USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 20
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 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Ever since acquiring the full rights of citizenship Mr. Schmitz has given his political support to the democratic party, but he has always been too absorbed in his private affairs to aspire to a public office, so does not actively participate in local governmental matters. Ile has clearly demonstrated by his life that success invariably awaits him who has the patience, perseverance and deter- mination to conquer conditions.
HERBERT WESTON -SOMERS.
Herbert Weston Somers, who has held the dual position of business manager and secretary of Grinnell College since the Ist of September, 1907, is one of the representative and highly respected residents of this city. His birth occurred in Barnet, Vermont, on the 31st of May, 1857, his parents being John S. and Mary L. Somers, who were likewise natives of that state and came of Scotch ancestry. They removed to Marshall county, Iowa, in 1864 and continued to reside on a farm in that county until 1891, when they took up their abode in Rapid City, South Dakota, both passing away there in January, 1898. They were consistent and devoted members of the Congregational church.
Herbert W. Somers obtained his early education in a country school of Marshall county, Iowa, subsequently attended Grinnell Academy and then en- tered Grinnell College, from which institution he was graduated with the "cyclone class" of 1882-the year of the cyclone in Grinnell. Grinnell College has conferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. He was reared on a farm and when not in school spent all his time there until he had graduated from college. During his junior year in Grinnell College he taught a country school in Marshall county throughout one winter term, at the same time keeping up his own studies. Following his graduation he be- came identified with educational interests as superintendent of the city schools of Rapid City, South Dakota, serving in that capacity from 1882 until 1885. During this period he spent two summer vacations of three months each as traveling salesman for the Morrison Glove Manufacturing Company of Grin-
210
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
nell. In October, 1885, he began work in the First National Bank of Rapid City, South Dakota, and in January, 1898, was elected cashier of the institution, resigning in 1907 to accept a call from the trustees of Grinnell College to act as their business manager and secretary. Since the Ist of September, 1907, he has ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in this connection, his ex- cellent executive ability and sound judgment proving potent factors in the suc- cessful control of the institution. He was formerly a stockliolder and director in the First National Bank of Rapid City and also owned a fourth interest in the stock of the Rapid City Electric Light Company, serving as business manager, secretary and treasurer of the latter concern for eighteen years. He likewise acquired considerable real estate in Rapid City but has disposed of most of it since coming to Grinnell. He has invested in Florida lands to some extent and now owns a fine home at No. 1018 Broad street in Grinnell. Since January, 1910, he has been a director of the Merchants National Bank of Grinnell.
On the 13th of June, 1888, at Jacksonville, Illinois, Mr. Somers was united in marriage to Miss Nellie May Van Zandt, a native of that place. She is a graduate of The Athenaeum a ladies' seminary of Jacksonville, and also pur- sued a vocal course. Mr. and Mrs. Somers have three children, as follows : Leslie V., who was born in 1890 and is a senior in Grinnell College; Helen M., born in 1891, who is a sophomore in Grinnell College; and Paul W., whose natal year was 1895 and who is a high school student.
Mr. Somers is a stanch republican in politics and while a resident of Rapid City served on the school board from 1885 until 1890. He was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen while living there and joined the Com- mercial Clubs in both Rapid City and Grinnell. In early life he became a men- ber of the Congregational church at Green Mountain, Marshall county, lowa, and later joined the church of that denomination in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving as one of its trustees for several years and also acting as Sunday school superintendent from 1884 until 1904. After coming to Grinnell he joined the Congregational church here and has been a deacon since 1910. In manner modest and retiring, free from self-laudation, he is best appreciated by those who know him intimately, and his friendship is greatly prized by those who come within the close circle of lis intimate acquaintance.
JOHN W. SAWYER.
From an outlook which it has required three-quarters of a century to attain Jolin W. Sawyer, of Grinnell, reviews in moments of reminiscence many inter- esting scenes and incidents of his life. A native of New England he traces his descent to worthy ancestry, whose characteristics of grit and perseverance he clearly inherited. He remained in the cast until middle life, but has spent thirty- seven years in Iowa and has been an interested witness of the marvelous growth of this state as it has taken its place well toward the top of the column as one of the most wealthy and progressive commonwealths of the Union. He was
211
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
born in May, 1836, in Vermont, and is a son of Calvin and Fannie (Hatch) Sawyer. The parents were both born in Connecticut, the father in 1793 and the mother in 1797. They removed to Vermont, where Mr. Sawyer engaged in farming and lived for more than fifty years on the old homestead. He died in 1883. his wife having been called away four years earlier.
John W. Sawyer acquired his early education in the district schools and after leaving school was apprenticed to the harness-maker's trade, working for the first three years for the meager compensation of ninety dollars and board. He con- tinued in the harness business in Vermont until 1874 and then came with his fam- ily to Grinnell. Iowa, where he engaged in clerking in a dry-goods store. Being a man of good address and genial social disposition, he made many friends and in 1878 was elected marshal and street commissioner. He resigned from his posi- tion in the store and served for a number of years as a public officer. He also became connected with the coal business and for twenty-five years was identified with the Grinnell Fuel Company. In 1905 he gave up business concerns and is now happy in the serenity of a retired life in the city of his adoption.
On the 29th of November, 1860, Mr. Sawyer, in Hartland, Vermont, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah G. Short, a daughter of Benjamin Short, of Hartland. Two children have blessed this union: Ida Louise, who lives in Chi- cago : and Carroll E., who is married and now lives in Oskaloosa, Iowa, being manager of a branch of the Western Grocers' Company. Mr. Sawyer has, ever since he reached his majority, taken the interest of a patriotic citizen in support- ing the men and measures that seem to him most essential in promoting the gen- cral welfare. As a public official and in private business he always aimed to be just and true to his highest sense of right, and the respect in which he is held in a community where he has long been a resident is the best evidence of his per- sonal worth. He has a host of friends, who sincerely wish that he may enjoy for many years to come abundant health and prosperity.
ALEXANDER H. SMITH.
One of the finely improved farms of Jackson township stands as a monument to a life of activity and enterprise on the part of Alexander H. Smith who, start- ing out in life without any special advantages, has attained to his present posi- tion of prosperity through his own efforts. Born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 26th of July, 1847, he is a son of Solomon and Lethinda (Newman) Smith, both natives of Ohio. Their entire lives were passed in the Buckeye state, where the father followed the blacksmith's trade throughout his active career. Their family consisted of five children, of whom our subject was the first in order of birth. The others were: Harrison, residing in Des Moines; J. A., of Harlan, Iowa; J. B., who passed away at Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and Susanna, the wife of Frank Cunningham. of Pittsburg. Kansas.
The period of his boyhood and youth were spent by Alexander H. Smith in the home of his parents, with whom he remained until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when, in March, 1865, he made his way to Bushnell, Illinois,
212
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
where he was employed as a farm hand for two years. He then came to Powe- shiek county, Iowa, in 1867, and for a similar period was engaged at farm work by the month. The money which he had been able to accumulate then made it possible for him to rent a farm, and for a time he operated a tract of eighty acres located in Jackson township. It was not long before he was able to purchase a farm of his own, and he invested in his present place, consisting of three hun- dred and twenty acres on sections 3 and 4, Jackson township. Since that time he has given nich of his time to the further development of this property, which is now a well improved tract, equipped with good barns and outbuildings, with neat fences and all of the modern accessories for facilitating farm labor. In 1910 he erected his present fine nine-room dwelling, supplied with all modern conveniences including water and gas systems. Much of his attention is given also to his stock-raising interests, for he is an extensive breeder of high grade stock, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle and Shire horses, also Morgan horses and Duroc Jersey hogs. He is prominently known throughout the neighborhood for the excellence of his stock, and his efforts in this direction have done much toward sustaining the high standard of stock in Poweshiek county. Aside from his home place, Mr. Smith is also interested in a half section of land in the Panhandle of Texas in connection with his son.
On the 2d of April, 1874. Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Searight, who was born in Muskingum county. Ohio, August 28, 1847, and with her parents came to Iowa in 1862. She is a daughter of John F. and Harriet Ann (Stevens) Searight, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland re- spectively. Both passed away in Montezuma, where the father was engaged at the tailor trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born five children, namely : Hattie L., the wife of Benjamin J. Farmer, of Pleasant township; John H .. of Jackson township, operating his father's farm and residing upon a portion of it ; Mary, who married John W. Johnston, of Deep River ; the Rev. Frederick A., pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Oxford, Iowa; and Katharine, now in her senior year at Mount Pleasant College.
The religious faith of Mr. Smith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church of Montezuma, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He early learned the lesson that success must be purchased at the price of earnest, well defined labor, and as the years have gone by per- severance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding posts of life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellow citizens, among whom he has long lived and labored.
JOHN W. ROSE.
On the roster of county officials appears the name of John W. Rose, who for the fourth time has been elected to the office of county auditor. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, November 8, 1855, and is a son of Thompson and Susanna (Lowe) Rose, who were also natives of the Buckeye state and there resided until their removal westward to Poweshiek county, Iowa, in 1882.
213
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
They are now living at Belle Plaine, this state, and the father has retired from farm life, to which he devoted many years. He has served as street commis- sioner of Belle Plaine for a number of years and is a respected and worthy citizen of that community.
John W. Rose is the eldest of a family of two sons and eight daughters all of whom are yet living. He resided at his birthplace until he came to this county, in 1876, and within its borders he has since lived covering a period of thirty-five years. He has worked at the carpenter's trade and has engaged in general agricultural pursuits but put aside business interests of that character to enter upon the duties of county auditor to which he was elected in 1904. He discharged his duties with such ability and fidelity during his first term that he was reelected in 1906, again was the popular choice in 1908, and for a third time was chosen for the office in 1910. At each election he has been the can- didate of the republican party of which he has been a lifelong supporter. He has done active work in the party ranks and for a number of years served as a member of the county central committee. He has also held other public positions, serving in most of the township offices, and was assessor of his township for thirteen consecutive years before he was elected county auditor. He still owns a good farm of eighty-seven acres situated in Lincoln township.
In 1876 Mr. Rose was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Henderson, who was born in the same township, in Guernsey county, Ohio, as was her husband, her natal year being 1848. She is a daughter of John L. Henderson and by her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Minnie, the wife of H. L. Shrader, of Lincoln township; Earl F., who is married and resides upon his father's farm; Clarence W., who is married and lives in Grinnell ; and Elsie, at home.
Fraternally Mr. Rose belongs to Lafayette Lodge, No. 52. A. F. & A. M., of Montezuma, also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen camp. In Ohio he became a member of the United Presbyterian church and when he came to Iowa united with a congregation of the same denomina- tion at Guernsey. His labors in behalf of the church have been far-reaching and effective and at all times his aid is to be counted upon when a question of truth and right is involved.
1 .. P. RAYMOND.
L. P. Raymond, who is numbered among Malcom's native sons, is a repre- sentative of a well known family whose name was for a long period closely and prominently identified with banking interests in this community. He was born December 19, 1877, his parents being E. P. and Lizzie ( Reedy ) Raymond, natives of Vermont and Tama county, Iowa, respectively. The former was the only child of P. P. Raymond, who was also born in Vermont and came to Poweshiek county when his son was but two years of age. Locating in Malcom, he established the private bank of P. P. Raymond & Son. the first and only bank of Malcom, now conducted under the name of the Malcom Savings Bank. E. P. Raymond was
214
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
very active in the conduct of the business, his father giving his attention entirely to the loan department of the institution, and continued in the management of the business for many years, or until the incorporation of the concern as the Malcom Savings Bank at which time P. P. Raymond & Son disposed of their interests therein. E. P. Raymond was also interested in agricultural pursuits in Poweshiek county for a number of years and in 1904 went to Missouri. For the past three years, however, he has been engaged in the real-estate business in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in which line of activity he is meeting with gratifying success.
L. P. Raymond, whose name introduces this review, was the eldest of three children, the other two, Edna Ruth and Victor Rex, still making their home with their parents. He acquired his education in the common schools of this commu- nity and for a time assisted his father in the conduct of his agricultural interests. He made his home in Malcom township until 1901, when he went to Texas and took up his abode on a ranch which he had purchased in Dallam county. He re- mained there for three years, after which he sold out and went to Paris, Missouri, where he farmed for a similar period. The following year was spent with his parents in Minneapolis, after which he returned to Poweshiek county, in 1907. since which time he has continuously given his attention to agricultural pursuits on a farm which he purchased from his father. It is a tract of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 23, about a half mile north of Malcom, which has been in the Raymond family for about twenty years. It is a highly developed property, all modern improvements having been made upon it by Mr. Raymond's father. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and conducts his affairs in accordance with the most practical and up-to-date methods. He possesses good business ability, and his keen discrimination and close application to his interests have been potent elements in the acquirement of a most enviable degree of pros- perity.
In 1898 Mr. Raymond was united in marriage to Miss Nellie May Martin, who was born in Malcom, December 21, 1880, a daughter of B. B. Martin, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. With the exception of seven years Mr. Raymond has made his home in the vicinity of Malcom and he has a wide circle of friends in this community, which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. He is now in the very prime of young manhood, and the characteristics which he has displayed in the conduct of his business affairs and in private life are such as augur a bright future and speak for upright man- hood and desirable citizenship.
B. F. BROWNELL.
B. F. Brownell, who owns a productive farm of eighty acres in Grinnell town- ship, is one of the well known residents of the county, having arrived here forty- four years ago. He is a native of Delaware county, New York, born March 29, 1832, and is a son of Benjamin Ferris and Jane ( Rickey) Brownell, both of whom were born in New York state. The paternal grandfather was a patriot of the Revolutionary war. He was paid off in colonial money. which proved to be
215
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
worthless, but he never regretted the part he took in the establishment of the great American republic. B. Ferris Brownell, the father of our subject, was by trade a blacksmith, lle removed with his family in 1840 to Pike county, Illinois, and died in that state at the age of eighty-four years, Mrs. Brownell being called away a week later. There were nine children in their family ; Newton and Bela, both of whom are deceased; James; Jane; Wesley ; B. F., of this review ; Hector and Elbert, both deceased ; and Caroline, who is living in Pike county, Illinois.
B. F. Brownell received his early education in the subscription schools. He early learned the importance and value of labor, and after his marriage engaged in farming on his own account in Illinois. In 1867 he came to lowa and culti- vated a farm in Chester township, Poweshiek county, for twenty years. He then located on a place in Grinnell township, but after six years returned to Chester township, where he continued as a farmer for three years. At the end of that time he took up his residence at Lynnville, where he spent five years, after which he took up his present location, his farm yielding an income that enables him to live comfortably in his declining years. Formerly he gave considerable attention to raising shorthorn cattle and he also fed stock for the market. During recent years he has lived retired.
In 1855, in Pike county, Illinois, Mr. Brownell was married to Miss Jane Ship- man, a daughter of Reuben Shipman, a well known farmer of the county. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brownell : Clarissa Jane, who is living at home ; Caroline, who is now a widow, living in Washington township, and has two children, George and Jessie; George, who died in infancy ; Curtis, now a blacksmith of Grinnell, who is married and has two children, Mary and Ruth : and Alice, who died in infancy. Mrs. Brownell died in 1895. She was a devoted wife and mother and her departure was deeply mourned by her husband and chil- dren and sincerely regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Brownell in religious belief adheres to the Methodist church. Having ob- served the evil effects of the liquor traffic he has given his political support to the prohibition party. He has now reached the venerable age of seventy-nine years and the labors of the farm have been delegated to younger men. Throughout his life he has been actuated by high and worthy aims, and he receives his reward in the esteem in which he is held by the entire community, of which he has so long been an honored resident.
GEORGE G. PEARCE.
The owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington town- ship. George G. Pearce is a representative agriculturist of Poweshiek county. He was born in Grinnell township, January 27, 1866, and is a son of William Cyrenus and Mathilda Grant (Brown) Pearce, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Pearce, of this review, received his preliminary education in the dis- trict schools of Grinnell township and later attended the public schools of Grin- nell. He worked for his father on the home farm and then rented land in Grinnell
216
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
township for nine years. At the end of this time he decided to see the great west and went to the state of Washington, spending one year in Tacoma, and three years in the hardware store of an uncle at Yakima. Believing that a more favorable opening was presented in his native county than he could find in the northwest, and having also made up his mind to reengage in agricultural pur- suits, he returned to Poweshiek county and again cultivated rented land. In 1902 le purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township, which he has improved by the erection of buildings, fences, and setting out of shade and ornamental trees, making it a highly desirable property. He devotes special attention to raising and marketing cattle, hogs and sheep, and his labors have met with an abundant measure of reward. He has won a creditable position and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
On the 20th of March, 1895, Mr. Pearce was married to Miss Catherine Max- well, born March 29, 1870, in Henry county, Illinois, a daughter of John A. and Louisa A. ( Bick ) Maxwell. The father was born in Henry county, Illinois, Jan- uary 9, 1849, and the mother near Columbus, Ohio, January 20, 1851. They came west to Missouri, where Mr. Maxwell engaged in farming for three years, at the end of which time he brought his family to Poweshiek county and from 1875 to 1906 rented land in this county. In the latter year he purchased a farm at Malcom and engaged in general farming. He is an ardent adherent of the democratic party and a leader in politics in his part of the county, being at the present time mayor of Malcom. He has also served as justice of the peace and assessor of Malcom township. He is identified with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias and his wife is a member of the Congregational church. Six children were bornyto the "union-of Mr. and Mrs. Pearce: Herbert W., who was born August 28, 1897; Alice. M., born May 10, 1899; Helen M., born March 14, 1901 ; George Wendell, born March 2, 1903; Leonard M., born May 4, 1906; and Harold Grant, born, May 3, 1911.
In politics Mr. Pearce is independent and therefore is not affiliated with any of the political organizations. He has served two terms very acceptably as mem- ber of the school board, and the confidence of his friends and neighbors is in- dicated by his election as justice of the peace, which office he now holds. He is not connected with any religious denomination, but his wife is a member of the Congregational church. He has had wide experience in life and. being a man of good powers of observation and reflection, he learned many useful lessons which he has been able to apply practically. He ranks today as one of the best and most popular citizens of Washington township.
WILLIAM PROSSER.
At the venerable age of eighty-nine years, William Prosser, of Washington township, is living in honorable retirement upon his farm. He is one of the most interesting pioneers to be met with in the state of Iowa. His eyes first rested on Poweshiek county in 1848-sixty-three years ago-when there were comparatively few settlers in the county and the great west was largely a wilder-
OK TOUTE L LARY
ASTER, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDAT ONS.
-
WILLIAM PROSSER
MRS. WILLIAM PROSSER
EVENTU MECLISPARY
A TOR LENOX & D TIDEN FUNDATICAS.
221
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
ness untrodden by white men. He participated in the gold excitement and joined the tens of thousands that braved the hardships of the deserts and mountains, and the greater danger from attacks of hostile Indians, and for several years on the Pacific coast he witnessed the memorable scenes coin- cident with the establishment of the early mining camps. Returning to Iowa, he established his home in Poweshiek county, and today is the owner of one of the valuable farms in the county.
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.