USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 3
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The parents are members of the Methodist Protestant church and Mr. Robuck belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Knoxville and to the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is a democrat, having always exercised his right of franchise in support of that party since attaining his majority. He has served as school director but has never occupied political office. His life has been a busy and useful one in which there have been few idle hours. He has always carefully directed his farm work and his mercantile interests and as the result of his indefatigable energy and sound judgment has met with a gratifying measure of success.
ALBERT L. MUNSELL.
Albert L. Munsell, deceased, was long identified with mercantile interests at Hamilton and made for himself a creditable name and place in business circles. He was born in Alexandria, Ohio, on the 12th of March, 1851, a son of Edward and Cynthia (Devereaux) Munsell, both of whom were born in the east. The family arrived in Marion county in 1858, settling at Hamilton. The father was a broom-maker by trade and in early life followed that pursuit but afterward turned his attention to merchandising, remaining in active business here until his death in 1878, his grave being made in the Hamilton cemetery.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
Albert L. Munsell was only about seven years of age when brought to Iowa by his parents and in the schools of Hamilton he pursued his education. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he successfully followed in carly manhood. Later he went to the west but in 1875 returned to this county in order to engage in merchandising at Hamilton. He established and success- fully conducted his store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods and continuing in the business until his demise. He was ever found reliable in his trade transactions and recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement.
On the 7th of March, 1877, Mr. Munsell was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie Faivre, a daughter of Dr. M. J. and Melissa (Walker) Faivre. To them were born four children, namely : Ella, who is the wife of J. B. Skelton; Edward L .; Lowell and Julian L.
In his political views Mr. Munsell was a stalwart republican and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He served as notary public, as a member of the school board and was treasurer for thirty-five years. His aid and influence were always given on the side of progress, advancement and improvement, and he never acted with hasty judgment concerning any public move. He was an Odd Fellow for thirty-five years, loyal to the teachings of the organization, and he was equally consistent as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In a word, his life was ever upright and honorable and won for him the high regard and unqualified confidence of those who knew him, so that his memory is yet cher- ished by many who called him friend. It was on the 17th of August, 1912, that he was called to his final rest.
BENTON A. MATHEWS.
Business enterprise in Marion county finds a worthy representa- tive in Benton A. Mathews, who is today conducting one of the old- est nursery businesses of the state, established sixty years ago. He has the largest pear orchard in Iowa and the products of his nurseries are shipped over a wide territory, finding ready sale because of well known excellence and also by reason of the thorough reliability of the proprietor. The nursery is pleasantly and conveniently located a half mile from Knoxville and Mr. Mathews still occupies the old home that was erected by his father about 1855, much walnut lumber
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
being used in the construction, while the shingles were brought from Burlington. At the time of its erection this residence was one of the best in Knoxville. It is surrounded by pine trees and is yet an attractive, comfortable home in which the spirit of hospitality reigns supreme.
Benton A. Mathews was born in Coshocton, Ohio, on the 4th of January, 1840, and is a son of James and Mary A. (Conley) Mathews, the former a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and the latter of Goshen, New York. They were married, however, in the Buckeye state. The paternal grandfather, Alexander Mathews, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of James Mathews, a native of Ireland, who became the founder of this family in the new world. He crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his two brothers, William and Thomas, and all three rendered valiant service to the colonies in the Revolutionary war, while the grandfather, Alexander Mathews, was an equally loyal soldier of the War of 1812. The same spirit of patriotic devotion to country was manifest by James Mathews during his service in the Ohio legislature and during the two terms in which he represented his Ohio district in congress. He arrived in Marion county in 1854 as one of its pioneer settlers and purchased land where Knoxville now stands. He laid out the Mathews addition to the town and also the Mathews new addition and was in various ways prominently connected with the upbuilding and progress of city and county. He was a lawyer by profession and, opening an office in Knoxville, suc- cessfully engaged in practice here until his death, which occurred in 1887 when he was eighty-three years of age. His wife passed away in 1899, at the age of eighty-five years. They were everywhere recognized as people of sterling worth and became leaders in the community in which they made their home.
Mr. Mathews was the oldest Mason in the county at the time of his demise and was ever a loyal representative of the craft which has as its basic element a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. When serving in congress from Ohio, Mr. Mathews voted to admit Iowa into the Union, and it was not long afterward before he became identified with the new state, remaining an active factor in its de- velopment and substantial improvement for more than three decades. To him and his wife were born twelve children, as follows: Morton, who died in infancy ; Mary, James, Louisa and Hannah, all of whom are deceased ; Caroline, who has likewise passed away and who was the wife of Governor William M. Stone, of Iowa, also deceased ; Benton A., of this review; Augusta, deceased, who was the wife of
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
Dr. Foote, of Philadelphia; Matilda, who now resides in Washing- ton, D. C., and is the widow of F. C. Barber, for many years editor of the Knoxville Journal; Addie, who has passed away; Helene, de- ceased ; and one child unnamed who died in infancy.
Benton A. Mathews acquired a public-school education in Ohio and Iowa, accompanying his parents to this state when a lad of four- teen years. The year which witnessed the outbreak of the Civil war was the year in which he attained his majority, and on the 22d day of May, 1861, only about six weeks after the first guns had been fired at Fort Sumter, he enlisted as a member of Company B, Third Iowa Infantry, becoming second lieutenant. He went to the front and was on active duty for a year and a half and was wounded at Shiloh, his injuries being of such a nature that he was discharged on the 15th of October, 1862. He then returned to Knoxville and em- barked in the nursery business, in which he has since been contin- uously engaged. His father had established this business in 1854, so that it has now been in continuous existence for six decades and is one of the oldest in the state. He engages in the production of nursery stock of all kinds suitable to the soil and climatic conditions of the temperate zone, and he has the largest pear orchard in Iowa. He has studied the business from every angle, acquainting himself with the scientific principles and with all the practical phases until his opinions are largely accepted as authority upon questions con- cerning the production and care of nursery stock and the further propagation of the trees. His business has reached large and gratify- ing proportions, bringing to him a substantial annual income. It was Mr. Mathews and his father who introduced evergreens into this county and, as previously stated, his home is surrounded by a beau- tiful grove of murmuring pines.
In 1878 Mr. Mathews was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia J. Lindley, a daughter of Judge Lindley, of Newton, Iowa, who came from southern Ohio to this state in the early 'sos. A lawyer by pro- fession, he successfully engaged in practice and his ability led to his selection for judge of the circuit court, in which position he re- mained for many years. He afterward removed to Nebraska, where he was again elected to the bench and later he returned to Ohio, where he passed away in January, 1896. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah McCracken, was also a native of Ohio and is now deceased. Our subject and his wife have two children, name- ly: Alice, the wife of John M. Weaver, who follows the profession of teaching and makes his home in Lawrence, Kansas; and Mary, at home.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
In his political views Mr. Mathews is a democrat but has never been ambitious for office. He belongs to John C. Ferguson Post, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His life has been preeminently that of a business man, careful, reliable and energetic in the conduct of his interests, yet at all times his influence has been on the side of progress and improve- ment in affairs relating to the county in which he has now made his home for almost two-thirds of a century.
HIRAM T. STAPP.
The year 1866 witnessed the arrival of Hiram T. Stapp in Marion county and he remained a continuous resident of the county until he was called to the home beyond. He was well known in Columbia and Washington township and in other sections of the county, and wherever he went he made friends by reason of his sterling worth and many excellent traits of character. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, August 12, 1840, a son of Joseph Stapp, who lived and died in the south. The son acquired his education in southern schools and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in the Confederate army. Later he came to the north, and because his opinions had changed regarding the condition of affairs, he enlisted at Crawfordsville, Indiana, for service in the Union army, with which he continued until honorably discharged at the close of hos- tilities.
In the following year, or in 1866, Mr. Stapp made his way west- ward to Iowa, reaching Knoxville, Marion county, on the 2d day of March. He worked for others for a time and then purchased property in the village of Columbia. At length he acquired farm land and from that time forward followed agricultural pursuits and stock-raising until his death. He always held to high ideals in rela- tion to his work and he added to his farm many valuable improve- ments. The place was divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and in the pastures could be found good grades of stock. Barns and other outbuildings afforded ample shelter for grain and for his cattle and horses, and when invention brought out new machinery he secured it to promote the work of the fields. He was a breeder of fine Jersey cows and high grade horses. He loved all kinds of animals and became very indignant upon seeing them abused. It is needless to state, therefore, that the stock upon his
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
place was well treated and he did not a little to improve the grade of farm animals raised in this section of the state.
On the 8th of March, 1868, Mr. Stapp was united in marriage to Miss Juliett Kiger, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Huff- man) Kiger, who had five children, two of whom are deceased. Mrs. Kiger died in 1847 and subsequently the father was again married. About 1850 he came to Marion county, lowa, in search of a home, locating in Washington township, where he devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy but never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. He passed away on the 17th of April, 1892, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his re- mains were interred at Columbia.
The death of Mr. Stapp occurred on the 14th of August, 1902, and he was laid to rest in the Columbia cemetery. Two years after his demise his widow took up her abode in Columbia, where she now resides. She is widely and favorably known and has many friends in the village and throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Stapp voted with the democratic party and always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he was able to sup- port his position by intelligent argument. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and his Christian faith guided him in all the relations of life, making him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor.
WILLIAM RICHARDS.
On the list of Marion county's pioneer settlers appears the name of William Richards, who passed away November 21, 1901, at the home of his son Joshua, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, July 19. 1811, a son of William and Ann (Rose) Richards. The father was born November 27, 1781, and his life record covered the inter- vening period to the 13th of December, 1857. He served as a soldier in the Mexican war. The mother was born September 18. 1784, and died August 29, 1853. By trade William Richards, Sr., was a shoemaker. To him and his wife were born nine children, namely: John, Rachel, William, Jr .. Juliann, Josiah, Samuel, Melinda, Ruann and Selena.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
William Richards accompanied his parents on their removal from the Keystone state to Coshocton county, Ohio, in his boyhood days. He was there reared and married, Miss Margery Thompson becoming his wife on the 23d of December, 1830. She was born May 7, 1808, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joshua Thompson, whose wife died during the early girlhood of their daughter Margery. Upon leaving Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Richards removed to Wabash county, Indiana, and there resided for about three years or until the fall of 1856, when they came to Marion county, Iowa. Mr. Richards was a farmer by occupation and his life was a busy and useful one which in the course of years brought him a very gratifying and substantial measure of success. As his financial resources increased he kept adding to his property until his holdings aggregated nine hundred acres of rich and valuable farming land in Pleasant Grove and Swan townships. This he suc- cessfully cultivated and his property interest brought to him a grati- fying measure of success as the years passed on.
Mrs. Richards passed away January 18, 1899, and the death of Mr. Richards occurred November 21, 1901. Their married life covered a period of more than sixty-eight years and their mutual love and confidence increased as time passed on and they met together the joys and sorrows, the adversity and the prosperity that checkered their lives. They were baptized and joined the Christian church in 1840 and they were thereafter consistent members until they were called to the home beyond. Mr. Richards was also a member of the Masonic fraternity from early manhood. To him and his wife were born ten children, as follows: Eleanor, whose birth occurred Octo- ber 14, 1831, and who died in Indiana in young womanhood; Ann Jane, who was born January 30, 1833, gave her hand in marriage to David Forst and is now deceased ; William T., born May 27, 1835, who resides near Bozeman, Montana; Joshua T., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Samuel V., whose birth oc- curred January 8, 1839, and who died in Indiana in young manhood ; Juliann, born April 1, 1841, who became the wife of Harmon Caff- rey and has passed away; Josiah, born July 4, 1843, who died while serving as a soldier of the Union army in the Civil war; John, a sketch of whom is given on another page of this work; James Allen, whose birth occurred October 4, 1847, and who is a resident of Pleas- antville, Iowa; and Urias, born September 10, 1849, who resides in Oklahoma.
William Richards gave his political indorsement to the whig party after age conferred upon him the right of franchise and when
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
that party ceased to exist he joined the ranks of the new republican party. His worth and ability were widely recognized by his fellow townsmen and he was frequently called to public office, serving as mayor of Pleasantville for several years. He was prominent and influential as a supporter and promoter of churches and schools and was very active as a member of the Christian church. Both he and his wife lived to be more than ninety years of age and for a long period were the oldest couple of the county, having traveled life's journey together for more than sixty-eight years ere separated by the hand of death. Every phase of frontier life was familiar to them and they bore an active and helpful part in the work of gen- eral development. Their influence was ever on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement and their memory is cherished by all who knew them and remains as a blessed benediction to their friends.
H. N. ROUZE.
H. N. Rouze, the period of whose residence in Marion county covers a half century, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and is now living in honorable retirement at Tracy. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 28th of September, 1850, his parents being W. K. and Mary T. (Marsh) Rouze, both of whom were natives of Ohio. In 1864 they came to Marion county, lowa, settling on a farm in Clay township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Three of their four children survive.
H. N. Rouze was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. On attain- ing his majority he took charge of the home farm in Clay township, continuing its operation throughout his entire business career with such success that he was eventually enabled to put aside the active work of the fields and retire with a comfortable competence. He disposed of his farm property and took up his abode in Tracy, where he has since made his home and enjoys well earned ease. He owns a nice residence and other town property in Tracy.
Mr. Rouze has been twice married. In 1873 he wedded Miss Cordelia Black, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Andrew and Ann (Heubanks) Black, who were likewise born in the Buckeve state. They eventually established their home in Marion county,
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
Iowa, but subsequently removed to Kansas and in that state spent the remainder of their lives. To them were born six children, one of whom yet survives. H. N. and Cordelia ( Black) Rouze became the parents of six children, as follows: A. L., who is a resident of Mis- souri ; Ora M., living in the state of Washington; W. V., of Clay township, this county; Andrew F., a sketch of whom appears on an- other page of this volume; W. H., a resident of Tracy, this county; and one who died in infancy. The demise of the wife and mother occurred in 1892 and her remains were interred in the Bethel ceme- tery. In 1894 Mr. Rouze was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Durham, a native of Clay township, this county, and a daughter of D. T. and Emeline L. (Evans) Durham, both of whom are deceased.
In politics Mr. Rouze is a stanch republican and has ably served as assessor and also as a member of the school board for several years. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Bellefon- taine Lodge, No. 163, A. F. & A. M., at Tracy, while he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and ex- emplify its teachings in their daily lives. His career has been such as to give him high standing in the eyes of the community and he is generally recognized as a man whose long years of earnest labor have not only contributed to his own prosperity but have also been a boon to the community at large.
HIRAM ANDREWS.
For many years Hiram Andrews was a farmer and stockman residing on section 25, Knoxville township, and the news of his de- mise, which occurred in June, 1908, at Bentonville, Arkansas, was the occasion of much sincere grief in this county, where he was well known and highly esteemed. He was born in Crawford county, Ohio, on the 27th of September, 1830, a son of Jacob and Ellen Andrews, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, but who be- came early settlers of Ohio.
Hiram Andrews was reared in the county of his nativity and there attended the common and high schools. When in his twentieth year he began teaching and followed that profession in the Buckeye state for seven years. In the spring of 1857 he came to Marion county, Iowa, and located here, having been much pleased with the pros-
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
pects of the county when he investigated conditions here in 1854. After his arrival in this county he continued to teach during the winters for seven years and devoted the summers to farm work, cul- tivating land near Newbern in Dallas township. In 1865 he removed to section 25, Knoxville township, and from that time gave up teach- ing, concentrating his efforts upon the cultivation of his land and the raising of live stock. He was energetic in the performance of the tasks that fall to the lot of the farmer and also sought to so sys- tematize and manage his work as to secure maximum efficiency. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of land and his place was one of the best improved farm properties of his locality.
On the 11th of March, 1859, Mr. Andrews married Miss L. Richardson, a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of two children: William Franklin, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and a daughter, Eva, now the wife of James Pugh, of Omaha, Nebraska.
In the fall of 1879 Mr. Andrews was elected assessor of Knox- ville township on the republican ticket and proved a capable and conscientious official. For ten years he served as secretary of the school board and during his entire life manifested deep interest in the welfare of the public schools. He and his family were all mem- bers of the Christian church and were factors in the extension of the influence of that organization in their locality. On the 15th of De- cember, 1879, he lost his residence and many household effects by fire, but soon after he rebuilt, his new home being at that time one of the finest in his section of the county. About 1898 he removed to Bentonville, Arkansas, and passed away there in June, 1908. His wife survived him for about two years, her demise occurring at Omaha, Nebraska, at the home of her daughter in February, 1910. Their lives were well spent and they served well the day in which they lived, performing to the best of their ability the tasks that lay closest at hand and cooperating heartily in all movements that sought the public welfare.
CHARLES OWEN WAY.
No name is more highly honored and no record more worthy of commendation than that of Charles Owen Way, who for many vears made his home in Marion county, his life being crowned with success and at the same time fraught with good deeds to others.
CHARLES O . WAY
THE NE PUBLI.
TILD
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
He passed away December 31, 1902, and his memory is cherished by all who knew him. He made his home near Bussey and was one of the largest landowners and stock-raisers of his section of the state, his holdings embracing twelve hundred acres. His success came to him as the result of unfaltering energy, keen sagacity and sound business judgment, resulting in judicious investment and the wise management of his affairs.
Mr. Way was one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having oc- curred in Mahaska county, near the Marion county line, in June, 1858, his parents being Joshua and Ruth (Ridlen) Way, the . for- mer a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and the latter of Shelby county, that state. The father was a son of Seth Way, who in 1839 came to Iowa with his family and settled in Keosauqua. In the same year Joshua Way took up his abode in Marion county, becom- ing one of its carly settlers, and in 1843 he and two others staked off their claims by lantern light, theirs being the first claims en- tered within the present borders of the county. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the property but with characteristic energy Joshua Way began to break the sod and de- velop the farm, his labors soon bringing about a marked transfor- mation in the appearance of his land, which in the course of a few years was yielding abundant harvests. In the year 1854 he married Miss Ruth Ridlen, a daughter of Timothy and Sarah Ridlen, who came to Marion county in 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Way were born seven children: Seth, of Knoxville, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Charles Owen, of this review; Walter, a farmer living at Bussey, Iowa; William, also a farmer of this county; Parker, who follows farming in Mahaska county; and two daughters who died in childhood.
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