USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 56
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Mr. Binus is a republican but has never felt the least desire to take an active part in political affairs. Fraternally he is connected with Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M. Since 1886 he has resided permanently in Madison county and has many sincere friends, who esteem him the higher because he is retiring in disposition and does not seek publicity. He devotes his entire time to his farm and stock business and, as he is energetic and has good business judgment, it is but natural that he has gained material prosperity. His success is especially creditable as he is a self-made man, having been dependent upon his own resources since the early age of eleven years.
O. L. TAYLOR.
Five hundred and twenty acres of splendid land pays tribute to its owner, O. L. Taylor, a prosperous and up-to-date farmer of Madison township. He was born in that township in October, 1873, of the marriage of Henry and Hannah (Rollinson ) Taylor, both natives of Hull, England. When nineteen years of age Mr. Taylor emigrated to the United States and continued his journey west- ward until he reached the Mississippi valley, settling in Union township, Madison county, Iowa. After residing here a short time he returned to England, where he was married and where he remained for about two years. He then brought his wife to Madison township, this county, and for some time worked as a farm hand and as a stonemason, which trade he had learned in England, and, since he was a good workman and lived economically, he was able to add to his capital as time passed. He laid the foundations of many of the barns in the township and gained a reputation for painstaking work. At length he bought eighty acres of land from the government, paying two dollars per acre, and concentrated his attention upon farming. From time to time he added more land until he became the owner of nine hundred and twenty acres, all under cultivation and well improved. In 1907, having gained a competence, he retired from active life and removed to California, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 14th of June, 1912. His wife passed away in July, 1909.
O. L. Taylor, who was reared in this county, laid the foundation of his educa- tion by attending the district schools and was later a student in the Earlham Academy. After his school days were over he began working on the home farm
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in the employ of his father. He so continued for eleven years and then traded in eighty acres which he owned on his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres. By cultivating that land in accordance with the best methods of agri- culture and by managing the financial phase of farming wisely he added to his resources and from time to time purchased other land until he now owns five hundred and twenty acres located on sections 8 and 17, Madison township. His place is well improved and everything is kept in the best of repair. The residence, an excellent stone house, was built by the father of our subject. Mr. Taylor of this review does general farming, but gives considerable attention to the raising of Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep.
Mr. Taylor was married on the 28th of March, 1904, to Miss Stella Duff, a daughter of Thomas and Montana ( Bennett) Duff, natives of Ohio and of Madison township, this county, respectively. In 1858 Mr. Duff emigrated to Iowa and located in Madison county, acquiring land which he has since operated. His wife is also living.
Mr. Taylor is a republican and for eight years has held the office of school director, in which capacity he has found opportunity to advance the interests of the public-school system. He cooperates with the work of the various churches and is generous in his support of all good works. His life has been such that he has not only gained material prosperity, but has also won the unqualified respect and high regard of his fellowmen.
DOAK & HARTSOOK.
The firm of Doak & Hartsook, of Winterset, is the leading implement house of Madison county and the business which they control has been established longer than any similar enterprise in the county. In 1875 William Hedge established an implement house, which he continued to conduct until 1888. In that year the firm became Koehler & Rhyno and the next change came about in 1892, when the busi- ness came into the possession of Jones, Dickey & Company. Four years later the firm name was changed to Minturn & Bell, but in 1899 Mr. Bell sold his interest to Mr. Silliman and the business was conducted under the style of Minturn & Silliman. In 1909 W. H. Doak traded a valuable farm for the store and conducted it alone until 1913, when F. P. Hartsook purchased a half interest therein, and the firm became Doak & Hartsook.
In the early days William Hedge, the founder of the business, sold a fourteen- incl wood beam plow for twenty-two dollars and the same plow is now sold by Doak & Hartsook for fourteen dollars, which indicates something of the advance that has been made in the agricultural implement industry. Mr. Hedge sold the John Deere plows and Doak & Hartsook still handle them and also sell the Stand- ard mower, the first models of which Mr. Hedge sold many years ago. Doak & Hartsook carry the products of only the best and most reliable factories and have a reputation for keeping a full and well selected line of farm machinery and vehicles. They handle the famous Velie wrought iron vehicles, thus carrying out their policy of selling only the best. Their business methods are thoroughly in accord with that modern spirit in the commercial world which builds for the
JOHNDEERE
DOAK & HATLOAN
SELLEYS
BUGGIES
MOLINE
WAGONS
DOAK AND HARTSOOK, VEHICLES AND FARM MACHINERY
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
future, in seeking at all times to give the customer not only the greatest value in goods possible at the price, but also to give him the benefit of the experience and expert knowledge of the merchant and to make courtesy the rule of the store. The wisdom of this policy is apparent, as Doak & Hartsook are today recognized as the leading merchants in their line in the county and their trade is constantly increasing.
BUTLER BIRD.
Butler Bird, the activities of whose life have covered agricultural pursuits, teaching, general merchandising and preaching as a minister of the Disciples of Christ and also service as a soldier of the Civil war and service as a public official, is today one of the most honored among the venerable citizens of Madison county. He was born at Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, November 29, 1838. His father, William Bird, was born in Virginia and his mother, Sarah (Daniels- Davis) Bird, was a native of Maryland. The family comes of English ancestry. The father was a pioneer schoolteacher. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and gave whiskey rations to his comrades for other rations but a change in his views led him to vote the abolition ticket. He wedded Sarah ( Daniels) Davis, who, horn in Maryland, lived for some time in Pennsylvania and afterward re- moved to Millersburg, Ohio, where she became the wife of a Mr. Davis. Fol- lowing the death of her first husband she gave her hand in marriage to William Bird and in the year 1849 they removed with their family to Madison county, Iowa.
In early life Butler Bird was identified with agricultural pursuits and in early manhood he engaged in teaching in the rural schools. For many years he was connected with general mercantile interests at Patterson and in that way formed a wide acquaintance and became a prominent factor in the development and up- building of the section in which he lived. His influence was equally strong in other relations, for he is a minister of the Disciples of Christ, having long been a devoted member of the church. He has put forth earnest and effective effort for the extension of the cause of Christianity and has not been denied a full harvest following the aftermath of his labors.
Along still other lines Rev. Bird has contributed to the interests and welfare of his country. In 1861 he responded to the call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company D, First Iowa Cavalry, of which he became quartermaster, serving until honorably discharged because of physical disabilities. He was then holding the office of corporal. In days of peace he has rendered important aid to his community and to his state. In politics he has always been a republican and has been an interested worker for the success of the party and for the benefit and upbuilding of his city and county along many lines. He was county superin- tendent of public instruction in Madison county for two terms and he held the first normal institute in the county. He was also postmaster of Patterson for a number of years and in 1881 took his seat as a member of the Iowa state legis- lature, to which he was elected by the republican party for a two years' term. He has thus left the impress of his individuality upon the laws of the state and
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in the faithful discharge of his duty has furthered public interests. He has held an honorary life membership in the Iowa Woman's Suffrage Association because of his vote for the enfranchisement of women in the state legislature. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1859, in Madison county, Mr. Bird was united in marriage to Miss Mary Scott Graham, a daughter of the Rev. John and Mary (Small) Graham, both of whom were natives of Scotland. On coming to the new world they settled in New York and in 1856 arrived in Madison county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Bird have been born five children: Eva, the deceased wife of A. M. Farris ; Jessie, the wife of D. F. Miles; Clyde, who married W. D. Patterson ; May, the widow of N. S. Howell; and John Graham, who married Grace Blosser.
Such in brief is the life history of Rev. Butler Bird, a man who is accorded and is worthy of the highest respect and goodwill of all with whom he has come in contact. He has made his life count for good along many lines and those who know him bear high testimony to his honorable purpose, his upright deeds and his kindly spirit.
LANSON HOWELL.
Lanson Howell is one of the leading and representative stockmen and farmers of Madison county, where he owns eighteen hundred and thirty acres of rich and valuable land, his home farm alone comprising sixteen hundred and thirty acres, which is operated under his immediate supervision and direction. He has lived in this county since reaching the age of two years, his birth having occurred in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 23, 1847, his parents being Aaron and Margaret (Smith) Howell, who were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. The former was a son of David Howell, a thrifty and progressive tool manufacturer of New Jersey, who occupied a position of prominence in busi- ness circles in his community. His son, Aaron Howell, following his marriage, removed with his bride to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 1849, in which year he arrived in Madison county, Iowa, settling in Craw- ford township, where he took up a timber claim of one hundred and twenty acres. Throughout his active business career he followed farming and applied himself so diligently to his work that at the time of his death he had become the possessor of twenty-five hundred acres of Iowa land. He was in many respects a remark- able man. He had practically no educational advantages but was naturally of a studious nature and used every opportunity to educate himself. He was a pro- found student of the Bible, was locally known as an able mathematician and his interest in the higher branches of learning was manifest in his proficiency in astronomy and in other ways. Blindness overtook him at the age of fifty-five years and his death occurred January 11, 1894. The community thereby lost one of its most respected pioneers and representative citizens. For many years he was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, long identified with its official board, and his life was at all times in consistent harmony with the teachings of the denomination. His widow survived him for about five years, passing away in 1899.
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Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Howell were the parents of seven children, as follows : Emerson, who is a veteran of the Civil war, having been a member of Company C, Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and is now a resident of Bisbee, Arizona: Lanson, of this review; Martha, who gave her hand in marriage to G. W. Eyerly, of Madison county, and passed away in 1802; Helen, who is the widow of John Dabney and now makes her home in Long Beach, California ; Nelson, whose demise occurred on the 10th of October, 1908; Wilson, who died in infancy ; and Alice H., who is the wife of L. R. Grimes, of Plainview, Texas.
Lanson Howell, brought to Madison county by his parents when but two years of age, became a pupil of Sarah Gamble in one of the little old-time log schoolhouses of the pioneer period, crude in its appointments, while its curric- ulum was limited to the three Rs. The instruction of that early day, however, made an indelible impress upon his mind. He was equally well trained in farm work, too, learning not only the rudiments but also the principles of agriculture under the direction of his father, whose broad and successful experience well enabled him to direct the labors of his son. He assisted in the work of the home farm until after he had attained his majority and then started out on his own account in 1868, purchasing a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lee township, Madison county. Following his marriage he and his young wife began their domestic life upon that place, his attention being given to general farming, stock-raising and feeding. Upon that farm he remained until after the death of his wife in 1877, and as his father had in the meantime become blind, Mr. Howell then returned to the old homestead, where his good mother could administer to the wants of his two motherless little children, Charles and Ollie May, while Mr. Howell took charge of her farming interests.
As the years passed Lanson Howell became an active factor in the life of the community. His financial resources increased, his operations became larger and by additional purchase he increased his holdings until his aggregate posses- sions now comprise eighteen hundred and thirty acres of rich land in Madison county and four hundred and twelve acres in Warren county, Iowa. His personal attention is given to the operation and further development of his home farm of sixteen hundred and thirty acres, whereon he is extensively engaged in raising and feeding stock, being today recognized as the foremost stockman of western Iowa. He generally keeps on hand from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty beef cattle, which he raises for the market. His experience and study of every phase of his business enables him to speak with authority upon stock- raising and feeding and the consensus of opinion recognizes the soundness of his judgment on all such points. In addition to his agricultural and stock-raising activities Mr. Howell has financial interests of considerable importance, being a director in the First National Bank of Winterset, president of the Patterson Mercantile Company of Patterson, Iowa, and he also at one time had large land holdings in Texas and the Dakotas but has disposed of his property interests in those states.
It was on the 25th of April, 1873, that Mr. Howell was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth L. Hughart, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Rev. Camp- bell Hughart, a pioneer preacher and farmer of Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Howell became the parents of two children: Charles, a resident of Douglas township, Madison county, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this
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work ; and Ollie May, who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away on the 19th of October, 1877, and on the 6th of September, 1887. Mr. Howell was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Williams, a native of Illinois. By this marriage there were eight children, namely: Wesley E., residing on his father's farm in Warren county, who wedded Miss Emma Huglin and has two children, Lanson and Vernice ; Vernon H., who is deceased; Darwin C. and Erwin M., both at home; Luther R. and Ruth, twins, the former at home and the latter deceased; one who died in infancy ; and Curtis W., at home.
In politics Mr. Howell is a democrat where national issues are involved but does not adhere strictly to party lines in local elections. For many years he has served as township trustee and he finds time to cooperate in many public move- ments which have resulted beneficially to the community in which he lives. He has given freely of both time and money to the building of the Methodist Episco- pal church of Patterson, has always taken an active and helpful part in church work and for many years has served on the official board. He is recognized in various relations as an able manager, a good organizer and a farsighted man. He is optimistic in his belief that there is always a way and an opportunity to accomplish an honorable purpose and in his business career he has never allowed obstacles nor difficulties to bar his path. Success has left him unspoiled, for everywhere he is known as a pleasant, genial gentleman, always approachable, always affable and courteous. Public-spirited, he is interested in everything per- taining to the welfare and progress of his community ; charitable, he gives freely where aid is needed and gives without ostentation. He is one of the foremost citizens of Madison county whose splendid qualities of mind and heart have gained for him an unusual hold upon the warm and affectionate regard of his fellow citizens. To know Lanson Howell is to know one who has learned to place correct valuation upon the things of life, to maintain an even balance between the opportunity for self-advancement and the opportunity to aid in public affairs. High ideals and worthy purposes have found exemplification in his career and Madison county may well be proud to number him among her citizens.
W. VERNON BENNETT.
W. Vernon Bennett, who was born on the farm in Douglas township, is a successful and well known farmer. His natal day was the 30th of May, 1884, and he is a son of Andrew and Mary (Gideon) Bennett, who are spoken of on another page of this work. Mr. Bennett attended the public schools on North river, the schoolhouse being the second built in the township. When twenty- two years of age he assumed the management of the home farm and has since operated it. He makes a specialty of raising pure bred draft horses, but also grows the crops best suited to the soil and climate of this state. Since he is ener- getic and progressive and keeps in touch with the results of investigators who are striving to make agriculture a science he is meeting with deserved success in his labors and is considered one of the leaders among the younger generation of farmers.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
In 1906 Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Corgie May McDonald, who was also born in Douglas township, this county. She is a daughter of Wil- liam S. and Barbara Ellen (Combs) McDonald and is a niece of the man who, when a name for the county seat of Madison county was being chosen, suggested the name of Winterset instead of Summerset, as the weather was cold and stormy. William S. McDonald was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 23d of May, 1848, and his wife was born near Wathena, Kansas, in 1858. When a boy he emigrated westward with his parents and drove a flock of five hundred sheep. The family intended to stop in Illinois, but, hearing of the fine country open to settlement in Iowa, continued to Iowa, where they located in 1863. William S. McDonald completed his education by attending the district schools after his arrival in this state and upon starting out in life for himself turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. He now owns six hundred and ninety acres of land and devotes his time and attention to its management. He is a republican and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Bennett is the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, all of whom are valued citizens of this county.
Mr. Bennett belongs to Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., at Win- terset and is an exemplary Mason, embodying in his life the spirit of brother- hood which is the foundation of the order. He has no political aspirations but in a private capacity does much to further the advancement of his community and is known as a good neighbor and a public-spirited citizen.
OSCAR O. MUELLER.
Oscar O. Mueller is one of the native sons of Madison county, although now a resident of Lewistown, Montana, where he has been engaged in the practice of law since 1908. He was born March 29, 1877, a son of George and Catharine Mueller, who are still residents of Madison county. Extended mention of the parents is made in connection with the sketch of Herman A. Mueller on another page of this work.
Oscar O. Mueller was reared upon the home farm with the usual experiences of the farm lad who divides his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. He supplemented his district-school training by study in the Iowa State Normal School, from which he was graduated with the M. Di. degree with the class of 1903. The following year he became principal of the schools at Stacyville, where he remained until 1905. He then entered the State University of Iowa and was graduated LL. B. in 1908. He taught in the country schools of Madison county before entering upon the study of law and, as stated, was for a time principal of the schools at Stacyville. He proved an able educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired, but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor and qualified for law practice, in which he has been continuously engaged at Lewistown, Montana, since his graduation in 1908. He is also the owner of two farm properties in Fergus county, Montana,
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but his attention is chiefly given to his law practice, in which he is meeting with gratifying success.
Mr. Mueller belongs to the Masonic fraternity and held the office of worship- ful master in Lewistown Lodge, No. 37, F. & A. M., during the year 1914. He is now junior steward of the grand lodge of Montana. He belongs also to Marie Chapter, No. 23, O. E. S., of Lewistown, Montana, and was worthy patron in 1913. He filled the office of assistant county attorney of Fergus county in 1909 and 1910 and throughout the community in which he lives is regarded not only as an able lawyer but also as an enterprising citizen, and his efforts have been of substantial worth to the community in which he lives.
DAVID GEORGE RATLIFF.
David George Ratliff, deceased, was for many years active in commercial and official circles in Winterset and was a representative citizen of the county. He was born in Noble county, Ohio, in September, 1838, a son of William and Mary Melvina Ratliff, who emigrated to America from County Down, Ireland. They first settled in Canada but removed successively. to Ohio and Warren county, Iowa, where they located in 1849 and where William Ratliff was a well known landowner and farmer and where he died in 1851. His widow removed to Madison county in 1853 and remarried.
David George Ratliff was fifteen years of age when the family settled in this county and while still a youth he went with a freight train to Denver, Colorado, and for a year carried mail to the mining camps and new towns of that section of the state and then returned to Winterset and for a time clerked. As soon as he was financially able he engaged in the mercantile business on his own account and in 1875 was elected sheriff of the county on the democratic ticket, being the only one on that ticket to be elected. In 1877 he was reelected, although at the time engaged in the implement business and made practically no canvass of the voters, not expecting to be elected, as the county was strongly republican. In 1880 he formed a partnership with C. W. Eastman and engaged in the general merchandise business and later added a clothing store, which
store Mr. Ratliff eventually took over and which he conducted until about 1897, when he was elected county treasurer and won reelection two years later, de- feating the strong candidate on the republican ticket. After the expiration of his second term in the office of county treasurer he engaged in the grocery busi- ness with his brother Robert for two or three years and at the end of that time he sold his interest and engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, handling both life and fire policies. He so continued until his death, which occurred May 5. 1913. He was unusually active for his years and his mental vigor appeared not to have abated, as he conducted his business successfully until just before his demise.
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