USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 49
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After his military services were no longer needed he returned north and, making his way to Poweshiek county, purchased a farm in Scott township about eight miles south of Brooklyn and there carried on agricultural pursuits. That remained his home for only four years, however, for his health, which had never been strong after his military experience, compelled him to withdraw from farm labor and he took up his abode in Brooklyn, where he passed away on the 13th of January, 1892.
On the 16th of February, 1867, Mr. Byers married Miss Maria Louise Robb, a daughter of Jacob and Louisa ( Washington ) Robb. The father, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was a son of James Robb, also a native of that county, and came of English lineage. The mother was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, about forty miles east of Pittsburg, and was of German descent. Jacob Robb, who followed the trades of tailor and brickmason, removed with his family to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1851, when his daughter Maria Louise was but eighteen months old, and later located on a farm in Mercer county, about sixteen miles southwest of Rock Island. There he continued his residence until the fall of 1886, when he removed to Missouri and there passed away. He had seen serv- ice in the Union army at the time of the Civil war, enlisting on the 5th of Au- gust, 1862, from Mercer county, Illinois, in Company C, One Hundred and Sec- ond Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged at Galveston in March of the following year, however, because of disability. His death occurred in the fall of 1881, while he was residing at Brashear, Missouri. Subsequently his widow made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Byers, at Brooklyn, for thirteen years, after which she returned to her home in Missouri and there passed away on the 22d of October, 1904. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Byers was blessed with one daughter, Mary Louisa, who died at the age of four years.
With the death of Mr. Byers Poweshiek county lost a public-spirited and rep- resentative citizen, who had ever remained as loyal to the interests of his adopted country during the days of peace as when following the old flag on southern bat- tle fields. He was a republican in politics and for several years served as a mem- ber of the school board of Scott township, ever remaining a stanch friend to the cause of education. He held membership in John T. Drake Post, No. 332, G. A.
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R., of Brooklyn, while he and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they were interested and helpful. Mrs. Byers now attends the Methodist Episcopal church of Brooklyn, however. She is serving for the third year as treasurer of the Woman's Relief Corps of John T. Drake Post, No. 332, G. A. R., and is also a member of Rebekah Lodge, No. 202, at Brooklyn. She now makes her home in Brooklyn, having sold her farm a few years subse- quent to her arrival here, and has gathered about her a large number of warm friends, who hold her in the highest respect and esteem for her many excellent qualities of heart and mind.
WILLIAM MANATT.
Perhaps few names are better known in this community than that of Man- att, and he whose name introduces this review was long recognized as one of the most prominent, well-to-do and respected citizens of Poweshiek county. He was numbered among those of eastern birth who sought and found on the broad prairies of the rapidly growing west opportunities for advancement in their chosen vocation. and in the wise utilization of those opportunities met with a success which was at once substantial and honorable. A native of Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, he was born on the 14th of July, 1823, a son of Robert and Sarah ( Peddlar) Manatt, both of Irish lineage. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, carried on that pursuit in Poweshiek county for a time, and in February, 1864. passed away in Bear Creek township.
On the home farm in the Keystone state William Manatt spent the period of his boyhood and youth, there assisting his father in the cultivation of the fields, and the experience thus obtained was both thorough and practical. Ile remained with his parents, until the year 1849. when he made his way to Ohio and later in the same year came to Iowa, locating in Bear Creek township. Poweshiek county. This was but a short time after the admission of Iowa to the Union and vast stretches of her prairies were still unbroken and much land was still unclaimed. Entering one of these undeveloped tracts from the gov- ernment Mr. Manatt at once began its improvement and through the succeed- ing years was actively and helpfully identified with the growth and develop- ment of Poweshiek county through his activities along agricultural lines.
It is not necessary here to dwell upon the sturdy characteristics which car- ried him through the difficult and arduous task of converting his raw land into productive fields nor the methods which he later pursued in its further cul- tivation and improvement, for these are all shadowed forth in the excellent results which ultimately attended his efforts, making him one of the best known and most substantial agriculturists of this county. The old homestead upon which he first located now stands in the very heart of the growing city of Brooklyn, and about this as a nucleus he established. by subsequent purchases as prosperity came to him, an estate consisting of fifteen hundred acres of as valuable land as can be found in Poweshiek or adjoining counties. The prop- erty is divided into various farms, all highly improved and developed, which
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since his demise have been leased to other farmers although the estate still remains intact.
In 1863 Mr. Manatt was united in marriage, in Holmes county, Ohio, to Miss Roxie Shrimplian, who was born on the 30th of November, 1840, a daughter of Oliver and Sybil (Chapman) Shrimplian. The father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, and was of German ancestry, while the mother came from old Yankee stock, her birth occurring in Con- necticut. They were married in Ohio and passed their remaining days in Holmes county, that state, the father passing away in 1896 and the mother in 1874. After the death of his first wife Mr. Shrimplian was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah Reynolds, of Holmes county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Manatt were born six children, of whom two, Bertie and Orphia, passed away in infancy. The surviving members of the family are : Lola Ada, the wife of W. W. Cardell, a well known attorney of Perry, Iowa, who by a former marriage had one son, Walter Simms Cardell; Nellie, who married Albert Sherwood, now living retired in Brooklyn; Thursia, who makes her home with her mother ; and Coe H., who married Miss Nellie Jones, of Brooklyn, where he is now living retired, devoting his entire attention to the management of his father's estate.
Mr. Manatt passed away on the 29th of January, 1906, in the home where his widow and daughter now live and which had been his place of residence for forty-two years. He was a democrat in politics, taking a great interest in the welfare of the community in which he had resided for more than a half cen- tury, and by the consensus of public opinion ranked among thie best known, wealthiest and most highly respected citizens of the county, the family being one of the oldest and best in this locality.
Mrs. Manatt belongs to the Christian church at Brooklyn, in the work of which she is deeply and helpfully interested, and is a lady of the most estim- able character. She has long been prominent in the social circles of Brooklyn, and her home is the center of a large circle of warm friends.
HARLAN MACY.
The cultivation of his fine homestead of two hundred and ninety acres has for some years engaged the attention of Harlan Macy, who was born on the 30th of January, 1873, in Sugar Creek township, Poweshiek county.
He is a son of Seth and Abigail ( Gause) Macy, both natives of Henry county, Indiana, the father having been born on the 24th of November, 1836, and the mother on the ist of March, 1837. Mr. Macy was educated in the schools of his native state, where he resided until he was twenty years of age, when he migrated with his father to this county. Upon their arrival here they located in Sugar Creek township, where Mr. Macy later purchased a farm, in the cultivation of which he engaged until two years before his death which occurred in 1905. Mrs. Macy still survives and now makes her home with her son Harlan. Mr. Macy voted with the democratic party, to whose principles
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he was always loyal. Four children were born of their union: Ella, the wife of W. R. Allee, of Sugar Creek township; Elgar B., who is a resident of Lynnville, lowa ; Charles O., living in the same place ; and Harlan, our subject.
Harlan Macy pursued his education in the common schools of Lynnville and Oskaloosa, after the completion of which he became identified with agri- cultural pursuits, thus qualifying himself for the vocation in which he is meet- ing with such excellent success. When he felt he was fully qualified to manage and satisfactorily and successfully supervise the operation of a farm he pur- chased his present homestead, which contains two hundred and ninety acres of land. He has made quite extensive improvements upon the place since lo- cating here, and now owns one of the attractive and valuable properties of the township. General farming and stock-raising are his main sources of revenue, both yielding very satisfactory returns under his direction.
On the 3d of March, 1896, Mr. Macy married Miss Louolie Northcutt, who was born in Sugar Creek township, Poweshiek county, Iowa, on the 12th of June, 1876. Mrs. Macy is a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth ( Allee) North- cutt, of Lynnville, lowa, and natives of Jasper county. The former, who has always been connected with agricultural activities is now a ditch contractor and farmer of Jasper county. Politically he votes for the republican candidates and in matters of religion he and his wife affiliate with the Society of Friends. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Macy consists of four sons and a daughter, the order of birth being as follows: Wendell Harlan, who was born on the 16th of January, 1897; Harold Franklin, born on the 10th of August. 1898; Grace Elizabeth, born on the 6th of June, 1901 ; Seth Herman, whose birth occurred on Christmas, 1905; and Loring Kenneth, born on the 12th of March, 1908.
In politics Mr. Macy always supports the democracy, and has served both as school director and township clerk for several years. He is practical in his methods and progressive in his ideas, thus being able to intelligently adapt new theories to his requirements, which is the great secret of success in any undertaking.
PHILANDER D. BURTON.
One of the older settlers of Poweshiek county, who for many years was actively and prominently identified not only with the agricultural but commercial development of the county is Philander D. Burton, who was born at Piketon, Ohio, on the 27th of September, 1840. His parents were William and Eliza- beth (Grant) Burton, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of Con- necticut. William Burton, who was a graduate of Dartmouth College, was a Presbyterian minister and a man of fine mind and more than average power in the pulpit. His voice having failed, it at length became necessary for him to withdraw from his profession, and so, in 1854, in company with J. B. Grin- nell and others he came west, purchasing six hundred and forty acres of land, which he expected to cultivate. He returned to 'Austinburg, Ohio, where he was living at that time, to dispose of his interests, intending to move his family to Iowa. However, he encountered more difficulty in settling up his affairs than
P. D. BURTON
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he had anticipated and passed away before he had succeeded in adjusting mat- ters so that he could move. Mr. Burton, who was sixty-eight years of age at the time of his demise on the 12th of March, 1858, was a veteran of the war of 1812. Some time after his death his wife and family came to Iowa, locat- ing upon the farm near Grinnell, and later removing to that city, where Mrs. Burton passed away on the ist of April, 1885.
Philander D. Burton, who was one of a family of seven children, was a lad of eight years when his parents removed from his native town to Ashtabula. Ohio, in the common schools of which city he acquired his education. Having attained manhood when the call came for troops in 1861, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Ohio Battery and went to the front.on the 20th of August, that year. He saw much active service and participated in many sharp skirmishes and several notable battles, among the latter being those of Shiloh, Fort Donel- son and Corinth. At Holly Spring, Mississippi, he was captured by the rebels, but paroled and sent to Memphis, Tennessee, in November, 1862, and from there to Columbus, Ohio. On the 24th of September, 1863, he was mustered out. having served a little more than two years. He then returned home, where he remained during the fall and winter, and in the spring of 1864 he and his brother Edward came to Iowa. They did not remain here, however, but went back to Ohio and it was not until 1865 that they located permanently in Poweshiek county, where our subject and his brothers William and Theodore engaged in farming in Malcom township until 1869. William went to Cali- fornia in 1875 and now lives in Nebraska. In 1869 P. D. Burton purchased land in Grinnell township, two miles from the city of Grinnell, and there made his home until 1876, when he removed to Montezuma, having been elected clerk of the county court, in which capacity he served for two terms. He then em- barked in the book and drug business at Grinnell, which he carried on success- fully until, owing to ill health, he was compelled to withdraw from the firm of Johnson & Burton in 1884. He then removed to Armour, South Dakota, where he made his home for four years, but as the climate did not agree with him there and he had frozen his feet he returned to Iowa in 1889, purchasing land adjacent to Iowa College. Grinnell, where he now lives retired. He en- gaged in the real-estate business in Grinnell for five years at one time, and he was also vice president of the Grinnell Savings Bank for twelve, while he was one of the organizers of the Granger store as well as one of the directors and a stockholder.
In Madison, Ohio, on the 5th of February, 1868, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Burton and Miss Ruby Merriman, a daughter of Dr. Andrus Merriman, of Ohio. Four children were born of this union: Frank M., a resident of Des Moines; Arthur M., who is married and living in Grinnell ; Kate, the wife of the Rev. Wiley, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; and Grace M., who graduated from Iowa College with the class of 1903, a teacher at Oberlin, Ohio. Mrs. Burton, who was a beautiful character and a woman of rare mental qualities, passed away on the 27th of May, 1893, and on the 12th of September, 1903, Mr. Burton was married in Des Moines to Miss Theresa W. Wright, of Grinnell, a daughter of William Wright, who was a farmer and veteran of the Civil war and died in New York. The family affiliate with the Congrega- Vol. II-25
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tional church and Mr. Burton is a member of Gordon Grange Post, No. 64, G. A. R., of which he was one of the organizers and has been adjutant for sixteen years. He is also entitled to membership in the society of the Sons of the War of 1812, in which conflict his father participated. The martial spirit has been prevalent in the family for several generations as the grand- father, Asa Burton, was a member of the English navy before becoming a citizen of the United States.
In his political allegiance Mr. Burton has ever been most loyal to the prin- ciples and policy of the republican party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot. While he takes much interest in public affairs he has never actively participated in politics since retiring from the office of county clerk, to which he was elected over thirty years ago. During the forty-six years of his residence in Poweshiek county he has been much interested in observing its progress along various lines. Grinnell has developed from what was little more than a village in 1865 to an educational center of more than local reputation, while agricul- turally the county is regarded as one of the best in the state.
A younger brother of our subject, Theodore E. Burton, was elected to the United States senate from Ohio two years ago, after having served for six- teen years in the house of representatives. Grinnell has always taken a warm interest in the career of Senator Burton as when a young man he resided here for several years, assisting his brothers in the cultivation of the homestead dur- ing the summer and attending lowa College in the winter. Later he returned to Ohio, which was his native state, and attended Oberlin College, from which institution he was graduated.
FRED B. MALCOLM.
Poweshiek county numbers among its prominent and well known citizens Fred B. Malcolm, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Deep River town- ship, within whose borders practically his entire life has been spent. He was born in Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois, on the 10th of January, 1874, a son of Brainard and Mary ( Kennedy) Malcolm, natives of Illinois, where the former was born in 1850 and the latter in 1852. The father has now passed away, his death occurring in August, 1893, while the mother still survives and makes her home in Montezuma. Of their three children the subject of this sketch was the first in order of birth, the others being: Earl O., of Keokuk county, Iowa ; and William M., of Deep River township.
Fred B. Malcolm was but an infant of six months when his parents took up their abode in Deep River township, which has since remained the scene of his activities. Reared to farm work he early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and he remained at home, engaging with his father in the cultivation of the home fields, until he was twenty-one years of age, when he took up agricultural pursuits on his own account. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land located on section 17, which con- stitutes one of the well improved and valuable properties of the locality, its
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present good condition being due in large measure to the careful management and unfaltering industry of Mr. Malcolm. In 1910 he erected a new dwelling and a complete set of outbuildings, all substantial and commodious, and about the place are to be found many other evidences of the spirit of progress which is one of his salient characteristics. In addition to his general farming he engages in stock-raising and feeding, and he is also a stockholder in Deep River Cooperative Creamery Company. Sound judgment and good business sense have enabled him to conduct his affairs in such a manner as to produce excellent results and today he is numbered among the prosperous and sub- stantial business men of Deep River township.
On the Ist of May, 1895, Mr. Malcolm was united in marriage to Miss Celia Briggs, who was born near Preemption, Illinois, on the 15th of November, 1874. In 1882 she came to Iowa with her parents, W. J. and Ann (Armstrong) Briggs, natives of New York city and Ireland respectively. The father was a successful farmer and extensive landowner, the family homestead consisting of a half section of land. In his family were three sons and three daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm were born three children, namely: Harold, who was born in 1896 and passed away in 1897, at the age of ten months ; Gladys, whose birth occurred in 1898; and Leona, who was born in 1900.
Mr. Malcolm is active in the various phases of community life and par- ticipates in all movements for the public welfare. He is a member of the Christian church and fraternally is connected with Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, A. F. & A. M., and with the Modern Brotherhood of America. He is a' republican in politics and he has made a close study of all of those questions and issues which are to the American citizen a matter of deep interest. He is now serving as township assessor and is proving a most capable and efficient official. He is very popular among his friends and associates, for he possesses the genial nature and kindly qualities which ever win warm friendships.
ELMER J. KORNS.
Elmer J. Korns, who is the owner of a highly productive farm on section 34, Jefferson township, was born in this township in February, 1875, and has spent his entire life here. He is a son of Moses and Jane (Sheves) Korns, the former of whom was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 3, 1835, a son of William and Elizabeth (Houpman) Korns, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
Moses Korns was fourth in order of birth in a family of eleven children. He received his education in the common schools of the Buckeye state and con- tinued with his father until 1858 when he started with a thresher for Cali- fornia. He traveled part of the way by water and crossed the plains by stage in eighteen days. He continued on the Pacific coast until 1862 and, in 1863, arrived in Poweshiek county, where he located upon one hundred and sixty acres of land and applied himself as a farmer and stock-raiser. He was very successful in his work and became the owner of six hundred and thirty acres,
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but gave away a very large portion of his land to his children, so that at pres- ent he retains only one hundred and twenty-three acres. He is now living re- tired at Hartwick. Like his father he is a supporter of the democratic party, but belongs to the progressive branch of that organization and believes that the party should adapt itself to the changing conditions of the country. He has served very acceptably as justice of the peace, trustee and school director and was a member of the Lutheran church in Ohio.
Elmer J. Korns, of this review, secured his preliminary education in the common schools and after arriving at manhood moved to his present location on section 34. Jefferson township, his farm including one hundred and sixty- five acres. He has applied himself very successfully as a general farmer and stock-raiser and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of Clydes- dale horses. He is very thorough and efficient in his work and has financially met with deserved success.
In 1899 Mr. Korns was married to Miss Lucy Rowland, a daughter of Jacob Rowland, a well known farmer of this county. Two children were born of this union: Everett, who is attending the district school; and Irene, who is deceased.
Mr. Korns votes in support of the republican party and in religious faith affiliates with the Congregational church, of which he is a valued member. He is a representative of the new generation of farmers, and is alert, active and efficient, always ready to assist in promoting the advancement of the com- munity and willing to bear his part in discharging the responsibilities of cit- izenship. He is now fairly launched upon his business career which gives bril- liant promise for the years to come.
GUST J. SCHULTZ.
Among those residents of Malcom whose well directed efforts along agri- cultural lines now make it possible for them to live in honorable retirement, is numbered Gust J. Schultz. He was born in Princeton, Illinois, on the 22d of July, 1858, a son of Henry and Maria Johanna ( Rehberg ) Schultz, both natives of Germany.
The father, whose birth occurred at Richtenberg, in the province of Pom- merania, Prussia, on the 19th of March, 1832, spent the period of his boy- hood and youth in his native country. In the public schools of the fatherland he acquired his education, and after serving the required time in the Prussian army came to the United States in 1857, joining his parents in Princeton, Illi- nois, where they had located in 1854. Shortly after his arrival in that city he was married, and in 1859 came by wagon to Iowa, settling on a farm in Sher- idan township, six miles northwest of Malcom. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits and was so successful that, about three years prior to his demise, he was able to withdraw from active labor and he removed to Malcom. He deserved great credit for what he accomplished, for when he came to this country he was without capital or influence, and whatever came to him of
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prosperity was the direct result of his own energy and industry. At the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable tract of three hundred and twenty acres, located in Sheridan township, all highly improved. Ile was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Malcom and was a gentleman of most exemplary character. Early in life he became a member of the Lutheran church, and throughout his career the teachings of that denomination remained the guiding influences of his life. He was one of the organizers of the Lutheran church of Malcom township, and was a regular attendant at the services in Maleom when- ever his impaired health would permit .. In 1857 he married Maria Johanna Rehberg, who was also born in Richtenberg, Prussia, on the 5th of October, 1836. She was reared in the fatherland and when eighteen years of age came to the United States, arriving at Princeton, Illinois, in 1854. In that city she was married, in 1857, to Henry Schultz, and later came with him to Iowa, where she spent her remaining years. She was familiarly known in the community in which she resided as Aunt Mary, a term which indicates the warm place which she occupied in the affection of her friends and neighbors. At the time of her demise a local paper spoke of her as follows: "She was always a true Christian, a loving wife and mother and kind neighbor, and always ready to sacrifice her own comfort to make others happy, and will be greatly missed by all. She was one of God's noblest ereations." During her last days she was a great sufferer but bore her pain uncomplainingly. Death came to her on the 15th of November, 1907, when she was seventy-one years of age. For seven years she had survived her husband, who passed away on the 30th of May, 1900. In their family were the following children: Gust J., of this review ; Katharine, the wife of Andrew Erickson, of Brooklyn: Mary, who passed away at the age of seventeen months; Christ, of Grinnell; Francis, who married Joseph F. Eisele, of Malcom township; Matilda, the wife of Henry Baltisber- ger ; John, of Marshalltown, lowa; Otto of Sheridan township; and Henry, also of that township.
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