USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 20
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During these years Mr. Reininger, in connection with Earl R. Ferguson, became one of the most prominent factors in promoting Shenandoah's indus- trial development, using the columns of his paper to exploit the interests and advantages of the city and thus securing the establishment of different business enterprises here. Ile has indeed figured prominently in connec- tion with the evolutionary activities, his work being of lasting benefit to the town. The first business enterprise established here through their efforts was a Hail Insurance Company, which operated successfully for some years. Later a company was organized for the buying of poultry, etc., and afterward an Independent Mutual Telephone Company was organized with over twelve hundred subscribers. Then came the Shenandoah Light & Gas Company, the Swanson Manufacturing Company, the Wagon Works and the Shenandoah Brick & Tile Works, and at all times Mr. Reininger was active in securing the establishment of these business concerns which have been most valuable features in the commercial and industrial life of the city. Ile is now secretary and director of the Shenandoah Brick & Tile Company which, at this writing, is entering upon arrangements for a con- solidation with the Lake & Cotrill Brick & Tile Company. He is also the general manager of the lowa Wagon Company, which has a large output, the business constantly increasing under his capable control. He is a man of determined purpose, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His energy is marked, his courage undaunted and his per- sisteney unfaltering.
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Mr. Reininger manifests much of the leading qualities in his political activity. Since his sixteenth year hc has taken an active part in politics, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the political organization with which he is connected. In 1896 he had charge of the republican campaign and in 1900 was chairman of the county cen- tral committee. However, he does not draw the party line as closely as do others and has sometimes been called a democrat by the more partisan re- publican. Ilis attitude. however, is that of a citizen who desires the best good of all and believes in supporting the candidates whom he regards as thoroughly qualified to discharge the duties of the office. He does not be- lieve in sacrificing the general good to partisanship and yet he never falters in the support of the principles in which he believes.
His fraternal relations are with the Tricentum Lodge, No. 300, F. & A. M .: Sheshbazzar Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M .; Juniata Lodge, No. 195, K. P .; Council Bluffs Lodge, No. 595. B. P. O. E. ; the Ancient Order of United Workman ; the Modern Woodmen of America ; and the Woodmen of the World. He attends the Congregational church of which his wife is a member. He was first married in 1888 to Miss Katie Richards, of Col- lege Springs, and unto them were born three children: Beryl, the wife of F. D. Allen, a telegraph operator at the Wabash station in Shenandoah ; Earl L., who is employed by the Pacific Express Company; and Harry, at home. On the 3Ist of October, 1907, Mr. Reininger wedded Miss Julie Hollem- back, of Shenandoah. He is well known socially as a man whose good qualities are widely recognized, while his business standing is among the foremost, his energy, enterprise and ability bringing him into prominent relations with the industrial and commercial activities of the city.
NOAH McCOWEN.
For more than a half century Noah McCowen has been a resident of Page county and has therefore been a witness of almost its entire growth and upbuilding. In the work of general progress he has also cooperated, his labors being particularly helpful in the line of general agricultural de- velopment. The careful control of his business interests has brought him substantial success and he is now the owner of four hundred and sixty- four acres of valuable land in this county, his home place being pleasantly situated on the Wall street road about two miles north of the public square of Clarinda.
Mr. McCowen was born in Darke county, Ohio, August 9, 1852, and in September, 1854, he was brought to this county by his parents, James and Hulda (Neely) McCowen, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. From the time of their marriage they resided upon a farm in Ohio until their removal to Page county. The father was born in Darke county, Ohio, August 14, 1822, and after coming to this state he entered
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a large tract of land from the government and also purchased other farm property. His claim comprised three-quarters of a section and this, in addition to his various purchases, made him the owner of between five and six hundred acres. His entire life was devoted to general farming and stock raising and though he lived quietly upon his home place, his many substantial qualities became known to his fellow citizens, who manifested appreciation for his sterling worth. He passed away September 22, 1904, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. His widow. who was born in Darke county, Ohio, May 6, 1824, still survives and is residing upon the farm in Nodaway township. to which she was brought by her husband in 1856. They were the parents of four children : John. who makes his home in Nodaway township ; Sylvester, living in Clarinda ; Noah, of this review ; and Mary E., the wife of Alexander Shum.
Noph MeCowen was only two years old when brought by his parents to Page county and upon the home farm he was reared and remained with his father until twenty-two years of age, during which time he ably assisted him in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He was then married and for ien years thereafter he resided on a part of his father's farm, after which he purchased his present place in March, 1890. and has since made it his home. From time to time he has further invested in farm holdings and is today the owner of four hundred and sixty-four acres of land. all in this county. Ilis home is two miles north of the public square of Clarinda, bordering the Wall street road and adjoining the state hospital on the north. Ile has here a fine home and good outbuildings, all of which were erected by him and stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. A spirit of unfaltering diligence constitutes the basis of a success which is most desira- ble. Tlis fields are now well tilled and in addition to cultivating his crops he raises high grades of stock and adds materially thereby to his annual income.
On the 20th of October. 1874. Mr. MeCowen was married to Miss Kittie Grinnell, who was born in Plover, Portage county, Wisconsin. Octo- ber 27, 1857, and was about four years of age when brought to Iowa by her parents, Samuel and Susan (Lynscott) Grinnell, who were natives of Appleton, Waldo county. Maine. The father was born October 1. 1820, and the mother's birth occurred September o, 1828. While residing in the Pine Tree state Mr. Grinnell followed the life of a sailor but subse- quent to his removal to the west engaged in farming. On coming to lowa in 1861 he settled first in Taylor county, where he lived for about five years, and then removed to Page county. where he continued to make his home until his life's labors were ended in death. He died June 16, 1868, and his wife, surviving him for about thirty years, passed away May 5. 1900. In their family were seven children: Martha E., who is the widow of W. T. Ghean and resides in Haddam, Kansas; Mary L., the wife of Samuel Pendergraft, of Buffalo, Wyoming : Delora, who died at the age of five years : Kittie, now Mrs. McCowen : Orren, who was a twin brother of Kittie, and died at the age of two and a half years; Nercilla IL., who is the widow of William Webber and resides in Denver, Colorado : Samuel.
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a resident of Buffalo, Wyoming ; and Susan R., the wife of Robert Fuller- ton, also of Buffalo.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCowen has been blessed with three children: H. F., who is engaged in merchandising in Clarinda; J. W., of Nodaway township; and J. T., at home. Mr. and Mrs. McCowen are well known in this county where both have resided from early childhood and where their circle of friends is continually broadening as their circle of acquaintance is increasing. His political allegiance is given to the de- mocracy and he has served as road officer and as school director, acting in the latter capacity for the past nineteen years. He has made an enviable record as an alert, enterprising business man, using his opportunities to the best advantage, and as the years have gone by he has won a creditable measure of prosperity as the reward of his well directed energies.
REV. DAVID MCKEE.
Rev. David McKee, whose life was devoted to the noble purpose of making the world! better and so promoting the causes of civilization and Christianity, lives today in the memory of all who knew him and the in- fluence of his life remains as a blessed benediction to those with whom he became associated. A native of Ireland, he was born April 10, 1821, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage. When he was four years of age his parents crossed the Atlantic with their family to the United States, settling in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Fourteen years later, in 1839, they removed to Mercer county in the same state and availing himself of the educational opportunities offered in the Mercer Academy, Rev. McKee thus qualified for entrance into the junior class at Jefferson College. He was there graduated in 1847 with a class of sixty-two members and the biographical history of the class as written by the Rev. A. G. Wallace, D. D., in 1887, contained the following: "Our class was much indebted for its good character to a few older and graver members. Among the prominent leaders of right-doing and good influence was David McKee. Good, thoughtful, studious, upright, kind, good-hearted and pious, he commanded the respect of all. No memory of foolish things lingers around his name. No blush need mantle his check as he recalls his college days. He is the son of David and Jane (Smith) MeKee. His grade in class is indicated on the commencement program-valedictorian, Greek, David McKee. His right was not disputed. He was professor in Westminster College for three years, studied theology in the seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian church in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and was licensed by the presbytery of Pittsburg, April 19, 1851. He was ordained by the Philadelphia presbytery July 5, 1854. as pastor of the Fourth Reformed Presbyterian congregation. After a few years there he removed to the west and since 1861 has been pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian church at Clarinda, Iowa. In his ministry he has won for himself a high standing in the community and
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throughout the church. He has been an able pastor and a faithful defender of the doctrines of the Cross and a cordial, firm supporter of all the great moral movements of our day. The synod of 1885 honored him by making him its moderator. He has been a liberal writer for the press and has published a sermon on Ministerial Fidelity and Reward. September 3, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Gregg, daughter of David Gregg, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Around their table have been gathered thrce sons and five daughters."
The children of the Rev. and Mrs. McKee were as follows: David G., who is now engaged in the lumber business in Kansas City, Missouri : Mary M., the wife of W. M. Black, a resident farmer of Harlan township; Jane E., the wife of William Turner, of Bellevue, Idaho: James M., who died in infancy ; Martha, who also passed away in infancy: Eda E., the wife of A. E. Hosack, a resident of Grove City, Pennsylvania ; John A., who was born in 1870 and died in 1897 at the age of twenty-six years ; and Anna K., now the wife of J. Ren Lee, who is living on the old homestead in Ularlan township.
Rev. David Mckee, who so long figured as one of the honored and rep- resentative citizens of Page county, always took a most active and helpful interest in its welfare and upbuilding. He contributed liberally toward se- curing the building of railroads through the county and in 1875 he raised the money with which to make needed improvements on the Page county fair grounds. He did not believe, as too many men of religious tendency have done, that the individual has nothing to do with this life but must continually prepare for a life to come. He realized that Christianity is living the best each day. doing good to one's fellows and striving for the inculcation of principles of honesty, integrity and morality into our every- day existence. He exerted a most wide-felt influence not only in the pulpit but through the example of his daily life and work. His entire career was characterized by noble purpose and kind deeds and he left the impress of his individuality upon all with whom he came in contact. Mrs. McKee still survives her husband and resides with her daughter, Mrs. J. Ren Lee.
EDMOND WILLIAM WHITING.
There is much that was picturesque and interesting in the life history of Edmond William Whiting, who came to Page county before Shenandoah was founded or before the seeds of civilization had hardly been planted in the soil of southwestern Iowa. He associated with the vanishing Indians and hunted the wild deer over the prairies in those pioncer times and lived to see all the changes which have brought Page county to its present status of modern civilization and development. As the years have come and gone his sunny nature enabled him to enjoy life to the full. With no vaulting ambition prompting him to seek wealth, he lived contentedly, gaining much from contact with nature and association with friends, and at his death there
EDMOND W. WHITING
TILNEN FULANALIONS
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were hundreds throughout the county that felt the deepest regret at his passing.
Mr. Whiting was born at Sharon Center, Medina county, Ohio, July 31, 1831. His ancestry can be traced back to a member of the English nobility and to Mary Queen of Scots. He is also a descendant of Israel Putnam, whom he is said to resemble in many traits of character. He was a son of William and Lydia Whiting, and at his death was survived by his twin sisters, Mrs. Mattie Willoughby and Mrs. Mary Doughty, both of whom re- side in Hotchkiss, Colorado, and are now seventy-four years of age. The mother was married again and two half-brothers of Mr. Whiting, Charles English of Hamburg, Iowa, and Simon C. of Oakland, California, are yet living.
Mr. Whiting was only a year old when in 1832 his parents removed to Missouri and in 1836 became residents of Adams county, Illinois. In 1844 Mr. Whiting arrived in lowa and was closely associated with the in- terests of the southwestern portion of the state from that time. In his youth he was of a roving disposition and, leaving his boyhood home when but four- teen years of age, became a resident of Mills county, this state. Not long afterward he enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican war. When examined for enlistment he stood on an ant hill, which brought his height on a level with the others in line and, being broad shouldered, he averaged well in size and so was not questioned as to age and was accepted. The regiment was sent to the front and he participated in the battles of Sante Fe, Ben- tonsford, Fort Puebla and Fort Laramie. His battalion made forced marches across the wilderness to the Pacific coast and their track at times could be traced by their bloody footprints in many rocky places. Footsore and weary, however, they at length reached their destination.
Not long afterward Mr. Whiting was mustered out owing to the close of the war and with some companions set out on horseback for lowa, but on the way were captured by a band of Pawnee Indians. Through the in- fluence of a young chief, however, they were liberated but were told to ride for their lives and, acting on this suggestion, they covered seventy-five miles the first day. They were thirty days in reaching the Missouri river.
Mr. Whiting took up his abode in Mills county, Iowa, in 1847, and there remained for five years. He enjoyed the free open life of the prairies and was fond of hunting and outdoor experiences. In 1852, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, he went to California, where he spent four years in mining. Like the great majority of the men who proceeded to the Pacific coast at that time, he did not find the wealth that he sought and returned to Mills county. The remainder of his life was largely devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he completed his arrangements for hav- ing a home of his own in his marriage on the 19th of July, 1857, at Manti, Fremont county, Iowa, to Miss Augusta E. McConoughey, with whom he traveled life's journey happily for over half a century. In the autumn of 1858 they removed to Page county and took up their abode upon a tract of land which is now a part of the city of Shenandoah, but at that time deer were roaming over the prairie, which was starred with millions of wild flow-
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ers in the month of June and covered with one dazzling sheet of unbroken snow in January. Mr. Whiting at once began tilling the farm, remaining thereon for ten years, after which he again went west to prospect for gold and was once more captured by the Indians. He did not find mining any more profitable there than in California and, returning home shortly af- terward, removed to the place which has long been familiar to Page county citizens as Pleasant Hill Farm. He owned that property and continued to reside thereon most of the time until his demise. Mrs. Whiting still owns the home farm of eighty acres and also has three hundred and twenty acres in Kansas.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whiting there were born five children, but they lost their elder son, William E., then a leading physician, thirty-four years of age, and also their younger son, Bertie, then five years of age. The sur- viving daughters are: Florence G., now the wife of J. K. Baynes of Dear- field, Missouri : Nettie L., the wife of Charles Dewey of Shenandoah ; and Linnie C., the wife of Edgar Boydston of Imogene, Iowa. A grandson, Ernest B., was also a member of the household and they adopted two little boys, Teddie and Freddie, now with Mrs. Whiting.
Mr. Whiting held membership in the Christian church and his life in his latter years was one of daily worship, his prayers and Bible reading be- ing to him as necessary as his daily food. Even in his illness and delirium he read passage after passage from an unseen Bible. He led an upright life and was always ready to assist the needy, was honest as the day is long and was respected and esteemed by all who knew him. One of the local papers said of him: "He loved his home, was a quiet. easy-going, kindly man, a good citizen who little intruded into the noisy, busy world of affairs, and was highly esteemed for his sterling honesty and his genial, optimistic disposition." He passed away June 12, 1908, and after the funeral services, which were held in the Christian church, he was laid to rest in the Shen- andoah cemetery. There remained to his family many cherished memories of good deeds and of a kindly, genial spirit, and there were in his life many characteristics worthy of emulation.
J. CHIESTER DOW.
J. Chester Dow, editor of the Current-Press of College Springs, was born in Harlan township, Page county, August 20, 1874. His parents were William C. and Lucinda M. (Lafferty) Dow, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The father who came to this county in 1857, is now living with his son Chester, but the mother has passed away. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters.
On the old homestead in Harlan township J. Chester Dow spent the first eight years of his life and then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to College Springs, where he has resided continuously since with the exception of two years, from 1895 until 1897. spent in Riley county, Kansas.
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lle is a graduate of the public schools of College Springs and also pursued a business course in Amity College. He likewise spent two years in clas- sical work in Amity College, which is now located at College Springs. He made his initial step in connection with the printing trade, entering the office of the Current-Press, of which the Rev. Burr was then the editor. After a few months he went to Kansas, where he assisted an uncle in a bank. On his return here he took up the painter's trade, which he followed for five years during the summer seasons, while the winter months were devoted to the printer's trade. During that time he carefully saved his earnings until they were sufficient to enable him to invest in business on his own account. On the Ist of January, 1904, he purchased a newspaper printing office, but on the 14th of February of the same year the plant was destroyed by fire together with all it contained. After six weeks Mr. Dow started anew and for two years conducted his office in the basement of a drug store. He then built his present home on Main street and has a well equipped printing plant, from which he turns out a most neat and attractive paper. The Current-Press is altogether one of the best country papers of this part of the state. It has a large circulation and is a good advertising medium and, moreover, is a readable journal, devoted to the dissemination of local and general news.
On the 19th of June, 1907, Mr. Dow was united in marriage to Miss Estella Stokesbury, a daughter of the Rev. J. W. Stokesbury, the present pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of College Springs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dow hold membership in the Methodist church and are greatly interested in its work, doing all in their power to advance its growth and promote its progress. Mr. Dow is a stalwart republican in his political views and has served as city clerk. He has been correspondent for the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and in business lines manifests a spirit of marked enterprise and excellent ability in solving intricate business prob- lems. He gives to the public a paper thoroughly modern in every particular and the success which he is now enjoying in its publication is well merited.
NORMAN W. CLINE.
Norman W. Cline, now living retired in Clarinda, was in former years extensively and successfully identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Page county. His birth occurred in St. Joseph county, Indiana, on the 25th of August, 1847, his parents being George W. and Harriet ( Moon) Cline, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. The family is an old one in this country, several of the name having par- ticipated in the Revolutionary war. The paternal grandparents were Abraham and Mary D. ( McCloud) Cline, the former being a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was of Scotch descent. They came to Iowa in 1855 and passed away in Boone county, this state, the death of Abraham
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Cline occurring about 1883 when he had attained the age of ninety-two years, while his wife was called to her final rest about 1874.
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Cline, the parents of our subject, also made their way to this state in 1855. finding it largely an unsettled and unde- veloped region of prairie and timber land. They located on an unimproved tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres, which they entered from the government at a dollar and a quarter an acre, and the father at once set himself to the task of bringing the property under cultivation and estab- lishing a home in the pioneer district. In this arduous undertaking he was ably assisted by his two sons, Norman W. and William W., the latter being now a resident of Jewell county, Kansas. There were also two daughters who accompanied the parents on their removal to Iowa, namely; Barbara I., now living in Boone county, this state; and Harty F., who is deceased. George W. Cline first erected a log house of one room, fourteen by sixteen feet, with a fire place and sod chimney and also built a cattle shed. During the first year he had no crop but in the second year planted and fenced twenty acres of land, hauling the fence rails for a distance of eight miles. In 1866 he disposed of his farm for eleven dollars an acre and bought a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, which was partly improved and was located within five miles of his original property. There he successfully carried on his agricultural pursuits until the time of his demise, which occurred on the 14th of February, 1908, when he had attained the ripe old age of eighty-four years. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he was a man of considerable local influence and prominence, serving as judge of election in Boone county and also as township trustee and school director. He was a consistent and valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his wife, the latter passing away in that faith on the 12th of January, 1905, when seventy- eight years of age.
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