USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 4
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Mrs. Taylor is a native of the state of New York, her birth having occurred there on the IIth of May, 1854. Ten children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, the order of their birth being as follows: Frankie, who is deceased ; May, the wife of J. W. Playle, residing in the vicinity of Monte- zuma ; Nina, the deceased wife of Frank Morrison ; Charles, who lives in Pleas- ant township: Fred, a resident of Washington township; Clara, the wife of R. D. Ready, of Hayes county, Nebraska ; John, who is living in the same place ; and Frank, Henry and Pearl, all of whom are at home.
In religious matters the views of the family coincide with those of the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination, the parents being affiliated with the church at Blue Point, and fraternally Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic order. He casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party and served for sev- eral terms as school trustee, township clerk and assessor, while for eighteen years he was secretary of the township school board. He is one of the public- spirited and progressive citizens, as well as capable business men of Searsboro, where he is widely known and highly regarded.
WILLIAM STEELE SANDERS.
Among the esteemed citizens of Grinnell township is William Steele Sanders, the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land and a man whose sterling traits of character have gained for him the highest respect and confidence. He is a native son of Iowa, born at Grinnell, January 30, 1873, his parents being George Lucius and Mary (Steele) Sanders. The father was a native of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, and the mother of Arcade, New York. They were married at Arcade in 1870 but had both lived at Grinnell, having come to Iowa in 1863. Mr. Sanders was for a number of years proprietor of the Sanders House and later engaged in farming. He subsequently moved to Modesto, California. Politically he gave his allegiance to the republican party and in religious belief was affiliated with the Congregational church.
The mother of our subject was a daughter of Alonzo and Ann D. (Tracy) Steele. Her father was born near Arcade, New York, August 15, 1816, and be- came a student at Oberlin College, where he met Miss Ann D. Tracy, who was also a student there, and their acquaintance led to their marriage. He engaged in the woolen business at Arcade, New York, and in 1863 came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where Professor Parker had invested in land for him, buying it at ten dollars per acre. This land became the family homestead. Mr. Steele en- gaged in the lumber business at Grinnell and later in the sale of agricultural imple- ments, this business developing into a large hardware store, which was con-
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ducted under the name of Craver, Steele & Austin. The company continued for twenty-five years at Grinnell and then moved to Harvey, Illinois, where they met with reverses and the business was abandoned. Mr. Steele was an earnest mem- ber of the Congregational church and a liberal contributor toward all Christian enterprises. Originally he was identified with the whig party but he became a republican and continued as a supporter of the republican party during the re- mainder of his days. He was an active worker in politics but never sought the honors or emoluments of office. His wife was a woman of a remarkably bright mind, a sincere Christian and a true philanthropist. Her home was noted as a center of hospitality and kindliness. She passed away in 1853. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Steele were three children: Mary, who married George Lucius Sanders ; Louise, who is deceased ; and Myra, also deceased. A professorship in mathematics at Grinnell College was established by Mr. Steele as a memorial to his daughter Myra.
William Steele Sanders received his early education in the public schools of Grinnell and later entered Grinnell College, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of B. S. He was attracted to agricultural pursuits and has de- voted his attention to farming, being now the owner of one of the most desirable farms of Grinnell township. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of the land which was acquired by his grandfather nearly fifty years ago and one hundred and sixty acres which he purchased as a result of his own well directed labors. In connection with the cultivation of the soil he raises and feeds stock and, as he is both scientific and practical in his methods, the results are very satisfactory.
In January, 1899, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Della Andrews, a native of Ladora, Iowa, and a daughter of Daniel Andrews, who was a resident of Grinnell for several years and is now living in California. Three children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders : Lyman A., Robert R. and Mary Elizabeth.
Mr. Sanders politically is allied with the republican party and in religious belief he adheres to the Congregational church. He has spent his entire life in Poweshiek county and through his business ability and spirit of progressiveness he has gained a host of friends. He is a representative of the younger generation of farmers, who possess advantages of training unknown to their fathers and oc- cupy advanced lines in all departments of the industry. By a useful and honor- able life he has acquired a standing which is of vastly greater value than immense wealth gained through questionable methods.
ORLANDO D. HALL.
Orlando D. Hall is well known as the owner of the Maple Lawn Farm, located on section 3, Scott township, Poweshiek county, and his popularity among his fellow townsmen has been proven by the fact that in 1906, although living in a republican stronghold, he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of county supervisor. He is a native of Berrien county, Michigan,
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his birth having occurred May 4, 1852. His parents were George and Kath- arine (Deardorff) Hall, the former born in Butler county, Ohio, in February, 1826, while the latter claims Indiana as the state of her nativity. The father removed to Michigan from Ohio with his parents when he was a lad of ten years but after one year the family returned to Ohio and there the grand- father passed away. The father of our subject, however, remained in Berrien county, Michigan, until 1865, when he removed with his family to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. He was a prosperous man and became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich farming land. He died here on the 12th of January, 1898, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother. however, still survives and makes her home in Brooklyn. Their family num- bered seven children, namely: Orlando D., of this review; Curtis, a resident of Madison county, lowa; Eklon L., of Scott township, who is mentioned else- where in this volume ; Cass L., of Brooklyn ; Charles H., who is also mentioned in this work: Myrtle, of Brooklyn; and Guy O., who makes his home in Malcom.
O. D. Hall was reared in the state of his nativity to the age of thirteen years, at which time he accompanied his parents on their removal to Poweshiek county, the family home being established on a farm in Bear Creek township, just across the road from the present home of our subject. At that time much of the land was unbroken prairie and the homes of the settlers were widely scattered. He assisted his father in breaking new land and making a home and his ex- perience then proved of value to him when making a home for himself. He remained with his father until 1875, when he was married to Miss Savilla Shuler, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1856, a (laughter of George and Sarah ( Woodley) Shuler. The father died in the Keystone state in 1868, after which the daughter accompanied her mother to Poweshick county in 1874. The mother passed away here on the 27th of February, 1895.
Following his marriage Mr. Hall located on his farm of two hundred acres on section 3, Scott township, which at that time was unbroken prairie. He at once set to work to break the land and cultivate his fields and as time passed he gathered rich harvests as a reward for the labor which he bestowed upon it. He also made all the improvements on the place, building a good substantial residence and outbuildings, all of which work was done with his own hands with the exception of some help he received in the construction of the house. His place is now known as the Maple Lawn Farm and is one of the most beautiful, as well as productive tracts, in this section of the county. He gives his time to general farming and stock-raising and also does some feeding. He follows modern methods in carrying on his work and his success is well mer- ited for it has come to him through his own well directed labors and sound business judgment.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hall has been blessed with eight children : Sherman, of Scott township; Carrie, the wife of B. F. Kensinger, of Bear Creek township; Homer, who makes his home in Huron. South Dakota: Glenn, who is attending school in Davenport, Iowa; Kathryn, the wife of Glenn Crider, of Bear Creek township: and Fred, Clyde and Helen, all at home.
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Mr. Hall has been a lifelong democrat and on that ticket in 1906 was elected as county supervisor, his term of service beginning on the Ist of Jan- uary, 1907, and he was the first democrat to hold that position in the county, this being a republican stronghold. He was elected for a second term, polling all but thirteen out of the one hundred and fifty-six votes cast in Scott town- ship. He has also filled the office of justice of the peace and has served in other minor offices of the township. He is a popular official and ever discharges his duties with the same fidelity that he conduets his private business affairs. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, and he and his family attend and support the. Methodist Episcopal church. Having resided in Poweshiek county for forty-six years, Mr. Hall feels a deep interest in its welfare and is ever found ready to do what he can to advance its interests, while at the same time he is meeting with success in the conduct of his own business affairs.
FRED BAUSTIAN.
As the name indicates, Fred Baustian comes of German ancestry and the traits of character which ever mark the people of that nationality are strongly manifest in his life. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land on section 4. Pleasant township, and here he is devoting his energies to its further improvement and cultivation.
Mr. Baustian is a native of Poweshick county, born in Chester township, July 12, 1872, a son of George and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Baustian, both of whom were born in Germany, the former in Pashinn, January 26, 1837. He was a young man of twenty-one years when he emigrated to the new world with his parents, the date of their arrival being June 21, 1861. They located in Illinois and it was in Lockport, that state, that George Baustian was married, on the 13th of October, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Schmidt. He remained in Illinois until the spring of 1866, when he removed with the family to Jasper county, Iowa, where he made his home for five years. He then came to Poweshiek county and engaged in farming, in which he continued until in May, 1901, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis. He remained in an invalid con- dition until his sufferings were terminated by death on the 16th of November, 1906, when he was in his seventieth year. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and was a member of that denomination in Malcom. He was an industrious man and led an upright life, his genial spirit and kindly deeds endearing him to all those with whom he came in contact. His widow, who was born in Germany, May 9, 1835, still survives, and now makes her home with her daughter. Mrs. Appleby. in Chester township. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children: John, a resident of Rock Rapids, Iowa; George; Henry ; Peter : Joseph ; Fred : Emma, the wife of Andrew Appleby, of Chester township ; and Sophie, deceased wife of John Baltisberger, of Poweshiek county.
Fred Baustian spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and was early trained to habits of industry and economy, which have proved valuable assets in his later life. At the time of his marriage he started
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out upon an independent business venture, operating rented land for five years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Chester township but sold this and bought his present farm of one hundred and fifty acres in March, 1906, this farm being located on section 4, Pleasant township. He here gives his time and attention to general farming, and his labors have brought him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
Mr. Baustian was married February 14. 1895, to Miss Henrietta Schultz, who was born in Sheridan township, November 8, 1873, a daughter of Carl Heinrich Martin and Augusta ( Blat) Schultz. Her father was born September 1, 1843, in Richtenberg, Pomerania, Prussia, and came with his parents to America in 1855, the family home being established at Princeton, Illinois. After residing for ten years in that state, the family removed to Poweshiek county, and here Mr. Schultz followed farming in Sheridan township for many years but the last five years of his life were spent in Malcom, where he was called to his final rest, when more than sixty-two years of age. His widow still survives and makes her home in Brooklyn. Their marriage was blessed with seven children but two of the number are deceased: Minnie and August, who died at the age of fifteen years. Those living are: Lena, the wife of Peter Baustian : Henrietta, the wife of our subject; Jacob: Theodore F .; and Ger- trude. All are residents of Poweshiek county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baustian have been born three children : Alfred, Carrie and Grace.
Mr. Baustian gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church of Mal- com. He is a representative young farmer, who rapidly discerns opportunities of advancement and is working his way to the front among the substantial citizens of Poweshiek county.
SAMUEL S. ORMISTON.
An excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located on section 15. Madison township, pays sterling tribute to the care and attention bestowed upon it by Samuel S. Ormiston, one of the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of this locality.
He was born in Washington county, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1857, a son of John and Harriett (Disbro) Ormiston. The former was born in Scotland about 1822 and when a little lad of but two years of age came with his parents to America, the family home being established in Washington county, Ohio. There he spent practically his entire lifetime, giving his attention during the period of his business career to the occupation of farming. His death occurred there in February, 1894. His wife, who was a native of New York, accompanied her parents to Ohio when but a child. Her father was drowned in the Muskingum river, near Zanesville, Ohio. She met and married John Ormiston in Washing- ton county, Ohio, and still survives him, making her home on the old homestead with her youngest daughter, Mrs. James' Schweikert.
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Samuel S. Ormiston was reared on the home farm in Ohio, spending the pe- riod of his boyhood and youth amid the wholesome influences of rural life, and re- mained with his father until he was nineteen years of age, when he came west to Iowa, locating in Brooklyn, Poweshiek county. Here he worked at farm labor by the month for three years, after which he made his way to Jefferson township where two years were devoted to the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The three following years were given to the cultivation of a rented farm in Scott township, after which he took a year's trip, driving through Kansas and Nebraska in search of a favorable location. After a thorough investi- gation he purchased two hundred acres in Nebraska, which remained in his pos- session until nineteen years ago. After his return to lowa he rented a farm in Warren township for two years, and then operated the Garvin Lang place in Madison township in the capacity of renter for five years.
In 1892 he purchased his present homestead of one hundred and twenty acres located on section 15, Madison township, whereon he has since continued to re- side. Here he engages in general farming and also devotes much of his time to stock-raising, being the owner of a fine recorded herd of Hereford cattle. He also raises a good grade of hogs and for the past twenty-five years has made a specialty of breeding Plymouth Rock chickens, every year hatching from five to six hundred chickens. He is well known throughout the township for the ex- cellent grade of his stock and he has so carefully managed his interests that today he is ranked among the most substantial farmers and stock-raisers in this locality.
On the 18th of February, 1881, Mr. Ormiston was united in marriage to Miss Mary Katharine Torrance, a daughter of Thomas and Mary ( Barr) Torrance, both natives of Ireland. The father, whose birth occurred in Garvah, London- derry county, was there reared, and when a youth of seventeen years he came alone to the United States, determining to seek a home and fortune on this side of the Atlantic. He resided in Philadelphia for a time where he was engaged as cabinet-maker, and later assisted in the construction of the Lehigh canal. He then purchased a boat, which he operated as captain on the canal for a time, and subsequently took up railroad contracting, being employed on the construction of the Union Pacific road. In 1878 Mr. Torrance came to lowa, locating on a farm in Jefferson township, Poweshiek county, and there on one farm resided for twenty-three years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Hartwick, Jefferson township, where he now makes his home. His wife, who was born near Coleraine, Londonderry county, Ireland, is now deceased, her death occur- ring on the 16th of February, sixteen years ago, on the farm near Hartwick. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ormiston have been born four children: William Frederick, the eldest, resides with his parents on the home farm. He formerly engaged in school teaching and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mabel Torrance married Homer A. Carpenter, who is well known among the younger farmers of Madison township, and they now have one daughter, Vera Helen, three years of age: Mary Harriett resides at home and teaches school in district No. 5, Madison township; and Susan Florence, the youngest of the fam- ily, lives at home and attends the school taught by her sister. At one time all three daughters attended the school in the home district of which their brother William was teacher.
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Mr. Ormiston has given his support to the men and measures of the republi- can party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His fellow citi- zens have honored him by election to the various positions of public trust and he has acted as justice of the peace for four years. He also served on the school board for one term and has filled the office of township trustee for four years, while in 1911 he was reelected for another term of two years. The owner of a well improved farming property, and progressive and practical in the conduct of his business affairs, he is now numbered among the substantial and well-to-do residents of Malcom township, while his life, ever upright and honorable, has gained for him the warm esteem and unqualified confidence of those with whom he has been brought into contact.
CAPTAIN GEORGE PHILLIPS.
Coming to Brooklyn when its population numbered but one hundred and fifty people, Captain George Phillips has watched it develop into a flourishing village of fifteen hundred inhabitants, and during the period of his residence here he has occupied a prominent place in the community, his activity in both business and public interests proving a stimulating and potent force toward progress and im- provement along various lines.
Born in Onondaga county, New York, on the 13th of August, 1835, he is a son of George and Betsy (Craig) Phillips, natives of Bristol, England, where they were reared and married. Thinking to find better business opportunities in the new world, the father came alone to the United States in 1833, locating in Marcellus, Onondaga county, New York, and a year later was followed by his wife and family, consisting then of a son and daughter. The parents spent their remaining days upon the farm where they had first located, the father passing away when Captain Phillips was very young. He had been a farmer through- out his lifetime and was the first to introduce the growing of teasels into America. After his arrival in this country the family of George Phillips, Sr., was increased to four children, as follows: Eliza, who was the wife of Ralph McKinney and died in Illinois in 1907; Edward, a resident of Wolsey, South Dakota; George, of this review; and A. W., a physician residing in Derby, Connecticut, who is also a member of the senate of that state. The last named served as a soldier in the Union army during the time of the Civil war, enlist- ing from Onondaga county, New York, in the Twelfth New York Regiment, and later serving as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth New York Infantry.
Captain George Phillips spent the first twenty years of his life in Onondaga and Cayuga counties, New York, and in 1855 sought the opportunities of the growing west, making his way to Iroquois county, Illinois. After two years there spent he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and thence to Waterloo, where he spent the winter. When a young man of twenty years of age he had learned the car- penter's trade, and followed that occupation in both Illinois and Iowa, assisting in the building of one of the first railroad bridges in the latter state. He also
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helped to build the first packing house at Ottumwa, lowa, and was variously engaged at his trade until July, 1860, when he came to Brooklyn, Poweshiek county, and has since been a resident of this place.
At the time of the Civil war he assisted in organizing Company H, Twenty- eighth lowa Volunteer Infantry, and in August, 1862, was mustered in as first lieutenant of his company. Later, on the 3d of August, 1863, he was pro- moted to the rank of captain of the same company and as such served until the close of the war. His regiment was one of the three lowa regiments to take part in the operations in the Shenandoah valley under General Sheridan, and he also saw service in thirteen important battles as well as many minor en- gagements. Captain Phillips participated in every engagement in which his regiment took part with the exception of one, the battle at Sabine Cross Roads, at which time he was in a hospital in New Orleans. At the close of hostilities he was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, and returned home with a military record that was most honorable and creditable.
When his country no longer needed his services Captain Phillips once more took up civil pursuits, entering business in connection with O. F. Dorrance, under the firm style of Phillips & Dorrance, dealers in general merchandise. He was thus engaged for eight years and then retired from business activities to give his entire attention to the duties of public office, to which he had been elected by his fellow townsnien. He had been most fortunate in his business ventures, winning a success which now ranks him among the substan- tial and well-to-do citizens of Poweshiek county. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of rich land six miles south of Brooklyn and three-quarters of a section in Minnesota. He is the president of Yellowstone Valley Land Com- pany, Inc., and in this connection was associated with five others in the owner- ship of fifty thousand acres of land in Dawson County, Montana, which they have since sold.
Captain Phillips' connection with the public life of Brooklyn extends over many years and forms a period of continuous and substantial growth in the his- tory of the community. On the 17th of December, 1874, he was appointed to the position of postmaster of Brooklyn, his term of office continuing for thir- teen years, or until the election of Grover Cleveland to the presidency. He was then elected mayor of the city, his fellow townsmen thus conferring upon him the highest honor in their power to bestow. For two years he occupied the office of chief executive and during that time gave the city a business like and progressive administration. He next served for four years as clerk of the district court. He was a member of the city council for several years and in that capacity had personal charge of the installation of the water system, and for several years also served on the board of education, during which period the new high-school building was erected. In fact few projects having for their object the improvement and betterment of the town have failed to arouse his deep interest or to receive his hearty indorsement and cooperation, and he is numbered among Brooklyn's most representative and valued residents.
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