USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 21
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C. N. BOS, M. D.
For the past nine years Dr. C. N. Bos has been engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in Pella and in that time has become recognized as one of the leaders in his profession in the city. He was born in Chicago in 1876, a son of N. K. and Jennie ( Klooster) Bos, natives of The Netherlands. In 1872 they crossed the Atlantic and upon landing in this country made their way direct to Chicago, where they located. The father had been a gardener and dairyman in his native land and in 1887 he removed to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he continued to engage in those occupations and where he and his wife still live.
Dr. Bos was given excellent educational advantages. As a boy and youth he attended the public schools of Chicago and later took a course in the Athenaeum Business College of that city. Upon decid- ing to make the practice of medicine his life work he entered the
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Medical College of the Northwestern University, which is also located in Chicago, and received his professional degree from that institution in 1904. Hc desired to make thorough preparation before entering upon independent practice and so served for nineteen months as interne at the Iowa State Hospital, located at Independence. In 1905 he came to Pella and has since been engaged in active practice here. He is an able and conscientious physician and has won the con- fidence of both the general public and his colleagues. He takes a personal interest in his patients' recovery and has been very successful in his treatment of various diseases, relieving where it has been impos- sible to effect a permanent curc. Hc is a member of the state and county medical societies and of the American Medical Association and thus keeps informed as to what other members of the profession are doing. In 1913 he took a course at the Illinois Post Graduate Medical College, in Chicago, and he is constantly striving to learn more of the science and practice of medicine and to give his patients the benefit of the latest discoveries and most improved methods of treatment.
On the 15th of June, 1905, Dr. Bos was married to Miss Emma Grace Chase, of Anna, Illinois, a daughter of Charles Chase, and to this union have been born two sons, Myron and Howard. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Second Reformed church. He is a progressive in politics, as he believes that that party has the most comprehensive and wisest plan for securing that social justice and permanent prosperity which is the desire of all right-thinking men. He is always willing to assist in any way within his power in movements that seek the welfare of Pella and has thoroughly identi- fied himself with the interests of the city.
JOHN McMILLAN.
John McMillan, who is a successful farmer of Marion county, was born March 24, 1867, in Clay township, this county, a son of T. T. McMillan, a well known general merchant of Durham. Our subject grew to manhood in his native township and received his education in the district schools. Upon reaching years of maturity he decided to make agricultural pursuits his life work and is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-three acres of fine land in this county. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and as his
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methods are progressive and his industry untiring he is meeting with marked success.
Mr. McMillan was married on the 23d of January, 1895, to Miss Nora A. Parsons, a daughter of Handy and Easter Parsons. Mr. McMillan gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is never remiss in any of the duties of citizenship. He is an enthusi- astic member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and finds the guiding rule of his life in the teaching of that order, that men are brothers and that a fraternal spirit should govern their relations with each other. His ability as an agriculturist is conceded by all and the number of his friends leaves no doubt as to his attractive social qualities and the integrity of his character.
JOSEPH W. FINARTY, M. D.
Dr. Joseph W. Finarty has been a prominent general practitioner of medicine in Knoxville for many years and holds the confidence of the public and of his professional colleagues. He was born in Mason county, Virginia, on the 16th of January, 1848, a son of Joseph and Emily (Day) Finarty, both likewise natives of the Old Dominion. As his father died on the 17th of January, 1849, he was reared by his paternal grandfather, who was also named Joseph and was born in Maryland of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He served in the War of 1812, taking part in the battle of Lundys Lane, and during the Civil war enlisted in Company G, Forty-seventh Iowa Volun- teers, serving for two years. He came to Pella in 1850 and passed away there in 1871. By occupation he was a farmer. The mother of Dr. Finarty married Allen Lester after the death of her first husband.
Dr. Finarty was given a public-school education in his boy- hood and at the time of the Civil war enlisted in Company D, Sixty- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining with his command until the close of the struggle. He then entered the Central University of Iowa, at Pella, and while pursuing his course there read medicine. He subsequently entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons, at Keokuk, from which he was graduated in 1871. He has never con- sidered his professional education complete and in 1883 took a post- graduate course in the Polyclinic of Chicago and in 1901 studied at the Polyclinic in New York. He began practice at Dallas, this state, in 1871, but thirteen years later came to Knoxville, where he has
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since resided. In the thirty years that he has lived here he has built up a large and lucrative practice and has won a reputation for the successful treatment of disease. He is thoroughly progressive and up-to-date and is a valued member of the state and county medical societies and the American Medical Association.
In 1867 Dr. Finarty married Miss Mary E. Auld, of Knox- ville, a daughter of James Auld, who removed to this state from Ohio in pioneer times. To Dr. Finarty and his wife have been born four children, but James Carl and Walter R. are deceased. Arthur C. was graduated from the Barnes Medical College of St. Louis in 1889 and also pursued a course in the Polyclinic of Chicago, but is now engaged in farming in this county. Harry is also an agricul- turist in this county.
Dr. Finarty is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church and is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Oriental Lodge, No. 61, A. F. & A. M .; Tadmor Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M .; Milites Commandery, K. T., all of Knoxville; and to the consistory and the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. For six years he has been high priest of the chapter. He also holds membership in the Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as chairman of the republican central committee of this county. For many years he has been active in the Iowa National Guard and was made captain of Company D, Fifty-fifth Regiment, on the 8th of January, 1912. In 1914 he retired, having reached the age limit. His life has been a busy one and he has con- tributed to the welfare and progress of his community in a number of ways. His name is held in high honor in Knoxville and he has a host of personal friends.
SAMPSON COOPER.
Sampson Cooper, deceased, was for many years a well known and representative farmer of Union township and when he passed away, when about seventy-one years of age, his death was deeply deplored by many of his friends and neighbors. He was born in North Caro- lina on the 12th of December, 1835, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Benja- min Cooper. His parents, however, died when he was but a small boy and he always had to make his own way in the world from that time forward. He cast his lot with Iowa's pioneer settlers at an early period in the development and progress of the state. His atten- Vol. II-14
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tion was given to farm work until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and prompted his enlist- ment for service at the front. He joined Company E, Sixth Iowa Infantry, and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Missouri, on account of ill health, after which he returned to his home.
It was on the 8th of December, 1862, that Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Lydia M. Goodwin, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Vinson and Elizabeth (Empson) Goodwin. The father came to Iowa in 1850 and developed the farm in Union township, on which Mr. and Mrs. Cooper lived. Mr. Goodwin remained in Marion county to the time of his death, being classed with its repre- sentative citizens and progressive farmers. Here he reared his fam- ily, which numbered five children, two of whom are yet living. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born six children, the eldest, who died in infancy ; Mary E., also deceased; W. V .; G. G., a resident of Nebraska; Carl W., who has departed this life; and Cora, the wife of Clark Stewart, of Buxton, Iowa.
Mr. Cooper followed the occupation of farming and brought his land under a high state of cultivation, while annually he gathered good harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. He passed away on the 28th of August, 1906. Mrs. Cooper owns one hundred acres of land in Union township and a fine residence in Hamilton. She has a wide acquaintance in this county and her circle of friends is almost coextensive therewith. She and her husband traveled life's journey together for almost forty- five years and his death came as an irreparable loss to his family.
CHARLES L. HARDMAN.
There are many in lowa who are interested in raising the stand- ard of stock and who are doing much along that line and among these must be named Charles L. Hardman, a resident of Knoxville, who owns a quarter section of land eight miles north of the city and there engages in the breeding of high grade draft horses. He keeps Percheron, Belgian and Shire horses and owns three of the best stallions in the county. His best Shire horse has taken premiums at various Iowa State Fairs and has taken the sweepstake several times in Illinois.
Mr. Hardman was born in Ritchie county, Virginia, now a part of West Virginia, September 24, 1854, a son of Asbury Poole and
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Thankful Ann (Goff) Hardman, who spent their entire lives there. The father farmed near Frederick's Mill and died at his home in Ritchie county in July, 1903. In his family were eleven children, five daughters and six sons who grew to maturity besides two who died in infancy. Charles L. Hardman has one sister in this county, Mrs. Luella Sutherland.
Joseph Hardman, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Germany about 1750 and as a young man emigrated to America with relatives and friends. About 1773 he arrived in Baltimore and a year later went to Georgetown, Maryland. He married Miss Dorcas Riddel and settled near the Washington estates, becoming personally acquainted with George Washington. During the Rev- olution he served in the Continental army. Subsequently he removed to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and there engaged in the butcher busi- ness for several years, after which he went to Randolph county, Vir- ginia, and after a short stay there removed to Gilmer county, where he remained for years and where he probably died. Two of his sons, James and Benjamin Hardman, married daughters of Thomas and Phoebe Cunningham, who were the first settlers in the vicinity of Frederick's Mill. The subject of this review is a grandson of James and Phoebe (Cunningham) Hardman. The grandfather was born in the Old Dominion, November 14, 1795, and at the age of eighteen he enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, taking his father's place and remaining in the service for a year. He was a lay minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and gave the land for the cemetery and church in West Virginia which bears his name, Hardman's Chapel. In 1816 he was married to Miss Cunningham, who was born in Lewis county, Virginia, August 10, 1795, and died at their home near Hardman's Chapel, July 3, 1871. Mr. Hardman sur- vived her for three years, passing away in 1874. Many prominent men in various parts of the country are descendants of this old Vir- ginia family.
The boyhood of Charles L. Hardman was passed in the locality where he was born and there he remained until a youth of nineteen years, when he came to Iowa. For some time he followed the car- penter's trade and gained a reputation as an excellent workman. He first arrived in Marion county in March, 1874, and remained here six years, after which he removed to McPherson county, Kansas, where he lived until December, 1891, when he came again to this county, and he has ever since made it his home. He resided upon his farm of one hundred and twenty acres of fine land four and one- half miles southeast of Knoxville until March, 1908, when he
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removed to his present residence in the city. While living in the country he raised stock but not so extensively as he has done since removing to Knoxville. For the last five years he has concentrated his attention upon the breeding of blooded draft horses, raising all of the standard draft breeds, including Percheron, Belgian and Shire horses. He has three of the finest stallions in the county and his English Shire horse has not only taken many premiums at Iowa State Fairs, but has also taken the sweepstake at the Illinois State Fair. He is widely known as a successful breeder of horses and finds sale for his animals over a wide territory. In 1913 he bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land eight miles north of Knoxville, where he now carries on operations.
Mr. Hardman was married in this county on the 21st of Sep- tember, 1875, to Miss Euradice Welch, a daughter of Nimrod and Elizabeth (Moore) Welch, both natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where they were married in 1840. Four of their chil- dren were born there but in 1849 the family removed to Mahaska county, Iowa, where Mrs. Hardman was born. In 1853 they came to Marion county, settling in Knoxville township upon a farm four and one-half miles southeast of the city of Knoxville. Both passed away there, the father in 1895, at the age of eighty years and six months, and the mother on the 11th of August, 1862, at the age of forty-eight years. He was a farmer by occupation and they were Presbyterians in religious faith and held the respect of their fellow- men in full measure. Seven of their children reached maturity, the six besides Mrs. Hardman being : Mrs. Margaret Bowman, of Little Falls, Minnesota; Mrs. Mary Loynachan, of San Diego, California; Watson H., who died many years ago at Council Bluffs, this state; Robert M., a representative farmer who passed away in this county in 1906; D. Oscar, of Sioux City, Nebraska; and William A., of Florida. A daughter, Sarah J., died in 1855, when a girl of thirteen years. Mrs. Hardman was educated in the common schools of Iowa and for a few years prior to her marriage was a teacher.
Mr. and Mrs. Hardman are Presbyterians and he has served as elder for the last thirty years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party as he believes its principles most conducive to general and permanent prosperity. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Odd Fellow's lodge at Knoxville and also the encampment. Both he and his wife, belong to the Rebekahs. He has achieved notable success in the breeding of fine horses and has the satisfaction of knowing that he has not only gained personal prosperity and an enviable reputation in his line, but has also aided in raising the
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standard of stock throughout this section of lowa. He is popular as a man, his many friends holding him in warm regard because of his open-heartedness and strict integrity.
J. ROBERT WRIGHT, M. D.
Dr. J. Robert Wright is one of the younger members of the med- ical profession at Knoxville but already his ability is gaining him gratifying recognition in a growing practice. This is his native city, his birth having occurred in Knoxville, December 5, 1884, his par- ents being Dr. W. E. and Melcina M. (Woodruff) Wright, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Peter Wright, was one of the pioneer settlers of this county, and Dr. W. E. Wright, brought to Iowa in his early boy- hood, pursued his education in the public schools of Marion county He afterward prepared for medical practice by a course in the Keo- kuk Medical College and then opened an office in Knoxville, where he remained in continuous practice to the time of his death, which occurred June 19, 1901. His widow survives and is one of the highly esteemed residents of Knoxville, where she has a warm circle of friends. Dr. Wright was a member of the Masonic fraternity. In their family were eight children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: Willa, the wife of George T. Underhill, a resident of Knoxville; Jessie, the wife of W. S. Bilby, who makes his home in Nebraska; Ed F., living in Cedar Rapids; Kate, the wife of James Wilcox, whose home is in Missoula, Montana; Jacqueline, at home ; and J. Robert.
At the usual age the last named began his education in the public schools of Knoxville, passing through consecutive grades until grad- uated from the high school. He later pursued his more specifically literary course in the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then spent three years in the study of medicine at Iowa City and later entered the medical department of the University of Louisville in Kentucky, from which he was graduated in 1913. He then returned to Knox- ville and has since engaged in general practice.
Dr. Wright is a member of the Marion County Medical Society. the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Associa- tion. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and politically is a democrat with independent tendencies. He is well
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known in the city in which his entire life has been passed and the place which he has already won as a medical practitioner makes his record in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country.
THOMAS T. McMILLAN.
Thomas T. McMillan, who has continuously resided in Marion county for the past six decades, was identified with agricultural and mercantile pursuits while still an active factor in the business world, but for the past three years has lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 10th of February, 1840, his parents being Thomas and Mary ( Breckenridge) McMil- lan, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They emigrated to the United States about 1834, first locating in Dayton, Ohio, and subse- quently removing to Indiana. In 1854 they came to Marion county, Iowa, and took up their abode on a farm in Clay township, while later they removed to Knoxville, this county, where both passed away. They were the parents of five children, four of whom sur- vive.
Thomas T. McMillan received his education in the common schools and was a youth of fourteen when his parents established their home in this county. In October, 1861, when twenty-one years of age, he joined the Union army as a member of Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, with which command he served for three years. At the end of that time he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, and though often in the thickest of the fight and never faltering in the performance of any task assigned him, he escaped injury of any kind. After returning to Marion county he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and subsequently opened a general store at Durham which he conducted successfully for a period of thirty years. In 1911 he disposed of his mercantile interests and has since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former labor in well earned ease. He owns a nice residence in the village of Durham and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and respected citizens of the community.
Mr. McMillan has been married twice. In 1861 he wedded Miss Jennie Jones, by whom he had one child, Mary, who is now the wife of O. W. Squires and resides in New York city. The mother passed away in 1862 and four years later Mr. McMillan
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was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah C. Monroe, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Duncan and Janet (Loynachan) Monroe, who were born in Scotland. They came to lowa in 1854 and in this state spent the remainder of their lives. To Thomas T. and Sarah C. (Monroe) McMillan have been born the following children: John, who is married and makes his home in Marion county, lowa; Fred, of Regina, Canada, a yardmaster with the Canadian Pacific Railroad; James, who has passed away, leaving a widow and two children living at Boulder, Colorado; Jean, the wife of L. A. Whaley, of Burlington, Iowa; Thomas, who is deccased; Charles, who is married and resides in Keokuk, Iowa; Jennie, who gave her hand in marriage to R. J. McLees; and Frank D., who travels from Keokuk, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. McMillan is a republican, ever remain- ing a stanch supporter of the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He has held several township offices and has ever discharged his public duties in a prompt and capable manner. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Knoxville post of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McMillan has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey and receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose carcer has been at all times upright and honorable.
MATHYS VERROS.
Mathys Verros, a worthy native son and prosperous agriculturist of Marion county, has devoted his attention to farming throughout his entire business career and is now the owner of six hundred and . eighty-seven acres of valuable land on section 6, Clay township. His birth occurred on the 22d day of October, 1857, his parents being Teunis and Nettie (Vanclotwick) Verros, both of whom were natives of Holland. They emigrated to the United States in 1848 and made their way direct to Marion county, Iowa, here spending the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of eleven chil- dren, six of whom survive.
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Mathys Verros acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. He culti- vated a rented farm for six years and on the expiration of that period purchased a tract of land in Mahaska county, Iowa, there carrying on agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until 1907. In that year he disposed of the property and bought a farm of six hundred and eighty-seven acres on section 6, Clay township, Marion county, which he has cultivated with excellent results to the present time. In connection with the production of cereals he also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, both branches of his business yielding him a gratifying annual income.
In 188: Mr. Verros was united in marriage to Miss Datje Van- beck, a native of Holland and a daughter of Cornelius and Henrietta Vanbeck. They came to the United States in 1868, settling in Marion county, lowa, where both passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Verros have been born fifteen children, as follows: Elizabeth, Henrietta, Tunies, Cornelius, William, Nettie, Garret, Gertrude, Bert, Cor- nelia, David, Leham, and three who died in infancy.
Mr. Verros is a democrat in his political views and now serves in the office of school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the German Reformed church. Wherever he is known he is honored and respected, for he is a man of many sterling traits of character, reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and at all times upright and trustworthy.
WILLIAM J. WHITLATCH.
William J. Whitlatch, wide-awake, alert and enterprising, is numbered among the leading young farmers of Indiana township. He was born December 26, 1885, on the farm which is still his home, his parents being George and Sally (Simmons) Whitlatch, both of whom were natives of Marion county. The father died here on the 16th of July, 1887, and is still survived by his wife, who yet makes her home in this county. In their family were three children: Len- nie; Ernest G., now living in Lucas county, Iowa ; and William J.
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