USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 8
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
John W. Holmes spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He was educated in the public schools, which he attended to the age of eighteen years. His father being in poor health, John W. Holmes and his younger brother then took charge of the farm which they operated for a long period. Later they purchased the property and John W. Holmes still owns seventy acres of that tract. He was born, lived and was married in the same house, one of the pioneer log houses of the county. In 1910 he sold a part of his farm and in the spring of 1913 he rented the remainder of the farm and came to Winterset, where he is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. His life up to that time had been a very active and busy one, for he was continuously engaged in farm work, begin- ning the cultivation of his fields in the early spring and continuing the work of crop development until the harvests were gathered in the late autumn. The win- ter, too, was not without its duties and his farm work was continued uninter- ruptedly until he retired.
On the 24th of September, 1885, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Elvira Harrell, a native of this county and a sister of Edgar Harrell, in whose record on another page of this work a sketch of the family is given. To Mr. and Mrs. Holmes has been born a daughter, Mabel, now the wife of Ora E. Haines. They occupy her father's farm. Mr. Holmes is a republican in his political views and has held various township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He holds membership in the Christian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. They are well known and have a large circle of warm friends in Winterset and throughout the county, where they have both lived from pioneer times.
MARCUS J. BOYCE.
Among the progressive and well-to-do farmers of Douglas township is Mar- cus J. Boyce, a native of this state, born in Des Moines county on the 25th of February, 1857. His parents, Samuel M. and Marianna (Mitchell) Boyce, were both born in Preble county, Ohio, the father on the 15th of June, 1816, and the mother in 1820. Samuel M. Boyce was reared upon a farm and educated in the public schools. In early manhood he taught in the district schools near his home and while living in Ohio also worked at the harnessmaker's trade in Fairhaven. He was married there and in the early '50s his wife accompanied her family to Des Moines county, Iowa. Some time later Mr. Boyce followed with their household goods, and, joining his wife in Des Moines county, they located on a farm. Con- ditions were those of a pioneer locality and there were many discouragements, but after a few years prosperity began to reward them for their determination and industry. For many years Mr. Boyce was elder in the United Presbyterian church and he was also active in educational work. His demise occurred on the Ist of December, 1872, and his wife died in 1861. To them were born two chil- dren, the brother of our subject being Rufus, who is residing in New Mexico.
Marcus J. Boyce attended the district schools of his native county until about sixteen years of age, when he went to live with an uncle in Polk county, this state,
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and supplemented his early education by attending the A. C. Jennings Business College at Des Moines. After that he worked upon the farm belonging to his uncle, D. R. Mitchell, and was also a farm hand in the employ of neighbors until 1881. In that year he removed to Madison county and purchased land but did not take up his residence upon his farm until 1883. He has since concentrated his energies upon the cultivation of his land, which is situated on section 22, Douglas township, and he now owns three hundred and forty acres in this county, most of which is in a high state of cultivation and from which he derives a handsome annual income. His home place is known as Cedar Lawn and the residence is attractive and comfortable, while the grounds are pleasing. He engages in general farming.
In 1890 Mr. Boyce was united in marriage to Miss Grace Smith, who was born near Osceola, Iowa, and is a daughter of William H. and Mary ( Miner) Smith, both of whom are natives of Greene county, Indiana, the former's birth occurring in 1845 and the latter's in 1852. Both are now living at Winterset. In the early '50s Mr. Smith accompanied his father, Zebulon Smith, from Greene county, Indiana, to Clark county, Iowa. The latter was a cabinet-maker and taught his son that trade, which he followed in Clark county in connection with farming. In 1871 William H. Smith removed with his family to Winterset and now engages in painting and paper-hanging, which trade he learned a number of years ago. To him and his wife were born two children, of whom Mrs. Boyce is the older. Both entered the primary grade in the Winterset public schools and passed through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school.
To Mr. and Mrs. Boyce have been born eight children : Ernest, born July II, 1892, is taking the civil engineering course at the Iowa State College at Ames and he started the Douglas Center township band; Joseph, born February 8, 1894, attended the Winterset high school and now assists his father with the farm work; Martha, born July 11, 1896, will graduate from the Winterset high school with the class of 1915; Ruth, born on the 9th of October, 1898, is a sophomore in the high school; Alma was born February 8, 1901 ; Hugh was born May 28, 1903 ; Daniel was born December 18, 1905; and Bertha was born March 20, 1908. It is interesting to note that the first and third of the children have the same birth- day and also the second and fifth.
Mr. Boyce is a prohibitionist. The record of his life is open to all, as he has at all times sincerely endeavored to follow the highest moral teachings, and his many friends hold him in warm regard.
THOMAS EARLY.
For more than sixty years Thomas Early, president of the Bank of Earlham and a successful farmer and stockman, has resided in this county and during the greater part of that time he has contributed materially to the development of the county. He was born on the IIth of November, 1844, in Trumbull county, Ohio, a son of John and Elizabeth (McMurn) Early. The father was born upon the ocean when his parents were coming to the United States from Scotland and the mother was born in Trumbull county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents
Thor Early
2
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
of our subject settled near Pottsville, Ohio, upon a farm. Upon reaching maturity their son, John Early, followed agricultural pursuits in the Buckeye state, beconi- ing a landowner. He raised a good grade of shorthorn cattle and was successful as a farmer and stockman. Believing that still better opportunities awaited him in the west, he came to this county in 1855 by way of Eddyville. Winterset was then a small village and it was necessary to travel by stage in order to reach it. Much of the land in the county was still in the possession of the government and the vast unbroken prairies gave little promise of becoming the thickly settled agricultural region of today. Mr. Early bought raw prairie land in Jackson town- ship and continued to reside upon his farm until his death. During the big snows of the winter of 1856-7 the family endured many privations, as it was almost impossible to get supplies from the outside world, but they were not discouraged and as the years passed on and the country became settled and land increased in value they reaped the reward of their courage and determination. Mr. Early was a republican and was one of the prominent men in political circles in his locality. He had great energy and much power of initiative and was among those who built the first schoolhouse in the township. Before the erection of churches religious services were held in his home and he was a leader in the Presbyterian church of his locality. He passed away when sixty-five years of age and his wife died when sixty-three years old. They were the parents of five children : William, deceased, who was formerly a farmer of this county ; James, also de- ceased, who was county treasurer of Madison county at one time; Thomas, of this review ; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of John Mears, of Madison county ; and Minerva, the widow of Noah Sulgrove, of Greenfield, Iowa.
Thomas Early pursued his education in the first schoolhouse built in Jackson township. He sat on a slab bench and considered himself fortunate to have a desk, even though it was made of slabs. He did his part in the work of developing a farm from the virgin prairie and in assisting his father learned practical methods of agriculture. On the 4th of May, 1864, when not quite twenty years of age, he enlisted in Company E, Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was made fourth corporal. Upon the close of hostilities he returned to Jackson township and for a short time resided under the parental roof. He then bought land, pay- ing nine and ten dollars per acre, and began farming and raising stock upon his own account. He early displayed marked financial ability and as he was an ener- getic and efficient agriculturist his capital increased rapidly. He invested heavily in land, becoming the owner of twenty-two hundred acres. He found the stock business especially profitable and bought and fed many head annually, one year shipping seven hundred and sixty carloads of stock. In 1908 he suffered a para- lytic stroke and has since sold most of his land, wishing to be relieved of the responsibility of managing it. He still has, however, five hundred acres which is mainly in pasture and devoted to the raising of cattle. He is prominent in finan- cial circles, being president and a director of the Bank of Earlham, which enjoys the full confidence of its community. He retains his home in Madison county, but spends the week ends with his daughter in Des Moines.
In 1868 Mr. Early married Miss Harriett Matthews, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Calvin and Louisa Matthews. The father was a land owner and farmer in the Hoosier state and was quite active in public affairs in his locality. His daughter Harriett came to Iowa with relatives and taught school in this county
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
previous to her marriage. She was a woman of true Christian character and was beloved by all who were privileged to know her. She passed away in 1900, leav- ing two children: Lettie E., the wife of Dr. J. H. Sloan, of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Orson L., who was formerly in the implement business in Earl- ham but is now living in Oklahoma City. He is married but has no children.
Mr. Early was one of the organizers and a charter member of the Church of Christ, which is known as Early chapel. He supports the republican party but has never desired public office nor taken an active part in political affairs, although never remiss in his duties of citizenship. He has been identified with many forces that have contributed to the welfare of his locality and his keen insight and sound judgment have contributed largely to the success of those movements with which he has been associated. His business success is due entirely to his own efforts and he is a splendid example of a self-made man.
MAHLON BROWN.
Mahlon Brown is a representative agriculturist and respected citizen of Mad- ison county, owning a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 30, Scott township. His birth occurred in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 8th of August, 1847, his parents being Austin G. and Pleasant (West) Brown, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio, in which state their mar- riage was celebrated. Mrs. Brown inherited a farm from her father and on this they lived until called to their final rest, the mother passing away during the early boyhood of our subject. The property was subsequently sold and divided among the children, a record of whom follows: John joined the Fifteenth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry at the time of the Civil war and at the end of three years' service reenlisted. He was wounded in the leg and honorably discharged, but on leaving the hospital to come home he was seized with pneumonia and died. His remains were interred at Cleveland, Ohio. Enos, who also served in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, came to Madison county in 1867 and here passed away. Margaret Ann, who was her father's housekeeper after her mother's death and who reared her brother Mah- lon, is now the widow of Jehu Moore and makes her home in Winterset. Mar- tha, twin sister of Enos, gave her hand in marriage to Enoch Felby and in an early day removed to O'Brien county, Iowa, where her demise occurred. Har- riet died when a young lady. Annis passed away in childhood. By his second wife Austin G. Brown had three sons and a daughter, namely: William, Alvin, Osborn and Emma, all of whom are deceased.
Mahlon Brown left home when nineteen years of age and began working as a farm hand, giving his father seventy-five dollars in lieu of his services until he attained his majority. He came to Iowa in 1867, traveling by train to Mon- roe, by stage to Des Moines and on to Winterset and reaching Madison county on the 4th of March with but seventy-five cents in his pocket. That same night he encountered some relatives and friends at a spelling school. He secured em- ployment as a farm hand at a wage of twenty dollars per month and was thus engaged for nine months, losing less than two days of the entire period. Subse-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
quently he bought a tract of ninety-one acres in Adams county, lowa, and there carried on farming for ten years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Madison county, purchasing his present place of one hundred and twenty acres in Scott township. The property was fenced but otherwise entirely unimproved. He has erected substantial and commodious buildings thereon and now has a valuable and productive farm which yields him a gratifying annual income, although the work of the fields devolves upon his son Frank, for his health has become impaired.
In 1869, in Madison county, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Alice Bellis, who was born in Indiana on the 8th of September, 1850, her parents being James and Rachel ( Bordman) Bellis, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. Mr. Bellis passed away in Missouri and his widow after- ward came to this county, here spending the remainder of her life. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have seven children, as follows: William E., residing in New Mexico, who is married and has three children ; Emma, the wife of C. C. Bowlsby, of Des Moines, by whom she has three children ; Elva, who is the wife of H. C. Frederickson, of Minnesota, and has one child; Carrie May, who gave her hand in marriage to P. J. Brusnahan, of Des Moines, and has one child; Mamie, the wife of Walter Holmes of this county, by whom she has two children; Frank, operating his father's farm, who wedded Miss Ada Armstrong and has one child ; and Nellie, wife of Cecil Sanders of Sandborn, Indiana.
In politics Mr. Brown has always been a stanch republican, casting his first presidential ballot for General Grant. The period of his residence in this part of the state covers nearly a half century and he has long been numbered among the esteemed and representative citizens of his community.
WILLIAM F. HIRCOCK.
William F. Hircock can justly call himself a self-made man, a title which is much honored in this country, where success is dependent chiefly upon individual initiative and ability. He was born in Lincoln township, this county, on the 11th of September, 1861, a son of Jacob and Louisa C. (Dodds) Hircock, both of whom were born in Cambridgeshire, England, the father on the 12th of February, 1824, and the mother on the 13th of January, 1828. In 1854 they emigrated to Amer- ica and first located in Huron county, Ohio, whence five years later they removed to Madison county, Iowa, settling in Lincoln township. The father had pur- chased land in Jackson township but never lived thereon. In 1861 he and his family returned to Ohio and later located two miles over the state line in Mich- igan. In 1869 they again came to Madison county, Iowa, and Jacob Hircock and wife lived in various places thereafter, their last days being spent in Lincoln township. Both passed away on the farm where their son Thomas now resides. The father's death occurred on the 18th of December, 1898, and the mother died on the 18th of May, 1906.
The record of their eight children is as follows: Benjamin, born July 24, 1852, died March 5, 1853. Eleanor C., born April 2, 1854, married John W. Fleener and passed away on the 14th of March, 1880. Thomas, who was born in Huron
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
county, Ohio, July 27, 1856, resides upon the homestead in Lincoln township. Mary Ann, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, November 2, 1858, is the wife of R. E. Cameron, of Lincoln township. William F., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Culy, who was born in Monroe county, Michigan, March 25, 1864, is a resident of Kansas. Charles, also born in Monroe county, Michigan, July 14, 1866, is residing in Jackson township, this county. Emma Louise, born February 5, 1870, is the wife of William Smith and resides in this state.
William F. Hircock spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Lin- coln township, this county, and remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He was early trained to farm work and upon starting out for him- self devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. His father gave him a team of horses and a cow, but he received no other assistance from him and for the first five years rented land. He lived frugally and saved as much as possible and at the end of that time purchased thirty acres of slightly improved land on section 3. Lincoln township. He has continued to practice thrift and from time to time has added to his farm until it now comprises two hundred and twenty acres. It is well improved and has two sets of buildings, his son living upon a part of the farm. The industry of Mr. Hircock has never failed and as he possesses good business judgment he has been able to sell his crops and stock to advantage, so that his resources have steadily increased.
On November 10, 1886, Mr. Hircock was married in Lincoln township to Miss Mary Brinson, a daughter of William Brinson, a veteran of the Civil war and a retired farmer living in Winterset, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. They have become the parents of four children: Clara, who died in infancy ; Floyd L., who married Dola Patton and resides upon a part of his father's farm; and Lannie and Elsie, both at home.
Mr. Hircock is a republican and is at present a member of the school board and township board. He has given his whole time to his work as a farmer and stock-raiser, having few outside interests, but in improving and developing his farm he has contributed to the growth of the county along agricultural lines, and his sterling integrity has won him the respect of all who have come into contact with him.
ROBERT S. COOPER, D. D. S.
Dr. Robert S. Cooper is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Winterset, his native city, and his record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for he has so directed his efforts here that he has won a creditable position in professional circles. He was born December 19, 1880, and is a son of Robert H. Cooper, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
Dr. Cooper spent his boyhood days in his father's home and attended the pub- lic schools, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. At the age of seventeen he entered Drake University as a student in the dental department and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1901, his pro- fessional degree being then conferred upon him. He practiced in Des Moines for
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
three years and then came to Winterset, where he has since followed his chosen calling. He had previously been in a dentist's office in his native city during vaca- tion periods. His ability has won him advancement and success and he is now accorded a fair share of the public patronage. He has a well equipped office and keeps in touch with modern scientific methods.
On the 28th of September, 1909, Dr. Cooper was married to Miss Eva Gilpin, a daughter of Major T. C. Gilpin, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Dr. and Mrs. Cooper hold membership in the Presbyterian church. They have a most hospitable home and its good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Dr. Cooper holds membership in the Iowa State Dental Society. He is independent in his political allegiance and believes in constant progress along political and other lines. He is secretary of the Winterset Commercial Club, which position he has filled for three years, and his energy and efforts have been an important factor in promoting the work of the club and advancing the welfare and upbuilding of Winterset.
WILLIAM R. DANFORTH.
William R. Danforth has been a resident of Madison county for almost two- thirds of a century, is one of its honored pioneers and owns a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres on section 18, Scott township, which is now being operated by his sons. His birth occurred in Laporte, Indiana, on the 14th of February, 1840, his parents being Cyrus and Mary (Jones) Danforth, an account of whose lives appears in the sketch of Challen Danforth, given elsewhere in this work.
William R. Danforth was but nine years of age when he came to Madison county with his mother and in 1855, at the early age of fifteen, in association with his younger brother Challen, he began making ice cream and candy. the first manufactured in Winterset. Subsequently he learned the tinner's trade and for a quarter of a century was successfully engaged in the conduct of a hardware store at Winterset in partnership with his brother. During the past twenty-five years he has owned and operated a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Scott township, carrying on general agricultural pursuits with good results, though at the present time the active work of the fields is being performed by his sons.
In September, 1860, in this county, Mr. Danforth was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Benge, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, on the 15th of January, 1844, her parents being Alfred and Margaret ( Banks) Benge, the for- mer a shoemaker by occupation. They came to this county in 1855 and here spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Danforth have been born nine children, three of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Ed, who wedded Miss Lou Smith and resides in Lincoln township, this county ; Jud and Frank, both at home; Charles, residing in Winterset, who married Miss Pearl Heard and has three children-Lillian, Helen and Paul; Stella, living at home, who has been twice married, having two children, Mabel and Freddie, by her first husband and a daughter, Jessie E., by her second husband ; and June, the wife of Willis Woodward, of Des Moines, by whom she has one child, Donald.
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In politics Mr. Danforth is a stanch democrat, while his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Christian church. He has now passed the seventy- fifth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the veneration and respect 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.
JOHN BROWN.
In the demise of John Brown, Madison county lost one of its well known pioneer farmers and stockmen. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio, January 28, 1826, the oldest child of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dillon) Brown, both of whom were of German lineage. His grandfathers were Robert Dillon and Luther Brown.
Mr. Brown was reared upon a farm and received the usual training of farm boys, assisting his father with the cultivation of the fields and the care of the stock and attending the district schools in the acquirement of an education. When he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account and in 1854 removed to this county, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land in Madison township. He proved an excellent farmer and stockman and gave considerable attention to the raising of cattle and sheep. He brought his land to such a high state of cultivation and made such good improvements upon the place that when it was sold he received the sum of ten thousand dollars for it. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln township, adjoining the corporate limits of Winterset, and there resided for a number of years. He was among the leaders in the movement to improve the stock in the county and kept the best breeds of cattle and horses. About 1885 he retired from active life and rented his farm. He took up his abode in Winterset and resided there until his death, which occurred on the 10th of April, 1911, when he was eighty- five years of age. As his life had been lived in harmony with the laws of health he was active and hearty until a short time before his demise.
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