USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 45
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As time passed six sons came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lilje- dahl, namely: J. Mauritz, Harry C., Julius F., Paul T., Robert E. and George, all of whom are yet under the parental roof. Since becoming an American citizen Mr. Liljedahil has given stanch allegiance to the republican party and he is now serving his second term as township clerk. He and his wife are both members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Liljedahl is serving as secretary of the board. Although not American born, never- theless he is stanch in his loyalty to his adopted country and is thoroughly identified with every interest tending to promote the welfare of the com- munity. He is a man who has made good use of his opportunities, forging his way to a foremost place among the substantial farmers of Page county, and no man in his section of the county is held in higher esteem than is Mr. Liljedahl.
FRED BOLES.
Death claimed Fred Boles on the 24th of January, 1905, and East River township lost one of its representative citizens and progressive farmers. He was a resident of the county from 1870 and throughout that period had man- ifested all the sterling traits of the loyal citizen and reliable business man. He was born in Trunibull county, Ohio, on the 22d of February, 1838, and was a son of Cyrus and Sarah A. ( Boston) Boles. The father was a na-
MR. AND MRS. FRED BOLES
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F
JALALIL
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tive of Trumbull county, while the mother's birth occurred in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania. They removed to Michigan when their son Fred was only a year old and remained residents of that state for four years, after which they went to Wisconsin, where they maintained their residence for three years. During the succeeding five years they made their home in Cass county, Illinois, and afterward were again residents of Pennsylvania until 1884.
During his boyhood and youth Fred Boles was employed in various ways whereby he might provide an honest living for himself. He was thrown upon his own resources at the age of fourteen and after that had no oppor- tunity to continue his education, which up to this time had been acquired in the public schools. In the school of experience, however, he learned many valuable lessons and gained also practical information which served him well in all the duties of life that afterward befell him. In the year 1854 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1855, when he resumed his westward journey, traveling through Iowa to Minnesota. He spent about two years in the two states and then returned to Illinois, settling in Cass county. He had been living there for three years when the Civil war was inaugurated, and when it was seen that the conflict was to be no mere holiday affair he offered his ser- vices to the government, enlisting in 1861 as a member of Company G, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. He was with the regiment the greater part of the time on active duty in the south and at the close of his term of enlistment received an honorable discharge and returned to Cass county, Illinois. There he re- sumed farming on his own account, for in the meantime his parents had returned to Pennsylvania. From that time until his death his attention was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and, realizing that energy and earnestness are the basis of success, he labored diligently and unfalteringly with the purpose in view of obtaining a comfortable competence for his family.
It was on the 10th of March, 1869, that Mr. Boles was united in mar- riage to Miss Rebecca Lacy, a daughter of John and Mary W. (Emerson) Lacy, who were natives of England and came to this country about the year 1844. They settled in Illinois and Mrs. Boles was born in Morgan county, that state, on the 17th of October, 1847, so that she was twenty- one years of age at the time of her marriage. Unto them have been born five children : Alma, who was born February 2, 1872, and is the wife of Ira Shortridge, a resident of Greeley, Colorado; Hulda, who was born January 20, 1874, and is the wife of Samuel Hutcheson, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Ned D., who was born December 24, 1876, and is living in Greeley, Colorado; Archie, who was born July 20, 1878, and died April 9, 1907 ; and Anna R., who was born May 11, 1882, and is at home.
In the winter of 1870 Mr. Boles came to Page county and located on a farm midway between College Springs and Braddyville in Amity township. There he secured eighty acres of land, which he improved and cultivated, making his home thereon until 1882, when he sold that property and bought
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a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in East River township. There he resided until his death, January 24, 1905, and his widow yet maintains the ownership of the farm although she has resided in Shambaugh since the winter of 1906. Mr. Boles was an energetic and progressive farmer, who carefully tilled the soil and kept in touch with modern, progressive methods of agriculture. He was a member of the Masonie order and both himself and wife belonged to the Methodist church. In his political views he was a republican but was not active in politics, preferring to lead a quiet home life, his attention being given to the development of his farm and to the enjoyment of the pleasures of the home circle. While he did not seek to figure prominently in public life he was recognized as a man of geniune worth and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
C. E. ELLISON.
C. E. Ellison, the proprietor of the Orchard Grove Fruit Farm, which name indicates the specialty of his interests in the tilling of the soil, was born in Monroe county, Iowa, December 8, 1852, and is the eldest in a family of four living children whose parents were Thomas and Katharine (Elder) Ellison. The father was born in England and after coming to the new world established his home in Monroe county, Iowa. He was there living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war and in response to the call for troops he joined the Eighth Iowa Cavalry and served for three years. He then returned home but died in Missouri two or three years after the war. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and they became the parents of eight children, of whom four died in childhood. The others are: C. E. Ellison, of this review ; J. W., who is living in Albany, Oregon ; 1. E., a resident of Wisconsin; and Mrs. Mary C. Moss, whose home is in Monroe county, Iowa. After losing her first husband Mrs. Ellison became the wife of John Burtt and unto them were born three sons: George II., now deceased; William L., who is living in Ottumwa, Iowa; and Fred, whose home is in Minnesota.
During the period of his boyhood C. E. Ellison accompanied his parents on their removals to Wapello and Mahaska counties. In those two coun- ties and in his native county he resided from the period of his birth until 1881, when he came to Page county and took up his abode on his present farm, which constitutes one hundred and twenty acres of rich and well cultivated land on sections 23 and 26, East River township. It is known as the Orchard Grove Farm and is well improved with good buildings, all of which were erected by Mr. Ellison. Here he pays considerable at- tention to fritit and also carries on general farming. In all of his work he is practical, readily seeing the needs and the opportunities of the place. meeting the former while improving the latter. When he took up his abode here in 1881 there was a little one-story house, fourteen by twenty- four feet, upon the place. Now they have various good buildings, including
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a substantial residence. The farm has also been fenced by Mr. Ellison, who has converted it from a wild tract into one of rich fertility. There was noth- ing but wild grass upon it but he at once began its improvement, not only for the purposes of cultivation but also to enhance its attractive appear- ance. He set out a fine grove of catalpa trees which had been raised from the seed that he brought with him. Four of these fine trees are about a foot in diameter. He also has evergreens, European cutleaf and the weeping birch. He likewise has an apple orchard of thirteen acres, all of which he set out, and he takes great pride in his trees, which constitute one of the most attractive features in the landscape.
In 1877 Mr. Ellison was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Miller, who was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 26th of February, 1856, and there resided until her marriage. She is a daughter of Henry Clay and Angeline (Harper) Miller, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. The father died in 1863 but the mother now resides in Eddyville, Iowa. They were the parents of three children: Mrs. Ellison; Roy, who died at the age of nine years; and Fred, who is living in Eddyville, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ellison have been born eleven children: Eva May, now the wife of James Stirk, of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Wilber C., who is living in Noda- way township ; Ethel M., the wife of Firman Hughes, who is located near Page Center, Page county ; Nellie A., the wife of Fred Handorf, of York- town, Iowa ; Lula Pearl, who is a trained nurse, now in Guthrie, Oklahoma ; Floyd, at home ; Amy D .; Nina V .; John Edward; Flora H .; and Fred Wayne.
Mr. Ellison is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his associations being with the lodge at Clarinda. He does not take a very active part in public interests, however, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He is a native son of Iowa and for more than a half century has been a witness of its development and prog- ress. Throughout the entire period he has been more or less closely asso- ciated with farming interests and that his ideas are practical and his labors unremitting is shown in the success which he has achieved.
GEORGE F. COTRILL.
Working earnestly and indefatigably to secure the success which is now his, George F. Cotrill has become widely and favorably known as a leading contractor and builder of Shenandoah. There have been no unusual or ex- citing chapters in his life history but it is the story of one who through honest thrift and industry has gained the respect of his fellowmen as well as the substantial reward of labor. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, November 13, 1848. His father, John Cotrill, was a native of Virginia and a millwright by trade, following that occupation and also the business of milling throughout his entire life. In 1856 he removed to De Kalb
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county, Indiana, where he spent the remaining years of his life. In early manhood he wedded Mary E. Brown, a native of Ohio.
George F. Cotrill spent his youthful days in his parents' home, acquiring his education in the public schools, thus qualifying for life's practical and responsible duties. In 1879 he came west to enter upon his business career and on arriving in l'age county, Jowa, found a comparatively wild and unbroken district. He was on the present site of Shenandoah soon after the sale of town lots was held and before the construction of any buiklings was begun. There had not been an acre of land broken between Miller's Station and Nanti and there were many evidences of frontier life to be seen. However, the country was soon to become settled up by a class of intelligent, enterprising people who, realizing the opportunities that the west afforded, had resolved to utilize them for their own benefit. Mr. Cotrill was here on the organization of Grant township, the election being held at the residence of John F. Porter, two miles north of Shenandoah, at which time there were but twenty-one voters in the district. In the intervening years Mr. Cotrill has witnessed all of the changes which have been wrought and which constitute the history of the county in its material, political. in- tellectual and moral progress. He has from the beginning been accounted one of the reliable and enterprising citizens, for. though he had but eighty-seven cents in his pocket when he reached this portion of Iowa, he possessed resolute purpose. determined energy and undaunted resolution-substantial qualities which never fail to win in the end. In his early manhood, while in Indiana, he had served an apprentice- ship at the carpenter's trade under a brother and on coming to Iowa he con- tinued his work at this trade for three years as a journeyman carpenter. He then began contracting and buikling on his own account and has since been identified with that line of business to the present time. His labors have been a potent element in the improvement and adornment of Shenan- doah and the surrounding country. During his residence here he has seen the virgin prairie transformed into a modern city with paved streets and all substantial improvements. In fact it is acknowledged to be the best city of its size in lowa. In its upbuilding Mr. Cotrill has been a dominant factor. There is probably no one man who has done more in this line than Mr. Cotrill, who has taken great pride in his work, knowing that his efforts in this direction would do much to make or mar the appearance of Shenan- doah. He has at all times kept in touch with the progress that has been made in architectural lines and his work has been of a most satisfactory character. Moreover, he was one of the organizers of the Lake & Cotrill Brick & Tile Company and at the beginning was elected president of the company, in which capacity he has since served, actively controlling its affairs and con- tributing in substantial measure to its success. He is also the president of the Home Building & Loan Company-the one organization that has done more than any other to advance the interests of this progressive little city. Ile is also a stockholder and director of the Shenandoah National Bank. Ilis worth is most widely acknowledged for in all things he has been prac- tical and yet has ever looked forward to the city's substantial improvement,
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doing everything in his power to build along lines of permanency and beauty. In lus business affairs he has prospered, and yet his success has never depended upon the wreck of other men's fortunes. It has been in the legitimate lines of trade and through carnest, persistent effort that he has reached the place which he now occupies as one of the substantial men of Shenandoah.
In 1899 Mr. Cotrill was married to Miss Grace Alden of this city. They occupy an enviable position in social circles and their own home has ever been attractive by reason of its warm-hearted and generous hospitality. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cotrill are active and helpful members of the Baptist church and he is serving as a member of the official board. Mr. Cotrill had the contract for building the church and into his work put his whole heart because of his deep interest in the organization. He is a member of Tricentum Lodge, No. 300, F. & A. M .; and Sheshbazzar Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M., while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has been called to various offices, serving as assessor of the town in 1874 and 1875, while in 1880 he was again elected for a two years' term and reelected in 1883, so that his incumbency in that office covers six years- his reelection standing as incontrovertible evidence of his ability and the confidence reposed in him by the public. He was a member of the town council from 1892 to 1895 inclusive, was again elected in 1897, serving for two years, and in 1899 was once more called to the office for a two years' term. In 1902 he was elected mayor of Shenandoah, and filled the office for two years, his administration being characterized by progressiveness, by practical reform and needed improvement. He was careful of expenditure and yet did not believe in an economy that restricts progress. At all times he has been a public-spirited citizen, giving valuable aid to measures for the general good and sceking the material, political, intellectual and social and moral progress of the city. His personal worth has gained him the warm regard of many friends, the number of whom increases as the circle of his acquaintance is extended.
ROBERT A. SANDERSON.
Robert A. Sanderson, whose splendid business ability is indicated in his successful control and management of extensive farming interests and also as the president of the Farmers Savings Bank, of Essex, has in his business life shown much of the initiative spirit in formulating new plans and carry- ing them forward to successful completion and also coordinating forces and bringing apparently dissimilar interests into a unified whole. A na- tive of Illinois, he was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, on the 29th of July, 1866, and is a son of William and Margaret (Wells) Sanderson, both of whom were natives of County Monaglian, Ireland, where they were reared, but were married in Boston, Massachusetts, soon after coming to the United States. They established their home in Jo Daviess county, Illi-
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nois. The father was a poor man, with no capital to aid him in making a start in the new world, and for some eight years he worked on farms by the month. He was ambitious, however, to own property and engage in business for himself and, carefully saving his earnings, he at length purchased eighty acres of land and began farming. He prospered in his undertakings as the years passed and in later life added to his hold- ings from time to time until he had acquired five hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. He died in February, 1909, at the age of seventy-three years, and is still survived by his widow, who is living on the home farm at the age of about sixty-six years. In politics Mr. Sanderson was a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party, but was never an office seeker. Both he and his wife were members of the United Presby- terian church, and the sterling qualities of his character Mr. Sanderson dis- played in his business activity, in his relations to the public and in his social and home life as well.
Robert A. Sanderson was only nine years of age when he left the pa- rental roof and took up his abode with his great-uncle, James Martin, who resided in Essex. His uncle had no children and Mr. Sanderson was reared and loved as a son in his household. Mr. Martin had become a resident of Page county in 1876. He emigrated from Ireland, his native country, and unlike most of his countrymen who come to the new world, he was a man of means when he crossed the deep Atlantic and on establishing his home in Essex he associated himself with B. M. Webster in loaning money and in the real-estate business. In this department of activity he met with very sub- stantial prosperity and amassed a fortune. He died in June, 1891, while his wife, Mrs. Jane Martin, passed away in September, 1891. At the death of Mr. Martin Mr. Sanderson was made the sole beneficiary.
Reared in Essex, Robert A. Sanderson acquired his education in the public schools of the town, where he enjoyed good advantages and also re- ceived thorough business training from his uncle, who owned and operated five hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the town. For two years prior to the death of his uncle, who was then in ill health, he had the care and control of the farm and soon demonstrated his business ability in its capable management and in the success which attended his efforts. He lives in a commodious and handsome residence in the outskirts of Essex and owns eight hundred and sixty acres of land in Pierce township, together with one thousand acres in eastern Colorado. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Savings Bank of Essex and was made president of the insti- tution, in which position he has since served.
On the 12th of September, 1893. Mr. Sanderson was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Stearns, a daughter of Dr. A. M. Stearns of Essex, and unto them were born four children, of whom three are yet living: Gail, Janice and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson hold membership in the Presby- terian church, in which he is a trustec. They contribute generously to its support and are interested in its various activities.
Mr. Sanderson's study of the political issues and questions of the day has led him to give his allegiance to the republican party and he has served
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on the board of councilmen in Essex and also as a member of the school board. lle is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the town, giving hearty cooperation to many measures and movements which benefit the community. In all affairs relative to the good of the community he is influential as it is well known that his leadership is such as promotes progress and substantial improvements. He is a man of forceful character and marked individuality, who is leaving the impress of his labors for good upon the community.
J. ALFRED JOHNSON.
J. Alfred Johnson needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is well known in Page county not only by reason of the gratifying success which he has attained along business lines but also because of his deep and helpful interest in the affairs of the community in which he has resided. Born in Sweden, his birth occurred on the 28th of December, 1860, and he is a son of John and Louise Johnson, both natives of that country, who came to the United States in 1869. They made their way to Illinois, locating first at Altoona, where they resided for a few months, and then removed to New Windsor. Their residence in that state covered a period of two years and in 1871 they came to Page county, Iowa, residing for a few months in Fremont township. Later they went to Tarkio township, where a son, Mack, then resided, with whom they made their home for about a year and a half. At the expiration of that period he purchased forty acres in Fremont township, paying fifteen dollars per acre, and there he removed his family. The mother and father both passed away on that farm, the death of the former occurring in 1895, and the latter about three years later.
J. Alfred Johnson, whose name introduces this record, was but nine years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States, and his education, which was commenced in the old world, was com- pleted in the common schools of Illinois and Iowa. At the early age of six- teen he became independent, starting out in business life on his own account as a farm hand. He operated a tract of eighty acres, doing the entire work of the farm, for which he received but twelve dollars per month. He con- tinued in the capacity of a farm hand for two years and then he purchased a teanı and began farming for himself, operating the home place in connection with some adjoining land, which he rented, continuing to make the home- stead his place of residence until his marriage. He then rented the Russell farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Fremont township, which he worked for six years, and during this period he purchased forty acres ad- joining his father's farm. Upon leaving the Russell farm he returned to the homestead, which was to come into his possession upon the death of his father, as he had turned over his wages to his father and assisted in paying for the place. The farm then consisted of eighty acres and he also rented adjoining land, which he operated in connection with his own prop-
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erty until 1900, when he sold the homestead and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present place in Pierce township. Taking up his abode upon this place he has since directed his efforts to general farming, in which line of activity he has met with signal and gratifying success. In 1906 he purchased an adjoining fifty acres, so that his present farm com- prises two hundred and ten and a fraction acres, located on section 14, Pierce township. The ground is naturally rich and fertile, responding readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it, while Mr. Johnson, through industry, thrift and perseverance, combined with up-to-date and progres- sive business methods, has annually reaped golden harvests from which he has accumulated a very substantial and gratifying income.
In 1886 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Carlson, of Fremont township, Page county, who came from Sweden to the United States about 1881. Unto this union were born nine children, of whom eight still survive, namely : Elmer W., Lilly E., Carl A. C., Alice H. M., Thyra E., Mamie V., Anna A. and Paul L., all of whom are yet under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are both members of the Lutheran church, in which the former is serving as a deacon and also as superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is a stanch republican, having taken an active interest in the affairs of the party in the various communities in which he has resided. While making his home in Fremont township he was called upon to serve as road supervisor, as constable and as a member of the board of township trustees, and since becoming a resident of Pierce township, his fellow citi- zens, recognizing his general worth and ability, have again called him to office. He has served as road supervisor and has now entered upon his second term as trustee of Pierce township. Preeminently public-spirited in his citizenship, he is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community and gives loyal support to all interests which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride. His worth as a man of business is widely acknowledged and in his career he has proved that energy and diligence con- stitute a safe basis upon which to build success. Starting out in life empty- handed as a farm hand, he is now the owner of a valuable property and is numbered among the substantial agriculturists and valued citizens of Pierce township.
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