USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 20
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Mr. Fitzgerald was a republican in his political views and kept informed concerning the questions and issues of the day but did not seek nor desire office, his entire time being given to his farm work. He was, however, interested in public affairs that pertained to the improvement and upbuilding of the community and was recognized as a public-spirited citizen. He served as a school director and the cause of education found in him a stalwart friend. He guided his life by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church and was honored wherever known. His widow, who was born November 1, 1834, and has therefore reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey, still survives and since the death of her husband, which occurred on the 12th of September, 1902, she has removed to Attica, where she is now living.
W. H. FOWLER.
W. H. Fowler has done as much as any other man to advance the business and commercial interests of Pella and in many other ways has left his impress upon the life of the city. He is the owner and manager of the Fowler Telephone Company and for a number of years owned the electric light plant which supplies the city with light and power, and is the president of the Pella Commercial Club, which he organized in 1908 and which has since been a leading factor in the development of the city. Mr. Fowler was born in England in 1874, a son of Frederick and Ann (Ayers) Fowler, who in 1884 took their family to Canada.
Mr. Fowler of this review remained in that country until he was a youth of eighteen years and then, in 1892, came to Pella, Iowa. For seven years he attended the Central University of Iowa, which is located here. Shortly after leaving school, or in 1900, he organized the Fowler Telephone Company. While still a boy in his teens he had mechanical experience in Montreal in connection with fire
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alarms and in the employ of railroads, and this had given him an insight into that line of work and also proved that he possessed con- siderable mechanical skill and ingenuity. His undoubted executive ability, however, has been the determining factor in his marked suc- cess as a promoter. The Fowler Telephone Company was the first telephone company in Pella and started with twenty telephones. Mr. Fowler himself installed the equipment and for a time did practically all of the work of the company. In 1900 the first rural line was put up and extended fourteen miles, serving six telephones. The first farmer who subscribed for a telephone was seven miles from the city and considerable difficulty was experienced in securing the other five. At the end of the first year there were sixty telephones installed altogether, but six of these were in the country. For the first five years the growth was slow but at the end of that time the value of the system was apparent to all and the number of telephones in use increased rapidly. At present there are nine hundred subscribers, over half of whom are farmers. The company has one hundred miles of line, thirty of which is toll line. In the past three years all of the wires serving business telephones have been put under ground, thus lessening the danger from live wires and increasing the beauty of the city streets. The company now has a force of eight regular employees besides those whose services it requires at especially busy times. In 1914 the company was incorporated by Mr. Fowler. The first office was at the corner of Main and Franklin streets, but in 1909 the headquarters were removed to a fine brick building at No. 713 Main street.
For four years Mr. Fowler owned the local electric light plant, but abandoned that enterprise when the city opened a municipal plant. In 1911 he organized the Pella Commercial Club and has since served as its president. In the past three years the club has raised over ten thousand dollars for the advancement of the city's interests and conducted a vigorous campaign of advertising, doing all in its power to secure new industries for the city and to stimulate the growth of those already here. It originated the "White Way" picnic, held in 1913, which brought fifteen thousand people to Pella and which presented the attractions of the city in a most effective manner. Many of the visitors came in automobiles and it was esti- mated that there were one thousand cars in the city from outside. The organization has sixty members, comprising the majority of the up-to-date and progressive business men of the city, and its achieve- ments since its reorganization are but a small factor of the things it hopes to accomplish for Pella.
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On the 20th of January, 1914, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage with Miss Otha W. Stephenson, of Des Moines, a daughter of Dr. H. M. Stephenson, of Perry, Iowa. Mr. Fowler is a republican in his political belief and shares that new civic conscience which makes for a general interest in the affairs of government and the securing of efficiency in the management of public affairs. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has taken the thirty- second degree. He holds membership in Pella Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M .; Des Moines Consistory, No. 3; and Za-Ga-Zig Temple, Order of Mystic Shrine. Mr. Fowler is widely known not only in the city of Pella, but throughout the entire county and his ability as an orator, executive and financier is universally conceded, while his splendid qualities of character have won him many sincere and loval friends.
JAMES W. NORRIS.
The fine condition of his farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 11, Union township, indicates the energy and good man- agement of James W. Norris, a well known agriculturist of this county. He pays considerable attention to the raising of stock and has registered animals at the head of his herd. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1872, a son of Charles T. and Minnie (McMaster) Norris. The father was born in Dela- ware county in 1841 and the mother, who was a native of the same county, was born in 1846. They were married in the Buckeye state and came to lowa in 1874, settling in Harrison county. They sub- sequently removed to Oklahoma and thence to the state of Wash- ington, where they now live. To their union were born eight children, the subject of this review being the fourth in order of birth. All are living save one. The father fought for two or three years in the Civil war as a member of the Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was honorably discharged at the end of that time as he had been crippled in the service.
James W. Norris was brought to lowa by his parents when but two and one-half years old and was educated in Monona county, first attending the country schools and later the Onawa high school. At the age of twenty-one his father admitted him to partnership in the operation of the home farm and when twenty-six years of age he was married to Miss Wanda Teter, a daughter of Samuel and Mary
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(Harriett) Teter, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Her father was born in Union township, this county, in October, 1855, and her mother in Ohio. They were married in Iowa and all of their children were born in the same house in this county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Teter are still living. Mrs. Norris is the second in order of birth in their family of eight and her natal day was June 1, 1881. The family subsequently removed to Kansas, where she was educated. She was married to Mr. Norris in Oklahoma in 1899 and they resided there for four years and for two years made their home in Kansas.
In 1905 they came to this county and Mr. Norris purchased the farm which he now owns and operates. He has made all of the improvements upon the place and it is one of the well developed and valuable farms of the county. He follows general farming and raises a high grade of stock, having registered animals at the head of his herd. He is a democrat in his political belief and is much inter- ested in all that pertains to the public welfare. The sincerity of his life and the uprightness of his purpose have gained him the respect and esteem of all who have been brought in contact with him.
WILLIAM G. VANDER PLOEG.
William G. Vander Ploeg is a member of the Knoxville bar and in the practice of his profession has won a degree of success that many an older attorney might well envy. Marion county claims him as a native son, his birth having here occurred on the 27th of December, 1881, his parents being Ruard and Pietje (Terpstra) Vander Ploeg, the former a native of Holland and the latter of New York. The paternal grandfather, Dirk Vander Ploeg, brought the family to the new world in 1854 and the following year the father of our subject arrived in Marion county, where he followed the occupation of farming for many years but is now living retired, making his home in Pella.
William G. Vander Ploeg is one of a family of ten children, of whom eight are yet living. He was reared in the Holland settle- ment near Pella and acquired a public-school education, after which he continued his studies in the Central College at Pella. Having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, he became a student in the State University and was graduated from the law department with the class of 1903. He then located for practice at
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Pella, where he remained until January, 1911, when he removed to Knoxville and opened an office. He continues in the general prac- tice of law and is a strong and able member of the bar, preparing his cases with thoroughness, presenting his cause with clearness and exactness and when necessary citing precedent and principle with accuracy.
On the 21st of September, 1911, Mr. Vander Ploeg was united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. Cox, of Pella, her parents being J. M. and Luella Cox. Mr. Vander Ploeg holds membership in Pella Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M., in Tadmor Chapter, R. A. M., of Knoxville, and Melita Commandery, K. T., exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he keeps well versed on the questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He is a young man of genuine personal worth, his life being guided by high and honorable principles in both professional and social relations.
JAMES M. AMOS.
For the past twenty years James M. Amos has been identified with the business life of Knoxville and is now the proprietor of a large livery and sales stable, having upon an average forty-five horses of his own in the stable. Altogether he owns seventy-five horses. He has an ambulance, runs a bus and transfer line and is prepared for furnishing cabs for funerals. Mr. Amos was born in Union town- ship on the 30th of September, 1852, a son of Pleasant and Celia A. (Ballard) Amos, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Indiana. The father came with his parents to Marion county in the late 'Los and his father, who passed away in this county, was among the first settlers to secure land. Pleasant Amos, who was a farmer of Union township, died in 1854 when only twenty-eight years of age. His widow, who was born in Indiana, married the second time, becoming the wife of John Butcher, by whom she had eight children, six sons and two daughters, but only two sons survive, namely: Richard, living near Indianola, Iowa; and Osa, of Swan township, this county, residing upon the old home place. The mother is still living in Knoxville and is in good health, although about eighty years of age.
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James M. Amos was the only child born to his parents and was reared in Union township. As the schools in pioneer days only lasted a few months in the winter and as he was compelled to spend most of his time in assisting with the work at home, his education was some- what limited. After his marriage he farmed in Union township for a number of years, but for the past twenty years he has lived in Knox- ville. For two years he was deputy sheriff and subsequently was elected sheriff of the county, receiving all but three votes in his town- ship irrespective of party. The nomination came to him unsolicited and was a tribute to his fitness for the office. His service was so acceptable that he was reelected, serving in all four years as sheriff. For nine years he dealt in stock, buying and shipping a large number of animals annually. He buys horses and has sold many fine animals at public sale. In addition to the buying and selling of horses and the renting of horses and vehicles by the hour or day, he runs a bus and transfer line, a dray line, and also does hospital work. He gives especial attention to furnishing horses and the necessary vehicles for funerals and his service is always satisfactory. All of these various phases of his business are well managed and yield him a profit annually.
In 1871 Mr. Amos was married to Miss Mary A. Davis, who was born and reared in Union township. Her parents were Phillip and Esther Davis, early settlers of that township, both of whom are deceased. Two sisters of Mrs. Amos reside in this county, Mrs. S. O. Harmon and Mrs. Harry Cooper. To Mr. and Mrs. Amos have been born three children: Mellcena, who married Charles Bridges and died September 22, 1900; Mrs. James Cunningham, residing at Knoxville, where Mr. Cunningham owns a billiard and poolroom; and Connard D., living in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he is in the wholesale fruit business. The last named married Miss Sophronia Bitzel, a native of Marion county, and they have become parents of three children, the oldest of whom died in infancy. Those living are Mary Adla and Elizabeth Josephine.
Mrs. Amos is a Methodist and takes great interest in the work of the church. Mr. Amos has supported the measures and candidates of the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has for many years taken an active part in politics. For twelve years he was justice of the peace in Union township and for nine years served as trustee of that township. As previously stated, he was for two years deputy sheriff of the county and for two terms sheriff. In all of his official connections he has proved as faithful to trust and as upright as in his private life. Fraternally he
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is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His business integrity is above question and his personal honor is unimpeachable, and the respect in which he is held by his fellowmen is fully merited.
CHRISTOPHER C. SHARON.
Christopher C. Sharon, a carpenter and builder of Attica, who for an extended period has been actively identified with building operations in Indiana township, was born in Brown county, Illinois, May 17, 1848, a son of Ira B. and Maria (Probosco) Sharon, who were natives of Kentucky and New Jersey respectively. The father's birth occurred in the former state July 26, 1827, and they were mar- ried in Illinois on the 11th of March, 1847. In 1853 they removed to lowa, settling in Hamilton, Liberty township, Marion county. There they lived until 1875, when they took up their abode in Attica, where their remaining days were passed. The father died in Janu- ary, 1912, having long survived his wife, who passed away Decem- ber 7, 1883. In November, 1884, he was again married, his second union being with Perlina Cooley. By his first marriage there were seven children: C. C .; William Kendrick; Ollie; Robert Alonzo; a twin of Robert who died unnamed; John, deceased; and Thomas, who died at the age of ten months.
Ira B. Sharon followed carpentering and also engaged in farm- ing on a small scale. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and very handy with tools of all kinds. He indorsed the republican party at the time of the Civil war, previous to which he had been a democrat. Thereafter he remained a stalwart champion of the party which was the defense of the Union during the darkest hour in our country's history. He served as constable of Hamilton and as justice of the peace in Attica. When the country needed his aid he promptly responded and became second sergeant of Company D, Thirty-sixth lowa Infantry, with which he remained for three years, taking part in a number of hotly contested engagements. He was honorably dis- charged at Duval's Bluff, Arkansas, after which he returned to his home, where he remained until his death. His religious faith was that of the Christian church, in which he held membership.
Christopher C. Sharon was educated in an old log schoolhouse in Hamilton and when sixteen years of age he, too, was stirred by the spirit of patriotism and enlisted in the same company and regiment
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to which his father belonged, joining the army in March, 1864. He was at the front for a year and a half and was held for a time as a prisoner of war at Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas. When hostilities were over he returned home and for three years was employed as a farm hand. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed. For a year just after leaving the army he devoted his time to farming on his own account. He thoroughly understands building principles and all the practical phases of the trade and he has met with substantial success in carrying on business along that line.
In December, 1870, Mr. Sharon was married to Miss Lucinda Dunkin, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Sargent) Dunkin. They have become the parents of four children : Rose, the widow of Clarence Smith; Gertrude, who died at the age of one year; Albert; and Seth. Mr. Sharon is a republican in his political views and is generally interested in public affairs, his influence always being found on the side of progress and improvement. He has served as township clerk, but has never been active as an office seeker. In matters of citi- zenship, however, he is as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields.
HARRY H. CONREY.
Harry H. Conrey, a well known contractor and builder of Knox- ville, is a native of this city, born on the 25th of February, 1868. His parents, George W. and Emily F. (Harding) Conrey, were natives of Hamilton county, Ohio, and Indiana respectively. The father came to this county in 1854, settling at Spring Hill upon a farm, where he lived for some years. He returned to Ohio and resided there for a time but came again to this county, where he lived until his death, which occurred when he was forty-five years of age. He was a carpenter by trade. The mother came to Marion county with her parents when a young girl and was here married. She is living in Knoxville at the age of seventy years. She became the mother of two sons and a daughter, but the subject of this review is the only one living. After the death of Mr. Conrey she was again married, but her second husband has also passed away.
Harry H. Conrey was educated in the public schools of Knox- ville and learned the carpenter's trade in his youth. Although the greater part of his life has been devoted to following his trade, he
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is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His business integrity is above question and his personal honor is unimpeachable, and the respect in which he is held by his fellowmen is fully merited.
CHRISTOPHER C. SHARON.
Christopher C. Sharon, a carpenter and builder of Attica, who for an extended period has been actively identified with building operations in Indiana township, was born in Brown county, Illinois, May 17, 1848, a son of Ira B. and Maria ( Probosco) Sharon, who were natives of Kentucky and New Jersey respectively. The father's birth occurred in the former state July 26, 1827, and they were mar- ried in Illinois on the 11th of March, 1847. In 1853 they removed to Iowa, settling in Hamilton, Liberty township, Marion county. There they lived until 1875, when they took up their abode in Attica, where their remaining days were passed. The father died in Janu- ary, 1912, having long survived his wife, who passed away Decem- ber 7, 1883. In November, 1884, he was again married, his second union being with Perlina Cooley. By his first marriage there were seven children: C. C .; William Kendrick; Ollie; Robert Alonzo; a twin of Robert who died unnamed; John, deceased ; and Thomas, who died at the age of ten months.
Ira B. Sharon followed carpentering and also engaged in farm- ing on a small scale. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and very handy with tools of all kinds. He indorsed the republican party at the time of the Civil war, previous to which he had been a democrat. Thereafter he remained a stalwart champion of the party which was the defense of the Union during the darkest hour in our country's history. He served as constable of Hamilton and as justice of the peace in Attica. When the country needed his aid he promptly responded and became second sergeant of Company D, Thirty-sixth lowa Infantry, with which he remained for three years, taking part in a number of hotly contested engagements. He was honorably dis- charged at Duval's Bluff, Arkansas, after which he returned to his home, where he remained until his death. His religious faith was that of the Christian church, in which he held membership.
Christopher C. Sharon was educated in an old log schoolhouse in Hamilton and when sixteen years of age he, too, was stirred by the spirit of patriotism and enlisted in the same company and regiment
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to which his father belonged, joining the army in March, 1864. He was at the front for a year and a half and was held for a time as a prisoner of war at Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas. When hostilities were over he returned home and for three years was employed as a farm hand. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed. For a year just after leaving the army he devoted his time to farming on his own account. He thoroughly understands building principles and all the practical phases of the trade and he has met with substantial success in carrying on business along that line.
In December, 1870, Mr. Sharon was married to Miss Lucinda Dunkin, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Sargent) Dunkin. They have become the parents of four children : Rose, the widow of Clarence Smith ; Gertrude, who died at the age of one year; Albert; and Seth. Mr. Sharon is a republican in his political views and is generally interested in public affairs, his influence always being found on the side of progress and improvement. He has served as township clerk, but has never been active as an office seeker. In matters of citi- zenship, however, he is as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields.
HARRY H. CONREY.
Harry H. Conrey, a well known contractor and builder of Knox- ville, is a native of this city, born on the 25th of February, 1868. His parents, George W. and Emily F. (Harding) Conrey, were natives of Hamilton county, Ohio, and Indiana respectively. The father came to this county in 1854, settling at Spring Hill upon a farm, where he lived for some years. He returned to Ohio and resided there for a time but came again to. this county, where he lived until his death, which occurred when he was forty-five years of age. He was a carpenter by trade. The mother came to Marion county with her parents when a young girl and was here married. She is living in Knoxville at the age of seventy years. She became the mother of two sons and a daughter, but the subject of this review is the only one living. After the death of Mr. Conrey she was again married, but her second husband has also passed away.
Harry H. Conrey was educated in the public schools of Knox- ville and learned the carpenter's trade in his youth. Although the greater part of his life has been devoted to following his trade, he
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farmed for a number of years in this county and also for some time in Nebraska. Since 1911 he has concentrated his energies upon con- tracting and building and has erected a number of the better houses in Knoxville. He is not only himself an excellent and painstaking workman, but also requires that all men in his employ be skillful and conscientious in their work. He is very efficient in his business ; erects a building that will endure for many years and completes it at the time stipulated in the contract. His energy and ability have made him widely known and he has prospered financially.
Mr. Conrey married Miss Lola Collins, a niece of La Fayette Collins, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To this union three children have been born: Forest, Frances and Fred, all in school. The eldest is a native of Nebraska and the others of Knox- ville. Mrs. Conrey is a member of the Christian church, while the children attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Conrey is a republican in his political belief and has served as a member of the city council. Fraternally he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order and his wife is a Rebekah. Their residence, which is at No. 421 First street, is com- modious and well planned and friends of the family often meet there. Mr. Conrey has transacted business with many, but there is no one who can accuse him of unjust treatment, as he invariably lives up to the highest standards of business ethics and deals justly with all.
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