USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 34
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Albert B. Clark cast his first ballot for the candidates of the whig party but in 1856, at the time of the organization of the republican party, he voted for John C. Fremont and has since given his alle- giance to that organization. He served as road supervisor and accept- ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connection. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and has never departed therefrom, being a consistent member of the local church of that denomination.
Garry D. Clark was educated in the common schools of this county and after arriving at years of maturity he gave his time and
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attention largely to the work of farming. In 1887 he bought one hundred acres five miles southwest of Knoxville and successfully operated it until 1907, when he retired to Knoxville and in 1910 he sold his farm. He has several residence properties in Knoxville which now require his time and attention as he leases them. He raised stock as well as cereals and was very successful in his under- takings, being progressive and energetic in his work.
In 1881, at Clinton, Vermilion county, Indiana, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Martha Shew, a native of Edgar coun- ty, Illinois, born in 1858, and a daughter of Joel and Lillie J. (Simp- son) Shew. Her father was for many years engaged in the grocery business and her mother conducted a millinery shop. About 1863 they removed to Vermilion county, Indiana, and resided there during the remainder of their lives. The father eventually retired from the grocery business because of ill health. His parents were early resi- dents of Indiana, removing there from North Carolina. His father preempted land which was rich in coal near the site of the town of Bunson. He was a native of Germany but came to America in young manhood. Joel Shew lived to be almost ninety years of age for he passed away March 25, 1906, and was born September 23, 1817. His wife survives and is seventy-four years of age as she was born in 1840. She is a member of the United Brethren church and highly esteemed in her community. They had three daughters and one son, namely: Mrs. Clark; William H., the owner of a meat market in Clinton, Indiana; Mrs. Thomas Campbell, the wife of one of the prominent men of Clinton, Indiana, who has extensive real-estate interests and is active in the Business Men's Association; and Mrs. Emma Van Gundy, a widow residing in Pittsburgh, Kansas. Her husband was an attorney and she was the successful candidate for the office of district clerk of Crawford county, Kansas, in the election of 1914. She is an expert stenographer and has considerable knowl- edge of legal forms.
To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born two children. Mrs. Edith Brown is a widow and resides at home. She engaged in the millinery business at Harding, Nebraska, for a time, and for several years worked in stores in Knoxville. She has a son, Kenneth Brown, who was born in May, 1906, and is also living with Mr. and Mrs. Clark. Gertrude, the second daughter, is the wife of Earl Sutherland, of Knoxville, by whom she has a son, Corwin, born in 1909.
Mr. Clark is a republican and firmly supports the principles of that party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. Both of his
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daughters are also members of the Rebekahs and the Pythian Sis- ters. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and take a great interest in the advancement of its work. Their home is at No. 422 Robinson street, and their friends often gather there and are hospitably welcomed.
GEORGE L. KING.
For an extended period George L. King was connected with agri- cultural pursuits but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest. He is a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred in Wetzel county on the Ist of January, 1842. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Wise) King, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. They had twelve children, of whom five are yet living. It was in 1850 that the father brought his family to Marion county, settling near Harvey, where he began farming. Later he removed to Liberty township, where his remain- ing days were passed. As the years went on he carefully and sys- tematically tilled his fields, becoming one of the substantial farmers of the community. He likewise engaged in raising stock. He passed away October 22, 1901, having for about three years survived his wife, who died in 1898, their remains being interred in Eureka cem- etery. Mr. King was a democrat and was interested in matters of public moment, giving his support to the measures and movements which he deemed of worth to the community.
George L. King was educated in the public schools. He was one of twelve children, five of whom are yet living, and when about twenty years of age he enlisted in Company H, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, with which he served from the 8th of March, 1862, until the close of hostilities in 1865. He was wounded at Champion's Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863, and after spending but three weeks in a hospital he rejoined his company and was on active duty throughout the remainder of the war. He participated in the first and second battles of Corinth and in other important engagements and was taken prisoner at Tilton, Georgia, after which he spent seven months of suffering in southern prison pens, mostly .in Andersonville. When hostilities were over he was honorably discharged at Davenport and returned to the north. He certainly has every reason to be proud of his military record, for he never faltered in the performance of duty, whether on the lonely picket line or on the firing line:
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On the 7th of October, 1866, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Gullion and they became the parents of five children, of whom the first born, Isabel, is deceased. Those living are Maud, Elizabeth, John and Della. The wife and mother passed away Octo- ber 27, 1880, and on the 24th of March, 1881, Mr. King wedded Samantha Gullion, who died in March, 1900. They had a family of six children, Jesse, Jeremiah, George, Annie, Clyde and Perry. All of the children are living with the exception of Clyde. On the 11th of February, 1903, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Celestia Gause, a daughter of James and Marinda (Davis) Gause, who were residents of Marion county but now reside in Monroe county.
After his return from the war Mr. King began farming and has made that pursuit his life work. He also engaged in the raising of graded stock and was closely connected with agricultural interests in this county until 1886, when he sold his farm and went to the west, spending a number of years in Nebraska and Colorado. In 1894, however, he returned to Iowa and again resumed farming in Marion county, but after a few years he retired from active life and took up his abode in Hamilton, where he is now living. He is interested in political affairs but votes independently as he does not care to be bound by party ties. He belongs to the Christian Union church, and his life has been an honorable and upright one, so that he enjoys the goodwill and high regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
CHARLES M. HARRINGTON, M. D.
For the past fifteen years Dr. Charles M. Harrington has been a physician and surgeon of Knoxville and has built up a gratifying practice. He was born in this county, five miles east of Knoxville, in 1872, a son of Nathan and Mary (Smith) Harrington, both of whom have gone to their reward. His father was a native of Wash- ington county, Ohio, and remained there until he attained his major- ity. He then came to Iowa and learned the milling business under Mr. Bussing, continuing to follow that trade throughout his active life. He resided in the country until the early 'zos, when he removed to Knoxville, which city remained his home until his death, which occurred in April, 1911, when he was sixty-eight years of age. He invested to quite an extent in land and owned some excellent farm-
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ing property. He was interested in the public welfare and exercised his right of franchise in support of the candidates and measures of the republican party but never desired office for himself. He was a member of the Congregational church, as was also his wife, and fraternally belonged to the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. His parents came to this country from Ireland and located in Bal- timore, Maryland, but his father, Ephraim Harrington, afterward took his family to the Northwest Territory, settling upon a land grant in Washington county, Ohio. The mother of Dr. Harrington was born in Crawford county, Ohio, near Dresden, and accompanied her father, John Smith, to Iowa in 1855, the family locating two miles east of Knoxville. Her mother had previously died in Ohio. Mr. Smith was a farmer and stockman and very successful in all of his undertakings. He secured large landholdings and was known as one of the representative men of the county. He passed away when about eighty years of age. Both he and his wife were Presbyterians. Mrs. Nathan Harrington died here in 1898, when fifty-one years of age. She was the mother of three children, one of whom died when four years of age and another in infancy, Dr. Harrington being the only survivor.
The last named was reared in Knoxville and has spent practically all of his life in this city. In 1891 he was graduated from the local high school and then for three years was in the employ of the Wabash Railroad at Des Moines and later with the Union Pacific Railway at Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1895 he began the study of medicine, entering the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1899. He immediately returned to his home city and began practice. He has taken post-graduate courses, at- tending clinics at the Metropolitan Hospital, New York city, in 1903 and 1905. His offices are well located, being in the Odd Fel- lows building, and are completely appointed. He has gained a fine practice and has the respect of his colleagues in the profession as well as the confidence of the general public. He adheres strictly to the highest standard of professional ethics and is very conscientious in his treatment of cases, giving his patients the full benefit of his knowledge of the latest discoveries and developments in the field of medical science. He belongs to the county, tri-county and state med- ical societies and the American Medical Association. He has studied both allopathy and homeopathy and practices both schools.
Dr. Harrington married Miss Olive Kinkead, a native of this county and a daughter of the late Lemuel Kinkead, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Kinkead is still living and
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resides with Dr. and Mrs. Harrington. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Congregational church and can be depended upon to aid in movements for the welfare of humanity and especially those whose object is the good of their community. The Doctor is a repub- lican with progressive tendencies. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge, chapter and com- mandery at Knoxville and in the Shrine and consistory of Des Moines. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she is past worthy matron, and of the P. E. O. The Doctor is in his prime and has accomplished much in his busy life. He has the satisfaction of knowing that he is a factor in the advancement of his community and that his success cannot be measured entirely or even mainly by a monetary standard although he has gained financial prosperity.
MRS. VERNA MAE GOLDIZEN.
As the women of the country are perhaps the most vitally inter- ested in the education of the children and as the elementary schools are largely taught by women it is fitting that the county superin- tendent should also be a woman and Mrs. Goldizen has fully demon- strated her fitness for this position, which carries with it responsi- bility for the advancement and efficiency of the public schools of the county. She was for many years a teacher and understands thor- oughly the problems that confront the teacher and is thus able to advise wisely and to judge correctly of the value of the work done by those under her supervision. She has the faculty of securing the whole-hearted cooperation of the teachers of the county and of in- spiring them to their best efforts.
Mrs. Goldizen was born in Warren county, this state, a daughter of S. 1. and Jane (Turnipseed) Cassady, natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively. Her paternal grandfather was S. J. Cassady, of Barnes- ville, Ohio. After his death his widow remarried and brought her family to Warren county in 1853. S. I. Cassady was a farmer by occupation and was a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting in Company B, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1861 and remaining under arms until the close of the war. He passed away in 1902. His wife, who survives, is a daughter of Christopher and Maria Turnip- seed, both natives of Virginia. She came to Iowa in 1854 and by
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her marriage she became the mother of cleven children, the subject of this review being the third in order of birth.
Mrs. Goldizen attended the public schools in her childhood and early girlhood and subsequently was a student in Simpson College, Des Moines College and the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls. Her first teaching experience was gained at Summerset school, Iowa, and from 1895 to 1897 she was principal at Palmyra, Iowa. In 1901 she came to this county and was for seven years prin- cipal of schools in Harvey. At the expiration of that time she be- came principal of the Hamilton public schools and continued in that position for four years. In the fall of 1912 she was elected county superintendent of schools on the democratic ticket and took office January 1, 1913. The high standard of the schools of the county has been maintained and in a number of lines steps in advance have been taken, the work done comparing favorably with that of other counties of the state. The corps of teachers is very efficient and the parents manifest a willingness to cooperate for the good of the schools. Mrs. Goldizen is proving a capable leader of the educa- tional forces, adapting new methods and new ideals to the needs of the different schools of the county. Not the least of her value to the public-school system is her ability to suggest to the teacher a means of overcoming a difficulty that has arisen in her work.
In 1897 she became the wife of J. M. Goldizen, of Warren coun- ty, Iowa, whose parents removed to this state from Indiana in 1855. Mr. Goldizen is a resident of Knoxville and is well known and re- spected. Mrs. Goldizen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Rebekahs and the Woman's Relief Corps and takes a prominent part in all movements that have as their object the better- ment of the community.
EUGENE DENNIS.
Eugene Dennis is now living retired at Pella, enjoying a leisure justly won by former years of industry and labor, when he gave his undivided attention to the duties of cultivating the fields and caring for stock. He was born at Peapack, New Jersey, on the 20th of May, 1846, a son of Anthony P. and Mary (Cole) Dennis.
Eugene Dennis entered the common schools of New Jersey upon arriving at school age and completed his education in his native state. In August, 1862, at the age of sixteen he enlisted as a drummer boy in
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answer to the nine months' call by President Lincoln. He was with Company A, Thirtieth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and served until given his honorable discharge in June, 1863. He was at Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville and a number of other engagements. In March, 1867, when a young man of about twenty-one years, he came to Iowa, where his brother, George J. Dennis, had removed in 1866. Upon arriving in this state Mr. Dennis of this review began farming for himself and was so occupied continuously for more than three decades. He followed general farming and his knowledge of practical methods of agriculture made his efforts effective and the sale of his grain and stock brought him a gratifying return. He gained financial independence and in 1900 retired and removed to Pella, where he has since resided.
In July, 1865, Mr. Dennis married Miss Amanda Perry and of the children born to their union six survive: Mary, who married William Butts, of Pella; Charles, who married Mary Gruddes and is now living at Pella; Warren, who is also married and is a carpenter at Fort Dodge; Sherman, superintendent of bridges on the Minne- apolis and Portal division of the "Soo" Line; Minnie, the wife of J. C. Largent, of Des Moines ; and Bessie, the wife of Dr. Talbot, of Pella, a practitioner of veterinary medicine. The wife and mother was called to her last rest in February, 1900, and in 1903 Mr. Dennis married Mrs. Stomaker. He is fraternally affiliated with Albert Hobbs Post, No. 404, G. A. R., of which he is the commander. He owns two hundred and eighty acres of land in Missouri, the Dennis block in Pella and property in Harvey and is one of the well-to-do residents of the city. The number of his friends and the sincerity of their regard for him testify to the worth of his character and the probity of his life.
WILLIAM J. WILSON.
Marion county is fortunate in having county officials who are thoroughly competent and also conscientious in the discharge of their duties and one of the most efficient of these public servants is William J. Wilson, the present county treasurer. His position is one of great responsibility and one requiring the use of system and the exercise of accuracy. He has proven himself admirably fitted for the office and his constituents have had no reason to regret his election.
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He was born on the 3d of September, 1863, in this county, a son of James T. and Mary M. (Brown) Wilson, natives of Ohio and Iowa respectively. The paternal grandfather, William Wilson, was also born in the Buckeye state. He subsequently removed to Iowa, locating in this county a few years after his arrival in the state. He was a farmer by occupation and was highly respected in his com- munity. His son, James T., grew to manhood in this county and was herc married to Miss Mary M. Brown, who came here from another part of Iowa in her girlhood. James T. Wilson passed away in 1884, but his widow survives and lives at Pleasantville. To them were born six children: Amanda, the widow of Marion Sexton and a resident of Pleasantville; Annette, who married James Peck and lives at Hartford, Kansas; Belle, the wife of Thomas Moore, a resident of Union county, lowa; William J., of this review; Ida, the wife of William Miller and a resident of Indianola; and Thomas, who died when a child of eight years.
William J. Wilson received a common-school education and also became familiar with farming when a boy. He followed that occu- pation until 1888, or until he was twenty-five years of age, and then he and his mother removed to Pleasantville, taking up their residence there and renting the farm. He embarked in the general merchandise business in association with F. H. Spalte, but after a time sold his interest to his partner, though he remained in the latter's employ. In 1906 he was elected county sheriff, taking office in 1907, and he served in that capacity for two terms, proving resourceful and fearless in the preservation of the peace and the apprehension of criminals. At the expiration of his second term as sheriff he traveled for one year for the well known company of J. I. Case, manufacturers of threshing machines, and after that was employed for a year in Knoxville. In 1912 he was elected county treasurer and took office in January, 1913. The work devolving upon him, the collection of the taxes, the dis- bursing of public funds and the keeping account of all transactions has been accurately done and his record is one that reflects much credit upon his business ability. In November, 1914, Mr. Wilson was reelected, his second term beginning January 1, 1915.
In September, 1893, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss May McDaniel, a daughter of J. A. and Lettie (Clark) McDaniel. Her father was for many years a hardware merchant of Pleasantville but is now living retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born two children, Arlen J. and Beulah, both at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a democrat in his political belief. Fraternally he is a
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member of Pleasant Lodge, No. 128, F. & A. M. ; Pleasantville Lodge, No. 446, I. O. O. F .; and Wildey Encampment, No. 116, of the Odd Fellows; Pleasantville Lodge, No. 149, K. P .; and Ontario Tribe, No. 73, I. O. R. M. Both he and his wife belong to Knoxville Chapter, No. 85, O. E. S., and she is also a member of the Pythian Sisters. Both in private life and in an official capacity Mr. Wilson has always conformed his life to the highest standards of conduct and has proved highly capable and he has contributed to the general welfare and prosperity.
JOHN RIETVELD.
Among the extensive landowners of the county is John Rietveld, the owner of six hundred acres in Clay township. He was born at Noordeloos, Holland, on the 21st of January, 1844, a son of Jan and Dierke (Blokland) Rietveld, who three years later emigrated with their family to America. The father was one of the committee having charge of the affairs of the colony which settled at Pella. He located on the Des Moines river, near the present home of his son John, in August, 1847, and there he resided until his death, which occurred in 1859 when he was past fifty-five years of age. He became the owner of a half section of land, which was but slightly improved when it came into his possession and which he developed during the succeeding years. In addition to cultivating the soil he raised stock and was very successful in both lines of activity. He was a devout member of the Dutch Reformed church and was held in high esteem by those who knew him. His wife died in February, 1876, when more than seventy years old. She was also a member of the Dutch Reformed church. Ten of their children grew to maturity, but only two are now living, the subject of this review and a sister, Mrs. Langerak, who is the mother of the present clerk of Marion county. Three brothers of our subject, who were farmers, have now passed away and five of his sisters are also deceased.
John Rietveld attended the early subscription schools in this county when his services were not needed at home and received thorough training in the subjects taught at that time. He remained at home until 1864, when he was married, and then began his inde- pendent business career. He had practically no capital and began farming on shares. He saved as much as possible annually, as he had determined to purchase land, and when, upon the settling of his
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father's estate, he received one thousand dollars, he added this sum to the thousand dollars that he had saved and purchased his first farm. Industry and economy enabled him to add other land and he now holds title to six hundred acres in the northwestern part of Clay township. He is an efficient agriculturist and his labors yield him a handsome income.
On the 28th of October, 1864, Mr. Rietveld was married to Miss Christina Van Loon, who was born in Woerden, Holland, on the 28th of July, 1843, a daughter of Gideon and Elizabeth Hendriene (Sols- bergen) Van Loon. In June, 1849, she was brought by her parents to this country, the family home being established at Pella. Her father engaged in cultivating a small farm, which he purchased and improved, and he and his wife resided there until called to their reward, he in 1907 at the age of eighty-nine years, and she in 1899 when seventy-three years old. Both were consistent members of the Dutch Reformed church. All of their six children are still living, those besides Mrs. Rietveld being : James, Dierk, Gideon, Mrs. Mary Bogaard and Miss Elizabeth, who resides with her eldest brother, who is unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Rietveld have ten children : Delia; Mrs. Elizabeth Weirs; Mrs. Jennie Vanderwal; Mrs. Marie Sells; John and Gideon, both of whom are married; Mrs. Bertha De Young ; and Cora, Katherine and Lois, all at home.
Mr. Rietveld is a stanch supporter of the measures and candidates of the republican party at the polls, believing firmly in the policies of that organization. Both he and his wife are active members of the Dutch Reformed church and their influence is always on the side of moral advancement. Mr. Rietveld deserves much credit for hav- ing achieved such a large measure of success and also is entitled to honor because of the unswerving integrity and uprightness of his daily life.
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