USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 38
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On the 14th of May, 1862, Mr. Hodgson was again married, his second union being with Miss Rosanna Price, who was born in Indi- ana, near St. Joseph, on the 9th of February, 1840, a daughter of Thomas and Tabitha ( Emerling) Price, who came to lowa with ox teams, making the overland journey about 1850. They settled in Red Rock township, Marion county, where Mr. Price secured land and engaged in farming. After residing in Iowa until 1892 they removed to Colorado, where Mr. Price passed away when more than seventy- six years of age. His widow survived and died at Adel, Iowa, in the fall of 1909 at the age of eighty-seven years. They were of the Dun- kard faith. Their daughter, Mrs. Hodgson, was reared from the age of nine years in Marion county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson were born five children: Alice, the wife of Thomas J. Prickett, a resident farmer of Swan township; William E., a farmer of Montana, who is married and has a family; Viola, the wife of Charles Phillips, a resident farmer of Swan township; Laban, mentioned elsewhere in this volume; and Charles O., a resident farmer of Union township, who is married and has a family.
Throughout his entire life Isaac R. Hodgson, the father, followed the occupation of farming and won notable success. He added to his possessions from time to time until his real-estate holdings were very extensive, so much so that in 1912 he was able to deed fifteen hundred acres of land to his children and yet retain a farm of two hundred and fifty acres. All of his extensive holdings, comprising seventeen hundred and fifty acres, lay in Red Rock, Swan and Union townships. His widow is still the owner of the home farm of two
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hundred and fifty acres, which provides her with a good living. Mr. Hodgson started out in life empty-handed. He had no influential friends to aid him and there came to him no financial assistance of any kind. He realized, however, that industry and determination will overcome all obstacles and difficulties and by his perseverance and indefatigable effort he advanced steadily and won a place among the most prosperous residents of the county. The family attended the Christian church, of which Mrs. Hodgson is a member.
Mr. Hodgson gave his political support to the democratic party but he never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his undi- vided attention to his business affairs, which were most capably man- aged. He possessed sound judgment and kcen discrimination and seemed to realize fully the possibilities of any business situation. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others who are desirous of attaining prosperity, as it indicates what may be accom- plished when there is the will to dare and to do. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away when eighty-five, and by all who knew him he was spoken of in terms of high regard.
SETH WAY.
The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Marion county without recognizing the fact that the name of Way figures prominently in connection with the develop- ment and substantial progress of the district, especially along agri- cultural lines. It was Joshua Way, father of Seth Way, who with two others, at midnight on the ist of May, 1843, staked off the first claims entered in this county, and from that time to the present he and others of the family have borne an active part in advancing the material, political and social interests of the district. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1822, a son of Seth Way, who in the year 1837 came to Iowa with his family and settled at Keosauqua. In the same year Joshua Way visited Marion county and six years later, on the Ist of May, 1843, he and two others staked off their claims by lantern light, their quarter sections being the first ones entered from the government in this county. He immediately took up his residence upon his claim and continued to reside there until his death. The others who staked off claims the same night were Horace Lyman and Colonel Stanford Dowd, while Mr. Jones and Mr. Durham arrived but a short time afterward. The men built
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cabins and those who were married went to Keosauqua on foot to bring their families to their new homes, while Mr. Way, who was then a young man of twenty-one years and single, took care of the claims until the others returned.
It was in 1854 that Joshua Way was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Ridlen, a native of Shelby county, Indiana, and a daughter of Timothy and Sarah Ridlen, who were likewise natives of the Hoosier state, whence they came to Marion county in 1849, the father purchasing government land not far from the home of Mr. Way. Seven children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Way: Seth; Charles Owen, who died in 1902; Walter, who is a farmer and resides in Bussey, Iowa; William, who follows farm- ing in this county; Parker, who owns and cultivates a tract of land near Bussey; and Mary and Sarah, who died in childhood. The father passed away on the 19th of May, 1895, and the mother's death occurred in September, 1910.
In the demise of Joshua Way the county was deprived of a repre- sentative farmer and good citizen, while his close friends and rela- tives suffered an irreparable loss in his passing. As one of the earliest white settlers in this part of the state he experienced the privations that must always characterize real pioneer life, but the consciousness that he was assisting in the development of a splendid section of country more than compensated for the hardships endured. More- over, in the improvement of his opportunities he won a very sub- stantial and gratifying measure of success and at the time of his death was the owner of twenty-five hundred acres of valuable land, all in Marion and Mahaska counties. He was regarded as one of the best business men in his section of the state and his prosperity was attributable entirely to his own labors and sound judgment. His educational opportunities were very limited and without capital he came to Marion county in early manhood, working his way steadily upward until he was numbered among the most prosperous and highly esteemed citizens. He was widely known for his kindly in- terest in young men who were desirous of gaining a start in the busi- ness world. He never hesitated to loan wagons or other farm equip- ments and was also most generous in his financial assistance. He believed in the goodness and honor of those with whom he had busi- ness dealings and seldom, if ever, was his confidence betrayed, for the trust which he displayed awakened the better nature of many with whom he came in contact. His hand was constantly outreach- ing to assist another. A modern philosopher has said: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through
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us, is the measure of our success." And judged by this standard, as well as by what he acquired along material lines, Joshua Way was a most successful man. His memory is cherished by all who knew him and his example is indeed one worthy of emulation.
His eldest son, Seth Way, was born in 1856, on the old homestead farm which his father had entered from the government, and at the usual age he became a public-school pupil. His training in the work of the fields began early and as his strength increased he aided more and more in the operation of the farm until, while still a youth in years, he was doing all the work that fell to the lot of one of adult age upon a farm in the middle west. After attaining man's estate he continued to follow agricultural pursuits for a number of years and he brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and added thereto all modern equipments and accessories. In 1888 he rented his land and removed to Knoxville, where the following year he entered into partnership with C. K. Davis in forming the firm of Davis & Way, dealers in grain, hay, coal, wood and lumber. This firm was very successful during this period and in 1910, at the death of Mr. Davis, the firm became Seth Way & Company and so continues to the present time. They ceased to deal in lumber some years ago and confine their attention to hay, coal and wood. The business has grown along substantial lines and is today one of the important con- cerns of the kind in the county, Mr. Way giving his entire attention thereto. He likewise has extensive agricultural interests, owning in Liberty township nine hundred and forty-seven acres, which he operates in connection with his son. He raises high grade stock of all kinds and is accounted one of the most successful farmers of Marion county. His enterprising methods have been the source of the growth and development of his business and at every point in his career he seems to have realized the possibility for successful accomplishment at that point.
Mr. Way was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Arminta John- son, of this county, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy ( Beal) Johnson, who came to Marion county from Ohio in 1868. Her father devoted his life to farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Way have been born two children: Charles J., who is operating his father's farm; and Nora, the wife of A. J. Vandermeulen, an agriculturist. Mr. Way is a republican in his political allegiance and fraternally is a member of the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Rebekahs. They fully merit the general esteem with which they are regarded by their fellowmen.
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Capability has brought Mr. Way to the front and through the wise utilization of the opportunities which have been his he has gained a place among the representative business men and foremost citizens of Knoxville.
JOHN ADAM NEAL.
John Adam Neal, who is a well known farmer of Knoxville township, was born in Adams county, Ohio, April 7, 1867, a son of George G. and Mary Frances (Stumm) Neal, both natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. The father, who was of German descent, was born in November, 1816, and the mother's birth occurred on the 4th of March, 1827. The maternal grandfather was a native of Germany.
Mr. and Mrs. George G. Neal were married in their native county but later removed to Adams county, Ohio, where they lived for three and one-half years. At the end of that time they came to Marion county, Iowa, arriving here in the fall of 1867. They went from Pella to Knoxville by stage and remained in the latter city for a few months, after which the father purchased seventy-two acres of land on section 6, Knoxville township. His farm was covered with brush which it was necessary to clear before crops could be planted, but Mr. Neal set himself resolutely to work to develop his farm and became the owner of a valuable property. He subsequently bought forty acres more and continued to follow agricultural pursuits until his death. He became well-to-do but was without capital when he started upon his independent career and the hard work by means of which he gained material prosperity undermined his health and perhaps has- tened his death, which occurred on the 5th of May, 1880, when he was sixty-four years of age. He was a republican in politics and his religious affiliation was with the Presbyterian church of Knoxville. His wife survives and resides at her old home. They had three chil- dren, as follows: Sylvanus S. is a farmer and stockman of Knoxville township and has traveled extensively. He is married and has sev- eral children. Sarah Isabelle, who was familiarly known as Sallie, was born December 6, 1853, and married William I. Morris. She died March 17, 1892, and left three children. Her husband sur- vives and is a retired farmer living at Indianola, lowa. John Adam of this review is the youngest of the family.
The last mentioned grew to manhood in this county and was a student in the public schools, thus acquiring a serviceable education.
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When thirteen years of age his father died and from that time on he has depended upon his own resources for his livelihood. He has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and has been very suc- cessful, especially in the line of stock-raising. He is now operating his mother's farm of one hundred and twelve acres on section 6, Knoxville township, an eighty acre tract on section 5, which he owns, and one hundred and sixty acres, known as the Joc Fisher farm, which he bought in the fall of 1896. Altogether he operates three hundred and fifty-two acres, devoting his time chiefly to the raising of stock. He understands the care and feeding of live stock and as he also studies the markets carefully he is able to secure good prices.
On the 27th of December, 1893, Mr. Neal was united in mar- riage to Miss Dora Marsh, a daughter of William J. Marsh, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Neal have been born four children, George G., Ethel Marie, Harry M. and Florence, all at home. Mr. Neal attends the Eden Methodist Epis- copal church, of which his wife and son are members. Politically he supports the republican party and for six years served as town- ship assessor. He is much interested in the cause of education and is a director of the Lincoln school district. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, being a charter member of Knoxville Command- ery, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is highly spoken of in his locality and is a valued and useful citizen.
C. C. KENDALL.
C. C. Kendall is a wide-awake and progressive representative of commercial interests in Marysville, where he is part owner of a gen- eral store. He was born in Eddyville, Iowa, September 3, 1875, a son of Mathias and Rose Anna ( Kent) Kendall, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Attracted by the oppor- tunities of the new world, the father came to America when a young man of eighteen years and during the Civil war he rendered valuable aid to his adopted country by four years' service at the front in the defense of the Union. His last days were spent in Marion county, where he was highly esteemed as a leading representative citizen. His widow still survives and yet makes her home in this county.
C. C. Kendall was one of a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living. He remained upon the home farm until he Vol. II-25
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attained his majority and divided his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the play- ground. After attaining man's estate he began farming on his own account, but with the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he en listed for two years' service as a member of Company D, Fifty-first Iowa Infantry, of which he became a private. He was honorably discharged at San Francisco and following his return to Marion county embarked in merchandising in Marysville, having a half in- terest with his brother in a store at this place. They carry an at- tractive line of goods and are enjoying a liberal patronage, which they well merit. C. C. Kendall is also the owner of a half interest in the mill at this place and he owns the store building in which they conduct their mercantile interests and also has other property.
In his political views Mr. Kendall has always been a democrat, giving to the party stalwart support. He is now postmaster at Marys- ville, having occupied the office for two years. His fraternal rela- tions are with the Improved Order of Red Men. He is well known in this county and has attractive social qualities which render him popular, while his energetic business methods are gaining for him substantial success.
JOHN DAVIE SCHLOTTERBACK.
John Davie Schlotterback is at present county auditor and has demonstrated his fitness for public office by the conscientiousness and capability with which he has discharged the duties devolving upon him. He was born in Knoxville, Iowa, on the 13th of March, 1860, a son of Michael and Johanna (Toler) Schlotterback, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The paternal grandfather was · John Schlotterback, a resident of Pennsylvania of German descent. He was a carpenter by trade and went to Ohio in the early days of the history of that state. In the 'sos he came to Iowa and located in this county, where he resided until his death. His wife lived to reach the remarkable age of one hundred years.
Michael Schlotterback removed to Iowa about 1851 and located in Wapello county, where he remained for a year, but in 1852 he came to this county, where he devoted his time to farming. In that same year, however, he went west to California, remaining in the Golden state for seven years, at the end of which time he returned to Marion county, Iowa. For a considerable period of time he followed
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agricultural pursuits in Knoxville township, but a number of years before his death he retired and made his home with a daughter. On the 27th of April, 1911, he passed away at the venerable age of ninety- two years. He was a democrat in his political belief. His wife, who died in 1899, was a daughter of William and Annie (Spencer) Toler, who removed from Tennessee to Indiana and lived there until their deaths. Her father was a blacksmith by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schlotterback were married in the Hoosier state. To their union were born six children: Dale, who died when eighteen years of age; Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel Wilson, formerly an agricul- turist of the county and now a resident of Bentonville, Arkansas; Ellen, who died in 1875; Lucy, who passed away in 1884; John D., of this review; and William, who died in 1891.
John Davie Schlotterback was reared upon the home farm and received that well-rounded education common to the sons of farmers, as he was not only well grounded in the fundamental branches of book learning, but also learned the principles of agriculture and became familiar by actual experience with the work of the farm. He followed agricultural pursuits until he was twenty years of age and then learned the printer's trade and was employed for many years on various Knoxville and Des Moines papers. In 1893 he was elected city assessor of Knoxville for a two-year term and in 1895 was reelected, serving until January 1, 1898. Subsequently he was again employed at the printer's trade in Knoxville until the spring of 1907, when he was again elected city assessor, resigning that posi- tion, however, on the ist of January, 1909, to become deputy county auditor. In 1912 he was elected county auditor, taking office in Jan- uary of the year following. He was his party's candidate for reelec- tion in November, 1914, and was chosen by a handsome majority, leading his ticket. As county auditor he has made a record of which he may well be proud, and his present term of office does not expire until January 1, 1917. He has been prompt, accurate and sys- tematic in the performance of his work and has been uniformly cour- teous in his treatment of those with whom he has been brought in contact in an official capacity.
On the 24th of December, 1882, Mr. Schlotterback was united in marriage to Miss Laura Stoops, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Bates) Stoops. Many years ago the family removed from the Hoosier state to Marion county, Iowa, and here the father devoted his time to farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Schlotter- back have been born five children: Blanche, who died in infancy; Mabel, the wife of Loren Zugg, a resident of Knoxville; Clyde, em-
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ployed by the Knoxville Journal, who married Miss Mary Court- ney; Ruth, the wife of James Crawford; and Babe, who died when three years of age.
Mr. Schlotterback is a democrat in his political affiliation and stanchly supports the candidates and measures of that party. Fra- ternally he belongs to the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Red Men, the Foresters, the Knights of Pythias and the Moose. He and his wife are both members of the Rebekahs. His entire life has been spent in this county and the fact that those who have known him intimately from his early youth are his truest friends is incontrovertible proof of the genuineness of his worth as a man.
B. W. OWEN.
B. W. Owen, who carries on general farming, his home being on section 24, Liberty township, has a large and valuable property and in addition to the cultivation of the fields he is engaged in the raising of shorthorn cattle. He is a man of determined purpose who formulates his plans carefully and then carries them forward to successful com- pletion. He was born in Liberty township, Marion county, on the 16th of March, 1870, a son of John E. and Elvira ( Berry) Owen, natives of Ohio and Iowa respectively. The father removed west- ward to this state and in Mahaska county was married. To them were born three children : William E., Quilla A. and B. W. The mother passed away in 1871, when her youngest son, the subject of this review, was but a year old, and her grave was made in Mahaska county. The father long survived and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Hamilton.
John E. Owen came to Marion county in the year 1857, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers, and from that time until his death he was much interested in the development and progress of this sec- tion, taking an active part in advancing the public welfare. Follow- · ing the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted as a piper in Company H, Eighth Iowa Infantry, and served until honorably discharged on account of ill health before the close of the war. He then returned home and began farming, continuing actively in that pursuit through- out his remaining days. He also engaged in the raising of graded stock and had good horses. His political allegiance was given the republican party and he kept well informed on the questions and
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issues of the day and was ever ready to support his position by intelli- gent argument. He accumulated considerable property through dint of hard work and capable business management and so honorable and upright was he in all his dealings that he enjoyed the highest respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. His death occurred in 1890.
B. W. Owen was educated in the local schools and in his youthful days started out in business on his own account, always following the occupation of farming, to which he was reared. He erected all of the buildings upon his place and in many ways has improved the property, which is today one of the valuable farms of the county, comprising three hundred and thirty-nine acres of valuable and productive land, all of which is under cultivation and is free from all indebtedness. He carries on general farming and is also engaged in the raising of shorthorn cattle. The place is pleasantly and con- veniently located not far from Hamilton, on sections 24, 25 and 26, Liberty township.
On the 16th of June, 1892, Mr. Owen was united in marriage to Miss Louisa McGee, her parents being J. A. and Luda (Grass) McGee, who have resided in Monroe county, this state, since pioneer times. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have five children, namely: Beulah, who was born July 21, 1893, and is the wife of Chester Bailey; Blanche, whose birth occurred November 19, 1895; Clyde, whose natal day was October 7, 1898; Elmer, born November 30, 1906; and Donald, who was born on the 24th of October, 1909.
Mr. Owen has never sought to figure prominently in any public connection outside of business, feeling that his farming interests demanded his best efforts. He has closely studied the problems of the farmer and carries on his work according to modern, scientific methods and ideas. That his plans are characterized by sound judg- ment is indicated in the success which has come to him and which has placed him among the representative agriculturists of this part of the state.
J. H. CHRISMAN.
J. H. Chrisman, who some years ago retired from active business life and now makes his home in Knoxville, has been a resident of Knox county for more than half a century, having taken up his abode here in the fall of 1861. He has been an interested witness of the
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changes which have since occurred and his memory forms a connect- ing link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
Mr. Chrisman was born in Clark county, Indiana, September 1, 1839, a son of David and Elizabeth M. ( Robertson) Chrisman, who were likewise natives of Clark county, the former born in 1813 and the latter in 1816. Mrs. Chrisman was a daughter of Eli Robertson, on whose farm was built the first Methodist church in the state of Indiana. When their son, J. H. Chrisman, was but two years of age the parents removed with their family from Clark county to Laporte county, Indiana, settling in the town of New Durham, where the family home was maintained for about eighteen years. In 1859 a removal was made to Missouri and in the fall of 1861 they came to Iowa, becoming residents of Marion county. The father was a strong anti-slavery man. Living close to the Kentucky border, he saw the evil effects of slavery and early imbued his children with the same spirit of hatred and opposition to the institution. That his lessons took deep root is shown in the fact that several of his sons served in the Civil war. David Chrisman voted the whig ticket until the organization of the republican party and all of his sons save one have followed in his footsteps. He was ever a man of high and honorable purpose and was for a half century a local minister of the Methodist church, the religious faith of both the paternal and maternal ancestors of J. H. Chrisman being that of Methodism. The father died at his home in Knoxville township in October, 1890, on his seventy-seventh birthday, and his wife survived until April, 1899, passing away in Knoxville. In their family were eight children. W. T., the oldest, enlisted in Company A, Thirty-third lowa Infantry, on the 11th of August, 1862, and died and was buried at Mound City, Illinois, on the rith of August, 1863, just a year after he had enrolled as one of the "Boys in blue." J. H. is the next of the family. David enlisted as chief musician in Company A, Fortieth lowa Regiment. E. R. is a resident of Fall Brook, California. Mrs. Mary J. Burzett died at Liberty Center, Warren county, lowa, a number of years ago. L. W., who enlisted for one hundred days' service as a member of Captain McCormick's company, formed in Knoxville, served until the close of the war and is now living in San Diego, California. J. F. is a resident of Guide Rock, Nebraska, and H. W. is living at Mojave, California.
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