USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 36
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On the 20th of February, 1866, Mr. Gamble was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mccullough, who was born in Scott county, Indiana, on the 6th of March, 1845, her parents being James Y. and Rhoda (Smith) Mc- Cullough. Their union has been blessed with twelve children, the record of whom is as follows: Emma, living at Blanchard, Iowa, is the wife of J. H. Hensley, by whom she has three children; Arthur, Elizabeth and Vesta. Robert O., the assistant cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Coin, Iowa, wedded Miss Emma Rhinehart and has three children : Mildred, Frances and Melton. Lewis B., a resident of Washington town- ship, Page county, married Miss Maud Henderson and has one child, Wes- ley. Edwin, living in Morton township, this county, wedded Miss Carrie Christensen, by whom he has three children: Merrell, Esther and Thelma.
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Flora, who resides on her father's old home place in Colfax township, is the wife of Robert H. Smiley and has one child, Marie. Chester, living in Morton township, wedded Miss Mary Mabel Lingo and has one child, Martha. George W., who wedded Miss Mary Anderson, is a resident of Torrington, Wyoming. Mae, who is the wife of Edward Henderson, of King City, Missouri, has two children, Ermel and Leonard. The other four children passed away in infancy.
Mr. Gamble has ever given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and has been an active worker in its local ranks. He has filled all of the township offices, was secretary of the school board for twenty years, capably served as county commissioner for six years and acted as township trustee for a long period. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the G. A. R. The Methodist church also numbers him among its valued and exemplary members, for his life has been at all times in harmony with his professions. Both he and his wife, who is a member of the same church, have an extensive circle of friends in this county, where they have now re- sided for four decades, their many excellent traits of character command- ing the respect and esteem of all who know them.
THOMAS E. MARTINDALE.
Thomas E. Martindale is a member of the firm of Martindale Brothers, proprietors of a restaurant, bakery and confectionery business on the south side of the square in Clarinda. That their establishment is popular is indi- cated by the liberal patronage accorded them and its popularity is due not only to the business enterprise of the owners but also to the cleanly and attractive manner in which the store is conducted and to the excellent service which they give to the public.
Thomas E. Martindale was born February 12, 1878, in Schuyler county, Missouri, and is a son of Marcus Allen and Amanda Ellen ( Lunsford) Martindale. The father was born in lowa, May 13, 1851, became a farmer by occupation and now makes his home at Bridgeport, a part of Cheyenne. Nebraska. He had been a life-long resident of lowa until his removal to Nebraska in 1908. In 1881 he had established his home in Page county and here he remained for twenty-seven years, living in Nebraska township, where he owned a tract of land and followed the occupation of farming. He brought his land under a high state of cultivation, carefully tilling the fields and making it a valuable property. He was not only known as one of the representative and progressive agriculturists of the community but also as a man of considerable local influence, who served for some years as school director and otherwise contributed to public works by his cooperation and movements for the general good. In 1871 he married Miss Amanda Ellen Lunsford, of Davis county, Iowa, and they became the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are yet living, namely: James W., Thomas E.,
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Isaac N., Arthur C., Jesse E., Linna Ellen, Elmer, Ona and Altie. The two deceased members of the family are: William, who died at the age of eleven years ; and Francis, who died when a year old. The parents are mem- bers of the Adventist church and are people whose consistent Christian lives have won for them the warm regard and lasting friendship of the majority of those with whom they have come in contact.
Thomas E. Martindale was only three years of age at the time of the removal of the family from Schuyler, Missouri, to Page county, Iowa. Here he was reared upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His time and attention were given to the work of the farm until 1904. when, thinking that he would find other pursuits more congenial and perhaps profitable, he came to Clarinda and entered the restaurant of J. H. Whitehill. There he became familiar with the methods of conducting such an enterprise and later he embarked in the business on his own account, purchasing a restaurant on the north side of the square. This he conducted for a year, after which he sold out and removed to a farm. He was then connected with general agri- cultural pursuits until January, 1909, when he and his brother, James W. Martindale, established their present business, opening a restaurant, bakery and confectionery store on the south side of the square, under the firm style of Martindale Brothers. Already they have secured a good patronage. They cater to the public trade in a manner that wins them success. They endeavor to give to their patrons whatever the market affords, served in at- tractive style, and their bakery goods and the confectionery which they handle is of high quality and therefore finds a ready sale.
Mr. Martindale was married on the 31st of August, 1904, to Miss Edna M. Whitehill, of Clarinda, a daughter of J. H. Whitehill, a merchant. They have one child, Gerald Whitehill, born September 4, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Martindale have many friends in the city where they have long resided. He has established himself as a substantial business man, reliable, enterpris- ing and progressive, and his success is the merited reward of earnest, per- sistent labor.
W. I. McCULLOCH.
W. I. McCulloch, living retired in Shenandoah, Iowa, is a well known and prominent figure among the early settlers of Page county. His birth occurred in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1844, a son of James and Mary (Irvin) McCulloch, both natives of that place. His paternal grandparents were of Scotch-Irish descent, coming to the United States from the north of Ireland, while the maternal grandparents came to this country from Scotland, bothi families settling in Juniata county, Pennsyl- vania. The grandmother, Mrs. Priscilla McCulloch, was the daughter of Colonel Thomas Turbett, of the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject were reared, married and laid to rest in the county of their nativity,
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the mother passing away when about forty-five years of age. Unto their union were born five children. The father lived to the very venerable age of ninety years. Having lost his first wife he wedded Miss Mary A. Beale, who by her marriage became the mother of four children.
Reared under the parental roof, W. I. McCulloch attended the common schools in the acquirement of his preliminary education and later had the advantage of two terms of study at the Tuscarora Academy, Tuscarora, Pennsylvania. At the age of twelve years he became badly crippled with rheumatism and it was not until he had reached manhood that he outgrew the effects of the disease. In 1873 he came to Shenandoah where, for a while, he made his home with his brother, Samuel T. McCulloch, who had come to Page county, this state, the preceding year. Here he purchased a number of cattle which he herded on the then unfenced prairie of this county for about eighteen months. At the expiration of this period he sokl his cattle and invested in one hundred and twenty acres of farm land in Grant township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he at once directed his energies. He made a close study of the best methods of plow- ing, planting and harvesting, practiced the rotation of crops and conducted his business interests along strictly modern lines, so that eventually his fields were brought under a fine state of cultivation and yielded rich annual crops. He continued to operate this place until 1901, when the substantial success which had attended his efforts made it possible for him to retire from active work. Hle removed to Shenandoah, where he has since made his home, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of former years of toil. Since coming to this city, however, he has figured prominently in financial circles, being a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Shenandoah National Bank.
On January 11, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McCulloch and Miss Nancy E. Patterson, a daughter of William and Mary ( Neely) Patterson, natives of Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and representatives of old Pennsylvania families. Unto this union has been born one child, Mary I., who makes her home with her parents. She is a graduate of the Western Normal College with the class of 1902 and possesses considerable musical ability, being a graduate of the primary course in music at that institution.
The family home is located at No. 404 Church street and is a handsome residence erected by Mr. McCulloch. He still owns his farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Grant township and the rental therefrom consti- tutes a substantial source of income to him, while his wife, after her mar- riage, purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres three and a half miles southeast of Shenandoah, which is still in her possession. Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch are both members of the Presbyterian church and Mrs. McCulloch is very active in all of the church work, while Mr. McCulloch has been president of the board of trustees since its organization in 1877. He is democratic in politics, and while not an aspirant for public office he has been called at different times to the office of trustee. He recognizes the duties and responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship and his means and influence are ever at the disposal of well directed and feasible
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plans for general improvement. He is a man of admirable characteristics and in this county, where he is numbered among the old and well-known residents, his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance, and he is held in uniform honor and respect by all with whom he has come in contact.
JAMES W. MARTINDALE.
Success is the direct and legitimate outcome of earnest, persistent and honorable effort. It also depends upon the power of the individual to rec- ognize and utilize his opportunities and in none of these qualifications is James W. Martindale lacking. He is now associated with the business interests of Clarinda as a member of the firm of Martindale Brothers, owners of a restaurant, bakery and confectionery store on the south side of the square.
James W. Martindale is numbered among Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Davis county on the 9th of August, 1872. His parents were Mackus and Amanda (Lunsford) Martindale, the former for many years a farmer near Hollyville, Taylor county. Extended mention is made of hin on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of his son Thomas E. Martindale.
James W. Martindale was reared under the parental roof and early be- came familiar with the duties and labors falling to the lot of the agricultur- ist. He worked in the fields during the summer months and in the winter seasons acquired his education in the public schools. On leaving the farm he came to Clarinda and with his brother Thomas E. Martindale, began their present business, opening a restaurant, bakery and confectionery store. Their place of business is on the south side of the square in a com- modious room and they have there all of the facilities for conducting a growing and profitable trade. They handle an excellent line of confection- ery and bakery goods and in the restaurant also cater to a high-class trade, furnishing excellent meals at reasonable prices.
On the 28th of October, 1896, Mr. Martindale was united in marriage to Miss Nora Welch of this county, a daughter of Benjamin Welch. Her father came to Page county from Missouri in 1875 and here began farming. He had for a number of years previous been employed as a railway fireman but has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits since his arrival in this part of the state. He now has a well developed property, indicating in its neat and thrifty appearance the progressive spirit and careful supervision of the owner. For the past thirty-five years he has resided in Nebraska township as one of its most respected and worthy citi- zens and has not only been active as a farmer but also has served for a number of terms as school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. To other matters relative to the public good he is equally loyal and is regarded by all as a most public-spirited citizen. Unto
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Mr. and Mrs. Welch have been born five children who are yet living : Julia, Marie, Benjamin, Nora and Mina. Of this family Nora became the wife of James W. Martindale and they now have three children: Earl Welch, Donna Gladys and Carrie Belle. Mr. Martindale is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America while in his political views he is a demo- crat. He does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty but keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is able to support his position by intelligent argument. Those who know him in a business way find him accommodating and those whom he meets socially entertain for him warm friendship.
A. C. SIMONS.
A. C. Simons, the junior partner of the firm of Gauss & Simons, is one of the enterprising and representative business men of Shenandoah, who through unfaltering energy and unwearied perseverance, has worked his way upward in the business world until he has today attained a position among the successful and prosperous citizens of the city. Born in Perry, Iowa, on the 4th of September, 1874, he is a son of Arthur E. and Sarah (Willis) Simons, natives of Connecticut and of Indiana respectively. The father removed to Indiana in his early manhood and here made the ac- quaintance of the lady whom he later made his wife. Ere his removal to that state, however, he had prepared himself for the ministry and con- tinned as a minister of the Baptist church throughout his entire life. During the '6os he came to Iowa where, during his later years, he held several charges in various parts of the state. His death occurred May 28, 1904, in Hamburg, Iowa, where he was buried. His wife still survives and resides in the old home at Hamburg, where she has continued to live for twenty- one years.
Reared in a home of Christian culture and refinement, A. C. Simons acquired his early education in the public schools and later attended the Ilamburg high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892. Ile then spent one year at the Baptist College at Des Moines, Iowa, after which he took up the profession of teaching, being identified with educa- tional work for about five years. Ile proved a very capable instructor, impart- ing clearly and readily to others the knowledge he had acquired. and he never ceased to be a student but continuously broadened and expanded his own information by constant reading and research. Thinking, however, to find other lines of activity more congenial and remunerative, he associated himself with mercantile interests and for five years was employed in a clerical capacity in dry-goods stores in Hamburg and Shenandoah. At the expiration of this period. in 1902, in company with Edward F. Gauss, he went to Manilla, Iowa, where they embarked in the drug business conduct- ing a store in that city for two and a half years. They then sold their inter- ests there and in the fall of 1904 returned to Shenandoah. where they
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opened their present pharmacy, which is recognized as one of the finest modern drug stores in southwestern Jowa. Their trade has already reached large proportions and is constantly increasing in volume and importance, while theirs is ranked among the substantial and representative enterprises of the city. Mr. Simons has also found time to engage in other lines, be- coming one of the organizers and a sockholder in the Veterinary Remedy Company of this city.
On the 7th of August, 1905, occurred the marriage of Mr. Simons and Miss Anna M. Gauss, of Shenandoah, and unto this union has been born one child, Sarah Katherine. A member of the Baptist church he is ac- tively and helpfully interested in church work, and his life has ever been in accord with its teachings. Fraternally he is a member of Page Camp, No. 1049, M. W. A., and also of Juniata Lodge, No. 295. K. P., and he is also connected with the Commercial Club of Shenandoah. He has given his allegiance to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. and although never an office-seeker, he yet does all in his power to further its influence and insure its success. He is loyal in his citizenship, lending his influence at all times to those matters and measures which have for their object the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the community. His life has been one of continuous activity, while his business integrity and true personal worth have gained for him the honor, respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
J. F. MIER.
A valuable farming property on section 36, Tarkio township, pays tribute to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it by the owner and occupant. J. F. Mier, who in 1900 took up his abode upon this farm, which contains four hundred and eighty acres of Page county's rich and productive land. A native of Indiana, he was born in Jackson county, July 27, 1849. His father, Frederick Mier, was a native of Germany and attained man's estate in that country, after which he sought the opportunities offered by the freedom and appreciation of this great western world. He located in northwestern New York, near Buffalo, and afterward removed to Jackson county, Indiana, where he resided until his death, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits.
The public schools of his native county acquainted J. F. Mier with the branches of learning which constituted an excellent preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. He remained at home until his twentieth year and in 1869 left the parental roof for Iowa. Arriving in the fall of that year. he established his home in Page county, near Clarinda, where he began work as a farm hand. Two years later he purchased eighty acres of prairie land in Nodaway township with the proceeds of his former labor. He was ambitious to own a farm of his own and had carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to make investment in this prop-
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erty. Only ten acres had been broken at that time and it was two years after he made the purchase that Mr. Mier began to farm the land. He then resolutely undertook the task of turning the first furrows in his fields and of bringing them under a high state of cultivation. He lived thereon until 1900 and in the meantime he had acquired two hundred and forty acres in addition to his original purchase and still owns two hundred acres in the home farm. In 1900 he removed to his present place, which is one of the extensive and valuable farm properties of Tarkio township, com- prising four hundred and eighty acres of land which he had purchased in 1897. No equipment or accessory of a model farm is here lacking. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and substantial and commodious barns and sheds offer ample shelter for grain and stock. Well kept fences divide the farm into fields of convenient size and there are some fine fruit and other trees upon his place. In addition to tilling the soil for the production of his crops he has also raised stock and year by year has added to his competence until this now is a very substantial one.
In 1874 Mr. Mier was united in marriage to Miss Albertina Kirchhoff, then a resident of Page county but a native of Germany, whence she came to the United States in early womanhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mier were born four children, of whom three are yet living, namely: Carrie, the wife of Fred Sump, of Tarkio township; George, at home ; and Charlie, also yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Mier votes with the democracy and has served on the school board but is not active in political lines, leaving official preferment to others who have more desire for it. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church and are highly respected people whose many substantial qualities have gained them firm hold on the affection of their friends and neighbors. Although Mr. Mier came to Page county a poor man, hie is today the owner of six hundred and eighty acres of as valuable land as can be found in the Mississippi valley and his holdings are the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. His example may well serve to encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. His history proves that, obstacles and difficulties can be overcome and that success eventually rewards intelligently directed and honest effort.
FRANKLIN PIERCE BARR.
The Hillsdale Stock Farm, comprising one hundred and seventy-five acres, the greater part of which lies in Nodaway township, has been brought to its present productive and attractive state through the efforts of the owner, Franklin Pierce Barr. He was born in Union Star, Breckinridge county, Kentucky, December 6, 1852, a son of Elias and Sally (Beauchamp) Barr, who were likewise natives of Breckinridge county, the former born
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December 8, 1807, and the latter on the 4th of December, 1808. The pa- ternal grandfather of our subject was Adam Barr, who served throughout the period of the Revolutionary war. He wedded Mary Claycomb, a native of Virginia but of Pennsylvania parentage. He followed farming as a life work and both he and his wife died in Breckinridge county, his death oc- curring when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-seven years and ten months, while his wife passed the century mark and died when one hundred and three years old. Their family numbered twelve children, all of whom reached years of maturity. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Jerry B. and Mary (Downum) Beauchamp, the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland. Each came to the United States in early life and were married in Kentucky. Mr. Beauchamp was a planter and large slaveholder of the south and served several terms in the legislature. Both he and his wife died in the Blue Grass state.
Elias Barr in early life left the south and made a location in Hancock county, Illinois, where for many years he engaged in farming. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters. The record of the sons is as follows: Daniel T., who died at the age of twelve years; Newell R., who has departed this life; Bluford B., also deceased ; George W., of Dallas City, Illinois ; John A., a practicing physician of Foun- tain Green, Illinois ; and Franklin P., of this review. The daughters of the family are: Elmira A., the widow of J. W. Hurdle, and a resident of Hancock county, Illinois; Mary E., the widow of T. L. Ray and also a resident of Hancock county ; Kittie A., who became the wife of S. Tur- ney, but is now deceased ; Sarah E., the widow of D. J. Wright, of Illinois ; Martha J., the wife of M. T. Bross, a resident of Adams county, Iowa; and Amanda M., the wife of D. C. Showers, of Fresno, California. Both the parents are deceased, the father passing away in Hancock county, Illinois, on the 18th of July, 1875, when he had reached the age of sixty- eight years, while the mother survived for a number of years and died in Adanis county, Iowa, May 1, 1892, when she had reached the very advanced age of eighty-four years.
Franklin Pierce Barr was a little lad of six years when he was taken by his parents from his native state to Hancock county, Illinois, so that he was practically reared in the latter state, where his education was acquired, his studies being completed in La Harpe Academy and Carthage College, graduating from the latter institution in 1873. Ile remained on the home farm until he was twenty-eight years of age and during this time, when not engaged in study, assisted in the work of the homestead property. He then went to Bates county, Missouri, and remained one year, after which he returned to Illinois and married Miss Flora M. Painter, their wedding ceremony being performed on the 8th of February, 1880. She was born in Hancock county, May 7, 1860, a daughter of H. R. and Jane (Dawson) Painter, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Kentucky, while both departed this life in Illinois.
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