USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 17
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Clarence Grubb enjoyed the advantages of a high school educa- tion in his youth and when nineteen years of age left the parental roof and entered the service of the Iowa Central Railroad Company, being employed in the bridge and building department for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Tulsa, Oklahoma, but at the end of two years returned to Iowa. He em- barked in the lumber business at Tracy, where he has since won merited success as a dealer in all kinds of building materials. He owns fifteen lots in addition to his residence in the town of Tracy and is widely recognized as one of the progressive and prosperous citizens of the community.
On the 23d of January, 1909, Mr. Grubb was united in marriage to Miss Edith V. Stark, a daughter of James and Hester Stark. They have four children, namely: Abner; Helen; and Martha and
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Mary, twins. In politics Mr. Grubb is a republican, and both he and his wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has come to be recognized as one of the substantial men of his community, and his career is proof of the fact that industry and energy pave the way to success and that prosperity is but ambition's answer.
E. W. McVAY.
E. W. McVay is a self-made man who started out in life empty- handed and has worked his way steadily upward through his energy and persistency of purpose until he is now the owner of three hun- dred and seventy-seven acres of valuable farm land lying on sec- tions 11 and 12, Liberty township. He was born in Marion county, Iowa, October 23, 1867, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Gregory) McVay, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Marion county.
The father came to Iowa in 1849 and lived for about a year in this county, after which he resumed his travels westward with Cali- fornia as his destination. He had been attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast and with ox teams started for the far west, journeying by slow stages across the plains, over the hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes until at the end of six months he reached the gold fields. There had been much trouble with the Indians while en route but their journey was at length safely accom- plished. Mr. McVay remained for ten years in California and then returned to Iowa. Following the outbreak of the Civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he enlisted in response to the coun- try's call for aid, becoming a member of the Fifteenth Iowa In- fantry, with which he served until the close of the war, participat- ing in a number of hotly contested engagements. Although he was frequently on the firing line he was never wounded and at the close of the war he returned with a most creditable military record to Marion county. He then purchased a farm, was soon afterward mar- ried and devoted his remaining days to general agricultural pursuits in this county, his death here occurring in 1880. His widow survives. In their family were six children, of whom five are yet living.
E. W. McVay remained at home until he attained his majority and then rented land for a year, at the end of which time he purchased a part of the old homestead in Clay township and began its further development and improvement. After living thereon for a decade
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he sold out and purchased the farm which he now owns and occupies, on sections 11 and 12, Liberty township, comprising three hundred and seventy-seven acres, which was only partially under cultivation. With characteristic energy he undertook the work of converting the entire tract into a rich and productive property and the result of his labors was soon manifest in highly cultivated fields, from which he annually gathers rich harvests. He has ever been practical in his farm work and at the same time has employed progressive methods.
In 1893 Mr. McVay was united in marriage to Miss Valeria Stafford, who was born in Monroe county, Iowa, a daughter of J. C. and Elmira (Hoagland) Stafford, the former a native of Marion county and the latter of Monroe county. The father has passed away but the mother survives and is now residing in Lovilia. In their family were five children, all of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. McVay became the parents of six children: Guy and Mary, both deceased; Mildred F., now attending high school at Lovilia, Iowa; Gladys N .; Edith E. W .; and Jacob P. R.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. McVay belongs also to the Modern Woodmen camp at Tracy, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He has served on the school board, of which he is now the secretary, and he is a stalwart champion of the cause of education. He votes with the republican party but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county and has ever been an interested witness of its growth and development, while through his chosen life work he has contributed much to its agricultural progress.
LOUIS F. BOUSQUET.
Louis F. Bousquet, the capable postmaster of Pella, was born in Ames, Iowa, on the 27th of October, 1876, a son of J. J. and Anna (Vander Linden) Bousquet, both born in the kingdom of the Nether- lands. His paternal grandfather was A. E. D. Bousquet, who in the early 'sos brought his family to the United States and located at Pella. He was the owner of a boat plying upon the Des Moines river. J. J. Bousquet, his son, was a druggist at Ames, Iowa, but in 1880 removed to Pella, where for a number of years he engaged in the produce business. He is still a stockholder in the Pella Creamery Company and is at present bookkeeper for that concern. He is a
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veteran of the Civil war, serving for three years in an Iowa regiment, and his bravery and efficiency won him promotion to the rank of lieutenant. His wife is a daughter of K. Vander Linden, who came to the United States and located at Pella many years ago. He was a farmer by occupation. Both Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Bousquet are mem- bers of the Second Reformed church. They have had four children, ·but one is now deceased. Hattie M. is the wife of Ed E. Egan, a resident of Burlington, Iowa. Louisa died when two years of age. Louis F. is the next in order of birth. Agnes A. is at home.
Louis F. Bousquet received a public-school education and when a youth of about nineteen years started out in life for himself, be- coming a clerk in the postoffice on the ist of July, 1895. He was made assistant postmaster under Dr. B. F. Keables and served in that capacity for two terms. As he began at the bottom and worked up to a position of responsibility, he became thoroughly familiar with all of the details of the office routine and also developed his executive ability and became the logical man for appointment to the post- mastership. On the 14th of February, 1908, he was given charge of the office and was reappointed postmaster in 1912. He is a courteous official as well as a systematic and efficient one, and the people of Pella have had no reason to complain of their mail service under his administration as postmaster.
Mr. Bousquet is a republican and manifests a citizen's interest in public affairs. He is an enthusiastic Mason and has taken the thirty-second degree in that order. He belongs to Pella Lodge, No. 55, F. & A. M. ; the Des Moines Consistory and the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine at Des Moines. He is a Mason in spirit as well as in membership, as his life is guided by the principle of helpfulness and brotherly kind- ness, .which is the foundation teaching of that fraternity.
CAMBRIDGE CULBERTSON.
Cambridge Culbertson has the distinction of having served Knoxville as its mavor for five terms and the record which he has made in office is best attested by his frequent reelection. His service has not been continuous but after his retirement from the position his fellow townsmen, thinking of the excellent work which he had done as the city's chief executive, again called him to the office, in which he is the present incumbent. Efficiency, loyalty and a public
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spirit that subordinates personal aggrandizement to the general wel- fare have been the crowning points in his career as mayor.
Mr. Culbertson was born in Kentucky, May 28, 1845, a son of Cambridge and Charlotte (Jones) Culbertson, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of Tennessee respectively. The paternal grand- father, John Culbertson, was likewise born in the Keystone state and was of Scotch-Irish descent. Three brothers of the name came from the north of Ireland prior to the Revolutionary war and established their home in Pennsylvania, and through the period of hostilities with the mother country the great-grandfather of our subject served as inspector general of the Pennsylvania troops. Both the grand- father and the father of Cambridge Culbertson of this review engaged in the manufacture of pig iron in Pennsylvania. Later the father carried on a similar business in Kentucky and in the late '40S he removed to Ohio, where he continued in the same line of activity to the time of his death.
His son, Cambridge Culbertson, now of Knoxville, acquired a public-school education and also attended a preparatory school in Marietta, Ohio. He afterward learned telegraphy and joined the United States Military Telegraph Corps in 1862, remaining in con- nection therewith until December, 1865. He served with the Army of the Cumberland and later with the Army of the Potomac and at different times was stationed at Cairo, Illinois, Memphis, Vicks- burg, Nashville and Chattanooga. He also started with Sherman on the march to the sea but discontinued ere the coast was reached. He went into the Department of the Potomac with five others and on the 25th of March, 1865, Mr. Culbertson opened an office in the field for General Grant. He sent the dispatches from General Grant that moved the army into Richmond and Petersburg and while at the front he met President Lincoln. He was a cipher operator and it would be impossible to overestimate the worth of his work. Because of the fact that he was sending dispatches continuously he was in touch with every detail of the operations when Lee surren- dered and knew of the surrender long before the news was received in the north. He saw General Lee after he had given over his army to General Grant and says that the intrepid leader of the southern forces was heartbroken. Mr. Culbertson was left at Petersburg and was there when Lincoln was assassinated. He carried the first mes- sage of the news into Petersburg. Later he was transferred to Fort- ress Monroe, where he handled the correspondence relating to the disposal of Jefferson Davis, the orders being transmitted over his wire. Davis was incarcerated at Fortress Monroc and was put in
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irons while in prison for striking his guard, this being done by order of General Miles, but Secretary Stanton had the irons removed, so that he was only left in irons for a few hours. Mr. Culbertson was afterward sent to Memphis, where he remained as telegraph oper- ator until the conditions of civil life were established in December, 1865. He spent the succeeding winter in New Orleans and during the winter of 1866 was in Atlanta. Mr. Culbertson's association with Thomas A. Edison during the Civil war is one of his most pleasant reminiscences. While acting manager of the Cairo office of the tele- graph company he hired young Edison as an operator and from then on they were thrown together and became intimate chums. Thev again met forty years later in New York city at a banquet and reunion of the United States Military Telegraph Society and the occasion was one of mutual pleasure.
After receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Culbertson returned to Ohio and in 1868 went to Missouri, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Marion county, where he engaged in teaching school for several years. In 1892 he established his home in Knox- ville, where he engaged in the real-estate and loan business. His value and popularity as a citizen were indicated in the fact that in the following year he was elected mayor of Knoxville and made such an excellent record that he was reelected for a second term. He resigned, however, in 1896 in order to take charge of the Indus-
trial Home for the Blind, which he superintended until 1900, when it was closed by order of the state legislature. In 1909 he was reelected mayor of Knoxville and in 1910 was appointed supervisor of the census for the seventh congressional district of Iowa. Again he was chosen mayor of the city in 1911 and once more, in 1913, so that he has held the office of mayor for five terms. For a number of years he was chairman of the republican county central com- mittee, but is now a non-partisan, believing in progress in politics as in everything else. He takes great pride in Knoxville and her upbuilding and works untiringly for her benefit.
Mr. Culbertson lost his arm during his service at the front and he is the only man in Iowa who is a pensioner of Andrew Carnegie for his service in the Civil war. There was no provision made by congress for pensions to the Telegraph Corps but in 1897 congress recognized the military telegraph operators by giving to each a cer- tificate of honorable service, which entitled the holder to a Carnegie pension. In 1861 Mr. Carnegie was assistant superintendent of the Pennsylvania Central Railway and, moreover, he was a telegrapher by profession. It was he who received the first order from the gov-
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ernment for four operators for the war and thus was started the United States Telegraph Corps for military service.
In 1880 Mr. Culbertson was married to Miss Mary F. Morris, of this county, a daughter of Andrew J. Morris, and they became the parents of two children: Bunnie Iona, who died at the age of eleven; and Mrs. A. C. West, of Marion county.
Fraternally Mr. Culbertson is connected with the Red Men and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. High and honorable in his purpose, he has never deviated from what his judgment has dictated as right between himself and his fellowmen. There is an utter lack of self- seeking in his official service. At all times he is guided by the high civic spirit which seeks the benefit of the majority, while in social relations he has won many warm friends as the result of his unfeigned cordiality and genuine worth.
H. F. JOHNSON.
Among the men who are prominent factors in the life of Pella is numbered H. F. Johnson, the present mayor of the city and busi- ness manager of Pella's Weekblad, one of the leading papers in the state published in the Dutch language. Mr. Johnson was born in Buffalo, New York, February 18, 1858, a son of Gerrit and Minnie (Van der Berg) Johnson, natives of Holland and Belgium respec- tively. Their marriage was solemnized in Holland and in 1854 they came to this country. They first settled at Buffalo, New York, where the father found employment, but in 1864 the family removed to Iowa and Mr. Johnson purchased a farm near Pella, which he operated until 1881. In that year he retired and lived in well earned comfort and leisure until his death, which occurred on Christmas day, 1896. He survived his wife for many years as she passed away in 1881. They were both members of the Reformed church. To them were born eight children, three of whom survive, namely: Mrs. D. W. Gaass, a resident of Pella; Anthony, who lives in Cres- ton, Iowa; and H. F., of this review. William Gerrit, who lived in New Sharon, died September 17, 1914.
H. F. Johnson attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education during his boyhood and assisted his father with the farm work. He devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until 1880 and then learned the wagonmaker's trade, which he followed for about
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thirteen years. In 1892 he was employed by G. A. Vander Mulen, a hardware merchant, as salesman and collector. Ten years later, in 1902, he opened a hardware store of his own at Pella and con- ducted it until 1904. In that year he bought an interest in Pella's Weekblad and has since been business manager of that publication. He is a man of marked energy and initiative and has given his time and thought to the management of the business interests of the paper with gratifying results. Its circulation has increased and more money has been received from advertisements, while study of the problems of buying and operation has resulted in a saving along those lines without a loss of efficiency.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1884 to Miss Gysie Stavast, a daughter of Henry and Hilleke (Schryvers) Stavast. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born three children: Ella May and Alfred Alonzo, both at home; and Rowland, who died when an infant of one and a half years.
The family belong to the Baptist church. Mr. Johnson is a democrat in politics and his advice is often sought in local political circles. For five years he served as alderman from the second ward, being a member of the city council at two different times. In his second term he was the one who started the movement which resulted in the extension of the water system and in the crection of the elec- tric light plant, both of which are under municipal ownership. For the past two years he has served as mayor of the city and has been the means of instituting several needed improvements. Fraternally he belongs to Pella Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M., and to the Knights of Pythias, in the latter of which he is past chancellor and past prel- ate. Mr. Johnson is known to practically all of the citizens of Pella and the general respect in which he is held is a well deserved tribute to his ability and sterling qualities of character.
SYLVANUS S. NEAL.
Sylvanus S. Neal, who owns and operates a finely improved farm of thirty and one-fourth acres one mile from Knoxville, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of July, 1856, a son of George G. Neal, and received but a limited education as far as book knowledge is concerned but was given a practical training in agriculture which has been of much benefit to him in later years. He has mainly followed the occupation to which he was reared and has
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found it both congenial and profitable. In March, 1886, when about thirty years of age, he went to Kansas and homesteaded land in Hodgeman county, proving up on his claim. He improved his land and resided there until the fall of 1893, when he returned to this county, where he rented land for some time. Desiring to investigate conditions in the west, he then went to Boise, Idaho, where he remained for six months, but in the fall of 1911 he returned to Iowa, locating in Greene county, where he purchased a farm, upon which he resided for a year, when he sold it. In the spring of 1913 he returned to Marion county and located upon his present farm, which he had previously purchased. It was formerly known as the McCoy place and had been used for a nursery. It comprises thirty and one- quarter acres of very productive land and is situated on section 2, Knoxville township. He cultivates it intensively and his unremitting industry and progressive methods enable him to secure a gratifying income from his land.
Mr. Neal was united in marriage on the 27th of November, 1875, to Miss Arah V. Hardin, who was born in Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, July 6, 1854, her parents being C. C. and Lucretia (Morris) Hardin. Her father was a native of Kentucky. He removed to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and later to Greene county, that state, where he was married and where he lived until 1875, in which year he came with his family to this county, locating at Pella. He taught school for many years in both Pennsylvania and Iowa but eventually purchased a farm west of Donnelly, in Knoxville township, and made his home there in his later years. His wife was born and reared at Mount Morris, Greene county, Pennsylvania, her birth occurring on the 8th of August, 1833. Her father, Levi Morris, was a pioneer of that county, and Mount Morris was nanied in his honor. Mrs. Hardin passed away in this county on the 13th of October, 1887. Mrs. Neal has two brothers, B. A. and E. S., both farmers of Knox- ville township. Previous to her marriage she taught school for several terms in Pennsylvania, Kansas and Iowa and was very success- ful in that profession.
To Mr. and Mrs. Neal were born ten children, namely: Charles S., born February 25, 1877, married Miss Myrtle Swaim and is a farmer of this county; L. Myrtle, born October 24, 1878, resides at Des Moines; Nora E., born February 17, 1882, is the wife of H. H. Budka, a commercial traveler of Des Moines; Herbert L., born October 28, 1883, and who married Miss Edith Wilson, by whom he has one child, and is now a farmer of Meridian, Idaho; Maie Morris, born November 2, 1885, is at home; Frances Edna, born October 21,
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1889, is now the wife of Harry E. Roberts, of Boone, Iowa; John Byron, whose birth occurred March 29, 1891, is at home; Archie M., born August 21, 1892, is at home; Laura Isadora, born March 29, 1895, died March 22, 1896; and Blanche Irene, born February 16, 1898, is at home.
Mrs. Neal is a member of the Eden Methodist Episcopal church of Knoxville township. Mr. Neal is a republican and stanchly sup- ports the policies of that party. He has served in a number of local offices and has at all times discharged his duties with circumspection and ability. His life is guided by high and honorable principles of conduct and in all relations he has proven himself a man whom to know is to respect.
ALBERT D. JORDAN.
Among the native sons of Marion county who have continued to reside here, feeling that the opportunities offered in this locality are equal to those to be found elsewhere, is Albert D. Jordan, a farmer and stockman, who owns and operates two hundred acres of land in Knoxville and Franklin townships. He was born in a log house upon the family homestead on the 15th of December, 1862, a son of Fred- erick and Henrietta (Prinikey) Jordan, both of whom have passed away. They were pioneers of this county and aided in the work of improvement and development.
Albert D. Jordan passed his boyhood upon the home farm and received excellent training in agriculture and also learned to value rightly the habits of industry and promptness. When not busy upon the farm he attended school in the neighborhood and thus further fitted himself for the duties of life. In 1873 his parents removed to the place where he now resides and he has lived there continuously since. For many years he has operated it and has made it one of the finely improved properties of the township. It comprises two hun- dred acres of fine land and returns to its owner a good income annually as he is energetic and progressive and follows the most efficient methods in his work.
Mr. Jordan was married in 1893 to Miss Dora Heavner, a daugh- ter of John Heavner, of Knoxville. She was born and reared in this county and passed away here on the 17th of November, 1909, when forty years of age. She left a son and daughter: Dee, thirteen years old ; and Henrietta, nine years of age.
ALBERT D. JORDAN
MRS. ALBERT D. JORDAN
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
Mr. Jordan has always been a supporter of the republican party since attaining his majority and has ably served his district as school director. Although not a member of any church he is especially interested in the work of the Methodist Episcopal denomination and can always be counted upon to further any movement seeking the moral advancement of his community. His life has been filled with useful activity and in achieving personal success he has also contrib- uted to the agricultural development of the county.
JOHN WESLEY MCCLAIN, JR.
John Wesley McClain, Jr., owns and operates a finely improved farm of eighty acres on section 5, Knoxville township, where he has resided since 1902. He was born on a farm just south of his present home on the 4th of April, 1872, a son of John Wesley and Lucinda (Saha) McClain, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. They had seven children, all of whom are still living.
John W. McClain, Jr., was reared in Knoxville township and attended the Lincoln school in the acquirement of an education. During the years of his boyhood and youth he also gained a practical knowledge of agriculture through assisting his father with the work of the homestead and by the time that he was grown he had become an efficient farmer. He has never seen any reason to change his occupation and is today recognized as one of the successful agricul- turists of his township. He not only raises grain but also feeds considerable stock annually and finds both branches of his work profitable. His present farm has been in his possession since 1902 and is in a high state of cultivation, while everything upon the place is kept in a fine condition.
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