USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 40
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The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which denomination the parents were reared. Ever since granted the right of suffrage by naturalization Mr. Kriegel has given his political support to the candidates of the democratie party. He never sought public office or political honors, however, although he served as school director in district No. 4 for one term, preferring to devote his undivided attention to the develop- ment of his personal interests. Although he met with hardship and misfortune during the early years of his residence in the country Mr. Kriegel's tireless energy and indomitable purpose enabled him to overcome all obstacles and at- tain the success to which he aspired.
E. J. BENTON.
Agricultural pursuits have characterized the efforts of E. J. Benton through- out his business career, and he is meeting with most satisfactory results in his undertakings.
Born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 16th of December, 1859, he is a son of William and Lavina ( Moorehead) Benton, the former's birth occurring in Eng- land in 1795 and the latter's in Pennsylvania. The parents were married in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and came to Scott county, lowa, about 1856. The father there passed away in 1865 and later, in 1866, the mother came with her children to Poweshiek county, locating in Jackson township, where she was residing at the time of her death, in 1892, at the age of sixty-six years.
E. J. Benton was the fifth in order of birth in a family of six sons and three danghters, and was but a young lad when brought by his mother to Poweshiek county, within whose borders he has since continued to make his home. He took up his abode in Malcom township about twelve years ago on a rented farm of eighty acres on section 14, where he carries on general farming according to modern and up-to-date methods. He has made a close study of agriculture and is methodical, systematic and progressive, and close applica- tion, unfaltering industry and wise management are proving salient elements in the attainment of a creditable and gratifying success.
In 1882 occurred the marriage of Mr. Benton to Miss Minnie Keysor, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1861. As an infant she came to this county with her parents, Robert and Elizabeth Keysor, natives of Ohio, both of whom passed away in Poweshiek county. Ten children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Benton, namely : Tressie, the wife of Vernon B. Perry, of Wyom- ing : Jay, at home ; Mollie, deceased ; Alma, Ada, Guy, Wilma, Delbert, Harold and Xavie, all of whom are still at home.
Mr. Benton holds membership in the Brethren church and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a director of school No.
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6, the cause of education finding in him a loyal champion. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he heartily indorses all measures and movements having for their object the public welfare and he is numbered among the county's respected and representative adopted sons.
RICHARD M. CAIN.
Energy, perseverance and business ability were salient elements in the active career of Richard M. Cain, and were potent forces in the acquirement of the substantial degree of prosperity which enabled him to retire from agricultural pursuits and enjoy in well carned rest the fruits of his former toil.
He was born near Zanesville, Ohio, August 27, 1827, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (McClain) Cain, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The parents were both reared in Ohio and were there married and in that state the father passed away. Later the mother came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and here her death occurred. In their family were seven children, as follows: Will- iam, deceased ; Richard M .; Harvey, who has also passed away ; Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Brague Gray, a resident of California, who has twice been a widow; M. J. C'ain, of Brooklyn, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Isaac, deceased ; and Sarah Jane, the widow of Louis Nisperly, now residing at Parkersburg, West Virginia.
In Monroe and Belmont counties, Ohio, Richard M. Cain spent the early period of his life, and when only seventeen years of age entered the business world, engaging in the steamboat business on the Ohio, Mississippi and Mis- souri rivers. He was thus engaged at the time of the inauguration of the Civil war, and, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, enlisted in 1861 at the first call for troops for three months. Although he did not reenlist he was employed throughout almost the entire remainder of the war on the Anglo Saxon, a large stern-wheel river boat in the Union service. He was captured with the rest of the crew and was held a prisoner for about eight months.
After the close of hostilities, in 1866, he came to Poweshiek county, Iowa. and purchased a farm of two hundred acres on section 12, Bear Creek town- ship, about two miles northeast of Brooklyn. For more than a third of a cen- tury that remained his home and during the ensuing years he gave his entire time and attention to the development and improvement of his fields, bringing them under a high state of cultivation and enhancing the value of his property through the exercise of practical, progressive methods and good business ability. As the years passed success attended his efforts and, in 1900, he retired from agricultural pursuits and came to Brooklyn where he occupies a comfortable home and is enjoying well merited rest. He still retains the ownership of his farm, however, and since coming to Brooklyn has become the owner of four town dwellings and a tract of five acres which is partially located within the corporation limits of the town.
Mr. Cain was united in marriage, on the 7th of November, 1847, to Miss Mary Foggin, who was born in Ohio in May, 1828, and passed away on the
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farm in 1885. Unto this union were born eight children, as follows: Araminta. the wife of J. M. Snyder, of Brooklyn ; Clara Hayward, deceased ; Owen F., of Oklahoma ; Singleton B., also deceased; Samantha, who married Frank Hay- ward, of Mount Home, Idaho; Isaac, who passed away, leaving a widow ; Cas- sie, the widow of J. H. Johnson, of South Dakota ; and Elizabeth, who married Leo L. Torey and is now deceased. On the 10th of March, 1886. Mr. Cain was again married, his second union being to Mrs. Mary A. Hayward, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 3, 1835, a daughter of William and Mary ( Burns) Sprague. She was reared and married in Monroe county, Ohio. to Anthony Hayward, whose death occurred in that county, Mr. and Mrs. Flay- ward were the parents of three children : Sevilla, deceased ; Harvey M., resid- ing with Mr. Cain ; and William S., of South Dakota.
Mr. Cain belongs to the Christian church, the teachings of which have ever formed the guiding influences of his life, and for about twenty-five years he has held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is re- publican in his political views and is public-spirited in his citizenship, although the honors and emoluments of office have never held attraction for him. Al- though he has long since passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, having reached the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey, he is still in good health and retains a deep interest in the vital questions and issues of the day.
GEORGE L. OSTROM.
Forty-six years have passed since George L. Ostrom located on a farm where Hartwick now stands. He has witnessed a great transformation in Poweshiek county and, as he applied himself with energy and good judgment during his active years, he now enjoys the rewards of his labors, being the owner of two hundred acres of land in this county from which he receives a handsome an- nual revenue.
He was born in New York state. April 12, 1833. a son of John A. and Ganretta (La Moure) Ostrom, the former of whom was a native of New York state. On the paternal side the ancestry has been traced to the early settlers of New Amsterdam, now New York city, who came from Holland, and on the maternal side the ancestry has been traced to France. The father was by trade a blacksmith. He passed his entire life in his native state and died at the age of eighty-three years, his wife having been called away in 1847. In politics he was a supporter of the whig party. He was a man of many worthy traits and was a consistent member of the Baptist church.
George L. Ostrom received advantages of education in the common school and under his father learned the blacksmith's trade. He worked on the farm and in the shop until he arrived at his majority and then, yielding to an ir- resistible desire to see the world and to establish a home on his own account. he started toward the great and growing west. In April. 1854, he arrived at Galesburg. Illinois, his total earthly possessions then amounting to ten dollars and sixty-two cents. He soon found work at fifteen dollars a month and con-
GEORGE L. OSTROM AND FAMILY
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tinned steadily for two years and one-half, after which he found occupation in various employments until 1858, when he purchased forty acres of land in Knox county, Illinois. A little log cabin stood on the place and here he and his family made their home for eight years. In 1865 he sold out and in the fall of the same year came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, settling on one hun- dred and sixty acres of government land where the city of Hartwick is now located. This land he purchased for six dollars an acre, which was considered a good price at the time. He was soon established as a farmer in his new home and prospered from year to year, becoming eventually the owner of a thousand acres. He sold a part of his land and gave portions to his children; but still retains a fine farm, which is under an excellent state of cultivation. He is a director of the Farmers' Savings Bank of Hartwick, being also a member of the auditing committee of the bank.
On March 21, 1858, Mr. Ostrom was married to Miss Margaret M. Ostrom, a daughter of Andrew and Hannah ( Holmes) Ostrom. The father was a farmer but also engaged as a plasterer and shoemaker. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George L. Ostrom: Charles, now deceased, who was married and had two sons, Guy and Clyde; Murray; Grant, a farmer, who is married and has five children, Ray, Glenn, Earl, Percy and Lysle; Fred G., who is married and has ten children, Hazel, Marjory, Charles. George, Edna, Dorothy, Nellie, Mildred, Margaret and Fred, Jr .; Arthur; Mary, who is liv- ing at home; and Jennie, who married William Dixon, a farmer of Warren township, and is the mother of "three children, Guy, George and Hazel.
Politically Mr. Ostrom is a republican, belonging to the standpat wing, which accepts the platforms and nominees of the party and heartily supports them without reservation. He has served as township trustee and also as member of the school board, school treasurer and, township assessor, filling the last-named office for twelve years. He was madea Mason in 1867 and is an honored mem- ber of Sharon Lodge, No. 367. Having arrived at the age of seventy-eight years, he is now largely retired from active affairs and can look back on many years of earnest work, in the course of which he earned the gratitude of his fellow- men by innumerable acts of kindness and generosity.
JOHN RATLIFF DAVIS.
A highly regarded citizen and capable agriculturist of Sugar Creek town- ship was the late John Ratliff Davis, who was born in Henry county, Indiana, on the 8th of July, 1846.
He was a son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Ratliff) Davis, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Indiana. In his early manhood Elisha Davis ini- grated from his native state to Henry county, Indiana, where he met the lady who subsequently became his wife. He engaged in agricultural pursuits there until about 1856. when, together with his wife and family, he came to Iowa. . settling on a farm in Jasper county. There the mother passed away on the 10th of November, 1891, and the father on the 27th of November, 1894. He was a
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republican and both he and his wife belonged to the Society of Friends. Five children were born of this marriage, three daughters and two sons, in the fol- lowing order: Axelina and Lavinia, both of whom are deceased; John Ratliff. our subject : Lewis, who is a resident of Jasper county, Iowa ; and Alice, who is ‹leceased.
The education of John Ratliff Davis was begun in the common schools of his native state and completed in those of Jasper county and Oskaloosa, lowa. For about eight years thereafter he taught, following which he operated a sawmill in Lynnville for a time. He then purchased some land in Sugar Creek town- ship and engaged in agricultural pursuits until about five years prior to his de- mise, which occurred on his homestead on the 13th of May, 1909.
On the IIth of June, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Lancaster, a daughter of James and Lucetta ( Stanley) Lancaster. The par- ents were both born in Guilford county, North Carolina, the father's natal day being the 10th of October, 1823, and that of the mother the 29th of October, 1825. The father first migrated to Hamilton county, Indiana, where he en- gaged in farming for several years. He subsequently removed to Iowa with his wife and family, settling in Jasper county in 1847, and continuing to be identi- fied with agricultural pursuits until his demise on the 28th of June, 1861. His wife still survives him and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Davis. He was a republican and belonged to the Methodist Protestant church, of which his wife is also a member. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster, who were married in Guilford county, North Carolina, there were born five children: Eliza Jane. now Mrs. Davis, who was born on the 24th of March, 1849, in Hamilton county, Indiana : Sarah Ann, the wife of John P. Stallings, of Oklahoma; Benjamin Franklin, who is a resident of Gregory, South Dakota; Rhoda Ellen, the wife of Melton Burton, of Palo Alto county, lowa; and Hannah Elizabeth, who is deceased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born the following children: Leonora, who was born on the 6th of April. 1871, and died on the 24th of September. 1877 : James Otis, born on the 21st of September, 1872, and now residing in Sugar Creek township, this county : Charles S., born on the 27th of May. 1874. now a resident of Le Grande, Iowa : Edgar, born on the 29th of May, 1876, and liv- ing in Sugar Creek township; John S., whose birth occurred on the 4th of Jan- uary. 1878, also a resident of Sugar Creek township: Lucetta, born on the 10th of August. 1879, and who is the wife of Andrew Mitchell of Oskaloosa, lowa : the seventh in order of birth was born on the 25th of February, 1881, and died two days later: Fred L., born on the 22d of July, 1882, now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa ; Elizabeth, born on the 23d of May, 1884, and who died on May 21, 1900, the deceased wife of Joshua Main, of Sugar Creek township : Howard. born on the 4th of December, 1885, now living in Searsboro: and Kelly, who was born on the Ioth of March, 1892, and who lives at home.
The political allegiance of Mr. Davis was ever accorded to the republican party and he served his township in both the capacity of treasurer and school director. His religious affiliation was with the Society of Friends, the faith in which he had been reared. He was a man of sound principles and unquestion- able integrity, progressive in his ideas and at all times ready to indorse any
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movement which would in any way tend to elevate the intellectual or moral standards of the community. Since his demise his widow has left the home- stead. having purchased a very pleasant home in Searsboro in October, 1909, which she now occupies. A woman of tact and gracious manner she has many friends in the village by whom she is highly esteemed.
WILLIAM W. BILLICK.
William W. Billick is an extensive farmer and stock-raiser of Poweshiek county and the success which crowns his efforts is the legitimate reward of in- dustry and well directed effort.
He was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, July 26, 1870, a son of William and Eliza ( Kibbie) Billick, the former a native of New York state and of Ger- man descent, and the latter also of the Empire state but of Irish parentage. In early life the father sought the opportunities of the west, first locating in Win- nebago county, Illinois. He later located in Poweshiek county, Iowa, and in the carly '4os, when lowa was still a territorial district, was a scout, hunter and trapper. He followed the life of a woodsman until he reached middle life when, in 1872, he located on a farm north of Brooklyn. In 1876 he removed to Carroll county, lowa, and there followed farming throughout his remaining years, passing away there on the 14th of March, 1907. His widow is still liv- ing at the age of sixty-nine years and makes her home in Manning, Carroll county.
William W. Billick was a little lad of three years of age when the family re- moved from Illinois to Poweshiek county, and was but six years of age when they made a permanent location in Carroll county. He attended the district schools of the latter locality and remained with his parents until he had at- tained his majority. He then worked at farm labor by the month for three years, at the end of which time he rented land in Carroll county, operating the same for four years. He then returned to Poweshiek county and lived for three years on rented land one mile west of Malcom, in Malcom township. In March, 1901, he purchased eighty aeres on section 19, Bear Creek township. In addition to operating his own land, each year he rents from two to five hun- (red acres, so that he is farming on quite an extensive scale. He raises quan- tities of grain and hay, which he feeds to his stock, devoting much time to the latter business. He raises mostly cattle and hogs and ships to the Chicago mar- ket. His own land is well improved, his fields being rich and arable and his buildings are ample for the shelter of grain and stock. He has a good orchard. covering a half acre, which bears its fruit in season. He is progressive in all his work and what he undertakes is sure to bring him success.
Mr. Billick was united in marriage to Miss Addie Goodrich, a daughter of O. D. and Jane (Walls) Goodrich, well known and highly respected farming people of Poweshiek county. The father was born in Wisconsin and was one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa, first locating in Scott county and being engaged In freighting from Davenport to Des Moines prior to the advent of the railroads
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in this section. He is still living and now makes his home with a daughter, Mrs. John Eichhorn, whose home is located south of Malcom and whose hus- band is mentioned on another page of this work. The mother departed this life some fourteen years ago. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Billick have been born two chil- dren : Xavie, who is ten years of age; and Clio, five years okl.
Mr. Billick votes for the man whom he deems best qualified to fill public office. irrespective of party affiliation. For the past nineteen years he has been identified with the Knights of Pythias at Malcom, while his wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters of that place. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual, and this truth is abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Billick. Steadily pursuing his way, undeterred by the obstacles and dif- ficulties in his path, he is achieving a prosperity of which he has every reason to be proud.
JOHN DORAN.
County Wexford, Ireland, was the birthplace of John Doran, who is now living retired on his homestead on section 10, Sheridan township, in the cultiva- tion of which he engaged for many years.
He was born on the 25th of March, 1836, a son of John and Mary Doran, also natives of County Wexford, who emigrated to the United States in 1850. Eight weeks and four days were consumed in crossing the ocean from Liver- pool to New York. The boat encountered a storm which lasted for three days and nights, during which time three of the masts were lost and all of the family records and belongings were washed overboard. For a time their condition was perilous and they practically abandoned all hope of ever seeing land, but finally reached port long overdue. The parents first located upon a farm in the vicin- ity of Geneseo, New York, where they lived until 1864.
John Doran was fourteen years of age when his parents emigrated to the United States, so that his education was acquired in the common schools of his native country. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age. at which time he was married and subsequently migrated to Bureau county, Illi- nois, settling in the vicinity of Princeton, where he resided until 1872. From there he removed to Poweshiek county, locating on a farm north of Malcom where he remained for two years and then purchased eighty acres of land on section 10, Sheridan township, in the cultivation of which Mr. Doran engaged until eight years ago, when he retired from active life, although he continues to live upon his homestead.
In 1864 Mr. Doran was married to Miss Catharine McMahon in Livingston county, New York. Mrs. Doran was a daughter of James and Ellen McMahon, natives of Ireland, but she was born in Newcastle, England, on the 2d of Jan- mary, 1847. When a child of eight years her parents emigrated to the United States, locating in Livingston county, New York, where she resided until her marriage. The following children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Doran : John F., who is an implement dealer of Tama, Iowa; Nellie, the wife of J. P. En-
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right. who is engaged in the same business, and also of Tama ; James S., who is a painter and paper-hanger of Tama : Mary, who passed away on the 22d of February, 1909. the wife of John Hallisy, a farmer of Tama county, Iowa ; Charles C., a stock buyer of Grinnell ; Edward H., who is also engaged in paint- ing and paper-hanging in Tama: Catharine, the widow of Joseph Duffy, who was drowned in July, 1911 : and Michael, a railroad conductor of North Dakota. Mrs. Doran passed away on the 9th of September, 1902.
Mr. Doran's youngest daughter, Catharine, was united in marriage to Joseph Duffy on the 23d of July, 1902, and they became the parents of four children : Paul, who is seven years of age: Bernadetta, aged four years; Ellen, who is two and a half years of age ; and a baby. Joseph Duffy was a son of John and Anna Duffy, residents of Columbia township, Tama county, Jowa. He was born in Kellogg, Iowa, on the 6th of March, 1878, and acquired his education in the district schools of his native county, following which he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead until he rented the farm of his father-in-law immediately following his marriage to Miss Doran.
Mr. Doran and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, with which denomination Mrs. Doran was also affiliated, their identification being with the church in Tama county. Although his political views coincide with those of the Jeffersonian democrats Mr. Doran always casts his ballot for the man he deems best fitted for the office, irrespective of party affiliations, and has twice voted for republican presidential candidates: Lincoln and Roosevelt. Ile has been offered township and school board offices at various times but has never accepted, always having preferred to concentrate his energies upon the development of his personal interests.
GEORGE WASHINGTON ROYCE.
When news of the death of George Washington Royce was received on the 29th of November, 1905, a gloom was cast over Malcom township, for he had so long been identified with the people of this locality that they felt that one of their best men had passed to his long rest.
He was born in Genesee county, New York, November 7, 1837, a son of Horace B. and Sarah (Judd) Royce, both of whom were natives of Vermont, the former born in Washington county, May 7, 1806, and the latter in Irasburg, in February, 1806. They were reared and married in the Green Mountain state, after which they removed to New York, and it was while residing in the latter state that their son, George W., was born. A year later, in 1838, they removed to Wisconsin, where the succeeding years up to 1860 were spent. At that time they came to Poweshiek county and here spent their remaining days, the father passing away in August, 1883, when he was seventy-seven years of age. The mother survived him many years and departed this life in 1901, when she had reached the unusual and extreme old age of ninety-four years. Their family numbered four sons and a daughter, the sons being Horace, Enoch,
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