USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 14
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FRED R. BASTIAN.
In the enjoyment of a well earned rest at his present home in Malcom, Fred R. Bastian and his estimable wife look back upon many years of active labor and usefulness in the course of which they endeared themselves to neighbors and friends and assisted very materially in promoting the welfare of the com- munity. They are both natives of Prussia, Germany. Mr. Bastian was born May 17, 1834, being the son of William and Mary (Crone) Bastian, both of whom were born in Pomman, Germany.
Mr. Bastian, of this review, received his education in the common schools and continued upon his father's farm until he was fourteen years of age. He then hired out at thirty dollars per year as a farm hand and worked for wages until 1862, when he was married to Miss Hannah Strebeng, a daughter of Christian and Mary (Pessel) Strebeng, both of whom were natives of Prussia and identified with the farming interests. The mother died in Germany and in 1868 Mr. Strebeng came to America where he died the same year at the home of his son in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1868 Mr. Bastian crossed the ocean with his family to the new world and for two years worked by the day on a farm near Wilton Center, Illinois, then becoming a renter of land for six years in the same section. Having de- cided to seek his fortune further west, he came to fowa, and for thirteen years rented a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. During these years, with the assistance of his wife and by the practice of wise economy, he acquired sufficient capital to buy eighty acres of land two miles east of Malcom, in Poweshiek county. He met with such favorable results upon his farm that two years later he purchased another tract of eighty acres in Bear township. His fields responded to his care and labor and he became one of the sub- stantial citizens of the county, continuing as an agriculturist and stock-raiser
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until 1909, when he retired from active work, rented his farm, and he and his wife are now living at Malcom where they expect to spend the remainder of their days. Two children were born to them, namely: Charles, now a farmer of Malcom township, who married Miss Nellie Wickman, and has one daughter, Nellie, aged fourteen years; and William, now living on a farm in Chester township, who married Miss Lena Rohr, and who have two children: Powell, eleven years of age, and Arnold, aged three years.
Mr. Bastian and his wife are consistent members of the German Lutheran church of Malcom. In political faith he gives his adherence to the republican party, but has never held public office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business and his family. Although seventy-seven years of age he is in excellent health and bodily strength and is proud of the fact that he has never experienced a single day's illness since arriving in America. Both he and his wife are widely known in the county where they have lived so many years. They have truly performed their part in enhancing the comfort and happiness of those with whom they have associated.
ALVIN D. RAYL.
A well kept farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township which conveys the impression of comfort and prosperity is the homestead of Alvin D. Rayl. He was born in this township April 24, 1864, a son of Hymelius and Sarah J. (Macy) Rayl. The father was born in North Carolina. March 25, 1827, and the mother in Indiana. They were married in the latter state, and later came to Poweshiek county and established a home in Sugar Creek township. Subsequently they moved to Washington township, upon eighty acres, and after a few years the farm was increased by the addition of sixty- five acres. As old age approached they made their home with the subject of this review where the father is now living, Mrs. Rayl having been called away December 18, 1901. Mr. Rayl is a member of the Society of Friends and in politics adheres to the republican party. In their family were eight children, namely: William C., of Newton, Iowa; Charles T., who is now living with the subject of this review; Jabez H., of Union county, Iowa; Jesse M., of Post, Kansas; Esther A., the wife of Luther Stanley, of Jasper county ; Alvin D .; Estella, the wife of Harry Thompson, of Poweshiek county ; and Barclay H., who resides in Texas.
Alvin D. Rayl received his education in the district schools of Washington township and at the Lynnville high school. After completing his education he assisted his father upon the home farm until reaching his majority, and then rented land upon his own account in Washington township. After acquiring sufficient capital he purchased sixty-five acres and, in 1894, bought eighty acres of his father's land, to which he added another tract of eighty acres, disposing of the sixty-five acres which he originally owned. His farm which comprises one hundred and sixty acres presents a neat and thrifty appearance and gives evidence of a high state of cultivation and abundant annual returns. He makes
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HYMELIUS RAYL AND FAMILY Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary-June 9, 1901.
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a specialty of raising hogs for the market and as he follows progressive modern methods he is highly successful.
On the 25th of December, 1901, Mr. Rayl was married to Miss Molly J. Revis, a daughter of J. W. and Catherine Revis, of Grinnell, Iowa. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rayl: Elsie, who was born April 4, 1903; Delbert, born June 6, 1905; and Thelma, born July 9, 1907.
Mr. Rayl has engaged in farming since his boyhood, and having early been thoroughly instructed in farm work and management he has avoided many mistakes of those less thoroughly trained and is now enjoying the fruits of years of patient and carefully directed industry. In political belief he gives his allegiance to the republican party and has served very acceptably as a mem- ber of the school board. He is a stanch supporter of Christianity and holds membership in the Society of Friends, an organization in which he was reared and whose principles in an important degree have been his guide through life. Possessing qualities which win success in business and the confidence of his associates, he enjoys the good will of liis neighbors and of all who know him.
EVAN S. EVANS, M. D.
Dr. Evan S. Evans, a successful medical practitioner of Grinnell, has built up and is now enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice as a physician and surgeon. His birth occurred in Hamptog. Iowa, on the 20th of October. 1880, his parents being William D. and 'Julia (Stark) Evans. The Evans family has long been a prominent one in this state, the grandfather of our subject, Evan J. Evans, being one of the early .Welsh Congregational ministers of Iowa county. Both he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Davis, were natives of Wales. They were married just before or just after their emigra- tion to the new world, their first home being near Racine, Wisconsin, in the Welsh colony of that section. About 1857 they came west to Iowa, locating in Iowa county, where Evan J. Evans preached the gospel for a great many years, becoming one of the most widely known early divines of the state. His demise occurred in lowa county sometime in the early 'Sos but his widow still survives, making her home with a daughter in Williamsburg.
William D. Evans, the father of Dr. Evans, was born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1852 and was admitted to the bar after receiving his law degree from the State University of Iowa. He was actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Hampton, Iowa, until about 1901, when he was elected judge of the district court, thus serving until 1908. In that year he was appointed to fill a vacancy as judge of the supreme court and on the expiration of the term was regularly elected to the office, while in 1910 he was reelected. His wife is the daughter of Benjamin Stark, who was a great-nephew of General John Stark of Revolutionary fame. One of their sons, William Donald Evans, Jr., is a prominent attorney of Des Moines, while David W. Evans, an uncle of Dr. Evans of this review, is a leading lawyer of Hampton, Iowa.
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Evans S. Evans was reared under the parental roof and was graduated irom the Hampton high school with the class of 1897. He then entered Iowa College and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1902, winning the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In the fall of 1903 he took up the study of medicine in Rush Medical College and, being given one year's credit because of his degrec, graduated from that institution in 1906. Subsequently he spent six months as interne in the Chicago Emergency Hospital, while during the next eighteen months he served an interneship in the Cook County Hospital. Locat- ing for practice at Brooklyn, lowa, he there remained for a little less than a year and then came to Grinnell, which town has since been the scene of his professional labors. His practice has steadily grown in volume and impor- tance as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. He is a member of both the Poweshiek County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society, thus keeping in touch with the advance- ment made by the profession.
In 1908 Dr. Evans was joined in wedlock to Miss Marabelle Baldwin, of Whitewater, Wisconsin. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congre- gational church, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Herman Lodge, No. 273. He is also a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America and belongs to two Greek letter fra- ternities, the Phi Beta Phi and the Alpha Omega Alpha. He is conscientious and faithful in the discharge of his professional duties and in his practice con- forms closely to a high standard of professional ethics.
JOHN W. JACKSON.
John W. Jackson, who is engaged in stock-raising in Union township, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 15th of February, 1855. His father, Jesse Jackson, was a native of the same place, his birth having occurred on the 24th of April, 1833. There he met and subsequently married Miss Catherine Bryan, who was born in Virginia on the 12th of October, 1832, their union being solemnized on the 13th of April, 1854. They began their domestic life on a farm in Clinton county, continuing to reside there until 1858, in which year they migrated to lowa, living on a farm in Warren county for four years. At the expiration of that period they returned to Ohio, where they resided for eight years. In 1871 they again came to lowa, locating on a farm which Mr. Jackson purchased in Union township, Poweshiek county, and there he engaged in general farming and stock-raising during the remainder of his active career. He passed away on the 19th of October. 1902, but the mother is still living, at the age of seventy-nine years, and continues to reside upon the old home- stead. Mr. Jackson was a member of the Society of Friends, while his political support he gave to the republican party, by which body he was elected a mem- ber of the board of school directors. Unto him and his wife were born four
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children, the order of their birth being as follows: John W., our subject ; Elbridge L., who is living at home ; Lillian, the wife of William Tindall, of Union town- ship ; and Adelia, who became the wife of Henry C. Saunders, of Jackson town- ship.
The common schools of Clinton county, Ohio, and Union township, Pow- eshiek county, provided John W. Jackson with his preliminary education, fol- lowing which he attended Penn College at Oskaloosa, lowa. After the com- pletion of his education he remained at home and engaged in teaching school for five or six years. He subsequently decided that he preferred to follow agricultural pursuits and so purchased a farm in Union township, where, in addition to the cultivation of his fields, he breeds and raises thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, which has proven to be a very lucra- tive business.
Fraternally Mr. Jackson is affiliated with the Masonic order, hokling mem- bership in the lodge of Montezuma. His political support he has accorded the republican party ever since granted the right of franchise on attaining his ma- jority. He is now serving as township assessor, has filled the office of town- ship clerk and is also acting in the capacity of secretary of the school board. Mr. Jackson is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of Union town- ship as well as a capable business man, whose judgment and opinion has consid- erable influence in local matters.
WILLIS CLINTON BENSON.
Willis Clinton Benson, who is engaged in the produce business in Sears- boro, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1846, and is a son of James and Sarah ( McPowell) Benson. The parents were also natives of Fayette county, where the mother passed away in 1848. The father, who was a cobbler, migrated to Iowa in 1850, locating in Benton county, where he followed his trade for two years. He purchased a farm at the end of that time and engaged in agricultural pursuits, continuing to be identified with that avoca- tion until about twenty-five years prior to his demise, which occurred on the 15th of April, 1896. Mr. Benson was a republican in politics and fraternally he affiliated with the Masonic order. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Benson there were born two children of whom the daughter. Sarah M., who is now deceased, was the younger.
As he was only a lad of four years when his father settled in Iowa, Willis Clinton Benson obtained his education in the common schools of Benton county. The experiences of his early years were very similar to those of the majority of boys who spend their lives in the rural districts. He early became familiar with the routine work of the homestead, his duties and responsibilities increasing with his age and development. After leaving school he gave his entire atten- tion to the work of the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He subse- quently came to Poweshiek county, locating in Sugar Creek township, but later he removed to Clarke county, Iowa, and purchased a farm upon which he resided for four years. Disposing of his interest at the expiration of that time
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he returned to Poweshiek county, settling in Sugar Creek township, where he rented a farm. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1893, when he removed to Searsboro and engaged in the produce business for four years. At the end of that period he withdrew from this occupation and returned to the country, where he engaged in general farming until 1906, when he again went into the produce business, this time being associated with Charles Evans. At the end of the first year he purchased his partner's interest, and has ever since conducted the business alone. He handled all kinds of produce, in addition to which he is also the agent for the DeLaval cream separator.
On the 7th of May, 1871, Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Tish, a daughter of Samuel R. and Catherine (Shafer) Tish. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio, in which state they were also married. The father, who was a farmer and a cabinet-maker by trade, came to Iowa in the early days, acquiring a farm of two hundred and fifteen acres in Sugar Creek township. The mother passed away on the home- stead in 1897, and the demise of the father occurred in the same place in April, 1904. He was a democrat, and Mrs. Tish was a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Benson is also a native of the Buckeye state, her birth having oc- curred there in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Benson were born the following chil- dren : Willis, who is a resident of Clemens Grove, Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of Horace Ent, of Grinnell ; Sarah Ann, who is deceased; Alta, the wife of Richard Myeis, of Sugar Creek township; Ida, who married Herman Kluger, of Swea City, Iowa ; Charles A., who is living in Grinnell; and Goldie, the wife of Ros- coe Bartlett, of Brighton, Iowa.
His political support Mr. Benson gives to the democracy. He has served as city marshal, while for the past five or six terms he has acted as constable. In matters religious the views of both himself and wife coincide with the principles of the Friends church, in which they hold membership and in the faith of which they reared their family.
JOHN EIRP.
Starting as a boy on his own account John Eirp, who is now the owner of a valuable farm in Poweshiek county, worked his way through many ob- stacles and attained a position of comparative independence. The efforts which he was obliged to make strengthened the muscles and also developed his character, so that he is today highly respected, not alone on account of his suc- cess in business, but also because of his reputation for honest and straightfor- ward dealing, which is an asset greatly to be valued.
He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, in March, 1860, a son of Andrew and Sarah (Johnson) Eirp, the former of whom was born in Columbus, Ohio, and the latter in West Virginia. The father of our subject removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1858, and there engaged in farming for eleven years. He then moved to Missouri, but after two years returned to this state and settled per- manently in Poweshiek county, where he engaged in farming until his death,
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which occurred in 1901. The mother is still living and makes her home in this county.
John Eirp received limited advantages of education in the district schools as he was obliged to begin working for wages at the age of twelve years. He continued to work by the month until he was twenty-eight years of age and in the course of this time became thoroughly acquainted with all the details of farming and stock-raising. About 1888 he rented land in Jefferson township, which he later purchased, and now owns a farm of two hundred acres. The farm is beautifully located and is provided with modern improvements, making it one of the desirable places of the township. He feeds cattle and raises Poland China hogs for the market. He also buys and sells horses and is regarded as an expert in the various lines to which he devotes his attention.
In April, 1888, Mr. Eirp was married to Miss Ella H. Meyer, a daughter of Henry and Veronica (Bull) Meyer. The parents were both born in Germany and emigrated to this country. The father was a ship carpenter and became a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Eirp have six children : Ethel, who married A. M. McCarty, a farmer of Jefferson township, and who is the mother of three children, Ilarry, Howard and Jessie; Maggie; Andrew; Orrin; Carrie ; and James, all of whom are residing at home.
Politically Mr. Eirp casts his ballot in support of the democratic party, the principles of which he endorses as essential to the permanency and prosperity of the nation. He has through life been accustomed to work, having early learned its value, and he and his estimable wife have reared their children so that they may become useful and efficient members of society, willing to make sacrifices if necessary for the promotion of the comfort and happiness of others, and also desirous at all times of performing their part in whatsoever station they may be found. Mr. Eirp takes just pride in his family and in his farm, and as he is energetic and capable in whatever he undertakes he ranks as one of the successful men of the county.
C. F. RANDALL.
A well tilled quarter section in Chester township has yielded most gratify- ing returns for the labor expended by the owner, C. F. Randall, who during the entire period of his active career has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Randall was born on the 17th of January, 1860, in Jackson county, Iowa, and is a son of John and Mary (Words) Randall, natives of England. They were married on the 18th of November, 1857, the ceremony taking place in New York city. Immediately following this event they went to Jackson county, where Mr. Randall, who was a Methodist minister, had a charge to which he had been ministering for some time. They remained residents of Jackson county until 1877, at which time they removed to Poweshiek county, locating upon a farm in Sheridan township. Mr. Randall had left the ministry in 1859, just two years after his marriage, engaging from that time on in agricultural pursuits. In 1905 he removed to Everson, near Puget Sound, Washington,
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where he is now living retired. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Randall, the son, C. F., subject of this review, being the eldest.
Being reared upon a farm C. F. Randall acquired his education in the dis- trict schools of Jackson county, having resided there until he was seventeen years of age. In his boyhood and youth he always gave his father such as- sistance as he was able to perform in the cultivation of the homestead, and by the time he had reached manhood had quite a comprehensive knowledge of agricultural methods. The training of his early years has ever been put to the best use and he now owns one of the good farms of Chester township, in the cultivation of which he has been engaged since 1901. Subsequent to his marriage in 1887 Mr. Randall and his bride removed to Nebraska where they continued to live for nine years, then returned to Poweshiek county, where he engages in general farming.
Mrs. Randall, who prior to her marriage on the 5th of January, 1887, was Miss Nellie M. Wolcott, was a daughter of Edwin and Angeline A. (Barnum) Wolcott. The parents were natives of New York, but were living in Iowa at the time on their marriage. They removed to Poweshiek county in 1871. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Randall: Charles C., who is a graduate of Grinnell Academy. at Grinnell; and Mary A. and Raymond G. Mrs. Randall, who was the second in order of birth of the nine children born unto her parents, passed away on the 24th of February, 1908, at the age of forty-two years, three months and eighteen days.
The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, their iden- tification being with the church at Senora. An ardent republican Mr. Randall gives his political support to the candidates of that party, but as he is not an office seeker does not prominently participate in local activities of a govern- mental nature.
GEORGE COX.
Although George Cox is now practically living retired he is still financially interested in the mercantile enterprise conducted under the style of C. N. Cox & Company at Deep River, one of the largest concerns of its kind in this section of Poweshick county.
He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 9, 1839, a son of Ephraim and Margaret (Christy) Cox, the father born in Ohio, in 1801, and the mother in Pennsylvania in the same year. The paternal grandfather, Christopher Cox. was a trader with the Indians in Ohio. The maternal grandparents were natives of Scotland but emigrated to the new world in an early day, making a location in Pennsylvania. Ephraim Cox was reared in the Buckeye state and was there married to Miss Margaret Christy, making his home in that state until 1854, which year witnessed his arrival in Poweshick county. He here entered four hundred acres of land in Deep River township and at once began to develop and improve his property, and it eventually became very valuable. In his home place he had one hundred and forty acres, and he also made many improvements on
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this land. He and his wife reared a family of eight children: Nancy, who be- came the wife of George Huffman, and who died in Indiana ; Robert, who makes his home in Deep River ; Mary Jane, the widow of William Cochran, a resident of Fort Collins, Colorado: Samuel, who lost his life by the explosion of a boiler in a sawmill in 1856: Christopher, a resident of Nebraska: Mrs. Sarah Ann Farmer, who departed this life in Kansas; Mrs. Margaret Wherry, a resident of Guernsey, Iowa ; and George, whose name introduces this review. Both the parents have long since passed away, the father dying in 1862, and the mother in 1877. They were numbered among the worthy pioneers of this section of Poweshiek county. The old home in Deep River was situated on the old stage line between lowa City and Grinnell and was the stopping place for travelers in 1857-61.
George Cox was reared in Ohio until he reached the age of fifteen years when, in 1854, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Poweshiek county. He here assisted his father in making a home on the frontier and in cultivating his land until the time of the latter's death, when he undertook the management of the farm for his mother, so continuing for four years. He then began farming on his own account, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of raw prairie, on a part of which the village of Deep River now stands. He added to his original holdings from time to time until he became the owner of four hundred and twenty acres, but he has sold off some of this and now has four hundred acres, on which he erected a fine modern home three years ago.' In 1870, in connection with his brother-in-law, E. M. Funk, he engaged in general merchandising at the old town of Dresden but, in 1884. when the railroad was built through the village of Deep River, he moved his stock of goods to this place and has been interested in the enterprise from that time to the present. He is, however, now living practically retired, the business being managed by his son,"C. N., the firm being known under the style of C. N. Cox & Company. In the years that have passed they have built up a splendid trade and this is one of the large and important concerns of this part of the county. In addition to this Mr. Cox also had various other interests for, in 1884, he also purchased an elevator at Brooklyn, which he moved to this place, and until 1900 conducted a grain, coal and lumber busi- ness. He also had considerable stock in the bank at Deep River. Mr. Cox, dur- ing the years of his active connection with business affairs, amassed a consider- able amount of money, which he has invested in Louisiana lands, owning today fifteen hundred acres which he rents for the cultivation of rice. From this in- vestment he derives a substantial income that enables him to spend the evening of his days in practical retirement, and he now merely gives supervision to his financial interests.
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