USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 24
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GEORGE H. AMOS.
George H. Amos, who was a member of the firm of Amos & Davis, proprietors of a well known hardware store in Knoxville, is one of the youngest business men in the city, as he was born in 1893. His birth occurred in Boston, Massachusetts, and he is a son of George L. and Ida (Harris) Amos. His father was born in Monroe, Iowa, and was a son of E. H. Amos, a native of Ohio. The latter was one of the first settlers of this state and entered government land in Marion county. He became very prominent here and was presi- dent of the Knoxville National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. George L. Amos was by occupation a stock buyer and shipper and was known in that connection throughout the United States. He bought horses all over the western part of the country, purchasing them by the train load and selling them throughout the east. He was known in Chicago as one of the biggest shippers of horses operating through that city. Many of the horses which he bought were finally exported, as his father-in-law was engaged in that business and bought many horses from him. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Ida Harris, was a daughter of Henry S. and Matilda Harris, residents of Boston. The father and paternal grandfather of our subject both died in 1901, but his mother sur- vives and lives in Boston. His paternal grandmother is also living and makes her home in Knoxville.
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George H. Amos was the only child born to his parents and was given an excellent education. After completing the course offered by the public schools he entered the Rindge Technical College, from which he was graduated in 1912. He was employed by the Cam- bridge Trust Company for six months and then was connected with Stone & Webster for a year. At the end of that time he came to Knoxville and purchased an interest in the hardware business known as Amos & Davis, of which he later became sole owner. The store is one of the longest established ones in the city, having been founded in 1865, and he received lucrative patronage, but on the Ist of No- vember, 1914, he sold out.
Mr. Amos is liberal in his religious views and in politics casts an independent ballot, preferring to support the candidate whom he deems best fitted for the office in question without regard to party affiliation. Although he has been a resident of Knoxville but a short time, he has already gained the confidence and respect of the com- munity and has also made many warm friends among his fellow townsmen.
CHARLES M. BRENNAN.
Charles M. Brennan, carrying on general agricultural pursuits on section 30, Liberty township, has an improved farm of ninety acres, the excellent appearance of which is due to his unfaltering industry and persistency of purpose. Marion county numbers him among its native sons, his birth having here occurred September 19, 1874. His parents were J. L. and E. J. (McManus) Brennan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to the United States when a little lad of but six years and with his parents became a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1865, when he came to Marion county, Iowa. He was one of the pioneer settlers and witnessed the greater part of the county's growth and development. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Knoxville. The only break in the family circle occurred when the father was called to his final rest, for the four children of the family still survive.
Charles M. Brennan was reared upon the old homestead farm near Attica and there remained up to the time of his marriage. The educational advantages which he enjoyed were those afforded by the common schools. He had ample training in farm work and was
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thus well qualified to assume the management of a farm of his own when he started out in business life independently. It was in Decem- ber, 1901, that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Rose Runnels, a native of Linn county, Iowa, by whom he had two children, Marie and Charles K. The latter is now deceased and the wife and mother passed away in 1906. On the 10th of March, 1910, Mr. Brennan was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Beatrice (Nye) Johnson, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Jasper and Sarah (Rees) Nye, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Marion county, Iowa. Both are still living in this county and of their nine children five yet survive. By her former marriage Mrs. Brennan had three sons: Laelius E., who is now a high-school pupil in Des Moines; Theodore N .; and Paul H. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan have a daughter, Lillian J., who was born Sep- tember 10, 1911.
The family residence is a comfortable dwelling which stands in the midst of a good farm of ninety acres of rich and productive land situated on section 30, Liberty township. Mr. Brennan has carefully carried on the farm work and brought the fields to a high state of cultivation. His methods are at once practical and progressive, and he utilizes every possible means to enhance the value of his place. His political indorsement is given the democratic party and he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
JESSE M. MICKLE.
Jesse M. Mickle has been actively engaged in business as a mer- chant of Tracy for the past eight years and also holds the office of postmaster, making a creditable record in that connection. His birth occurred in Clarke county, Iowa, on the 3d of October, 1881, his parents being W. T. and Sarah (Worley) Mickle, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Lucas county, Iowa. They are now residents of Montrose, Colorado. Their children were seven in number and six survive.
Jesse M. Mickle attended the common schools in the acquire- ment of an education and remained at home until eighteen years of age. He then entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, being employed as operator for five or six years. On the expiration of that period, in 1906, he embarked in the mercantile business at Tracy, where he has since enjoyed an
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extensive patronage, for he is widely recognized as a reliable, enter- prising and progressive merchant. He owns an attractive and sub- stantial residence as well as his store building and is well entitled to recognition among the prosperous and representative citizens of the county. He also holds the position of postmaster at Tracy, dis- charging the duties devolving upon him in a most satisfactory and highly commendable manner.
In December, 1903, Mr. Mickle was united in marriage to Miss Cora Smith, a native of Mahaska county, Iowa, and a daughter of W. T. and Nancy (Locke) Smith, who were born in Ohio and Vir- ginia respectively. They came to Iowa in an early day and in this state spent the remainder of their lives. Two of their seven children survive. Our subject and his wife have a daughter, Nancy E., whose birth occurred on the 17th of July, 1914. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Mickle has supported the men and measures of the democracy, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. In all of his deal- ings he has been thoroughly reliable and in matters of citizenship helpful and progressive, giving his aid and influence to many move- ments for the public good.
ALBERT D. REYNOLDS.
Albert D. Reynolds was for many years a prominent farmer and stockman of Pleasant Grove township but is now living in Knox- ville and devoting his time to the real-estate business. He was born in this county in 1867, a son of J. M. and Barbara Ann (Shepherd) Reynolds. The former was born in 1837 in Indiana and was brought here by his parents when a child of about six years of age. The latter was born in Indiana and came to this county in her youth. Both survive and live in Pleasantville. J. M. Reynolds followed farming until 1891 and has since bought and shipped stock, though he still owns six hundred and sixty acres of fine land. Mr. Reynolds of this review has two brothers and a sister : Charles, living near Blue Earth, Minnesota ; Thomas B., a farmer of Pleasant Grove township; and Mrs. Emma Sutton, who lives in Warren county, Iowa.
Albert D. Reynolds grew to man's estate in Pleasant Grove town- ship and attended the public schools there in the pursuit of his educa- tion. Under the instruction of his father he early began to assist in
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the work of the farm and by the time he attained maturity he was an efficient agriculturist. Upon starting out in life for himself he continued to farm and was so occupied until 1910, when he removed to Knoxville and has since devoted his time mainly to the real-estate business. He still buys and sells some stock. While upon the farm he gave as much attention to the raising of high grade cattle and hogs as he did to the cultivation of his fields and also bought and shipped other stock. He has gained material prosperity and is in the pos- session of a competence which insures comfort for the remaining years of his life. In addition to two excellent farms in this county he owns a good residence in Knoxville. In 1900 Mr. Reynolds assisted in the organization and became one of the directors of the First National Bank of Pleasantville. In 1908 he was made vice president and served as such until 1913, when he resigned.
Mr. Reynolds was married February 23, 1890, to Miss Emma Marsh, a daughter of the late Carey Marsh, a pioneer farmer of Pleasant Grove township. Her mother resides at Pleasantville. To Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds has been born a daughter, Marie, who is attending high school and is a member of the ladies' band at Knoxville.
The family belong to the Christian church. Mr. Reynolds is a democrat in his political affiliation and takes a public-spirited interest in the affairs of government. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters, the Royal Neighbors and the Woman's Relief Corps. The Reynolds family are valued additions to the citizenship of Knoxville and since making their home here have thoroughly identified themselves with the movements that make for progress and advancement.
EPP R. ROORDA.
Epp R. Roorda, a native son and enterprising agriculturist of Marion county, is the owner of a well improved farm embracing one hundred and five acres on section 32, Clay township. His birth occurred on the 4th of January, 1873, his parents being John and Jane (Van Maren) Roorda, the former born in Holland and the latter in Marion county, Iowa. It was in the year 1847 that John Roorda emigrated to the United States with a colony of people from his Vol. 11-16
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native land. Both he and his wife still survive, residing in Pella, this county, and they are well known and highly esteemed through- out the community. Ten of their twelve children are also yet living.
Epp R. Roorda attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty- four years of age. He then spent one year in the cultivation of rented land and on the expiration of that period purchased a tract of one hundred and five acres on section 32, Clay township, where he has carried on farming and stock-raising with excellent success con- tinuously since. The property is all in a high state of cultivation and is lacking in none of the improvements and equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century. In the work of the fields he follows the most practical and progressive methods, and his labors have been rewarded by a gratifying degree of prosperity which places him in the front rank of progressive and able agriculturists.
In 1897 Mr. Roorda was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Vanderwilt, a native of this county and a daughter of John and Gertrude Vanderwilt, both of whom were born in Holland and emigrated to the United States in 1849. They took up their abode in Marion county, Iowa, and here spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Roorda have been born six children, namely : Jeanette, Gertrude, Robert, John David, Edward and Henry.
Mr. Roorda gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now ably serving as president of the local school board, having ever been a stanch friend and champion of the cause of education. He is interested in all measures and movements instituted to promote the general welfare and widely recognized as a public-spirited and loyal citizen. For the past five years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school of the Brethren church, of which his family are devoted members. Mr. Roorda and his wife have always lived in Marion county and have won an extensive circle of friends who esteem them highly for their many sterling traits of character.
GEORGE W. FEE.
George W. Fee still oversees the operation of his farm in Knox- ville township, three and one-half miles from the city of Knoxville, but for a number of years has made his home in town. He also owns three acres and two lots in Knoxville. He has resided in the town- ship of that name since 1849 and practically his entire life has been
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spent here. He was born on the 11th of October, 1844. His birthplace was Crawford county, Indiana, and his parents were Christopher and Susan (Means) Fee. The father was born on the 5th of July, 1805, in Virginia, of English descent, and went to Indiana as a young man and there married. He devoted the greater part of his time to farming and after coming to Iowa in 1849 became the owner of three hundred acres of land in this county. His death occurred here in June, 1885. His political belief was that of the democratic party and his religious faith was shown by his adherence to the Baptist church. His wife was born in North Carolina but accompanied her parents to Indiana when quite young and was the only one of her family to come to Iowa. Her death occurred when she was more than seventy years old. There were six children in the family when the removal was made to Iowa, the subject of this review being the youngest, and seven were born in Marion county, making thirteen in all. Ten survive and seven reside in this county.
George W. Fee grew to manhood here and has resided here during his entire adult life. He was reared upon the home farm and quite naturally followed agricultural pursuits when starting out in life for himself. He became the owner of three hundred and thirty-seven acres of fine land three and one-half miles from Knoxville and gained financial independence through its cultivation. He followed general farming and was progressive in the methods that he used. For a number of years he has resided in Knoxville and has merely given general supervision to the operation of his farm, the work being done by his two sons.
In 1867 Mr. Fee married Miss May E. Warfel, a native of the Old Dominion, born on the 24th of October, 1847. She came to Iowa in 1850 with her father, J. B. Warfel, who located in Warren county, but subsequently removed to Marion county. He was a carpenter and stationary engineer and for a number of years ran a grist mill at Knoxville which was owned by John M. Jones. He passed away in Texas about 1890 at an advanced age. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Lucinda M. Lundy, a native of Grayson county, Virginia, where their marriage occurred. She died in 1876. She joined the Methodist Episcopal church in childhood and re- mained throughout her life a consistent member thereof. Mr. War- fel in his later years belonged to the United Brethren church. They were the parents of six children, four of whom survive, two living in Iowa, one in Arkansas and one in Colorado. Mrs. Fee grew to womanhood in this county and was here married. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fee are four in number and all are natives of
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Marion county. Charles Leonard, who is operating part of his father's farm, married Miss Luella Hayes and they have two chil- dren, Glenn and Lena. George Archibald, who is also cultivating his father's farm, married Miss Jessie Stoops, who died within a year after her marriage. Lillie Belle married A. D. Graves, also living upon the homestead, and they have two children, Beulah May and Delmar Harold. Jesse Harold resides in Raymond, Washing- ton, within a few miles of the Pacific ocean, and is a bookkeeper in the employ of the Raymond Lumber Company. He married Alta Foidel, of Knoxville, lowa, and they are the parents of a daughter, Mary Elizabeth.
Mr. Fee is a democrat and has always manifested a praiseworthy interest in the proper conduct of public affairs. The family has displayed a disinterested desire for the general good and two of the older brothers of our subject served in the Union army during the Civil war. During his active life Mr. Fee was a representative agriculturist of the county and the leisure which he now enjoys is richly deserved. Those who have had dealings with him know him to be strictly upright and honest and these qualities of character have gained him the respect of his fellow citizens.
T. H. MULLEN.
T. H. Mullen is now living retired in the village of Columbia. In former years he was actively identified with farming interests in this part of the state and he is well known here because his activities have connected him with the upbuilding of the county and because at all times he has stood for progress and improvement.
He was born in Stewart county, Tennessee, on the 7th of August, 1841, a son of Thomas and Martha (Sims) Mullen, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee, where they maintained their residence until 1848 and then came to Marion county, Iowa. There were comparatively few settlers living within the borders of this county and much of the land was still in possession of the government. Mr. Mullen entered a claim and the family took up their abode thereon, living in a little log cabin covered with clap- board roof. There was a puncheon floor and clapboard door and on the outside of the door hung the latchstring, save when it was with- drawn at night for safety, thus locking the cabin. There was a mud and stick chimney through which the smoke made its egress from a
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large fireplace. In that primitive home the family lived for eight years, when it was replaced by a more modern and substantial resi- dencc. As time passed on the father continued the work of the farm and converted the wild prairie land into productive fields. His wife passed away in this county, but Mr. Mullen afterward went to Whit- ing, Iowa, where his last days were spent. In the family were ten children, of whom five are living.
T. H. Mullen remained at home until he attained his majority, being reared in the usual manner of farmer lads who spent their youth upon the frontier. He shared with the family in the hardships and privations incident to pioncer life and early became a factor in the development of the new farm. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army, joining the boys in bluc of Company A, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for thirteen months, when, on account of physical disability he was honorably discharged at Keokuk. He then returned to Marion county and began farming on his own account on a tract of land in Liberty township which he purchased. For about forty years there- after he owned, occupied and improved that place, converting it into a well developed farm property, from which he annually gathered good harvests. In 1906, however, he sold out and removed to Okla- homa, where he purchased two hundred acres of land, upon which he lived for four years. At the end of that time he disposed of his property in the southwest and returned to Marion county, establishing his home in Columbia, where for the past four years he has now lived retired, enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
On the 19th of April, 1863, Mr. Mullen was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Harvey, a native of Wapello county, Iowa, and a daughter of Nicholas and Harriett (Williams) Harvey, both of whom were natives of Virginia and in 1845 came to Iowa, settling upon a farm in Wapello county. Later they came to Marion county and afterward removed to Monona county, where their remaining days were passed. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen have a family of seven children: Martha, now the wife of J. P. Hulgan, of Oklahoma; Charles, who is living in Lucas county, Iowa; Ada, the wife of L. L. Bingaman; Della, the wife of M. Essex; Fred, of Appleton City, Missouri; Emmett, who is now in Los Angeles, California; and Lewis, of this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Mullen are members of the Christian Union church and guide their lives by its teachings. In his political views Mr. Mullen is a democrat. He belongs to the Independent Order of
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Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge. He also maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army post at Knoxville. His life has been an active one, characterized by industry and progressiveness in business, by loyalty in citizenship and by devotion to all the duties and obligations which have devolved upon him.
J. W. AVERY.
J. W. Avery was for many years a blacksmith in Knoxville and was known as an able workman. He was born in Michigan in 1856, a son of James and Sarah (Salters) Avery. His father was a farmer by occupation and was also a veteran of the Civil war, having served in that historic conflict for three years. The family is of English descent.
J. W. Avery was reared in his native state, but in 1889, when a young man of thirty-three years, came to Iowa and located at Atlantic, where he remained for one year. In 1890 he removed to Knoxville and here opened a blacksmith shop, which he conducted successfully until his death, which occurred on the 22d of September, 1908. In the intervening eighteen years he established himself firmly in the confidence and respect of those who knew him and gained a reputa- tion as an expert at his trade.
In 1876 Mr. Avery married Miss Mary Watkins, likewise a native of Michigan and a daughter of John Watkins, and she survives and lives in Knoxville. They were the parents of three children. Frank, who was born in Michigan in 1878, was educated in the public schools of Knoxville and for twelve years was connected with Culver & Company but is now a partner in the Avery-Clelland Company, which owns a hardware business in Knoxville. He married Maude Sheddan of Knoxville and has a daughter, Ruth. He is independent in politics and fraternally belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Arthur, the second son of J. W. Avery, was born in Michigan in 1880 and was also educated in the Knoxville public schools. For twelve years he assisted his father in the latter's blacksmith shop, but since May, 1910, has been a partner in the Avery-Clelland Company. He married Miss Lola Culver, of Knox- ville, and has two children, Robert and Alice. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Harry was born in Knox- ville on the 19th of August, 1892, and graduated from the Knoxville
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public schools. He is connected with the same hardware business as his brothers. The concern is known as Avery-Clelland Company and was founded in 1907 by J. W., Frank L. and Arthur Avery and W. W. Clelland. The store occupies a building one story and basement, eighty-two by one hundred feet in dimensions, which is located on East Main street, and the company carries a general line of hardware and farm implements.
J. W. Avery was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and held all of the chairs in the local subordinate lodge. His widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active part in the furtherance of its cause. Mr. Avery was independent in politics, took a great interest in public affairs, and for two terms served upon the city council, in which capacity, as in his private life, he did all within his power to secure the general welfare. His demise, which occurred in 1908, was sincerely regretted and in his passing the city lost a valuable citizen.
E. C. VARENKAMP.
E. C. Varenkamp occupies a position of leadership among the residents of lowa of Dutch birth or descent as editor of Pella's Week- blad, one of the most important papers in this state printed in the Dutch language. Mr. Varenkamp has had editorial charge of the paper since 1904 and has proved himself a journalist of no mean ability. He was born at The Hague, Holland, on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1844, a son of Johan Hendrick and Teutje (Van Maurik) Varenkamp. The father was engaged in the grocery business in that city.
Mr. Varenkamp of this review attended the public schools in the capital city of Holland and received a thorough education. He is the only one of the family to come to this country and immediately upon landing made his way to Pella, Iowa, where he arrived in May, 1867. He engaged in farming until 1884 and then went to St. Louis, where he remained for a year. He subsequently returned to Pella and for three and a half years was the owner of a notion store here. At the end of that time he again sought his fortune elsewhere, going to Nebraska, where he remained for three years, and subsequently to South Dakota, where he farmed for two and a half years. In 1890 he returned to Pella and engaged in various lines of work until 1904. In that year he became the editor of the Weekblad and has held that
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