USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 19
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On the 16th of September, 1868, Mr. Brobst was united in mar- riage to Miss Artie Hamrick, of Knoxville, her parents being Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hamrick, of Illinois. The father held the office of county recorder for two terms, beginning in 1866, and subsequently served for three terms as county clerk. Mr. and Mrs. Brobst are the parents of three children. Barton H., who is associated in business with his father, wedded Miss Ella McMillan, by whom he has a daughter, Marguerite. Roy E., a jeweler of Knoxville, married Miss
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Mae McGrew, of Hay Springs, Nebraska, by whom he has had two children: Christian, who was killed by accident in July, 1914, when fifteen years of age; and Leslie, at home. Lovetta is the wife of Arthur Hovey, who is engaged in the map publishing business in Knoxville and by whom she has three sons: Donald, Victor and Howard.
Mr. Brobst and all of his family are members of the Methodist church and take a deep and helpful interest in its work, thus con- tributing much to the moral progress of the community. In politics he has ever been a stalwart republican, interested and active in the work of the party and doing all in his power to further its success. He holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains close and pleasant connections with the "boys in blue" who defended the Union during the darkest hour in our country's history. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Knoxville and since 1873 he has been identified with the Odd Fel- lows, holding membership in both the lodge and encampment. In all the relations of life his record has commended him to the confi- dence and good-will of all and wherever he is known he is held in high regard.
JOHN W. KELLY.
John W. Kelly, who owns and operates the homestead on section 21, Knoxville township, was born there on the roth of March, 1882, a son of the late W. A. Kelly, who is mentioned more at length on another page of this work. The subject of this review was reared in Knoxville township and educated in the common schools. Aside from the knowledge of books so gained he received the greater part of his training at home, learning the practical methods of agricul- ture under his father's instruction. Since reaching mature years he has followed farming and stock-raising successfully and his farm of ninety-six acres is finely improved and very productive. He raises both grain and stock, making a specialty of Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle. He is up-to-date and progressive and is very energetic, doing everything at the proper time, and his labors are rewarded by a comfortable income from his farm.
Mr. Kelly married in this county Miss Edna Steele, a daughter of George A. Steele, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this
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work. Two daughters have been born to this union: Mary Flor- ence, a child of five years; and Lois Lucile, about two years old.
Mr. Kelly is a republican in politics. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Knoxville and gives his religious adherence to the Methodist Episcopal church at Mount Olive, which he attends. His life has been in all respects straightforward and honorable and in this county where he has always lived he is highly esteemed and respected and has many warm personal friends.
UDELL HENDRICKS.
Udell Hendricks is a well known cigar manufacturer of Pella and through his own efforts and good management has built up a business of gratifying proportions, operated under the name of the Washtella Cigar Company. He was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on the 26th of March, 1874, and attended the common schools in the acquirement of his education until he was eleven years of age. It was then necessary for him to leave school and earn his own way and he found employment in a cigar factory in his native city. He learned the trade thoroughly and became an expert workman and upon coming to Pella in 1895 started the Washtella Cigar Company, of which he has remained the sole owner. He travels in the interest of his product and has a large trade throughout the state, probably seventy per cent of the output being sold outside of Pella. The busi- ness has grown steadily and he now manufactures six hundred thou- sand cigars yearly, which are made in seven sizes, five selling for five cents each and two with the retail price of ten cents each. The success that Mr. Hendricks has attained is due entirely to his own industry and good judgment as he was early thrown upon his own resources.
In 1898, Mr. Hendricks was married to Miss Byka Brand, a daughter of Nicholas and Mina (Hagans) Brand, who reside upon a farm near Pella. To Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks have been born three children, Verna, Logan Brand and Laurel Dell. Mr. Hen- dricks is a democrat but has never desired office, his business affairs demanding his entire attention. He is a loyal member of Pella Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M., and of Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, and also belongs to Pella Lodge, No. 270, K. P. He does not belong to any church but has found in his lodge affiliations that emphasis
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upon mutual service and helpfulness and that acknowledgment of a supreme power that constitutes the essence of any real religion. In his daily life he has been kind and just and has won the respect of those who have been brought in contact with him.
FRANK CARRUTHERS.
Frank Carruthers, who founded and is the president of the Columbia Savings Bank of Columbia, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, January 3, 1850, a son of Lemuel and Margaret ( Phillips) Carruthers, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. In 1854 they arrived in this county and cast in their lot with the early settlers who came to this district when it was still a frontier region. They took up their abode in Washington township upon a farm which Mr. Carruthers entered as a claim from the government and he also bought out two other men. For a time he lived in a log cabin and the family experienced all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but later these gave way before the advantages of civilization. The family resided in this county for a long period and here Mrs. Carruthers passed away, but Mr. Carruthers afterward went to the Indian Territory, where his death occurred. In the family were nine children, but only two are now living.
Frank Carruthers remained at home until he attained his majority and afterward he worked at the carpenter's trade for a number of years. Subsequently he took up the occupation of farming and stock- raising and so carefully and wisely directed his efforts in that con- nection that he won a substantial measure of success. In 1902 he organized the bank of Columbia known as the Columbia Savings Bank and became the president, with his daughter, Miss Claudie Carruthers, as the cashier. The institution has prospered from the beginning and has proven of great convenience to the townspeople and farmers of this locality in the transaction of their business. Mr. Carruthers is still one of the extensive landowners of the county, his possessions aggregating ten hundred and sixty-five acres of land in Washington and Indiana townships, from which he derives a very gratifying annual income. He gives general supervision to his farms and his investments have been most judiciously made.
In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Carruthers and Mrs. Mary E. (Rudisill) Stauts, who was born in Virginia and is a daughter of John and Elisheba (Johnson) Rudisill, who about the year 1856
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came with their family to Iowa and settled in Lucas county, where the father entered a claim from the government and began the devel- opment of a farm. He continued the cultivation of that place until his death. His widow afterward went to Nebraska and there passed away, but her remains were brought back to Iowa for interment by the side of her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Carruthers have been born seven children: Claudie, who is now acting as cashier in the bank; Erma, who is now in business in Des Moines; Chauncey, deceased ; Louis, who is a resident of Colorado; and Frankie, Marion and Dwight, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Carruthers is an earnest republican, voting for the men and measures of the party and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as township trustee and in other local offices and has also been school director. He stands at all times for progress and improvement in public affairs. He is a forceful and resourceful man and has led an active, busy and useful life. His plans are well formulated and car- ried forward to successful completion and as the years have gone on his labors have brought to him a most gratifying measure of success, which is the direct and merited reward of earnest, persistent labor guided by intelligence.
W. H. STROUD.
W. H. Stroud is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Marion county that was established here about two-thirds of a century ago. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his attention throughout his entire business career, and he is now the owner of a well improved farm comprising eighty acres on section 17, Clay township. His birth occurred in this county on the 27th of November, 1882, his parents being W. L. and Mary C. (Hender- son) Stroud, natives of Tennessee and Ohio respectively. The father still owns the land in Marion county that was entered from the gov- ernment by the paternal grandfather of our subject in 1849. For several years the family lived in a log cabin, experiencing all the hardships and privations of pioneer existence. W. L. Stroud has remained a resident of this county throughout the intervening period of sixty-five years and is well known and highly esteemed as one of its representative agriculturists and esteemed early settlers. To him and his wife were born six children, five of whom still survive.
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W. H. Stroud attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty- three years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. He then took up his abode upon the tract of eighty acres on section 17, Clay township, which he now owns and operates, car- rying on general farming and stock-raising with excellent success. The place presents a neat and attractive appearance and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
In 1905 Mr. Stroud was united in marriage to Miss Jessie A. Gregory, a daughter of T. R. and Sarah S. (Rose) Gregory, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Stroud have three children, namely: Merle C., Marion and Dorothy.
Mr. Stroud gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now serving as a school director, being ever a stalwart champion of the cause of education. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. In the community where his entire life has been spent he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance, and his record there- fore cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. He is a young and enterprising agriculturist whose untiring industry and able management insure continued and growing success.
FRANK CLOE.
Frank Cloe, a well known general farmer and stock-raiser resid- ing on section 15, Knoxville township, is a native son of that town- ship, born May 1, 1860, and a son of James H. and Theresa (Con- rey) Cloe. The father was born on the 2d of February, 1827, in Clark county, Kentucky, and when a small boy was taken by his parents to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he lived until 1849. In that year he came to Iowa and entered land in this county soon after his arrival here. He had previously visited this state in 1844. He located upon his property in 1852 and lived there until the spring of 1887. He was the owner of what is known as the Spring Hill Stock Farm, which he operated successfully from the spring of 1865 until 1885. He was the first breeder of shorthorn cattle here and shipped the first carload of fat cattle from Marion county to the eastern markets. In 1887 he removed to Rawlins county, Kansas,
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where he engaged in the feed, flour and live stock business at Blake- man, and he passed away in the Sunflower state on the 17th of March, 1904, when past seventy-seven years of age. While living in Illinois he made several trips on flat boats to New Orleans and back, going down the Ohio to its junction with the Mississippi and thence to the Crescent city. He was also for a time foreman of a department in a packing house at Vincennes, Indiana. His life work, however, was that of a stock raiser and shipper and he was well known in that connection. He was a republican in political belief and in 1880 was elected county treasurer, serving his term with credit to himself. For ten years he was president of the Marion County Agricultural Society and during that time the organization did much to further the interests of the farmers of the county. In 1851 he became a Mason and attained the chapter degrees. He was a member of the Christian church and guided his life by its teach- ings.
James H. Cloe was married three times, his first union being with Miss Elizabeth Keenan, who became his wife in 1852 and she passed away four years later, leaving a daughter, Charlotte, who is now the wife of James Rice, a resident of Nebraska. Later Mr Cloe wedded Miss Theresa Conrey, who was born in Ohio or Illinois and was a daughter of John Conrey, one of the pioneers of Marion county, lowa. He was prominent in public affairs and was a dele- gate to the constitutional convention from this county. Mrs. Theresa Cloe died in February, 1874, in the faith of the Christian church. She left seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest. The others are: Mrs. Amanda Masteller, a resident of Cen- terville, lowa; Edward, of Alliance, Nebraska; James, living in Blakeman, Kansas; John, who is a resident of Fremont county, Iowa; Sylvia, deceased; and Bertha, now Mrs. D. O. Bye, of Alli- ance, Nebraska. Mr. Cloe's third union was with Miss Elizabeth McKern, who died leaving two children: Ansel, of Alliance, Nebraska; and Alma, now Mrs. Frank Craig, of Knoxville town- ship, this county.
Frank Cloe passed the days of his boyhood and youth in this township and was a student in Professor McKee's Academy at Knox- ville, thus acquiring a good education. He followed in the steps of his father, becoming a stockman, and shipped cattle extensively from this county and western lowa for ten years, or until 1889. At that time he was elected sheriff of Marion county on the republican ticket and devoted his entire attention to the duties of that office. Since his term expired he has engaged in general farming and in the stock Vol. II-13
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business. He owns two hundred and forty acres of excellent land on section 15, Knoxville township, where he has resided for the past fourteen years and has made a number of improvements thereon. He has excellent business judgment and manages well his affairs and, as he understands the principles underlying agriculture and is an excellent judge of stock, his activities yield him a good return annually.
Mr. Cloe was married in March, 1884, to Miss Clara B. Wilson, a daughter of Thomas Wilson, who is living at Knoxville at the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Cloe was born in this county and has passed her entire life here. To her marriage with the subject of this review have been born two children. Carl W., an attorney of Knoxville, is a graduate of the State University of Iowa and of the Chicago University Law School and was admitted to the bar of Iowa in October, 1914. While attending the State University of Iowa he was captain of Company E of the Iowa cadets there and was for four years a member of the National Guard of Iowa. Rhea Lucile is at home. She studied music at Drake University, Des Moines, at the State University of Nebraska at Lincoln and for one semester at the State University of Wisconsin at Madison and has taught piano.
The family are members of the Christian church of Pleasant Ridge, Knoxville township, and are of much help in carrying on the church work. Mr. Cloe is a Knight Templar Mason, holding his membership in the commandery at Knoxville, and his son is also a member of the craft. His daughter belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and to a sorority of Knoxville. Mr. Cloe has consist- ently supported the republican party at the polls since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He is one of the substantial residents of his town- ship and in the private relations of life and as a citizen has measured up to high standards of manhood.
DANIEL A. McTAGGART.
For the past seventeen years Daniel A. McTaggart has lived retired at Knoxville but for many years was actively engaged as a farmer and stockman. He has lived in Marion county since 1864 and is widely known and highly respected. He was born in Wash- ington county, Ohio, in 1846, a son of Neil and Catherine (Loyn-
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achan) McTaggart, who were born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and came to America in their youth, settling in Washington county, Ohio, where they were married. The father followed farming there until 1864, when he removed to this county, where he likewise devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. He died here in 1894, when eighty-three years of age. The mother passed away in Ohio while still young. Both were Presbyterians but the father in his later life became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To their union were born nine children, of whom four sons survive, the broth- ers of our subject being: A. H., a resident of Illinois; and E. D. and E. H., both living in Omaha, Nebraska.
Daniel A. McTaggart was reared and educated in Ohio and there learned approved methods of agriculture under the instruction of his father. He accompanied the latter to this county in 1864, when a youth of eighteen years, and has since resided here. After his marriage, which occurred in 1871, he purchased a tract of land eight miles east of Knoxville, paying twelve dollars and a half per acre. He began with limited resources but as he worked industri- ously, managed his business affairs well and saved something every year, he prospered financially and from time to time added to his land until he eventually became one of the substantial residents of the county. He still owns four hundred acres of land in Knoxville and Clay townships and owns his fine residence in the city of Knox- ville, which he erected himself, and also has other residence prop- erty in the city.
Mr. McTaggart was married in 1871 to Miss Louisa J. Harsin, who was born in this county, April 17, 1851, a daughter of G. W. and Emily ( Iler) Harsin. Her father was born and reared in Ken- tucky but in 1843 came to this county and took up a claim two miles north of the present site of Durham and nine miles east of Knoxville. His farm comprised some three hundred acres of land. He resided there until his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was seventy- two years of age. His enterprise is indicated by the fact that in order to be able to do business with the Dutch colony in this county he assisted the Rev. Mr. Scholte and learned the Dutch language from him. Mr. Harsin was a Methodist in his religious belief, as was his wife, who was of English descent and died November 30, 1914. at eighty-five years of age. Her memory was unimpaired and she was remarkably active for one of her years. In the Harsin family were five children including Mrs. McTaggart, the others being: F. M., of Rocky Ford, Colorado; G. G., of Nampa, Idaho; J. D., living near Durham, this county; and Minnie, who resides in Knoxville. Mrs.
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McTaggart was reared in this county and was a school teacher for a number of years. She and her sisters were taught to card wool and also to spin and weave, an accomplishment rare in this day. Mr. and Mrs. McTaggart have two children: Blanche, who is at home and is teaching school in Knoxville; and Katie, also at home.
Mr. McTaggart is a republican and is keenly interested in mat- ters of public concern. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife and daughters are members of the Rebekahs. His residence, which is at No. 702 Roche street, is one of the commodious and well designed homes of Knoxville and is a frequent meeting place for the many friends of the family. The parents and daughters are all identified with the forces that make for civic advancement and the welfare of the community and are esteemed by all who know them.
W. H. LOWMAN.
W. H. Lowman, cashier of the Bussey Savings Bank, has made good use of his time, talents and opportunities and has thereby steadily advanced since starting out in business life on his own account. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, near Galesburg, on the 17th of April, 1864, and is a son of William and Martha ( Rolfe) Lowman. In the spring of 1875 the family arrived in lowa, settling first in Mahaska county, where the mother passed away about twenty years ago. The father, however, still survives.
W. H. Lowman was reared in that county and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. In 1908 he came to Marion county to assume his present position as cashier of the Bussey Savings Bank and has here since remained, covering a period of six years. This bank was organized on the 7th of October, 1907, its founders and original stockholders being H. P. Way, R. M. Boyer, James A. Bussey, W. H. Lowman and Dr. J. W. Anderson. The bank was capitalized for twenty thou- sand dollars and the first officers were: James A. Bussey, president; R. M. Boyer, vice president; and W. H. Lowman, cashier. No change has been made on the official board since. The present bank building was completed in the fall of 1914, on the same site as the original home of the institution, and it is one of the finest bank build- ings to be seen in any of the smaller towns of the state, being well appointed and thoroughly equipped. Mr. Lowman, like his fellow
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officers, has made a study of banking conditions and he is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business, his efforts contributing largely to the success of the institution.
In December, 1884, Mr. Lowman was united in marriage to Miss Belle Havener, a daughter of John and Harriett Havener, who took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Mahaska county in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Lowman have four children, namely: Fred, Frank, Nellie and Floyd.
Mr. Lowman is in no sense a politician but gives his political support to the democratic party and takes a general interest in public affairs, cooperating heartily in many plans and movements which have resulted beneficially to the community. He is a Mason, belong- ing to the lodge and to the Eastern Star, and he also has membership with the Woodmen of the World. During the period of his residence in Bussey he has become widely and favorably known, and the circle of his friends is constantly broadening as the circle of his acquaintance .increases.
J. H. FITZGERALD.
On the list of those who have passed away but who during active life were numbered among the most worthy citizens in Marion county, taking part in its pioneer development and in its later prog- ress, was J. H. Fitzgerald, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, September 29, 1828. His parents were Jesse and Sarah (Taggart) Fitzgerald. The family became residents of Black Hawk county, Iowa, about 1845 and some years later removed to Marion county, where the parents spent their remaining days. At length, called to their final rest, their remains were interred in one of the cemeteries of this county.
J. H. Fitzgerald spent his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and his training was that of the energetic farm lad who is taught the value of industry and perseverance. In his youthful days much of the farm work that is now done by machinery was accom- plished by hand and his youth was a period of earnest and unremit- ting toil. He always followed the occupation to which he was reared and at one time was the owner of one hundred and fifteen acres of rich and productive land, which he carefully cultivated and im- proved, making it a valuable farm.
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On the Ist of August, 1858, Mr. Fitzgerald was united in mar- riage to Miss Henrietta Lemmon, a daughter of Elias and Catherine Lemmon, who were pioneers of this county, coming here in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald became the parents of eight children, J. D., Elias, Charles, John, Jane, Henry, Sarah and Alice. Of this number four are still living, Elias, John, Sarah and Henry having passed away.
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