USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 30
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Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and can always be counted upon to contribute their share of money and effort in the accomplishment of a worthy project. Mr. Porter is a republican in politics and takes a citizen's interest in public affairs. His fraternal affiliation is with Oriental Lodge, No. 61, A. F. & A. M .; Tadmor Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M .; and with the Knights of Pythias. He has achieved an unusual degree of suc- cess for one of his years and his energy and business ability presage still greater prosperity for him in the future. Personally he is well liked and has many warm friends.
LEMUEL KINKEAD.
The demise of Lemuel Kinkead, which occurred on the 11th of December, 1908, was the occasion of much sincere regret in Knox- ville, although he passed away in Des Moines, in which city he had made his home from 1892. He was a lawyer by profession and gained considerable prominence at the bar. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the roth of May, 1846, a son of David and Lydia (Haines) Kinkead, who in 1854 came to this county, where the
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former died the following year of cholera when still a young man. He was a lawyer and had practiced for a number of years in Ohio before removing to this state. His birth occurred in Virginia, aithough he was of Irish descent. His wife came of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage and lived to be seventy-five years of age, dying in 1876. Both were members of the Methodist church and were most estimable people.
Lemuel Kinkead was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county and here he continued to live until June, 1861, when he enlisted at the age of fifteen years in Company E, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Shiloh but recovered and served for three years, or until he was honorably dis- charged, January 27, 1864, at Memphis, on account of disability. He participated in seven regular battles besides many skirmishes. Real. izing that his education was incomplete, he returned to school and also read avidly in his spare time. He had been obliged to leave school while still a youth and had learned the printer's trade, at which he was employed at the time of his enlistment, but he continued his habit of wide reading and was largely self-educated. He followed his trade for some years after returning from the war and then began reading law in the office of Atherton & Anderson, one of the leading legal firms of Knoxville. He applied himself assiduously to his study and in less than a year, or on the 7th of June, 1875, was admitted to the bar. He began practice at once and became one of the successful - attorneys of Knoxville, where he resided until 1892, when he removed to Des Moines. He was one of the well known members of the bar of that city and continued in the active practice of his profession until his death. While in this city he was a partner of T. J. Anderson for some time. He devoted his energies to general practice and was very successful.
In 1865 Mr. Kinkead was married at Knoxville to Miss Jennie Zuck, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1846 and in 1850 removed to Ohio with her parents. Two years later the family came to lowa. Her father, John Zuck, was of German descent and was a saddler by trade. He died in 1855 of cholera. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Johnston, was of English extrac- tion. Both were members of the United Brethren church and highly esteemed in their community. The paternal grandmother of Mrs. Kinkead lived to an unusual age, passing the century mark. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinkead were born three sons and two daughters. Arthur L., who resides in Huron, South Dakota, is a well known and prosperous real-estate dealer. He married Miss Franc Atherton, a
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daughter of the late J. B. Atherton, and they have two daughters, Ethel and Beryl. W. C., a resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming, gradu- ated from the law department of the State University of Iowa and has since practiced his profession. He married Miss Clara Button, of Creston, Iowa, and to them has been born a son, Robert. Alta is the wife of T. C. Fetrow, who is engaged in the insurance business in Chicago. They have a daughter, Katherine. Olive is the wife of Dr. Charles M. Harrington, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. James is engaged in the wholesale grocery business at Mitchell, South Dakota. He married Miss Sadie Littler, a daughter of C. S. Littler, of Des Moines, and they have two children, William C. and Virginia.
Mr. Kinkead was a member of the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic. His widow belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps and the Bay View Club and has many warm friends. Mr. Kinkead is well remembered in Knoxville and those who knew him honored and esteemed him.
ALFRED MOLESWORTH.
Alfred Molesworth, who was numbered among the enterprising farmers and pioneer settlers of Marion county, won the high regard of his fellow townsmen by a well spent life and his death was deeply regretted when he passed away. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, January 26, 1828, and in his youthful days acquired a common- school education. He came to Iowa in 1851 when a young man of twenty-three years and entered land in Lucas county, where he remained for about a year. At the end of that time he returned to Ohio, but after a brief period again came to this state and began the development and improvement of his land, upon which he built a hewn log house.
Mr. Molesworth made further arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in 1855 to Miss Mary J. Kiger, who was born in Pennsylvania on the 28th of March, 1835, and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Kiger, who were also natives of the Keystone state. Her parents came to Iowa in 1848, settling first in Jefferson county, and the following year they removed to Marion county, becoming early settlers of that locality. The father secured a claim in what is now Washington township and began to break the sod and till the fields, at length converting his tract of wild prairie land into
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a highly improved farm. He made the journey to this county with teams, for there were no railroads at the time. He built log buildings for a home and also for the shelter of his stock, but as the years passed on he was able to supplant these with more modern improvements, while the farm work resulted in the annual gathering of good harvests. Upon the farm which he developed he continued to make his home until his death, and his wife also passed away there. In the Kiger family were six children, of whom four are yet living.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Molesworth began their domestic life upon his farm in the spring of 1855 and for a half century thereafter he continued to develop the fields and carry on the farm work, being thus actively engaged to the time of his death, which occurred in 1905 when he was seventy-seven years of age. His had been an active and useful life, crowned with a substantial meas- ure of success. He never sought to figure prominently in any public connection but always faithfully discharged the duties devolving upon him and was a loyal citizen and a consistent friend. His widow survives and is now in her eightieth year.
In his political views Mr. Molesworth was a republican but was never an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farm interests. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 660 at Columbia, and was a faithful Christian, holding member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church, as does his wife. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Molesworth were twelve children, eight of whom grew to adult age, while six are now living. Barbara, the eldest, is now the wife of H. M. Spiker, a resident of Columbia, Marion county, where he owns a fine property and where he is exten- sively and successfully engaged in dealing in horses, handling all kinds of imported animals. Minnie is the wife of W. F. Carson, of Chariton, Lucas county, Iowa. Lilly M. is the wife of Edgar Wyland, of Des Moines. Lula E. is the wife of Adam Persch- bacher, of Lucas county. Elsie J. is the wife of R. B. Bingaman, a resident of Lucas county. E. Lois, the youngest living daughter, is the wife of F. C. Dawson, of Lucas county.
To the eldest daughter, Mrs. Spiker, we are indebted for this record concerning her honored father and mother. Mrs. Spiker was a successful school teacher for about fifteen years, spending most of the time in this county, although for a period she was connected with the graded schools in Malvern, Iowa. She became the wife of H. M. Spiker, a son of J. F. and Adella Spiker, and they are widely and prominently known in Columbia and throughout Washington town- ship, where they make their home. Mr. Spiker belongs to the Inde-
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pendent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge. His wife is connected with the Rebekahs and bas served as matron in that organization. She is a representative of one of the old pioneer families here and has made several talks at the Old Set- tlers meetings, relating many interesting incidents of the early days.
WILLIAM V. ELLIOTT.
William V. Elliott has been in business in Knoxville for many years as the proprietor of a drug store and is now the owner of a livery stable. He has been successful in both ventures and is one of the substantial residents of the city. His birth occurred in Knox county, Ohio, on the 9th of February, 1850, his parents being Reuben and Ellen (Richardson) Elliott, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Eli Elliott, was a resident of Maryland and his son Reuben went to Ohio when that state was in its infancy and was there married. In 1852 he brought his family to Iowa and located in Cedar county, where he farmed until advancing years compelled him to retire from active work. He died in 1891, at the age of eighty-four years. His children numbered five, three daughters and two sons.
William V. Elliott took advantage of the opportunities for an education offered in his boyhood days and received a serviceable common-school training. In 1880 he began clerking in the drug store of J. P. Kelley, of Knoxville, and he rose from clerk to manager through application to business and the ready intelligence which enabled him to solve the problems of salesmanship and of manage- ment which presented themselves. On the death of Mr. Kelley, Davis & Mitchell purchased the store and Mr. Elliott subsequently bought Mr. Mitchell's interest, he and Mr. Davis conducting the business until 1886, when the latter was appointed postmaster of Knoxville and the firm sold out. Mr. Elliott went to Nebraska and took up a homestead but subsequently returned to Knoxville and for about a year was assistant postmaster. He then purchased the drug store in which he had formerly been interested and conducted it alone until 1902, when he again sold out. He had previously bought an interest in a livery stable and upon disposing of the drug store assumed entire charge of the business, his brother, I. R. Elliott, who was his partner, having died in 1896. The livery business is well patronized and is proving very remunerative.
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In 1876 Mr. Elliott married Miss Elizabeth Henderson, of West Liberty, Iowa, a daughter of William and Sarah Henderson, natives of Ohio, who many years ago came to this state. Her father devoted his life to farming. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have had two children : Lewis, who married Miss Stella Weingardner, of Knoxville, by whom he has a son, John; and Carroll, who died when a child of seven years.
Mr. Elliott has supported the democratic party at the polls since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, as he believes firmly in its policies and principles. He is at present alderman at large and takes a great interest in everything affecting municipal welfare and progress. He holds membership in Oriental Lodge, No. 61, A. F. & A. M .; Tadmor Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M .; and the Knights of Pythias. His admirable qualities of character have gained him many friends, who prize highly his favorable opinion.
HENRY W. HARVEY.
His many friends were much grieved to learn of the demise of Henry W. Harvey, which occurred on the 30th of March, 1911, at his home near the village of Harvey. He was born March 4, 1873, in Clay township, Marion county, a son of Edward Harvey, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He grew to manhood in this county and was indebted for his education to the public schools. As his boyhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm, he early became familiar with all of the phases of agriculture and assisted in the cultivation of the fields and in the care of the stock. This proved an admirable training for the duties of life, as he continued to follow agricultural pursuits after arriving at years of maturity. He became in time the owner of a valuable farm and kept his land in a state of high cultivation, his good management and industry being rewarded by a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Harvey was married on the 30th of June, 1895, to Miss Anna Zugg, a native of this county, who was born on the 10th of July, 1873. Her parents, Daniel and Phoebe (Phillips) Zugg, were born in that part of Clermont county, Ohio, which is now known as Brown county. Her father was born on the 13th of October, 1834. During his active life he devoted his time and attention to farming, in which he was very successful, and paid special attention to the raising of thorough- bred Chester White hogs and graded cattle. He owned one hundred
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and twenty-one acres of land and still holds title to city property in Knoxville, where he has lived since 1913. He still enjoys good health, although an octogenarian. He has always supported the democratic party at the polls but has never desired office. His family were among the pioneers of Ohio, as were his wife's people. Her parents were Rev. and Mrs. John 1. Phillips, who removed to this county in 1850. Her father was a Methodist minister and preached the gospel in Ohio and in this and other counties of Iowa. He died at Harlan, this state, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Zugg were married near New Harmony, Clermont county, Ohio, in 1857, and in 1860 removed to Knoxville township, this county. The latter died on the 8th of February, 1909, when about sixty-seven years of age. Mrs. Harvey is the seventh in order of birth in a family of ten children, of whom seven are living, two residing in California, a sister making her home in Minnesota and the others living in this county. Mrs. Harvey was reared in this county and attended the country schools in the acquirement of her education. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons: John, eighteen years of age, who is oper- ating the home farm in Clay township and who married Miss Ethel Rankin; and Lynn and Walter, fifteen and ten years of age respec- tively, who are at home.
Mr. Harvey was a republican and was active in local political affairs. He was especially concerned in the welfare of the public schools and was for many years one of the school officers. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, as do his family, and the teachings of Christianity guided his life, which was such as to command respect and high esteem. In his death in 1911 the county lost a valued citizen and those who had known him intimately a true and loyal friend.
DANIEL WAGNER.
Daniel Wagner, deceased, who resided near Dallas, was the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of fine land, although he began his business career empty-handed. He was born in Germany on the 14th of February, 1831, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Feight), Wagner, who came to America in 1832 when their son Daniel was an infant of eighteen months. The family first located in Pennsyl- vania, but subsequently removed to Indiana and thence to this county, arriving here in 1848. They located near the site of the village of
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Dallas and Henry Wagner entered land from the government. He remained upon his farm until his death and gave the greater part of his time to its operation, although he was a tailor by trade. His wife also passed away upon the homestead. They had three children, those beside the subject of this review being John and Mrs. Elizabeth Morelock, both of whom are deceased.
Daniel Wagner was reared to manhood in this county and here received his education. Mr. Wagner was one of the forty-niners who went west across the plains to California during the gold rush. He spent about ten years freighting across the country, making several trips, and then returned to Marion county and took up farming, to which occupation he had been trained in his boyhood as he early began to assist in the operation of the homestead. He began for himself with no assets, save his knowledge of farm work and his strength and industrious habits. He first secured land near Bauer, this county, where he resided for three years, after which he removed to a farm six miles north of Dallas. His hard work, thrift and wise management of his affairs were rewarded, as he became the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of land which he operated until a very short time previous to his death. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he raised high grade stock and found both branches of his activity profitable. At one time he held stock in the Pleasantville Bank. His demise, which occurred in 1907, deprived the county of one of its industrious and highly successful agriculturists and was sincerely deplored. The farm is mainly owned by his widow, who makes her home at Knoxville.
On the 14th of March, 1867, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage in this county to Miss Deborah Clark, a native of Dade county, Tennessee, born on the 10th of December, 1844. Her parents were John and Eliza (Carroll) Clark, the latter of whom is still living at Dallas at a very advanced age, her birth having occurred on the 25th of January, 1822. In 1849 the family removed to this county and located near Dallas, where John Clark entered land .. He farmed for many years, but upon retiring from active life removed to Knox- ville and died there a year or two later, on the 17th of April, 1891. His widow later removed to Dallas, her present home. He was a Baptist, but Mrs. Clark is a member of the Christian church. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Wagner was Rev. James Thomas Clark, a Baptist minister of Tennessee. Mrs. Wagner has five brothers living, namely: Frank and George, twins, the former living in Pleasantville, this county, and the latter in Oklahoma; William, of Montrose, Colorado; Hiram, of this county; and Benjamin, who Vol. II-20
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resides with his aged mother. Two sisters died young, Susie in infancy and Mary Catherine when fourteen years of age. Mrs. Wagner grew to womanhood in this county, as she was but a child of four years when the family settled here. For the past five years she has made her home in Knoxville, where she has built a fine residence on Montgomery street. To her union with Mr. Wagner were born five children : two deceased ; Mrs. Harry Yetter, a resident of Knoxville; Mrs. J. A. Hartley, also of Knoxville; and Paul, a farmer of Johnson, Minnesota, who is married and has two children. A stepson, John, resides at Audubon, Iowa, and is married and has three children. Another stepson, Henry, died when a youth of sixteen.
Mr. Wagner was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and his wife is a member of the Christian church. In politics he was a democrat and manifested at all times a commendable interest in mat- ters of public concern. He was well known throughout the county and was esteemed not only for his material success in life, but also for those fine qualities of character that command honor wherever found.
JOHN VAN HEMERT.
John Van Hemert, who is the owner of a garage and agent for a number of well known makes of automobiles at Pella, was born in Jasper county, this state, on the 23d of July, 1871, his parents being Marcellus and Lizzie (Simmons) Van Hemert, who have both passed away. The father was a farmer of Jasper county and proved successful in that occupation. They had fourteen children, all of whom survive.
John Van Hemert acquired a common-school education and after his marriage followed for five years the calling to which he was reared, engaging in farming for that length of time. He then pur- chased a meat market, which he ran for three years but at the end of that period bought thirty-two acres of land situated within the limits of Pella, which property he still owns. In February, 1914, he entered the garage business, in which he is still engaged, and as he understands automobiles well he has proved very successful in his present undertaking. He sells tires, automobile accessories of all kinds and does a great deal of repair work and is also agent for the White, Studebaker and Buick cars. The volume of his business has
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steadily increased and he is classed among the successful men of Pella.
Mr. Van Hemert married Miss Tryntjy Boot, a daughter of Jacob Boot, a farmer of Marion county, and to their union have been born two sons, Harry M. and Jacob B., both of whom are high- school students. The parents belong to the Third Reformed church, but now attend the Second Reformed on account of their sons, as that is English speaking. Mr. Van Hemert is a democrat and takes a keen interest in public affairs, studying intelligently the problems of government that press for solution. His probity is unquestioned and the sterling worth of his character has made him highly respected in his community.
L. E. PARK, M. D.
Dr. L. E. Park has been actively engaged in the practice of medi- cine and surgery at Tracy for about a third of a century, being one of the oldest physicians in Marion county. He likewise conducts a drug store in the town and is widely recognized as one of its most prosperous and respected residents. His birth occurred in Brown county, Ohio, on the 3d of January, 1855, his parents being William R. and Rachel (Wood) Park, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. They came to Iowa in the fall of 1856 and spent the following winter on a farm in Marion county, subsequently pur- chasing a tract of land in Monroe county, where they continued to reside for almost forty years. In 1896 they removed to Harrison county, Iowa, there spending the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of ten children, five of whom survive.
Dr. L. E. Park spent the first twenty years of his life under the parental roof and subsequently followed the profession of teaching for a period of five years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, and won the degree of M. D. from that institution in 1880 and in 1904 took a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic. He first opened an office at Marysville and in 1882 came to Tracy, which place has since remained the scene of his professional labors. An extensive and lucrative practice has been accorded him and he is known all over the county, enjoying an enviable reputation for skill and ability in the field of his chosen
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profession. He belongs to the Marion County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society and thus keeps in close touch with the advanced thought of the fraternity. Dr. Park also conducts a drug store in Tracy, owning the store building. He likewise owns an attractive residence here and three hundred and twenty acres of land in Colorado and is one of the directors of the Iowa Savings Bank at Tracy.
In 1882 Dr. Park was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Bireley, a native of Missouri and a daughter of James W. and Martha (Royce) Bireley, who were born in Indiana and Missouri respec- tively. The mother has passed away, but the father survives and now makes his home with our subject. Dr. and Mrs. Park have no children of their own but have reared five with parental affection and to whom they have afforded excellent educational advantages. They are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, exempli- fying its teachings in their daily lives.
Dr. Park is fraternally identified with Lodge No. 163, A. F. & A. M., and Lodge No. 568 of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in both of which organizations he has filled all of the chairs. As a citizen he is ever ready to assist in advancing the general wel- fare and as a physician his constant aim is to discharge his duties conscientiously and always in accordance with the most advanced ideas as to diagnosis and treatment. He has attained deserved recog- nition in his profession and financially enjoys a condition of prac- tical independence.
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