USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
580
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
Mr. Hobson was married to Miss Nora Hudson, of Clarinda, a native of Indiana, who was formerly a teacher in the public schools and is a lady of liberal education and broad culture. She is a daughter of J. E. Hudson, a painter and decorator of Clarinda. The marriage was celebrated May 18, 1893, and has been blessed with four children : Iola M., Lucile Katherine, Sarah Maramac and Joetta, all of whom are in school. The family is promi- nent socially in the community, having many friends in Clarinda, where Mr. Hobson has now made his home for twenty-eight years. Fraternally he is a Mason, connected with the blue lodge and the Eastern Star, and he also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias. In April, 1909, lie was elected to the office of city councilman from the first ward. He has always been an earnest and effective worker for a better and greater Clar- inda. and is identified with that movement toward higher politics, which is common to both parties and which constitutes the most hopeful political sign of the period. His own party fealty is not grounded on partisan preju- dice but is the result of his close study of the great issues which divide the two political organizations. He has ever felt a hearty concern for the public welfare and belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flows the greatest good to the greatest number.
GEORGE W. MOORE.
It is seldom that the news of death causes such uniform regret as was felt in Pierce township when it was announced that the life record of George W. Moore was ended. This could only be said of a man whose many good qualities and sterling worth, whose genial manner and kindly disposition had made him popular. He was for a number of years closely identified with the agricultural interests of the community and his salient traits con- stituted a most commendable feature in his successful career. He is also deserving of special mention in this volume from the fact that he was num- bered among the honored veterans of the Civil war, serving throughout the entire period of hostilities and by his bravery and courage he won a most enviable military record.
One of Ireland's native sons, he was born in County Monaghan, Novem- ber 12, 1836, a son of John and Jane (Ross) Moore, who were also born in that country. The parents came to the United States in 1846, the family residence being established in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where the father became identified with agricultural interests. In their family were eight sons, five of whom took part in the Civil war, one of them, Josiah, passing away at Springfield from the effects of typhoid fever during his term of service. The other sons, William, Robert. Charles, Samuel, Thomas, George W. and James, lived to a ripe old age, all of them still surviving when the youngest had reached his sixtieth year.
581
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
On the Illinois homestead George W. Moore was reared to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools and at Westminster Col- lege, Westminster, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he took up the occupation of teaching and was thus engaged at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Putting aside all personal matters, at the first call for troops he organized a company in Jo Daviess county and entered service as a private in this company, which hecame Company I, Ninety-sixth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. Shortly afterward, however, he was commis- sioned second lieutenant and later made first lieutenant of his company, while still later he was appointed quartermaster sergeant of his regiment, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. In the meantime he saw much active service and participated in many hotly contested battles, and at the battle of Lookout Mountain he was wounded. After his re- covery he was sent home as recruiting officer and when hostilities ceased received an honorable discharge, returning home with an excellent record for valor and bravery.
Mr. Moore was then engaged as a traveling salesman for a woolen mill at Hanover for some time and in 1867 he came to Page county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm near Nyman in Fremont township, upon which he resided for about seven years. At the expiration of that period he sold the place and purchased the farm upon which his widow now resides, located in section 15, Pierce township. At the time of the purchase it consisted of two hundred and forty acres, while later he added another tract of one hundred and twenty acres, the farm now comprising three hundred and eighty acres. Upon this place he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 27th of May, 1901. During the intervening years he had directed his efforts to general farming, had brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, and today the place is one of the valuable and attractive farming properties of that part of the county. In his business he combined industry, thrift and enterprise with good management and close application, with the result that at the time of his demise he was ranked among the foremost agriculturists of Page county, his well directed efforts having brought to him a most gratifying measure of prosperity.
Mr. Moore was married on the 25th of November, 1875, to Miss Har- riet J. Price, a daughter of William F. and Lydia A. (Smith) Price. Her father, William F. Price, a minister of the Methodist Protestant church, came to Iowa from West Virginia, locating in Newton, where he resided for a few years. Later he went to Red Oak, being one of the ministers who organized the Methodist Protestant conference in Jowa and built the first church in Montgomery county. He was a man of broad and pro- gressive ideas, active and earnest in his Christian work, and for forty-four years filled a pulpit in the Methodist Protestant church, during which period his efforts were potent factors for good in the community in which he resided. He passed away in Montgomery county, March 27, 1894. His father, Argelon Price, was originally a slaveholder in Maryland but later became an abolitionist and freed all of his bondsmen. He thereby incurred the ill will of many of his neighbors and his relatives, being the only one
582
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
of the Price family who espoused the cause of the negro. Subsequently he removed to West Virginia where he passed away just at the beginning of the Civil war.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Moore was blessed with six children, namely : Samuel R., deceased; William F., operating the home farm; James C., working the north farm; Thomas H., residing at home ; Georgia, who mar- ried Charles J. Bengtson, of l'ierce township ; and Alice J., who is also under the parental roof. Mrs. Moore is a member of the United Presbyterian church and is a lady of culture and refinement, who is held in high esteem and regard throughout the community. She also possesses excellent executive ability, having capably and successfully managed the estate since the death of her husband.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Moore was a member of the Masonic order and passed through the degrees of the chapter. In politics he gave stal- wart allegiance to the republican party and was an active and influential figure in the party councils. He served for about twenty years in the office of township trustee and for some seventeen years was a member of the school board. He was also appointed to fill an unexpired term on the board of county supervisors and was later twice regularly elected to that office, serving altogether about seven and a half years. Although born across the waters. Mr. Moore was ever loyal to the interests of his adopted country and at all times remained in matters of citizenship as faithful to the Stars and Stripes as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields. He had become widely known during his residence in Page county and the news of his death brought with it a feeling of sadness and regret to a large circle of friends, with whom he had been very popular and by whom his memory is still cherished.
NELS CHRISTIANSON.
Nels Christianson, who is operating a farm of four hundred acres on shares, the place being located in Washington township, Page county, is numbered among the thrifty and enterprising farmers which Norway has sent to the United States. His birth occurred in Norway, on the 22d of July, 1878, and he is a son of Olson and Kuren Christianson. The father was twice married, his first union being with Miss Ingeberg Christianson, and to this union were born two childrn, Ole and Andrew, while by his second wife he had five sons, Nels, Olaf, Karl, Anton and Isaac.
In the common schools of Norway Nels Christianson acquired his edu- cation, and he remained under the parental roof until fifteen years of age, when he started out as a sailor, and during the three years he spent upon the sea he was on several different ships and visited many foreign countries. Ile did not like the life of a sailor, however, well enough to follow it. Heeding the call of the new world, he came alone to the United States at the age of twenty, thinking to find in this country better business oppor-
583
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
tunities than could be offered in his native land. He first settled at Fairfax, Missouri, and later went to Tarkio, that state, while the year 1904 wit- nessed liis arrival in Page county, Iowa, locating upon the farm in the op- eration of which he is now engaged. It consists of four hundred acres of rich farming land owned by W. A. Rankin and W. F. Durham, while Mr. Christianson is working it on shares. He is progressive and up-to-date in his methods, studies modern ways of cultivating the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, and is meeting with most gratifying success in his business venture. He gives special attention to the feeding of cattle and the raising of hogs, feeding all of the grain raised upon the farm to his stock.
On the 24th of August, 1905, Mr. Christianson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hipsley, a daughter of John and Ella (Caldwell) Hipsley, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ohio. Her parents came to Iowa about 1874, where both are still residing, and they have become the parents of the following children: Lewis G .; Cora May, the wife of W. A. Priest ; Mrs. Christianson ; Dollie Effie, who married Ray Alexander ; Edward E .; Alexander ; and William J., who passed away in early life.
In his religious faith Mr. Christianson is a Lutheran, while his wife holds membership in the Christian church. They have one daughter, Verna Louella, a little maiden who was born September 18, 1907, and is the light and life of the household. Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Christianson has given his political support to the republican party, the principles of which, in his opinion, are best adapted to conserve the public welfare. He is public spirited in his citizenship, and although born across the waters is as loyal to the country of his adoption as any American born citizen. Industry, energy, thrift and economy have been the salient characteristics of his career and are winning for him a most gratifying degree of prosperity.
JAMES L. HAYNES.
James L. Haynes is numbered among the men to whom success has come as the reward of earnest, persistent labor. As the years have gone by he has conducted a large business as a breeder of horses and has owned some of the finest stock to be found in this part of a state noted for its extended stock-raising interests. Industry and perseverance have even been numbered among his salient characteristics and they have been essential fac- tors in bringing him to the place that he now occupies. With a hand- some competence he has put aside business cares and is living retired, en- joving the well earned fruits of his former toil. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 29, 1854, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Wilson ) Haynes, the former a native of Ross county, Ohio, and the latter of Elk- hart, Indiana. The parental grandparents of our subject were among the first settlers of Ross county, removing into that section from the Key- stone state. They were of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and were numbered
584
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
among the substantial citizens of the community in which they established their home. There Jacob Haynes was reared and spent his remaining days, living to the age of seventy-two years. At the time of the Civil war he was in hearty sympathy with the Union cause and enlisted for three months' service. Throughout his business life he gave his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. His widow still survives hin in her seventy- ninth year and is now a resident of Shenandoah.
James L. Haynes was reared in the shelter of the family home and obtained his education in the public schools. At the age of nineteen years he left his father's roof and went to Macomb, Illinois. Soon afterward he rented a farm in that locality, continuing its cultivation for a year and in February, 1874, he continued his westward journey to Shenandoah, Iowa. The following summer he worked as a farm hand in Page county and in October of the same year he returned to Ohio where through the succeed- ing summer he again worked for his father and upon neighboring farms. He had heard the call of the west, however, and it proved to be an irre- sistible one. In 1875 he returned to Illinois but again went back to Ohio, where he remained until 1876. That year he went to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and from there came to Page county, Iowa, in the fall of that year, making his home here continuously since. Here he began farming on his own account and was closely associated with general agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1883, when he removed to Shenandoah and engaged in the buying, selling and breeding of thoroughbred draft and roadster horses. In 1905 he built a feed barn which he conducted in connection with his breeding stables, carrying on both lines of business until April, 1908, when he disposed of his barns. He continued to own his stallions, however, until February, 1909, when he held a public sale and disposed of them. For twenty-six years he had been extensively identified with the breeding of horses and the records show that in that time he bred more mares than any other one man in the United States, having a record of over eleven thousand mares. Through the capable management of his business he won gratify- ing success and at the present time is living retired, having acquired a handsome competence, sufficient to supply him with the necessities and comforts of life and to bring him many of its luxuries as well.
On the 8th of December, 1885, Mr. Haynes was united in marriage to Miss Margaret D. Binkley, a native of Ross county, Ohio, and a daughter of Henry and Rachel ( Heddinger ) Binkley, the former a native of Hagers- town, Maryland, while the latter was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, mem- bers of the family removing from Pennsylvania to Ross county, Ohio. Mr. Haynes is identified with various fraternal and insurance societies. He belongs to Shenandoah Lodge, No. 261, I. O. O. F. ; Shenandoah Lodge, No. 249, A. O. U. W .; the Bankers Union of Chicago ; the Page County Benevolent Association of Clarinda, lowa ; and the Knights & Ladies of Security. His wife is identified with some of the ladies' auxiliaries of the lodges with which Mr. Haynes is affiliated. In his political views he is an earnest republican, thoroughly conversant with the chief political topics of the day yet without ambition for office. Mrs. Haynes belongs to the Con-
.
585
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
gregational church and to its Ladies' Aid Society. She was reared by her grandparents in a home of plenty and was much pampered and petted. At the time of her marriage she had never known anything of work but had been under the influence of a wise, far-sighted woman who entertained rational views of life, its purposes and duties. Mrs. Haynes, therefore, at the time of her marriage felt that the duty devolved upon her as well as her husband and determined to assist him on the journey of life. She therefore took up dressmaking. Because of her ignorance and her inex- perience she charged only fifty cents for the first dress and it was not a model in fit or workmanship. Realizing this she determined that she would make improvement and, therefore, purchased charts and worked early and late to master the business with the result that she became in time the most competent and successful dressmaker in Shenandoah, her services being always in demand, the finest gowns in the town being the work of her needle. Mrs. Haynes is a pleasant home woman who has a host of warm friends and like her husband is popular with those who know them.
D. N. SHAW.
D. N. Shaw is one of the best known farmers and live-stock dealers of Grant township, making a specialty of the raising of registered shire draft horses. He lives on section 34, Grant township, in one of the attractive farm residences of the county standing in the midst of highly improved fields. He was born in Page county, December 19, 1863, his parents be- ing Joseph and Catherine (Loy) Shaw, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Tennessee. When a young man the father came to the United States and spent some years in Ohio, after which he went to Canada. He lived there for a time when eventually, recrossing the border into this country, he made his way to Page county and settled in Lincoln township. Here he invested in farm land, to which he added from time to time until his holdings were extensive, embracing more than five hundred acres. He also owned a quarter section in Morton township, gave his time and ener- gies to general farming and was quite successful, for he seemed to know just how and when and where to utilize his time and opportunities. He died in 1902 at the advanced age of eighty-five years, having long survived his wife who passed away in 1866. He was a republican in his political views and a citizen whose devotion to the general good was manifest on many occasions but in a quiet and unostentatious manner.
D. N. Shaw spent his youthful days in his parents' home and profited by the mental training received in the public schools. Through the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the fields and began farming for himself in his twenty-first year. Locating on the farm in Morton town- ship owned by his father he there carefully tilled the soil until after his father's death in 1902 when he purchased the Espey Bute place in Grant township. To this he removed and has since resided thereon. He realizes
586
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
the forcefulness and value of persistent, earnest labor and seeks his success through diligence and perseverance, never waiting for advantageous circum- stances to aid him. He is now making a specialty of the raising of regis- tered shire draft horses and has been the owner of some very fine stock.
On the 4th of February, 1886, Mr. Shaw was married to Miss Zettie King, a daughter of James K. King, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. They now have one child, Boyd Leslie. The parents are both beld in high esteem and the hospitality of the best homes of the com- munity is freely accorded them. Mr. Shaw is never neglectful in his duties of citizenship and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He does not seek office, however, as a reward for party fealty, preferring to do his public services as a private citizen. He finds that his private business affairs make full demand upon his time and attention and in all of his dealings he has ever been reliable, realizing that only the success that is honorably won is worth while.
J. ALBERT PETERSON.
J. Albert Peterson, who since 1893 has resided upon a good farm on section 26, Fremont township, was born in Hamilton county, Iowa, on the 16th of January, 1867, his parents being Olaf P. and Sarah ( Nelson) Peter- son. Further mention of that family history is given in connection with the sketch of G. W. Peterson on another page of this volume.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for J. Albert Peterson in his youthful days. His time was largely devoted to the acquirement of an education which he obtained as a pupil in the public schools and in St. Albans College at Knoxville, Illinois. When twenty- one years of age he started upon an independent business career as a farmer, renting the John Stromberg place which he cultivated for three years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings until his earnest labor and economical expenditure brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase the east half of the northeast quarter of section 26, in Fremont township. On this he located in the spring of 1803 and has since been busily engaged in the care and cultivation of his fields which present a neat and attractive appearance. The entire place is well kept and the farm is to him a profitable source of revenue for his labors are practical and his energy has brought him substantial return.
On the 3d of November, 1892, Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Augusta M. Huttman, a daughter of Carl P. Huttman. of Fremont town- ship. Their children are eight in number: Nora. Alice, Florence, Ruth, George and Raymond, twins, Irene and Harold. All are yet at home and the family circle remains unbroken by the hand of death.
Politically Mr. Peterson is a democrat where state and national issues are involved but cast an independent local ballot. In 1903 he was made the nominee on the democratic ticket for the office of county recorder but
587
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
was defeated as only one democrat has ever been elected to a county office in Page county for over forty years. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Mission church and are people whose good qualities have gained them favorable regard in Fremont township and throughout the portion of the county in which they are best known. Mr. Peterson is a western man by birth, training and preference and possesses the spirit of enterprise which has been a dominant feature in the substantial and steady growth of the middle west.
FRANK V. HENSLEIGH.
Frank V. Hensleighi is one of Clarinda's well known citizens because of the activity which he has put forth in relation to its business and public interests. He has occupied various positions of public trust, while in bank- ing circles he is well known as the assistant cashier of the Page County Bank.
One of Pennsylvania's native sons, he was born in Indiana county, August 22, 1865, his parents being John and Nancy (Lydick) Hensleigh. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1869 came to Page county, settling first in Colfax township. He had previously visited the county in 1867 and in that year had purchased a farm but subsequently returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained through the succeeding two years. He then made permanent location in this county and took up his abode upon the tract of land of which he had become owner. His interest in affairs of importance was deep, sincere and helpful. He was especially a champion of the cause of public education and for many years was a member of the school board. During the later years of his life, because of his strong temperance principles, he gave his political allegiance to the prohibition party. He died in January, 1899, having long survived his wife, who passed away July 1. 1879.
Frank V. Hensleigh pursued his education in the public schools and at Amity College at College Springs, Iowa. He then took up the profes- sion of teaching, which he followed for five years in Missouri and three years in Page county, his labors in this direction being satisfactory to the communities in which he was employed, for his instruction was clear and impressive and he also possessed the further necessary attribute of being a good disciplinarian. In 1896 he was elected county auditor and that he proved most capable and loyal in that position is indicated by the fact that he was three times reelected, the period of his incumbency covering eight years. On his retirement from office he reentered business life in con- nection with banking interests. He was one of the organizers and direc- tors of the Clarinda Trust & Savings Bank and in 1907 he was elected a director and the assistant cashier of the Page County Bank, which position he now holds. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the banking business and his labors in this direction are an element in the success of the institution which he represents.
58S
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
At the same time Mr. Hensleigh has continued to figure prominently in public life and his fellow citizens, appreciating his worth and ability, have honored him with various places of trust. In 1906 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, entering upon the office in 1908 for a three years' term. He was at one time president of the school board of the city, is a director and was formerly secretary of the Clarinda Chautau- qua Assembly and is president of the public library board, which is en- gaged on the building of a fine library in this city. His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party and he is one of its active rep- resentatives in Page county, being recognized as a prominent local leader whose opinions carry weight in the councils of the party in this portion of the state. He has acted as central committeeman and has many times been a delegate to state conventions. He is likewise an active member of the First United Presbyterian church, in which he is now serving as treasurer.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.