USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 30
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Mr. Stipe of this review was afforded excellent educational advantages, attending the high school at Villisca, Iowa; the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa ; and also the Highland Park College at Des Moines. Subsequently he became connected with journalistic interests, editing the Stanton Towa Call for four years, while at one time he was also local editor of the Villisca Review. Having determined upon the legal profession as a life work he then took up the study of law under the direction of United States District Judge Smith McPherson, an attorney of Red Oak, Iowa, and R. W. Beeson and after being admitted to the bar practiced for a year in that city. He afterward pursued a post-graduate course in the George Washington University at Washington, D. C. In 1902 he came to Clarinda for the practice of his profession and in May, 1908, he formed a partner- ship with A. B. Clark under the firm style of Stipe & Clark. They prac- tice in all the courts and are accorded a good clientage, having proven them- selves fully qualified to successfully handle the legal interests entrusted to their care. Mr. Stipe is recognized as a lawyer of broad knowledge, who prepares his cases with thoroughness and is strong in argument and logical in his deductions.
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In his political views Mr. Stipe is a stalwart republican and has always been an active worker in the ranks of the party, exerting a widely felt in- fluence in its behalf through his advocacy of its men and measures by voice and pen. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while his relig- ious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. The rules which govern his conduct and shape his life are such as command confidence and regard in every land and clime and he has a host of friends who are not only willing but eager to testify to his sterling worth.
HARRY E. OSBORN.
Iowa derives her wealth largely from her agricultural interests. The great broad prairies of the state offer excellent opportunities to the farmer and stock raiser. The soil requires none of that previous laborious prepar- ation necessary in a district of native forest growth but responds readily to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it as the furrows are turned and the fields are cultivated. Recognizing these facts, Harry E. Osborn, while identified with farming interests, has carefully controlled his business and through his industry, economy and perseverance has won the prosperity which now classes him with the substantial citizens of Amity township.
One of Iowa's native sons, Harry E. Osborn has spent his entire life in Page county, where his birth occurred November 26, 1875, four miles north- west of Clarinda. Ile is a son of W. N. and Hannah ( Britt) Osborn, natives of Kentucky and Canada, respectively. The father came to lowa in 1865, locating upon the farm which was the birthplace of our subject, and there he continued to reside until his demise. He passed away on the 6th of February, 1909. His wife, who accompanied her parents to lowa in the early '50s, is still living on the old homestead farm near Clarinda.
Reared amid the scenes and environments of rural life, Mr. Osborn of this review passed the days of his boyhood and early youth upon his father's farm and attended the district schools in the acquirement of his early educa- tion. When fourteen years of age, however, he entered the Clarinda Educa- tional Institute, where he pursued a course of study for several terms. After completing his education in that school he returned home and was em- ployed on his father's farm until twenty-six years oll. At that time in con- nection with his father he came to Amity township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which tract forms a part of the farm upon which he now resides. This occurred in 1901 and in 1909 he bought eighty acres of land adjoining his place on the south, so that his property now consists of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent farming land, thirty acres of which are covered with good timber, while the remainder is all under a high state of cultivation. It is well watered and well drained and is one of the val- uable and desirable farming properties of Page county. Mr. Osborn carries on general farming and in connection therewith feeds hogs, selling his stock
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mostly to shippers. Both branches of his business-the raising of grain and the raising of stock-are proving a gratifying source of remuneration to him and he is ranked among the successful and well-to-do farmers of Amity township.
Mr. Osborn was united in marriage on the 20th of February, 1901, to Miss Ida A. Mitchell, a daughter of Mrs. Mary Mitchell, a resident of Clar- inda, Page county. To this union was born one child, Raymond Clare, aged seven years, who is the life and light of the household.
Mr. Osborn and his wife hold membership in the United Presbyterian church of College Springs, Iowa, and are respected throughout the commun- ity for their many good traits of character. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Osborn has voted for the men and measures of the republican party and is at present serving as school director of district No. 6, Amity township. The cause of education finds in him a stanch champion and he is deeply interested in other matters which have for their object the substantial upbuilding and growth of the community. He has become well known throughout the county of his nativity, where his entire life has been passed, and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, while the consensus of public opinion accords him a high place among the representative and valued citizens of Page county.
F. L. FISHER.
F. L. Fisher, living on section 12, Douglas township, devotes his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He was born in Henry county, Ohio, on the 25th of July, 1860, a son of Jacob and Margaret ( Mullencoff) Fisher, natives of Germany. They came to America in early life and both resided in Ohio, where they were married and where their deaths occurred in 1909, the mother passing away on the 11th and the father on the 19th of February. In their family were twelve children, eight of whom are still living.
F. L. Fisher passed the years of his boyhood and youth upon his fath- er's farm and is indebted to the common-school system for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. He remained at home, assisting his father, until nineteen years of age, when he came to Page county, Iowa. and worked as a farm hand for about three years. Then, in 1883, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Ella Newsam, a native of Douglas township and a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth Newsam, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. After his marriage Mr. Fisher rented a farm, which he operated for about three years, and then purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It consists of eighty acres located on section 12, Douglas town- ship, and he later purchased another tract of eighty aeres in Valley town- ship, making an aggregate property of one hundred and sixty acres. He is up-to-date and progressive in his methods and is meeting with a most gratifying degree of success in his general farming pursuits. He has also
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operated a thresher for the past sixteen years and has thus greatly added to his income.
As the years have passed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher has been blessed with three children, namely: Fred, residing in Douglas township : Ethel G., who attended the Villisca high school and is now the wife of Harry Williams, of Montgomery county, Iowa; and Lela M., residing at home.
The parents are both members of the United Presbyterian church and are prominent among a large circle of friends in the community in which they reside. Mr. Fisher is a republican in politics and has served as a school director for some years, while for four years he was president of the school board. The cause of education finds in him a stanch champion and he is ready at all times to lend his aid to all matters which have for their object the material, intellectual and moral upbuilding and progress of the com- munity. During his residence in Page county he has gained a large circle of acquaintances and that he is most liked where best known is indicative of the fact that his salient characteristics are such as command the con- fidence, respect and good will of all with whom he is associated.
JOHN P. BROWN, D. D. S.
Dr. John P. Brown, who has now been successfully engaged in the prac- tice of dentistry in Clarinda for thirty-eight years, dates his residence in this city from the spring of 1866. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, on the 16th of January, 1844, his parents being Thomas D. and Mary ( Wil- liams) Brown, the former a farmer by occupation. After completing his own education he was engaged in teaching school for three years, on the expiration of whichi period he took up the study of dentistry under the direction of Dr. Sanborn, of Tabor, Iowa. In 1871 he began the active prac- tice of the profession in Clarinda, where he has since continued, being a most skilled and successful representative of his chosen calling. Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among other occupations, as it is at once a profes- sion, a trade and a business. Such being the case, it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert with the many tools and appliances inci- dental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business quali- fications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In all of these particulars Dr. Brown is well qualified and therefore has at- tained prestige among the able representatives of dentistry in Page county.
In 1872 Dr. Brown was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Loranz, of Clarinda, a daughter of Anthony Loranz, a merchant. By this union there were born five children, namely : Walter A., practicing dentistry in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Helen, at home; Thomas L., who is connected with the firm of Loranz & Company, engaged in the abstract business ; Wilbur E., who is employed as a civil engineer by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail-
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way at Davenport, Iowa ; and Raymond P., a student in a commercial col- lege at Quincy. The wife and mother passed away in August, 1906, her demise being deeply regretted by all who knew her.
For the past twelve years Dr. Brown has been an elder in the First Pres- byterian church, of which he is a most devoted and faithful member. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, being a worthy exemplar of the craft. During the dark days of the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in August, 1862, at Hillsboro, Ohio, in Company I, Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain D. M. Barrett, and was discharged for disability in October, 1863. During the long years of his residence in this county he has gained a most extensive circle of warm friends, his sterling manhood as well as his professional attainments commanding for him the respect and honor of those with whom he has been associated.
J. G. PARSLOW.
Dr. J. G. Parslow, who is enjoying a satisfactory and growing prac- tice, being nunibered among the leading veterinary surgeons of southwest- ern Iowa, was born in Middlesex county, Ontario, Canada, January 3, 1859. His parents were Abram and Hannah (Mahon) Parslow, the former a na- tive of Ireland and the latter of the province of Ontario, Canada. When a young man Abram Parslow crossed the Atlantic to the new world and continued a resident of Canada throughout his remaining days, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits there. He died in 1868 and his wife, surviving him for about eighteen years, passed away in 1886.
Dr. Parslow, whose name introduces this sketch, spent his youthful days in his native country and acquired his education in the public schools there, mastering the common branches of learning and also those usually taught in the high school. On approaching manhood he entered upon an apprentice- ship at the trade of ornamental carriage painting and followed that pursuit for several years but eventually abandoned that work and for a short time was employed in a mercantile establishment. However, he did not find that he had permanently located himself in business lines and turned his atten- tion to the study of veterinary surgery. In the fall of 1889 he entered the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, Ontario, and was graduated there- from in the spring of 1891. Following his graduation he came to Iowa in search of a favorable location for practicing his profession and in the fall of that year opened an office in Shenandoah, where he remained until the summer of 1894. At that time the crops were destroyed by drought and Dr. Parslow went to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he opened an office and re- mained in practice for four and one-half years. In January. 1899, he re- turned to Shenandoah, where he has since built up an extensive practice, having now a very large and profitable business. He not only derives from
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this a very gratifying income but has other indications of his prosperity in the ownership of a section of valuable land in the Alberta province of Canada.
In 1906 Dr. Parslow was married to Miss Emma Jones, of Shenandoah, and they are most hospitably received in the best homes of the city. Dr. Parslow is a republican in his political views. Whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed in life is attributable to his own labors, well directed efforts and well defined activities. His life is not self centered, for his thoughts are given not only to business affairs but to the mastery of munic- ipal problems and to the performance of all the duties and obligations which he owes to his fellowmen.
CHARLES W. MITCHELL.
Charles W. Mitchell, who for many years was identified with the agri- cultural interests of Iowa, is now the capable and efficient postmaster of Yorktown, which position he has held for the past twelve years. Born in Chester, Meigs county, Ohio, on the 28th of March, 1844, he is a son of Enos and Harriet (Chaffin) Mitchell. The parents were both natives of old Virginia, where they were reared, but on account of his opposition to the practice of slavery the father removed to Ohio in 1832, in which state they were married. They passed away in Knox county, Illinois. In their fani- ily were nine children, seven of whom still survive : Mary, who passed away in infancy ; George, a resident of Weldon, Iowa, and a soldier in the Civil war, who enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company A, Fifty-ninth Illi- nois Infantry, and after being wounded at Pea Ridge, was discharged ; Charles W., of this review; Harriet, the wife of R. N. Golf, of Missouri ; M. O., making his home in California : James P., who died in infancy ; Enos, a practicing physician of Osceola, Iowa; O. W., residing in Kansas; and L. A., of Des Moines, lowa.
Charles W. Mitchell was but a lad of seven years when he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Knox county, Illinois, and there the family residence was maintained until 1872. During the meantime he had acquired his education in the common schools and later, on the 12th of September, 1863, he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war from Knox coun- ty, Illinois, as a member of Company G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. Under the command of Captain Howell, this regiment took part in many important battles, Mr. Mitchell seeing much active service. He participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Buzzards Roost, Resaca, Pickett Mills, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville. Throughout the entire period of his service he gallantly defended the old flag and remained loyal to the cause which it represented. He was mustered out at New Braunfels, Texas, on the 16th of December, 1865.
After the close of hostilities, Mr. Mitchell returned home on the 15th of January, 1866, and was there engaged in farming until 1872, when he
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MIR. AND MRS. CHARLES W. MITCHELL at South Cheyenne Canyon, Colorado
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AMI IR, LENOX AND LILUEN FOUNDATIONS
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came to Iowa, settling in Clarke county. The year 1884 witnessed his ar- rival in Page county, where he has since continued to make his home. He purchased a farm in Colfax township and was actively connected with agricultural interests here for a number of years. About twelve years ago, however, he was appointed postmaster of Yorktown and, retiring from the farm, he moved to this place to assume the duties of his position. It is a fourth class office and during Mr. Mitchell's incumbency two rural free delivery routes have been established in connection therewith. He makes an excellent official, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, while his service at all times has been most creditable to himself and sat- isfactory to the entire community.
The year 1870 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Mitchell and Miss Lu- cinda J. Westfall, a native of Athens county, Ohio, born in 1846, and a daughter of S. B. Westfall. This union has been blessed with seven chil- dren, as follows: A. W., residing in Page county ; Effie, the widow of C. Loy, who makes her home with her father ; C. H., of Lincoln township, Page county ; Jennie, the wife of H. H. Handorf, of Lincoln township; Mabel Morley, deceased : Maggie the wife of M. E. McMutt, of New- market ; and George F., cashier of a bank in Coin.
Mr. Mitchell holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics gives his allegiance to the republican party. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army Post at Clarinda. In 1909 he attended the National En- campment at Salt Lake City, Utah, and is generally present at such gath- erings. He is public-spirited in an eminent degree and remains as loyal to his country in times of peace as when he followed the old flag on south- ern battlefields.
FRANCIS M. VARDAMAN.
Francis M. Vardaman has for forty-five years been a resident of Page county and although for many years connected with agricultural interests is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, his home being in the village of Shambaugh. He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, De- cember 22, 1843, and is, therefore, a representative of one of the early families of the state. His parents were George W. and Mary (Ellott) Vardaman, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The family is of Ger- man lineage and was established in America at a very early day by the great-grandfather of our subject. His son, George Vardaman, the grand- father, became a farmer of Greene county, Kentucky, and a slave owner George Vardaman was also born in the Blue Grass state and when a young man went to Ohio, where he met and married Miss Mary Ellott, also a na- tive of Kentucky. They became the parents of twelve children: Peter, Nancy, John E., Benjamin W., George W., Jeremiah, Mary, Elizabeth, Francis M., Amanda, Jasper N. and Eliza.
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Soon after their marriage the parents removed to Shelby county, In- diana, where the father owned a farm, which he cultivated for several years. For a brief period they were also residents of Illinois and about 1837 took up their abode in Lee county, Iowa. But few white settlers were living within the state at that time, the Indians being more numerous. In fact, lowa was still under territorial rule and the work of progress and improve- ment seemed scarcely begun within its borders. At a later day George Vard- aman and his family removed to Jefferson county, where he purchased a farm upon which the family remained for some time. His son, F. M. Vard- aman, was seven years of age when a removal was made to Benton county, Iowa, and for three years they lived near Vinton. At the end of that time they went to Keokuk county, where they remained for four or five years, later went to Kansas, and from 1854 until 1859 were residents of Taylor county, Iowa. In the latter year they removed to Lawrence county, Mis- souri, where they located just prior to the outbreak of the Civil war and experienced all of the hardships, dangers and privations that fell to the lot of those who lived on the border where sectional feeling ran very high. In 1864 the father took his family to Minnesota and three years later re- turned to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he died in 1867. He was a con- sistent and faithful member of the Christian church and his good qualities won him the esteem and friendly regard of all who knew him. For many years he filled the office of justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, being always based upon the law and equity of the case.
Francis M. Vardaman was the eleventh in order of birth in a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, of whom one son and three daughters are now living. Ilis brother, George, having enlisted for one hundred days' service in the Civil war, died at Collierville, Tennessee, while at the front. Another brother, Benjamin W., served for three years in the Civil war, enlisting from Taylor county as a member of Company F. Twen- ty-ninth Iowa Infantry.
F. M. Vardaman accompanied his parents on their various removals until 1864, when he came to Page county, lowa, where he has since lived. He was then a young man of twenty-one years. His educational oppor- tunities were limited owing to the fact that they had always lived on the frontier, but, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, he has added much to his knowledge by observation and reading. When a youth he possessed a delicate constitution and during the period when the family resided on the border was obliged to endure many vicissitudes to which that section of the country was subject. The family were frequently disturbed by people of dissimilar opinion and the sons were frequently compelled to sleep in the brush for safety. At one time the house was surrounded by bushwhackers who made some trouble but were frightened away by a gun- shot.
Returning to Iowa in 1864 Mr. Vardaman was for three years employed by the month as a farm hand in Page county. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and for many years resided upon the farm in Buchanan township, whereon he took up his abode in 1870. He owns one
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hundred and fifty-five acres on section 16 and as the years passed his well directed labors brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and made them very productive. He continued to successfully carry on general farm- ing until March, 1898, when he put aside the active work of the fields and came to Shambaugh, purchasing his present place of residence, which con- sists of a good dwelling in the midst of ten acres of land. His farm is well improved, being one of the best in the township, and all of its modern equipments are the result of the labor and enterprise of the owner. He made stock raising the special feature of the place and in that branch of his business was quite successful. The farm is now operated and managed by his sons.
It was in 1867 that Mr. Vardaman was married to Miss Mary Indiana Baker, who was born in Shelby county, Indiana, July 13, 1847, and is a daughter of Peter and Ann (Swiggett) Baker, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. Both died upon a farm near where they settled in East River township. Mr. Baker entered from the govern- ment the first piece of land which he ever owned and was identified with the pioneer development and improvement of the county. In his family were four sons and three daughters of whom one died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vardaman have been born six children : Mary Alice, now the wife of Ephraim Warren, a resident of Boulder, Colorado : Erie Ann, the wife of D. A. Pritchard, who lives near Cromwell, Union county, Iowa ; Benjamin Rutherford, a resident of Detroit, Michigan; Irma Glen, the wife of Ira Fuller, of Oregon; Avery Earl, who is living on the home place in Buchanan township ; and Francis Emmett, who is living on the farm with his brother.
Politically Mr. Vardaman is a republican, conversant with the lead- ing questions and issues of the day. He has served as township trustee and held other local offices, yet is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, belonging to Plumb Lodge, No. 285. A. F. & A. M., of Siam. He has held the offices of trustee and school director and has manifested a deep and helpful interest in educa- tional affairs. He converted his farm from a wild and unimproved tract into one of the valuable and substantial properties of the county and from it he yet derives a substantial income while living retired in Shambaugh. His rest has been well earned and his record proves what may be accomplished when determination and industry are guided by sound business judgment.
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