USA > Iowa > Marion County > History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 4
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Charles O. Way spent his youthful days under the parental roof and acquired his education in the district and public schools of the county. He was married in 1879, when a young man of twenty-one years, after which he settled in Marion county, making his home here until his death, or for a period of twenty-three years. He always devoted his active life to farming and was notably successful, becoming one of the best known agriculturists of Marion county. He readily recognized the opportunities for judicious investment and by adding to his holdings from time to time became the owner of about twelve hundred acres, still in the possession of his widow. His farm work was conducted along progressive lines. He studied the soil and its possibilities, practiced the rotation of crops and em- ployed modern methods in the development of his fields, which in Vol. 11-3
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the course of years brought to him substantial profits. He made excellent improvements upon his land and through the erection of substantial buildings afforded ample shelter for grain and stock. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to climatic condi- tions he also engaged quite extensively in stock-raising and did con- siderable to improve the grade of stock handled in this section of the state.
In 1879 Mr. Way married Miss Mary L. Doughtman, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of E. G. and Hannah M. (Hughes) Doughtman, who settled near Bellefontaine, Iowa, nearly sixty years ago. Her father came to this state from Indiana and was married in this county. He lived for about three years at Knoxville and passed away a quarter of a century ago. He was a democrat and quite active in local affairs, holding several offices. He was also a Mason. To Mr. and Mrs. Way was born a son, Merle E., who is attending the State Agricultural College at Ames in preparation for the scientific operation of the land which he and his mother own. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and well known in local fra- ternal circles. A daughter died about twenty-five years ago, when nine years old. Mrs. Way removed to Knoxville in 1903 and pur- chased the fine residence at No. 1304 Montgomery street which is now her home. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She has resided in this county for more than a third of a century and has witnessed much of its development and progress.
Mr. Way was a prominent factor in the agricultural life of the county and was not only highly respected by the general public but held in warm regard by many close personal friends. Few if any of the citizens of Marion county have been held in higher esteem. He possessed a genial, joyous nature, always looked upon the bright side of things, and made friends wherever he went. He possessed a wonderful personality that attracted to him all with whom he came in contact. While he became a wealthy man he never boasted of his worldly goods and was charitable to a fault. No worthy person ever appealed to him for aid in vain and he had a hand constantly outreaching to help the poor and needy. His many acts of kindness extended into the broad field of common brotherhood and his sym- pathies into an ever widening circle. He was a man honored and loved by all. Few tributes will sink deeper into the human heart than one offered by an untutored farmer, a tenant on one of Mr. Way's farms for more than seven years, who, when he heard of the death of his friend and benefactor said: "The Almighty made few men equal to Owen Way." In manner he was quiet and
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unassuming and when not occupied with business devoted the greater part of his time to his family. He enjoyed the social gatherings of his friends and was happy in extending the hospitality of his home to them. Mr. Way was prominent in Masonic circles, being a mem- ber of the blue lodge at Tracy, the chapter at Knoxville, the com- mandery at Oskaloosa and the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. He leaves a name and reputation that are above reproach, for in all of his manifold business activities he was never known to take advan- tage of the necessities of another but conducted his business along strictly honorable lines and won the high respect of all with whom he came in contact. He judged men not by wealth but by worth, and true worth could ever win his regard. The poor did not prize more highly his benefactions than did his associates his chcery smile and kindly greeting. His was one of those natures that shed around them much of the sunshine of life. A modern philosopher has said : "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judged by this stand- ard alone Charles Owen Way was a most successful man.
AUSTIN J. MORRIS.
Austin J. Morris, who came to Marion county on attaining his majority, has since resided within its borders and is a successful and representative merchant of Bussey, where he conducts a large and well patronized grocery and meat market. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 17th of September, 1856, his parents being John and Lucinda (Doudle) Morris, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. Both passed away in the Buckeye state. They had a family of six children, all of whom still survive.
Austin J. Morris attended the common schools in the acquire- ment of an education and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. When twenty-one years of age he came to Marion county, Iowa, and subsequently took up his abode in Bussey, where he is now conducting a well appointed grocery and meat market, owning a large double storc and having one of the best establishments of the kind in the county. An extensive patronage is accorded him that is indeed well deserved, for he studies the wishes of his cus- tomers and enjoys an enviable reputation as a courteous, enterpris- ing and reliable merchant. He owns two handsome residences in Bussey and also four hundred and eighty acres of land in Canada.
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As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Morris chose Mrs. Anna (Hazlett) Martin, a native of Ohio and a daugh- ter of John Hazlett, deceased. Our subject and his wife have two daughters : Mabel B., who gave her hand in marriage to Thomas Flockhart, of Bussey; and Winnie L., the wife of Joseph Phoenix, also of Bussey. By her first husband Mrs. Morris had three chil- dren, namely : Barbara, who is the widow of Ed P. Adams; Charles, who is a resident of Monroe county, Iowa; and John, deceased.
Mr. Morris is a republican in his political views but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. He and his family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of exemplary habits and strict integrity, and all who know him entertain for him the highest regard and esteem.
JAMES B. VRIEZELAAR.
James B. Vriezelaar is prominent in various lines of activity in Otley, being a merchant, a stockholder in a number of companies and also one of the leaders in public affairs. He was born in Pella on the 4th of January, 1859, a son of Gradus and Mary ( Brain) Vriezelaar. The former was born in Lakement, Gelderland, Hol- land, in 1831. When a young man he came to America and settled at Paterson, New Jersey, as there was quite an extensive Dutch set- tlement there. About four years after his marriage to Mary Brain, which occurred about 1854, in Paterson, they came to Pella. Mr. Vriezelaar worked at a number of occupations after arriving in this county, being employed by the day at first and subsequently operat- ing a rented farm a half mile east of Otley. In 1863 he had four yoke of cattle. He later purchased land, becoming the owner of about one hundred and sixty acres, but before his death he had in- creased his holdings to two hundred and forty acres. At his demise his sons took charge of the land and assumed the debt of four thou- sand dollars against the property. They eventually paid that off and the land is still in the possession of the family. Mr. Vriezelaar was killed in 1877 by a bull. His wife was born on the 4th of Feb- ruary, 1825, in Holland and was married there to William Laauwe, who died upon the ocean while they were emigrating to the United States. By this marriage she had one son, William Laauwe. She arrived in this country in 1848 and, as before stated, married Mr. Vriezelaar in Paterson, New Jersey. To their union were born the
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following children: Arie, James B., Cornelia, Henry, Gradus and Nellie.
James B. Vriezelaar received his education in the country schools and was reared under the parental roof. In 1886 he began his inde- pendent business career by starting a general store in Otley. He commenced on a small scale but has enlarged his business as his cir- cumstances have permitted and now has one of the leading mercan- tile establishments of the town. He owns the property in which his store is located and altogether owns about three business blocks. He also holds title to his comfortable residence which he erected and which is well designed, being both conveniently arranged and attrac- tive in appearance. He is a stockholder in the Otley Telephone Company, in which he was also a director, and he owns considerable farm land, including one hundred and seventy-four acres in Summit township adjoining Otley, a quarter section of land on section i and a fifth interest in a one hundred and twenty acre tract. At the time of his mother's death there were eleven hundred and twenty acres to be divided and Mr. Vriezelaar assisted in settling up the estate to the satisfaction of all the heirs. Although he has been very active in mercantile lines and has devoted considerable time to the supervision of his other interests, he has also taken a prominent part in local governmental affairs. Since old enough to vote he has held office continuously. He has been elected to all the township offices on the republican ticket and for two years was county supervisor. He has always given the best of his thought and energy to the duties devoly- ing upon him as an official and his record of continuous service in office is proof of the confidence that his fellow citizens repose in him. He has always been faithful to every trust and has safeguarded the interests committed to his care. Although he is one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of Otley, he has met at times with financial reverses, having been through two bank failures.
Mr. Vriezelaar was married in 1884 to Miss Mattie De Reus, a daughter of Arie De Reus, a resident of Pella. Her birth occurred in this county in 1860 and she was educated in the country schools. To her parents were born fifteen children, ten of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Vriezelaar have eight children living and have lost two. Gradus J. married Miss Artie Heullaman and they have three children. Ira G. married Miss Sarah Klein, by whom he has two children. William A. married Miss Carrie Van Bentom and they have one child. Maggie is the wife of John Van Der Bard, a farmer, and is the mother of two children. Mamie and Henry, twins, are both at home, as are also Jimmie and Martha, the last named being
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now sixteen years old. Henry, the first of that name, died August 23, 1890, at the age of ten months and twenty-three days, while another child named Mamie died November 18, 1892, at the age of five years.
The family attend the Baptist church and can be depended upon to further in any way possible the moral advancement of the com- munity. Mr. Vriezelaar has other interests in addition to those already mentioned, as he has been secretary and treasurer of the Pella Pipe & Tank Company from its organization. The concern is capitalized for twenty thousand dollars and is well managed, pay- ing good dividends. He also owns a coal mine near Otley and sup- plies a big local trade. Whether in private or public life, he has invariably guided his conduct by high standards of ethics and the greater number of his acquaintances are also his loyal friends.
JOHN WILLIAM KIRK.
John William Kirk is a farmer residing in Knoxville township and in addition to his interests here has a section of land in Saskatch- ewan, Canada, which he has owned since 1894. He is one of the representative citizens of his township and is highly esteemed by those who have come in contact with him. He has lived in this county for the greater part of his life and is a native son thereof, his birth occurring in August, 1865, some four miles southwest of Knox- ville, on what is known as the old Curtis farm.
His parents were Benjamin S. and Mary E. ( Kelley) Kirk, both of whom are now deceased. The former was born on the 13th of November, 1838, in Columbiana county, Ohio, of Quaker parentage. His father, William Kirk, was born on the 14th of November, 1779, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Gilbert, was born on the 5th of July, 1790. Mr. and Mrs. William Kirk removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, from the Keystone state and the former died there on the 31st of October, 1860. His widow died on the 5th of March, 1873, at Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a horseman and in the early days conducted a stage route. He was an officer in the Quaker church and in his daily life exemplified his sincere faith. The records of the time of the Revolution show that members of the family fought in that conflict with the mother country.
Benjamin S. Kirk was reared in Columbiana county, Ohio, but in 1864 came to Marion county and in the fall of that year was mar-
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ried to Miss Mary E. Kelley. About 1870 or 1871 he purchased a farm in Washington township, which remained his home until the fall of 1904, when he removed to Knoxville and resided there until his death on the 12th of April, 1912. For many years he engaged in teaching school and was noted in his locality as an unusually fine penman. He was also a farmer and stock-raiser and his efforts along those lines met with gratifying success. For more than three years during the Civil war he served in the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was the first three-year regiment to leave the Buck- eye state. He was a republican and served in various offices, being quite prominent in local political circles. Through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic he kept in touch with the other veterans of the Civil war in his county and found this association a very pleasant one. He was also a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, as was his wife, and both were held in high esteem by those who knew them. Mrs. Kirk was also a native of Columbiana county, born March 16, 1840, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Brubaker) Kelley, who in the fall of 1862 brought their family to this county. Her father was a railroad contractor in his younger days but after his arrival here turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and entered land from the government in Knoxville town- ship, which is known as the W. A. Kelley farm, although it is now owned by a grandson, John Kelley. The father of Mrs. Kirk died in March, 1892, and her mother passed away on the ist of January, 1887. Mrs. Kirk lived more than the span of life allotted to man- kind by the Psalmist, as she was seventy-two years of age when her death occurred on the 24th of January, 1913. She was the mother of three children: John William, of this review; Lora Anna, who married B. D. Marsh, of Indianola, this state; and Edith, who died at the age of two years.
John W. Kirk was reared in Washington township, this county, upon the old homestead on section 5, and attended the public schools of the neighborhood. As a boy and youth a great deal of his time was given to assisting with the work of the farm and in this way he gained practical training that has been of inestimable value to him, so that by the time he was grown he was an experienced agriculturist and was well qualified to operate a farm on his own account. In 1892 he was married and began farming independently in Washing- ton township, where he met with gratifying success in his agricul- tural operations. In 1907 he removed to Saskatchewan, Canada, and purchased six hundred and forty acres of land, remaining there for about five years and then returning to this county. He built his
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present fine home upon the farm near Knoxville, in Knoxville town- ship, and there he and his wife now reside. Mr. Kirk has leased his Canada land and it returns to him a good annual income. He is carrying on general farming upon his farm in this county but makes a specialty of breeding Duroc Jersey hogs and finds this branch of his activities a very remunerative one. In all that he does he is progressive and energetic, and his financial success is the natural result of his industry and good management.
On the 13th of September, 1892, Mr. Kirk was united in mar- riage with Miss Lewessa C. Lakin, who was born near Oskaloosa, Iowa, on the 13th of May, 1868, a daughter of Everton T. and Eliza- beth P. (Bernard) Lakin. Her father was born in 1838 and in his youth removed from Guernsey county, Ohio, to Iowa. He was mar- ried in Monroe, this state, and subsequently settled near Oskaloosa. For a number of years he taught school and was known throughout his locality for his fine penmanship. He died on the 9th of Novem- ber, 1911, in Saskatchewan, Canada, where he had lived for some time. He served for four years in the Civil war, being a member of an Ohio regiment. His wife was born in 1844 and died on the 26th of June, 1900. Both were members of the Methodist church. They were the parents of four daughters, as follows: Mrs. John W. Kirk; Jessie, who became the wife of P. H. McEwen and died on the 19th of April, 1906, at Oskaloosa; Stella, who married H. A. Good and passed away in Minnesota on the 19th of July, 1910; and Adella, the wife of W. L. Wyman, of Park Rapids, Minnesota. Mrs. Kirk was reared in the vicinity of Oskaloosa and in that city and attended a business college there. She taught school for sev- eral terms, including ten months as shorthand instructor in a busi- ness college. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirk ten children were born : Mabel, the wife of V. A. Merriman, of Knoxville township; Howard, War- ren, Esther, Jessie, Ruth and Alice, at home; Ernest, deceased ; and Edna and Willis, at home. Three of the children are attending the Knoxville high school.
Mr. Kirk is a republican, as he believes that the policies of that party are best calculated to secure the prosperity of the country. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and their support can be depended upon in all movements seeking the moral welfare of the community. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs of Knox- ville. He has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of the county and believes that the opportunities here offered are unusually
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY
great and that energy and good judgment will enable a man to win financial success. He has not only won material prosperity but has also gained the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens and the warm regard of many friends.
OLIVER P. WRIGHT.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in the business and financial circles of Knox- ville than does Oliver P. Wright. This is not due alone to the suc- cess he has achieved but to the honorable, straightforward policy which he has followed, his course ever measuring up to the highest standards of business integrity. Early recognizing the eternal prin- ciple that industry wins, he made industry the beacon light of his life and it has led him at length to the goal of success and prosperity.
Born in Putnam county, Indiana, on the 17th of. March, 1844, Mr. Wright is a son of Larkin and Delilah Wright, both of whom were natives of Putnam couty. The father was a son of Benjamin J. Wright, who was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, April 18, 1794, and he was a son of Benjamin S. Wright, whose birth occurred in Rowan county in 1752. The latter was a son of Richard Wright, who came to America during the colonial epoch in the his- tory of this country, since which time his descendants have belonged to that class of representative American citizens who have upheld and promoted the stability and progress of the nation along various lines.
Larkin Wright was a farmer of Indiana and upon his removal to Knoxville in 1854 engaged in the live-stock business and also in merchandising. In 1862, in connection with J. E. Neal, he estab- lished a private bank under the firm style of Neal & Wright, and in time the name was changed to the Marion County Bank. This later was merged into the Knoxville National Bank, with Mr. Wright as president for a few years. Later he became president of the Marion County National Bank and so continued until his death, which occurred in February, 1890. His business interests were ever of a character that contributed in substantial measure to the development and upbuilding of city and county. Moreover, he was active in politics as a stalwart supporter of the republican party, although he never accepted office. He contributed also to the moral develop- ment of the community and held membership in the Christian church
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and in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to both the blue lodge and chapter. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows : Oliver P., of this review; Cynthia J., who gave her hand in marriage to Judge Gamble; Francis M., deceased, who followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career; Naomi, who died at the age of four years; and Charles L., a practicing physician of South Des Moines.
Oliver P. Wright spent the first ten years of his life in his native county and then accompanied his parents to Marion county, where for sixty years he has now made his home. Every phase of the county's development is familiar to him and in promoting its prog- ress he has been an important factor. He entered the mercantile and live-stock business with his father about 1857, having in the meantime acquired a public-school education. He has brought zeal and energy to everything that he has undertaken, and strong and resolute purpose has enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path.
For forty-five years he has been continuously connected with financial interests, first becoming bookkeeper of the Marion County Bank, in which he was promoted to the position of cashier in 1869. In 1871 he went to Pella, Iowa, and assisted in starting the First National Bank, of which he became the cashier. In May, 1872, he returned to Knoxville, where he organized the Marion County National Bank and was its cashier until 1891, when he was elected to the presidency and as its chief officer has since shaped its policies and directed its interests. There is no question of the stability of this institution. Safe, conservative methods have always been fol- lowed and there is no phase of the banking business with which Mr. Wright is not familiar, his long experience enabling him to carefully control the interests of the bank in such a way as to safe- guard the depositors as well as promote the success of the stock- holders. He has also continued active as a dealer in live stock and in land for many years and is the owner of a large number of farms, having placed much of his means in the safest of all investments- real estate.
In November, 1865, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Artie Marsh, of this county, a daughter of Osborn and Jane Marsh, who came to Marion county in June, 1849, when this was a pioneer district upon the western frontier. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and Mr. Marsh entered a claim and developed a farm which is still in the possession of the family. He was a progressive citizen and was the owner of the first buggy in the
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county. About 1857 he went to Indianapolis, where he purchased the vehicle for four hundred dollars in gold and then drove home across the country in his new possession. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of five children, namely: Carrie B., who gave her hand in marriage to E. B. Mitchell, of Lima, Ohio; Ora L .; William, who is a resident of Knoxville, Iowa; Maude, who is the wife of Harry Armstrong, of Des Moines; and Dana, who wedded Sherley Percival, of Des Moines.
Mr. Wright is entitled to wear the little bronze button of the Grand Army of the Republic, for in May, 1864, when but twenty years of age, he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company A, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry, with which he remained until the regiment was mustered out in the fall of the same year. He is a prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. In politics he is a republican, earnest and stalwart in support of party principles but never an aspirant for office. He has always preferred to do his public duty as a private citizen and has given generous support to many measures for the welfare and benefit of the community. In fact he has been a leader in much that has brought about present-day conditions and he is justly accounted one of the most valued and worthy citizens of Knoxville.
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