USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 46
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FRANK JOHNSON.
Sweden has furnished a large number of citizens to Page county, in- cluding Frank Johnson, whose time is busily taken up with his farming interests on section 5, Tarkio township. He was born in Sweden, December 13, 18448, and the school system of his native land afforded him his educa- tional privileges. His youthful days were spent amid such surroundings as are familiar to the Swedish youth and from time to time he heard in- teresting reports concerning the new world. These, at length, proved so
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irresistible that on reaching his majority he made arrangements whereby he could sail for the United States, making the voyage in the spring of 1869. He at once continued his journey across the country to the broad prairies of the Mississippi valley and, locating in Altoona, Illinois, soon secured work at railroad building.
Later Mr. Johnson was employed at farm labor in that vicinity, making his home in Altoona for three years, after which he came to Page county in 1872. He here worked for one summer on a farm and then for two years was again engaged in railroad work. For two winters he was em- ployed in coal banks south of Clarinda but received no salary for his labor owing to the dishonesty and unscrupulousness of the man whom he served. He then again took up farm work and, becoming imbued with the desire to own property, he carefully saved his earnings until he felt justified, in 1875, in making purchase of eighty acres of land in Tarkio township. A year later, however, he sold that tract and in company with his brother, Charlie H. Johnson, bought one hundred and twenty acres. They carried on farming together for two years, after which they divided the land. Frank Johnson remained upon his farm until 1893, in which year he removed to the farm belonging to his brother, M. L. Johnson, in Tarkio township. He rented and cultivated that land for two years and in the fall of 1893, disposing of his own property in Fremont township, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, to which he removed in the spring of 1895. Here he has since resided and two years after the purchase of this place, he invested in forty acres across the road, so that his posses- sions now include two hundred acres of the rich land of Tarkio town- ship.
In all those affairs which relate to public progress he manifests a keen interest and with firm belief in the principles of the republican party he gives to it his support at the polls. He has done effective work in behalf of good roads, while serving as road boss, and has promoted educa- tional interests as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Swedish Mission church, in which he is serving as deacon. In her maidenhood Mrs. Johnson was Miss Carrie Hagglund, an adopted daughter of Peter Hagglund, of Fremont township. The marriage was celebrated in 1877 and has been blessed with seven children, of whom six are now living: Amanda, the wife of Elmer Kempe, of Red Oak, Iowa; Joseph, an agriculturist, of Tarkio township; Arnold, also an agriculturist, now residing in Pierce township; Nora, the wife of Ira Edwards, of Morton township, this county; and Anna and Willie, at home.
In a review of the life and work of Mr. Johnson we note that he landed in this country with about ten dollars in his pocket; today he is one of the substantial men of Tarkio township and his home is one of the modern and attractive residences of his part of the county. The contrast between his present financial condition and that in which he was found at the time he came to the new world indicates something of the life and activity which he has led in the intervening years, bringing him to a place which is enviable
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and creditable. He has sought his success along honorable lines and has gained therewith not only the substantial rewards of labor but also the re- spect of his fellowmen.
JOHN H. SHAW.
John H. Shaw a flour and feed merchant of Coin, Iowa, who is also engaged in the wholesale egg and poultry business in Clarinda, was born in Coin, July 16, 1878, and is the son of Thomas R. and Sarah J. (Lower) Shaw. For several generations the Shaw family has been closely identified with agricultural interests, the paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Rinehart) Shaw, having been prominent in the farming community of Perry county, Ohio, where Thomas R. Shaw was born. Because of the early death of his parents the latter was thrown on his own resources and at the age of ten was bound out to a farmer near his home. At the out- break of the Civil war he ran away and, making his way to New Lexington, Ohio, enlisted in Company K, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on the 29th of September, 1861, joining his regiment at Zanesville. For some three months the Sixty-second was drilled at Camp Goddard and then was sent to Cumberland, Maryland, whence they proceeded down the Potomac to the Shenandoah valley. Mr. Shaw took part in the battle of Winchester ; was under General Shields when he made the attack on General Jackson ; participated in the siege of Petersburg; in the battle of Deep Bottom: in the charge on and capture of Petersburg ; and in the battle of Appomattox, where General Lee surrendered. He was also in a large number of skir- mishes, but although he played a creditable party in twenty-one engage- ments he was never wounded nor away from his regiment. He acted as sergeant and color sergeant for a long time, but was mustered out as cor- poral, for the promotion was never regularly made. He was only sixteen at the time of his enlistment, and still has a medal of honor presented to him the day before he was eighteen by General Q. A. Gilmore. At the close of the war Mr. Shaw returned to Perry county, Ohio, and on the 16th of November, 1865, married Miss Sarah Lower, the daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Lower, of that county. The next year he moved west to Illinois, whence after seven years he removed to Page county, Iowa, where he farmed for twenty-one years, coming to Coin in 1896. In that year he was appointed postmaster by President Mckinley and has held the position ever since. A successful farmer, he has fulfilled the duties of his present office with fidelity and to the satisfaction of his townspeople. Eleven children were born to Mr. Shaw and his wife, of whom John Shaw is the fifth in order of birth.
After completing the course of study prescribed by the public school of Coin, John Shaw proceeded to the high school, from which he was gradu- ated at the age of eighteen. For two years he then worked on the farm of his father-in-law, A. R. McMichael, and then obtained a position as clerk
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in a general store in Coin, where he worked for six years. He thus ac- quired an insight into business methods and made a number of friends in the world of affairs, and was ready he believed to engage in business for himself. In May, 1909, he started as a dealer in flour and feed, and in the few months' experience he has had has been very successful, for the same qualities that made him a good clerk and the thrift that enabled him to engage in business for himself, have made it possible for him to build up a large trade and to conduct his operations on a paying basis.
On the 22d of December, 1903, Mr. Shaw was wedded to Miss Grace Edna McMichael, the daughter of A. R. and Sarah ( McNutt ) McMichael The parents were prominent farmers of Page county, but a few years ago gave up active labor and came to Coin to make their home. Of their family Mrs. Shaw is the oldest, the others being: Cora Blanch is the wife or Roy Delk, who is in business with his father in Coin; and they are the parents of a daughter, Lois. Maud is the wife of Arthur Henderson, of Page county. Gertrude is a graduate of Tarkio Musical College and now has a class of piano pupils in Coin. Mabel is a pupil of the Coin high school.
One of the younger business men of Coin, Mr. Shaw bids well to reach the position attained by those who have been connected with its commercial life for a long period. He enjoys the confidence of his fellow- citizens and the good will of his fraternal brothers of Coin Lodge, No. 2410, M. W. A. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is seen in regular attendance at its services.
J. A. ENGSTER.
J. A. Engster owns and cultivates a farmi on section 2, Tarkio town- ship, and is numbered among the prosperous and active agriculturists of his part of the county. He makes a specialty of raising cattle and hogs, being one of the leading livestock dealers of the community. He has resided in America since 1893, at which time he came to the new world from his native land of Sweden. He was there born April II. 1873, a son of Jolin and Anna Johnson. The father died when the boy was but eleven years of age and the mother still resides in Sweden.
J. A. Engster spent his youthful days in his native land and acquired his education in the Swedish schools, supplemented by three terms in the district schools of this country, which he attended during the winter months. It was in 1893, when twenty years of age, that he emigrated to the United States, settling in Wakefield, Nebraska, where lived his uncle, Frank Eng- ster, who had preceded him to this country. This uncle was a brother of our subject's father and because of the fact that the Johnsons were so numerous in the section in which he located he took the name of Engster to avoid confusion. On the arrival of the nephew he was generally called Engster by his uncle's associates and in consequence adopted the name. For three years he worked as a farm hand and then began farming for
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himself on rented land. He was thus engaged for only a year, however, for his crops, while abundant, commanded no price, corn selling from seven to nine cents per bushel. The following year he was given employment as a farm hand and spent two more years in that way. Again, in 1899, he began farming as a renter and as prices were now much higher, he was enabled, after two years, to purchase the farm which he had been renting and which he continued to make his home until 1903.
The year previous, however, Mr. Engster had sold the place and pur- chased his present home in Tarkio township, Page county, to which he removed in 1903. He here owns one hundred and forty-five acres of land on section 2, and in January, 1909, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres adjoining the original tract on the south, so that his present place com- prises two hundred and sixty-five acres. He makes a specialty of raising cattle and hogs, feeding not only all the grain which he raises but also buying extensively. He is known as one of the leading stock raisers of this part of the state, carrying on a business of large proportions and of sub- stantial profits.
In March, 1901, Mr. Engster was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hart, of Essex, Iowa, a daughter of John Hart, one of the first Swedish settlers of Page county, now living retired in Essex. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Engster have been born three children: Myrtle L., Alice M. and Lillian E. The parents attend and support the Swedish Mission church and Mr. Engster votes with the republican party. His success has been won through his farming and live-stock interests and he is now numbered among the men of affluence in Tarkio township. In his views regarding public questions he is well balanced. his theories being of a practical nature, while his labors are permeated by a progressive spirit. His record of honorable achieve- ment merits for him the confidence and esteem in which he is uniformly held.
A. W. MURPHY.
A. W. Murphy, one of the best known business men of Shenandoah, representing financial interests of the county as the vice president of the Commercial National Bank, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 2, 1857. His parents were Thomas and Margaret ( Lauther) Murphy, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was reared in that state and went to Fort Madison, Iowa, for his bride, she having removed to that city some time previous with her parents. After his marriage he returned to the Keystone state and settled on a farm in Juniata county, where he spent the remainder of his days, passing away about ten years ago. His widow still survives at an advanced age and resides on the old homestead in Pennsylvania.
A. W. Murphy was reared at home, acquiring his education in the pub- lic schools and in the state normal school at Shippensburg. He also at- tended the academy at Academia, Pennsylvania, and when still comparatively
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young entered upon the profession of teaching to which he devoted his energies at intervals until his twenty-fifth year. At times during that period he also worked on the farm and engaged in clerking in a general store at Peru Mills, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1882 he came west to Iowa, settling in Page county, where he was first employed as a clerk in a store at Tarkio. He continued there for a month, after which he came to Shen- andoah, and entered the employ of R. B. and C. F. Crose, general merchants, who did business in the same building now occupied by the Com- mercial National Bank. Mr. Murphy entered the employ of the firm with the understanding that he would remain for a month but so satisfactory were his labors that he continued with them for more than a year and was then transferred to the hardware store of Burr & Crose, with whom he continued until August, 1884. He next purchased Mr. Burr's interests in the firm and the name was changed to Murphy & Crose, the subject of this review becoming a partner in the enterprise, Mr. Crose, however, fur- nishing a large share of the capital. The business was conducted under this partnership relation for ten years with Mr. Murphy bending every energy toward the successful conduct of the enterprise. That his efforts were a source of profit is indicated in the fact that in 1894 he was enabled to pur- chase Mr. Crose's interest in the business and the same year erected a large modern business block on the northeast corner of Sheridan avenue and Elm street, transferring his stock to the new quarters. He conducted an extensive business at that location and continued in active connection with mercantile interests until the spring of 1903, when he disposed of his stock on account of failing health. He had for a long period enjoyed a large trade and his business was one of substantial success.
The summer following the disposal of the store Mr. Murphy became associated with the Commercial Savings Bank, now the Commercial Na- tional Bank, and was made cashier of the institution. He served in that capacity for three years, when he retired from the cashiership and was made vice president of the bank, in which capacity he has since served, bending his energies to administrative direction and executive control. His long ex- perience in commercial lines constituted an excellent foundation for his banking experience, and in financial circles he has made a most creditable record in control of what is one of the strong moneyed concerns of the county.
Mr. Murphy has in many other respects been a most prominent and influential factor in the life of the community. He has regarded business as but one phase of existence, never allowing it to exclude his active par- ticipation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human existence. He has been a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and for years has served as one of the elders of the church in Shen- andoah. He takes a helpful interest in all departments of the church activity and has served for the past fifteen years as superintendent of the Sunday school. At this writing, in 1909, he is the president of the Page County Sunday School Association and is also the president of the Shen- andoah Library Association. For fifteen years or more he served on the
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board of education and is deeply interested in all those movements which tend to promote intellectual and moral progress of the community. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and for several years he served as city treasurer of Shenandoah, making an excellent record in the prompt and faithful manner in which he discharged his duties. He is well known in fraternal circles, especially as a representative of Masonry, be- longing to Tricentum Lodge, No. 300, A. F. &. A. M. : Sheshbazzar Chap- ter, R. A. M. ; Bruce Commandery, No. 34, K. T., of Red Oak, Iowa ; and Kaaba Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Davenport.
In ISS7 Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Etta F. McCul- loch, of Juniata county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of James McCulloch. Unto this marriage was born one child, Ella McCulloch, who is now a junior in the high school of Shenandoah. The family are prominent so- cially and their's is a most hospitable home.
Mr. Murphy is a type of the business man who has risen in the world through close application, industry and honorable business methods. He came to Iowa a poor boy in 1882 and today is classed among Shenandoah's successful, most esteemed citizens, his record proving that success is am- bition's answer. At the same time the subjective and objective forces of life are in him well balanced and while he is cognizant of and has used his own capabilities and powers in a business way, at the same time he has thor- oughly understood his opportunities and his obligations and has been neg- lectful of no duty devolving upon him in the relations of social life and of citizenship.
MRS. MARTHA PALMER.
Mrs. Martha Palmer, well known in Coin, is the widow of Captain John H. Palmer and was born in Ulster county, New York, August 21, 1842. Iler parents were Joshua and Salina (Vredenburg) Schoonmaker, who were likewise natives of Ulster county. The father, who was born in 1813, died about 1883, while the mother whose birth occurred in 1814, passed away in 1893. Mr. Schoonmaker was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in the place of his nativity. Following his demise the mother came to Page county, Iowa, where her last days were spent. They were the parents of four children: Mary, who was born June 18, 1836, died December 31. 1870. She was the wife of Jacob Tobias and he, too, is deceased. Kathryn J., born March 1, 1838, is the widow of Lafever Auchmoody and resides in Ulster county, New York. Mrs. Palmer is the next of the family. Emily, born October 25, 1843. is the deceased wife of Edgar Slatter.
Mrs. Palmer spent her girlhood days in Ulster county and attended the district schools and also assisted in the work of the household, so that she was well trained to take care of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. On the 21st of February, 1860, at Fort Ewen, New York, she
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CAPTAIN JOHN H. PALMER
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became the wife of Captain John H. Palmer, who was born in Ulster county, October 10, 1838. He, too, attended the district schools and after- ward was a student in Ashland Seminary. His parents were Harvey and Jane ( Harket) Palmer, early settlers of Ulster county.
Following their marriage Captain and Mrs. Palmer located at Rifton, Ulster county, New York, where Captain Palmer engaged in teaming until the 22d of August, 1862. On that date he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company A, One hundred and fifty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry. This regiment saw much active service, being connected with the Department of the Gulf under General Banks. The command took part in the siege of Port Hudson and in the Red River Campaign and in 1864 joined General Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, participating in the battles of Winchester and Cedar Creek. Subsequently the troops went to Savannah, where they did guard duty. Soon after enter- ing the service Mr. Palmer was promoted to orderly sergeant; later was commissioned first lieutenant, on the 19th of March, 1864; and on the 11th of July the same year received a captain's commission. After being at Savannah for a short time he was placed in charge of twenty picked men doing guard duty on the Savannah river in charge of transports. At the close of the war he returned to Carthage, Illinois, and was there mustered out October 23, 1865.
For a brief period after the close of hostilities Captain Palmer resided at Carthage and then went south to take charge of a plantation on the Mississippi river. His wife accompanied him as far as Memphis, where she was to remain until he could make arrangements to send for her. He did not like the south, however, and soon they returned to Illinois, where they remained until 1870. In that year they removed to Fremont county, Iowa, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was known as the Doan place. They lived there for a year, after which they sok. out and removed to Page county, Iowa, where they purchased one hundred and twenty acres south of Coin. Most of this was raw land and Captain Palmer devoted his energies to cultivating and improving the place. They built a house and barn and added to their property until they owned two hundred and ninety acres. During the time they resided thereon the Wabash railroad was built across their place. They lived there for about thirty years, their farming interests being successfully conducted, and at the end of that time they purchased fifty acres near Coin at a place known as Austin's Mill.
While they were residing there the death of Captain Palmer oceurred on the 15th of November, 1902, and his remains were interred in the Ellen- wood cemetery. He had led a busy and useful life, was a prosperous farmer and stockman and also conducted a successful creamery business. In fact in all those lines of life which he followed in order to provide for the support of his family he met with success, for he displayed keen judgment in his business management, combined with unfaltering industry. He also took an active part in politics and gave stalwart support to the republican party and its principles, but would never accept office. He was a prominent mem-
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ber of the Methodist church and for a number of years served as president of its board of trustees. He gave generously to the support of the church and cooperated in its various movements for the moral regeneration of the community. He belonged also to the Grand Army Post of Clarinda and throughout the years of his connection therewith found pleasure in its campfires, where the veterans recalled the seenes and recounted the deeds that were notable epochs in the Civil war.
Following the death of Captain Palmer, Mrs. Palmer remained for some years at Austin's Mill and in June, 1908, removed to Coin, where she now resides. She has since disposed of her farm land but owns the residence which she occupies. She has been a devoted mother to her family of eight children, who in order of birth are as follows: Mary J., the wife of Oliver Ernest, living at Greeley, Colorado; Harvey, who died at the age of nine years : Georgia A., the wife of E. J. Woolsey, also of Greeley, Colorado; Helen M., who is the wife of S. J. Hockabout, of Fort Morgan, Colorado, by whom she has two children, Dale and Mildred ; Carrie R., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Hayes, living near Coin, who married Winnine Harris and has four children. John L., Theodore R., Louise and William Howard Taft ; Garfield, who died at the age of six years; and Joseph, who died when four years of age.
Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Methodist church of Coin and is a lady whose excellent traits of character have won her a firm hold on the affection of those with whom she has been brought in contact. Her hus- band, Captain Palmer, was for many years a leading and representative agriculturist of this county and at his death left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name as well as good property which he had secured as the result of his carefully directed energy and business activity.
OSCAR W. OKERLIN, M. D.
Dr. Oscar W. Okerlin is numbered among the young and successful practitioners of Page county and during the three years in which he has been located in Essex, he has built up a large and extensive practice. He was born in Boone county, fowa, October 3, 1873, a son of John and Johanna (Johnson) Okerlin, who were natives of Sweden, whence they came to the United States after reaching mature years, their marriage being celebrated in Boone county, this state. There the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1877 when he was a comparatively young man. I.Fe left a widow and three small children.
Dr. Okerlin of this review was but four years of age at the time of his father's death, after which he was carefully reared by his mother. He was kept in school until his sixteenth year, at which time he graduated from the Boone high school. He then secured employment as storekeeper by the North- western Railroad Company, being located at various points and remaining in their employ eleven years. In the meantime he had taken up the study of
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