disposition, while all who know him entertain for him the warmest regard.
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THOMAS HAMLIN TRAVIS.
One hundred and eighty-seven acres of well improved land in Scott township is the property of Thomas Hamlin Travis and its excellent condition is proof of his energy and progressive spirit. He was born in Walnut township, this county, on the 2d of February, 1859, of the marriage of M. B. and Lovina (Beyer) Travis. The father was born in Pennsylvania on the Ist of November, 1816, and the mother's birth occurred in that state on the 3d of July, 1827. Their marriage was celebrated on the 20th of January, 1847, and in 1855 they removed to Madison county, Iowa. They went by water to Keokuk and drove from there
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
to Winterset in a buggy. Their household goods were brought to this county from Keokuk by team. After living in Winterset for a year they settled on a farm in Walnut township, which comprised eighty acres. The first buildings were merely a log shanty and a log stable but in later years more commodious structures were erected. The father also added eighty acres to his holdings and found that the cultivation of his quarter section demanded his whole time and undivided attention. He passed away on the ist of April, 1879, and after his death his widow lived with their son Thomas H. in Peru for two years. At the end of that time she purchased property in that village, and resided there until her death, which occurred on the 22d of June, 1903. Mr. Travis was a repub- lican and at one time was assessor of his township. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and took a helpful interest in its work.
They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Sylvester, who was born in Pennsylvania on the 3Ist of October, 1847, and resides on a farm in Walnut township; Leander Lynch, who was born in the Keystone state on the 14th of December, 1848, and died on the 18th of May, 1852; Mary E., born July 7, 1851, the widow of James Foresman and a resident of Winterset; William M., of Winterset, born in Pennsylvania on the 28th of December, 1852; John Beyer, a native of the Keystone state, born May 5, 1854, who is now a farmer of Walnut township; Lovina Caroline, who was born May 31, 1856, in this county, and is now the wife of John Schoenenberger, of Walnut township; Thomas Hamlin ; Samuel Clarke, who was born May 16, 1860, and is residing in Dodge City, Kansas ; and Eva May, born October 11, 1864, who married Albert F. Foster, of Great Bend, Barton county, Kansas.
Thomas Hamlin Travis was reared upon the home farm and as his strength increased aided more and more in the work of the homestead, thus familiariz- ing himself with practical methods of agriculture. When twenty-one years of age he began work by the month for others but after one season rented land which he operated. In 1888 he homesteaded in Rawlins county, Kansas, and resided there for eight years, after which he returned to Madison county and farmed for one year. He then engaged in the butchering business in Peru, but at the end of three years sold out and purchased forty acres of land in Scott township. A year later he bought a meat market and conducted it for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he traded his land for another farm and in 1913 bought the Andrew Rollstin farm on sections 21 and 22, Scott town- ship, which comprises one hundred and eighty-seven acres of land. He has since operated that farm and raises the crops best suited to soil and climate, his labors yielding him a good return annually. He also raises some high grade stock and is prospering in both lines of his activity.
Mr. Travis was married in this county to Miss Eliza Alice Burd, who was born here of the marriage of Anderson and Elizabeth Ann ( Rhodes ) Burd, early settlers of Madison county, now residing in Rawlins county, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Travis have been born seven children: Delwin E. married Miss May Hann, who passed away leaving a son, Harold E., and he was again married March 3, 1915, Miss Nellie Rollstin becoming his wife. Ethel May is the wife of William Sawhill, of Ohio township. Lena M. died when seven years of age. Wayne died in childhood. Elwood, Warren and Donald are all at home.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Travis and their eldest son are members of the Methodist church and the last named is now serving as township assessor. Our subject is a stalwart democrat and never falters in his allegiance to his party. He has taken considerable interest in the records of the famliy and at the time of the division of his parents' estate he purchased the family Bible for ten dollars, and the dates given in this sketch are taken therefrom. All those who know him have implicit confidence in his integrity and ability, and he is justly ranked among the pro- gressive and successful farmers of his township.
REV. J. C. WHITE.
Rev. J. C. White, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic church at Winterset, was born at Paradise, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, a son of John B. and Bridget (Lennan) White, both of whom were natives of Ireland. When young people they came to the United States and were married in Binghamton, New York, where the father worked on a railroad. Coming to Iowa about 1855, he settled in Des Moines and later removed to Lee township, Madison county, where he purchased a tract of land and thereafter followed farming until his death, which occurred on the 25th of January, 1888, when he was seventy-six years of age. His widow survived him for almost two decades and died in 1907, when about eighty-five years of age. They were both members of the Catholic church and in that faith they reared their family of eight children, who grew to years of maturity.
Rev. J. C. White was the second in order of birth and was about fourteen years of age when he entered the office of an architect of Des Moines, with whom he remained for three years. He afterward engaged in teaching school in Madison and Warren counties, Iowa, and during that time improved his leisure hours by study, reading Latin and also mastering other branches. His early education had been acquired in the district and parochial schools and in the high school of Des Moines. His later education was pursued in St. Joseph's College at Dubuque, at Florisant, Missouri, in St. John's University at College- ville, Minnesota, and in the Grand Seminary of Montreal, Canada. Having thus prepared for the priesthood, he was ordained by Bishop John McMullen, of Davenport, Iowa, on the 29th of October, 1882. His first charge was at Chariton, Iowa, where he remained for twenty months, when he was transferred to Mar- engo, Iowa, there continuing for eight and a half years, during which time he paid off a debt of six thousand dollars on the parish property, improved the church, laid out a cemetery and also organized a congregation and built a church at Williamsburg, Iowa, acting as priest at that place during the last four years of his stay at Marengo. He was then transferred to Williamsburg, where he remained for three and a half years and while there built the largest church edifice in the county of Parnell, Iowa, which he attended from Williamsburg. During that time he was also a very active temperance worker and succeeded in closing every saloon in the county, or made it impossible to run one with profit, and accordingly all were closed. He was then transferred to Dunlap, Iowa, and at the same time had charge of the churches at Magnolia, Modale and Little
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Sioux and organized and built a church at Woodbine. He continued his active prosecution of temperance work and was largely instrumental in closing the saloons in Harrison county, Iowa. He was next transferred to Avoca, Iowa, where he remained for a few months and then went to South Ottumwa, Iowa, where he was in charge of St. Patrick's church for one year. He then had to secure leave of absence on account of the condition of his eyes. He was after- ward chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a year and in 1908 he resumed active work in the priesthood, being sent to Maloy, Iowa, where he remained for six years and nine months. While there. he rebuilt the church at Kellerton and also built churches and organized congregations at Diagonal and Mount Ayr. He did good work in all of these places and in 1914 came to Win- terset to assume the duties of the pastorate.of St. Joseph's Catholic church.
While at Ottumwa, Iowa, Father White purchased property for a school and while at Chariton bought property at Osceola and raised funds for the building of a new church at that place. Father White and his brother are the owners of a stock ranch in Dallas county and have quite a large herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle. He is a member of the national board of the Aberdeen-Angus Breeders' Association. He has also taken a deep interest in political questions and issues and did campaign work for William Jennings Bryan during his first and last can- paigns for the presidency. Father White is a man of strong physique, large and well proportioned, and energetic. He is a fluent speaker and a man of strong personality. His influence has been widely felt in behalf of temperance and along those lines which work for moral progress. He has ever won a strong follow- ing for the church and his people have the greatest respect and regard for him both as pastor and man.
ANDREW MACUMBER.
Andrew Macumber, who is practically living retired upon his land, is the owner of fourteen hundred acres and for many years was a farmer and stock-raiser on a large scale. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, December 5, 1841, and is a son of John A. and Emily (Huntley ) Macumber, also natives of that county, the for- mer born on the IIth of October, 1820, and the latter on the 22d of February, 1820. The paternal grandparents' were Alexander and Esther Macumber, natives of Dartmouth township, Bristol county, Massachusetts, born respectively on the 13th of February, 1788, and the 2d of November, 1786. Mrs. Emily Macumber passed away in Ohio on the 8th of October, 1846, and Mr. Macumber was sub- sequently married to Miss Sarah Hartsook, who was born in Gallia county, Ohio, August 2, 1827, and died in Madison county, Iowa, May 2, 1888. Mr. Macumber had removed to this county with his family in November, 1853. He entered gov- ernment land in Lincoln township and devoted the remainder of his life to the development of his farm, passing away here on the 23d of January, 1907. He was the father of twelve children, four by his first and eight by his second mar- riage, namely : Andrew, of this review ; Henry, who died in Lincoln township; Alexander, a resident of Walnut township; Lindsey A., who resides in Webster township; William, who died in childhood; George and John, twins, both residing
JOHN A. MACUMBER
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
in Nebraska; Edward, who is living in Oklahoma ; James, who died in childhood ; Peter, deceased; E. E., a resident of California; and Esther Ann, the wife of W. W. Greer, of Lincoln township.
Andrew Macumber was a lad of eleven years when brought to this county by his parents and as pioneer conditions prevailed here at that time his educational opportunities were limited. On the 24th of October, 1861, when not quite twenty years of age, he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out with his command at Atlanta, Georgia, on the ioth of August, 1865. He participated in many battles and his record was that of a brave and loyal soldier. Upon his return home he with his brother Henry purchased two hundred acres of land which was later divided between them. As his resources increased he bought more land, believing it to be the safest investment, and is now the owner of fourteen hundred acres all in one body in Lincoln township. There are four sets of buildings upon the place and everything is kept in excellent repair. For forty years he fed from a carload to two hundred head of cattle per year and his profits from stock-raising were gratifying. He also did general farming and found that occupation also remunerative. He is now practically retired and has rented his land to his sons.
Mr. Macumber was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth McKibban, who was born on the 21st of August, 1844, in Clinton county, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Ratcliff ) McKibban, both natives of Clinton county, Ohio, whence they removed to Knox county, Illinois, in 1854 and to lowa in 1864, settling in Lincoln township, Madison county. Both have passed to their reward. To Mr. and Mrs. Macumber have been born four children. W. E., operating a part of his father's land, married Ella Reynolds and has two children, Mildred and Winifred. Mary E., twin to W. E., is the wife of E. V. Callison, a farmer of Lincoln township, by whom she has three children, Albert, Lloyd and Wilbur. Elwood, who is also on his father's farm, married Verna Deardorf and they have five children, Robert, Roland, Morris, Frances and Marian. Ora, on the home farm, married Ella Kennedy and they have three children, Iris, Ruth and Avery.
Mr. Macumber is a progressive republican and is willing to make any sacrifice of time and energy to promote the interests of that party. He has held a number of township offices and in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him has proved capable and conscientious. He is a member of Pitzer Post, G. A. R., and his wife is a member of the Christian Union church, in the work of which she has been quite active. Mr. Macumber has been one of the leaders in agricultural development in his county and his years of strenuous activity entitle him to a period of rest and leisure.
FREEMAN DE LOSS CAMPBELL.
Freeman De Loss Campbell, deceased, was for a number of years a successful dealer in coal, grain and lumber in Winterset and was very popular among his fellow townsmen. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 27th of May, 1855,
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of the marriage of Harvey and Priscilla Campbell, who, when he was but a small child, removed with their family to Edgar county, Illinois. After living there for a short time they went to Vermilion county, that state, taking up their resi- dence near Sidney.
When sixteen years of age Freeman D. Campbell came to Iowa, locating in Adair county, and for some time carried the mail from Winterset to Crom- well, making the trip twice a week on horseback. In 1874, when nineteen years of age, he came to Winterset and began clerking for Smith & Ballard. For thir- teen years he was employed by that and other firms here. He was then engaged in the coal and grain business until upon the organization of the Citizens Bank he was made cashier. Subsequently he again turned his attention to the grain, coal and lumber business, in which he was engaged at the time of his death. He was a man of excellent judgment in regard to financial matters and built up an extensive and lucrative trade.
Mr. Campbell married Miss Flora B. Dickson, a native of Vermilion county, Illinois, and they became the parents of a daughter, Geneva, who is at home. Mr. Campbell united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1888 and carried his religion into his business as well as into the other relations of his life. He was not only strictly honest but was also kind and genial and made many warm friends. His home life was ideal, and his wife and daughter sustained an irrep- arable loss in his demise, which occurred as the result of a stroke of paralysis, December 22, 1913, after a short illness. The family residence, which is one of the finest homes in Winterset, was erected by him ten years ago after his own plans. Although he served as mayor of Winterset two different terms and was a stanch republican in politics he was never a politician in the sense of office seek- ing. He stood high in the community and at his death left a host of warn friends. Mrs. Campbell is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and she and her daughter are held in the highest esteem.
WILLIAM S. COOPER.
William S. Cooper, who is an attorney of Winterset, practicing successfully, was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of January, 1873, a son of Robert H. Cooper, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. He has been a resident of Winterset since 1879, arriving here when but six years of age, and in the public schools he began his education, which he continued through suc- cessive grades until he was qualified for college work. He afterward entered Des Moines College and therein pursued his more specifically literary course. Later he studied in the law department in the University of Virginia at Charlottes- ville and also pursued his legal studies under the direction of A. R. Dabney, of Winterset. In 1894 he was admitted to the bar and began practice with his former preceptor in 1895. This relationship was maintained until 1900, when Mr. Cooper purchased the interest of his partner and has since been alone in practice. He is regarded as one of the able attorneys of Winterset, strong in argument, clear in his reasoning, logical in his deductions and seldom, if ever, at fault in the citation of a legal principle or precedent.
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On the 4th of December, 1902, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Edith Wainwright, a native of Winterset and a daughter of Vincent and Letitia (Ellis) Wainwright, the former a native of New York and the latter of Tennes- see. In the year 1864 her father arrived in Winterset, where he entered upon the practice of law, in which he continued until his death. Mention of him will be found on other pages of this volume. Mrs. Cooper was reared here and pur- sued her early education in the public schools, while later she attended Leland Stanford University of California. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, Bertha and Vincent W., both at home.
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