USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
1001
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Mr. Lewis has usually supported the republican party, although he voted twice for Grover Cleveland. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought political preferment for himself. He belongs to Ruby lodge, No. 416, A. F. & A. M., and his life is in harmony with its beneficent principles. A man of resolute spirit, unfaltering in what he has undertaken, he has steadily worked his way upward, becoming one of the most prosperous residents of this part of the county. At one time he had two sections of land in this county and fifteen hundred acres in Hardin county but has sold much of this and given considerable to his children. Ile arrived here with only twenty-three hundred dollars, most of which had been acquired through former labor, and with that sum to serve as a nucleus he has developed his fortunes until he is now one of the prosperous residents of Macedonia. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation as a business man. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth. honor and right, justly valuing his own self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and position. He is also royally endowed in those traits of character which combine to form that which we term friend- ship.
FRANK A. KULLBOM.
Frank A. Kullbom, who makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock as he carries on his farming interests in Wright township, was born in Hen- derson county, Illinois, December 8, 1875, his parents being Gustav and Albertine Kullbom, natives of Sweden. They arrived in the United States in 1873, first settling in Henderson county. Illinois, where they resided until their removal to Pottawattamie county. lowa. Here the mother still makes here home but the father was called to his final rest in 1896. Their family numbered six children, of whom Frank A. is the eldest, while the others are: Clarence E., now living in Nebraska; Charles H., of Pottawattamie county ; John P .. of Mills county, Iowa; and Albert G. and Lewis, both living in this county.
Frank 1. Kullbom remained with his parents until he had reached adult age. He then returned to Henderson county, Illinois, where he worked by the month at farm labor for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he again came to Pottawattamie county and took up farming on his own account, renting land for six years. He carefully saved his earnings during that period and invested in eighty acres of land on section 17, Wright township, which he at once began to cultivate and improve. He has since added forty acres to the original tract and now owns and farms one hundred and twenty acres, his field- bring forth rich harvests, while in his pastures are found good grades of stock, as he is now largely engaged in raising and feeding.
Mr. Kullbom made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage, in 1896, to Miss Bertha May Orton, who was born in this county,
1002
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
a daughter of B. D. and Isora Orton, who are now residents of Oakland, Iowa. Their family numbered eight children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Kullbom but one daughter has been born, Gladys May.
The parents attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Kullbom votes with the republican party, which recognizes in him a stalwart champion. Upon its ticket he was elected to the office of township trustee, in which he is now serving. He and his wife deserve much credit for what they have accomplished as the years have gone by. At the time of their mar- riage their possessions practically consisted of but one team of horses. By their good management, economical living and unfaltering diligence they managed to save a sum sufficient to purchase a fine farm and are now living in comfort at their pleasant home in Wright township, being classed with the prosperous farming people of the locality.
WILLIAM L. THROP.
William L. Throp was the owner of The Maples, one of the fine farms of Carson township, and for a third of a century was identified with the agricultural interests of the county prior to the time when death terminated his labors on the. 6th of October, 1906. He was a native of Kingston, Decatur county, Indiana, born January 21, 1846, his parents being John C. and Margaret (Hood) Throp. The father was born in New Jersey and was descended from old Puritan stock. The mother's birth occurred in Ken- tucky and her father, Samuel Hood, was of Irish extraction. The marriage of John C. Throp and Margaret Hood was celebrated in Indiana, to which state they had removed with their respective parents from New Jersey at an early day.
Unto them were born five sons and four daughters, of whom William L. Throp was the sixth in order of birth. His boyhood and youth were spent in his native county and in its public schools he acquired his educa- tion, while upon the home farm he received ample training in the work of the fields. He continued to reside in Decatur county' until twenty-six years of age, when in 1872 he came to Pottawattamie county, where his remaining days were passed. The trip to Iowa was made with his brother, John W. Throp, and in the year of his arrival he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of what became his homestead farm. To this he added as his opportunities increased until within the boundaries of the property were comprised two hundred and twenty-five acres of rich and productive land. It was, however, unbroken prairie when it came into his possession and with characteristic energy he began to break the sod and till the fields, carrying forward the farm work until his place became a splendidly developed prop- erty, bearing rich crops and presenting a most attractive appearance. He and his wife set out all of the trees upon the farm, which add much to its beauty and to its value. Mr. Throp erected good buildings here and put his whole farm under cultivation, giving undivided time and attention to its
MR. AND MRS. W. L. THROP.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
1005
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
development and improvement. It was his desire to live and die upon this place, which was appropriately named The Maples, owing to the many fine trees of that character which are seen here. He raised both grain and stock, and while his fields produced rich harvests his pastures also produced fine grades of cattle.
On the 20th of January, 1876, in the first church built in old Mace- donia-a church of the Presbyterian denomination-was celebrated the mar- riage of William L. Throp and Miss Carrie Potter, who was born in Rhode · Island. October 21, 1857, and came to Iowa with her mother and her brother in April, 1871. Her parents were Ira and Sybil ( Winsor) Potter. Her father died in Rhode Island just prior to the removal of the family to the middle west and the mother's death occurred in this county, April 10, 1900, when she was eighty-two years of age. She was bright and active to the last, retaining her physical and mental faculties to a remarkable degree. She was twice married and by each union had two children. Fred Potter, a brother of Mrs. Throp, died in 1879. Unto our subject and his wife were born a daughter and two sons: Jennie, the wife of E. C. Anderson, who operates the farm for her mother and by whom she has three daughters: Gladys Mac, Florence Evelyn and Sylvia Caroline; Frederick, who is living in Guthrie Center and is married and has one son, Harold Edward; and Paul J .. at home.
From the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise until his death William L. Throp was a stalwart advocate of the republican party and held minor township offices, including that of justice of the peace. He was a devoted, faithful and active member of the Presbyterian church of Carson and at one time served as an elder in the church. Both he and his wife became charter members at the time of the organization of the church and Mrs. Throp is today the only survivor of the original mem- bership. His life was ever honorable, in consistent harmony with his professions. He endeavored closely to follow the Golden Rule and his religion was not a matter merely of church attendance but constituted a force in his everyday life and in his relations with his fellowmen. He was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a trade transaction and his influence was ever given on the side of progress, reform and righteousness. His death thus became a matter of uniform regret when, on the 6th of October, 1906, he was called from this life.
CHARLES HENRY TALBOTT.
Charles Henry Talbott, engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs, is located on section 13, Grove township. Here he has one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land and the greater part of the improvements upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and labor. His life record had its beginning in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 12th of July, 1858. His parents. J. W. and Jane (Gowdy)
1006
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Talbott, were pioneer residents of the state, arriving here in 1840 or sixty- seven years ago. The family home was established in Des Moines county and for many years the father engaged in farming, while for a considerable period he devoted his energies to the conduct of an implement business. At present, however, he is living retired, making his home at Mediapolis, Iowa. He has now attaind the age of seventy-seven years and his has been an active and useful life. He holds membership in the Baptist church, of which his wife was also a member. Mrs. Talbot passed away in 1905 at the age of seventy- three years and thus the worthy couple who had long traveled life's journey together were separted by the hand of death. In their family were six sons and two daughters, as follows: Oscar, who is now residing in Cass county, lowa; Hamilton, living in Pottawattamie county; Melvin, whose home is in Missouri; William, who resides in Des Moines county, this state; John, who died in Des Moines county in 1901; Bertha, at home; and Nellie, deceased.
Charles H. Talbott was reared in Des Moines county in the usual man- ner of farm lads of that period. He attended the district schools and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields. He has been dependent upon his own resources from the age of twenty-one years and the success that he has achieved is well merited. He has resided in Pottawattamie county during the past twenty-three years, locating in Waveland township at the time of his arrival. For two years he cultivated a rented farm and on the expiration of that period he established his home in Barton county, Kansas, where he also lived for two years. He then again came to Pottawattamie county and settled in Grove township, where he has since lived. His farm of one hundred and sixty acres comprises the west half of the southeast quarter and the north half of the northwest quarter of section 13, Grove township. He has placed substantial improvements upon it and the land is now productive, owing to the careful manner in which he has cultivated his crops. His work results in bringing to him large harvests annually and everything about his farm is well managed. He raises stock and also is engaged in feeding both cattle and hogs and these branches of his business are proving remunerative.
On the 21st of December, 1891, Mr. Talbott was married to Miss Emma J. Siefford, who was born in Waveland township, a daughter of William Siefford, one of the early settlers there. Mr. and Mrs. Talbott are well known in the community and have a large circle of friends, who esteem them highly because of their possession of many excellent traits of character. Mr. Talbott gives a stalwart support to the democracy.
S. L. FELT.
S. L. Felt has since 1892 resided on his present farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres of arable land on sections 2 and 3, Wright township. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 10, 1853, and acquired his education in the public schools while spending the days of his boyhood and youth in the home of his parents, William L. and Matilda (White) Felt, the former a .
1007
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
native of Michigan and the latter of the Buckeye state. Their family num- bered eight children and those who still survive are: S. L .: Rollie W .. living in Madison, Nebraska, Mertilla, the wife of Thomas Mortimore, of Nebraska : and Sadie, the wife of Frank Anson, of the same state. The parents. too. are now residents of Nebraska.
The educational and other advantages which S. L. Felt received were quite limited, for it became necessary that he earn his own living at the early age of eight years. At the time when other boys were attending school and enjoying the pleasures of the playground he was busy with various tasks. He continued to work as a farm hand until he reached adult age and gave his parents all of his wages. He then determined that his labors should benefit himself and to this end he took up his abode upon a rented farm in Muscatine county, lowa, in 1878. There he lived for two years and in 1880 removed to Shelby county, Iowa, where he again cultivated a rented farm for six years. On the expiration of that period he became a resident of Valley township, Pottawattamie county, where he leased land and continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits for six years or until 1892, when the capital that he had saved from his earnings justified his purchase of two hun- dred and thirty-five acres of land on sections 2 and 3, Wright township, where. he now lives. In addition to tilling the soil he has engaged quite largely in raising and feeding high grade cattle and hogs, and both branches of his business are bringing to him a gratifying profit.
On the 5th of September. 1887, Mr. Felt was united in marriage to Miss Mary Westfall, who was born in Rochester, New York, a daughter of Charles and Christina Westfall, whose family numbered eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Felt have become the parents of ten children, of whom seven are yet living: Minnie, the wife of Ernest Franklin, of Cass county, Iowa; and Etta May, Lena C., William, Orrin, Martha and Esther, all of whom are at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Felt belong to the Christian church and are much inter- ested in its work. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, his membership being with lodge No. 94, at Walnut, Iowa, and he has also filled all of the chairs in the Odd Fellows lodge at Lewis, in which he holds membership. He is now serving as a school director and in politics is a democrat. His influence is ever found on the side of advancement and improvement, whether along material, intellectual, social or moral lines.
JOSEPHI JONES.
For thirty-seven years Joseph Jones has been a resident of Pottawat- tamie county, having arrived here in 1870, and for fourteen years he has been a resident of the village of Macedonia. His birth occurred in Bedford county, Virginia, in 1840, and he is a representative of one of the old fam- ilies of that state. The ancestry, however. can be traced back to Wales, where
1
100s
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
the great-grandfather was born. Leaving that little rock-ribbed country, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and settled in Virginia, where occurred the birth of James Jones, the grandfather of our subject. Joseph and Mary (Dickey) Jones, parents of Joseph Jones of this review, were also natives of the Old Dominion. whence they removed to Ohio and eventually became resi- dents of Davis county, Iowa, where both spent their remaining days. Their family numbered nine children.
In taking up the personal history of Joseph Jones we present to our readers the life record of one who has become widely known in this section of Pottawattamie county during a long residence here and owing to his close connection with its business development. He was only two years of age when his parents removed from Virginia to Ross county, Ohio, and the year 1848 witnessed their arrival in Davis county, Iowa, where they cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers, so that he was reared amid the wild scenes, environments and experiences incident to life on the frontier. He aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm and continued under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, after which he spent six years in mining in Colorado. In 1870 he arrived in Macedonia township. Pottawattamie county, and has since been identified with its agricultural interests. He has bought and improved two farms, one lying in Carson township comprising two hundred and forty acres on sections 8 and 9, which he still owns. He also developed and improved a good farm of eighty acres on section 16, Macedonia township, which he has sold to his son. For a long period he was extensively engaged in feeding stock, which proved an important source of revenue to him. During the past fourteen years, however, he has lived in the village of Macedonia, being pleasantly located in the town while giving supervision to his property interests.
Two years after his arrival in the county Mr. Jones was married in 1872 to Miss Mary E. Bryan, who was born in Logan county, Illinois, in 1852 and in 1868 came to this county with her parents, Alfred and Martha Bryan, who were natives of Kentucky. The father died in Missouri and the mother is still living in that state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born two daughters and two sons: Flora and Charles M., both now deceased : Ernest, who is living upon the farm on section 16, Macedonia township; and Minnie, the wife of Fred Gross, a teacher in the high school of Macedonia.
Mr. Jones belongs to Ruby lodge,, No. 412, A. F. & A. M., and. he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He has held some minor township offices and in all matters of citizenship is loyal to the best interests of his community. Prominent among the energetic. far-seeing and successful business men of the locality he is numbered, and his life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose.' He is, moreover, known not only as a capable business man but also as one of the pioneer residents of the state, having made his home in Iowa since 1848-just two years after the admission of the state into the Union. Almost six decades have since passed and the work of improvement and progress
1009
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
begun in the early days has been carried forward until almost every acre of the great state of lowa is cultivated, while in its commercial and industrial interests it is not far behind many of the older states of the east. It is pre- eminently, however, an agricultural state, owing to its broad prairies and rich soil, and in his community Mr. Jones has borne his full share in its develop- ment along this Jine.
J. F. McGINTY.
J. F. McGinty is actively engaged in farming and in the raising and feeding of stock in Neola township, where he owns and operates a farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 21 and 22. This is a neat and well improved property, indicating the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner, who is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Clinton county, February 28. 1869. His father, John McGinty, was born in Ireland and was there reared to the age of nineteen years, when in 1854 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. For four years he remained a resident of Delaware and in 1858 came to Iowa, settling in Clinton county, where he opened up a farm. In his agricultural pursuits he met with gratify- ing success, becoming the owner of four hundred acres of rich and productive land, so that he was enabled to enjoy not only the necessities but many of the comforts and luxuries of life as well. He married Miss Ann MeDemott. who was also of Irish birth. Her death occurred in 1893, while Mr. Mc- Ginty departed this life in July, 1899. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, four sons and four daughters: Thomas, a retired farmer living at Dewitt. Iowa: J. F., of this review; John, who reached adult age and died in 1902 at the age of twenty-four years; Joseph, a farmer, real-estate dealer and prosperous citizen of Huron, South Dakota; Mary, the wife of John Higgins, of Hartington, Nebraska; Sarah, the wife of Daniel Lawler, of Dewitt, Iowa: Kate, at home; and Theresa, the wife of Ambrose Hester, a resident of northern Iowa.
In taking up the personal history of J. F. McGinty we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this locality. He was reared in his native county upon the home farm, acquired a common-school education and during the vacation period- assisted his father in the work of field and meadow. When a young man he removed to Pottawattamie county and located upon the farm which is now his home and which was the property of his father. After cultivating it for a few years he bought the place, remodeled the house and built a good barn and outbuild- ings. He also put out fruit and in fact has made the farm a valuable property. In addition to the cultivation of grain and fruit he has also raised and fed stock, keeping about one hundred head of hogs on his place annually and also raising from one to three carloads of cattle each year, feeding all of his grain. In his home he has a telephone line which he
1010
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
constructed and which connects with the public phone on the main road. he paying for exchange. Ilis farm in all of its equipments is modern and up-to-date and everything about his place is indicative of his care, super- vision and practical methods.
On the 14th of February, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. McGinty and Miss Maggie Radigan, who was born in Harrison county, Iowa, but was reared in Neola township, where the wedding was celebrated. They now have two children, John Edward and Anna.
Politically Mr. McGinty is a democrat where national issues are involved but he does not consider himself bound by party ties and frequently casts an independent local ballot. He has never sought or desired office, however, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is now a member of the Catholic church. In his business life his success has been gained through unwearied industry guided by sound judgment, and though he had no assistance at the outset of his career he is now the owner of an excellent property in Neola township.
JOHN RANKIN.
John Rankin, who has departed this life, became a resident of Potta- wattamie county in 1873 and was here engaged in general agricultural pur- suits to the time of his demise. He was born near Allegheny, Pennsylvania. on the 24th of February, 1839, a son of Archibald Rankin, also a native of that state. Upon the home farm he was reared and resided until he had attained middle age, when he removed to Illinois, where he spent a year or two. About 1873 he arrived in Pottawattamie county and secured a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Grove township. He purchased this property of the Osler estate after the cyclone of June 9, 1880, which killed Mr. Osler, his wife and two children. The buildings upon the place having been demolished, Mr. Rankin rebuilt them, set out trees, and other- wise developed the property, adding many modern improvements and con- veniences. His entire life was devoted to farming, save for a year or two in which he operated a sawmill in West Virginia. In all of his farm work he was practical, energetic and persevering, and it was these qualities which enabled him to gain a measure of success whereby he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
It was on the 12th of February, 1862, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, that John Rankin was united in marriage to Miss Alice Giles, who was born in Blythe, England, May 3, 1836, and came to the United States at the age of seven years with her father. She now resides upon the old homestead with her son but spends more or less time with her other children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were born seven children: Archibald, living at Salt Lake, Utah : Jennie, deceased; Laura; John P., who has passed away; William A., who resides on the old homestead; Bruce, of Mills county, Iowa; and Mrs.
1011
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Alice C. Hamilton, of Salt Lake, Utah. The son William, who is now. cultivating the old homestead property. is recognized as one of the energetic and enterprising farmers of the community, thoroughly reliable in his busi- ness affairs. On the 10th of October, 1894, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Gertrude Pace, who was born in Logan county, Illinois, January 13, 1876, and was brought to Pottawattamie county when two years of age by her parents, Charles and Hannah (Sides) Pace, who now reside in Carson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rankin have been born five children : Glenn, Claude, Gladys, Earl and Jolm. The family are much esteemed in the community, where William A. Rankin is successfully carrying forward the work instituted by his father in the improvement and development of the farnı.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.