USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 29
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James H. Whitehill is proprietor of a restaurant, candy and cigar store in Clarinda, and his well appointed establishment, the excellent line of goods which he carries and his courteous and obliging manner to his customers are important elements in the success which he has won and which now classes him with the leading merchants of the community. He was born in Brown county, Ohio, September 2, 1852, and is a son of John R. and Mar- garet ( Holmes) Whitehill. The father was a stone and brick mason by trade and followed that pursuit in his earlier manhood but subsequently turned his attention to farming. He continued his residence in the Buck- eye state until 1857. when he removed with his family to Illinois, settling at Monmouth.
James H. Whitehill was then but five years of age. He was educated in the public schools and began life as a farmer, having become familiar with the work of the fields in his boyhood days through the assistance which he rendered his father. Thinking to enjoy better business opportunities and secure advancement more quickly in western Iowa, James H. Whitehill came to Clarinda on the 14th of October, 1876. He here began work as a laborer and for five years he acted as an engineer, during which time he carefully saved his earnings until he was enabled to make investment in a farm. He had farmed in Taylor county for seven years previous to locating in this place. He worked diligently and persistently to bring his place under a high state of cultivation and as the years passed his property became very valuable. In 1902, however, he sold his farm and again took up his resi- dence in Clarinda. He remained in this county from 1876 until 1893. In the latter year he sold out and went to Des Moines county but in 1895 dis- posed of his business interests there and returned to Taylor county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1902. In that year he again came to Clarinda and bought his present business, being now proprietor of a good restaurant. He always carries a large line of candy and cigars and all branches of his business are profitably conducted. The store is twenty- four by one hundred feet and is well equipped. In addition to his other in-
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terests Mr. Whitehill was at one time engineer electrician of the Clarinda Electric Light & Power Company, filling the position for two years. His agricultural interests, however, now make heavy demands upon his time and attention and in his chosen field of labor he is making steady progress.
On the Ist of October, 1874, Mr. Whitehill was married to Miss Mary E. Carnagey, a native of Mercer county, Illinois, and a daughter of Jolin J. Carnagey, a resident farmer of that part of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehill have three children: Nora, who is now the wife of William A. Weller, a resident of Ottawa township, Taylor county, where he follows farming ; Ada Ellen, the wife of A. C. Eastman, who carries on general agricultural pursuits in Ottawa township, Taylor county ; and Edna Vir- ginia, the wife of Thomas E. Martindale, proprietor of the South Side Bakery at Clarinda. They also lost one child, Elvira, who was the wife of Bert Dickson, of Roverton, Nebraska.
Mr. Whitehill is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and at one time was master of the exchequer. He has many friends both within and without the order, for his sterling qualities are such as command respect and confidence in every land and clime.
WILLIAM J. WILLIAMS.
General farming and stock raising command the attention of William J. Williams, who cultivates an extensive tract of land in Valley township known as the Woodlawn Stock Farm, eight and a half miles north of Clar- inda. He is a man who, through close application and perseverance, coupled with hard work and careful management now ranks among the repre- sentative and progressive agriculturists of Page county. He was born in England on the 25th of April, 1852, and is a son of John and Amy (Rogers) Williams. The father, who is now living retired on his farm of six hundred acres in Valley township, is mentioned more extensively on another page of this volume.
William J. Williams came with his parents to the United States when about fourteen years of age, the family locating first in Wisconsin and coming to Page county, lowa, in the fall of 1870. He acquired his education in the schools of his native country and after arriving in the new world de- voted his time to assisting his father in the work of the farm. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority when, wisely de- ciding to follow as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared, he took up farming on his own account, moving to the well known Wood- lawn Stock Farm at the age of thirty years. He has since continued to make this his place of residence and has directed his energies to its further cul- tivation and improvement. That he has prospered in his agricultural pur- suits is indicated by the fact that as the years have gone by he has been able to add to his holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land in Valley and Douglas townships and
MR. AND MRS. W. J. WILLIAMS
TILDEA FOUNDOLI IF
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also nine hundred and sixty acres in Canada, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He rents his Canada land. He is ranked among the large land owners of Page county and his success is but the direct result of unfaltering industry and untiring perseverance. In connection with his general farming he gives much time and attention to the raising and feed- ing of stock, and this branch of his business is also proving a very profitable one.
On the 19th of December, 1889, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Bair, a native of Illinois. She is a daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth Bair, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed from that state to Heury county, Illinois, and came to Page county, Iowa, in 1869, locating in Colfax township, where Mr. Bair purchased a farm and continued to reside for many years. He is now living retired in Clarinda, but his wife died in 1900 at the age of sixty-nine years. In their family were six children, namely : Isabelle, now Mrs. Williams; Anna, the wife of J. T. Monzingo, residing in Oklahoma ; John, a resident of Clarinda ; Allen, of Amity township, this county : Alexander, of Colfax township ; and Bessie, the wife of J. B. Hurst, of Terre Haute, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are both members of the United Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the elders. In politics William is a republi- can in all national matters, but he reserves the power in local elections to vote for the best man, regardless of his party connections. He has served as school director, but outside of that has never held public office, prefer- ring to devote his time and energies to his private business matters. He is up-to-date and progressive in his methods, possesses good business ability and through his own efforts entirely has attained the gratifying degree of prosperity which he now enjoys.
WALTER C. CRAMER.
Walter C. Cramer, who has been successfully engaged in the jewelry business at Clarinda since August, 1905, was born on the 16th of Feb- ruary, 1874, a son of Ansel B. and Mary F. (Grosvenor ) Cramer, who came to Clarinda from Chickasaw county, lowa, in 1860. The father was an accountant and acted as city clerk at one time. He had made his way from Vermont to this state in the year 1857. His demise occurred in 1892. when he had attained the age of sixty-four years, but his widow still sur- vives, being a well known and respected resident of Clarinda.
Walter C. Cramer supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the public schools, by a course of study in the Clarinda Educational Insti- tute. In 1889 he went to Monte Vista, Colorado, where he was engaged in the lumber business in association with his brother, O. A. Cramer, for a period of three years. At the end of that time he returned to Clarinda and was here engaged as a clerk until 1896, when he secured employment in a jewelry store for the purpose of acquainting himself with the trade
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in principle and detail. In 1898 he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in order to gain still further knowledge of the jewelry business and on re- turning to Clarinda became identified with that line of activity. It was in August, 1905, that he went into business on his own account as a dealer in jewelry and has been thus engaged to the present time, owning a fine store on the west side of the square.
On the Ist of June. 1899, Mr. Cramer wedded Miss Maud Thompson, a resident of Clarinda and a daughter of I. M. Thompson, an agriculturist by occupation. By this union there are two sons, Loel B. and Clarence Maxwell. Fraternally Mr. Cramer is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church, in which he is acting as elder and also as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a man of good business ability, of exemplary habits and upright character, is worthy the trust of his fellow- men and fully merits the good will which is uniformly extended him.
HENRY J. SUNDERMAN.
Among the native sons of Page county who have always remained resi- dents of this part of the state is numbered Henry J. Sunderman, whose birth occurred in Douglas township on the 3d of November, 1883. He is a son of Henry and Sophia Sunderman, the former now deceased and the latter of Douglas township. The father for many years was one of the ex- tensive farmers and landowners of this portion of the state, recognized as a business man of marked ability, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this voltime.
In the usual manner of farm lads of the age and locality Henry J. Sunderman was reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and then removed to one of his father's farms, which he now owns. He is today the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land on section 14, Douglas township, and he handles stock of all kinds, keeping in his fields, lots and pastures good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. His fields, too, are well tilled and every- thing about his place indicates the supervision of a careful and progressive owner. In addition to his farming interests he has other business affairs, being now treasurer of the Fairview & Bethesda Telephone Company.
Mr. Sunderman was united in marriage to Miss Sedalie Goecker, who was born in Nodaway township in 1881 and is a daughter of John and Mary ( Riskey) Goecker, who are now living in Nodaway township. They were the parents of four daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sunderman have been born four children: Harley J., whose birth occurred May 24, 1902 ; Bertholdt J .. born on the 12th of March, 1904: Elvira M. S., born December II, 1905; and Clara R. V., born April 20, 1907.
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The parents are affiliated with the German Lutheran church and Mr. Sunderman is a progressive citizen, interested in the welfare of the com- munity and active in support of many measures for the public good. He is a busy man, constantly occupied with the duties relative to the develop- ment and improvement of his farm, and during the years of his residence in this county his substantial probity as a business man and his progressive- ness in citizenship have gained him his present firm hold on the good will and regard of his fellow townsmen.
SETH WARREN EDMONDS.
Among the native sons of Page county, who have made creditable records in business, winning success through intelligent and well directed effort, is numbered Seth Warren Edmonds, who was born in Nodaway township, September 18, 1857. He is the eldest of the four children of Alphonso and Peachy Julia (Sampson) Edmonds, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. He has always resided in this county and his youthful days were spent in his parents' home. At the usual age he began his education, pursuing his studies in the public schools while the periods of vacation were devoted to the work on the home farm. He resided with his father until he had attained his majority and afterward worked by the month as a farm hand until he had saved sufficient capital to enable him to engage in farming on his own account. He first rented land and so con- tinued to till the soil until 1887 when he purchased a half interest in one hundred and sixty acres, upon which his father now resides. He resided on another farm belonging to his father for three years and then came to his present place of residence, having here one hundred and eight acres on sec- tion 6, Nodaway township. Its location is about four and a half miles north of Clarinda on the Wall Street road and the good buildings which formed a pleasing feature of the place were erected by Mr. Edmonds. The land was only partially broken when he took possession thereof and the buildings were all poor but with resolute spirit he set to work to make this a model farm property and the result of his labors is seen in the excellently improved tract of land which he today owns and cultivates. From the time of early spring planting he is busily engaged in the work of the fields until crops are har- vested in the late autumn when he receives the generous reward of his labors.
In 1884 Mr. Edmonds was united in marriage to Sarah J. Plank, who was born in Buchanan county, Missouri, August 13, 1854, and when ten years of age came to Page county with her parents, John and Julia (Lynch) Plank, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Missouri. Both died in this county. Mr. Plank was a farmer by occupation but also engaged in teaching school and his interest in the cause of education prompted him to give his children good advantages and to urge them to improve their op- portunities in the greatest degree. In his family were thirteen children,
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nine of whom reached years of maturity. Of these David Planl is a master mechanic at Cloverport, Kentucky, and two of the sons were railroad men. Five of the children altogether taught school. Mrs. Edmonds began teach- ing when seventeen years of age and followed that profession for fifteen years. Her own early education, acquired in the district schools, was sup- plemented by study in a high school and also in Amity College. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds have been born three children : Dosia, Della and Laura, all graduates of the rural school while the two eldest daughters are now teaching.
Mr. Edmonds is also a warm friend of the cause of education and has served on the school board for twenty-five years. He was elected a school director before he was married and throughout his life has done what he could to advance the cause of education in this locality. He is a stockholder in the Chautauqua Association and a stockholder in the Page County Fair Association and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His life has been a busy and useful one, his time being well spent and thus his record reflects credit upon his native county where he has now lived for more than a half century, witnessing the growth and development of this part of the state from an early day. He can remember a time when much of the land was unclaimed and uncultivated and when comparatively few of the fields were fenced but as the years passed new settlers made their way into this part of the state and, recognizing the value of the rich prairie, have con- verted it into beautiful homes and farms.
II. L. COKENOWER, M. D.
Dr. H. L. Cokenower, who for twenty years was engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery in Clarinda, continuing actively in the profes- sion until a short time prior to his death, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, September 23, 1854, his parents being Michacl and Sarah (Thompson) Cokenower. The father was a farmer by occupation but at the time of the Civil war put aside all business considerations and joined the army, de- fending the Union through the period of hostilities. Both he and his wife died in Illinois. He was a republican in politics and his religious faith was indicated in his membership in the Baptist church. There were three sons and a daughter in the family: II. L., of this review ; James W., who is a physician practicing in Des Moines ; Iloward, a resident farmer of Illinois ; and Mary, deceased.
Dr. Cokenower was reared in the state of his nativity to the age of twenty-one years, acquired his education in the public schools, and after- ward engaged in teaching ncar Cowden, Illinois. Later he became connected with commercial interests as a clerk in a drug store and this awakened his interest in the medical profession and led him eventually to become a pupil in the Keokuk Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1877. He had previously attended the Normal Academy at Shelbyville,
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Illinois, and had thus laid a substantial foundation on which to rear the su- perstructure of his professional learning. Following his graduation he be- gan practice at Pleasant Plains, Illinois, where he remained until 1880, when he located in Clarinda, there practicing continually until 1900. During that period of twenty years he succeeded in securing an extensive patronage, for his ability was manifested in the capable manner in which he coped with the intricate problems of disease. He kept thoroughly informed concerning the advanced methods of practice and his comprehensive understanding of ma- teria medica and of surgery made him well qualified to do the work which was entrusted to him.
On the IIth of February, 1880, Dr. Cokenower was married to Miss Clara Hamilton, a daughter of Robert and Telitha (Purvance) Hamilton. Mrs. Hamilton still survives at the advanced age of eighty-three years and is living at Pleasant Plains, Illinois. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Cokenower were born two children : William Lloyd, who is connected with the freight depart- ment of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Clarinda ; and Helen T., who is attending the Clarinda high school.
In his political views Dr. Cokenower was a republican and always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day but never sought nor de- sired office. He belonged to Nodaway Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M .: to the Knights of Pythias fraternity ; to the Odd Fellows society; and to the Modern Woodmen of America ; and his brethren in these fraternities enter- tained for him warm regard. He was a popular man, respected and esteemed wherever known and most of all where best known. His death, therefore, which occurred September 18, 1900, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He was devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife and chil- dren, was loyal in his friendships, and most faithful and conscientious in the performance of his professional duties.
EDWARD BIRKHIMER.
Edward Birkhimer dates his residence in Shenandoah from 1900 and has been a well known representative of its mercantile interests since 1902, when he became connected with the grocery trade in this city. He is now sole proprietor of a leading establishment of this character and has financial interests in other important business concerns. His aptitude for successful management has been clearly demonstrated and his energy and industry constitute the foundation upon which has been built his prosperity.
Mr. Birkhimer is a native of Ringgold county, Iowa, born on the 13th of September, 1859. His parents were John and Amanda (Van Nostrand) Birkhimer, both of whom were natives of Ohio. In their early life they came with their respective parents to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county, where they were reared and married. They begun their domestic life in Ringgold county, where they resided for four years, and then returned to Jefferson county, establishing their home near Fairfield, where the father
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engaged in farming until about 1873. Removing to Fremont county, Iowa, he was there very successful in his business affairs, acquiring nearly an entire section of land, constituting what was known as the Pleasant View Farm, one of the valuable properties of Fremont county. About 1890, how- ever, he sold that farm and came to Shenandoah, where he gave his atten- tion to the supervision of his financial interests. He was a stockholder of the First National Bank of this city and had other valuable and re- munerative investments. He was a man of notable strength of purpose, of keen discrimination and of undaunted enterprise and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. In his political views he was an earnest republican, recognized as a prominent local leader in the party, and while a resident of Ringgold county he served either as county clerk or county treasurer. His religious faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist church. while his wife was a member of the Christian church. He passed away in 1898 and is still survived by Mrs. Birkhimer, who now makes her home with her son Edward.
Quietly and uneventfully the youthful days of Edward Birkhimer were spent as the routine of farm life offers little to vary the monotony. The district schools afforded him his educational privileges and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields, assisting in the plowing, planting and harvesting. He remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated on the 2d of February, 1882, the lady of his choice being Miss Clara MeMillen, of Fremont county, Iowa. Not long afterward he purchased an eighty-acre tract of land in Fremont county and began farming on his own account, residing upon that place for nine years, during which time he brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. On selling the property he removed to Butler county, Nebraska, and pur- chased one hundred and sixty aeres of land about a mile from the county seat. There he engaged in the breeding and raising of cattle and, ex- tending his business activity into other fields, he also became a stockholder and director of the City National Bank of David City, Nebraska. He remained there for about ten years but in the fall of 1900 disposed of his interests in that state and came to Shenandoah, where he has since made his home.
It was not until April, 1902, that Mr. Birkhimer engaged in business in this city, at which time he formed a partnership with T. W. Shoults for the conduet of a grocery store, which they carried on under the firm name of Shoults & Birkhimer. The partnership existed for about three years, at the end of which time Mr. Birkhimer purchased his partner's interest in the business and became sole proprietor. He still carries on the store, which is equipped with a large and extensive line of fancy and staple gro- ceries tastefully and attractively arranged. His reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his patrons are the effective elements in his success. Mr. Birkhimer is also a stockholder in the Shenandoah National Bank, serving on its board of directors and as a member of its finance committee. He is also the vice president of the Shenandoah Artificial Ice, Light, Heat & Power Company and is a heavy stockholder in the Independent Mutual
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Telephone Company. His investments have been judiciously placed, bring- ing him substantial returns. In matters of business judgment he is seldon, if ever, at fault, discerning the value of every situation and recognizing the obstacles as well as the opportunities so that he prepares to meet the former while utilizing the latter.
Mr. Birkhimer is a member of the Shenandoah board of education and is chairman of the teachers' committee. In all matters of citizenship he manifests an active interest and helpful spirit, and his efforts have at all times been effective forces for the city's upbuilding and improvement. He belongs to the Shenandoah Commercial Club and is one of the most promi- nent business men here.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Birkhimer was blessed with four chil- dren : Grace, now the wife of Fred Trullinger, cashier of a bank in Burson, Nebraska ; Edith, the wife of Harry Day, a clothier of Shenandoah ; Olive, the wife of Arthur Tutt, who is employed by Mr. Birkhimer : and Retta, at home. The family is a prominent one in the community socially and the Birkhimer home is a most hospitable one, its good cheer being greatly en- joyed by the many friends of the family.
WILLIAM F. STIPE.
William F. Stipe, who since 1902 has been successfully engaged in the general practice of law at Clarinda and now the senior partner of the firm of Stipe & Clark, was born in Montgomery county, Iowa, on the 7th of March, 1870, his parents being David and Amy (Overman) Stipe, now of San Diego, California. The father was a cooper and farmer by occupation but is now retired.
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