USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 51
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In the latter year he left his team at Des Moines, whence he walked to Iowa City, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, making the journey in two days, or forty-eight hours. He returned to his Illinois home in July and re- mained with his parents until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in the state troops, being mustered into the United States service in June of that year as a member of Company B, Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served with that command until July, 1864, when he was discharged, reenlisting in Company K. Forty-second Illinois Volunteers, in September of that year. He thuis served until honorably discharged, being mustered out in November, 1865, at Victoria, Texas. He took part in many of the important engagements of the war, incluid- ing the battles of Perryville, Nashville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Spring Ilill, Franklin, Resaca, and also participated in Sherman's campaign through Georgia. He received a slight wound at Franklin. Tennessee, and was captured after the battle of Chickamauga by General Joseph Wheeler buit was paroled a few days later. He entered the service as a private buit was promoted to a posi- tion on the signal corps in recognition of his many acts of bravery and his loyal support at all times of the Union canse. Unlike many who were quick to re- spond to the country's call, he did not regard his duty over at the close of his first term of enlistment, but remained at the front until after all Confederate troops had laid down their arms, receiving an honorable discharge after four years of active, brave and efficient service on the battlefields of the south.
Mr. Douglass returned home on the 13th of November, 1865, and for three years was engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of eighty acres in Illinois.
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In 1868 he came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and purchased a quarter section in Malcom township, all raw prairie land, for which he paid twenty dollars per acre. In the following year he took up his abode on that place and it has since remained his home. In the winter of 1875-76 he purchased another quarter sec- tion adjoining his home farm, and he now owns three hundred acres, or the west half of section 33. This is a valuable property, all of the improvements having been made by Mr. Donglass, including two good dwellings and substantial barns and outbuildings. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, feeding all of the grain which he raises to his stock. He has been more than usually fortu- nate in the conduct of his affairs and today is one of the highly successful and wealthy agriculturists of the county. He is known in the financial circles of Malcom as a stockholder in the Malcom Savings Bank.
In 1867, in Stark county, Illinois, Mr. Douglass was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Shaier, a native of Pennsylvania, whose death occurred in Powe- shiek county on the 31st of July, 1910, at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were five children, namely: Andrew D., of Pleasant township; William F. and Charles, operating the home place for their father; Edna, the wife of Frank Peters, of Pleasant township; and Thomas S., a resident of Muscatine.
Mr. Douglass has been a lifelong democrat and has held a few minor town- ship offices, and has maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. His record as a soldier and as a private citizen has been most honorable, for in times of peace he has been as loyal to the interests of his state and nation as when following the old flag on southern battlefields. He has gained substantial success in life, but it has come as the direct result of earnest labor, unfaltering industry and a sin- gleness and honesty of purpose. None envy him his prosperity, so worthily has it been won, and he ranks today among the respected and representative citizens of Poweshiek county.
JAMES J. CORROUGH.
James J. Corrough, member of the board of county commissioners of Pow- eshiek county, is recognized not only as a thorough farmer but as a business man of clear and sound judgment whose opinions are well worthy of consideration. He has been eminently successful in the conduct of his own affairs and the county is fortunate in securing the services of a man of experienced and tried capacity in one of its most important offices.
Mr. Corrough was born in Scott county, Iowa, June 6, 1865, a son of James and Mary (Conley) Corrongh, both of whom were natives of Ireland. In 1845 the father came to the United States and engaged as teamster in the commissary department at the time of the Mexican war. After the close of the war he joined the forty-niners and went to California where he spent two years in the gold fields. He then became a passenger on a sailing vessel which made the journey around Cape Horn and he returned to his native land where he married Mary Conley. In 1854 he came to the United States with his wife,
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having determined to establish his permanent home under the American flag. He had three land warrants, one of which had been given him by the govern- ment for his services in the Mexican war, and the other two he purchased. He took up land in Scott county, Iowa, with two of these warrants, which he cul- tivated until 1867, when he sold his place and removed to Poweshiek county, establishing a permanent home near Malcom. He passed away December 19, 1905, having then arrived at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The beloved wife and mother died February 4, 1909. The homestead is still in possession of the family.
James J. Corrough received his preliminary education in the district schools and later pursued a business course in the Davenport Business College. He early showed a natural inclination for agricultural pursuits and as his father was the owner of about nine hundred acres of land and was a very busy man the son began to assume responsibility even in his young boyhood, the manage- ment of the home farm largely falling upon his shoulders. He succeeded so admirably that in 1900 the father gave him a portion of the home farm. He makes a specialty of cattle feeding, but also is an extensive raiser of hogs and horses and is acknowledged as an authority in this county on subjects pertain- ing to agriculture and stock-raising.
In 1905 Mr. Corrough was united in marriage to Miss Anne Winifred Evans of Williamsburg, Iowa, daughter of Evan J. Evans, who came to Williamsburg from Racine, Wisconsin, in 1858. He was a native of Wales, as was also his wife, who was Miss Anne Davies before her marriage. The father was educated for the ministry and ordained as a minister of the Congregational church, coming to Iowa as a missionary to the Welsh people in this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Corrough three children have been born, two of whom are now living, namely : Winifred Evans and James Vincent.
Mr. Corrough gives his support to the republican party and has served as assessor, justice of the peace, and for many years as secretary of the school board. In November, 1910, he was elected to the board of county supervisors, which position he now fills. Fraternally, he is connected with Grinnell Lodge, No. 175, Knights of Pythias. He has many warm personal friends in Poweshiek county who are greatly interested in his continued success. A man of unques- tioned sincerity he has always been actuated by high principles and has been instrumental in an important degree in advancing the permanent welfare of this section.
JACOB BOWMAN.
One of the representative agriculturists of Madison township is Jacob Bow- man, who was born in Rockingham, Virginia, on the 31st of March, 1855. His parents were Moses and Catherine (Harpine) Bowman. The father, who was of German descent, was also a native of Rockingham, but the mother was born in Shenandoah. Mr. Bowman was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1872, ten years after the demise of his wife.
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Jacob Bowman was educated in his native state, of which he was a resi- dent until 1880, when he removed to the west, locating in Brooklyn, Bear Creek township. He farmed as a renter until 1904, and then purchased one hundred and eighteen acres of land, upon which he has ever since resided. Under his capable supervision the land has been brought into a high state of cultivation and he engages in general farming, in addition to which he raises hogs, cattle and horses, and feeds hogs for the market.
While still residing in Virginia Mr. Bowman was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Hinegardner, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia ( Bowman) Hine- gardner, natives of Rockingham county. The parents migrated to lowa in 1880, locating on a farm which they rented four miles east of Malcom. After residing thereon for eight years they moved to Malcom, where the mother still resides, but the father has passed away. They were both of German de- scent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have been born the following children : Elmer, a resident of Brooklyn, who married Miss Margaret Johnson and who have had two children, twins, one of whom is deceased and the other, Lois, is now three years of age; John, a farmer living one mile south of Brooklyn, and who married Miss Anna Johnson ; and Nora, Vera, and William, all of whom are at home. Charles, who was the fourth in order of birth, passed away in 1898 at the age of fifteen years.
The family attend the Presbyterian church of Brooklyn, of which all, with the exception of the two sons, John and William, are members. Mr. Bowman is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, being affiliated with the Brooklyn lodge; whilehis sons, John and Elmer, belong to the In- dependent Order of 'Odd Fellows; of Brooklyn, and the latter also to the Knights of Pythias. . Their wives belong to the Rebekah lodge of Brooklyn and Mrs. Elmer Bowman 'is also, a Pythian sister. Mr. Bowman gives his political support to the democratic party, but has never taken a particularly active interest in township affairs, although he served for several terms as a school director in district No. 7 of Madison township, and one term as super- visor. A man of energy and purpose Mr. Bowman has met with more than average success in his ventures and now owns one of the well improved and valuable homesteads of the county.
EMERY S. BARTLETT.
For fifty-five years a resident of Grinnell, Emery S. Bartlett may truly be designated as a pioneer. He has been a witness of a marvelous transformation in this section of the state and has to the extent of his ability assisted in the accomplishment of the great work which has made Poweshiek county one of the most desirable places of abode in the entire commonwealth. He was born at Bath, New Hampshire, September 7. 1832, son of Stephen N. and Theo- dosia (Child) Bartlett. The father, who was also a native of Bath, was born December 1, 1802, upon the old homestead which he inherited from his father. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to 'Adam Bartlett who lived in
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MRS. E. S. BARTLETT
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
England during the ninth century. The first of the family to come to America was John Bartlett, who in company with two brothers, Richard and Thomas, crossed the Atlantic in 1620. The old homestead of several thousand acres in Sussexshire, is still in possession of the family.
Stephen N. Bartlett came with his family to Grinnell in 1855 and located upon government land, becoming one of the leading residents of his part of the county. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding September 23, 1874. Originally a whig in politics, he became a republican upon the organization of that party and so continued during the remainder of his life. While a resident of New Hampshire he was a prominent factor in his party's councils, serving in various local offices and also as representative in the state legislature. On com- ing to Poweshiek county he refused to take active part in political affairs and devoted his attention principally to his business. He was for many years a deacon in the Congregational church and lived a true Christian life. He passed away November 15, 1879, his faithful wife following him January 31, 1882. They will long be remembered as worthy representatives of the early settlers of this county.
Emery S. Bartlett was reared in New Hampshire and educated in the public schools of that state. As he grew to manhood he read with interest the stories told by travelers of the wonderful opportunities in the great west, and at twenty- one years of age he started toward the setting sun, coming as far as Michigan where he became a student of Olivet College. In the spring of 1854 he went to Wisconsin and spent the summer in the vicinity of-Beaver Dam. On the 20th of September, 1854. he arrived in Grinnell: "The future metropolis of Poweshiek county was then a town 'm prospect only. ; The survey had been made but improvements existed only in the minds of the, projectors. Mr. Bart- lett was greatly pleased with the location and acquired land in Grinnell town- ship, superintending its development while making his home in Grinnell. He first lived in the old Long home, just across the street from his present resi- dence. He conducted a meat market for twenty years and for a number of years has been living retired. He still owns forty-seven acres of land in Grin- nell township and property in the city but has disposed of most of his farm land.
In 1855 Mr. Bartlett returned to Bath, New Hampshire, and on the 11th of December of the same year was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Stevens, who was born in Lyman, New Hampshire, a daughter of Michael M. and Stella (Knapp) Stevens. They celebrated their golden wedding December 11, 1905. Three children were born to them, namely: Arthur W., who was grad- nated from Grinnell College in 1888 and is now living in Oregon ; Stella T., who is at home and is a graduate of Grinnell College of the class of 1891 and also of Moody Institute, Chicago; and Catherine H., also a graduate of Grinnell College and now the wife of Rev. Truman O. Douglas, who was graduated from Harvard University and is pastor of the North Park Congregational church of Des Moines. Mrs. Bartlett died May 4, 1907, and was buried in the cemetery at Grinnell. She was a woman of many estimable qualities, who in the course of a long and useful career made many friends in this county.
Mr. Bartlett was one of the charter members of the Congregational church in this city, being now the only representative of that group living in Grinnell. Vol. II-26
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He served as chairman of the trustees and also for several years as deacon of the church. Politically he gives his support to the republican party, of which he has been an adherent ever since its organization. He has never sought public office but as a member of the city council he accomplished much good for the permanent interests of the city. With one exception he has been a resident of Grinnell longer than any other of its citizens. He has been successful in his business affairs, his efforts having yielded generous returns so that in the evening of his life he enjoys the comforts which are considered essential to tran- quility of mind. He also enjoys the friendship of the entire community and the good wishes of all who know him.
CLINTON W. FOWLER.
An excellent homestead of three hundred and twenty acres pays tribute to the agricultural ability of Clinton W. Fowler, who was born near Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, on the Ist of February, 1852, a son of Williams and Sophia ( Moseley) Fowler. The father, who was of English extraction and a native of Massachusetts, was a steamboat captain on the lower Mississippi for many years, but later in life engaged in farming. Before going on the river Mr. Fowler went to Chicago, which at that time was only a village, and a friend who had great confidence in the development of the western metropolis urged him to invest in city property. Mr. Fowler, however, scorned the sug- gestion and said, referring to some of the land in the very heart of the business district : "I wouldn't have it for a gift." In 1866 he and his wife came to Iowa, locating upon a farm in Madison township, Poweshiek county, and there he continued to reside until his death in the early 'Sos ; his wife had passed away some years previously.
Clinton W. Fowler was a lad of fourteen years of age when his parents located in Poweshiek county. His education was obtained in the district schools, which he attended whenever he could be spared from the work of the farm. At the age of eighteen years he, with his two brothers Fred W. and Rowland, the latter of whom died two years later, took entire charge of the homestead, which contained four hundred acres. They continued its cultiva- tion for three years when Clinton and Fred Fowler, who were the sole remain- ing heirs, divided the land, the former continuing to cultivate his portion, in addition to his present homestead, for five years thereafter. In 1878 he re- moved to his farm in Madison township, where he has ever since resided. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 34 and 35 in Madison township, and thirty-seven acres of timber three miles northeast of his homestead. His farm is one of the best improved and most valuable prop- erties in Madison township, and there he engages in general farming and feeds cattle and hogs for the Chicago market.
On the 31st of May, 1894, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Armstrong, a daughter of William and Jane ( Hall) Armstrong, natives of Fermanagh county, Ireland. They emigrated to the United States in 1844
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and located in the vicinity of Rock Island, Illinois, where Mrs. Fowler was born. When she was five years of age her parents removed to Poweshiek county settling upon a farm seven miles south of Brooklyn in Scott township, where they continued to reside until they passed away, the father on the 21st of March, 1898, and the mother on the 25th of the same month seven years later. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have been born the following children: William, who is sixteen years of age; Harry D., aged fourteen years; Clinton W., thirteen years of age; and Frederick Eugene, who has passed his ninth anni- versary. All but the eldest, who is assisting his father, are attending district No. 7 school. Mr. Fowler, who for the past eight years has been township treasurer, gives his political support to the democratic party. He was also at one time elected assessor but never qualified for the office.
EDWARD C. BOLEN.
General farming and stock-raising have always claimed the attention of Edward C. Bolen, who is one of the representative farmers of Sheridan town- ship. He was born in Madison township, Poweshiek county, Iowa, on the 22d of October, 1869, a son of Michael and Elizabeth Ann (Thompson) Bolen, the father a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Canada. The parents removed to Poweshiek county in 1869, locating in Madison town- ship, where they continued to reside for a year, and then purchased eighty acres of land in Sheridan township, where they resided until 1897, when they retired to Tama, Tama county, Iowa. There the father passed away on the Ist of February, 1907, but the mother still survives and continues to make her home in Tama.
The early years of Edward C. Bolen's life were very similar to those of the average lad who is reared in the more sparsely settled communities. He at- tended the district school during the winter and in vacation and at such other times as he was not engaged with his studies assisted his father with the cul- tivation of the farm, his duties and responsibilities increasing as his strength developed with the passing years. When he had acquired such educaton as he deemed essential to enable him to follow his vocation, which he had decided should be that of an agriculturist, he devoted his entire attention to the work of the farm, remaining a member of the paternal household until he had at- tained the age of twenty-four years, at which time he was married.
Subsequent to this event he invested his savings in eighty acres of land in Sheridan township in the cultivation of which he engaged until 1896, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 15 of the same township, where he is now living. He engages in general farming and stock-raising but makes a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs for the market. A judicious man- ager Mr. Bolen utilizes every acres of his land to the best advantage and as a result is meeting with most gratifying returns from his various ventures. In addition to his homestead he also owns eighty acres of land on section 23. He is regarded as one of the most progressive young farmers in the county, readily
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adapting to his use every new theory the practicability of which appeals to him. Agriculture is to him a science that requires study, thought and common sense if the returns are to be commensurate with the labor expended. His land is in a high state of cultivation and is well improved, the buildings are sub- stantially constructed and kept in repair, while everything about his homestead suggests thrift and prosperity.
On the 10th of November, 1893, Mr. Bolen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Belle Dotson, a daughter of Eli and Ellen ( Hurst) Dotson, residents of Colfax, Iowa. Three children have been born of this union, two of whom are living: Letha, who is seventeen years of age ; and Stella, aged eight years, both of whom are still at home. Bessie, the second in order of birth, passed away at the age of two and a half years.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which denomination Mrs. Bolen is a member, while fraternally Mr. Bolen is identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America, hokling membership in both the Sheridan and Marshalltown lodges, and he is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. Bolen and Miss Letha are members of the Royal Neighbors, the ladies auxiliary of the Modern Woodmen. The men and measures of the republican party are always accorded the political support of Mr. Bolen, whose only official position has been that of school director in district No. 5, Sheridan township. Prac- tically the entire life of Mr. Bolen has been spent in the vicinity where he is now residing and where he has many friends, the majority of whom are com- rades of his boyhood, which fact is a lasting tribute to the character of the man.
MANUEL HOLDERNESS.
Through well directed business activity and enterprise Manuel Holderness is gaining recognition as one of the prosperous farmers of Deep River township. A native of Iowa, he was born at Millersburg on the 5th of October, 1872, a son of William and Margaret ( Bullion) Holderness, natives of England and Ireland respectively. The parents were married in Millersburg and there passed away, the former in 1878 at the age of sixty-two years, and the latter in 1892 at the age of sixty-four years. The father gave his entire life to agricultural pursuits. In his family were six children, of whom the subject of this review was the fourth in order of birth. The others are as follows: Anna, a resi- dent of Iowa City ; William, living near Millersburg; Aaron, of Aurelia, Iowa ; John. of Deep River township; and Ardillus, of Keswick, Iowa.
After the death of his father, which occurred when he was but six years of age, Manuel Holderness went to live in the home of George Mauser, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. Under the careful direction of Mr. Mauser and his sister the lad was reared to manhood, early developing habits of industry, perseverance and integrity which have ever remained salient elements in his career. He continued with Mr. Manser until his marriage, after which he began farming on his own account, purchasing a farm of one hundred
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acres, located on section 17, adjoining that on which he had been reared. This property he has brought under a high state of cultivation through the practical methods which he has pursued, and he is also operating, in addition to his home place, the farm of one hundred acres belonging to Mr. Mauser, who is now living retired. He is not afraid to work, but on the contrary has labored earnestly and resolutely to make his farms yield the maximum quota per acre. His efforts have not been in vain for his fields annually yield abundant crops in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them, and he is num- bered among Deep River township's progressive and enterprising agriculturists.
Mr. Holderness was married, in 1904, to Miss Lulu Craver, whose birth occurred in this township in the year 1883. She is a daughter of C. C. Craver, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and by her marriage with Mr. Hold- erness has become the mother of one son, Charles.
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