USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 8
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
where he entered a law office, there continuing his reading until September, 1876, when he was admitted to the bar.
In February, 1877, Mr. Jennings came to Page county, locating in Essex on the 11th of that month for the practice of law. For fourteen years he remained in that town and on the 19th of June, 1891, came to Shenandoalı, where he has since resided. His ability in his chosen profession is widely acknowledged and is manifest in the care and precision with which he pre- pares his cases and the able, clear and forceful manner in which he presents his cause in the courts. His arguments are always sound and his deduc- tions logical, while in the analyzation of a case he seldom, if ever, arrives at an incorrect conclusion.
On the 11th of March, 1882, Mr. Jennings was married to Miss Nellie B. Snyder, a daughter of John H. and Isabelle Snyder, of Riverton, Fre- mont county, Jowa. Unto this marriage have been born three children : Carrie Cotsworth, Staats Burnet and Ralph Waldo, the last named now a student in the Shenandoah high school.
Mr. Jennings is a stalwart republican in his political allegiance and thor- oughly conversant with the vital questions and issues of the day. An active and interested member of the Episcopal church, he has served as one of its wardens since its organization. He is also a member of Tricentum Lodge, No. 300, A. F. & A. M., and Sheshbazzar Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M. Fighting the enemy of ill health in early manhood, he has by determined purpose, ready adaptability and wise utilization of all the opportunities that have come to him made for himself an honored and prominent position as a representative of the legal interests of Page county, his knowledge of the law and his correct application thereof, placing him in the ranks of Shenandoah's most capable and sucecssful attorneys.
HENRY S. COOK.
Henry S. Cook, a well known representative of the business circles of Shambaugh, who is now cashier and general manager of the Shambaugh Savings Bank, was born in Clinton county, Iowa, near Demitt, on the 9th of September, 1873. His parents were Samuel and Sarah ( Hamilton) Cook, the former a native of Sheffield, England, while the latter was born near Saratoga Springs, New York. For some years they were residents of Crawford county, Iowa, but are now residing at Galt, Missouri, and the father, who for many years followed farming, has retired from active busi- ness life. In their family were four children: Emma, now the deceased wife of W. V. Atkins; Henry, the subject of this review; Hattie, the wife of K. B. Sprout, who is living in Dunlap, Missouri; and Mary, the wife of Frank Ellsesser, of Garden City, Kansas.
On the old homestead farm near Denison, Iowa, Henry S. Cook re- sided with his parents until twenty-two years of age. He supplemented his early education acquired in the common schools by study in the Denison
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Normal Business School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He then went to Oklahoma, where he remained for a year, during which time he was in the employ of a milling company. On the expira- tion of that period he removed to Grundy county, Missouri, where he was engaged in the real-estate and banking business, which he carried on at Galt and at Trenton. He assisted in organizing a bank at Galt and an- other at Dunlap, Missouri, and held official positions in both, so that it was with broad and thorough experience that he came to Shambaugh and entered upon his duties here as cashier and general manager of the Sham- baugh Savings Bank in November, 1907. His connection with this in- stitution now covers two years, during which period he has manifested marked capability in control of the affairs of the bank and in extending the scope of its business. The other officers are: G. William Richardson, of Clarinda, who is the president; and N. H. Martin, of Clarinda, who is the vice president.
On the 22d of May, 1901, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Pratt, a native of Grundy county, Missouri, and a daughter of S. A. Pratt. The marriage has been blessed with two children : Wilma and Hil- dred. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part, cooperating in all of its branches. Mr. Cook is now serving as president of the Epworth League. He became a member of the Masonic fraternity at Galt, Missouri, and in politics is an independent republican who usually votes for the men and measures of the party, yet does not consider himself irrevocably bound to do so. He possesses the spirit of modern progress characteristic of the age and in his business career has made wise use of his opportunities and judiciously employed the advantages which have come to him. His ster- ling worth of character as well as his business enterprise has gained him a creditable place in the regard of the citizens of Shambaugh during the two years of his residence here.
ALFRED B. LORANZ.
Page county has reason to be proud of the record of Alfred B. Loranz, one of her native sons, for since attaining his majority he has proven his worth in the field of business and in public service as well. He made a splendid record as clerk of the district court and is now conducting impor- tant interests as vice president of the firm of Loranz & Company, Incorpor- porated, conducting now an extensive business in abstracts, farm loans, real estate and insurance.
Mr. Loranz was born in Clarinda, Iowa, January 28, 1875, and is a son of Henry and Carrie (Little) Loranz. His education was acquired in the public schools of this city; in Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he remained two years; and in Lake Forest College at Lake Forest, Illinois, where he completed his course in 1898. On his return
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to Clarinda he entered business with his father in the conduct of an ab- stract, real-estate and insurance office. The company makes loans on farm lands, negotiates many important realty transfers, makes many abstracts and writes a large amount of insurance annually. On the ist of January, 1906. the business was incorporated under the name of Loranz & Company, with Henry Loranz as president ; A. B. Loranz as vice president ; and C. E. Blair, secretary. This company is today one of the most important operat- ing in southwestern Iowa, its business being annually represented by a large figure and the men who are at its head are recognized as among the most forceful, enterprising and progressive in business circles in Page county.
On the Ist of January, 1899, Mr. Loranz was appointed deputy clerk of the district court and in 1902 was elected to the position of district court clerk, in which capacity he served for six years, or three terms, having been twice reclected-a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the efficient manner in which he discharged his duties. In 1909 he again took up his work in the Loranz Company, having all this time retained his in- terest in the business. He is a young man of marked energy, continually seeking out new plans and opportunities for the extension of the business, and his enterprise, determination and keen insight are important elements in the success which the company is now enjoying.
Mr. Loranz was married on the 12th of June, 1901, to Miss Annie L. Foster, of Clarinda, a daughter of Charles W. and Ann L. Foster. They are prominent socially and the hospitality of their own home is one of its most attractive features. They hold membership in the First Presbyterian church and Mr. Loranz is also identified through membership relations with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In 1908 he was elected president of the Clarinda Chautauqua Assembly and was again elected in 1909 but later resigned the presidency, although he is still one of the direc- tors. He has taken an active interest in this movement of marked educative value, and in fact cooperates in all measures which are essential to the best development of the community and the promotion of its material, intellec- tual and moral interests.
L. E. NELSON.
I. E. Nelson is successfully engaged in the butchering business at Clarinda in partnership with his father, the firm conducting an extensive establishment of this character at the corner of Washington and Fifteenth streets. He was born in Harlan township, Page county, on the 19th of September, 1875, his parents being S. W. and Ellen Caroline ( Wilson) Nel- son, the former a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, while the lat- ter's birth occurred near Clarinda. L. E. Nelson was reared in the place of his nativity and attended the schools of Clarinda in pursuit of an edu- cation. During the periods of vacation he acquainted himself with the
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meat business under the direction of his father and after leaving school at the age of nineteen years he worked for his father in the shop.
On the 14th of June, 1808, he enlisted for service in the Spanish- American war as a member of Company M, Fifty-first Iowa Militia, and on November 4. 1898, sailed for Manila, Philippine Islands, on the trans- port Pennsylvania, reaching his destination on the 2d of February, 1899. He participated in sixteen engagements under command of Colonel J. C. Loper and remained on the Islands until September 22, 1899, when he sailed for San Francisco, being there honorably discharged on the Ist of Novem- ber, 1899.
On returning to Clarinda Mr. Nelson accepted a position as buyer of hides with the American Hide & Leather Company but resigned at the end of a year and became engaged in the butchering business at Clarinda. In May, 1903, he formed a partnership with his father and they have since built up an extensive and profitable trade as dealers in meat, their estab- lishment being located at the corner of Washington and Fifteenth streets. They do all their own slaughtering and have ever maintained an unassail- able reputation for business integrity and reliability. Mr. Nelson of this review owns ten acres of valuable land, five of which are located in Clar- inda, while the remaining five acres lie just outside the corporation limits of the city. In connection with his father he owns thirteen acres of land on the corporation line, as well as a town lot, while he and his wife have a farmi of one hundred and twenty-three acres in East River township, which they rent. Alert, enterprising and aggressive, he has won a gratify- ing measure of success in his undertakings and is numbered among the substantial, representative and progressive citizens of his native county.
On the 28th of December, 1902, in Clarinda, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Davison, whose birth occurred on the 8th of Novem- ber, 1874. They now have two children, Charles Elmer and Edward Walker. Mrs. Nelson is a devoted and consistent member of the Christian church and also belongs to Rebekah Lodge. In social circles both she and her husband occupy an enviable position as the result of the possession of qualities which win kindly regard and sincere friendship.
GEORGE E. MARTIN.
George Elmer Martin, better known to the people of southwestern Iowa and northwestern Missouri as George E. Martin, was born in New Jersey, July 14, 1834, and died at Clarinda, Iowa, on the 12th of December, 1905. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Martin and at the age of eight years was taken by his parents to Morgan county, Illinois. His mother died when he was fourteen years of age. His father died and was buried at Clarinda in 1886.
His father was a farmer and George, as a boy and man, in that respect followed in his footsteps and during all his life was actively engaged in
George C. Martin
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agricultural pursuits. His first earnings were the result of working as a farm hand and was in consideration of twelve and one-half cents a day. Later, when he had grown stronger and older, he received thirteen dollars a month. When yet a young man one of his dominant ideas was apparent. The accumulations and earnings of his early years were invested in real estate. Strange as it may appear to those who knew Mr. Martin in later years his first investment proved an utter failure as he lost every dollar of his savings by reason of defective title. He had to begin the struggle again at the very lowest round of the financial ladder, but he had an experience and a lesson which he never forgot and in all purchases of real estate there- after titles were fully and carefully examined by attorneys who were com- petent to pass upon them. This episode in the life of Mr. Martin was known to but few outside of his own family and, while he was not infallible in business matters, yet he probably made as few mistakes as any, and when he did make them the world was none the wiser.
After his loss, his first venture was the purchase of a standing field of wheat almost ready for the harvest. It belonged to an extensive land owner of advanced years who sought to secure Mr. Martin's services as an employe, with the result that he sold the wheat to Mr. Martin, who was to harvest and thresh it, and pay so much per bushel at the scales. Out of this deal Mr. Martin cleared nine hundred dollars. The gentleman with whom Mr. Martin dealt was so pleased with his management and judgment that he insisted that he should become his tenant, which he did, remaining with him as a renter until he had accumulated about thirty-five hundred dollars, which amount he brought with him when he came to Page county in 1865. Soon after is arrival he purchased a farm in Buchanan town- ship and engaged in handling live stock with Samuel Nixon as a partner, making his home with Mr. Nixon.
On December 18, 1870, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Alma L. Rem- ington and they made their home on the Buchanan township farm until October, 1876, when they moved to Clarinda and it remained his home until his death. Mr. Martin was guided by principles of honesty and integrity and acted on the principle that his word was as good as his bond. Careful in making a promise, he kept such a promise to the letter. He acquired a great fund of useful information from nature and experience and business connections and in his periods of leisure was a most enter- taining conversationalist. His friends were stanch ones and he was true to them. He was entirely devoid of ostentation. He worked and managed and gained properties, acquiring new possessions without display and one would have been surprised to hear him speak of the value of his hold- ings. His business inclinations ran to farms and live stock, chiefly, and at the time of his death, in addition to the lands owned in Page county, he was an extensive holder of lands in Texas, which in most instances were stocked with cattle. Ile owned and conducted a large farm in Atchison county, Missouri, his investments being principally confined to lands, though he was an important stockholder in the Page County State Bank and in two other banks in the county. He was a great business man and had the
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faculty of attending strictly to his personal business, never engaging in speculative or uncertain enterprises.
As stated he was married to AAlma L. Remington on the 18th of De- cember, 1870. Mrs. Martin's father, Amos Remington, was a resident of Buchanan township, Page county, lowa. He was born October 1, 1816, in Ashtabula county, Ohio. In his childhood days he moved with his par- ents to Pennsylvania, where his youth was passed and education received. From that time until 1870 he resided in several states, coming to Page county in the year last named. He was married October 13, 1842, to Miss Matilda Munger, of Erie, Pennsylvania. Mr. Remington died May 12, 1896, and Mrs. Remington died August 27, 1901. They left surviving them three children : Delevan, Alma L., and Alfretta. Six children are deceased. His father, Seth Remington, was born in Connecticut in 1781.
To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born six children : Claude ; Dale ; Blanche, now the wife of A. J. Rockhill; Noros H .; Bethene ; and George. Claude died September 9, 1878, and Bethene, October 25, 1900. Mrs. Martin and George, her youngest son, reside in Clarinda.
JOHN E. MCCURDY.
Iowa with its splendid agricultural possibilities offers excellent oppor- tunity to him who wishes to earn his living by the tilling of the soil. Wash- ington has said that "Agriculture is the most useful as well as most honor- able occupation of man," and history gives evidence of the fact that it is the basis of all success. Devoting his time and energies in successful manner to the cultivation and improvement of a farm, John E. McCurdy has become well known as a prominent and progressive citizen of Buchanan township, where he owns and operates three hundred and ten acres of fine land. Hle also raises and deals in live stock and is recognized as one of the ex- tensive stock shippers of Page county.
A native of Page county, Mr. McCurdy was born in Buchanan township on the 22d of June, 1866, a son of Franklin and Esther ( Seabolt ) MeCurdy, both of whom are yet living. The period of his boyhood and youth was spent on his father's farm and he attended the district schools in the ac- quirement of an education. This, however, by necessity was rather limited as he was able to attend school for a few years only and then during merely the winter seasons, the summer months being devoted to farm labor. He remained under the parental roof, assisting his father, until twenty-one years of age, when he entered business life on his own account, becoming a section hand on the Wabash Railroad, in which capacity he continued for about fourteen months. He then decided to make the occupation to which he had been reared his life work, and consequently he rented a farm of sixty acres from George Farrens, which he operated for one year.
Ambitious, however, to own his own farm, through diligence, industry and perseverance, combined with economical expenditure, Mr. McCurdy
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was at length able to purchase forty acres of land from William Long on section 22, Buchanan township. He resided upon that place for eight years, during which time he bought another tract of forty acres. In 1897 he traded that farm for eighty acres located on section 21, and continued to make that his home for ten years. Throughout that period he was suc- cessful in his agricultural pursuits and as he prospered he was able to add from time to time to his realty holdings until he had two hundred and fifty acres. In 1907 he traded one hundred and twenty acres of his prop- erty for the Runyan farm, which consisted of one hundred and eighty acres, Mr. McCurdy paying the difference in cash. His holdings now cover three hundred and ten acres of excellent farming land, all under a high state of cultivation with the exception of a very few acres of bottom land. In connection with carrying on general farming he raises, feeds and ships hogs and cattle, being recognized as one of the largest stock dealers in Page county. He makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle, and his shipments of stock, which are very extensive, are always made to St. Joseph, Missouri, or to Chicago, Illinois.
In 1889 Mr. McCurdy was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Wilson, a daughter of Joli D. and Matilda ( Davison) Wilson, residents of Buchanan township, Page county. Mrs. McCurdy was born and reared in that town- ship and by her marriage became the mother of three children, namely : Ora, who passed away in 1897, at the age of six years; James Leonard, who died in 1909 on the 6th of February, at the age of sixteen years, five months and twenty-eight days; and William Lloyd, who at the age of fourteen is still under the parental roof.
Mr. McCurdy gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. About eight years ago he was elected constable, but he refused the honor, pre- ferring to devote his entire time and attention to his extensive personal in- terests. A man of resourceful ability, constantly watchful of opportunities, which he improved to their full extent, he has been very successful in ag- ricultural pursuits and is ranked among the substantial and progressive business men of Buchanan township.
HARVEY R. SPRY.
Harvey R. Spry, whose position in business circles in Clarinda is a prominent one from the fact that he was one of the organizers and pro- moters of the Clarinda Trust & Savings Bank, which was formed in 1903 and of which he has continuously been vice president, is numbered among Iowa's native sons. He came to this city in 1892 from Red Oak, having been a resident of Page county from pioneer times. His birth, however, occurred in Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, on the 3d of August, 1860, his parents being Elijah A. and Jane M. Spry, the former a black- smith of Mount Pleasant, who resided in that city for some time and after-
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ward removed to Red Oak, where he entered business circles as a furniture dealer and undertaker. He died at the age of sixty-seven years and is still survived by his wife, who is living in Clarinda.
Harvey R. Spry, spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, ac- quired his early education in the Red Oak public schools and afterward attended high school at Burlington, Iowa. He then entered the First National Bank at Red Oak in 1878 in the capacity of bookkeeper and was advanced to the position of assistant cashier, thus serving until 1892. In the latter year he arrived in Clarinda and was appointed cashier of the Clarinda National Bank, so remaining for eleven years or until 1903. when be became one of the organizers of the Clarinda Trust & Savings Bank, which was capitalized for seventy-five thousand dollars. He was then made vice president and has since continued as one of the executive officers. He is very active in the work of the bank and the promotion of its interests and his labors have constituted an effective force in the enlarge- ment of its business connections. He has closely studied the financial situa- tion, conditions and problems of the day and in the conduct of the bank has installed a safe and conservative policy which allows of no venturesome risks but doesn't fear to advance where favoring opportunity leads the way. The Clarinda Trust & Savings Bank is now rated as one of the safe financial institutions of southwestern lowa and from the beginning has enjoyed a steady and continuous growth.
In 1885 Mr. Spry was united in marriage to Miss Mabel B. Curtis, of Red Oak, Iowa, a daughter of Josiah O. Curtis. They have become the parents of seven children, Merrill C., Marjorie M., Estella, Helen, Harold Park, Dorothy and Francis Lavina, constituting an interesting household where good cheer and hospitality reign supreme.
In community affairs Mr. Spry is interested and has given his active aid and cooperation to many measures and movements which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles inculcated by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an earnest member. He contributes generously to its support and takes a helpful interest in its various activities. One of the native sons of Iowa, he is a western man by birth, training and preference, imbued with a progressive spirit which has been the dominant element in the up- building of this great section of the country.
HENRY F. ANNAN.
The Sunny View Stock Farm, one of the valuable and pleasing prop- erties of East River township, is owned and conducted by Henry F. Annan, who has become well known as a breeder of shorthorn cattle. He also suc- cessfully carries on general farming, for he is watchful of opportunities and is, moreover, a man of unfaltering industry. He was born in Harlan township, Page county, Iowa, February 17, 1865, and was about a year
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old when he was taken to Nodaway township by his parents, John and Anna Sophia (Myers) Annan. They took up their abode near Clarinda, where they resided for sometime and at the present writing they make their home in the city.
Henry F. Annan was the second in order of birth in a family of four children and on the home farm in Nodaway township the days of his boyhood and youth were spent in the usual manner of farm lads who enjoy the educational advantages offered by the common schools and receive their business training under parental direction. He remained at home until his marriage and in 1892 came to his present place of residence, which is one of his father's farms and comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich, arable and productive land on sections 9, 10 and 15, East River township. Upon the place is an attractive dwelling with good outbuild- ings and other substantial equipments which he has provided. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields while carry- ing on general farming and he also breeds shorthorn cattle, doing a good business along that line. In fact his stock-raising interests are an im- portant feature of the place, which is known as the Sunny View Stock Farm. His father has about fifteen hundred acres of land and is one of the wealthy agriculturists of this part of the state. Henry F. Annan also bids fair to become a prosperous man owing to the capable management and unfaltering enterprise which he displays in the conduct of his business interests.
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