USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 56
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His youthful days were spent under the parental roof and he was trained to the work of the fields, assisting in their cultivation from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He attended the district schools in Parkfield township, profiting by the instruc- tion there received and finding his recreation in such games and sports as claimed the attention of most farm boys of the period. On reaching his majority he began farming on his own account, renting and cultivating his father's place for three years. It was his purpose during that time to become the owner of a farm and with this end in view he carefully saved his earnings. In 1887, therefore, he invested the capital he had saved in ninety acres of land, which he purchased from his father and which has since been his home with the exception of five years which he spent in Shenandoah in order that his daughter might complete her education in the schools of that city. His farm work has been diligently pursued and intelligently di- rected and has brought to him substantial and financial returns.
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On the 13th of September, 1883, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Katie M. HJoman, of Yorktown, this county. Their only child is Lulu J., a graduate of the Shenandoah high school and now the wife of Dr. Frank Bartley, of Neligh, Nebraska.
Mr. King is identified with several fraternal societies, holding member- ship in Shenandoah Camp, W. O. W .: Coin Lodge, M. W. A. ; Shenandoah Homestead of the Yeomen of America, and Coin Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is loyal to the teachings of these organizations for he is in sympathy with the spirit of universal brotherhood upon which they are founded. His study of the political issues and questions of the day has led him to give his alle- giance to the republican party. He is particularly a product of the western frontier of Iowa and if all citizens were of his class Page county might in- deed be proud to claim her sons. He has made good use of his time and opportunities and has so planned and guided his life that its chief features stand out as characteristics worthy of high commendation.
JOHN H. MURPHY, JR.
John H. Murphy is busily engaged in farming in Colfax township, de- voting his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of a farm of eiglity acres which presents a neat and attractive appearance. He was born in this township, June 5, 1883, his parents being John J. and Elizabeth (Hile) Murphy, early settlers of this locality. The father was born in Ireland and when only twelve years of age left the Emerald Isle and sailed for the United States, landing in New York. He afterward went to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand until 1879, when he came to Page county and invested in eighty acres of land. which he improved and cultivated. As he prospered in his undertaking's he added eighty acres to the original tract and became the owner of an excellent farm. His wife is a native of Ohio and like her husband is widely and favorably known in their part of the county. They had a family of ten children: Thomas and Nellie, who are still upon the old home farm: Fred. a resident farmer of Colfax town- ship : James, living in Nebraska : Jennie and Lillie, both at home ; John H., of this review : Albert C., a twin brother of our subject ; and Gertrude and William, who complete the family.
Jolin H. Murphy has always lived in Colfax township and attended the district schools. Through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and after he had attained his majority he determined to make his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. In 1908 he purchased from Ed H. Mitchell the farm on which he now resides and has since made a number of improvements here. The place is well developed and his care- fully cultivated fields return to him generous harvests each year. On the 6th of December, 1904. Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Mabel J. Vawter, a daughter of Grant G. and Nancy ( Beell) Vawier, of Colfax township, who were early settlers of Page county. Her father is now de-
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ceased, while her mother is living in California. They were the parents of nine children : Mabel, Melvin, Floyd, Cora, Edna, Lewis, Ruth, Dorlin and Blestin.
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are members of the Methodist church at Coin and are well known in that village and throughout this part of the county, where their many excellent traits of character have won for them warm friends. Mr. Murphy is recognized as one of the enterprising young farmers of this part of the state and in his work is meeting with gratifying success.
ELBERT A. READ.
Honored and respected by all, Elbert A. Read occupies an enviable posi- tion in financial and business circles and is widely recognized as a young man of marked ability to whom the future seems to promise success as his salient qualities are intelligently directed industry and ready appreciation of op- portunity. He is now the cashier and one of the directors of the First National Bank of Shenandoah, the vice president of the First National Bank of Coin, cashier of the First National Bank of Imogene, and director of the First National Bank of Farragut.
Mr. Read is one of Page county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Clarinda, Iowa, on the 17th of July, 1874. He is a son of T. H. Read, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. In the acquirement of his education he passed through the consecutive grades in the public schools until he be- came a high-school student and later he entered the Western Normal College, while subsequently he spent two years as a student in the Michigan Univer- sity. He left that institution in 1894 and entered at once upon the duties of an active busines's career as assistant in his father's bank in Shenandoah. In the intervening fifteen years he has been closely identified with the bank- ing interests of Page county and is thoroughly familiar with every depart- ment of the business, with the moneyed market, with safe investments and reliable securities. In 1894 he was made assistant cashier of the Shenandoah Bank and five years later was elected its cashier, since which time he has been closely associated with his father in the banking business and in the ex- tention of their interests along that line. He has assisted in the organization and conduct of three other banks and is widely known among the financiers of southwestern Iowa. He has been one of the most active. helpful and bene- ficial factors in the upbuilding of the business sections of Shenandoah. There has been nothing of a constructive nature in this city in which his hand has not been seen and at all times his judgment is reliable and his methods practical.
It is not alone in business lines that Mr. Read has figured prominently. Ile is a member of the Congregational church and its board of trustees. Ile is also a member of the board of trustees of the Chautauqua Association and is identified in an official way with the Shenandoah Fair Association. Whatever tends to promote the welfare and progress of Shenandoah elicits
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his interest and receives his cooperation. He is also regarded as a valued and popular representative of various fraternities here. He belongs to Shenandoah Lodge, No. 1122, B. P. O. E., is acting on its board of trustees and is a member of the building committee, having in charge the erection of the new Elks' building here. He also belongs to Juniata Lodge, K. P., of which he is treasurer ; and to Page Camp, No. 1049, M. W. A.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Read was married in 1900 to Miss Josabel London, a daughter of David S. and Mary C. ( Elder) London, of Shenandoah. They are the parents of three daughters: Eleanor, Marian and Winifred. Mr. Read and his family occupy a handsome residence at the intersection of Crescent and Ann streets and while pleasing in its archi- tecture and its furnishings its warm-hearted hospitality is one of its most attractive features.
JAMES C. BLACK.
On the list of Page county's honored dead appears the name of James C. Black, whose sterling character was manifested in his business integrity, his championship of measures for the public good and his loyalty to the best interests of society. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 2, 1831, a son of Mathew and Eliza (Currey) Black. The family, of Irish lineage, was founded in America by his grandfather, who was born on the Emerald Isle. The birth of Mathew Black occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1799 and he passed away in Butler county, same state, in 1850. His wife was born in Ireland about the year 1801 and died in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1833.
Mathew Black was reared to general agricultural pursuits, in which he continued throughout his life. Both he and his wife held membership in the United Presbyterian church, which was then known as the Associated Reformed church. He was twice married, the children of his first union being John A., Jane C. and Mathew I., all now deceased. Having lost his first wife, he was married again and had six children: Uriah J. and Jarvis T., both now deceased : Abigail, the wife of William Maxwell; Robert W .; Silas T., who has passed away ; and Joshua T.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Joseph C. Black, who spent his boyhood and youth on the old home- stead in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and is indebted to the common schools of that locality for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He re- mained in the east until 1852, when he sought the business opportunities of the growing west, and for seven years was employed by the month as a farm hand in Hancock county, Illinois. In the meantime hie carefully saved his earnings until he had the sum of six hundred dollars, which he invested in forty acres of land.
When he had thus made preparations for having a home of his own, he felt justified in taking unto himself a wife, and on the 27th of April. 1858,
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Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Graham, a daughter of William and Rachel ( Glascow ) Graham, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio. Her mother died in the Buckeye state in 1848, while the father passed away in Illinois in 1867. They were both consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Reformed Presbyterian church. Their family numbered fourteen children: William M. and Nancy A., both now deceased : Rhoda G., the wife of James Montgomery; Calvin C .: Hugh J .; Martha J., who became Mrs. Black ; Louisa R., Hadassa N., Robert R. and Amanda S., who have all passed away ; Joseph C .; M. G. : John C., deceased ; and Mary S., the wife of William Nelson. Of this number, Mrs. Black was born in Adams county, Ohio. April 3. 1830.
After his marriage Mr. Black settled with his bride on his little farm in Hancock county, Illinois, and continued to cultivate it until April, 1867, during which time he erected good buildings thereon and brought the fields under a high state of improvement, but he was desirous of obtaining more land and, realizing that farm property could be purchased at a lower figure in Iowa, he came to Page county and invested in one hundred and twenty acres. Only about twenty acres of that tract had been broken and the im- provements upon it consisted of a log cabin, in which the family lived for a year and a half. In 1880 the pioneer building was converted into a kitchen and in front of it a nice frame residence was constructed. Other modern and valuable improvements were made upon the farm from time to time, includ- ing the planting of an orchard of two acres, and as his financial resources in- creased Mr. Black added to his original purchases another tract of one hun- dred and twenty acres. The pioneer farm was brought under cultivation through his industry and energy, and his possessions were the visible evidence of his untiring labor, for when he came to Iowa he had little capital. As the years passed. however, he accumulated a comfortable competence and in all that he did was ably assisted by his wife.
Mr. Black's business record was interrupted by his service in the Civil war for, in the fall of 1864, he offered his aid to the country, enlisting in Company E. Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining at the front for a year, after which he returned to his home in Illinois. His political allegiance was given to the republican party from the time of its organization and his fellow townsmen, recognizing the worth of his citizen- ship, called him to several local offices. Ile served for six years as township Artistee, was assessor for three years and was also a member of the school board. discharging the duties of these various positions in a most capable and efficient manner.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Black were born six children: William M .. now a well known and leading farmer of Harlan township; Robert G., who is living in Anderson county, Kansas ; Elmer E., whose home is in Mount Ayr, Ringgold county, Iowa: James P., who died January 14. 1868; Arnellas E., who died in January, 1875; and a daughter who died in infancy.
The death of the father occurred on the old homestead on section 35, Harlan township, November 10, 1899, and the mother died at the home of her son Robert in southern Kansas, August 17, 1909, and her remains were
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brought back to College Springs, being interred beside her husband in the cemetery there. Both were members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Black contributed generously of his means to the support of the church and for ten years served as one of its deacons. He was a man whom to know was to esteem because in every relation of life he manifested a spirit of honor and was ever straightforward in his dealings whether of a business or a social nature.
CHRISTIAN W. FISHBAUGH.
Christian W. Fishbaugh, a banker and land proprietor, who until recent years was the largest landowner of southwestern Iowa, has in life record proved the efficiency of indefatigable and intelligently directed industry in winning success. He was born in Crawford county, Ohio, on the 20tli of February, 1847, his parents being Christian and Mary (Gross) Fish- baugh. The father was a native of Bavaria, Germany, while the mother's birth occurred in Columbiana county, Ohio. Having spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native country, Christian Fishbaugh, Sr., then accom- panied his parents to the United States and after his marriage located upon a farm in Crawford county, Ohio. His remaining days were devoted to gen- eral agricultural pursuits in that county, where he passed away at the com- paratively early age of forty-five years. After the father's death the family removed to Tiffin, Ohio, where the mother died at the age of sixty-one years.
Christian W. Fishbaugh was reared at home, acquiring his education in the district schools of Crawford county. He was fourteen years of age at the removal to Tiffin, at which time he began work in his brother's wagon manufacturing plant, being there employed until his twenty-first year. On obtaining his majority he was admitted to a partnership under the firm name of Fishbaugh Brothers, the firm owning and controlling the patent wagon hound, the best wagon hound ever producted. This brought to their busi- ness a world-wide acquaintance and insured their success. C. W. Fish- baugh was identified with this manufacturing interest until 1885 but in the meantime, in 1882, he had removed west to Shenandoah. He retained his financial interest in the Ohio business for three years and it is still in opera- tion in Tiffin under the name of the Fishbaugh Bent Works.
After arriving in Shenandoah, Christian W. Fishbaugh turned his atten- tion to the live-stock business and to farming, in which line he was actively engaged until 1903, when he withdrew from active connection with agricultural pursuits and became one of the heaviest stockholders in the Commercial Savings Bank, now the Commercial National Bank of Shenan- doah. He was elected vice president of the institution, in which capacity he was identified with the bank for three years. In 1906, however, he sold his bank stock and for two years thereafter gave his undivided attention to his landed interests. In the fall of 1908 he was instrumental in the organi-
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zation of the Security Trust & Savings Bank of Shenandoah, his associate in this venture being his son, Earl C. Fishbaugh. On the 6th of January, 1909. they opened their doors for business and in the management of the bank have shown themselves familiar with the demands of the financial world. Already the institution has secured many patrons and its business is constantly growing. In all of his operations Mr. Fishbaugh has been very successful and at one time was the owner of over nineteen hundred acres of the most valuable farming land in Iowa, located in Fremont and Page counties.
In October, 1873, Mr. Fishbaugh was married to Miss Melinda Angene, of Broken Sword, Crawford county, Ohio. Unto them were born two sons, Warren P., a stockman, who is looking after the interests of his farms, and Earl C .. cashier of the Security Trust & Savings Bank.
In his political views Mr. Fishbaugh is an earnest republican and served for nine years as a member of the town council of Shenandoah, during which time he labored effectively and earnestly to introduce many needed reforms and improvements. For three years he was a member of the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. He likewise belongs to the Congregational church and is greatly inter- ested in the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the com- munity. Starting out in life at the age of fourteen years without any special advantages he has made steady progress in the business world nor has his path ever been strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes. He has sought his success in the legitimate lines of trade and commerce. and at all times his commercial probity has stood as an unquestioned fact in his career.
WILLIAM C. JEFFREY.
William C. Jeffrey, one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Page county, is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, one hundred and sixty acres of which lies in Lincoln township, while the remaining eighty-acre tract is in Colfax township. His birth occurred in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of September, 1861. his parents being William and Anna ( Duncan ) Jeffrey, who were born and married in Ireland. The father's natal year was 1827. and the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 15th of May, 1828. In the year 1869, William Jeffrey, in company with his wife and children. made the journey from Pennsylvania to this state, going by rail as far as Hamburg, Iowa, and thence by wagon to Page county. The family first located on the farm which is now the home of our subject, renting the property for a year. The first night of their arrival here they slept in an old frame house made of native oak and walnut. The pioneer structure still remains on the farm but has been moved from its original location. At the end of a year the family took up their abode near Clarinda, lowa, where the father engaged in the operation of a rented farm for about twelve months. On the expira-
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tion of that period he removed to Taylor county, this state, where his demise occurred in 1872. After a residence of two years in that county the family home was established in Page county, where Mr. Jeffrey of this review has since made his home. Mrs. Anna Jeffrey, who survived her husband for two decades, was called to her final rest on the 14th of January, 1892. She was the mother of six children, namely: Mary, who is the widow of A. A. Staples and makes her home at Burlington Junction, Missouri; Fannie, the wife of Charles N. Collins, of Fort Morgan, Colorado: John, a resident of Oklahoma; Maggie, the wife of William Boyle, of Blanchard, Iowa; Henry, also living in Oklahoma; and William C., of this review. All of these children are natives of the Keystone state.
William C. Jeffrey was about six years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Chester county, Pennsylvania, to this state. He obtained his education in the schools of Taylor county and when not busy with his text-books assisted in the work of the home farm, thus early becom- ing familiar with the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agricul- turist. It was in March, 1906. that he came into possession of his present farm, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres from James Beggs, eighty in Lincoln and eighty in Colfax, and eighty acres in Lincoln township from the James McKee estate. He has made extensive improvements on the property, erecting a commodious and substantial residence, good barns and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has fenced the land and has made it cultivatable through the rotation of crops, his harvests each year being such as to reward him for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He also devotes considerable attention to the feeding of stock and this branch of his business adds materially to his annual income. His farm was first entered from the government by Rob- ert B. Bratton, who built the old house which is still standing on the prop- erty-a mute reminder of pioneer days and experiences.
On the 6th of December, 1886, Mr. Jeffrey was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hensleigh, who was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, her parents being John and Nancy (Lydic) Hensleigh, of Colfax township. The father, an native of England, was brought to this country by his par- ents when a little lad of six years. His demise occurred in 1899 when he had attained the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, passed away in 1879, when forty-three years of age. Unto them were born fourteen children, as follows: Elizabeth, who is now deceased; George E .; John H .: Frank V .: E. W .; Anna : Katie: Walter: Fred: L. M .; A. G .; and three who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey became the parents of five children, namely : Clemmie, who is the wife of John Christenson of Colfax township and has two children, Newell J. and John F .; Edith and Lynn, who are at home; Lester, who died at the age of ten months ; and Lyle. also under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Jeffrey is a stanch republican and has capably served in the positions of township trustee and school director, holding the former office for six years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Blanchard, while his religious faith is indicated
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by his membership in the Methodist church at Coin. In whatever sphere of life he is found he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman and enjoys in unlimited degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
G. J. LILJEDAIIL.
G. J. Liljedahil is closely identified with the financial interests of Pierce township as cashier of the First National Bank of Essex and in this capacity has gained a reputation throughout the community for keen business discern- ment and strict integrity. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 25th of August, 1871, and belongs to a family that, like many another that has come from across the water, sought the opportunities of the new world that advancement might be made in business lines and better advan- tages given to the members of the household.
His father, John Liljedahl. came to the United States in 1869 and was followed a year later by his family, which at that time consisted of his wife and three children. He first located in Rock Island county. Illinois, where for about three years he was identified with coal mining, and then he re- moved to Fremont township. Page county, lowa, where in connection with two brothers, Frank and Gustaf, he purchased a farm of eighty acres. Later he withdrew from the partnership and removed to Pierce township, where he passed away in 1901, at the age of sixty-four years. Ile had been very successful in his business dealings, securing a most gratifying competency, and he was the owner of about five hundred and sixty acres of land, mostly situated in Pierce township. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Mary Peterson, passed away in 1892 when fifty-two years oldl.
Reared under the parental roof, G. J. Liljedahl acquired his early educa- tion in the common schools, while later for a short period he attended Luther Academy at Wahoo, Nebraska. He remained at home until twenty- three years of age, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. and then in 1804. starting out in business on his own account, he engaged in the grocery business at Page Center for only one year. In 1895 he and his brother Frank purchased the Essex Roller Mills, which they continued to operate for seven years, and throughout this period G. J. Liljedahl super- intended the management of the business. During his connection therewith he manifested excellent executive ability. his good judgment and his keen business sagacity proving potent elements in the success of the enterprise. In 1902 the brothers sold the mill and in August of that year Mr. Liljedahl of this review was offered the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Essex, which position he accepted and which he has since occupied. He makes an excellent official and is very popular with the patrons of the bank, whom he seeks to serve to the best of his ability, at all times performing his duties promptly and efficiently, while he is widely known throughout the community for his integrity and honesty. He has the unqualified confi-
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