USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 51
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pertaining to the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of his adopted city. In all of his business career he has followed the maxim that honesty is the best policy and his success has come through his indefatigable energy and his recognition of the opportunities which conditions at the present day present.
His work is at all times thorough and satisfactory and in the line to which he is now devoting his energies he has met with substantial reward.
THOMAS STEVENSON.
There are very few residents of Page county who can claim as Thomas Stevenson does to have lived for forty-eight years upon one farm, for in the spring of 1861 he took up his abode with parents on the place on which he now resides on section II, Harlan township. He was then a young man of twenty-one years and to the development and improvement of the prop- erty he has since bent his energies, his ability and enterprise winning him classification with the leading agriculturists of southwestern Iowa.
A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Muskingum county about twelve miles east of Zanesville, on the 21st of April, 1840, and his youthful days were passed in the home of his parents. Samuel and Margaret (Wallace) Stevenson. The father was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America with his parents when a lad of ten years. He was married in Ohio to Miss Margaret Wallace, a native of Pennsylvania, and they be- gan their domestic life in the Buckeye state, where they continued to reside until 1860, when they sought a home in Iowa, settling first in Delaware county. In the spring of 1861 they came to the farm upon which Thomas Stevenson now resides and both parents spent their remaining days here, the father departing this life in 1886 at the age of seventy-six years, while the mother was called to the home beyond in 1896 when eighty-four years of age. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian church and in that faith reared their family, inculcating into the minds of their children the deep and abiding lessons of Christianity. Their sons and daughters are as follows: Robert, now living in Delaware county, Iowa; Thomas ; Margaret, the deceased wife of James Humphreys ; Mary Elizabeth, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mrs. Isabell MeDowell Tippin, who is deceased; Agnes, the wife of Simon McCrory, of Jackson county; and Amanda, who is living in Page county.
In taking up the personal history of Thomas Stevenson we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this part of the state, where he has lived for almost a half century. His education was acquired in the common schools of Ohio and his business training was received under the direction of his father, who taught him the value of industry and economy and practical lessons concerning the cul- tivation of the crops. Since the family arrived in Page county in 1861 Mr. Stevenson has lived continuously upon the farm which is now his home
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and which covers eighty acres of land on section 11, Harlan township. He also has another tract of eighty-seven acres on sections 10 and II and oper- ates both farms. Neither of these are lacking in the equipments that go to make up the model farm but on the contrary present a neat and attractive appearance. The buildings upon the place are monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner, by whom they were erected. From the time of early spring planting until crops are harvested in the late autumn Mr. Stevenson is busily employed in the work of the fields and his diligent ef- forts constitute the basis of the gratifying success which he has attained.
Mr. Stevenson was married in 1870 to Miss Jane Stevenson, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, February 27, 1852. Her parents were William and Permelia ( Daughterty) Stevenson, who were natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively but were married in Bloomington, Indiana. Mrs. Permelia Stevenson died in Des Moines county, Iowa, at the age of thirty-eight years, and her husband afterward married again. His death occurred February 1, 1906, when he had attained the age of seventy-eight years. By his first marriage he had five children: George, who is now liv- ing at College Springs, Iowa ; Thomas ; Mrs. Jane Stevenson, who came to Page county with her father in 1867; Emma, the wife of Champ Ballard, of Redfield, lowa; and Charles. By his second marriage Mr. Stevenson had six children and by his third marriage he had three children.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stevenson has been blessed with five children : Permelia, now the wife of Elmer Black, of Mount Ayr, Iowa; Maggie, who died at the age of thirteen years ; Etta, at home ; James, living in Harlan township; and Elmer, at home. The family is widely and favor ably known in every part of the county where they have many friends and where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. They are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church of Harlan township and high principles characterize their lives and actuate them in all of their re- lations with their friends and neighbors. Mr. Stevenson can tell many interesting incidents of the early days when only here and there through- out the county had a settlement been made and when much of the land was still covered with the native prairie grasses and brush. It was an arduous task to transform this into cultivated fields, but a rich return was received by all who diligently and intelligently carried on farm work, and Mr. Stevenson has received the reward of his labor in that he is now one of the most substantial farmers of Harlan township.
ANDREW P. SEABLOM.
Andrew P. Seablom, a most successful and highly esteemed citizen of Page county, devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits, owning a fine farm on section 27, Pierce township. He was born in Sweden on the 9th of September. 1851, his parents being John P. and Evaline ( Israelson) Seablom, who emigrated to the United States in the year 1866. They im-
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mediately made their way to Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, where the father began farming as a renter. About 1871 he came to Page county and bought a tract of land of eighty acres in Tarkio township, where he made his home until the early 'gos, when he took up his abode in Essex. There he lived retired until the time of his death in 1893, when he had at- tained the ripe old age of seventy-two years. He was well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as a most worthy and respected citizen and his demise was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends. His widow still survives at the age of eighty-three years and makes her home in Essex.
Andrew P. Seablom, who acquired his education in the public schools of his native land, was a lad of fifteen years at the time of the emigration of the parents to the new world. He was one of nine children, all of whom were obliged to assist in the support of the family as soon as their age and strength permitted, for the father was in destitute financial circumstances. They found the struggle for existence quite a difficult one, as the Civil war had just been brought to a close and times were very hard. Mr. Sea- blom of this review secured work as a farm hand at a wage of eight dol- lars per month and was thus employed until he had attained his majority, his earnings contributing to the support of the family. On reaching the age of twenty-one years he bought his first piece of property, comprising eighty acres of railroad land on section 5, Tarkio township. He borrowed the money necessary to make the first payment on this farm from his brother. A short time afterward, however, he disposed of the property and purchased another farm of eighty acres in Tarkio township, on which he resided for six years. On the expiration of that period he sold the place and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Pierce township, which he improved and on which he made his home until he disposed of it in 1898. In that year he went to Butler county, Kansas, where he remained for four years, living on a section of land which he had purchased. On selling out there he removed to Harrison county, Jowa, buying a quarter section of land in the Missouri river bottoms. He continued to reside on that farm for seven years, when he disposed of the property and came to his present place on sec- tion 27. Pierce township, Page county, which he had purchased two years before. His residence is in Essex and forty acres of his farm lies within the corporate limits of the town. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has met with a well merited and gratifying measure of prosperity and he is widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen.
On the 2d of August. 1877, Mr. Seablom was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Anderson, a daughter of Andrew J., and Louise C. (Johnson ) Anderson, of Chariton, Lucas county, Iowa. Her parents, both of whom were natives of Sweden, came to this country at an early day, the father mak- ing the voyage about 1848. He was one of the first to cross the plains at the time of the gold excitement in California. He joined a caravan which was attacked and robbed by Indians and he and his companions traveled for days without water. They often followed mirages for miles,. only to meet with bitter disappointment when they discovered the illusion. The many hard-
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ships and privations which the little company of argonauts suffered before they reached the end of their journey would beggar description. Mr. An- derson was quite successful in his quest for the precious metal and at length returned home via the Isthmus of Panama. He was married in the year 1852, at Fairfield, Iowa, and subsequently went to Chariton, Lucas county, this state, where he entered a tract of land and became one of the first set- tlers. At the time of the gold excitement at Pike's Peak he once more crossed the plains, returning at the end of three years to his wife and four children. The remainder of his life was spent amid the peaceful scenes and environment of rural life and he passed away at the comparatively early age of forty-six years. Both he and his wife were devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the latter passing away in that faith when she was sixty-four years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sea- blom have been born seven children, namely : Aaron C., a resident of Cedar Rapids, who is in the railway mail service ; Elsie E., the wife of John Carl- son, of Butler county, Kansas ; Charlie S., who is deceased; Lester D., at home : Ruth Alice, a high school student ; John Guy ; and Laura T. A.
Mr. Seablom gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party but has no desire for the honors and emoluments of office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private affairs. By per- severance, determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine personal worth and many sterling traits of character have won him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
A. F. SWANSON.
A. F. Swanson is a native of Fremont township and within its borders still resides, his home being on section 19. His natal day was February 28, 1874, and like many of the leading and representative residents of this part of the county he comes of Swedish ancestry. His parents, Swan S. and Christina (Johnson) Swanson, came to the United States from Sweden about 1868 or 1869 and first settled in Henry county, Illinois, where they resided until 1874. In January, of that year, they arrived in Page county, settling on eighty acres of land in Fremont township, on which A. F. Swan- son is now living. The father purchased this property prior to his re- moval to Page county and some time after locating here he purchased forty acres adjoining his original tract, making his farm one of one hundred and twenty acres. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and fur- ther develop the place, and year by year he harvested good crops as the reward for the care and cultivation which he bestowed upon the land. He continued to carry on general farming until his life's labors were ended in death on the 12th of May, 1906, when he was in his seventy-eighth year. His widow still survives and now makes her home with her son A. F. Swanson.
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There was nothing unusual nor different in the youthful days of A. F. Swanson from the experiences which come to most farm lads. He at- tended the public schools and worked in the fields, his responsibilities being increased as he advanced in years and strength. He found farm life con- genial and determined to engage in agricultural pursuits as a source of live- lihood after he had attained his majority. In 1898 he began farming for himself and for five years he rented land and cultivated a place now owned by A. J. Fagerquist, formerly the F. A. P. Johnson farm. He afterward rented and cultivated his father-in-law's farm for a year, and in 1904 he returned to the old homestead, his father having grown too old and infirm to carry on the place. Mr. Swanson took charge of and has since operated the farm, carefully tilling the fields in the production of crops which are usually large and bountiful. The place is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, and there are substantial buildings and modern im- provements. Mr. Swanson has made a specialty of raising live stock and feeds all the grain which he produces to his cattle and hogs. He keeps only high grade stock and therefore finds a ready sale for it upon the market. His experiences of life have been largely of a practical character, bringing him knowledge of the best methods of carrying on his work, and at the same time he is in close touch with the scientific methods which have largely revolutionized farming and greatly increased the product of labor.
In 1898 Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Christina John- son, of Fremont township, a daughter of Andrew Johnson, who came to the United States from Sweden about the same year that S. S. Swanson crossed the Atlantic. Unto A. F. Swanson and his wife have been born seven children, six of whom are yet living: Merl A. I., Emil A., Henry Raymond, Dora L., Helen I. and Ada Lenora. The second child, Alice C., is now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Swanson is an ardent republican and is a member of the present school board of his district. He keeps well in- formed on the leading questions and issues of the day and his cooperation is eagerly sought and freely given in behalf of progressive public measures. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. They are highly esteemed in Fremont township, where they are well known and where Mr. Swanson has spent his entire life.
WILLIAM McLEOD.
Among the men who have been most active and prominent in the de- velopment and improvement of Coin is William MeLeod. now the president of the Coin Lumber Company. The evidences of his enterprise, his bus- iness sagacity and his skill in building lines is found in many of the leading business structures, public buildings and residences of Coin and the sur- rounding district. In all that he does he has been actuated by laudable
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ambition and his efforts have been guided by sound principles which have neither sought nor required disguise.
A native of Delaware county, Iowa, he was born April 19, 1861, of the marriage of Alexander and Amanda (Warden) McLeod. As the name indicates the family is of Scotch origin. The father was born in Scotland and when a young man came to the United States, settling in New York in 1854. There he lived for a short time and was married in that locality. To provide for his support he worked at the stone-mason's trade, which he had previously learned in Scotland. Removing westward, he resided in Iowa during pioncer times, taking up his abode in Delaware county, although he worked in various parts of the state as a stone-mason, being employed on a number of the prominent buildings, including the state capitol, the insane asylum and other important public structures. About 1872 he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres in Worth county, Missouri, and resided there for a time, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits and also working at his trade to some extent. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and a man who in business and social relations enjoyed the highest esteem of his contempor- aries and associates. He died about 1899 when seventy-two years of age. His wife, who was a native of the Empire state. is still living at the age of seventy years. There were only two children in the family and the elder, Archie, died when about five years old.
William McLeod, the younger son, spent the first thirteen years of his life in Delaware county, where he attended the Sand Spring school. Sub- sequently he became a student in Des Moines. It was after that that he accompanied his parents on their removal to the farm and for a few years his time and energies were devoted to the tilling of the soil. In 1888, how- ever, he took up his abode in Coin, where he learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of S. A. Godfrey. Later he formed a partnership with S. S. Mitchell in that business and the association continued for about ten years. At the end of that time the partnership was dissolved and Mr. McLeod started alone as a contractor, meeting with excellent success in the years which followed. He was awarded the contract of many large build- ings in Coin, including the Monzinger, J. Prince building, the Turner build- ing and the fine school building, which was erected in 1907 and is one of the best in this part of the state. He was called to various sections of the county in his capacity as contractor, erecting the Inter State Bank at Blanchard, the Methodist church at College Springs and other structures of almost equal note. Thoroughness, expert workmanship and reliability were always characteristics of his business while he continued as a contractor.
On the Ist of January, 1908, Mr. McLeod in connection with the C. Hayford Lumber Company of Council Bluffs, organized the Coin Lumber Company, with which he remained until March 1, 1909, when a new com- pany was organized, with Mr. McLeod and about fifty-six farmers as stock- holders. They bought out the stock of the Council Bluffs people and in- corporated under the state laws of Iowa, with Mr. McLeod as the pres- ident ; W. C. Jeffries as vice president ; J. L. Turner as secretary ; and W.
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T. Goodman as treasurer. The company was capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, each share selling for fifty dollars. There are two classes of stock, three hundred shares being held as common stock and two hundred as preferred stock. In addition to the offices, W. M. Lingo and H. C. McMillan are on the board of directors. The stock is all held by people of the surrounding territory and the company conducts a general lumber business.
On the 8th of September, 1881, Mr. McLeod was united in marriage at Platteville. Taylor county, lowa, to Mrs. Eva I. Hornback, the widow of Stephen Hornback and a daughter of B. F. Whitney. They now have three children. Frank E., the eldest, is general manager of the Coin Lumber Com- pany and does all the drawing and architectural work for the company. He was graduated from the high school at Coin and pursued a commercial course in college at Omaha, Nebraska. Ile married Nellie Hale, and they have two children, Don and Darrell. Grace is the wife of C. L. Hatch of Coin, and they have three children, Lowell, Doris and Darrell. Myrle is a graduate of the Coin high school and is at home.
Mr. McLeod gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as assessor for a number of terms. His fellow townsmen, rec- ognizing his worth and ability, reelected him to office. He is prominent among the business men of Coin and for years has been closely identi- fied with the history of the city as a representative of its building operations and trade interests. A man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the con- cern with which he is connected a large degree of success. The safe con- servative policy which he inaugurated commends itself to the judgment of all and has secured to the company a patronage which makes its volume of trade of considerable magnitude. The prosperity of the company is cer- tainly due in a large measure to its president and manager.
PATRICK H. MENTZER.
No history of Shenandoah would be complete without extended personal reference to Patrick H. Mentzer, so active has he been in the affairs of the city bearing upon its commercial. industrial, intellectual, political and moral progress. His worth is widely acknowledged and he, therefore, termed one of Shenandoah's foremost residents.
He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1843, and is a son of John and Nancy ( Foreman) Mentzer, of whom mention is made at length in connection with the sketch of John Mentzer on another page of this volume. He was only about ten years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Jowa. He was reared at home, acquiring his education in the common schools and, after putting aside his text-books, he took up the task of learning the brick mason's trade, thinking to follow it as a life work.
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PATRICK H. MENTZER
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ALORLAICH
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On the 25th of April, 1871, Mr. Mentzer came to Shenandoah, where he was immediately employed on the erection of a business block, building the first building used as a grocery store in this city. He bought the lot and let the contract for building the same day, after which he returned to his old home to straighten up his business affairs there. Some three or four days later he again came to Shenandoah and the building was finished on the 6th of June and on the same day a stock was opened up there and Mr. Mentzer began business as the pioneer groceryman of Shenandoah. He was joined by his younger brother John, who after about three years was admitted to a partnership. Outgrowing their original quarters in the fall of 1879 they built their present brick block, where they have since been located. Throughout the entire period Mr. Mentzer has been connected with this establishment. He was for one year alone as proprietor of the store and for two years was at the head of the firm of Mentzer & Wallace, which then became Mentzer Brothers and so continued to the present time. They have enjoyed a liberal share of the public patronage as the years have passed and the growth of the county has continued and their trade is an ex- tensive and profitable one.
In November, 1872, Patrick Mentzer was married to Miss Odessa S. Owens, of western Pennsylvania, whose acquaintance he formed while she was on a visit in this city. They have had no children of their own but have reared two adopted children, Frederick and Marion, who are yet at honie.
Mr. Mentzer and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he is serving as trustee, while in the work of the church they are much interested. In his political views Mr. Mentzer is now an earnest republican but gave his support to the democracy until 1896. He did not favor bi- metalism or the principles advocated by W. J. Bryan and therefore changed his allegiance. He served as a member of the second town council after the incorporation of Shenandoah and is a member of the present city coun- cil, acting as chairman of the water and lights committee and of the finance committee. His interest in public affairs has been manifest in active and helpful cooperation in many measures for the general good. His opinions are sound and reliable and his methods practical and, moreover, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes so that his labors are a valued factor whether in the conduct of business affairs or in matters relative to the city's upbuilding.
ROBERT STEELE FINLEY.
There have been many theories advanced concerning success and the best method for its attainment but a careful analyzation of the life records of those men who have achieved prosperity in honorable manner will indicate that earnest, persistent labor has been the foundation upon which they have builded. This is again evidenced in the life history of Robert Steele Finley,
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whose close application and undaunted energy have been the salient features in his business progress. He was born near Monmouth, Illinois, June 27, 1870, and is a son of Samuel Steele and Mary Angeline (Massey) Finley, who are residing with their son Robert, who is the youngest of three chil- dren. The older brother, Alfred Melancthon, is a resident of College Springs, and the daughter, Mary Angeline, who is the second of the family, is de- ceased.
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