USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 35
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
SAMUEL GRAHAM.
For forty-two years Samuel Graham was identified with mercantile interests in Montezuma but is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves for his life has been one of industry and honesty. He was born in Rathfryland, County Down, Ireland, August 4. 1848, his parents being James and Margaret (Grady) Graham. The father was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, but when he was but eighteen months old his parents removed to Ire- land and his remaining days were spent on the Emerald isle. He was severely injured by a horse when forty-five years of age, the injury causing his death. His widow long survived him and died in Ireland in 1906, at the age of eighty- eight years. For a long period James Graham had followed the profession of school teaching and also engaged in farming. In their family were five children : Alexander, who is living on the old home farm in Ireland; Robert, a resident of Western, Nebraska ; Andrew, living near Gibson, Iowa ; William, of Ireland ; and Samuel, of this review.
The last named was only about fifteen months old at the time of his father's death and at an early age he started out in life on his own account, for when a youth of twelve he began earning his own living by clerking in a general store in Ireland. He afterwards spent three years as a clerk in Liverpool, England, and in March, 1869, he came to Poweshiek county and joined his brother An- drew, who was farming near Barnes City, Iowa. He remained from March un- til September with his brother and in the latter month came to Montezuma, where he secured a clerkship in the employ of F. H. Kilburn, with whom he continued for eight years, a fact indicative of his faithfulness, capability and the confidence imposed in him by his employer. He also spent a period of equal length with
366
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
the firm of Jordan & Stone, and in 1886 began business on his own account, con- ducting his store for nearly a quarter of a century, or until February, 1910. His own earnings brought him the capital which enabled him to start in business on his own account, and as the years passed he carefully and systematically managed his interests, increasing his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade, and throughout the years enjoying a liberal patronage. His previous experience as a clerk well qualified him for the conduct of the business and the success to which he attained enabled him in 1910 to retire with a substantial competence that sup- plies him with the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. Thus was termin- ated forty-two years of close, active and honorable connection with mercantile interests in Montezuma. He derives a good income from a farm of eighty acres which he owns about three miles southeast of Montezuma in Jackson township.
In 1871 Mr. Graham was married to Miss Maggie A. Green, who was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1845, and when eighteen years of age came to Iowa with her parents, the family settling first at Keokuk county and later in Mahaska county, where she was married. Her father was the Rev. James Green, a minister of the Presbyterian church who came to Iowa as a synodical missionary and died in 1863. He was a native of Ireland but was educated in Scotland, in which country his father was born. Immediately after his gradua- tion the Rev. James Green sailed for America and established his home in Penn- sylvania, where he married Margaret E. McNair. Mrs. Green spent her last days in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Graham. The Graham household is a hospitable one and their many friends are always sure of a cordial and sincere welcome there.
Mr. Graham has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since he attained his majority, holding membership in the Lafayette Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M., of which he has been treasurer for a quarter of a century. He also belongs to the chapter and in his life exemplifies not only the beneficent and fraternal spirit of the craft but also the teachings of the Presbyterian church of which he has been a devoted member from the age of fifteen years. His life has in- deed been well spent and all who know him entertain for him the warm regard that is instinctively given in recognition of sterling worth.
GEORGE EDWIN TINKER.
Few occupy a more prominent position among the agriculturists and stock- raisers of Bear Creek township than does George Edwin Tinker. an extensive landowner and a representative of a well known family of this locality. One of Poweshiek county's native sons, he was born on a farm south of Brooklyn, in Scott township, on the Ist of April, 1862, a son of Edwin and Arabella ( Thomp- son) Tinker. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, the father's birth there occurring on the 11th of March, 1812, on a farm which was located on the present site of Pittsburg. His education was acquired in one of the oldtime sub- scription schools, held in a log schoolhouse. His wife, who was born on the 22d of April. 1821, was also reared in the Keystone state and there they were
ORK
In ARY
- . NL STIJN ?.
اليميني
رقم
MR. AND MRS. EDWIN TINKER
.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES L. FRANCIS
OFK
1
NS
A
371
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
married, in Butler county, on the 26th of November, 1840. They came to Powe- shiek county, Iowa, in 1856, locating on a tract of forty acres southeast of Brook- lyn, where they resided until the fall of 1865, when they sold that property and purchased three hundred acres of the present homestead. That continued to be their home until their retirement from active life, a few years prior to their de- mise, when they took up their abode in Brooklyn and there spent their remaining days. Mr. Tinker was a farmer throughout the period of his active career, and at the time of his death was the owner of three hundred and fifty-five acres, all in a good state of cultivation. He became very well known throughout the locality in which he made his home, and among his fellow citizens was accorded the highest respect and esteem because of his many excellent qualities. He gave his support to the democracy but never sought nor desired public office. He was actively and helpfully interested in the work of the Protestant Episcopal church of Brooklyn, in which both he and his wife held membership, and Mrs. Tinker was described as being a woman of the highest character, who, in addition to raising an extensive family of her own, adopted into her home and reared three orphan children. She passed away on the 12th of January, 1899, her husband's death having occurred in 1895. In their family were twelve children, as follows : Charlotte, the widow of a Mr. Hazelwood, of Oklahoma ; Wainwright, who died while serving in the Civil war, having enlisted from Poweshiek county ; Wesley, also a veteran of the Civil war, who served in the same company as his brother Wainwright, and who is now living at the Soldiers Home ; Martha, the deceased wife of Paris Fimpel, of South Dakota : William Hilton, of Pennsylvania ; Mrs. Matilda Sterling, of Brooklyn : Sarah, who married D. C. Sleggel, of Bear Creek township; Joshua, residing in Dexter. Towa: James, who passed away when twenty-two years of age; Arabella, who married Charles Jewell, of Lake City, Iowa : George Edwin. of this review ; and Mrs. Hannah Allen, deceased.
George Edwin Tinker was but four years of age when he came with his par- ents to Bear Creek township, and he has therefore' passed almost his entire life upon the farm which is still his home. He received his education in the coun- try schools of the neighborhood and when not engaged with his text-books as- sisted his father in the work of the farm, largely becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. Upon attaining his majority he wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared, and for eighteen years rented the old homestead from his father. At the end of that time he purchased the property, which then consisted of three hundred and fifty- five acres, and to its cultivation and further development he has since devoted his time and attention. That his efforts have been attended by most excellent results is indicated by the fact that he has added to his original holdings until his farm now consists of five hundred and twenty acres, located in one body on sections 5, 7. 8 and 18. There are two good dwellings on the place and Mr. Tinker has remodeled all of the old buildings, has erected new barns and out- buildings and has introduced many modern improvements, making this one of the valuable and desirable properties of this part of Poweshiek county. Aside from general farming he engages extensively in the raising and feeding of stock and is a large shipper, sending from five to eight carloads of stock annually to the Chicago market. He also has other interests, being a stockholder in the Vol. II-18
372
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
Farmers' Cooperative Creamery Company of Brooklyn, and also a stockholder in the Brooklyn Opera House Company.
It was on the 19th of October, 1882, that Mr. Tinker was united in marriage to Miss Keturah Francis, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, where she was born on the 9th of September, 1861. On the 7th of February, 1867, she came to Poweshiek county with her parents, James L. and Margaret (Cochran) Fran- cis, both natives of Ohio, who passed away on a farm in Bear Creek township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tinker have been born five children, namely: Nola May, who married Forest Doty, of Bear Creek township, and has one daughter, Mar- tha; Lowery Edwin, residing on the home farm, who is married and has a daughter, Margaret ; Harry Elmer, at home: Eva Lena, who wedded Herbert Brannian, of Brooklyn ; and Martha Etta, also still under the parental roof.
Having passed his entire life within the borders of Poweshiek county, Mr. Tinker's interests have ever been closely identified with those of the district in which he has so long resided, and he has ever been most loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship. Although deeply interested in the public welfare, he has never sought to figure prominently in politics, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private affairs, in the conduct of which he has met with most gratifying results. He is a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment and the success which he today enjoys has come to him as the result of his own labor, economy and indomitable energy.
GRANT RAMSEY.
Among the young business men of Grinnell none stands higher in the estima- tion of the people than Grant Ramsey, who is at the head of one of the most flourishing commercial enterprises in the city. He was born in Gilman, Marshall county, Jowa, October 28, 1878, a son of John and Fannie (Rice) Ramsey, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. The mother removed to Franklin Grove, Illinois, with her parents, and Mr. Ramsey came to the same place in his young manhood. They were married there and he en- gaged in farming until 1865, when he removed to Iowa by wagon and located upon one hundred and sixty acres of government land near Gilman, in Tama county. He proceeded to improve his property and later purchased eighty acres adjoining, making a farm of two hundred and forty acres which became highly productive. In 1898 he removed to Grinnell. The mother was called away in 1903, and in the spring of 1910 Mr. Ramsey was married to Mrs. Hausen, widow of Henry Hausen. Mrs. Ramsey was a schoolmate of her husband in the early days. She was residing at Franklin Grove, Illinois, at the time of her second marriage and Mr. Ramsey has since made his home there. He is a member of the Congregational church and in business affairs has been highly successful, having attained a position of comparative financial independence.
Grant Ramsey was reared under the parental roof and received his early edu- cation in the district schools. Later he attended the Grinnell high school. Hav- ing decided upon a mercantile career, he began as a clerk in the hardware and
373
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
grocery store of Bailey & Rinefort, continuing therein for three years. He then spent one summer in the west with Mr. Bailey in the buggy-trailing business. Upon returning to Grinnell he went to work in the grocery department of Proc- tor, Cady & Company and on June 1, 1903, purchased the business from his en- ployers. By the application of up-to-date methods he has built up a large pat- ronage and is now at the head of the largest grocery, bakery and market business in this section of the state. He is also a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Grinnell Savings Bank and the Grinnell Brick & Tile Com- pany.
On June 1, 1904, Mr. Ramsey was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Proc- tor, a daughter of F. O. Proctor, formerly a prominent business man of Grinnell, but now deceased. Of this union two children have been born : Frederick P. and John P. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are valued members of the Congregationalist church. Politically he gives his support to the republican party and fraternally he is identified with Herman Lodge, No. 273, A. F. & A. M., and Grinnell Lodge, No. 175, K. P. He is also identified with the Commercial Club and the Powe- shieks of Grinnell. He has been remarkably enterprising and his energy has met with well merited reward. His business methods are straightforward and his substantial qualities have won for him a general and lasting regard.
JASPER N. MARSH.
One of Poweshiek county's retired agriculturists who spent three and one-half years of his carly manhood on the battlefields of the south in defense of his com- try, is Jasper N. Marsh. He was born in Lee county, Iowa, on the ioth of March, 1844, his parents being Isaac L. and Martha A. ( Williams) Marsh, both natives of Darke county, Ohio, where they were reared and married. In 1839 they migrated to Lee county, Iowa, where the father entered government land, which he improved and cultivated, continuing its cultivation for many years. The mother has now passed away, but the father still survives at a venerable age and continues to reside in Lee county. In their family were eleven children, as fol- lows : Rebecca J., who is the widow of Amos Sniff, of Lee county. lowa ; Jasper N., our subject : Emeline, who is deceased ; Martha, the wife of William Liddle, of Argyle, Iowa : Wesley, who is residing in Lee county, Iowa; Ransom, who lives in Kansas ; Louisa, deceased : Edward, Monroe and Joseph, all of whom are residing in Lee county ; and Belle, deceased. The father always casts an inde- pendent ballot in politics, and both he and his wife affiliated with the Disciples church, holding membership in the first church of that denomination organized in Iowa.
Jasper N. Marsh, having been reared on a farm, early became familiar with the work of the fields, as while yet pursuing his education in the district schools he was assigned the lighter duties about the home. His responsibilities increased with the passing years, as his strength as well as judgment developed, so that when old enough to begin for himself he decided to follow agricultural pursuits as a life vocation. In February, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company F,
374
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
Sixteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front in defense of his coun- try. He saw much active service and participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and Kenesaw Mountain, both battles of Corinth and the siege of Vicks- burg and Atlanta. He was captured in the latter and consigned to Anderson- ville prison on the 22d of July, 1864, and there he was held until the 28th of April, 1865. After receiving his discharge he returned home, where he remained until the following year. In 1866 he came to Poweshiek county and purchased a farmi in Union township, which he cultivated until 1900, when he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and removed to Montezuma, where he is now living retired.
The 7th of January, 1869, Mr. Marsh married Miss Nancy S. Saunders, a daughter of Aaron A. and Harriet E. (Dudley) Saunders, of Union township. Her parents were natives of Ohio, having been born and reared in the vicinity of Jamestown. They removed to Poweshiek county in 1851, where the father was for many years engaged in farming. Both parents are now deceased. Of their union was born nine children, in the following order : Samantha, the wife of Pleasant Hayes, who is a resident of Montezuma; Irwin S., who is living at Searsboro, Iowa ; Nancy, now Mrs. Marsh,, who was born in the vicinity of For- est Home, Union township, on the 22d of August, 1851 ; James M., also a resi- dent of Searsboro; and Robert A. and Isaac H., both living in Union township ; Richard A., a resident of Lorimor, lowa; Harry S., of Searsboro; and Ernest F., who is living in Union township. The parents both affiliated with the Chris- tian church, and Mr. Saunders was a republican in politics.
Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of three children: Martha, the widow of Christopher Rempp, of Montezuma; Ethel Elizabeth, the wife of Burton Saunders, of Union township ; and Lewis A., also a resident of Union township, who married Anna Allen and lives on his father's farm.
Fraternally Mr. Marsh is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, while he maintains relations with his army comrades through his member- ship in the Grand Army of the Republic. His political rights have always been exercised in support of the candidates of the republican party, although he has never been an aspirant to official honors, and the religious affiliation of himself and wife is with the Christian church. Mr. Marsh is one of the old residents of the county, in the development and advancement of which he has contributed his quota as a good business man, successful agriculturist and desirable citizen.
ORISON C. HOLDEN.
During the entire period of his active career Orison C. Holden has been as- sociated with the agricultural development of Poweshiek county, continuing to be engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Grinnell township. He was born in Jasper county in September, 1867, and is a son of Elias W. and Eliza- beth (McKay) Holden, both natives of the state of New York, but the father of German and the mother of Scotch extraction. The father, who was also a farmer, removed to Minnesota in 1854, following his vocation in that state for
375
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
thirteen years. At the end of that time he removed to Jasper county, lowa, where he owned a farm, and where he remained until 1889. In the latter year he located in Poweshiiek county, where he purchased a farm, but he has been a resident of Webster county, Missouri, since 1892.
It was in the common schools of Poweshick and Jasper counties that Orison C. Holden obtained his preliminary education, following the completion of which he entered business college at Shenandoah, where he pursued a commercial course. Subsequently he taught school for two terms in Missouri and then en- gaged in farming. Returning to Poweshick county he rented a farm for six years, in the cultivation of which he engaged until 1902, when he purchased a place in Grinnell township, upon which he lived until the Ist of March, 1911, when he removed to his present location, which he rents, adjacent to the city of Grinnell. Here Mr. Holden is engaging in general farming, but his attention is largely given to the breeding of Angus cattle, of which he is making a specialty. His is one of the valuable farms of the township. The land is thoroughly culti- vated and in good condition, while the buildings are substantially constructed and well repaired. Mr. Holden has met with most gratifying success in his vari- ous undertakings and owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Mitchell county, Iowa.
Mr. Holden was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Spooner, a daughter of Luke P. Spooner, a farmer, in August, 1896. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Holden: Glenwood Miles, Grace Olive and Winifred Irene. The religious faith of the family is manifested in their affiliation with the Baptist church of Grinnell.
Mr. Holden has always been a stanch adherent of the republican party, but as he has never aspired to public honors or the emoluments of office does not ac- tively participate in local politics. It is generally known, however, that his sup- port is always given to all measures which will tend to promote the mental, moral, or commercial welfare of the community.
JOHN J. RODGERS.
John J. Rodgers, manager of the Rodgers Produce Company, arrived in Mon- tezuma on his eighteenth birthday and has since been a resident of Poweshiek county. There are no esoteric chapters in his life history and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are among those who have known him from his boyhood indicates that his record has at all times been worthy of regard and admiration. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, March 20, 1852, and is a son of John K. and Levina ( Woodward) Rodgers. He was next to the youngest in their family of eight children of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of Jo- seph W. Rodgers on another page of this work. His youthful days were spent in the Buckeye state and its public schools afforded him his educational privi- leges. As previously stated, he reached Montezuma on his eighteenth birthday in company with his parents and sisters, his brothers James and Joseph having preceded him. Here John J. Rodgers has made his home continuously since
376
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
1870 and in the intervening period of forty-one years has been an advocate of all that is progressive in citizenship and in business. After coming to this county he attended school for three months and then put aside his text-books to enter business life. He clerked for about four years, most of the time in the employ of F. A. Kilburn, the pioneer merchant here. He afterward engaged in farming for five years about four miles southeast of Montezuma, and for twenty-three years was connected with the lumber and grain business in the employ of Moler & Clark. Since that time he has been managing the Rodgers Produce Company, a business founded by his brothers but now owned by Muscatine parties. John J. Rodgers is the owner of a comfortable residence here and his wife owns a farm near the city.
It was in the year 1879 that Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage to Miss Sarah K. Searight, who was born in June, 1856, near Zanesville, Ohio, and in 1863 came to Iowa with her parents. She is a daughter of John F. and Harriet C. (Stevens) Searight, natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively, both, how- ever, passing away in Poweshiek county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers have been born two children, Elwood J. and Lola V. The son married Dorothy Evans and is employed by the Union Pacific Railroad at Omaha, Nebraska.
In his political views Mr. Rodgers is an earnest republican, having continu- ously supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise He is now serving on the school board and was its president in 1910. His fra- ternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Rodgers family has long been well known in this county and like the others of the name John J. Rodgers commands the good will, confidence and kindly regard of his fellow townsmen.
FREDERIC MORRISON.
A native of Grinnell, Frederic Morrison has become one of its successful business men and well merits the high regard in which he is held by many who have known him from his early boyhood. He was born June 9, 1879, a son of David S. and Fannie (Ricker) Morrison, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Frederic Morrison was reared under the parental roof and possessed rare ad- vantages of education and home training. He attended the public schools and the Grinnell high school, later matriculating at Grinnell College, from which he was graduated in 1901 with a degree of A. B. Almost from his earliest recollec- tion he has been acquainted with the glove manufacturing business, in his boy- hood learning every detail of this important industry. After leaving college he went to Europe, combining business with pleasure, and purchased skins for the factory. He also visited England, Belgium, Germany and France and made many observations of great interest. In February, 1902, he became connected with Morrison, McIntosh & Company, he and Mr. Ricker buying out the interest of E. A. Wadsworth, the title since being the Morrison & Ricker Manufacturing
377
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
Company. This is one of the important concerns of the kind in the west and it now enjoys a large and growing patronage.
On April 25, 1906, Mr. Morrison was united in marriage to Miss Fay Cline, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, a daughter of Milton and Alice ( Alshire) Cline, who died when Mrs. Morrison was a child. She was reared by an uncle, Dr. James Mc- Morris, and educated at the Belle Plaine high school, graduating in 1896. Later she entered Grinnell College, from which she was graduated with a degree of A. B. in 1905. She is a lady of many estimable traits of character. Two chil- dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, namely : David Cline and James Robert.
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.