USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 24
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John Mclntire, father of James E. McIntire, had been reared to manhood in Kentucky, where a common-school education had been accorded him. He. too, was long identified with agricultural pursuits. About 1827 he was married. in Montgomery county. Indiana, to Jane McMains. a daughter of James Mc- Mains, who was born in Ireland. Purchasing land in Indiana, John Mclntire there engaged in the cultivation of the soil until his removal to Iowa in 1845. traveling overland with wagons in which were loaded all of his household goods. He was then a man of well-to-do circumstances and secured a farm about five miles west of Montezuma, being one of the first to purchase property
Mrs. Mary McKee
Mrs. Catharine Forby Mrs. Catharine Melntire Miss Mary Forby
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in Poweshiek county. He afterward added to his holdings until he was the owner of four hundred acres in one body and an almost equal amount in other tracts. He built the first hotel in Montezuma and also erected and conducted the Stanley House. At one time he was the owner of a large grist and saw mill. the first erected in the county, and he continued in the milling business in vari- ous portions of the county until a short time prior to his death, when he retired. In 1856 he also became connected with merchandising and for some time figured prominently in commercial connections in Montezuma. His political support was given to the democracy and he served as county commissioner. He died in 1890 in the faith of the Christian church, in which both he and his wife held mem- bership. Her demise occurred in 1870. In their family were nine children : Anne, who became the wife of George Wasson ; James E .; John ; Margaret, who married Hiram Taylor; Thomas; Perry; Sarah J., the wife of John Furnaugh ; Ellen, the wife of Edward Shipley ; and Robert.
James E. Melntire was a youth of about eighteen years when the family came to Iowa, arriving in 1849. He aided in the arduous task of developing a farm and when twenty years of age began teaching, which profession he followed for three years. He was qualified for this work by the excellent educational advantages which had been accorded him in Waveland, while wide reading had also added to his knowledge.
On the 16th of October, 1851, James E. McIntire was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Willson. This was the first marriage celebrated in Montezuma and probably the first in the county. Mrs. McIntire was born June 29, 1837, and was a daughter of Gideon and Catharine ( Wilson ) Willson. Soon after their marriage the young couple located. upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which had been given him by his father: . His wife had also received a generous allowance from her father- a farm of two hundred acres. After spending five years in agricultural pursuits they, removed to Montezuma, where for two years Mr. McIntire operated a mill : that belonged to his father. After a few years, however, he returned to a farm, to the cultivation of which he de- voted his energies for thirty-one years, and in the meantime won substantial and gratifying success, owing to the careful management of his business inter- ests. At the time of his retirement he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, having disposed of much of his property, which at one time amounted to seven hundred and eighty acres.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mclntire were born nine children, all of whom are grad- nates of the high school. Mary A., born August 29, 1852, was married Febru- ary 10, 1870, to Ellis Herrod, who died in Montezuma, and she afterward became the wife of David McKee. of Des Moines. She is now a very wealthy woman. She has reared a family of three children, all of whom are now married and doing well. Catharine J., born March 20, 1854, died December 16, 1872. John G., born March 22, 1856, died December 5, 1872. He was a teacher at the time of his demise and was also studying for the ministry of the Christian church. Nancy E., born April 6, 1859, in Marshalltown, became the wife of E. J. Pimlott and they had four children. After the death of her first husband she married Henry Hersley and had one daughter. Her third husband was Russell Geisler and unto them has been born a son. Sarah E. McIntire, the fifth
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member of the family, was born June 17, 1862, and on the 14th of October, 1884. became the wife of William N. Morrison, now of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are parents of seven children. Isaac N. McIntire, born February 8, 1864, is a grad- uate of the law department of the Iowa State University and for the past twenty years has been engaged in law practice, being now located at Sheldon, Iowa. lle has been married twice and has a son and two daughters. Rev. James R. AcIntire, now of Santa Monica, California, was born January 21, 1867, received his education at Oskaloosa, Iowa, at Lexington, Kentucky, and in the Chicago University, and is now a minister of the Christian church. Ida M., born October 14, 1869, became the wife of William Buxton, who was then serving as county recorder of Poweshiek county, but they now reside in Los Angeles, California. Rev. Thomas C. MeIntire, the youngest of the family, was born July 16, 1874, and is a minister of the Christian church at Ainsley, Nebraska. He also owns a farm of one thousand acres in that vicinity. All of the sons of this family and their wives as well are college graduates.
Mr. MeIntire continued to reside upon the home farm, which he converted into a very valuable property, for more than thirty-one years, and 1894 removed to Montezuma, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring on July 29, 1904. He was a devoted member of the Christian church, in which he served as an elder for many years, and in politics he was a stanch democrat and in later years voted the temperance ticket. It is well known that he was true to very honest conviction and nothing could swerve him from the course which he believed to be right. All who knew him trusted him because of his well known integrity and esteemed him because of his sound judgment and his justice. He held friendship inviolable and was most devoted to his family, and throughout the county where he was so widely known his death was most deeply regretted.
Mrs. McIntire still makes her home in Montezuma, where she owns seven good dwellings and other property. Her husband left her most comfortably sit- uated in life and she has done much for her children, of whom she has every reason to be proud. All are well educated and are people of genuine worth who advocate temperance principles and adhere at all times to the right. They are certainly a credit and honor to her name and their lives are also an indication of the teachings of a true Christian woman. Mrs. McIntire is very well known in the county, where she has lived continuously since 1847, and no history of this part of the state would be complete without mention of her and her husband. with whom she so long and happily traveled life's journey.
LOUIS E. HIGDON.
Enterprise, perseverance, ability and industry have been important elements which have contributed to the progress of Louis E. Higdon, who is today one of the respected farmers of Poweshiek county. He is a native of Kentucky and was born in Daviess county, March 9, 1868, a son of James T. and Mary E. ( McDaniel) Higdon. The father was also born in Kentucky and the mother is a native of Illinois. They were married in Kentucky, where the father en-
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gaged in farming during his entire life. In politics he was in sympathy with the democratic party and in religious views he gave his earnest adherence to the Catholic church. The mother is now living in Kentucky. In their family were fifteen children : Francis, who is deceased ; Delia, who is the widow of Ed. Jarboe, of Kentucky ; Charles, who now lives at Denver, Colorado; Emma, of Clinton, lowa; Robert, of Oklahoma ; Louis E., the subject of this review; Mattie, the wife of Zach Higdon, of Kentucky; Lillie, the wife of James Devereux, of Adair county, lowa ; Geneva, who is also married; Eloda, the wife of John Neal, of Kentucky ; Hilory, of Kentucky; Paul, who lives in Denver, Colorado; and Bernard, Petronella and Thomason, all of whom are deceased.
Louis E. Higdon secured his education in the district schools of his native state and assisted upon his father's farm until after reaching his majority. In 1891, desiring to see the world and also to find a favorable location, he traveled westward to York, Nebraska, and for four years hired out by the month, later continuing to work at monthly wages in Adair county, Iowa. In 1902 he ar- rived in Poweshiek county, where the outlook appeared quite favorable, and for three years he rented land, which he cultivated on his own account. He then purchased eighty acres. He is a man of great industry and of good business judgment, as is shown by the fact that at the present time he is owner of a farm of two hundred acres of valuable land in this county. He is a general farmer and raises horses, cattle and hogs for the market.
On the 13th of January, 1902, Mr. Higdon was married to Miss Anna De- vereux, a daughter of Alexander and Eliza Devereux, of Washington township. Four children have blessed this union: Mary, who was born September 10, 1905; Margaret, born April 18, 1908; James, born June 6, 1909; and Francis, born September 6. 1910.
Mr. Higdon possesses sterling qualities of character, as is attested by his undaunted ambition to obtain a worthy position among his fellowmen. Starting among strangers, without aid from others, he applied himself with undiminished zeal, toiling from month to month and from year to year, even denying him- self recreation and many of the ordinary comforts of life, until he felt assured that he was on the way to financial independence. It is through such efforts that many of the most honored men of the nation have won recognition and wrought out their destiny. He early learned to make good use of the strength and talents with which nature endowed him, and he has his reward in his happy home and pleasant surroundings. Politically he is allied with the democratic party and religiously he and his family are devout members of the Catholic church.
JOHN F. DRYDEN.
During a residence covering forty-four years in Poweshiek county, John F. Dryden has seen remarkable changes in this section of the state, for when he came here in his early manhood much of the country was still open prairie, uncultivated and uninhabited. Today the country is thickly settled, while there is no waste land to be found and the farms in their splendid appearance, give
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evidence of the thrift and industry of the people. Mr. Dryden was born in Adams county, Ohio, September 25, 1841, a son of Samuel M. and Sarah (Sparks ) Dryden, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. The wife and mother passed away in Ohio in the year 1846 and the father after- ward married again and came with his second wife and five children to Powe- shiek county in 1867. Both he and his last wife departed this life in Montezuma. The children are: James, who served for over three years as a member of the Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and is now residing in Oskaloosa, Iowa ; Jolin F., of this review ; Mrs. Mary Jane Grice, of Highland county, Ohio ; Mrs. Krila Abbott, deceased ; and Mrs. Sarah Alice MeBride, also of Highland county.
John F. Dryden, whose name introduces this record, was reared in the Buckeye state and when he attained his majority, the Civil war having been in- atigurated, he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of the Second Ohio Volunteer Artillery on the 13th of June, 1863. He gave valiant and faithful service for two years and was then discharged on the 12th of May, 1865, owing to injury.
Following his discharge from the army, Mr. Dryden returned to his home in Ohio, where he remained for two years, and then accompanied his father on his removal to Poweshiek county, lowa. He was soon afterward married and located on the farm which has since been his place of residence, this tract com- prising eighty aeres on section 24, Pleasant township. He purchased the land from his father, paying for the same three hundred dollars, the latter having paid for it two and a half dollars per acre. Mr. Dryden at once set to work to improve and cultivate his land and in course of time he had it divided into fields of convenient size and planted with the various grains best suited to the soil and climate of Iowa, while his buildings were constructed with a view to convenience and durability. Today his land is worth two hundred dollars per aere. He is here engaged in general farming and his labors are bringing him a merited measure of success.
Mr. Dryden was married April 28, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Hennientt, who was born in Clinton, Ohio, October 13, 1846. She ac- companied her parents, Abel and Ann (Hagan) Hennicutt, to Henry county, lowa. They were both natives of Virginia but were married in Ohio. The father departed this life in Salem, Iowa, but the mother still survives and now makes her home in Montezuma. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dryden have been born three sons and two daughters, namely: Fred, who is still under the parental roof : Burtie, who died at the age of seven years; Eva D., at home; Krila, the wife of Hershel Smothers, of Pleasant township; and Arthur, who is at home. All were born on the home farmn.
Mr. Dryden gives his political support to the republican party and served as assessor of his township for three or four terms, while he has also been a mem- ber of the school board. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in
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the Methodist Episcopal church and his fraternal relations connect him with the Odd Fellow's Lodge, No. 74, at Montezuma, while he maintains pleasant re- lations with his old army comrades through his membership in Wisner Post, No. 127, G. A. R., at Montezuma. He is well known as a pioneer of the county and as a most industrious and useful man, whose probity is an unquestioned element in his character.
W. W. GWINN.
W. W. Gwinn, who for the past four years has capably and acceptably filled the office of steward of the Poweshiek county farm, is one of Iowa's native sons, almost his entire life having been spent within the borders of Poweshiek county. His birth occurred near Vietor, Warren township, this county, on the 9th of December. 1859. his parents being Sampson C. and Sarah A. (Morgan) Gwinn. They were born in Holmes county, Ohio, and Pennsylvania respectively and in childhood were brought by their parents to Poweshiek county. Iowa. Sampson C. Gwinn was the son of John Gwinn, a native of Ohio, who came to Iowa in 1848, about the same time that the Talbott, Manatt and Snook families located here, and with them was numbered among the first settlers of his section of the county. He entered large tracts of land here and gave farms to all of his chil- dren, his family consisting of six sons and six daughters, all now deceased. His death occurred in Warren township. Several years after coming to this county with his parents Sampson C. Gwinn entered land from the government here. which property is still in possession of the family. He was a farmer by occu- pation and made his home upon one of his government claims, consisting of two hundred and twenty acres in Warren township, upon which he and his wife spent the remaining days of their lives. In their family were five children, as follows: Frank B., now deceased ; Henry W., of Kansas City, Kansas; M. D .. of Warren township: W. W., of this review ; and May, also of Warren township.
On the old homestead in Warren township W. W. Gwinn spent the period of his boyhood and youth, and he remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, when he took up farming independently. In 1882 he went to South Dakota and there entered land from the government, proving a homestead claim, and to the improvement and cultivation of that property he devoted the succeed- ing five years. In 1887 he sold his farm, however, and returned to Poweshiek county, Iowa, locating upon one of his father's farms. Subsequently he pur- chased a tract of fifty acres in Warren township, upon which he took up his abode and which is yet in his possession. That farm remained his home for about twenty years, and there he carried on general agricultural pursuits, giving his entire time and attention to the development of his property, which under his wise management and close application became one of the neat, attractive and desirable farms of that section. In 1907, however, he laid aside his personal interests to accept the position of steward of Poweshiek county farm, to which he had been appointed by the board of supervisors. He has since concentrated his energies upon the discharge of the duties of that office and is bringing to
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bear the same close application, business ability and common sense which char- acterized his conduct of his private affiairs. His interests are now thoroughly identified with those of the institution with which he is connected and the effi- cient and satisfactory manner in which he is managing its affairs is proving to all concerned that the choice for that office was a wise one.
On the 21st of August, 1879, Mr. Gwinn was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Price, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, and was called from this life on the 25th of May, 1904. At her death she left four children, as follows : Eva M., now the wife of Edgar Hicks, of Fort Collins, Colorado; Edna MI .. who married Charles Rohrer, of Victor, Iowa; Blanche, the wife of William Norton, of Hartwick, who is assisting Mr. Gwinn in the management of the county farm: and C. P., at home. On the 11th of April. 1906, Mr. Gwinn was again married, his second union being with Miss Florence Easten, a native of Poweshiek county.
Interested as all American citizens should be in the political situation of the country, Mr. Gwinn has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the republican party. He is well known in the locality in which he has resided for almost a half century and the principles which have governed his life in business, private or public rela- tions have ever done credit to a representative of one of the oldest and most honored names of Poweshiek county.
LEWIS E. WHITE.
A thoroughly developed farm of forty acres pays tribute to the labors of Lewis E. White, who has spent his entire life in Poweshiek county. He comes of good Quaker parentage and in the course of his experience in business. extending through a period of ten or twelve years, and also in private affairs. he has ever aimed to be controlled by the gentle teachings under which he was reared.
He was born on his parents' farm in Washington township, July 22, 1872, being a son of Thomas J. and Caroline J. (Patterson ) White. The father was born in Indiana ; the mother at Portland, Maine, on February 18, 1853. They were married in Poweshiek county, Mr. White having come to this county with his parents in his boyhood. The family located in Sugar Creek township and there he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district schools. He engaged in farming in this county for many years and is now identified with the same occupation in Jasper county, having reached the age of sixty-seven years. His study of public questions has convinced him that the saloon is the great evil of the country and, therefore. he is a pronounced prohibitionist, being also a valued member of the Society of Friends and a man of great influence wherever he is known. There were four children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. White : Lewis E., of this review; Edwin, who now lives at Kellogg, Iowa; Lila, who is the wife of Arthur Cope, of New Sharon, Iowa ; and Roy R., of Jasper county.
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Lewis E. White attended the public schools of Washington township in his boyhood, and later took advantage of instruction for one year at the Grinnell high school. He assisted in the work upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years. He then began working for wages upon neighboring farms and continued so doing for four years. At the end of this time he asso- ciated with his father in farming but, after another period of four years, having acquired sufficient capital and desiring to become independent he purchased forty acres of land, upon which he established his homestead. He has erected buildings and improved his place in many ways, making it one of the most productive farms of its size in this part of the county. He uses good judgment in his work and each year witnesses an increase in his prosperity.
On the 24th of April, 1901, Mr. White was married to Miss Nellie D. Harbi- son, of Poweshiek county, who was born September 8, 1882, a daughter of George W. and Jennie (Edwards) Harbison. Her father was born in Penn- sylvania and her mother in England. He engaged in farming in the Keystone state and, being attracted westward, came to Iowa and worked in coal mines in the southern part of the state. Subsequently he located in Washington town- ship, Poweshiek county, upon land which he purchased and cultivated, and which produced generous returns. He then moved to Grinnell township, where he died, the mother also being deceased. Politically he gave his support to the republican party. At the time of the Civil war he was a valiant soldier for the Union, and later held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. White: Raymond E., who was born May 12, 1902; Harold E., born October 9, 1903; Martha B., born September 9, 1905; Ruth, born June 4, 1908; and Alice Viola, born July 21. 1910.
Mr. White has made an excellent start as a farmer and conducts his place in such a way that each year adds to his prosperity, and he is regarded as one of the rising young men of this section. Energetic and efficient, always mindful of his duties to others, and known as a progressive and useful citizen, he is a credit to his county and state.
MYRON A. SEARS.
Myron A. Sears is now operating one of the valuable farm properties of Chester township, owned by his father's estate. It is situated in section 10 and is provided with facilities which are considered essential in an up-to-date farm. He has shown a practical knowledge of his business and although he is a young man, he has won a high standing and enjoys success which is the result of well directed effort. He was born in Chester township, January 25, 1881. and is a son of Milton A. and Etta F. (Bacon) Sears, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Vermont. The father removed from New York to Grinnell, Iowa, where he later became connected with the implement business under the title of Fuller & Sears, continuing in that line about six years. He died in 1908, at the age of fifty-two, but the mother is now living at Grinnell.
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Myron A. Sears attended the common schools and took advanced work, in- cluding several histories, algebra and bookkeeping. After laying aside his books he worked at the carpenter's trade for a year, at the end of which time, in 1903, he began farming in Chester township at his present location, where he cultivates one hundred and sixty acres. He engages principally in feeding livestock for the market, raising hay and grain for this purpose, and his labors return to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 9th of December. 1903, Mr. Sears was united in marriage to Miss Edith L. Palmer, who is a graduate of Grinnell Academy. She is a daughter of Anson and Abi F. (Alden) Palmer, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter at Montour, Iowa. Mrs. Sears on the mother's side is a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of Mayflower fame. Three children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sears: Margaret E., Anson A. and Howard A., all of whom are living at home.
Ever since he reached maturity Mr. Sears has given his close attention to agriculture and stock-raising, and having employed the best known methods, his farm has become one of the most productive of its area in the township. His study and observation of affairs have convinced him of the evils of the liquor traffic and he therefore casts his ballot in support of the prohibition party. He is a stanch advocate of education and has served as school director, being at all times in favor of the employment of none but thoroughly competent teachers. He has never been afraid to work and has found in industry and persistent application the road to prosperity.
H. F. MORTON.
II. F. Morton is a lawyer of Montezuma, whose life has been largely spent in public service, his fidelity in office winning him the high regard of his fellow townsmen. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 18, 1845, his par- ents being Morris and Sarah ( Ferrell) Morton, the former born in Pennsyl- vania in 1818, the latter a native of Ohio. When a youth of ten years Morris Morton went to Ohio, was there married and spent his remaining days in the Buckeye state, devoting his life to farming. His death occurred in 1884 and his wife passed away some time later. In their family were four sons and three daughters, one of whom, W. H. Morton, now deceased, was a soldier of the Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war.
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