USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 7
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In his political views Mr. Davison was a stalwart republican and served on the village board. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and was a highly respected citizen. In all his business relations he was found to be thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and progressive and his success is attributed as much to his probity as to his careful manage- ment. After her husband's demise Mrs. Davison continued to reside on the East River township farm for ten years and thence came to Clarinda, where she bought a fine residence. She also owns other town property, her hus- band having left her in very comfortable financial circumstances. She is a member of the Rebekah lodge and is a lady of social nature, and her many good qualities have given her a firm hold on the affections of those who know her.
BENJAMIN L. WELCH.
Benjamin L. Welch, who is engaged in general farming in Nebraska and Nodaway townships, where he owns and cultivates two hundred acres of land, of which one hundred and forty acres lie on section 35 in the home farm, is numbered among the native sons of the county, his birth having oc- curred August 22. 1874. in the township where he yet makes his home. He
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is the son of Benjamin B. and Elizabeth ( Lampton) Welch, who are resid- ing as neighbors to their son Benjamin. Their family numbered five chil- dren: Julia, who is the wife of Philip Weaver, a resident farmer of Ne- braska township; Mary, at home: Benjamin L .; Nora, the wife of James Martindale, a resident of Clarinda ; and Ermina, the wife of Ralph Hafer of Idaho.
Under the parental roof Benjamin L. Welch spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He acquired his education in the public schools and in the summer seasons aided more and more largely in the work of the fields as his age and strength increased. His thorough and practical home training well qualified him to begin farming on his own account af- ter he had attained his majority, and he is now busily and successfully en- gaged in the cultivation and improvement of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land in Nebraska and Nodaway townships. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising and the carefully tilled fields return golden harvests. He handles considerable live stock each year and finds it a source of profitable income. He has good buildings upon the place and that he is a most progressive and active young farmer is indicated by the fact that in 1908 he raised nine thousand bushels of corn.
On the 21st of January, 1902, Mr. Welch was united in marriage to Miss Mary Meads, who was born in southern Missouri, March 9, 1880, and is a daughter of Elias and Lucinda (Duncan) Meads. The father still re- sides in this county, but the mother has passed away. Four children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Welch: Elizabeth, Lucile, Louis and Min- nie. The parents are well known in their part of the county where they have many friends and where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Welch rates with the progressive young farmers of the community and is making steady advancement in the business world.
FRANK BROKAW.
Frank Brokaw, who has devoted his entire life to farming and for nine years has resided on section 23, Nodaway township, Page county, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, October 13, 1864. His parents were George and Mary Ann (Burwell) Brokaw, both natives of Ohio, born in Harrison and Crawford counties respectively. Mrs. Brokaw died in Nodaway town- ship, April 17, 1909, at the advanced age of seventy-six years, seven months and twenty days, while Mr. Brokaw is now living with his son Frank, who was the only child of his parent's marriage.
In the spring of 1865 the parents left Ohio and settled in Cedar county, lowa, where they remained for one year, afterward spending a year in Linn county. In the spring of 1867 they arrived in Page county, where they remained for five years, and then returned to Harrison county, Ohio. Frank Brokaw accompanied his parents on these various removals and in the schools of Ohio pursued his education. Nine years ago he returned to
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Page county where he has since made his home. His entire life has been devoted to general farming and he now owns and cultivates one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 25 and 26, Nodaway township, consti- tuting a well improved farm, equipped with good buildings and all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. The excellent appearance of the place is due entirely to the present owner, whose energy and ability are manifest in the highly cultivated fields and well kept buildings. In addition to raising various cereals he also gives some at- tention to stock raising and both branches of his business are proving profitable.
On the Ist of January, 1888, Mr. Brokaw was married to Miss Car- rie E. Burwell, who was born in Linn county, Jowa, February 11, 1867, and is a daughter of Joseph Burwell. They now have one son, Clarence V., who was born in Nodaway township, January 27, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw have many friends in the locality for their good traits, which are many, have gained them the warm regard and good will of those with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Brokaw has led a quiet life in the pursuit of farming but his many substantial qualities are manifest in the esteem which is uniformly accorded him.
VALENTINE GRAFF.
Valentine Graff, who for forty years has been identified with the busi- ness interests of Clarinda, becoming a factor in 1869 in those enterprises which have constituted forces in the city's substantial development and upbuilding, was born in Germany on the 4th of October, 1843. He spent the first nine years of his life in that country and then accompanied his parents when they left the fatherland and sailed for the new world, the family first locating in Andrews county, Missouri, where Valentine Graff was reared to manhood. He was twenty-six years of age when he came to Clarinda and in the four decades which have since elapsed he has made steady progress, being numbered for many years among the most prom- inent representatives of mercantile interests in the city. He is now pro- prietor of a large and well equipped drug store and also owner of a dry goods store. In both departments of his business he is meeting with sub- stantial success, his interests being conducted along the legitimate lines of trade and in accordance with modern mercantile methods.
It was on the 25th of October, 1870, that Mr. Graff was married to Miss Nancy E. Fairley, of Hillsboro, Ohio, and unto them have been born six children, of whom five are still living namely: Walter, Gerald. Everett, Myra, and Mary. Rosa, the first born, died when eleven months old.
Politically Mr. Graff gives his support to the republican party and has sought its success along legitimate lines because of his firm belief in its prin- ciples and his advocacy of its policy. He was acting as a member of the city council when through the instrumentality of that body the water works
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of the city were installed. He represented the Clarinda district in the twen- ty-eighth and twenty-ninth general assemblies, and made an able and efficient member. Ile was tendered a third nomination but refused. In many sub- stantial ways he has given tangible evidence of his loyalty to the country but none more so than when he enlisted as a volunteer for service in the Civil war on the 5th of September, 1861. He continued at the front for a year and a half and then on the 20th of October, 1863, re-enlisted, becom- ing a member of the United States army, with which he served until July 1, 1865. His valor and loyalty at the front won him promotion to the rank of first sergeant of Company G, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry.
Mr. Graff is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has served as elder and in the work of which he has taken active and helpful interest. He is also an advocate of educational progress and has manifested active concern in all matters pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding of Clarinda and the communities in which he has lived. The greater part of his manhood days, however, have been passed in this city and the substantial qualities he has displayed in every relation and the honorable and upright principles which have permeated his life have gained him the unqualified regard and esteem of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN P. PETERMAN.
John P. Peterman, who is engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and fifty acres on section 13, East River township, has resided in that township for thirty-five years. He was born in Crawford county Ohio, September 16, 1852, and in the spring of 1854 was brought to Taylor county by his parents, Jacob and Mary Ann (Corman) Peterman, who were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, removing thence to Ohio. Sub- sequently they became residents of Iowa as previously stated, and the mother died in Taylor county, while the father passed away in Page county. He devoted his entire life to farming and thus provided a comfortable living for his family. Unto them were born thirteen children: Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Evans, who is now deceased: Mrs. Emeline Heller who has also passed away ; Violet, deceased ; William, who is living in Bedford, Iowa; Violet, who died in infancy; Mrs. Henrietta Devlin, who has departed this life; George, who died in infancy; Mrs. Eliza McClaney, deceased ; Amanda, Mathew S. and David, who are also deceased ; Jacob living in Taylor county ; and John P.
Taylor county was still a pioneer district when the Peterman family ar- rived within its borders. It was situated on the western frontier and the work of improvement and progress was scarcely begun and as the years passed important changes were wrought, transforming the wild prairie into richly cultivated fields. John P. Peterman, since coming to the state, has resided in Taylor and Page counties near the county line. He was with his parents until his marriage and then went to a home of his own. He has
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lived in East River township for thirty-five years and is now busily occupied with the care of his farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which is situ- ated on section 13. There are good buildings upon the place and his at- tention is devoted to the cultivation of corn, wheat and oats. He also raises good grades of stock and altogether has a modern farm property.
On the 22d of December, 1877, Mr. Peterman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Delila Scarlett, who was born May 6, 1855, in Taylor county, lowa, about three miles east of her present home. She is a daughter of Harlan and Mary ( Pace) Scarlett, who were pioneer settlers of western Iowa, coming to this state from Indiana. The mother died here, while the father passed away in Atchison, Kansas. He served as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting from Page county for three years. While he was absent at the front Indians would sometimes call at the pioneer home of the family and beg, Mrs. Peterman well remembering such occurrences. She was one of a family of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of eight children: Bertie Ellsworth, who is a farmer living in East River township; John Edward, at home; Merrill, who is following farming in East River township ; Myrtle, the wife of George Yearous, of South Dakota ; Corda, Harlan, Tamar and Elmo, all yet at home.
In his political views Mr. Peterman is a republican who gives stalwart support to the principles of the party. He has served as a school officer but otherwise has never accepted positions of public preferment. He be- longs to the Christian church of Newmarket, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful part. Flis many sterling traits of character have gained him the high regard of all who know him, while his business ability and undaunted enterprise have won for him substantial success, making him one of the progressive farmers of the community.
GEORGE W. ROBINSON.
George W. Robinson, now deceased, was actively and successfully iden- tified with the agricultural interests of Page county for many years but for sometime prior to his demise lived retired in well earned ease. His birth occurred in Delaware county, New York, on the 9th of May, 1831, his parents being Edwin and Paulina ( Pettes) Robinson, the former a native of the Empire state and the latter of Massachusetts. The family is an old one in this country, several of the name having participated in the Revolutionary war. Edwin Robinson, who followed agricultural pursuits in New York throughout his active business career, passed away in that state about 1866. Politically he was a stalwart democrat, supporting the men and measures of that party by his ballot. His wife was called to her final rest about 1869, her death also occurring in New York. Their family numbered five children, as follows: George W., of this review ; Miles H., a resident of Delaware county, New York ; Alice, living in Kansas, who is the
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wife of Egbert Smith, by whom she has two children, Chalice and Ger- trude ; A. B., the editor of the Clarinda Democrat, who wedded Miss Mary Clements and has five children, Frank, Harry, Lucille, Edith and Lydia ; and one who died in infancy.
George W. Robinson was reared in the state of his nativity and ob- tained a good practical education in the public schools. As a boy he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm, while subsequently he learned the carpenter's trade and became a millwright. The year 1857 wit- nessed his arrival in Clarinda, Iowa, where he was successfully en- gaged in business as a contracting carpenter for a number of years or until 1868, when he took up his abode on a farm in Douglas township. HIe con- tinued to reside thereon for twenty-two years, giving his time and energies to the tilling of the soil and the raising of stock, in which lines of activity he won a gratifying measure of prosperity. In 1890, having gained a handsome competence by reason of his untiring labor and capable manage- ment, he left the farm and came to Clarinda, spending his remaining days in his residence at N. 300 Fifteenthi street. He had long been numbered among the most prosperous, enterprising and respected citizens of the county and left his widow in most comfortable financial circumstances. The latter now owns the family residence on Fifteenth street, two quarter sec- tions of land in Douglas township and also a tract of one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land in Valley township.
Mr. Robinson was twice married. In 1863 he wedded Miss Rebecca Loy, a representative of an old and prominent family of Page county. By this union were born two children: Lura M., who gave her hand in mar- riage to Lawrence Carter and resides in Denver, Colorado; and May, who died in infancy. In 1865, subsequent to the demise of his first wife, Mr. Robinson was married in Clarinda to Miss Rachel McMullen, a native of Preble county, Ohio, who came to lowa with her grandparents, Jacob and Phoebe Loy. She was one of a family of five children, the others being as follows : Sarah A., the wife of William Davis, of Wharton county, Texas ; John G., living in Douglas township, Page county, who wedded Miss Jane Lytle and after her death married Virgil Gridley; Phoebe, who is the wife of Robert Morledge, of Hastings, Nebraska ; and Eli, a resident of Villisca, lowa. The last named was also twice married, his first wife, Mary Strickland, passing away about 1879, after which he wedded Miss Delia Thompson. Unto George W. and Rachel ( McMullen) Robinson were born six children. Callie G. is the wife of J. C. Falconer, who is engaged in the furniture business in Kansas City, Kansas. They have four children, namely : Mabel, Clarence, Harold and Margaret. Frank L., who wedded Miss Lillie Werth, makes his home in Villisca, Iowa. By this union there were three children: Frank; Gladys; and Hazel, who died in infancy. Jesse H., who married Miss Mabel McMullen, resides in Car- roll county, Missouri. Guy H., living in Valley township, Page county, married Miss Laura Taylor, by whom he has one son, Verne. George C. is a resident of Kansas City, Kansas. Mark P., an agriculturalist by occu- pation, makes his home in Carroll county, Missouri.
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Mr. Robinson gave his political allegiance to the democracy and held the office of justice of the peace for sometime, his decisions being ever strictly fair and impartial. Fraternally he was identified with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows. His death, which occurred in 1901 when he had attained the age of seventy years, was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret, for he was a man whose many sterling traits of character and upright life had gained him the favorable regard and friendship of all with whom he was associated. Mrs. Robinson is a devoted and faithful member of the Universalist church and is most widely and favorably known throughout the county in which she has so long resided, the circle of her friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of her acquaintances.
FRED SUNDERMAN.
The characteristics of thrift and industry which are so strongly marked in the German race and which usually result in the accumulation of a fine prop- erty, is manifest in Fred Sunderman as is evidenced in a valuable farming property of seven hundred and seventy acres, situated in Douglas township, Page county, his home farm, comprising two hundred acres being known as the Walnut Grove Stock Farm.
Mr. Sunderman is a native of Hanover, Germany, born May 10, 1838, and is the only surviving member in a family of seven children, whose parents were Casper and Charlotte (Goecker) Sunderman, who emigrated to the United States in 1840. They first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, but after a brief period there spent, they made their way to Jackson county, Indiana, and entered a tract of timber land, on which the father made a small clearing and built a long cabin with clapboard roof and stick chimney. Later he cleared the remainder of his land and in due time placed the fields under cultivation, continuing to operate his farm until his demise.
Fred Sunderman was but two years of age when he was brought from his native country to the new world. He accompanied his parents on their removals after coming to the United States and it was on the farm in the then pioneer district of Jackson county, Indiana, that he was reared, his education being acquired in the schools of that district. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-five years, when he began work on his own account, by operating his father's land, being engaged in this man- ner for three years. In 1865 he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and from that place drove across country to Page county, making a location on his present farm of two hundred acres in Dougles township, known as the Walnut Grove Stock Farm. He purchased this land at nine dollars per acre and immedi- ately began developing and improving the same. He erected a good country residence, substantial barns and other outbuildings, planted a fine grove of walnut trees, from which the place takes its name, and owing to the fine improvements he has here made and to the thickly settled condition of the country, his place has greatly increased in value, being now one of the best
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farming properties in Page county. In addition to this property he also owns other farm land, his possessions aggregating in all seven hundred and seventy acres in Page county. He is engaged in general farming and also has his place well stocked, keeping only the best grades of animals. The success which he now enjoys is well deserved, for it has come to him through economy, perseverance and determination.
Mr. Sunderman was married in 1863, the lady of his choice being Miss Louise Monning, who was born in Indiana, and by their marriage they have become the parents of nine children but three of the number are now de- ceased, the surviving members being : H. F., a resident of Nodaway town- ship ; Louis J., also making his home in Nodaway township; Martha the wife of H. D. Wagner, a resident of that township ; Ed, who makes his home in Douglas township; Hannah, the wife of Harmon Wagner, a resident of Nodaway township ; and Joseph H., who is still under the parental roof. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church, of which Mr. Sunder- man has served as deacon for a number of years.
Politically Mr. Sunderman is a democrat and since 1892 has filled the office of township trustee and he is likewise a director on the school board. Coming to Iowa in pioneer times when much of the land was wild and un- improved, and foreseeing a future for Page county, Mr. Sunderman invested in land on which he is now realizing a good profit. When he settled here it was a long and strenuous task which was presented to him but he met it with a steady, unwavering resolution, and today he is surrounded by all the com- forts of life and has a host of warm friends who esteem him for his personal worth and for his success in the business world, which has been won only through the most honorable methods.
GOVERNEUR BURNET JENNINGS.
With laudable ambition that could not be hampered by environment or physical conditions, Governeur Burnet Jennings has followed the plans and purposes which he mapped out for himself at an early age in his career and for a third of a century has practiced at the Page county bar, having previously qualified for the profession of law. As an attorney he has held his place with those who are the recognized leaders of the profession in southeastern Iowa, carefully and closely discriminating between the essen- tial and the non-essential in the preparation of his cases and.so marshaling the points of evidence as to throw their entire weight upon the legal point which he tends to prove.
He was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on the 13th of January, 1850, his parents being Charles P. and Gertrude (Burnet) Jennings, who were natives of Springfield, New Jersey, and of Cincinnati, Ohio, respectively. The former was but thirteen years of age at the death of his father and, being the oldest of the children, for two years he assisted his mother in the support of the family. He then left home and walked the entire distance
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westward to the vicinity of Hannibal, Missouri. From that point he after- ward drifted down to St. Louis and then started on the return trip to his old home, again traveling on foot. On reaching Indianapolis, Indiana, however he secured a position in the old state house. He was an expert writer and was thus employed in one of the offices, making as high as five dollars per day, receiving that amount per folio for his copying. His em- ployers and associates there, recognizing his ability, desired him to study law, but he had determined to enter the ministry. Some time afterward he resumed his journey with this intention, and on reaching Cincinnati he formed the acquaintance of Lyman Beecher, the father of Henry Ward Beecher, who became interested in the young man and gave him special courses of study and assisted him in pursuing a course in Lane's Seminary. Subsequently he located in Kentucky and later, in the '50s, he made a junketing trip through lowa with two brothers-in-law, who entered land. A year afterward Charles P. Jennings located in Springfield, Illinois, where he remained until 1863, when he accepted a charge in Lafayette, Indiana. Three years later he removed to Shelbyville, Indiana, where he resided up to the time of his death. His early religions identification was with the Presbyterian church but later he embraced the Episcopal faith. His life was a most beneficial one in its far-reaching influences and at all times actuated by the lofty purpose of assisting his fellowmen to put forth earnest and consecrated effort in the holy calling to which he devoted his time, attention and energies. He died in November, 1894, a the age of seventy- four years, and is still survived by his widow, who was born in 1821
G. B. Jennings of this review is descended in both the paternal and maternal lines from families represented in the Revolutionary war. His father's grandfather was a veteran of that struggle, while Dr. William Burnet, the grandfather of Mrs. Charles P. Jennings, was surgeon general of the Jersey troops.
In taking up the personal history of G. B. Jennings we present to our readers the life record of one who for a third of a century has been identi- fied with the profession of law in Page county and stands today as one of the foremost representatives of its bar. He was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools and under his father's instruction. He pursued the course in the grammar school at Lafayette, Indiana, and it was his intention to enter Harvard, but his strenuous course of preparatory study undermined his health and his father therefore made him put aside his text-books and get the physical exercise in the open air that was needed to restore him to health. This was in 1869 and he came to Iowa, settling in Benton county, where he engaged in farming for a year. In 1870 he re- turned to Indiana and secured a position in the wholesale book house of Bowen, Stewart & Company, at Indianapolis. In the fall of the same year, however, he was matriculated in the State University at Columbia and at- tended several special courses of lectures in that institution previous to 1872, when he located in Pike county, Missouri, and again resumed the occupation of farming. While thus following agricultural pursuits he took up the study of law and in 1874 and 1875 went to Louisiana, Missouri,
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