USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 28
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The family occupy an attractive residence in Pleasantville. It is commodious and tastefully furnished, while its chief charm is its generous and warm-hearted hospitality. Mrs. Richards is a member of the Christian church. Politically Mr. Richards is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He has always manifested a public- spirited devotion to the general good and has cooperated in many plans and movements for the upbuilding and benefit of the county.
FRANK A. MONROE.
Frank A. Monroe is one of the unusually successful agriculturists of Marion county, owning a large tract of land comprising twelve hundred acres in Indiana township and also land in Dodge county, Minnesota. He has largely retired but the supervision of his landed interests requires considerable time and energy. He was born in Indi- ana township on the 24th of November, 1872, a son of James and Sophia (Allen) Monroe, who were married in 1859 in Marion county, and resided in Indiana township until called to the great beyond. The former passed away in March, 1911, when eighty-one years of age, and the latter in February, 1908, when sixty-seven years old. The father was a carpenter by trade and followed that occupa- tion in his early years but later devoted his attention to agriculture. Both he and his wife were natives of Indiana, his birthplace being
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Shelbyville. The family was among the pioneers in Indiana and a number of brothers and sisters of James Monroe are still residing in that state, he being the only one to locate in Marion county, Iowa. Politically he gave his allegiance to the republican party and in religious faith he was a Methodist, as was also his wife. To them were born five children, all of whom are residents of this county : Mary, the wife of R. A. Hill, of Indiana township; John, also of that township; Annie, who is residing with John upon the home place; Ira, of Knoxville township; and Frank A., of this review.
The last named was reared under the parental roof and attended the country schools in the pursuit of an education. Since reaching man's estate he has continued in the occupation to which he devoted so many hours in his boyhood and youth and has proved prosperous and progressive in an unusual degree. He has added to his real estate from time to time and now owns some twelve hundred acres, part of which is located in Indiana township, this county, and part in Dodge county, Minnesota. This also includes six properties in Knox- ville. Four years ago he retired from the active work of the farm and removed to Knoxville but he is still managing all of his extensive business interests and displays the sound judgment that has through- out his life been a strong factor in his success.
Mr. Monroe was married in Indiana township in January, 1900, to Miss Mary Simmons, a daughter of Leonard Simmons, of Colum- bia, Washington township, who came to this county in its pioneer days, arriving here October 4, 1854, when a young man. He settled in Indiana township and has resided in this county since, with the exception of three years. He purchased land and improved it, becoming the owner of a highly developed and valuable farm. He is now eighty-one years of age and has survived his wife since March, 1899, her demise occurring when she was sixty-three years old. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, and is honored by those who know him. Three of his four daughters are living, those besides Mrs. Monroe being: Mrs. Joseph Maddy, of Lucas county, this state; Mrs. Sallie Whitlock, a widow, who resides with her father; and Mrs. Cora Welch, who died at Columbia, this county, on the 2d of July, 1914. Mrs. Monroe was reared in Indiana township and for one year attended school in Knox- ville. To Mr. and Mrs. Monroe have been born two children, Merna and Marita, both in school. The wife and daughters attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the former is a member. Politically Mr. Monroe supports the candidates and policies of the republican party and takes a praiseworthy interest in everything of
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public concern. During his life he has contributed in no small measure to the agricultural development of this county and this, coupled with his sincerity and uprightness of life, commends him to the good will and esteem of his fellow citizens.
JAMES W. MANHARDT.
Among the enterprising and reliable dealers in real estate in Knoxville must be numbered James W. Manhardt, who was born on the 18th of May, 1868, in Marion county, a son of Frederick and Sarah (Gregory) Manhardt. The former was born in France but when four years old was brought by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Manhardt, to this country, the family home being established in Pennsylvania, but in 1846 Frederick Manhardt came to Marion county, Iowa. At one time he owned the lot where the Knoxville National Bank now stands, and some idea of the early realty values can be obtained from noting that he received it and two hundred dollars in trade for a span of mules. He made the journey to this county with the Bobst family, who settled at Marysville, where he lived for a time. In his early life he was a carpenter but eventually devoted his time to farming. He passed away in 1906. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Sarah Gregory, was born in Indi- ana, a daughter of James T. and Harriet (Ridlen) Gregory. In 1849, when but a child of four years, she accompanied her parents to this county. Her father entered government land on sections 35 and 36, Clay township, but later removed to a farm in the vicinity of Knoxville, where he lived for many years, and then took up his abode in Knoxville, where he passed away on the 13th of September, 1913. His wife died on the 24th of April, 1914. Their daughter, Mrs. Manhardt, survives. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was Mr. Manhardt, who was a prohibitionist in politics. To their union were born the following children: Mary L., now Mrs. G. E. Gregory and a resident of Kansas; Emma, who is also living in the Sunflower state and is the wife of C. I. Rose; James W., of this review; and Minnie, who married C. A. Koenig, a resident of Knoxville.
James W. Manhardt is indebted to the public schools of the county for his educational advantages and as a boy also learned the principles of farming under the instruction of his father. He fol- lowed agricultural pursuits for a number of years after arriving at
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maturity, but in December, 1901, removed to Knoxville and entered the real-estate business, in which he has since engaged. He has a thorough knowledge of realty values in the county, both as regards town property and farm lands, and has negotiated many important transfers of title. The volume of his business has increased steadily from year to year and yields him a good income.
Mr. Manhardt was married in October, 1891, to Miss Ella V. Druet, a native of this county and a daughter of Dr. S. and Rosa (Abbott) Druet. They were early residents of Davis county, this state, and about 1870 removed to Marysville. They now reside at Anamosa. To Mr. and Mrs. Manhardt were born five children as follows: Charles W., Clara, Minnie, one who died in infancy, and Sarah.
Mr. Manhardt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and exercises his right of suffrage by supporting the candidates of the republican party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He owns two fine farms but rents them to others, concentrat- ing his energies upon his real-estate business, which returns to him gratifying profits. He is one of the well known and highly respected residents of Knoxville, esteemed alike for his business ability and for his integrity of character.
TYLER OVERTON.
The pioneer history of Marion county bears the name of Tyler Overton, for he was one of the first settlers in this part of the state and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the community. He continued to reside within its borders until death called him on the 24th of September, 1878. He was then about sixty-five years of age, his birth having occurred in North Carolina on the 10th of November, 1813. His parents were Asa and Katura (Tyler) Overton, who resided in Ran- dolph county, North Carolina, until their son Tyler reached young manhood. About that time the family removed westward to Lee county, Iowa, where the parents remained until called to their final rest.
In 1843 Tyler Overton, then about thirty years of age, came to Marion county and secured a claim of three hundred and twenty acres which is still in the possession of the family. The work of progress and development had scarcely been begun here at the time
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of his arrival and a number of years passed ere the county could be said to have emerged from the conditions of pioneer life. The land which came into his possession was all wild, not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began its development and the result was soon seen in well cultivated fields from which he gathered good crops. He shared in the hard- ships and trials of pioneer life and bore his part in the work of early development and improvement. At the time of his arrival wild game of all kinds was plentiful and it was no difficult thing for a hunter to return home with a plentiful supply of meat for the family larder. The prairies were covered with the wild native grasses, starred with a million wild flowers in June, while in December they were covered with a dazzling, unbroken sheet of snow. One could ride for miles without coming to a fence to impede his progress and all of the early homes were log cabins or other primitive dwellings.
On the 19th of December, 1844, Mr. Overton was married to Miss Rebecca May, who was then in her sixteenth year, a daughter of Alex- ander and Hessie May, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of North Carolina. The family is of English and Dutch lineage and was established in Indiana in pioneer times. Mrs. Overton was born in Fountain county, Indiana, January 30, 1829. In her girlhood her parents removed with their family to Montgomery county, Indiana, where they resided until 1843 and then came to Iowa. The follow- ing year she became the wife of Tyler Overton and for thirty-four years they traveled life's journey happily together but were separated by the death of the husband on the 24th of September, 1878, while Mrs. Overton did not pass away until December, 1901. In their family were nine children, as follows: Mrs. Frances Beebout, who died about thirty years ago; Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Francis May; Henry Alexander, a prominent farmer and orchardist of Knoxville township, this county; Benjamin Franklin, who is deceased; Hester Helen, who gave her hand in marriage to William Robuck ; Sherwood, who has passed away; John W., an agriculturist of Knoxville township, this county; Asbury S., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; and Laura Rebecca, who is deceased.
Mrs. Overton survived her husband for many years or for almost a quarter of a century and resided in one of the finest homes of the township upon the farm which had been developed and improved by her husband. Upon the place is one of the fine orchards of the county and many other modern improvements which indicate the care and labor that have been bestowed upon the farm. Both Mr.
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and Mrs. Overton were members of the Christian church and took an active part in its work from 1851, assisting materially in advancing its growth and extending its influence. Both were highly estecmed and no history of Marion county would be complete without mention of this worthy pioneer couple.
JOHN VAN DER PLOEG.
The natives of Holland who have settled in this county have given a good account of themselves and have manifested the strength of character and persistency of purpose characteristic of their ances- try. They are numbered among the good citizens of the locality and have also prospered financially. John van der Ploeg, the owner of a bakery and grocery business in Pella, was born in Friesland, The Netherlands, November 8, 1863, a son of P. and Elizabeth (Schuring) van der Ploeg. The father was a tailor in his native land and followed that trade in Pella after removing here with his family in 1881. Both he and his wife are deceased. They had four children, Mr. van der Ploeg of this review having two brothers and one sister.
John van der Ploeg acquired a common-school education in his native land and after emigrating with the other members of the family to this country was employed by G. Van Vliet & Company for four years in a bakery. He was then for two years in the post- office and at the end of that time purchased an interest in the bakery in which he had learned his trade. Three years later, in association with J. S. Rhynsburger, he bought out Mr. Van Vliet and eight years later purchased the interest of Mr. Rhynsburger, becoming the sole owner of the business. In the years that have intervened since that time he has given proof of his sound judgment and ability to manage business affairs in the successful conduct of the bakery, which is one of the best known in the city. He also carries a line of groceries and both branches of his undertaking are proving profit- able. He caters to the home trade only and his patronage comes from the representative people of the city, many of whom have given him their custom for years.
Mr. van der Ploeg was married on the Ist of May, 1889, to Miss Dora Laverman, a daughter of Nicholas Laverman, who is engaged in farming near Pella. The children of this union are: Peter, who married Miss Julia Van Dusen and is with his father in the bakery ;
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and Jennie, Nicholas, Dirk and Bert, all at home. The family belong to the First Christian Reformed church, in which Mr. van der Ploeg has been a deacon for twenty-three years. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is now serving as alderman. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of the city in which he has made his home for almost a third of a cen- tury and is well known and sincerely respected by his fellow citi- zens.
ZEPHANIAH CHAMBERS.
For a considerable period Zephaniah Chambers was actively, honorably and successfully connected with the farming interests of Marion county, his home being on section 11, Liberty township, and in his death the community lost a representative agriculturist. He was born in Indiana in 1844, a son of James and Cassie Chambers, who were married in that state and there reared a large family of children to good and useful lives. In the early '40s the family came to Marion county, Iowa, driving across the country with ox teams, and on reaching their destination the father preempted a claim in Liberty township. It was entirely destitute of improvements, nor had a furrow been turned or a stick laid upon the place. He reso- lutely undertook the task of developing the farm and in the course of years his labors were abundantly rewarded with good harvests. He also carried on stock-raising with success and became recognized as one of the leading and enterprising agriculturists of the county. He died February 11, 1882, at the age of seventy-two years and his wife passed away December 31, 1879, at the age of seventy-five years. Their remains were laid to rest in Liberty cemetery. They were pioneers in the broadest and best sense of the term, aiding largely in the development and upbuilding of the county and promoting its progress in every possible way.
Zephaniah Chambers was but an infant when brought by his parents to Marion county and here he was reared amid the scenes and environment of pioneer life, sharing with the family in all of the hardships and privations which are features incidental to the establishment of a frontier home. He acquired a meager education in one of the oldtime log schools but in the school of experience learned many valuable lessons.
On the 15th of February, 1866, Mr. Chambers was united in marriage to Miss Temperance Bonnett, a daughter of William H.
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and Mahala (Spaur) Bonnett. Her father was born October 13, 1822, and departed this life April 5, 1884, while his wife, who was born April 17, 1824, died during the Civil war. They were married September 28, 1847, and in their family were five children, Lucy, Temperance, Marion, Isador and Matilda Jane. The first named is now deceased. The family were pioneer settlers of Marion county and the father manifested a helpful interest in public affairs of gen- eral importance. His life was devoted to general farming and stock- raising and through close attention to business he was able to provide a good living for his family. His political support was given the democratic party.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chambers began their domestic life upon a farm in Liberty township and as the years passed on seven children were added to the household: James Wil- liam. who married Anna Smith and is now deceased; Stella, the wife of William Way; Austin, who married Allie Johnson and is deceased; Wesley, who married Esta Carmin; John, who married Lizzie Coster; one who died unnamed; and Frank, also deceased.
Mr. Chambers always devoted his life to the work of tilling the soil and raising stock and the result of his labors was scen in well cultivated fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company A, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, with which he went to the front, taking part in a number of hotly contested engagements. After his return home he resumed farming and was thus busily engaged to the time of his death, which occurred December 7, 1895. He is still survived by his wife, a most estimable lady. She practically reared her younger brothers and sisters after her mother's death and has been most devoted in the care of her own household. She is highly esteemed wherever known and most of all where she is best known.
ADGATE WARD COLLINS.
Adgate Ward Collins was associated with his brother, S. L. Collins, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, in mer- cantile business in Knoxville for a number of years and was also closely identified with banking circles in this county as president of
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the Knoxville National Bank, which he aided in organizing. He was a pioneer of the county and witnessed the marvelous changes of the past half century brought about here. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, October 30, 1821, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Adgate) Collins, natives of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Bloom- field, Ontario county, New York, respectively. Their marriage occurred in New York and they subsequently removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, and later to Muskingum county, that state.
Adgate W. Collins learned the potter's trade, which he followed for a short time. In 1852 he came to Marion county, lowa, and resided here for more than fifty years, or until 1906, his death occur- ring on the 18th of April of that year. Soon after coming to this county he located upon a farm near Knoxville and in the early years of his residence here he was engaged in merchandising with his brother, S. L. Collins. He was also president of the Knoxville National Bank, of which, he was one of the organizers, and was at the head of the institution until his retirement from business. He achieved greater success than does the average man and was known as one of the prosperous citizens of his county. He was successful as a farmer, merchant and financier and his labors were part of those forces which made for the development of his locality.
In 1846 Mr. Collins was married to Miss Susan Cecilia Olive and they had five children, the three eldest of whom were born in Ohio, the younger ones being natives of this state. Chester Llewel- lyn, a judge residing at Bay City, Michigan, married Miss Sarah Miller and has two daughters, Emily and Susan. Mina Ellen mar- ried John Reed, of Knoxville, Iowa. Emma Jane is the widow of Dr. W. K. Sloan and resides at Moline, Illinois. She has two chil- dren, Dr. Chester C. Sloan and Mrs. Clara O. Page. David Olive passed away in 1885, at the age of thirty-one years. He was a lawyer by profession. His son, Ward Olive, is a consulting engineer resid- ing in Chicago. Susan married J. L. Broderick, of Elkhart, Indiana, and passed away in 1896, leaving a daughter, Mrs. Isabelle Rust, of Northampton, Massachusetts. The mother of these children died and Mr. Collins married Miss Sarah Jane Lewis, who was born in 1837 at West Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio, and passed to her reward on the 18th of October, 1913. To this union were born four children: Wilson Lewis, who died in July, 1912, when fifty years of age, at Fort Dodge, lowa, where he was engaged in the banking business; Frank Weldon, who died in infancy; Bertha L., now Mrs. Walter Brown, of Los Angeles, California; and Prudence W., who resides in Knoxville.
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Mr. Collins became a member of the Methodist church in early life and was active in securing the new building for the First Meth- odist Episcopal church here. He was a republican in his political views but never sought office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. These he managed with ability and at the same time that he gained material prosperity he won the unquali- fied regard of those who were brought in close contact with him.
THOMPSON E. WELCH.
Thompson E. Welch is well known as the proprietor of a gen- eral store at Columbia, conducting one of the largest establishments of that character in Marion county. His birth occurred in this county on the 12th of March, 1878, his parents being James and Eliza (High) Welch, the former a native of lowa and the latter of Indiana. They reared a family of nine children and all are still living with the exception of Fred, who was drowned at the age of nineteen years.
Thompson E. Welch acquired his education in the common schools and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. Subsequently he started out as an agriculturist on his own account and successfully followed farming for eleven years. On the expira- tion of that period he disposed of his property and embarked in the mercantile business at Russell, in Lucas county, but sold out at the end of eight months, though he remained there for two years. He purchased a store in Columbia, in March, 1913, and there he has carried on business as a general merchant continuously and success- fully since, being the owner of one of the largest establishments of the kind in the county. He displays a comprehensive and carefully selected stock of goods, which he sells at reasonable prices, and a liberal patronage is accorded him. In addition to his double-store building, Mr. Welch owns a residence in Columbia and also eighty acres of land in eastern Kansas.
In 1903 Mr. Welch was united in marriage to Miss Cora C. Sim- mons, a native of Marion county and a daughter of Leonard and Anna (Maddy) Simmons. Her father still survives, but her mother has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Welch were born six children, namely: Frances, Sylvia, Lois, Forrest and two who died in infancy. The wife and mother died on the 2d of July, 1914, and her remains were interred in the Indiana cemetery.
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Mr. Welch is a republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Russell. In both business and social circles he has become popular and is widely recognized as one of the esteemed, represen- tative and enterprising citizens of his native county.
BURR PHELPS.
Burr Phelps has for a number of years performed a public service of no little value to the community as manager of the annual Chau- tauqua held in Knoxville and many other movements which make for civic welfare have benefited by his advice and labor. He is traveling salesman for the J. Miller Shoe Company of Racine, Wis- consin, and covers a territory including part of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Mr. Phelps was born in Monroe county, this state, on the 12th of October, 1858, a son of E. H. and Martha (Dow) Phelps, both natives of Indiana, where their marriage occurred. The paternal grandfather was born in New York. E. H. Phelps brought his family to lowa in 1845 and located in Appanoose county. He was a miller by trade and was one of the first millers in that county. In 1850 he removed to Monroe county and erected a mill upon the site where the town of Hiteman now stands. Subsequently he came to Marion county, living first at Columbia and later at Attica, and he owned a mill in both places. He passed away in Attica in 1893 and was survived by his widow until 1898. They were both members of the Baptist church and he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
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