USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 31
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DANIEL MARSH.
Daniel Marsh, who was a well known farmer of Knoxville town- ship, was called to his reward on the 26th of February, 1900, after an illness dating from the 28th of July, 1899, when he was stricken with paralysis. He was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 9th of August, 1824, of Scotch descent. His parents, Cyrus J. and Elizabeth (Goss) Marsh, passed away in Morgan county, Indiana, the father when Daniel was but a small boy and the mother on the 27th of November, 1857, at the age of sixty-three years. Cyrus J. Marsh was a farmer by occupation and well known in his locality. There were seven sons and three daughters in his family, namely: Osbin, Daniel, Cyrus J., Erasmus, Franklin, Fielden, Martin Luther, Mary, Elizabeth and Catherine. Osbin, the eldest, came
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to Marion county about 1849 and found the county as yet undevel- oped.
When seven years of age Daniel Marsh was taken by his parents to Morgan county, Indiana, and remained there until 1850, when he came to Iowa, joining his brother Osbin in Marion county. He made the journey westward with a party but left his companions at Red Rock, this state, and walked to his brother's home, arriving there on the 10th of May. He continued to reside with his brother until he had entered land of his own and erected a house thereon. He energetically began the improvement of his claim, which was on sections 8 and 9, Knoxville township, and continued to cultivate and develop it during his active life. From time to time, however, he added to his holdings until he owned a large farm which he eventu- ally divided among his children.
On the 14th of October, 1852, Mr. Marsh was united in mar- riage to Miss Charlotte Butcher, who was born near Greencastle, Indiana, on the 21st of July, 1830, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Smith) Butcher. Her father's birth occurred August 6, 1803, and her mother's on the 12th of March, 1805. Mrs. Butcher was called to her reward on the 2d of August, 1832, leaving two children: William, who died on the 11th of February, 1849; and Mrs. Marsh. Mr. Butcher was again married and his second wife died leaving a son, John, who died in June, 1864, while in the Union army and was buried in the National cemetery known as Arlington Heights. Jacob Butcher married a third time, Miss Mildred Woodall becoming his wife. She was born April 27, 1811, and became the mother of five daughters: Melissa, born December 10, 1834; Rebecca, whose birth occurred March 30, 1837; Keziah, who was born January 3, 1840, and died January 10, 1840; Nannie, born October 14, 1842; and Melvina, born August 22, 1845.
To Mr. and Mrs. Marsh five children were born: Annette, born August 27, 1853, now the widow of Robert Morrow and a resident of Knoxville township; Sheldon Jay, whose birth occurred on the 14th of October, 1855, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Arthur B., whose natal day was the 28th of July, 1858, and who resides in Knoxville township; Laura A., born September 29, 1862, now the wife of W. F. Burnett; and Mary Edna, who was born on the 12th of August, 1867, and died on the 29th of July, 1876.
Mr. Marsh was a republican and reared his sons to allegiance to that party. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife belongs to the Christian church, being a charter mem- ber of the organization in Knoxville. He was one of the most liberal
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contributors to the Methodist church and gave the land for and helped to build the edifice for the Eden Methodist church, four miles west of Knoxville. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, having enlisted on the 5th of July, 1847, in Company B, Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry under Captain J. Alexander and Col- onel Garmand. He participated in a number of battles and was mustered out July 16, 1848. For many years he was an esteemed resident of this county and while gaining individual success as a farmer he also contributed to the agricultural development of his locality. Those who knew him recognized his public spirit and integrity and honored him accordingly.
AUGUSTUS ALLAN DAVIS.
Augustus Allan Davis has been an important factor in the public life of the community, holding various offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity, making a most creditable record. Moreover, he is widely known as a successful farmer and stock-raiser, owning three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on sections 7, 8 and 18, Liberty township. His life has been characterized by intelligently directed industry and thrift and thus he has gained a gratifying measure of success.
Mr. Davis was born in Brown county, Illinois, August 25, 1846, a son of J. B. and Nancy ( Bridges) Davis, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. They were mar- ried, however, in Illinois and in the year 1843 the father came to Marion county, lowa, settling on a farm in Liberty township, which he later entered from the government when the land was placed upon the market and a land office was opened. It was a tract of wild prairie when it came into his possession, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon it. He did not immediately take up his abode there but returned to Illinois and remained until 1846, when he again came to this county. In the meantime, however, he had made preparation for establishing his home here by building a little log cabin with clapboard roof and doors. When he returned to the farm in 1846 he immediately occupied that pioneer home and at once began the arduous task of breaking the sod and converting the hitherto wild and unproductive land into rich and fertile fields. He carried on general farming with good success until 1882, when he removed to South Dakota, in which state both he and his wife
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passed away, the former dying in 1899 and the latter in 1900. In their family were eight children, four of whom are living, while the whereabouts of one of the number is unknown.
Augustus A. Davis was but an infant when brought by his par- ents to Iowa and in the little cabin home his youthful days were passed. As his age and strength increased he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields and he remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and was married. The lady of his choice was Miss Laura MI. Spurling, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of N. E. and Emeline (Higgins) Spurling, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York. They removed westward to Ohio and afterward to Indiana and subsequently came to Iowa, establishing their home in this county, where they remained until called to their final rest.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis began their do- mestic life on the farm where they now reside. He had previously taught school for several years, his first school being held in one of the oldtime log buildings of pioncer days. He and his wife began housekeeping in a log cabin, which is still standing upon the farm, but only a few years passed ere he was able to secure a more modern and commodious dwelling. Success has attended his efforts as time has passed and, making careful investment of his earnings, he is today the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on sections 7, 8 and 18, Liberty township. His fields have been carc- fully cultivated according to modern methods and thus it has been possible for him to garner annually large and profitable harvests. Hc has also made a specialty of stock-raising and thus has added mate- rially to his income. Mr. Davis has several mementos of pioneer life, including the broadaxe with which Jeremiah Gullion helped to hew the logs that were used in the building of the first courthouse of this county. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Davis is a director of the Bussey Savings Bank.
To Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born twelve children: J. W., at home; G. J., Arthur R. and Rose Lee, all now deceased; Ethan, who is a railroad engineer; Ollie S., the wife of Fred Neifert, of this county; Anna, deceased; Nora E., the wife of William Norris; Cora B., who is now teaching school in Bussey; Jeanette, deceased ; May, who is teaching in Hamilton, Iowa; and Horace B., who com- pletes the family and is at home.
The parents attend the Baptist church, and Mr. Davis is a mem- ber of Gavel Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. M., of Attica, Iowa, in which he has filled all of the chairs. Advancing in the York Rite,
.
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he is now a member of the Royal Arch Chapter at Knoxville and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. In politics he is a democrat and he has been called upon to fill various township offices, making a creditable record by his prompt and faithful dis- charge of duty. For six years he served as county supervisor, exer- cising his official prerogatives in support of many measures for the public good. He has likewise served on the school board for a num- ber of years and has done effective work in behalf of the cause of public education. His influence is always on the side of advance- ment and improvement. He has lived practically his entire life, covering sixty-eight years, in this county and there is no phase of its history with which he is not familiar and no point of its progress in which he has not been interested. He has given his aid to many measures for the public good and at all times has been classed with the public-spirited citizens of Liberty township.
FREDERICK JORDAN.
Through the years of his connection with Marion county Frede- rick Jordan, now deceased, ranked with the leading and representa- tive farmers, owning a valuable property of two hundred and sixty acres on sections 7 and 8, Knoxville township. He was born in Brunswick, Germany, November 9, 1826, and was there reared to manhood. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade in his youth and guided by the laudable desire to make the best possible use of his time and opportunities, he came to the new world, believing that he would have better advantages on this side of the Atlantic. It was in 1847 that he made the voyage and soon afterward he became a resident of Madison, Wisconsin, where he followed various business pursuits during a period of eighteen months. At the end of that time he went to Fort Madison, lowa, where he continued until 1852, and in the fall of that year he started for California, attracted by the dis- coveries of gold on the Pacific coast. Four and a half years were devoted to mining in that state, after which he returned to Fort Madison, where he lived until 1860, when he came to Marion county, here making his home until his death.
Throughout the period of his residence here Mr. Jordan carried on general agricultural pursuits and was very successful in the de- velopment of his fields and the improvement of his property. He was well known as a man of thrift, of energy and of determination,
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and his labors were soon evidenced in the substantial improvements which he placed upon his farm. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he was extensively engaged in stock-raising and won substantial success as the years passed on, becoming eventually the owner of a splendid farm property of two hundred and sixty acres in Knoxville township.
In April, 1858, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss Hen- rietta Brennaka, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of fifteen children: Christina, George, Louis, Emma, John, Charles, Albert, Anna, Henry and Mandy, all of whom are yet living; and August, Willie, Clara, Minnie and Mary, who have passed away. Mr. Jordan was devoted to the welfare of his family and his great- est pleasure in his success came from the fact that it enabled him to provide a good home for his wife and children. He passed away in March, 1901, and his death was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret among those who knew him. He had never had occa- sion to feel sorry that he came to America on attaining his majority, for in this country he found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement gradually worked his way upward, ever prov- ing a loyal citizen of his adopted land.
JOSEPH W. BOYD.
Joseph W. Boyd is one of the leaders in the industrial life of Pella and is connected with the Pella Overall Company. He was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on the 6th of November, 1855, a son of Leslie and Elizabeth (Marion) Boyd. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Leslie Boyd was engaged in the horse busi- ness and was very successful therein. Mr. Boyd of this review was given the advantages of a public-school education and in 1878, when a young man of about twenty-three years, went to Chicago, where he became connected with the garment maker's business. He was for a time cutter for the Straus-Kahn Company and later went to Columbus, Georgia, where he was superintendent for the Georgia Manufacturing Company until 1908. He then removed to Racine, living a few months in that city, but in 1909 he came to Pella, where he has since resided. He is connected with the Pella Overall Com- pany as manager and his knowledge of the problems of administra- tion, involving alike questions of production and distribution, make him a valuable executive.
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Mr. Boyd was married in 1881 to Miss Minnie Brock of Chi- cago, and to their union were born four sons and a daughter: Harry, the pastor of the Presbyterian church at Olean, New York; Leslie Warren, who has passed away ; Charlotte Elizabeth, at home; George L., residing in Des Moines; and Joseph W., Jr., living at Pella. M'r. Boyd is a republican when national issues are at stake, but in local affairs votes independently, believing that non-partisanship is. The best in municipal elections. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and to the Knights of Pythias, and his religious belief is indicated by his affiliation with the Second Reformed church. In the five years that he has lived in Pella he has not only contributed to the upbuilding of her industrial life but has also aided largely in the furtherance of those civic movements which mean progress and advancement for the whole community.
C. J. SCOTT, D. V. M.
Dr. C. J. Scott is one of the best known veterinary surgeons in Marion county and is proving very successful in the practice of his profession. He was born on the 24th of June, 1881, a son of W. J. and Mary (McConnell) Scott, natives of Warren county and Jasper county, Iowa, respectively. His grandparents on both sides were pioneer settlers of Iowa.
Dr. Scott was reared upon his father's farm and attended the public schools in the acquirement of his elementary education. He was later a student at Ackworth Academy and at Humboldt College and upon completing his general education entered the veterinary department of the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated with the degree of D. V. M. in 1908. He located for practice in Pleasantville and remained there for a few months, after which he entered the employ of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry and was sent over several of the western states in quaran- tine work. In 1911 he came to Knoxville and has since engaged in active practice here. He has had thorough training for his profes- sion and his experience has also taught him much and since coming here he has gained a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Scott was married on the 11th of February, 1913, to Miss Winnifred Clark, of Indianola, this state, and to their union has been born a son, Roger Clark. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Methodist
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Episcopal church and the Doctor gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally he belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 61, F. F. & A. M .; Tadmor Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M .; and Melita Commandery, No. 64, K. T. He is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Knoxville and has gained an unusual measure of prosperity for one of his years. His many friends hold him in wa m regard and value highly his friendship.
AMOS MICHAEL BEAVER.
Amos Michael Beaver owns and operates a well improved farm of sixty acres on section 11, Knoxville township, his place being pleasantly and conveniently located four and a half miles east of the city of Knoxville. He was born near his present home, in the township in which he still resides, October 10, 1873, a son of Amos and Elizabeth (Hedrick) Beaver, who were natives of Ross county, Ohio, where they were reared and married. They removed to Michi- gan, thence to Illinois, later to Nebraska and finally settled in this county in the latter part of the '6os. Amos Beaver secured a farm of two hundred and eighteen acres and cultivated and improved his land until in the later years of his life, when he retired and removed to Knoxville. There he died, September 26, 1906, when about seventy-three years of age. His wife had passed away on the old home farm in 1901, when about sixty-seven years of age. They were con- sistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Beaver gave his political support to the republican party but did not seek the honors and emoluments of office, preferring to con- centrate his energies upon his business affairs. He was well known as a successful farmer and stockman. He and his wife reared a family of five daughters and three sons, of whom Amos MI. Beaver and four sisters are now living, namely : Mrs. Etta Taylor, of Knox- ville township, this county; Mrs. Ella Butler, who resides in Knox- ville township on the old homestead; Mrs. Maria J. Pippin, who lives on a fruit farm at The Dalles, Oregon, east of Portland; and Mrs. May Boylan, who is a widow living in Iowa.
Amos M. Beaver has spent his entire life to the present time in Marion county and supplemented his public-school course by study in the Central University of Iowa at Pella. He was trained to farm work, which he has always followed and upon his place, comprising sixty acres of rich and productive land on section II, Knoxville
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township, he has made fine improvements, so that he now has a valu- able and attractive property. He also makes stock-raising an important feature of his business. He raises fine Shropshire sheep and others of good grade and he also raises high grade hogs and horses.
On the 29th of June, 1904, Mr. Beaver was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ann Wood, who was born in the county of Durham, England, October 9, 1875, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Raines) Wood. The mother died in the fall of 1875, leaving Mrs. Beaver the only child. The father married again in England and came to America. He established his home in Marion county, where he lived for a time but afterward went to the far west and died on Vancouver Island in 1889. Mrs. Beaver was reared by her grand- father, Mr. Joseph Wood, who came to Marion county in 1880, settling in Knoxville township. The grandfather died August 5, 1903, when almost ninety-two years of age. He would have attained that age on the 11th of October. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian.
Mr. Beaver gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he served as assessor of Knoxville township in 1913. Formerly he was identified with the Red Men. He concentrates his energies, however, upon his farming interests and his well directed activity is bringing to him a substantial and justly merited measure of success.
JOHN WESLEY MCCLAIN, SR.
John Wesley MeClain, Sr., who died on the 7th of February, 1906, was for over six decades a resident of Iowa and for forty-six years made his home in Marion county, where he was widely known and greatly respected. He was born on the 19th of July, 1834, in Hendricks county, Indiana, a son of Phillip and Rachel (Jenkins) McClain, who removed to Wapello county, Iowa, when their son John Wesley was but eight years of age. Some years later the family came to this county, locating in Knoxville township, west of the city of Knoxville. Phillip McClain owned a farm and resided thereon until his death, which occurred on the 6th of July, 1873, when he was about seventy-two years of age. His wife died in Wapello county, leaving ten children, all of whom are deceased.
John W. McClain grew to manhood in this state and here acquired his education. A great deal of his training for the duties of life
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was of a practical nature and gained by work in the fields, as he early began to assist in the cultivation of the homestead. When he reached manhood he decided to follow the occupation to which he had been reared as it was both profitable and congenial, and in time he purchased the home farm, five miles west of Knoxville. He lived there in all for forty-six years. At one time he owned a quarter section and as he was efficient in the management of his interests and energetic in the cultivation of his land he received a good income from his farm.
On the 18th of March, 1855, Mr. McClain was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucinda Saha, a native of Jackson county, Ohio, born on the 6th of August, 1837. Her parents, John and Hannah ( Richa- baugh) Saha, died in the Buckeye state when comparatively young. The father was a native of Ireland and the mother of Virginia. She was a Methodist in her religious faith. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. McClain, Reuben Richabaugh, served in the Revolutionary army. Mrs. McClain came to Knoxville in 1853 with her brothers, Jackson and James Saha, both of whom died when about eighty years of age, while a younger brother, Franklin, who enlisted from Ohio and served under Sherman in the Civil war, died at Nashville, Tennessee, of typhoid fever and was buried there.
Mr. and Mrs. McClain became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Richard T., born on the 2d of October, 1856, resides at Carlisle, lowa. He married Miss Mary Courtney, by whom he has had four children, two sons and a daughter who are still living, and a daughter, deceased. William J., born April 9, 1860, owns and operates a farm in Polk county, lowa. He married Miss Fannie Chaffey and they have a daughter and two sons. Flora E., who was born on the 3d of December, 1862, is the widow of Edward Derrickson and resides at Swan, this county. She has four daughters and two sons. Lydia Ann, born July 29, 1868, is the wife of William Hyer, a farmer living in Minnesota, and they have five sons and two daughters. A sketch of John Wesley, Jr., the next in order of birth, appears elsewhere in this work. Charles P., born February 7, 1874, resides in Omaha, Nebraska, and is successfully engaged in the grain business. He married Miss Dora Murphy and they have one son. Mettie A., who was born December 10, 1876, resides with her widowed mother at No. 803 Robinson street, Knox- ville. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. McClain exercised his right of franchise in support of the democratic party and manifests a citizen's interest in public affairs. His boyhood was passed amid pioneer conditions in Iowa but at the
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time of his death the state had become one of the most prosperous of the Union and villages and cities existed where in the early days there was nothing but the prairie covered with wild grass. He was not only an interested witness of the many and swift changes which have wrought this transformation but did his share to bring it about, aiding in the agricultural development of his county and seeking always to advance those phases of civilization represented by the schools, church and state.
GEORGE L. BUTTERFIELD.
George L. Butterfield has since 1904 resided upon the farm in Liberty township, not far from Bussey, which is still his home, and many of the improvements to be seen thereon are evidences of his handiwork and of his progressive spirit. Mr. Butterfield is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Bureau county, that state, February 22, 1866, his parents being P. H. and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Butterfield. The father was a native of New York and his last days were spent in Iowa, where he became a bridge contractor, having come to this state in 1867. The mother still survives and resides in Marion county.
George L. Butterfield may well be called a self-made man, for he started out in life to earn his living when but ten years of age and has since been dependent upon his own resources and efforts for the suc- cess which has come to him. He was first employed as a farm hand. He early learned the lesson that industry wins and he has led a very active, busy and useful life. In 1904 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides and at once began to improve and develop it. He has always made a specialty of stock-raising in connection with general farming and has handled some good grades of cattle and hogs. His judgment in business matters is sound and reliable, and his enter- prise is at all times unfaltering. Recently he has sold his farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Liberty township and purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Knoxville township adjacent to the city of Knoxville.
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