USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 9
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On the 10th of March, 1892, Mr. Annan was united in marriage to Miss Georgia H. Herren, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, on the Ist of June, 1868. She came to this county in 1870 with her parents, James D. and Mary Louise (Carter) Herren, who spent their remaining days in Page county, where they reared their family of nine children.
In his political views Mr. Annan is a democrat and keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. He is busily occupied with his farm- ing and stock-raising interests and his experience and knowledge have made him an authority on the subject of breeding shorthorn cattle and Plymouth Rock chickens. He is meeting with well merited success in his undertakings and is widely and favorably known throughout the com- munity.
J. B. MARINER.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in Bingham than J. B. Mariner who, for many years, has been closely connected with various business interests of this village and from its organization has taken an active and helpful interest in its affairs. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, October 16, 1851, a son of Eliphalet and Julia C. (Lord) Mariner, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. In 1836, as a young man, the father settled in Fulton county, Illinois, and four
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years later returned east for his bride, whom he brought back with him to the little Illinois home which he had prepared and in which they resided until his death in the early '80s. The mother then removed to Shenan- doah, Iowa, making her home for some time with her daughter, Mrs. H. M. Ayers. She still survives at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years and divides her time among her various children. The father was one of the first contractors on public works in Fulton county and also operated the first groundhog thresher in that county.
Reared upon his father's farm J. B. Mariner pursued his education in the public schools of his native county and remained at home until twenty- one years of age. In the meantime he had become familiar with all of the tasks which fall to the agriculturist, learning valuable lessons concerning the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and thus, upon at- taining his majority, he was well equipped to enter upon an independent agricultural career and assume the practical and responsible duties thereof. He first rented a farm in Fulton county, Illinois, for two years, and then in the spring of 1875 he came to Page county, Iowa. Many years prior to this his father had purchased soldiers' declaratories, locating his claims in Morton township, this county, and he had secured more than one thousand acres in Page, Fremont, Mills and Ringgold counties. Upon his arrival in Page county J. B. Mariner purchased from his father eighty acres in Morton township, upon which he located, and later his father gave him another eighty acres. Soon after he traded his tract of one hundred and sixty acres for another quarter section, upon which he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits for four years.
Since that time Mr. Mariner has been variously engaged. For seven years thereafter he operated a store at Bingham and then became identified with grain interests, operating an elevator at Bingham, with which he is still connected, while for thirteen years, at intervals, he has run a thresher. He and his brother, Louis L. Mariner, in conjunction own three quarter sections of land and handle coal, farm machinery, etc., having established a large and flourishing business along that line. Indeed throughout all of his various enterprises and activities Mr. Mariner has been signally successful, his keen business sagacity and careful management of his af- fairs proving salient elements in his success, while his combined business interests have made him one of the substantial and affluent citizens of Grant township.
It was in 1886 in Taylorville, Illinois, that Mr. Mariner was united in marriage to Miss Rachel E. Miller, of that city, a lady of excellent traits of character who is highly esteemed wherever known. She is a member of the Congregational church of Shenandoah, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of her life.
Politically, Mr. Mariner is a stalwart republican, having served on the school board for some time, while he has likewise been treasurer of the board for the past twelve years, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. He is a prominent figure in fraternal circles, holding membership in Shenandoah Lodge, No. 261, I. O. O. F., since 1877, while
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he was a charter member of the encampment of the Odd Fellows of Shen- andoah. Hc likewise was a charter member of Juniata Lodge, No. 195, K. P., of Shenandoah, and is heartily in sympathy with the spirit of humani- tarianism and brotherhood upon which these orders are founded. Pre- eminently a public-spirited man, he has been a potent factor in the public affairs of Bingham since its organization, at all times doing all in his power to promote progress, reform and improvement, while his name is enrolled high on the list of Page county's valued and representative citizens.
WILLIAM WEHMILLER.
One of the prosperous and representative farmers of Valley township is William Wehmiller, who is living on section 31. There he owns and cultivates a farm of two hundred and eighty-nine and a quarter acres, which is constantly increasing in value because of the care and labor which he bestows upon it. A native of Indiana, he was born in Jackson county on the IIth of December, 1860, a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Meyers) Wehmiller. The parents were natives of Germany and came to America at an early date, first locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, whence they removed to Indiana, where the father's death occurred. The mother still survives at the age of seventy-five years and makes her home in that state. In their family were ten children, nine of whom are yet living.
Reared to agricultural life, William Wehmiller spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm and acquired his education in the common schools. He soon became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad, and that his early training in farm labor was both practical and thorough is indicated by the excellent condition of his present farm. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and then, desir- ing to enter business on his own account, he came to Page county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand, being thus engaged for seven years. Then, that his labors might more directly benefit himself, he rented land and operated a threshing machine for eight years. At the expiration of that period, in 1896, he took a trip to California, where he remained for a short time, and then returned to Page county, where he speculated in corn. He was also engaged in the ice business in Clarinda for three years. In the meantime he had purchased a farm near Yorktown, which he later sold, and then invested in his present farm in Valley township, upon which he has since resided. He has directed his entire energies toward the further development and improvement of this property, has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, has introduced all modern equip- ment for facilitating farm labor, and his place today is one of the valuable and desirable farm properties of Valley township. He also devotes some of his time to stock interests, making a specialty of raising hogs. He is a keen business man and his careful management and indefatigable energy constitute the salient features of his success.
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On the 5th of January, 1905, Mr. Wehmiller was wedded to Mrs. Adolphine Buch, the widow of William Buch, her birth occurring in Ger- many. Unto this union was born one son, William. Mr. and Mrs. Wehmiller are members of the German Lutheran church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested. Since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise Mr. Wehmiller has been a strong advocate of the republican party, but he has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to devote his time and thought to the conduct of his private business affairs, which are capably conducted. He early learned that industry is the key which un- locks the portals of success and, as the years have passed, he has labored diligently and perseveringly until today he enjoys a comfortable competence and has won for himself a high place among the representative agricultur- ists of Valley township.
ABRAHAM MURPHY COLLIER.
There is no man residing in Nebraska township who was here at the time of the arrival of Abraham Murphy Collier in 1851. Throughout the intervening years he has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred and of the transformation that has been wrought by time and man. His memory forms a connecting link between the pioneer past and the present with all its modern changes and improvements and equipments. Moreover, his is a notable record from the fact that although now eighty- two years of age he is still active in business, with a mind as clear and a judgment as sound as it was when he was in the prime of life.
Mr. Collier was born in Lee county, West Virginia, on the 21st of May, 1827, his parents being John B. and Joanna ( Robinson) Collier. Their family numbered ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom the subject of this review was the fourth in order of birth. He spent his early boyhood days in his native state, and when he had attained his tenth year he removed with his parents to Black county, Missouri, where they resided for several years, during which time they cut down timber and developed a farm in the midst of the forest. In 1843 a removal was made to Andrew county, Missouri, where they resided for seven years, A. M. Collier during that time being busily employed at farm work. His thorough training and wide experience in the fields well qualified him to take charge of farming interests on his own account when he started out in life.
In February, 1849, Mr. Collier was united in marriage to Miss Nancy McAlpin, a daughter of Henry and Betsy (Farnsworth) McAlpin, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Collier was born March 24, 1827, and for many years this worthy couple traveled life's journey happily together but were separated by the death of the wife on the 5th of May, 1902.
After his marriage Mr. Collier remained in Missouri until 1850, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California he made a trip across the
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Mos and Mr. A.M. Collier.
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PIONEER LOG HOUSE IN YARD OF A. M. COLLIER
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plains to the Pacific coast. After a year he engaged in mining but did not find gold in sufficient quantities to enable him to continue his search for the precious metal and therefore he turned his attention to teaming, which he followed until the fall of 1851. In that time he had become convinced that the middle west was much more suited to him as a place of residence and he gladly and safely returned to Missouri.
Almost immediately afterward he took up his abode in Page county. Mr. McAlpin had removed to this county and had purchased a tract of land on which was the frame work of a grist and saw mill. Some work had been done in the sawmill but no grist had been turned out of the hopper. When Mr. Collier arrived upon the scene he purchased an interest in the mill, which he and his father-in-law operated. He also found further scope for his labors in farming and developing a tract of land of one hun- dred and sixty acres. The partnership with his father-in-law existed for six years, at the end of which time they sold the mill and divided the land equally, Mr. McAlpin taking the portion on which Hawleyville was after- ward platted. Mr. Collier continued upon his farm until 1857, when he turned his attention to merchandising, opening a general store in Hawleyville, which he conducted until 1863. He then closed out his stock but again in 1866 he entered commercial fields, forming a partnership in the same line of business with John Buckingham. Soon afterward he purchased his partner's interest and conducted the store sucessfully and alone until 1876, when he disposed of the stock to his eldest son, George W. Collier, who carried on the business until his death, which occurred in 1884.
After severing his connection with the dry-goods trade Mr. Collier turned his attention to his milling interests and to the raising and sale of stock. For some time he carried on business as proprietor of a grist and saw mill, the former having the capacity of fifty barrels. Later, however, he discontinued the saw mill and has increased the capacity of the grist mill to seventy-five barrels. He also owns a fourth interest in the store in Haw- leyville and at one time he was the owner of over one thousand acres of land in Nebraska township but has disposed of all of this to his children except forty acres upon which stand his home and his mill in the village. In 1875 he erected a frame residence at a cost of three thousand dollars, which at that time was one of the finest in the eastern part of the county and is still one of the attractive and substantial residences. He has con- tributed in large measure to the upbuilding and growth of Hawleyville, where he has at different times owned considerable real estate. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion, allowing no ob- stacle to brook his path, if it can he overcome by persistent and earnest effort.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Collier were born the following named: George W., who was born February 26, 1850, and died in 1884, leaving a widow, Matilda J., now the widow of D. B. Goodman of Hawleyville ; John H., who died leaving a widow and one child; Arabella S .. who is the wife of Dr. David Elliott. a prominent and popular citizen of Nebraska township, who is serving as representative from this district to the state legislature ;
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Elizabeth, who died at the age of ten years; two who died in infancy; Charles M., who died leaving a widow and one child, residents of Hawley- ville ; and Sadie, who is the wife of Ernest Strong of Nebraska township.
In his political views Mr. Collier has always been a stalwart democrat and upon the party ticket has been elected to several local offices, including that of township assessor, justice of the peace and constable. He is a mem- ber of Clarinda Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., and his wife was a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His first home was in the log house which now stands near his fine residence. He has remained in the county continuously since 1851 and no man has resided in Nebraska township for as long a period, while there is only one woman living here who was in the neighborhood at the time of his arrival. He is a remark- able man for one of eighty-two years, enjoying good health and manifesting marked business activity. He has accomplished much in the midst of a use- ful life and at all times has been worthy the esteem and confidence which are uniformly tendered him.
CALVIN P. GREENE.
There is no more worthy or highly respected citizen in Shenandoah than Calvin P. Greene, who has now reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He was born in Berlin, Rensselaer county, New York, on the 6th of February, 1829. His parents were Benjamin and Rhoda (Niles) Greene, both of whom were natives of the same county. The paternal grand- father, Lanford Greene, was born near Berlin and devoted his life to the occupation of farming, which he carried on in that locality until called to his final rest. He was among the early settlers there, living in the county when much of the land was covered with the native timber. He had, therefore, assisted in the arduous task of developing and improving that section of the country and his worth as a citizen was widely acknowledged in the community. He married Abigail Thomas, who was also born in the same locality. They were of the same family as General Greene of Revolutionary fame. It was in the early part of the seventeenth century when John Greene, the founder of the family in America, came from England with Roger Williams and established his home in the new world which was then being colonized by settlers from all parts of the earth. John Greene had two sons, from one of whom Calvin P. Greene is de- scended, while General Greene belonged to the other branch of the family. Benjamin Greene, the father of our subject, died at the comparatively early age of forty-three years and his wife when forty-six years of age, so that C. P. Greene was left an orphan when comparatively young.
In the place of his nativity Calvin P. Greene remained until twenty-two years of age. He lived upon the farm until fifteen years of age and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Berlin. His early education was acquired in the district schools and he afterward attended the South Williamston Academy in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Later he en- gaged in teaching school in Petersburg, New York, and afterward was the teacher in his own district. He took up the profession when seventeen
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years of age and followed it until twenty years of age. Subsequently he engaged in clerking in Berlin for one year but, desirous that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he established a tailoring business in Berlin and later opened a shoe store.
Mr. Greene continued a resident of the east until 1851, when he re- moved westward to Peoria county, Illinois, arriving at his destination with a cash capital of seventy-five dollars. In the meantime he had married and his wife accompanied him to the west. Tlie necessities of the occasion de- manded that he accept any work which he could secure and for a time he was employed as a farm land, aided in the care of live stock and also engaged in threshing. During the first winter of his residence in Illinois he engaged in teaching in the public schools and also conducted a singing school. In the spring he bought a team, rented land and began farming on his own account. In the spring of 1854, with the capital which he had saved from his earnings, he purchased eighty acres of land and continued to engage in farming in Illinois for many years thereafter. In 1861 he visited New York, where he remained for a year, and on his return he purchased one hundred acres of land in Marshall county, Illinois, having previously sold his original eighty acres. He taught school during the winter in which he visited in New York and following his return to Illinois in 1862 he again engaged in teaching in Marshall county and likewise conducted a singing school.
Mr. Greene was closely associated with the agricultural interests of Illinois until 1874, when he came to Page county and settled in Washington township in what is the southwestern corner of the county. There he purchased a quarter section of land, on which he placed all of the im- provements and to the development of his farm he gave his time and ener- gies until 1881. He then went to Northboro, a town in Washington town- ship, where he acted as postmaster for twelve years. He had had previous experience in the same official line, for he had acted as postmaster in Ill- inois. He was likewise engaged in the hardware business in Northboro, where he made his home until 1900. In the meantime he had purchased another quarter section of land and had in all an entire half section. In 1900 he came to Shenandoah and since taking up his abode here has made investment in a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Fremont township, Page county, but recently sold this property. His business affairs have been capably conducted and while he has made general farming his real life work he has at times capably controlled other interests. In 1867 he was proprietor of a harness shop at Lawn Ridge, Illinois, and in the manage- ment of his hardware business at Northboro he displayed keen business discernment and unfaltering energy.
Mr. Greene was married in Berlin, New York, in 1850 to Miss E. J. Dodge, who was born in Claremont, New Hampshire, and in her girlhood days removed with her parents to Berlin. Eight children were born of this marriage: Mrs. Ida L. Darby, now living in Northboro; Frank L .. whose home is in Blanchard, Iowa; George L. and Mabel J., both now de- ceased; Charles G., a contractor of La Grande, Oregon ; Henrietta, who
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married Austin Sollars, a farmer of College Springs, Iowa ; Mrs. Jesse R. McKie, who is deceased; and Alfred W., a dairyman of Shenandoah. Mrs. Greene is a daughter of John and Malinda (Bates) Dodge and is a lady of many estimable traits of character, who has indeed been a faithful companion to her husband on the journey of life. They have now been man and wife for almost sixty years and are one of the most venerable couples of the county.
In his political views Mr. Greene was formerly a republican but his opinions concerning the temperance question have led him in recent years to give stanch support to the prohibition party. He has acted as township clerk of Washington township for three years, was justice of the peace for four years and notary public for eleven years and his official services have ever been discharged in a manner creditable to himself and highly satis- factory to his constituents. He has long been a devoted, worthy and faithful member of the Baptist church and has served as a deacon in that denomination since 1877. For eleven years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and he has been a most generous contributor to the support of the church. His life has ever been an upright and honorable one, characterized by unfaltering fidelity to high and manly principles, and now in the evening of his days he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
LOUIS J. SUNDERMANN.
Louis J. Sundermann is the owner of Home View Farm, a fine property of two hundred and forty acres situated on sections 22 and 23, in Nodaway township. This is conducted as a stock farm, Mr. Sundermann making a specialty of raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, having forty head of regis- tered cattle on his place at the present time. He also raises hogs and horses and is one of the leading representatives of live-stock interests in this part of the state.
Page county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Douglas township on the 6th of September, 1869. His parents were Fred and Louisa ( Moenning ) Sundermann, both of whom now reside in Dayton township. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three died in infancy, the others being: Henry, a resident of Nodaway township; Louis J .; Edwin, living in Douglas township : Martha, the wife of Henry D. Wagner, of Nodaway township; Joseph, at home ; and Han- nah, the wife of Herman Wagner, of Nodaway township.
Louis J. Sunderman was reared on the farm where his birth occurred, there remaining until his mariage, when he came to his present place of residence. His youthful days were devoted to the duties of the school- room, the pleasures of the playgrounds and the work of the fields. Through the periods of vacation he assisted his father in carrying on the home place, while in the winter months he pursued his education. He has never
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desired to enter any other field of labor than that to which he was reared, and that nature well qualified him for this work is indicated in the excellent and desirable success which has attended his efforts. Home View Farm is now one of the valuable properties of Nodaway township, splendidly equipped with modern accessories and conveniences, presenting in its ap- pearance the evidence of care and progressiveness on the part of the owner. Within the boundaries of the farm, which is situated on sections 22 and 23, Nodaway township, are two hundred and forty acres of rich land. While Mr. Sundermann to some extent engages in the raising of grain, his place is pre- eminently a stock farm and he makes a specialty of raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, having a very fine herd of forty head of registered stock on the place. He exhibits his cattle at the county and state fairs and has carried off many premiums. He also raises high grades of hogs and horses and has done not a little to improve the grade of stock produced in this part of the state. All of the buildings upon his farm stand as monuments to his enterprise, and that he is a man of indefatigable industry is indicated in the well kept appearance of his place.
On the toth of February, 1898, Mr. Sundermann was married to Miss Amelia Sundermann, who was born in Nodaway township, September 29, 1877, and has always resided within its borders. Her parents are John and Wilhelmina (Wehrkamp) Sundermann, who also reside in Nodaway town- ship, and they here reared a family of ten children: William, who died at the age of twenty-eight years ; Mrs. Louis J. Sundermann ; Carl, of Noda- way township : Anna, the wife of Richard Nothwehr, of California ; George, at home ; Emma and Emil, twins ; and Robert, Alma and Wilma, all yet under the parental roof. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Sunder- mann has been blessed with three children, Arnold, Bertha and Wilhelmina.
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