USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 50
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WILLIAM F. STIFEL.
William F. Stifel, a representative and substantial agriculturist of Madison county, owns and operates an excellent farm of two hundred and six acres on section 28, Walnut township. His birth occurred in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 18th of August, 1854, his parents being John Jacob and Phoebe (King) Stifel, both of whom were natives of Germany. In that country the father worked as a laborer and farmer. After emigrating to the United States he entered the service of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, of St. Louis, and became financially interested in the concern. In 1854 he made his way to Burlington, Iowa, and purchased a farm in the Mississippi valley, on which he spent the remainder of his life, surviving his wife for a few years.
William F. Stifel attended district school for only a short time in his youth, for as soon as old enough he was obliged to go to work, spending the winters in the timber chopping wood which he hauled to Burlington. In making these trips he froze his feet a number of times on account of having no overshoes. When twenty-two years of age he removed to Clarke county, Iowa, and began working on a farm for his brother-in-law. Subsequently he bought a tract of forty acres in that county and continued its cultivation until 1893, when he disposed of the property and came to Madison county, purchasing the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he has resided to the present time. He has extended its boundaries by an additional purchase of forty-six acres, and it therefore com- prises two hundred and six acres of rich and productive land on section 28, Walnut township. Mr Stifel devotes his attention to farming of a general nature and also raises and feeds stock which he sells to the shippers. Success has attended his undertakings in gratifying degree and he is widely recognized as one of the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Walnut township.
Mr. Stifel has been married twice. In 1883 he wedded Miss Emaretta Jose- phine Lyons, a daughter of Anderson and Sarah (Franks) Lyons, and a repre-
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sentative of one of the honored pioneer families of Clarke county, Iowa, where her father followed farming. She passed away on the farm in Clarke county, in 1890, leaving four children, as follows: Charles Frederick, an agriculturist of Clarke county, this state; Louis Wesley, who lives with his father, works on the home farm and at times hires out as a farm hand by the month; Albert William, a farmer of Walnut township, this county, who wedded Miss Ada Scott, of Barney, Iowa, and has two children, Russell and Frances ; and Pearl Franklin, an agriculturist of Minnesota, who married Miss Bertha Decker, of Walnut township and has three children-Harold, Everett and Vern. On the 4th of December, 1890, Mr. Stifel was again married, his second union being with Miss Sevina Eichner, a native of Germany and a daughter of Conrad and Barbara (Guilbauer) Eichner, who were also born in that country. They emigrated to the United States in 1881 and first located in Des Moines, where for a short time the father worked by the day, after which he turned his attention to farming, settling on rented land nine miles northwest of Des Moines. In 1893 he removed to Madison county and purchased one hundred acres of land, upon which he remained until 1902, when he took up his residence in Clarke county, where he bought a little over two hundred acres. Seven years later he disposed of that property and removed to Lee township, Madison county, where he became the owner of two hundred and eight-tenths acres. There his wife passed away in September, 1913, and there he is still residing. To William F. and Sevina (Eichner) Stifel have been born four children, namely: William Frederick, Earl Edward, George Wilbur and Anna Marie, all of whom are students in dis- trict school No. 8 of Walnut township.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Stifel has supported the men and measures of the democracy, and for three years he has served as school director in district No. 8 of Walnut township. He contributes to the sup- port of the Lutheran church, although he is not a member, but his wife belongs to the church of that denomination in Jefferson township. Not only has he brought about his individual prosperity but he has also been a serviceable factor in the agricultural growth of his locality, in the upbuilding of which he has participated to a laudable extent. He is therefore highly respected and esteemed and receives in full measure the confidence and goodwill of all who know him.
G. T. CARRINGTON.
G. T. Carrington, one of the prosperous farmers of Penn township. where he owns a quarter section of fine land, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, on the 24th of April, 1849, of the marriage of Edmund and Sarah E. (Byerly) Car- rington. The father, who was born in Kentucky, removed with his parents to Indiana when about fourteen years of age, and upon attaining years of maturity farmed in that state for some time, after which he removed to Monroe county, Iowa, where he bought and improved land. After living there for a decade he returned to Indiana, where he resided for a year, after which he went to Ver- milion county, Illinois. He continued to farm there during the remainder of his life, passing away on the 24th of January, 1874. His wife, who was born in
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North Carolina, died in March, 1896, having survived her husband for twenty- two years.
G. T. Carrington was reared and educated in Monroe county, Iowa, Indiana, and Vermilion county, Illinois. He remained with his parents while they lived and then removed to Union county, Iowa, where he farmed a quarter section of land belonging to his wife for nine years. At the end of that time they sold out and he rented land there for seven years, after which he came to this county and operated leased land for two years. At the end of that time his financial circumstances were such that he was able to purchase a quarter section of ex- cellent land on section 14, Penn township, which he is still operating. He has made it one of the well developed farms of the county and spares neither time nor money in further improving it. His crops are abundant and bring a high price upon the market and he also feeds a carload of cattle annually.
On Christmas Day, 1877, Mr. Carrington married Miss Louisa Graham, a daughter of Samuel and Mary C. ( Miller) Graham, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a school teacher in his early life, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He farmed in Ohio for a number of years, but eventually removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he cultivated land until his demise, which occurred in 1863. His widow was called to her reward twenty-two years later, in March, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Carrington have three children: Claude. who is farming near Central City, Nebraska; Millie, the wife of Irvin Boyle, a farmer of Penn township ; and George, who is assisting his father in the operation of the home place.
Mr. Carrington is a republican and has served as justice of the peace of Penn township, discharging his duties with strict impartiality. The Methodist church and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows find in him a loyal member, and his life is conformed to the highest standard of ethics. He and his son are meeting with gratifying success in agricultural work and take especial pride in their high grade cattle, which are of the Jersey breed. Since coming to Madison county he has contributed to the public welfare in every way possible and is a valued resident of his locality.
J. W. CAMPBELL.
J. W. Campbell, a carpenter contractor of Winterset, has done much im- portant work in the city and enjoys a high reputation both as a business man and as a workman. He was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, on the 21st of March, 1857. Silas H. Campbell, his father, was a farmer by occupation and at the time of the Civil war served for four years in the southern army, being willing to give his life if need be in defense of the cause that he believed to be just. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Catherine Ritchie.
During his boyhood. J. W. Campbell studied under a private tutor, as the public schools of Virginia were then very inadequate. When sixteen years of age he put aside his textbooks and devoted the greater part of his time to assist- ing his father in various occupations, including farming. At the same time he learned the wheelwright's trade and thus prepared to earn a livelihood. In 1877,
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when twenty years of age, he decided to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Iowa, which was much less thickly settled than the states farther east. Coming to Winterset, he engaged in carpentering in addition to farming, but after eleven years' residence here hie removed to Beatrice, Nebraska, where he remained for a year, after which he went to Lincoln, that state. For nine years he followed the wheelwright's trade and was also employed in a planing mill for five years during this period, but in 1898 returned to Winterset, where he has since resided. He is an excellent carpenter himself and also does contract- ing, having erected some of the best structures in Winterset and vicinity. He demands from all of his employes conscientious, thorough work, and as he in- variably lives up to his contract in every particular, his reliability is rewarded by a large business.
Mr. Campbell has been twice married, his second wedding occurring January 10, 1912, when Miss Rella J. Runkle, of Lincoln, Nebraska, became his wife. He is a democrat and for seven years has been a member of the city council, during which time he has voted for a number of ordinances that have proved well advised. Fraternally he has taken high rank in the Masonic order, belonging to Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M .; Lebanon Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M .; Des Moines Consistory, No. 3. A. A. S. R .; and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of Des Moines, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The spirit of fraternity has found realization in his life and has won him many sincere friends, who value highly his good opinion.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS LOGSDON.
Christopher Columbus Logsdon, who is operating a fine farm in Grand River township, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on the 27th of May, 1853. His parents, Thomas and Martha ( Dawson) Logsdon, were both born in the vicinity of Mumfordville, Kentucky, the father on the 2d of January, 1821, and the mother on the 11th of February, 1826. Thomas Logsdon began farming on his own account while still living in the Blue Grass state and was there married. When he made the overland journey from that state to .Jasper county, Iowa, there were three children in the family and his worldly goods consisted of a team and twelve dollars in cash. He paid ten dollars for a cow, which left him with practically no money, but he was rich in energy and determination and at once began to place his land under cultivation. He had a land warrant and entered one hundred and sixty acres, which became the nucleus of his holdings. At one time he owned four hundred and ten acres of land in Jasper county and was very successful in his agricultural operations. Although prosperity eventually came to him, the first years passed in this state were filled with hard work, priva- tion and oftentimes discouragement, which tried severely his mettle. His first residence was a log house without a floor; Indians were numerous; the nearest mill was forty miles away ; and as the early settlers did not have matches it was sometimes necessary to go to a neighbor's to borrow fire, as the methods of making a fire in those days were very primitive and it was no small task to start it with flint and tinder. Mr. Logsdon began raising hogs almost as soon
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
as he settled upon his land and in order to get them to market it was necessary to butcher them and carry the dressed meat to the nearest town, where he received but two and a half cents per pound, which hardly paid him for the trouble of raising them. He was instrumental in establishing the early schools and churches in his locality and the nearest school and church were both on land which he had previously owned. For over thirty years he was a Bible teacher in the Methodist Episcopal church and in seeking to advance the cause of Christianity he displayed the same energy and determination that he applied to his work as a farmer, gaining the reputation of being the greatest worker in his neighborhood. In addition to cultivating the usual crops he raised consider- able cattle, hogs and sheep annually and was a prominent farmer and stockman of Jasper county. On the 11th of March, 1874, he removed to Madison county, where he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and he continued to farm to some extent but lived largely retired. Both he and his wife passed away in this county, his demise occurring when he was past sixty- eight years of age and his wife lived to be more than seventy- seven years old. In the early days she taught school in Jasper county and in caring for her house- hold she did many things that do not now fall to the lot of the housewife. Among her tasks was that of spinning. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Logsdon's sympathies were entirely with the north, and he fully expected to join the Union army. In fact, he was instrumental in organizing the company under the com- mand of Captain Thompson, and with which he drilled, but as he had nine small children he was not allowed to enlist.
Christopher Columbus Logsdon, who was the seventh child in the family, attended the district schools of Jasper county and thus acquired a serviceable education. He was but a boy at the time of the Civil war, but remembers well the martial spirit that prevailed and he shared in the general excitement. The boys of the community imitated their fathers and drilled among themselves as if they, too, might be called upon to aid in the defense of the Union. Our subject played the drum in that youthful company and would gladly have joined the army if he had been old enough. He remained upon the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age and after the removal of the family to this county began farming on his father's land. For about six years he resided in Adair county, but the greater part of his life has been spent in Grand River township, this county, and he has thoroughly identified his interests with that locality. He owns two hundred acres of fine land on sections 19 and 30, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He raises shorthorn cattle of a good grade for commercial purposes and derives good financial returns from the sale of his stock. His residence is commodious and attractive, and everything about his place is in excellent condition.
On the 9th of February, 1882, Mr. Logsdon married Miss Addie L. Grand- field, who was born in Madison county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Cross) Grandfield. Her father was born in England on the 24th of December, 1833, and was in the butcher business in that country. In 1854 he came to the United States and after residing in New York city for about a year came to this county, making the last stage of his journey with teams. He purchased land in Grand River township, where he farmed for a number of years, and became the owner of three hundred and seventy-five acres of good land. He studied medicine under
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
a physician at Afton, Iowa, and in the early days practiced that profession to a considerable extent, being called to attend patients over a wide territory. For some time lic conducted a hardware and grocery store at Casson, but subse- quently removed his stock to Macksburg. At the time of his demise he had sold out his business and was living upon his farm, but was still practicing medicine. He passed away on the 9th of May, 1896. He was married in England to Miss Elizabeth Cross, who was born in that country on the 27th of February, 1827, and she survived him for almost three years, dying on the 29th of April, 1899. He was a republican in politics and in early manhood was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Logsdon is the fourth child born to her parents and the only one residing in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon have a daughter, Bessie, who married Fields Cochran and has two children, Mildred Irene and Vaughn Wesley.
Mr. Logsdon supports the republican party and is willing to give of his time and means to aid in the successful accomplishment of plans that have as their object the upbuilding of his community. He holds membership in the Odd Fel- lows lodge at Macksburg, and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. They are numbered among the progressive farming people of the county and in seeking to advance the agricultural interests of their locality are following in the footsteps of their parents, who were active in the Grange when it was an important factor in rural life.
ELMER E. BISSELL.
Among the native sons of the county who have fully realized its opportunities and are now residing here is Elmer E. Bissell, who was born June 6, 1871, of the marriage of Orrin and Caroline ( Lattin) Bissell, the former a native of Portage county, Ohio, and the latter of Trumbull county, Ohio. Orrin Bissell was born on the 14th of December, 1829, and as he grew older assisted his father more and more in the conduct of his dairy farm, becoming an expert cheese maker. He resided near Aurora, Ohio, until 1856 and then removed with his wife to this county, driving across the country and bringing their household effects with them. He entered government land and the family home was at first a log cabin. Mr Bissell, like many of the early settlers, was afflicted with ague and as that at times rendered him unable to work his wife helped to build the log cabin. The home- stead was near the timber, as the early settlers considered such land to be more valuable than that on the prairie. The neighbors were few and far between and each family was compelled to rely upon its own resources to a great extent, although the settlers were always willing to help each other whenever assistance was needed and it was possible to give aid. Mr. Bissell gave the land and helped to build the schoolhouse in his district and gave the privilege of holding church service in his house although he himself was not affiliated with any religious or- ganization. He had one of the largest residences in the county and was an ex- tensive landowner, holding title to over one thousand acres. He raised a great deal of stock in addition to the cultivation of his fields and in all that he did em-
ORRIN BISSELL
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ployed the most advanced methods. He was among the first to buy improved farm machinery, owning the first binder and mower in his county and also the first self-rake. His holdings were situated in Jackson and Penn townships and he continued to reside upon his land until his death. He believed in the efficacy of organization and was quite active in the Grange, which enabled the farmers to cooperate in matters of general concern. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he held various local offices. In 1874 he represented his dis- trict in the state legislature, proving an able and conscientious lawmaker. He was drafted for service in the Union army but hired a substitute-Al Dabney, who used the money paid him in acquiring a law education. Mr. Bissell passed away on the 22d of February, 1894, and his death was deeply regretted, as he was generally recognized as one of the leading citizens of the county. His first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Caroline Lattin, was born on the 30th of August, 1831, and died on the Ist of January, 1889. To them were born eight children, of whom our subject is the youngest. The father was married a second time and by that union was born one child. A brother of our subject, F. L. Bis- sell, is a prosperous farmer of Jackson township.
Elmer E. Bissell attended the Shuck school in Jackson township and sup- plemented the education thus acquired by study at the Dexter Normal School, from which he was graduated. When twenty years of age he began teaching school in Penn township but continued to reside under the parental roof until his marriage in 1894. He then entered a commercial school at Des Moines but as his health began to fail he discontinued his studies and for thirteen years was city mail carrier. In 1911 he removed to Jackson township, this county, and began farming. He has a fine herd of milch cows and has found Guernsey cattle the best adapted to his purpose. His labors are attended with success and he finds agri- cultural pursuits both congenial and profitable.
Mr. Bissell was married in 1804 to Miss Elizabeth Marquart, a daughter of August Marquart, a harnessmaker of Boone, who is now living in Des Moines. Mrs. Bissell passed away in 1907, leaving three children: Eunice, a graduate of the West Des Moines high school, who is at home; Milford, who was born in September, 1897, and is attending the Winterset high school; and Clare, who was born May 7, 1903.
In 1909 Mr. Bissell was again married, Miss Grace Stewart, a native of this county, becoming his wife. Her parents, Robert W. and Catharine ( Hake) Stewart, were born in Trumbull county and York county, Pennsylvania, re- spectively. The father, who was born on the 3d of October, 1825, was a black- smith, as were his father and grandfather. Robert W. Stewart came to Iowa overland in 1858, bringing his tools and Ohio coal. He settled in Jackson town- ship and established a shop upon his farm and gained quite an extensive patron- age. He was prominent in local political circles and was known as the republi- can "boss" of Jackson township. The township meetings were nearly always held in his home and he was tireless in his efforts to promote the success of the party. He was influential in establishing the Early Chapel church and was also a well known Mason, having been master of the Pitzer Lodge. He was the owner of considerable land and his farm was unusually well improved and highly de- veloped. He resided upon the same place from 1860 until his demise, which Vol. 11-25
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occurred in July, 1908. He married Miss Catharine Hake, who was born on the IIth of January, 1823, and is still living in Jackson township.
Mr. Bissell is a republican but confines his political activity to the exercise of his right of franchise. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Epis- copal church and while residing in Des Moines he served on the official board of Grace Methodist Episcopal church of that city. Realizing the value of study along religious lines, he is prominent in Sunday-school work and is the teacher of the men's class in Early Chapel. By his work along such lines he contributes to the moral and spiritual advancement of his community and by carefully cul- tivating his quarter section of fine land he aids in the material development of the county.
SAMUEL HUSTON BOLING.
Samuel Huston Boling has been an extensive landowner and for a number of years has been operating an excellent farm on section 22, Monroe township. However, he recently sold that place and intends to retire to Lorimor. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 26th of December, 1837, and his parents were Bluford and Arthusa (Lovell) Boling, both natives of North Carolina, who in 1831 re- moved with teams to the Hoosier state, where they resided until 1855, when they made the long journey to Iowa by team, coming to Madison county. They crossed the Mississippi river at Muscatine and intended to go to Missouri, but a storm coming up, they stopped in Monroe township, this county, and were so well pleased with conditions that they located on section 10, entering three hundred acres of land at the land office at Chariton. Forty acres were situated upon the road and there was a little house which served as the family residence until a better could be erected. The father died upon his farm when sixty years of age and his widow passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. V. L. Callison, in Monroe township, when ninety-eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Boling were the parents of ten children: Almira, the deceased wife of W. S. Jewell, of Terre Haute, Indiana; Rachel, the wife of George E. Hedges, also of Terre Haute; Benjamin F., who died in Indiana; E. L., who passed away in Monroe township, Madison county ; Charles, who also died in that township; Samuel Huston, of this review; Elizabeth, the widow of W. S. Wilson; Julia A., the de- ceased wife of V. L. Callison ; P. C., a resident of Monroe township; and Lucy A., who became the wife of J. D. Bullock and is now deceased.
Samuel H. Boling passed the days of his boyhood and youth in Putnam and Clay counties, Indiana, and there began his education, although he attended school for some time after the removal of the family to this county. Upon attaining his majority he went to Missouri, expecting to get work driving a team to Salt Lake City. However, no place of that kind was to be had and he accordingly became a farm hand. At the opening of the war he entered the employ of the commis- sary department of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteers and was for four years in the government service, transporting forage or food stuff. In that capacity he was in all parts of the south and gained much knowledge of the country. He was given the nickname of Platte, as he had enlisted from Platte county, Mis-
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