USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 12
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He was then eighteen years of age and saw for the first time the practices and abuses of slavery, and the opinion which he formed of the system led him later to espouse the abolitionist cause. His attendance at college was alternated by periods of school-teaching, but after the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all personal considerations and responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting on the 5th of July, 1861, at Iowa City, as a member of Company F, Tenth Iowa Infantry. He was elected second lieutenant and with his command went south, serving with that regiment until February, 1862, when a relapse after an attack of measles forced him to resign and he returned to Montezuma. He then pur- chased a drug store and began the study of medicine, thinking to become a physi- cian. But on the 5th of July, 1862, following the call for three hundred thousand men, he began raising the company that was attached to the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry as Company C. He was commissioned its captain and served until
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the close of the war. During his previous enlistment he had held the rank of second lieutenant. The succeeding winter was passed in Arkansas and Missis- sippi, after which the command entered upon active campaigning, taking part in the battles of Port Gibson, Edwards Station, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge and the siege of Vicksburg, followed by the battle of Jackson, Missis- sippi. Later the command returned to Vicksburg and subsequently with the Department of the Gulf went to New Orleans in August, 1863. The year fol- lowing Captain Carr participated in the engagements at Carrion Crow Bayou and Chaffelisle Bayou in Louisiana. In the spring of 1864 he took part in the Red River expedition under Banks and in July of that year was sent to Washington and afterward participated in the campaign in the Shenandoah valley under Sheri- dan in the battles of Berryville, Virginia ; and of Winchester. At the last named he was wounded, a minie ball piercing his right leg which rendered him unfit for service for six weeks, during which time he was at Harpers Ferry until Sep- tember 25, when he obtained leave of absence and returned home. On his recov- ery he rejoined his regiment, with which he remained until the close of the war. Owing to the wounds sustained by his colonel, lieutenant colonel and major he assumed command of the regiment and following his return at the close of the war was brevetted major. After Sheridan's campaign the regiment went to Savannah to return with Sherman and participated in the engagement at New- berne, North Carolina, and subsequently went to Augusta and assisted in paroling Johnston's army. The muster out came at Savannah, July 31, 1865, and later the command proceeded to Davenport, where the troops were honorably dis- charged and dispersed. That the service was arduous is indicated by the fact that out of the one hundred men of his company originally mustered in and twenty recruits, but forty-five came home together.
Following his return to Montezuma, Captain Carr engaged in general mer- chandising until 1869, when he was elected clerk of the district court, which posi- tion he filled by reelection for three terms, or six years. During that period he studied law and was admitted to the bar in February, 1877. He has since prac- ticed his profession in Montezuma with the exception of a year spent in Des Moines, and for three terms, or six years, he filled the office of county attorney. He was for a time a member of the firm of Redman & Carr, the senior partner becoming subsequently speaker of the Iowa house of representatives. From the beginning of his practice Captain Carr has been accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage and has been associated with much of the important liti- gation tried in the courts of this district. He prepares his cases thoroughly and his arguments are strongly logical and convincing. He is also well known in financial circles in Poweshiek county, having been president of the Montezuma Savings Bank since its organization in 1893. He was also at one time a director of the First National Bank, which he aided in establishing. He was the owner of considerable farm property in Poweshiek county together with a fine home in Montezuma, but has recently sold his farm property.
On the 10th of January, 1866, in this city Captain Carr was married to Miss Lottie Frick, who was born in Erie, New York, April 30, 1844, and was reared in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. While visiting her sister, Mrs. M. E. Cutts, she formed the acquaintance of Captain Carr, who sought her hand in marriage. Their chil-
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dren are: Fred, who for fifteen years has been associated with his father in the practice of law ; and Clifford W., a dentist of Los Angeles, California.
In his political views Captain Carr has always been a stalwart republican and in addition to the offices already mentioned he has served as a member of the city council at Montezuma and as a member of the school board. He belongs to Wis- ner Post, No. 127. G. A. R., of which he has been commander, and holds mem- bership with Lafayette Lodge No. 52, A. F. & A. M., of Montezuma, and the Royal Arch Chapter at Malcolm, Iowa. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Montezuma and of the State Bar Association. His activi- ties have been most varied and in every relation of life he seems to have had a regard for the duties and obligations of citizenship and to have labored at all times for the progress and upbuilding of the community in which he has so long lived. No man in Montezuma is held in higher regard or more justly de- serves the respect and honor accorded him.
ROBERT RICE.
Robert Rice, who will long be remembered as a prominent farmer and a noble-hearted citizen of Grinnell township, was a native of Wayne county, Ken- tucky, born May 3, 1853. He was the son of Ebenezer and Rebecca ( Parm- ley) Rice. both of whom were born in Wayne county. The family came to Iowa in the early 'zos, and located in Jasper county west of Grinnell, where the parents lived until their death.
Robert Rice received his preliminary education in Kentucky and grew up under the shelter of a kindly home. His opportunities of attendance at school were limited, but he possessed a bright mind and was a close observer and be- came a man of good general knowledge and thorough discrimination. He came with his parents to Iowa and after his marriage began working on his own ac- count on a farm east of Kellogg, Jasper county. He applied himself with such excellent results that he acquired about five hundred acres and was known as one of the most prosperous farmers of that part of the county. About 1897 he sold his farm, and later purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the fair grounds in Grinnell township. Poweshiek county. He also was the owner of two hundred and forty-five acres six miles west of Grinnell. He engaged in general farming, but made a specialty of cattle feeding, a branch which he understood scientifically, and in this line he was remarkably successful, be- coming one of the important cattle feeders of the county.
In 1876 Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Martha Armelda Parmley, a native of Wayne county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Robert and Zerilda (Strunk) Parmley of Parmleyville, Kentucky. Mrs. Rice came to Iowa in her young womanhood with an aunt. In 1877 her parents removed to Kansas and located near Tisdale. The father died March 24, 1907, being then in his sev- enty-ninth year. Mr. Rice was called away April 4, 1907, at the age of fifty- four years, in the height of an honorable and useful career. Politically, he
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gave his support to the democratic party, and fraternally he was identified with the Odd Fellows.
His success in business was due to his great energy and thorough knowl- edge of a vocation which he studied in all its details. He spared no iabor or pains to become thorough and efficient and the honorable record he attained is evidence of his high character and ability. By his many estimable qualities he gained a host of friends who extended to him their sincere regard as a worthy member of the great brotherhood of man.
BYRAM B. MARTIN.
Byram B. Martin, who for a number of years has been identified with the insurance business in Malcom, in which connection he has been accorded a most liberal patronage throughout this community and Poweshiek county, is also entitled to special mention as an honored veteran of the Civil war.
He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred near Greencastle, Put- nam county, on the 20th of April, 1842. His parents, Robert and Lucy ( Routt) Martin, were born in Virginia and Kentucky respectively, and were married in the latter state. They became early settlers of Indiana, and there the mother passed away in 1847. In 1852 Mr. Martin became a resident of Boone county, Iowa, where he entered a large tract of land, consisting of about eight hundred acres, and upon which he made his home until the fall of 1859, when he came to Poweshiek county, locating near Montezuma, where he spent his remaining years. He passed away while on a visit to Greencastle, Indiana. After the death of his first wife he again married in Indiana, his second union being with Mrs. Nancy Nosler. Iler death occurred in Montezuma. By his first marriage Mr. Martin had six sons and four daughters, of whom Byram B. Martin was the seventh in order of birth. Unto the second marriage was born one son.
Byram B. Martin spent the first ten years of his life in the state of his nativity and, in 1852, came with the family to Iowa. He remained with his father, assisting him in his agricultural pursuits, until twenty years of age when, in July, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a soldier in Company K, Eighteenth lowa Infantry. His term of service extended over three years, or until the close of hostilities, and, in August, 1865, he was mus- tered out with a creditable record for loyalty and bravery. He participated in many of the important engagements, including the battle at Springfield, Missouri, Poison Spring, Kansas, and the campaign against Price and the Red River cam- paign. He took part in all of the activities of his regiment, with the exception of a few weeks which he spent in a hospital.
After the country no longer needed his services he returned home and for two years was engaged in farming in Poweshiek county. At the end of that time he became a barber and for twenty-five years followed that trade in Mon- tezuma and Malcom. He was then appointed postmaster of the latter city under the administration of President Harrison, and capably and efficiently filled that office for a term of four years, proving a most popular official. Upon retiring
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from that position he embarked in the fire insurance business to which he has given his entire attention for the past twelve years. He has made a careful study of the business, familiarizing himself with all of its various phases, and through the intervening years has so conducted his enterprise that he has built up a most gratifying clientage throughout Malcom and Poweshiek county, which is constantly expanding in volume and growing in importance.
On the 12th of June, 1867, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fernean, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 16, 1844. Her parents were Levi and Elizabeth (Taylor) Ferneau, who were both natives of Ohio, where the mother's death occurred. Later the father was again married and in the fall of 1856 brought his family to Iowa, locating in this county on a farm near Montezuma, where he passed his remaining days. Two sons and four daughters were born unto his first union, while by the second marriage there was one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have become the parents of six children, who are as follows: Charles E., a resident of Oakland, California ; La Rue, the wife of Charles H. Blumenauer, of Steubenville, Ohio; R. L., of Malcom; Mary A., who wedded A. L. Burford, of Brooklyn; Nellie M., who wedded L. P. Raymond; and Lucy E., the wife of George Graff, of Sheridan township.
Politically Mr. Martin gives his support to the republican party and he has served as a member of the town council and the school board, although he is not a politician in the sense of office-seeking. He is a member of Lodge No. 369, I. O. O. F., of Malcom, and is a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Montezuma, which was organized in 1866. He is a man of marked public spirit and in his life exemplifies those qualities which win con- fidence, respect and good will.
PETER SCHMIDT.
A resident of Poweshiek county since 1855, Peter Schmidt well deserves the name of pioneer and has earned a position as one of the highly successful citi- zens of the county by acquiring a valuable farm of five hundred acres, upon which he now lives. He is a native of Germany, born September 16, 1826, and is a son of William and Catherine (Baker) Schmidt. The father was a farmer and both he and his wife passed their entire lives in the old country. He died in 1834 and Mrs. Schmidt passed away sixteen years later.
Peter Schmidt acquired his education in the public schools of his native land, and after he grew to manhood engaged in railroad work until he was twenty-six years of age. Being attracted to the new world he crossed the ocean and stopped for a time in New York city and Philadelphia, also spending one year on a farm near Altoona, Pennsylvania. He then traveled westward as far as St. Louis, where he secured work upon a railroad, later engaging as a farm laborer in Illinois. On October 20, 1855, he arrived in Poweshiek county and, having carefully saved his earnings, he purchased a small tract of land, to which he has added as his resources permitted until he now has a beautiful
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place of five hundred acres, which is provided with every modern facility. He has engaged in general farming and has also been very successful in raising and fattening stock for the market. In addition to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the bank at Searsboro.
On the 7th of August, 1863, Mr. Schmidt was married to Miss Eliza Sand- ers, who was born in Ohio, July 12, 1847, and is a daughter of Henry an.l Hattie (Smith) Sanders. The parents were both natives of the Keystone state. They inoved to Ohio and in 1856 came to Poweshiek county and located near Monte- zuma. They were both members of the Presbyterian church and politically Mr. Sanders gave his support to the democratic party. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt, namely: William, who is now engaged in farming in Washington township; Sarah, the wife of Herman Sella, of Washington town- ship ; Samuel, of Jasper county, Iowa ; Frank, who is deceased ; Henry, also of Washington township; Mary, the wife of William Whalen, of Mahaska county ; Rosie, who became the wife of August Dager, of North Dakota; Peter, who is at home; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Guy Ford, of North Dakota; and Francis, also at home.
In religious faith Mr. Schmidt is a Catholic. He has never sought political honors, as his time and attention have largely been devoted to the management of his farm and his promising family of children whom he reared to principles of honor and usefulness. He has now reached the advanced age of eighty-five years and upon younger men rests the responsibility of looking after the home farm, but he still takes a lively interest in agricultural affairs and also in the development of the community of which he has been a member for more than a half century. He has been a living witness of the development of Poweshiek county from the original prairie and woodland to the present state of high pro- ductiveness, and is justly honored as one of the substantial and efficient agen- cies by which this great transformation has been wrought.
FRED C. RAYBURN.
The citizens of Pleasant township, Poweshiek county, are glad to claim Fred C. Rayburn as one of their native sons, for he is a most enterprising and progressive young farmer, born here on the 30th of July, 1872, a son of John G. and Annie (Gier) Rayburn. The parents were born in the state of Ohio but are numbered among the pioneers of Poweshiek county, having settled here in the early '50s. For many years the father followed farming in this section of the state but he is now living retired in Montezuma, where he and his esti- mable wife are enjoying the fruits of their former toil. Unto them have been born six children, namely: Ettie, the deceased wife of Fred Ingram ; Charles, a resident of Dalhart, Texas ; Fred C., whose name introduces this review ; Flora, the wife of Clyde Blain, a resident of Jackson township: Alfred, of Monte- zuma, and Harland, who is a student of art in Chicago.
Fred C. Rayburn, the third in order of birth, was reared on the home farm, early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farm lad,
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and as his age and strength increased he more largely assumed responsibilities and thus was qualified to carry on business on his own account in later life. He remained with his parents until they removed to Montezuma and then took up farming on his own account. He has prospered in his undertakings and is now the owner of three hundred acres of valuable farm land, situated on section 20, Pleasant township, which is known as the old Ewart property and has been in his possession since 1904. His place is well improved and he makes stock- feeding the principal feature of his labors.
It was on the 20th of January, 1897, that Mr. Rayburn was married to Miss Mattie Ewart, who was born on the farm which is still her home, February 8, 1876. Her father, Robert Ewart, who was one of the well known and prosper- out farmers of Pleasant township, is now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ray- burn have been born a son and daughter, Lester and Bernice.
In politics Mr. Rayburn is a republican and is now serving his second term as township trustee. He attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church, but is not a member of any religious organization. He is a stockholder in the Ewart Cooperative Creamery Company and is ever interested in any industry or enterprise that tends to benefit the community in which he makes his home. He and his wife are well known here, for their entire lives have been passed in the district which is still their home and their numerous friends have for them the highest regard and esteem.
EDGAR J. HARRIS.
Edgar J. Harris, a well known farmer of Poweshiek county, comes of an industrious family, as is indicated by the prosperity enjoyed by four brothers, all of whom were born in England and sought in America the opportunities unavailable under conditions existing in the old world. Mr. Harris was born at Dorsetshire, England, August 31, 1872, and is the son of James and Eliza- beth ( Slade) Harris, both of whom were born in Dorsetshire. Mr. Harris spent his entire life in England as a farmer, but the mother came to America in 1890, after the death of her husband, and is now living with one of her sons in Poweshiek county.
Elgar J. Harris was educated in England and at seventeen years of age crossed the ocean to America with Edwin Dare, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He came to Poweshiek county and soon found em- ploynient at farm labor. Later he rented the old Williams' farm in Chester township, which he cultivated to good advantage for eleven years and then, in 1898, purchased one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he established his homestead. He also acquired eighty acres on Bear creek, and is, therefore, the owner of two hundred and forty acres of good Poweshiek county land which yields each year a handsome revenue. He is a general farmer and stock- feeder and the success he has achieved is the direct result of his industry. energy and wise management.
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On the IIth of July, 1900, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Mary D. Schmidt, a daughter of William Schmidt, for many years a resident of Poweshiek county and one of its prosperous farmers. Mr. Harris is recognized as a wide-awake, up-to-date man, and a public-spirited citizen, who has con- tributed his share toward the progress of the community. His farm has been excellently managed and his home is one of the handsomest residences in the township. In politics he supports the republican party and, having been reared in the Church of England, he has through life been faithful to its tenets.
JOHN S. BEELER.
The memory of John S. Beeler, for the past forty-five years a resident of Poweshiek county, carries him back still further to the pioneer days of Iowa, when a large part of this great state was yet open prairie and little was known as to its resources.
He was born at Marion, Iowa, September 13, 1845, and was a member of a family of sixteen children-eight sons and eight daughters-of Fred and Nancy (Dollarhide) Beeler, the former of whom was a native of West Virginia and the latter of Indiana. They were married in 1836 at Indianapolis, and in 1837 came to lowa and lived for several years at Muscatine, where the father engaged in work in connection with the river traffic. From that place he moved to Linn county, lowa, and took up land at Marion, being one of the early settlers of that section. The Indians were still wandering at large through the country when lie arrived in Linn county and he maintained with them the most friendly relations, often trading horses with his visitors. This was a favorite diversion of the early days. He was a man of good business ability and a large landowner, pos- sessing one thousand acres of good Linn county land. In politics he gave his support to the democratic party, and in religious belief affiliated with the Metho- dist church, of which he was deacon and trustee. He took a great interest in education and was a valued member of the school board. A man of inany ster- ling characteristics, he was greatly respected wherever he was known. He died February 12, 1895, having then reached the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Beeler was called away five years later.
Jolin S. Beeler, of this review, received his early education in the public schools of Marion, Iowa, and also had the advantage of attendance at the high school in the same town. He was reared under the favorable conditions of farm life, and even as a boy displayed remarkable strength and ability in his work. One day, in a few hours, he split eighty-five railroad ties. He followed this occu- pation for twenty-seven days and then in December, 1866, arrived in Poweshiek county and went to work on shares under his uncle, George M. Beeler. In 1868 his father gave him a farm in Linn county, which he soon afterward disposed of. and settled on productive land in Poweshiek county where he has since continued. He is now the owner of six hundred acres, and his wife owns sixty-eight acres in this county. He also owns three hundred and forty acres in Missouri. He has for thirty-five years been a large raiser and feeder of stock, devoting his attention
MR. AND MRS. JOIN S. BEELER
ASTEN TILD
A
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especially to Hereford cattle and the breeding of Percheron horses, in which he has attained an enviable reputation.
On the 22d of January, 1871, Mr. Beeler was united in marriage to Miss Ellen C. Beeler, a daughter of George M. and Nancy (Carpenter ) Beeler, and of this union ten children have been born, namely: Ira C., who is now living in Washingtown township; Ora F., who lives at Hugo, Colorado; George F., of Pleasant township; May, who became the wife of L. A. Winters, of Jacob, lowa; Nancy A., who married Joe H. Bradley, of Missouri; Mary, who married E. S. Morrison, a business man of Grinnell ; John Cleveland; Louis Clark, now engaged in farming in Sugar Creek township; Janie, who married John Reed, of Pleasant township; and Clara, who is now a student in the Grinnell high school.
Politically Mr. Beeler gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He has been a candidate for member of the lower house of the state legislature at two different elections but, his party being in the minority, he was unsuccessful and met with defeat. In religious belief he adheres to the faith of the Society of Friends and through life he has aimed to be guided by the teachings of this worthy organization. Fortunate in possessing qualities of mind and heart which are inseparable from honorable manhood, he won the respect of neighbors and ac- quaintances and for many years has been a tower of strength in the community. He has always been loyal to every trust and has ever been ready to assist in every movement for the upbuilding of the section. It is with pleasure that this record is here given of one of the clear-headed and noble-hearted men of Poweshiek county.
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