USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 5
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On the Ist of January, 1867, Captain Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Carson, a daughter of Edward R. and Margaret (Camp- bell) Carson, of Iowa City, who were very early settlers of Iowa. Her parents Vol. II -- 3
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were both natives of Washington county, East Tennessee, the father born July 11, 1809, and the mother in Leesburg, March 5. 1809. They were mar- ried in that county, August 24, 1834. Mrs. Phillips was born near Iowa City on the 28th of May, 1846, and had an elder sister, also born in Johnson county, whose name was Dilla Iowa and who became the wife of Hon. A. J. Wood. With the passing years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips was blessed by the birth of five children, as follows: Lela, a school teacher residing at home; A. H., of Brooklyn, where he has been engaged in business for forty years, first as a merchant in connection with his father, whom he later suc- ceeded, and now as a real estate operator; Effie V., of Montana, Della 1., of Montana, who was formerly a teacher at Grinnell; and Prescott Bryon, who was born on the 11th of December, 1873, and died two years later, on October 28, 1875. The daughters in Montana are at present holding adjoining claims at Savage, that state. Mrs. Phillips died August 8. 1902.
Captain Phillips has given his political allegiance to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. casting his first vote for Fremont, since which time he has supported every candidate for president on that ticket. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at the present time, although he was reared in the faith of the Baptist church, of which he was a member until two years ago. There is no church of that denomination in Brooklyn, however, at the present time. In fraternal circles he is a Master Mason, holding membership in Corinthian Lodge, No. 174. of Brooklyn, He is a charter member and commander of John T. Drake Post, No. 321, G. A. R., and was a charter member and first president of Brooklyn Veteran Union. an organization which preceded the Grand Army of the Republic post and erecte 1 the soldiers monument at this place.
Few men who have reached a place of independence in the business world today have started out in life with a more discouraging outlook than did he whose name introduces this review. Left fatherless at a very early age, he had never had a suit of clothes that had not been made over from old garments until he was able to earn them for himself .. When but a lad of ten years he was thrown upon his own resources to make his way in the world. his first position securing him a salary of twenty dollars for six months. From this humble position he steadily forged ahead and utilized every opportunity for advancement, until he is now able to live retired from business activity, a sub- stantial competence furnishing him with all of the comforts of life without recourse to further labor. Ile has truly earned the title of self-made man and richly deserves the success which is now his to enjoy.
HARRY F. LANPHERE.
Harry F. Lanphere is numbered among those who have made of the Citizens National Bank a well balanced and carefully conducted financial enterprise. He is filling the position of cashier and is proving a popular officer with the patrons of the bank, to whom he gives courteous and faithful attention, while at the same
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time lie is most loyal to the best interests of the institution and its stockholders. lowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Davenport, on the IIth of November, 1870. His parents were William H., and Esther (Canfield) Lanphere, both of whom were natives of Cattaraugus county, New York, where they were reared and married. The opportunities of the west attracted him, how- ever, and in 1855 they came to Iowa, settling first in Davenport. On :eaching manhood William H. Lanphere became express messenger on the Chicago, Rock- Island & Pacific Railroad, at which time Grinnell was the terminus of the line. Later he became identified with mercantile interests, going upon the road as a traveling salesman. He represented various houses in the state of Iowa and be- came widely and favorably known to the trade. He died in 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years, his birth having occurred in 1830. He was a member of the Masonic lodge and a man well known throughout the state of Iowa through his fraternal and business relations. His social qualities and genuine worth com- mended him to the confidence and good will of all, and few men have had more warm friends. His wife survived him for about ten years, passing away in 1908.
Harry F. Lanphere was reared under the parental roof and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. The family removed from Davenport to Grinnell in 1884 and he continued his studies in Grinnell high school, thus ac- quiring a fair practical education to equip him for life's responsible. duties. In January, 1889, two months after having attained his eighteenth year, he entered the First National Bank of Grinnell as bookkeeper and served in that capacity for about three and a half years, when he was made teller. After filling that im- portant position for eight years he resigned to enter the office of the Spaulding Manufacturing Company, with whom he was associated for about three years, when he resigned and engaged in the land business. In July, 1904. the First Na- tional Bank closed its doors and soon thereafter Mr. Lanphere, recognized that a favorable opportunity presented for the establishment of another banking enter- prise in the city, organized the Citizens National Bank, and on the 12th of De- cember, 1904, the new institution opened its doors for business. In the capacity of cashier Mr. Lanphere dictated its policy and has since been most active in its management, making it one of the strong financial enterpr ies of Poweshick county. A general banking business is conducted and the books of the company show a substantial balance. The safe, conservative policy instituted has won the confidence of the public and its patronage is steadily increasing.
On the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Lanphere was married to Miss Kate Yost Grinnell, a daughter of Ezra H. Grinnell, and niece of Josiah Bushnell Grinnell. the founder of the town which bears his name. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lanphere have been born two children. Pauline and Katharine.
Mr. Lanphere is well known in several fraternal and social organizations. holding membership in Herman Lodge. No. 273, A. F. & A. M., Palestine Chap- ter, R. A. M., and Grinnell Lodge, No. 175. K. P. He also belongs to Franklin Club, is a member of the Poweshiek Club and of the Grant Club of Des Moines. He is one of Grinnell's most prominent and best known men, actuated in all that he does by a spirit of enterprise and progress and seeking the public good as well as individual advancement in all of his business affairs. What he has accom- plished represents the fit utilization of his innate talents and powers. He has
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worked his way upward along a path that is clear and open and though difficulties and obstacles have beset him, as they do in every business career, he has over- come these by persistent purpose and stands today among the representative men of Poweshiek county.
JAMES E. NEELY.
The firm and tinfalterng purpose which is an indispensable element in the attainment of success finds expression in the life record of James E. Neely, who is engaged in dealing in coal in Grinnell. Through sheer force of perseverance and capable management he has won success that places him with the foremost business men of the city. He was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, June 19, 1846, and is a son of Jerome and Elizabeth ( Nellis) Neely. who were likewise natives of Fairfield, where they were reared and married. The father devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits and continued to reside at the place of his nativity until his death, which occurred September 2, 1856, when he was forty-nine years of age. The mother continued her residence in Fairfield until the fall of 1871, when she came to Grinnell to make her home with her son James. here residing until her demise on the 18th of May, 1888.
James E. Neely spent his youth in the Empire state and the public schools afforded him his early educational privileges, while later he had the benefit of instruction in the Fairfield Academy. He took up teaching at the age of sixteen years and followed the profession through five winter seasons, while the summer months were devoted to farm work. When twenty-one years of age he made his way westward to Perry. Lake county, Ohio, where he engaged in the produce business.
With the establishment of a commercial enterprise he also undertook the es- tablishment of a home and on the 22d of December, 1869. Mr. Neely was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Wire, a daughter of Truman Wire, a sawmill man who cnt the cross ties that were used in the building of a section of the first Lake Shore Railroad built through that part of the country. He had removed from Yates county, New York, to Lake county, Ohio, and it was while the family was living in the latter state that Mr. Neely was married. He began his domestic life in Ohio, but in February, 1871, he removed westward to Grinnell, where he ar- rived on the 28th of the month. Soon afterward he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, three miles east of the town, and took up his abode upon that property, continuing its cultivation and improvement until 1804, when he left the farm and removed to Grinnell. In 1873 he began the manufacture of cheese in connection with the cultivation of his fields, and statistics show that he was among the first cheese manufacturers in this state. He also developed the lead- ing enterprise of this character in lowa and conducted his factory until 1902, when he sold his farm and discontinued his factory. On his removal to Grinnell in (894 he established himself in the coal business and is today the leading coal dealer of this city. "His business affairs are capably and profitably managed and keen discernment and enterprise are elements in his prosperity.
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Neely has been blessed with four children : Walter J., who now occupies a political position in the Grinnell postoffice : Earl M., of the firm of J. E. Neely & Son, coal dealers ; and Ada P. and Ida E., twins, who died of diphtheria in 1893, one on the 11th and the other on the 13th of February. The family are widely and favorably known in Poweshiek county and Mr. and Mrs. Neely have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Herman Lodge, No. 273, A. F. & A. M., Palestine Chapter, No. 101, R. A. M. : St. Andrew's Commandery, No. 22, K. T., of Newton, Iowa ; and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Des Moines. Ile and his wife are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as one of the trustees. In politics he is a progressive republican and has repeatedly served as a delegate to the county and state conventions. He has also been a member of the city council of Grinnell at various times, in which connection he has ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of many measures and movements which are of marked value to the city in the promotion of its best interests. He never gives up a cause in which he embarks and, therefore. his aid and cooperation are eagerly sought where the best interests of the city are to be conserved.
LYMAN A. LONGLEY.
Lyman A. Longley, deceased, was one of the honored native sons of Powe- shiek county, whose farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Jasper county, near Grinnell, is now the home of his widow and children. To him belonged the distinction of having been the first male white child born in Chester township, his birth occurring on the 6th of July, 1861. For many years he was a prominent farmer and business man of this section and at his death, in 1909, the community mourned the loss of one of its valued citizens. His father, Amos L. Longley, was a native of Maine and died when our subject was only three years old. He owned a farm of eighty acres of land in Chester township, north of Grinnell, and upon that place made his home until his death. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Cordelia Bigelow, was also a native of the Pine Tree state. After his death she became the wife of Benoni Howard, who was born in Massachusetts, and from that, state removed to Princeton, Illinois, in 1854, the journey being made by rail. It was his intention to locate at Princeton, but, finding land too high for his resources, he decided to come farther west. Proceeding to Rock Island, he walked from that city to Vinton, lowa, in search of a location and later went to Tama county. Not being satisfied with the outlook there, he came to Sugar Creek township, Poweshiek county, where timber was plentiful and conditions appeared more favorable than in the localities where he had previously stopped. He as- sisted in the original survey of the city of Grinnell and also in stoning up the first well that was dug there. After the surveyors had completed their work, how- ever, it was found that the well was in the middle of the street and it was neces- sarily abandoned.
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Lyman A. Longley attended the common schools during his boyhood and youth and was reared upon his stepfather's farm, displaying in early life an adaptability for farming and stock-raising. Subsequently he served for ten years as mail clerk and also engaged in the meat business for three years, but his life was principally devoted to farming and in 1882 he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land, including the old homestead. In 1908 he began the erection of a handsome residence, containing all modern improvements, but did not live to see its completion. The family estate now comprises three hundred and twenty acres of well improved and valuable land.
On the 14th of September, 1882, Mr. Longley was united in marriage to Miss Alice Howard, a daughter of Benoni Howard, his stepfather, and they became the parents of two children, Ethel Cordelia and Ralph Lyman, both of whom are now living with their mother on the home farm, the son having charge of the place, which under his management is producing excellent harvests.
Mr. Longley gave his support to the republican party but never aspired to public office, preferring to devote his attention to business affairs. He was a sin- cere believer in the authority of the Bible and an earnest member of the Congre- gational church. He was recognized as a man of honesty and ability-a natural gentleman whose kindly and obliging disposition readily attracted friends wher- ever he was known. A good farmer and a clear-headed business man, his opin- ion on business affairs was accepted as authority and by his associates he was greatly respected for his enterprising spirit and genial nature and for his con- sideration of others, which was apparent in all his relations with his fellowmen.
HENRY ILLIAN.
Among the veterans of the Civil war now living in Poweshiek county is num- bered Henry Illian, whose birth occurred in the duchy of Waldeck, Prussia, Germany, on the 19th of January, 1838. He is a son of Frederick and Louise (Willis) Illian, also natives of the fatherland, the mother there passing away in 1846. The father again married, his second union being with Miss Caro- line Rummell. He was a farmer by occupation and in 1853 brought his family to the United States, establishing his home in Davenport, where his death oc- curred in 1858. By his first marriage there were five sons and two daughters, of which number Henry Illian, of this review, was the third in order of birth, while by the second marriage there were two children, a son and daughter. With the exception of one daughter, who is married and resides in Germany, all of the children came to the United States.
In 1853, when a lad of fifteen, Henry Illian left his native country and came to the new world. After arriving in Iowa he gave his father the benefit of his assistance upon the home farm until July 25, 1862, when, in response to the call of the Union for more troops, he enlisted at Davenport as a member of Com- pany G, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years. Ile participated in all of the engagements of his regiment, including the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Forts Morgan and Blakely, and various minor skir-
Henry Illian
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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mishes, and bears the scars of three flesh wounds received during his term of service, one a bullet wound in the breast, another in the back and the third in the arm. He was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, in August, 1865, after a most honorable and creditable military career.
Returning to Scott county, Iowa, Mr. Illian there engaged independently in farming for a number of years, and in the spring of 1883 came to Poweshiek county, purchasing his present home of eighty acres on section 23, Malcolm township. It is a well improved farm, its neat and thrifty appearance indicating the supervision of a practical owner, and he is widely recognized as one of the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of the community.
In 1870 Mr. Illian was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Tissin, who was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1847, and in 1854 came with her parents to Iowa, the family establishing their home at Davenport. On the 4th of March. 1894, Mr. Illian was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and eight children have also passed away, as follows: Henry, William, Fred and Tillie, all of whom died in Cleona township, Scott county, inside of three weeks, their deaths resulting from diphtheria; Lulu, who passed away at the age of four years ; Barnard, at the age of two and a half years ; Adam, at the age of four years ; and Ellen, at the age of five years. One daughter, Genevieve, survives, and is now the wife of James B. McKeag. She has a daughter, Irma Marguerite, and a son, Kenneth Henry, and with her husband resides with her father on the old home farm.
Mr. Illian holds membership in the Lutheran church and also belongs to John T. Drake Post, G. A. R., at Brooklyn. He gives his support to the republican party and although not a politician In the sense of office-seeking, is a public- spirited citizen, deeply interested in the substantial improvement of his home locality. He served, however, as road supervisor two years and as school direc- tor the same length of time. He is honorable and straightforward in his business dealings and is highly esteemed wherever known.
JOHN W. FISHER.
The son of a soldier who lost his life in the Civil war, John W. Fisher, of Chester township. early learned to depend upon his own resources, and thus de- veloped those sturdy traits of character which inevitably lead to success in busi- ness and to leadership in the community. He is a native of Tama county, Iowa, born July 31, 1862, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Cooper) Fisher, the former having been born in Ohio and the latter in Pennsylvania. They were mar- ried in 1861. The father was drafted in an Iowa regiment in defence of the Union at the time of the Civil war and died in a hospital, his body being buried in the south. The mother was married in 1868 to W. S. Harris, at that time a resident of Tama county, Iowa.
John W. Fisher received his early education in the common schools and also attended Albion Seminary near Marshalltown, Iowa. He engaged in farm work in Tama county and in March, 1892, being then thirty years of age, he came to
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Chester township, Poweshiek county, subsequently moving upon his present loca- tion in section 29, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres, and being also the owner of a tract of eighty acres in the same township. He has been highly successful in raising Guernsey cattle and Chester White hogs, and as an exhib- itor at the fairs has carried off some of the most desirable prizes. He devotes special attention to the dairy business.
On the 12th of January, 1888, Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Anna J. Hen- drixson, a daughter of Hugh and Sarah ( Waldron) Hendrixson. The father was a physician and practiced for a number of years at Columbus, Ohio, his birth having occurred in Clermont county, that state. One child has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. She has attended high school and is now engaged in teaching school No. 4 at Chester.
Politically Mr. Fisher supports the principles and candidates of the republican party. He has served with marked ability as justice of the peace and as president of the school board. In religious belief he adheres to the Methodist church. A broad-minded and conscientious man, he has accumulated a competency by his industry and thrift and has set an example which reflects high credit upon him- self and those with whom he is associated. He is known as an earnest and pa- triotic citizen who appreciates the responsibilities of American citizenship and manfully endeavors to discharge them.
W. H. TAYLOR.
Perhaps no resident of Barnes City. lowa, occupies a more prominent place among the builders of the town than does W. H. Taylor, whose generous dona- tion of land made possible the establishment of enterprises around which, as a nucleus, the flourishing little village has had its growth. Born in Parke county, Indiana, on the 3d of February, 1845, he is a son of William and Martha (Dar- land) Taylor, also natives of that state. There the father passed away when the son was but a year old, and subsequently his wife and her mother, Mrs. Alsey (Reynolds) Darland, also a widow, removed to Warren county, Illinois, where they resided until about 1857. They then came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where both passed away. W. H. Taylor, of this review, was the youngest and is now the only living member of a family of three children, the others being : Amanda. the deceased wife of George Anderson ; and John Dudley.
W. H. Taylor was a lad of twelve years when he took up his abode in Powe- shiek county, and since the age of twenty-three years he has made his home upon his present farm. When twenty-one years of age he purchased eighty acres of this farm, to which he later added as he prospered in his agricultural pursuits un- til he became one of the most extensive landowners in his section of the county, a fact which speaks strongly of a life of industry, perseverance and ambition on the part of one whose start in life was in no way auspicious and whose gradual rise in the business world came as the result of his own well directed efforts. At one time he owned all of section 34, Jackson township, eighty acres of section 33 and eighty acres of section 27, all lying in one body, and constituting one of
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the finest and most valuable estates in the township. Twenty acres of this prop- erty is within the corporation limits of Barnes City and upon this tract Mr. Tay- lor now makes his home. He has disposed of much of his land to his sons, al- though the entire tract still remains in the possession of the family. It is equipped with five good sets of buildings, occupied by two sons, a son-in-law and two ten- ants, and is a well improved property, all of the up-to-date conveniences and ac- cessories of a model farm having been introduced by Mr. Taylor. In 1897 he built a large barn, forty-eight by ninety-six feet, and in the following year erected his present handsome fourteen-room dwelling, equipped throughout with all of the latest improvements. In former years he operated this place himself, actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, but during the past few years has rented the land. In 1892 he became identified with the commercial interests of Barnes City as proprietor of a general mercantile business operated under the firm style of W. H. Taylor & Sons. For about seven years this enterprise had a continuous and successful growth under his management, becoming one of the most important business concerns of the town, and then, in 1899, he withdrew from active life, leaving the entire direction and management of the business to his sons, who have since conducted it under the original name of W. H. Taylor & Sons. He is now living retired, enjoying in well earned rest a fortune which is at once substantial and honorable.
Mr. Taylor was married, in 1868, to Miss Martha Ann Fisher, whose death occurred in 1872. For his second wife he chose Miss Martha Jane Lown, whom he wedded on the 17th of April, 1876. She was born in Marion county, Ohio, on the 13th of May, 1847, and in 1856 came to Iowa with her parents, Thomas and Jane ( Hodson), both natives of England. Her father had come alone to this county in early manhood, while the mother had been brought to Ohio by her parents when only eight years of age. They were married in Richmond county. Ohio, and both passed away in lowa county, lowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born five children, as follows: Charles W., a member of the firm of W. H. Taylor & Sons ; Martin D., also a member of that firm; James M., a resident of Texas, who has an interest in the firm; Elsie E., the wife of James Doan, of Barnes City, who is likewise one of the firm: and George F., now operating a part of the home farm. At one time all of these children were connected with their father in the active management of the business of W. H. Taylor & Sons.
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