USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 3
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Mr. Gray has never been a seeker after political office, but casts his vote for the republican party believing that its principles are highly important in advancing the permanent welfare of the state and nation. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows, his membership being in the lodge at Sears- boro. He has many friends in the order and also among men who are not identified with any fraternal organization. Genial in manner and pleasing in address, he easily makes his way wherever he desires to be known, and he enjoys the good will of all with whom he comes into contact.
FREDERICK WILLIAM MORRISON.
Although thirty-five years have passed since Frederick William Morrison was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of Grinnell's older residents as one of the most prominent and respected early settlers of the town. As the founder of what is now the Morrison & Ricker Manufacturing Com- pany, one of the principal industrial enterprises of Iowa, the record of his life well merits a place in a volume of this character.
His birth occurred in Bath, New Hampshire, on the 29th of July, 1813, and he was a gentleman of Scotch-Irish lineage. He obtained a good education in the common schools and after putting aside his text-books learned the tanner's trade, working by the side of Mr. Parker, the father of Ira Parker, who later developed the Saranac glove industry in Littleton, New Hampshire, using prac- tically the same process in tanning leather that Mr. Morrison introduced in Iowa. On the 4th of October, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Sutherland, a daughter of the Rev. David Sutherland, who was for many years father and so called priest of the Congregational community of Bath, New Hampshire. The wife brought to her new duties all the refinement of a Chris-
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
tian home and the knowledge gained by varied experience. She had attended Mount Holyoke Seminary as a member of the first class, under Mary Lyon, subsequently followed the profession of teaching in Littleton, New Hampshire, and later went to Plymouth, that state, where she learned to make gloves. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison began their domestic life in Bath, where five children were born unto them-three sons and two daughters. Two of the number reached mature age, Mary and David.
With the call from J. B. Grinnell for the building of a model colony in Iowa was an advertisement for a tanner, to which Mr. Morrison responded, bringing his family west in the fall of 1855. After reaching the terminus of the rail- road at Rock Island, Illinois, he made his way down the Mississippi river by boat to Muscatine, where he procured a private hack in which to make the jour- ney of one hundred and twenty miles to his new home. A number of the resi- (lents of his native town had preceded him and here he found friends and kin- dred, spending the winter in the home of David Sutherland, a brother of Mrs. Morrison. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Morrison erected a small house at the corner of Sixth avenue and State street, which corner is marked by tall cotton- wood trees on the, college campus, the house having been moved to make room for the circular drive on the south. Not having capital sufficient to build a tannery, Mr. Morrison began tanning in the open and put in vats north of the mill pond, the mill being located on the corner of Fifth avenue and State street. Here was begun the work which led to the development of the Grinnell glove industry. Like all tanners of his day, Mr. Morrison was both a tanner and currier and undertook to tan and finish anything from glove leather to sole leather. His first desire was to establish a horse collar shop and considerable work was done in this line. Gradually, however, he turned his attention toward glove-making. Deer were still numerous in lowa and Grinnell soon became a market for them. The tanning process was a sore trial in the early days, as the oak bark was found unsuitable and shumac and smartweed proved to be of little value. Finally a small shipment of gambier, an imported article, was re- ceived and Mr. Morrison developed a combination process which is still used in the tannery. No salesmen were employed for a number of years but the stage drivers made a good substitute as they learned the value of the Grinnell gloves. Orders began to come in from adjoining towns and annually increased in number. In 1859 a tannery was erected west of Grinnell and prior to the completion of the railroad in 1863 large shipments were sent to Newton, Des Moines and points farther west. Mr. Morrison lived to see but the beginning of the industry, though at the time of his demise it had outgrown the kitchen and the home and occupied half of the Deacon Whitcom harness shop on Fourth avenue. The glove sales of 1876 amounted to nine thousand dollars. Though he passed away when the enterprise was practically still in its infancy, he es- tablished a reputation for integrity in all his dealings with his fellowmen that is more to be desired than great riches.
Mr. Morrison was a modest, retiring gentleman, faithful in attendance at church services but not an active participant. He was an interesting conversa- tionalist and his friends found him a congenial companion whose never-failing supply of stories showed a rare appreciation of the best kind of humor. He was
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not strong physically but no man in the community was more faithful or per- sistent in his attention to all the requirements of his business. His word was as good as his bond and his demise, which occurred on the 16th of August, 1876, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for his life had been at all times unselfish. upright and honorable.
CHARLES H. ONTHANK.
Among the worthy citizens of Poweshiek county who have passed to their reward, leaving behind them memories of useful labors and kindly acts that cannot be forgotten by the present generation, should be named Charles H. On- thank. He was born in New York, June 13, 1860, and departed this life Deceni- ber 21, 1908, being then in his forty-eighth year. His parents were George H. and Isabella ( Woods) Onthank, both of whom were natives of New York state. At the time of the Civil war the father enlisted in an Illinois regiment and served as a musician until the close of the Rebellion. He acquitted himself so creditably that he was placed in charge of a hospital in Tennessee after the war was over and having discharged this duty came to lowa with his family in 1869 and for sev- eral years worked at the blacksmith's trade at Grinnell. Later he became con- nected with the Iowa Central Railroad at Grinnell as baggage agent and was also employed in the postoffice at Grinnell. He died June 6, 1908, but his wife is still living at Grinnell. Politically he gave his support to the republican party and fraternally was a valued member of the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Republic. In religious faith he adhered to the Baptist church in which he took a great interest, serving for a number of years as deacon. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Onthank : Charles H .; and Martha, the wife of George L. Brown, of Grinnell.
Charles H. Onthank came to Grinnell with his father at the age of ten years and received his early education in the public schools. After reaching manhood he went to South Dakota and took up government land, but after spending three years in that state he returned to Grinnell and worked in the freight house of the lowa Central Railroad Company. About 1891 he purchased fifty-five acres of land in Grinnell township, later acquiring fifty acres additional. After cultivating his farm for a while he sold it and purchased two hundred acres in Washington township, which he improved, greatly adding to its value. This place he also sold and in December, 1899, bought a farm of two hundred and thirty acres, which is still in possession of the family. Ile made a specialty of raising hogs and cattle for the market and became known as one of the prosperous and progressive men of the community.
On the 21st of August, 1889, Mr. Onthank was married to Miss Viola Robin- son, who was born July 7, 1870, in McDonough county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Robert and Mary Jane (Holden) Robinson. The father was born near Louis- ville, Kentucky, October 8, 1841, and the mother near Cincinnati, Ohio, July 10. 1848. He engaged in farming in Kentucky and later in McDonough county, Illi- nois. In the fall of 1872 he came with his family to Poweshiek county and pur-
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HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
chased a farm of eighty acres in Grinnell township. He sold his farm in 1893 and retired with his wife to Grinnell, where he passed away May 30, 1901. His wife died August 2, 1908. They were both consistent members of the Baptist church. In politics he was a supporter of the republican party and being an ear- nest friend of education served very acceptably as a member of the school board in Grinnell township. Eight children constituted the family of Mr. and Mrs. Onthank: Florence, who was born October 29, 1891, and is now the wife of William Van Wyk, of Lynnville, lowa : Lillian M., born July 20, 1893, who mar- ried Charles P. Kimball and is now living on the old homestead; Charles H. R., born May 26, 1895; Grace Isabelle, born April 1, 1897; Alma Viola, born Febru- ary 11, 1899; Edward W., born June 26, 1901 ; Paul L., born June 17, 1903 ; and George W., born October 26, 1906.
Mr. Onthank was a firm believer in the Christian religion and a sincere mem- ber of the Baptist church, as is his widow. In politics he gave his support to the republican party and served for two terms as school director. Fraternally he was identified with the Odd Fellows and he had many friends in the order and also in Poweshiek county. Mrs. Onthank continues to reside on the old homestead and receives from her children and from all who know her the love and respect which is due to unquestioned worth.
WILLIAM F. SCHMIDT.
William F. Schmidt, an enterprising and energetic agriculturist of Powe- shiek county, owns a well improved tract of land, comprising one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township, and devotes his attention to both farm- ing and stock-raising. His birth occurred in that township on the 18th of May, 1864, his parents being Peter and Eliza (Sanders) Schmidt, who are mentioned at greater length in another part of this work. Unto them were born ten chil- dren, as follows: William F., of this review; Sarah, the wife of Harmon Sul- lee, of Washington township; Samuel, who is a resident of Jasper county, Iowa ; Henry J., living in Washington township, and who is represented elsewhere in this volume: Elizabeth, the wife of Guy Ford, who makes her home in Canada ; Peter and Francis, both at home; Frank, who is deceased; Mary, the wife of William Whalen, of Mahaska county, Iowa; and Rose, the wife of August Gregor, of Bismarck, North Dakota.
William F. Schmidt obtained his education in the schools of his native town- ship. Upon leaving school he assisted in the operation of the home farm for several years. He also worked at well driving and tile laying for a time. In 1899 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Wash- ington township, draining the land and otherwise improving the property. In addition to cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate he also devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock, having met with a gratifying measure of success in both branches of his business.
On the 28th of December, 1898, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Mader, a daughter of John and Anna Marie (Bausch) Mader,
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both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, the former born in Septem- ber, 1832, and the latter on the 28th of September, 1833. Their marriage was celebrated in the fatherland. John Mader, who was a farmer by occupation, emigrated to the United States in 1882, locating in Moline, Illinois, where he labored in the mills and also in the plow works. His demise occurred on the 5th of December, 1892, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 29th of December, 1898, both passing away in the faith of the Catholic church. Their children were seven in number, namely: Anton, who is a resident of Germany ; Barbara, who is the wife of Max Hauger and also resides in Germany ; Joseph, living in the state of Washington; Engelbert, of Colfax, Washington; Mrs. Christian Kill, deceased, of Moline, Illinois; Mrs. Schmidt, who was born in Baden, Germany, on the 3d of November, 1865, and who accompanied her par- ents on their emigration to the United States; and Gustav, who is a resident of San Francisco, California. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William F. Schmidt have been born two children: Anna Marie, whose natal day was November 16, 1899; and Joseph Frederick, whose birth occurred on the 19th of March, 1904.
In politics Mr. Schmidt is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, of which his wife is also a devoted communicant. He has resided in Poweshiek county from his birth to the present time. That his life has ever been upright and honorable is indicated by the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.
ELBERT W. CLARK, JR.
Elbert W. Clark, Jr., conducting a lumber yard in Grinnell, is accounted one of the leading and progressive business men of the city, and his life record indi- cates what may be accomplished when determination, energy and laudable ambi- tion constitute the foundation for success. He was born here on the 28th of February, 1880, a son of Dr. Elbert W. Clark, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was one of the best loved citizens of Grin- nell, not alone because of his professional skill in the practice of medicine, but also because of his ready sympathy and his kindly assistance whenever aid was needed.
Under the parental roof Elbert W. Clark, Jr., spent his youthful days, his time being largely given to the acquirement of an education in the public schools, and later in Iowa College of this city, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900, winning the degree of Bachelor of Science. There was no intermediate period between his school days and his entrance into business life, for when he put aside his text-books he at once sought employment and secured a position in the lumber yard of Carney Brothers, with whom he remained a year and a half. Later, in association with E. B. Brande, he purchased a half interest in the busi- ness that belonged to W. J. Carney, the senior member of the firm, at which time the style of the business was changed to Carney, Brande & Clark. This was on the Ist of February, 1902. Under this organization the business was conducted
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
for five years, during which time Mr. Clark, had charge of the yard, and in that capacity learned all of the details of the lumber business. At the end of that time he and J. L. Fellows purchased the interests of Mr. Carney and Mr. Brande and the style of the firm became Clark & Fellows, February 1, 1907. This part- nership relation was maintained for two years.
Mr. Clark is today one of the best informed men concerning lumber in this section of the state and he has displayed skill and ability as a manager. On the Ist of February, 1909, he purchased his partner's interest in the business, since which time he has conducted his lumber yard independently. For the past three years he has also operated a branch yard at Vancleve, Iowa, and in Grinnell is known as the president of the Grinnell Planing Mill Company and also as a men- ber of the board of directors of the People's Light & Fuel Company. He pos- sesses that keen insight into business affairs which, for want of a better term, has been called commercial sense. His plans are carefully made and then force- fully executed and what he undertakes he carries forward to successful com- pletion.
On the 20th of April, 1904, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Ada Valleau, of Grinnell, a daughter of Mrs. Angie Valleau of this city, and they now have one son, E. W. Clark III. In politics Mr. Clark is an earnest republican, but not an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with Grinnell Lodge, No. 58, I. O. O. F. and with Marshalltown Lodge, No. 312, B. P. O. E. He is a charter member of Poweshiek Club and both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church. Having spent his entire life in Grinnell, he is very widely known and the many sterling qualities of character which he has developed has made him a popular citizen as well as a progressive, enterprising and prosperous business man.
SAMUEL J. SNIDER.
Samuel J. Snider, who is engaged in general farming in Union township, was born in the township where he is now residing on the 12th of March, 1855, and is the eldest son of the late John and Rachel (Durbin) Snider. The father was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the mother of Muskingum county, that state. John Snider, who was a lumberman, came to Poweshiek county as a young man and engaged in farming, continuing to be identified with that vocation until about five years prior to his death, at which time he retired. The mother has also passed away. Unto them were born eight children, five of whom are living, namely : Samuel J., our subject : Morton L., who is residing in Union township ; George B. and Martha, both of whom are deceased ; Alice, who married Stephen Rivers, also of Union township; Elizabeth, the wife of Grant Johnson, of this township; Cora, who married John W. Rogers, of Bates county, Missouri ; and Frank, deceased. The family attended the Christian church, of which the father was for many years an elder, while his political allegiance was accorded the dem- ocratic party and he served his township in the capacity of school director.
The boyhood and youth of Samuel J. Snider did not differ save in detail from those of other farmer lads of that period and like circumstances. His time was
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
divided between the work of the schoolroom and the performance of such tasks as were assigned by parental authority, while for recreation he indulged in the sports in which young people in the more sparsely settled communities usually revel. In the acquirement of his education he attended the district schools in his vicinity, and after laying aside his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the farm. Later he worked by the month as a farm hand, being thus em- ployed until he attained his majority. He subsequently purchased forty-two acres of land and engaged in general farming. Having met with a fair degree of suc- cess in his ventures he has since added to his original tract until he now owns one hundred and two acres of land, which is under a good state of cultivation.
Ever since age conferred upon him the right of suffrage Mr. Snider has given his political support to the candidates of the democratic party, while his religious views are manifested through his affiliation with the Christian church, of which he was formerly a deacon. He has always led a quiet. unobtrusive life but is known to be a kind neighbor and loyal friend.
WILLIAM J. ELWOOD.
Of honest and resolute Irish parentage. William J. Elwood, of Sheridan town- ship, was endowed at birth with those qualities of grit and perseverance which generally lead to the accomplishment of worthy objects. He is a native son of lowa and was born in Tama county, March 27. 1873. his parents being James and Anna ( Jackson) Elwood. The father was born in Ireland and came to America early in the '50s, locating in Tama county, Jowa. The mother was mar- ried to Mr. Elwood at Dunlap, Jowa.
William J. Elwood was reared in his father's home and early engaged in rail- road construction in Tama county. In 1896 he came to Poweshiek county and engaged in farming, later renting land until the fall of 1910, when he purchased two hundred acres on section 24 of Sheridan township, where he established his home. His place is under excellent cultivation and is well watered and drained, there being no waste land on the farm. He engages in general farming and also fattens stock for the market. Ilis wife is interested in the raising of full-blooded Plymouth Rock chickens.
On the 15th of February, 1898, Mr. Elwood was married to Miss Kate Mul- ligan, a daughter of Michael and Anna ( Martin ) Mulligan, who came from County Louth, Ireland, to America after their marriage in the early part of the '50s. They located on a farm of two hundred acres in Sheridan township. Powe- shiek county, and, in 1895, Mr. Mulligan purchased eighty acres additional in Chester township. In 1904 he moved to Tama, where he still lives. Mrs. Mulli- gan died about 1886 at the old homestead in Sheridan township. Mr. and Mrs. Elwood are the parents of one child, Anna Arlene. She was born March 31, 1902, and is now attending the Hickory Grove district school.
Mr. Elwood and his family are sincere members of the Roman Catholic church of Tama. He gives his support politically to the democratic party and is a great admirer of William Jennings Bryan, considering him one of the brightest politi-
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cal leaders that America has ever known. As a good friend of education Mr. El- wood has served very acceptably as member of the school board of District No. 8, Sheridan township. He is interested in all movements for the promotion of the permanent welfare of the county and is at thic present time a member of the board of directors of the Sheridan Creamery Company. Although in actual own- ership of his farm but comparatively a short time, he has demonstrated his ability as an agriculturist, and his place promises to become one of the highly productive properties of this part of the county. His success is well deserved, as it is the re- sult of years of well directed labor.
WILLIAM ASBURY TAYLOR.
William Asbury Taylor, who owns the Searsboro Telephone Company, was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina, on the 29th of March, 1852. He is a son of Mathew and Mary (Michaels) Taylor, also natives of North Caro- lina. The father, who was a farmer, came to Poweshiek county in 1855, locat- ing in Union township, where he purchased a farm. When the call came for men in 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and went to the front, where he remained for three years, receiving his dis- charge at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1865. His political support Mr. Taylor always gave to the men and measures of the republican party, while he kept in touch with his comrades of the field through the medium of his connection with the G. A. R. In matters religious both he and Mrs. Taylor manifested their views . through their affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was born nine children, as follows: William Asbury. our subject ; Nancy, the widow of J. A. Kline, of Washington township; Sarah, the wife of N. W. Pierce, of Blue Point, Washington township; John, who is deceased ; Dorcas; Frank, deceased; Finley, who is a resident of Grinnell; and Ella, the wife of Ira C. Beeler, also a resident of Washington township, and one who died in infancy, being the sixth child in order of birth.
After the completion of his preliminary- education, which was acquired in the common schools, William Asbury Taylor studied for a time at Iowa Col- lege, Grinnell, Iowa, following which he taught school for a few years. Decid- ing at the end of that period that he preferred farming he went to Washington township where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1881. For two years thereafter he conducted a general merchandise business in Searsboro, but in 1883 he returned to farming. In 1908 he bought the Searsboro Telephone Com- pany, with which he continues to be successfully identified. They have over two hundred and twenty subscribers on the line and their business is constantly increasing.
Mr. Taylor was united in marriage on the 17th of October, 1872, to Miss Minnie Reed, a daughter of Charles and Malvina (Wood) Reed of Mahaska county, Iowa. The father was a native of England and the mother of New York state, where they were married. Mr. Reed emigrated to the United States in his early manhood, locating in the state of New York where he en-
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
gaged in contracting. In 1855 together with his wife and family he came to Poweshiek county, continuing to follow his trade, and he also worked in the mines in the vicinity of New Sharon, Iowa. He served for three or four years in the Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, being honorably discharged. In politics he was a republican and both he and his wife affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church.
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