USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 37
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On the 12th of March, 1895, Mr. Ewoldt was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kelm, a daughter of Frank and Julia ( Polaska ) Kelm, of Malcom town-
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ship. Mr. and Mrs. Ewoldt were the parents of one son, Henry, who was born August 5, 1907, and is now deceased.
Politically Mr. Ewoldt is identified with the democratic party, but not in the hope of acquiring office, as he has never aspired to the emoluments of any public position, being more than satisfied to attend quietly to his own affairs. He was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church to which he has ever since adhered, being also a valued member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Grinnell. He is a man of excellent traits and one who readily makes friends wherever he is known. As a farmer he takes great interest in every- thing pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising, and for several years served as a member of the board of directors of the Malcom fair.
JOHN H. PORTER.
John H. Porter is a retired merchant of Montezuma and the vice president of the First National Bank. While he has won success in business it is his personal characteristics that have endeared him to his fellowmen. Especially is he prominent and popular in the Grand Army of the Republic, and he may well be proud of the fact that for thirty years he has been chosen the color bearer of his post.
He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, April 29, 1841, and was therefore but a lad of thirteen years when, in November, 1854, he arrived in Montezuma with his parents, Alexander and Catharine (Ralston) Porter. The father was born in Ireland in 1807 and the mother in Virginia. Alexander Porter came to the United States with his parents when seven years of age and located in that portion of Virginia which is now the Panhandle of West Virginia. There he was reared and married and later he became a pioneer in the forests of Ohio, entering land from the government and residing in that state until he came to Iowa. For a few years he lived in Montezuma and then took up his abode in Pleasant township, where for a long period he carried on general agricultural pursuits. In later years, however, he retired from business and again became a resident of Montezuma, where he died January 14, 1899. when eighty-two years of age. His wife died February 14, 1879. In their family were eleven children, of whom one died in infancy. The others were: Hen- rietta, of Montezuma : Scott T., deceased; Eliza J., who passed away in 1858: James L., of Ohio, who served for three years in the Civil war as a soldier in the Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Mary A., who wedded George Burns, of Des Moines ; John H., of this review: Joseph M., of Pleasant town- ship: Johnson A., residing at Grinnell; S. J., also of that city ; and C. C., of Des Moines.
The usual experiences of farm life came to John HI. Porter in his boyhood and youth, and his educational advantages were those afforded by the public schools of his native and his adopted state. He remained with his father until his enlistment for service in the Civil war on the 2d of August, 1862, as a member of Company C, Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served
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for three years, or until the close of the war, and was mustered out with his regiment at Savannah, Georgia, July 31, 1865, having in the meantime par- ticipated in a number of hotly contested engagements in which his bravery and his determination were many times proven.
Following the cessation of hostilities Mr. Porter engaged in farming in Pleasant township from 1865 until 1872, and following his removal to Monte- zuma in the latter year was engaged in the hardware business with A. F. Ray- burn under the firm style of Rayburn & Porter for a quarter of a century. He made for himself a creditable place among merchants in this city as the methods he pursued were always straightforward and honorable, and he put forth earnest efforts to please his patrons. While now living retired from close connection with active business affairs he is the vice president of the First National Bank of Montezuma, in which he owns considerable stock, and his property holdings include ninety acres of valuable land in Jackson township adjoining the corporation limits of Montezuma on the north, together with an attractive residence and business property in this city.
In 1869 Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Rayburn, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, and in 1879, at the age of forty-one years, was called to her final rest. She was a daughter of John K. Rayburn, and by her marriage became the mother of five children, as follows: Gertrude, the wife of W. L. Meredith, of Montezuma : Mary, who passed away in infancy ; Ray- mond A .. of Idaho: Alice, who also died in infancy ; and Albert L. operating his father's farm. After the death of his first wife, in 1887, Mr. Porter was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Alicia McMillien. She was born in Harnedsville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of Septem- ber, 1850, and in 1865, when a maiden of fifteen summers, came with her par- ents to lowa. She is a daughter of John Harned and a granddaughter of Sam- nel Harned, in honor of whom the town of Harnedsville was named.
In his political views Mr. Porter has long been a stalwart republican, giving to the party unfailing support. For twelve years he served as a member of the city council and did effective work in behalf of public progress and improve- ment. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, and since the organization of the local post has served as its color bearer. He has strong and deep attachment for the starry banner and is as true and loyal to his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south.
J. W. FOWLER.
J. W. Fowler, proprietor of the Grinnell Creamery, Ice & Cold Storage Plant, is one of the most respected citizens of Poweshiek county-an honor which he has gained wholly through application of sound principles of business in affairs in which the city and surrounding country are deeply interested. He was born near Sullivan, Indiana, October 31, 1859, a son of James D. and Caroline ( Houg- land) Fowler, the former of whom was a native of Ohio and the latter of Indi-
MR. AND MRS. J. W. FOWLER
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
ana. They were married in Indiana and located on a farm near Sullivan. The mother died in 1864, and the father subsequently married Miss Martha Merrill. In 1868 he removed with his family to Muscatine county, lowa, and later spent two or three years in Arkansas, but returned to lowa and took up his home in Grinnell, where he now lives.
J. W. Fowler came to lowa at the age of nine years and received his early education in the common schools. He started as a wage-earner at seventeen, working as a farm hand in the summer and attending school in the winter. He taught school for two years but determined to devote his attention to farming. Accordingly he rented land for three years and then bought one hundred and sixty acres, the northwest quarter of section 36, Grinnell township, on which he lived until 1900. For ten years of this time he operated a creamery on his farm, milking from twenty-five to thirty-five cows. He also made a specialty of breed- ing thoroughbred Holstein cattle and used such good judgment that he attained a national reputation as a breeder. He left his farm and removed to Council Bluffs, lowa, in 1900, but secured the services of E. W. Bortell to continue in the breeding business and they stocked the farm with thoroughbred Hereford cattle. Mr. Bortell managed affairs very successfully, but at the end of three years Mr. Fowler, having other use for his money, sold the place. While living at Council Bluffs he built a creamery at Corley, Shelby county, Iowa, which he ope- rated to excellent advantage for one year and then disposed of to farmers of that section. Returning to Grinnell, he fitted out the old wire factory as a creamery and entered upon a business which has developed to remarkable proportions. His patronage increased to such an extent that after one year he erected a modern brick structure, which is now part of his present plant. At first he confined his operations exclusively to the creamery business but later he began the manufac- ture of ice cream, and the demand has grown to such proportions that he now manufactures from two hundred to three hundred gallons a day, the product finding sale over a wide area in this part of the state. He established one of the first centralizing plants in this section and now receives cream daily from points as far distant as one hundred miles and manufactures a carload of butter a week, which is of such high quality that it finds sale even in the most exclusive markets of the east. In 1906 he installed an ice manufacturing and cold storage plant, which is one of the most modern of the kind to be found in Iowa. In addition to his large enterprises at Grinnell he owns a farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Audrain county, Missouri, which under his direction has become highly productive.
On the 20th of October, 1882, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Malvina Allbee, a native of Muscatine county, Iowa, and by this union nine children were born, five of whom are now living, namely: Theda A., now Mrs. Orville Jordan, of Flagler. Colorado; Weaver L., who is in the electrical business at St. Louis, Missouri ; Ruth, Raymond E., and Eunice, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Fowler and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. in which she is an active worker, being at the present time president of the Ladies Aid Society. Politically, he is not identified with any party but votes for the individual in preference to supporting any party organization. Fra-
Vol. II-19
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ternally, he holds membership in Grinnell Lodge, No. 175, Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Grinnell Commercial Club. He is a clear-headed busi- ness man whose energy, persistence and zeal have readily overcome obstacles that would have appeared insurmountable to an ordinary individual. He has built up a great enterprise from its very foundation and is recognized as one of the potent influences in the prosperity of a wide section in central Iowa. It is men of this class that add stability to the community and value to interests with which they are identified.
ITHIEL S. BAILEY, JR.
Ithiel S. Bailey, Jr., one of the most prominent and progressive citizens of Grinnell, is president of the Bailey Buggy Company, which have an extensive trade in the south and western country. He is also an extensive landowner and devotes a part of his time to general agricultural pursuits on his farm two miles northwest of Grinnell. His birth occurred in Moretown, Vermont, on the 6th of June, 1858, his parents being Ithiel S. and Lucy ( Pattroll ) Bailey, the former a native of Acworth. New Hampshire, and the latter of Norwich, Vermont. Following their marriage, which was celebrated in Moretown, Vermont, they removed to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where Mr. Bailey learned the carpenter's trade and also mastered bridge building. At that time bridges were largely con- structed after the truss pattern. In connection with his duties as a building contractor Mr. Bailey also engaged in general agricultural pursuits, operating a farm. In the spring of 1869 he came west to Grinnell, Iowa, and turned his entire attention to agriculture, acquiring a farm of one hundred and eighty- three acres two miles northwest of the town. In 1876 he disposed of the prop- erty and removed to Sac county. Iowa, where he purchased land and resided until called to his final rest about 1900, when eighty-two years of age. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy and held various local offices, serving as justice of the peace for several years. He was likewise a valued member of the Masonie fraternity, joining the order in 1865. His wife, who passed away in 1906, also lived to attain the age of eighty-two years.
Ithiel S. Bailey, Jr. was reared at home and obtained his education in the Grinnell high school. When a youth of eighteen he began his career as an agriculturist, renting a farm in the summer of 1876 and devoting his attention to its operation until the spring of 1884. At that time he came to Grinnell and embarked in business as a dealer in farm implements, being thus prominently identified with mercantile interests until 1900. During the greater part of the time he was associated with A. A. Foster, his brother-in-law. and J. C. Goodrich. In 1900 Mr. Bailey and Mr. Goodrich sold their interests to Mr. Foster and em- barked in business as hardware merchants. A\ year later A. C. Rinefort joined the firm and, in association with Mr. Bailey, purchased the interest of Mr. Good- rich. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Rinefort then conducted both a hardware and grocery establishment for about two years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Bailey disposed of his interest in the concern and embarked in the vehicle
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business, his market being the west and southwestern country. For the past nine years he has been engaged in that line of business, which has assumed extensive and profitable proportions. He disposes of his goods through the system of trailing, taking the buggies through the country and selling direct to the farmers. Mr. Bailey is also quite extensively interested in farm lands, and in addition to his place two miles northwest of Grinnell, he owns three hun- dred and twenty acres in the Alberta district of Canada and an eighty acre farm in Oklahoma. He cultivates his Poweshiek county land and likewise feeds cattle to some extent. He is also a stockholder in the Grinnell Gas Company.
In 1876 Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Ida Kate Houghton, of Grinnell, Iowa, by whom he has a son, Louis Nelson Bailey, still at home, who is engaged with his father in the buggy business. Mr. Bailey is a stanch re- publican in politics and served for several years as president of the Grinnell school board. At the present time he is a member of the city council of Grinnell. He is also a valued member of the Grinnell Commercial Club, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Grinnell Lodge, No. 175. Both he and his wife belong to the Congregational church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. By constant exertion, as- sociated with good judgment, Mr. Bailey has raised himself to the position which he today occupies in business circles, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
PAUL ESLER.
With practically no capital, but an unlimited supply of energy and determina- tion of purpose, Paul Esler came to America in his early manhood, and by means of his own carefully executed plans and well directed efforts has achieved the success he so thoroughly merited. He was born in Ireland in 1852 and is a son of William and Jennie ( Yetty) Esler, both natives of the Emerald isle, where they spent their entire lives, the father engaging in agricultural pursuits.
The common schools of his native land provided Paul Esler with his educa- tion, following which he engaged in farming until 1879, when he determined to become a citizen of the United States, feeling convinced that his chances of real- izing his ambition were far better here than there so he took passage for Amer- ica and landed in New York. Immediately making his way into the interior of the state he obtained employment on a farm, where he remained a short time, when he came to Iowa. Upon his arrival here he located in Jasper county, being a resident of Hickory Grove township until he removed to Poweshiek county in 1904. By means of thrift, industry and constant and unceasing application he acquired considerable property in Jasper county, all of which is quite valuable. When he came here Mr. Esler bought one hundred and fifty acres of land in Grinnell township, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising, while he also makes a specialty of feeding stock for the market. He has a very good farm, which is stocked with fine breeds of cattle and horses and contains sub- stantial improvements.
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At Kellogg, lowa, on the 3Ist of March, 1887, Mr. Esler was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Barr, a daughter of John Barr of Jasper county, who was one of the pioneer settlers, having located upon a farm there in the early '80s. Six children have been born of this marriage : Jennie, the wife of Harry Bacon, of Grinnell township ; and Ross, Agnes, Mary, William and Paul, all of whom are at home. The family attend the services of the Congregational church, of which denomination they are members.
Ever since granted the right of suffrage Mr. Esler has given his political sup- port to the candidates of the republican party, considering its policy best adapted to subserve the interest of the majority. He has never actively participated in local governmental matters, however, preferring to spend such time as is not required in the supervision and direction of his business in the company of his family, to whom he is very much devoted. A man of high and honorable princi- ples of life, Mr. Esler is generally accorded the regard he most justly deserves.
JOHN H. OHLAND.
Among the many successful agriculturists of Sheridan township who came from Germany must be numbered the late John H. Ohland, who at the time of his demise had acquired three hundred acres of Poweshiek county's most fer- tile land. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 16th of Novem- ber, 1842, and was a son of Marcus and Katharine ( Todth) Ohland. The par- ents were natives of Litzuesta and spent their entire lives in the fatherland. Mr. Ohland, who was a cabinet-maker. passed away in 1867. but his wife survived him until 1872.
John H. Ohland was reared in his native province, in the common schools of which he acquired his education, following which he learned the carpentry trade. He remained a resident of his native country until 1868, at which tine he and his wife emigrated to the United States, locating on a farm in Scott county, lowa. Mr. Ohland also followed his trade in addition to his agricul- tural pursuits and worked as a stonemason, continuing to reside in Scott county for eleven years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Poweshick county, farming as a renter in Malcom township for six years. during which time by means of constant application, perseverance and thrift he acquired the necessary capital to enable him to buy eighty acres in Sheridan township. Here he continued to reside, engaging in general farming and stock-raising until his demise on the 26th of June. 1899.
He met with success in his ventures and was able to add to his holdings from time to time until he had secured the title to three hundred acres of valuable farming land at the time of his death. His wife subsequently assumed charge of the homestead, continuing its operation with the assistance of her sons until two years ago, at which time three of the heirs-Clause, Anna and Henry- bought the interest of the others. They now have entire charge of the prop- erty and the mother is living with them. All but fifty-seven acres, which is natural timber. is under cultivation. corn and oats being the heavy crops.
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The sons now make a specialty of the breeding and raising of registered Chester White hogs, while Miss Anna is raising silver laced Wyandotte and Columbia Wyandotte chickens.
In 1864, in Tombettle, Germany, Mr. Ohland was united in marriage to Miss Anna Rehader. Mrs. Ohland was a daughter of Clause and Vena ( Sci- bert ) Rehader, both natives of the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The parents spent their entire lives in the fatherland where Mr. Rehader, who was a wagonmaker, followed his trade until his demise in 1864. His wife survived him until 1888. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ohland were born the follow- ing children: Marcus, who married Helen Reimers, a daughter of Clause Rein- ers, a farmer of Sheridan township, and who lives on a farm northeast of Grinnell in Malcom township; they have six children, Etta, John, Fred, Edith, Florence and Mary : Clause, the second in the order of birth, is assisting in the cultivation of the old homestead: John, a farmer living in Mitchell county, this state, married Miss Anna Anderson, a daughter of P. A. Anderson, and they had two children, Gladys and Grant ; Mrs. Ohland passed away on the 14th of August, 1906, and he afterward married Miss Isabella Seibel, a daughter of George Seibel of Marshalltown, Iowa, and they have one child, Bernhard ; Rose, the eldest daughter, married Harry Reimers, a farmer of Sheridan township and has one child, Harley ; Anna and Henry, the youngest members of the family are living on the old homestead.
While residing in Germany Mr. and Mrs. Ohland attended the Lutheran church. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias of Malcom. He was a democrat but believed in the gold standard, and always took a deep interest in all political activities, having served as justice of the peace in Sheridan town- ship for two terms, while for many years he was a member of the board of school directors in district No. 6, Sheridan township. Mr. Ohland came to Poweshiek county with very limited means, but possessed an abundance of en- ergy and determination, which qualities were very instrumental in winning him the fair measure of success he enjoyed.
HUGH MCCLURE.
An excellent farm located in Malcom township pays tribute to the care and industry of Hugh MeChuire, who is numbered among Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Scott county on the 9th of June, 1856. His parents were James and Mary (Corrough ) MeClure, both natives of Ireland, and he is the sec- ond in order of birth in a family of seven sons and three daughters. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native county and had already attained man's estate ere coming with his parents to Poweshiek county in 1878. Agricul- tural pursuits have characterized his efforts throughout his active life, and he be- came an independent farmer when, about eight years ago, he purchased a farm of his own, consisting of two hundred and forty acres located on section 35, Malcom township. This is a well improved property, for Mr. McClure has employed the latest methods of tilling the soil, practices rotation of crops, and uses modern
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implements for facilitating farm labor. He engages in both general farming and stock-raising and is meeting the substantial success which his efforts well merit.
On the 9th of June, 1909, Mr. McClure was united in marriage to Miss Nola Stilwell, a native of Grinnell, Iowa, where her birth occurred on the Ist of April, 1887. Later she spent thirteen years at Chariton, Lucas county, Iowa, and was graduated from the high school of that city in 1906. Her parents were Edwin and Edith (Goodrich) Stilwell, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Scott county, this state. Mrs. Stilwell came to Poweshiek county in early childhood with her parents, who were among the pioneers of this district. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are the parents of one daughter, Margaret Laila, her birth occurring on the 3d of November, 1910.
The religious faith of Mr. McClure is that of the Presbyterian church, while in politics he gives stanch allegiance to the republican party. He is a worthy repre- sentative of our best type of American manhood, endowed by nature with admir- able qualities and commands uniform respect and good will wherever he is known.
WILLIAM H. SHOWALTER.
William H. Showalter, one of the representative, substantial and progres- sive agriculturists of Warren township, owns a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 22. Ilis birth occurred in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the 20th of March, 1846, his parents being Michael and Millie ( Spicer ) Show- alter, who were likewise natives of that county. The father was of German de- scent, while the mother came of English ancestry and belonged to one of the first families of Virginia. Michael Showalter, who was an agriculturist by occupation, spent his entire life in the Old Dominion, passing away in 1904 at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. His wife died about 1895, her demise oc- curring at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Niswander, in Warren town- ship, Poweshiek county, lowa.
William H. Showalter remained under the parental roof until he had at- tained the age of sixteen years and then entered the army in defense of his loved southland, joining Company C, Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, at Edinburg, Vir- ginia. in March, 1863. He remained at the front for two years and partici- pated in the battles of Gettysburg, Brandy Station, the Wilderness and a number of other conflicts. During one of the engagements he was severely injured by a fall from his horse. After the surrender of Lee he returned home and then came west, first settling in Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for one year. Subsequently he spent a similar period in Missouri and next made his home in Kansas for three years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Virginia, where he remained for two years and then iemoved to Colorado, where for three years he rode the range. Ile then again spent three years in Virginia and in 1878 came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, locating at Carn- forth. Warren township, where he purchased the farm of two hundred acres which has since remained in his possession. In connection with the produc- tion of cereals he also feeds hogs to some extent. both branches of his business
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