USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 61
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On the 6th of November, 1890, Mr. Hensleigh was married to Miss Nancy McMillan, of Des Moines county, Iowa, a daughter of William and Margaret ( Jackson ) McMillan, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a farmer by occupation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hensleigh have been born two daughters, Lulu Margaret and Martha Isabelle, the former now a student in the Clarinda high school. The family are prominent socially, having a wide and favorable acquaintance not only in Clarinda but also in this part of the state.
STEPHEN MANN.
It is fitting that men in the evening of life should enjoy a season of rest. Nature seems to have intended that this should be so, for in youth he is full of energy and hope and in later years these qualities are directed by mature judgment and keen discrimination, resulting in the attainment of success. Such has been the record of Stephen Mann, whose years of ac- tivity are now crowned with an age of ease. He has lived in the county since 1859 and during this period has been identified with its agricultural and stock-raising pursuits. Moreover, he is entitled to mention in this volume from the fact that he was one of the first settlers in Page county and during his residence here has seen the county developed from compara- tively unimproved prairie land into rich fields, while in the work of im- provement he has taken his full share.
Mr. Mann was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1830, a son of John and Elizabeth (Rich) Mann, natives of Holland, who located in Pennsylvania at an early date and were among the pioneer settlers of that state. The father was a farmer by occupation, and among the scenes and environments of rural life Stephen Mann passed the first fifteen years of his life, attending the district schools during the winter months, while he assisted his father in the work of the fields during the summer seasons. In 1845 he accompanied his parents on their removal to
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Michigan, where they resided upon a farm in St. Joseph county for three years. At the expiration of that period, thinking to start out in life on his own account, Mr. Mann left his parents' home and went to Green county, Wisconsin, where for eleven years he was employed as a farm hand by the month. Being ambitious to some day own a farm of his own, during the intervening years he labored earnestly and diligently and carefully saved his earnings until he had accumulated sufficient means with which to ac- complish his desire. The year 1859 witnessed his arrival in Page county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres on the line between Buchanan and Amity townships. A few years later he bought an additional tract of one hundred acres adjoining his original purchase, and on this farm of two hundred and forty acres he continued to reside throughout his active connection with business interests. He engaged for many years in general farming, bringing his fields under a high state of cul- tivation and becoming recognized as one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of the community. For several years he engaged exten- sively in the live-stock business, shipping hogs and cattle and making a specialty of raising horses. He had the reputation of being one of the best known stockmen of Page county and this branch of his business in- terests proved a most gratifying source of revenue to him. Three years be- fore settling permanently in Page county, Mr. Mann had visited Iowa for the purpose of selecting a suitable location, and he has never found occa- sion to regret his decision to take up his abode in Page county for here he has been very prosperous, attaining a measure of success that now enables him to live retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He now makes his home with his son, Samuel John, a resi- dent of Braddyville. Aside from his valuable farming land he also owns considerable town property in Braddyville.
It was on the 22d of January, 1852, that Mr. Mann was united in mar- riage to Miss Rebecca Blackford, a daughter of William and Rachel (John) Blackford, pioneer residents of Green county, Wisconsin. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Patton, of the Baptist church. This union was blessed with the following children: Mrs. Levina Alice Nicholas, residing in Braddyville ; Mrs. Rachel Celelia Yaples, also of that city ; Samuel John : Enoch Alvah, who resides upon and operates the old homestead situated north of the town of Braddyville : Anna Melissa, who passed away in in- fancy, her death occurring December 14, 1868; Mrs. Amy Rosilla McKee, a resident of Hopkins, Missouri : and Loretta Belle, who died October 4, 1896. On the 22d of September, 1902, Mr. Mann was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death was a matter of regret to an exten- sive circle of friends who held her in high esteem.
In politics Mr. Mann is a Jeffersonian democrat and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He served as township trustee for several years and for over twenty years was a member of the township board and of the town school board, holding those offices until compelled to resign on account of old age and general disability. Fraternally he was a member of Braddyville Lodge, I. O. O. F., and also of the Sons of Tem-
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perance of Green county, Wisconsin, continuing his membership therewith until unable to attend the meetings on account of old age. llis associa- tion with these organizations, however, indicate somewhat the principles that govern his conduct. A man of unquestioned integrity, of unfailing courtesy and of unswerving honor, he stands as a splendid type of honor- able manhood, of earnest effort and of high principle. During the last few years he has spent a portion of each year traveling throughout the United States and Canada, having visited practically all of the points of in- terest in these two countries.
REV. WILLIAM THOMAS FISHER.
Rev. William Thomas Fisher, who since February, 1901, has been pas- tor of the Christian church at Clarinda, his work proving a strong factor in the moral progress of the community, was born in Marshall county, In- diana, March 17, 1867. His parents were Rezin P. and Virginia P. (Fogg) Fisher. The father was a puddler and in 1884 removed westward, settling in Kansas, where he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his death in 1907. His widow still survives and is yet a resident of Nortonville, Kansas.
Rev. Fisher of this review was educated in the common schools of Steu- benville, Ohio, and at seventeen years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Atchinson. Kansas, living on a farm near that city. He was busily employed in the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn and during the winter months he attended night schools. There he continued until September, 1890, when he went to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he continued his educa- tion as a student in Cotner University, completing his course in 1896, when he won the Bachelor of Arts degree. He had completed both the classical course and a course in theology in preparation for the ministry, for he had determined to devote his life to this holy calling.
Rev. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Meltha Miller, a native of Fremont county, Iowa, who had been a student in the same classes at col- lege with her husband. They were married on the Itth of March. 1897, and have since traveled life's journey most happily together. Their union has been blessed with three children: Doris Maud. Helen May and James Willard.
It was in 1800-the year previous to his marriage-that the Rev. Fisher accepted hi. first ministerial charge, going to Tabor, Iowa, where he became the first pastor of the Christian church. He there remained for two years, when he accepted a call to the church at Delta in Keokuk county, where he also continued for two years. In February, 1901, he was given charge of the Christian church at Clarinda, where he has since remained. His church has a membership of about five hundred, being one of the strongest religious organizations in the county. All the different branches of the
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church work are well organized and as a force for good in moral develop- ment it is most potent. Rev. Fisher is a most earnest and active worker and moreover is an entertaining and instructive speaker, whose discourses not only disclose his broad, comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the Bible and its teachings but also his wide reading in the realms of general literature. He is interested in all of those influences and agencies which work for good in the world. From the organization of the public library he has been a member of its board, has acted as its secretary and also as chairman of the book committee. He is now president of the Clarinda Chautauqua As- sembly, an organization whose educative and social value is widely acknowl- edged. He was also its secretary for some time and believes much in its efficiency as a promoter of intellectual progress and a stimulus for mental activity. He is untiring in his efforts to advance all those movements which work for the good of the church and the city in all the lines of general im- provement and public advancement. He is a member of the board of Iowa Christian conventions, which brings him into close touch with the mis- sionary part of the work. He now has general supervision of the southern division of this society, consisting of sixteen counties. The board has charge of the money which has come to them and which must be invested judiciously in order that it may increase and the opportunities for church work may be thus extended. The men who thus serve are clected to the positions. It would be tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements as showing Rev. Fisher to be a man of broad public spirit and of consecrated devotion to his work, for these have been shad- owed forth between the lines of this review. It is but just to add, how- ever, that he is a man of quick and ready sympathy and of abiding charity, slow in condemnation but ready in encouragement and assistance.
ELMER H. FINLEY.
Elmer II. Finley, carrying on general farming on section 13, Harlan township, his success being that which ultimately and logically follows close application, unremitting industry and perseverance, was born in Peoria county. Illinois, April 23, 1861. He there resided until twenty-one years of age. When two years old he lost his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Finley, and his father, Robert McCullen Finley, afterward married again. The father was a native of Ohio and spent his last days in Page county, where for many years he had followed farming. He was also well known as a horse- man, always raising and dealing in high bred horses. He died near Clar- inda in October, 1900, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. By his first marriage he had seven children and by the second marriage there were three children.
Elmer H. Finley is indebted to the public-school system of his native county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed, and he received thorough training in business under the direction of his father, whom he
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assisted in his farming and stock raising interests. Coming to l'age county when a young man of twenty-seven years, he has resided here continuously since. His first home was three miles northeast of College Springs where he purchased eighty acres of land upon which he resided for six years, care- fully cultivating the fields during that period. He then sold out and bought one hundred and twenty acres near his present place south of Clarinda. Later he purchased his present farm and now has the two properties of eighty acres each, both of which are well improved. In 1902 he erected his present fine residence which is built in modern style of architecture, supplied with all conveniences and contains eleven rooms. It is one of the finest farm homes in the county, and upon his place is also found sub- stantial and commodious outbuildings, including a fine barn which he erected. His place is known as the Olive Branch Stock Farm and he owns a Belgian stallion which was imported from Belgium. His farm occupies a pleasant lo- cation and the soil is very rich and productive. As the place is only two miles from Clarinda, the advantages and opportunities of city life are easily ob- tained and at the same time he is unhampered in his efforts to gain a com- fortable living through general farming and the breeding of horses. Both branches of his business are proving profitable and he is numbered among the enterprising business men of this part of the county.
Mr. Finley married Miss Minnie B. Keller, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, and is a daughter of Amos and Kate Keller, who are now residents of Washington county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Finley have two children, Arthur M. and Gertrude M. The parents hold membership in the First United Presbyterian church of Clarinda and their lives are guided by its teach- ings, while in its work they take an active part. Mr. Finley votes with the republican party and has served as one of the local committee and is deeply interested in his party, its growth and its success. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and is numbered among those men who can always be counted upon to further every movement for the general good.
C. J. HENDRICKSON.
C. J. Hendrickson, who now owns and operates an excellent farm in West township. Montgomery county, lowa, was formerly actively and suc- cessively identified with the agricultural interests of Page county for a number of years. He was born in Sweden on the 31st of July, 1864, a son of John P. and Johanna L. Hendrickson. It was in the year 1867 that the parents came to the United States, locating in Indiana, where they resided for four years. On the expiration of that period they made their way to Red Oak, Iowa, where the father established brickyards and con- tinued to reside for eight years. In 1879 he came to Essex, Page county, where he likewise established brickyards and was successfully engaged in their conduct until about 1887, when he took up his abode on a farm of eighty acres two and a half miles northwest of Essex in Pierce town-
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ship. This farm has remained his place of residence to the present time and he is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as a most substantial, respected and representative citizen.
C. J. Hendrickson, who was but three years of age wlien brought by his father and mother to the new world, spent his youthful days under the parental roof, attending the public schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation. He remained at home until 1886, assisting his father as a brick- maker and later as an agriculturist. In the year mentioned he started out in life on his own account, first renting a tract of land from Mrs. North. For eight years he was thus busily engaged in the work of the fields and at the end of that time purchased a farm of eighty acres in Pierce township from Charles Fallen. After having devoted his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement for a period of eleven ycars he sold the property and bought a farm in West township, Mont- gomery county, on the Page county line, where he has since resided. In ad- dition to cultivating the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate lie also makes a specialty of raising Duroc Jersey hogs and in both his agricul- tural and stock raising interests has won a most gratifying and com- mendable degree of prosperity. The success which he now enjoys is attribu- table directly to his own well directed industry and diligence, for he had no outside assistance at the beginning of his career. He has made good use of his opportunities and through his persistency of purpose, actuated by a laudable ambition, has become one of the prosperous farmers and substan- tial citizens of this part of the state.
In 1891 Mr. Hendrickson was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Abraham, of Shenandoah, Iowa, and their union has been blessed with four children : Emma, Elmer, Ida and Mabel, all at home.
Politically Mr. Hendrickson is a stanch republican and at the present time is doing effective service for the cause of education as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife belong to the Swedish Lutheran church, in the work of which they are deeply and helpfully interested. Mr. Hen- drickson is an automobile enthusiast, owning a Jackson car. His life has at all times been such as to merit the respect and confidence of his fellowmen and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
WILLIAM WARD.
William Ward, who is owner of the bus line of Clarinda, in which connection he is conducting a substantial business, came to this city in 188I and has since made it his home. He removed to Clarinda from Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa, where he had previously been connected with the same line of business. He is, however, a native of Indiana, his birth having oc- curred in Miami county, that state, on the 12th of April, 1851. His par- ents were Hiram and Rebecca (Evans) Ward, both of whom were natives
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of Ohio. In the year 1855 the father left Indiana and removed with his family to Iowa, so that his son William is indebted to the public-school system of this state for the educational privileges he enjoyed. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in his youthful days, which were devoted to the acquirement of an education, to the enjoyment of the pleasures of the playground and to the discharge of such tasks as parental authority assigned him. He remained for some time in Council Bluffs, Jowa, where he was connected with the bus line, but in 1881 removed to Clarinda, becoming associated with the same busi- ness in this city. He was in the employ of another until June, 1890, when he bought the line and has since conducted it, his earnest desire and effort to please his patrons, his obliging manner and uniform courtesy having been valuable elements in his success and he now has a liberal patronage which makes his business a profitable one.
On the 24th of December, 1882, William Ward was united in mar- riage to Miss Etta May Shelenberger of Clarinda, a daughter of Abraham and Louisa Shelenberger, the former proprietor of a hotel at this place. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have many friends in Clarinda and enjoy the confidence and good will of those who know them. They are members of the Pres- byterian church and Mr. Ward belongs to the Knights of Pythias. That his fellow townsmen have faith in his public-spirited citizenship is indi- cated in the fact that they clected him councilman in 1909 but he resigned, caring little for political preferment. He is, however, never remiss in the duties of citizenship but prefers to give his support to measures for the general good in the capacity of a private citizen rather than as an official.
J. F. COZAD.
An excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Grant township, annually pays tribute in bounteous harvests to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it by J. F. Cozad. He was born in Montgomery county, lowa, on the 2d of May, 1868. his parents being Hezekiah and Sarah A. (Dukeshier ) Cozad, both of whom were natives of Jackson county, Ohio. They were reared in that county and in 1856 came to Page county, Iowa, and were here married. Hezekiah Cozad, who is now de- ceased, made his home in Page and Montgomery counties during his life- time and about 1890 took up his abode in Essex, this county. His demise occurred on the 17th of March, 1908, when he had attained the age of sev- enty-three years. His widow still survives at the age of sixty-eight years and resides in Essex.
J. F. Cozad attended the public schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage. It was on the 18th of October, 1888, that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Grace Tyner, of Fremont county, Iowa. The following spring he started out as an agriculturist on his own account by renting a tract of land, to the
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operation of which he gave his attention for about fourteen years. On the expiration of that period, in 1903, he purchased the Jim Stewart farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township and has continued to operate it most successfully since. He follows modern ideas and methods of agriculture and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors, so that he is meeting with excellent results. He is likewise a director in the Security Trust & Savings Bank of Shenandoah and is widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and representative citizen of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cozad have been born seven children, namely : Jennie, now the wife of Ernest MeNew, of Shenandoah; Jonas, at home ; Wilbur, who is attending the Shenandoah high school; Gilbert and Sadie, who are likewise still under the parental roof; Fern, who has passed away ; and Eugene, also at home.
Politically Mr. Cozad is a republican and has served for several years as a school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. At the present time he is capably discharging the duties devolv- ing upon him as a member of the board of township trustees. having been elected to that office in the fall of 1908. Fraternally he is identified with Shenandoah Camp, No. 1049, M. W. A., and with Three Oak Lodge, No. 56, Royal Neighbors. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also identified. In social relations they are held in the highest regard, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
C. A. PETERSON.
C. A. Peterson is the owner of two hundred and fifty-three acres of land located on section 13, Pierce township, this being the property which was purchased by his father on his emigration from Sweden to the new world. Mr. Peterson of this review was born in Sweden, November 25, 1872, a son of Swan and Anna ( Jacobson) Peterson, who, on their emigra- tion to the United States in 1874, made their way to Page county, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming until 1898, when he took up his abode in Essex, where he is now living in honorable retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He and his wife are devoted mem- bers of the Swedish Lutheran church and are people of the highest re- spectability in the community in which they have so long made their home.
C. A. Peterson was but two years of age when he was brought by his parents to Page county, so that practically his entire life has here been spent. He pursued his studies in the public schools and remained with his father until the latter's retirement in 1898. The son then rented the land for three years but in 1901 he purchased the land of his fathr and is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-three acres, on section 13, Pierce town- ship. He raises various kinds of grain which he feeds to his cattle and hogs, raising a large amount of stock each year. This has proved a profitable
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source of revenue to him and Mr. Peterson is numbered among the sub- stantial farmers of southwestern Iowa.
In 1898 at the time Mr. Peterson took possession of the home farm, he further established a home of his own by his marriage on the 11th of October of that year, the lady of his choice being Miss Cora Fredericks, of Fremont township. This union has been blessed with five children, three sons and two daughters, Earl E., Paul C., Inez Leonore Louise, Luther A. and Mildred Irene.
Mr. Peterson's study of the political questions and issues of the day have led him to give stalwart support to the republican platform, and he and his wife are consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church. They are worthy young people and are popular among their many friends. Mr. Peterson is equally prominent in business circles. He is very methodi- cal and systematic in his work, keeps in touch with modern methods of farming and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors and he is numbered among the progressive and enterprising Swedish-American citizens of this section of Iowa.
PHILLIP PETERSEN.
Phillip Petersen follows general farming on section 25, Nodaway town- ship. He was born in Schleswig, Germany, October 3, 1861, and is a son of Thies and Petrea Petersen, who spent their entire lives in their native land. In their family were five children : Adolph, who died in Rock Island, Illinois : Lorenz, living in Hamburg, Germany; Mrs. Ida Hansen, de- ceased ; Mary, who died in Chicago ; and Phillip.
The last named was reared in the fatherland and pursued his education in the public schools. He arrived in Davenport, Iowa, when twenty years of age, having crossed the Atlantic alone to the new world. He had pre- viously learned the baker's trade but, not finding work at his trade on reaching Davenport, he earned his living for a year by playing in the Union band of that city, for he possesses much musical ability. On the expiration of that period he came to Page county and worked for his uncle in Clar- inda for a time. He was afterward employed as a baker in Omaha and in St. Joseph and upon the death of his uncle he returned to Clarinda and took charge of his uncle's ice business. After a few years he purchased a farm which he conducted for a time and on selling that property he worked as a laborer for one year. On the expiration of that period he purchased his present farm of seventy-one acres on section 25, Nodaway township, pleasantly and conveniently situated about two miles north of the public square of Clarinda. It is now a well developed property, the fields being carefully tilled while everything about the place is indicative of the careful supervision and unfaltering enterprise of the owner.
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