USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 54
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the time he had attained his maturity he was well versed in the practical science of agriculture. After leaving the parental roof he worked out as a farm hand until 1878, when he purchased forty acres of his present holdings. By means of careful management and rigid economy he was later able to increase his holdings by the addition of another seventy acres. lle has erected all of the improve- ments upon his place, which he cleared and put under cultivation as he was able, and now owns one of the valuable farms of the township. His fields are all in a high state of cultivation, while he keeps a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs.
On the 2d of June, 1878. Mr. Main was united in marriage to Miss Martha F. Peckham, who was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, on the 19th of August, 1859, a daughter of Fred and Jane (Denning) Peckham, natives of Ohio, who migrated to Iowa during the pioneer days and located in Appanoose county, where the father engaged in farming. They affiliated with the Methodist Epis- copal church, but both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Main there were born nine children: Charles, who is a resident of Sugar Creek township: Clar- ence, living in the same place ; Stella, the wife of Elmer Gause, of Limon, Col- orado: Nellie, the wife of William Dowd, of Grinnell; John, who is living in Sugar Creek township; Ada, the wife of Claude Naylor, of Grinnell ; Cora, who married Claude Bailey, of Colorado: and Effie and Aaron, both of whom are at home.
Mr. Main votes with the democracy and has served as township trustee for ten years. In matters religious he affiliates with the Society of Friends and his wife with the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge. During the thirty-three years he has been a resident of Sugar Creek township Mr. Main has won the regard of many with whom he has come in contact, and all concede that he well deserves the success which has attended his efforts.
G. W. STILWELL.
One of the representative farmers and stockmen of Sugar Creek township is G. W. Stilwell, who owns one of the valuable homesteads of the district. A na- tive of the township where he is now residing, Mr. Stilwell's natal day was the 4th of July, 1861, his parents having been Elias and Hannah ( Horner) Stilwell.
The father was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 20th of September, 1817, while the birth of the mother, who was also a native of the Buckeye state, oc- curred in Preble county. The parents met in the latter county and were mar- ried in December, 1837. Mr. Stilwell for a time engaged in farming in Preble county, whence he migrated to Randolph county, Indiana, where they resided for two years, following which they removed to Wayne county, Indiana, locating on a farm in New Garden township, which he cultivated until 1857. In the spring of the latter year, together with his wife and family, he came to Iowa, purchasing
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a farm of three hundred and ten acres in Sugar Creek township, Poweshiek county. He wrought many improvements upon this property during the long period of his occupancy, engaging in general farming until about ten years prior to his demise, when he retired to New Sharon, Mahaska county, Iowa. There he passed away on the 12th of September, 1895, the mother having died in July, 1877. while the family were residing on the homestead in Sugar Creek township. In politics Mr. Stilwell was a democrat. He held membership in the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife belonged to the Christian church. Twelve children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stilwell: Benjamin and Oba- diah, both of whom are deceased ; William E., who is a resident of Sugar Creek township; and Mary Ann, Helena Margaret, Prudence Adeline ; Sarah Jane, Emmeline and Lydia Ellen, all of whom are deceased ; John Andrews, a resident of South Dakota; G. W., our subject ; and James, who lives in Missouri.
The education of G. W. Stilwell was obtained in the district schools of Sugar Creek township. In common with the majority of lads who are reared on a farm he was early trained in the work of the homestead, his responsibility in- creasing as his strength and ability developed with the passing years. After completing his studies he gave his entire time and attention to the work of the farm until he felt competent to begin for himself. One hundred and sixty acres of the land now embraced in the homestead of Mr. Stilwell was inherited from his father. He has so intelligently and capably directed his ventures as to have met with unusual success and he now has five hundred and five acres of land under cultivation. In connection with the cultivation of his extensive fields he also raises stock, making a specialty of Poland China and Chester White hogs. All of the improvements now standing upon his property have been erected dur- ing the period of his occupancy, and his is one of the most attractive places in the township.
In Sugar Creek township Mr. Stilwell and Miss Georgetta Craver were united in marriage on the 6th of October, 1883. Mrs. Stilwell was a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth ( Mackey ) Craver, well known residents of Sugar Creek township at that time. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of North Carolina. Mr. Craver, who was a farmer, migrated to Iowa during the pioneer days and settled on a farm in Sugar Creek township, where Mrs. Craver passed away. He subsequently removed to Arkansas and there he died. His political support he always gave to the candidates of the republican party, and fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. A Civil war veteran, he maintained relations with his comrades of the field through the medium of the G. A. R., in which organization he held mem- bership.
Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stilwell there was born one son, Lamont C., who is living on the homestead. He is a native of Poweshiek county, his birth having occurred in Sugar Creek township on the Ist of July, 1885. Agricul- tural pursuits have always engaged his attention and for his wife he chose Miss Myrtle Saunders, a daughter of John L. and Ellen (Quaintance) Saunders, resi- (lents of New Sharon, Mahaska county, lowa, their marriage being solemnized on the 23d of December, 1906. They have one child, Etta Ruth, who was born July 2, 1911. Mrs. G. W. Stilwell passed away on the 14th of March, 1910, her
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demise occurring at San Antonio, Texas, and she was laid to rest in the cemetery at New Sharon, Iowa.
Mr. Stilwell votes with the republican party but does not prominently par- ticipate in political activities. A man of unremitting diligence and perseverance he has met with success in his undertakings and is now rated as one of the affluent agriculturists of Sugar Creek township.
C. C. CRAVER.
C. C. Craver, whose honorable record as a veteran of the Civil war entitles him to favorable mention among the representative citizens of Poweshiek county, was born in Franklinville, Gloucester county, New Jersey, on the 19th of June, 1841, and has therefore reached the seventieth milestone on life's journey. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Nelson) Craver, were natives of the same county who, in 1852, came west to Indiana and in the fall of 1855 arrived in Iowa, locat- ing at Forest Home, where both passed away. The father was a farmer by occupation and devoted his entire lifetime to agricultural pursuits.
C. C. Craver, who was the fourth in order of birth in a family of fifteen children, was but a year and a half old when he was taken to the home of his uncle, Cornelius Cawman, by whom he was reared. With his uncle he came to Iowa about 1856, locating near Forest Home, in Union township, Poweshiek county, and here he has since engaged in general farming. For the past thirty- five years he has resided on his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located on sections 8 and 17. Deep River township, a well improved property equipped with all the accessories and conveniences for facilitating farm labor.
Mr. Craver had just attained his majority when, on the 11th of August, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company C, Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the remainder of the war. He took part in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, and during the battle at Winchester was slightly wounded. He was in the hospital during the winter of 1862-3 and later was detailed for service at the headquarters of the corps under General Ranson during the Red River campaign. He continued as a private throughout the period of hostilities and was honorably discharged after a term of service characterized by the utmost loyalty and bravery.
On the 28th of February, 1867, Mr. Craver was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Light, who was born in Illinois in 1848, and in infancy was brought to Iowa by her parents, Mathias and Martha (Hightower) Light. The father, who was born in Virginia, passed away in Montezuma, and the mother, a native of Tennessee, still survives and makes her home in that city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Craver have been born seven children, as follows: J. W., of St. Joseph, Mis- souri ; Charles G., of Ione, New Mexico; Frederick M., of Norfolk, Virginia ; Mrs. Mary J. Stackhouse and Mrs. Sarah E. Henzie, twins, the former now de- ceased and the latter a resident of California ; Lulu, who married Manuel Hold- erness. of Deep River township; and Thomas, of this township.
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Mr. Craver is a republican in politics, giving stalwart support to the party which stood in defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his mem- bership in Wisener Post, G. A. R., at Montezuma. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, A. F. & A. M., at Deep River. Although he has now passed the seventieth milestone on life's journey he is still active in business and is one of the well known and most highly respected citizens of the county, for in times of peace he has ever re- mained as true and loyal to the welfare of his state and country as in the days when following the old flag on southern battle fields.
JOHN MOLER.
The consensus of public opinion places John Moler among the leading citi- zens of Montezuma, not alone because of his own success in business but also because he has ever manifested a helpful spirit in matters relating to the public welfare, giving generous support to various projects for the benefit and up- building of this city. His entire life has measured up to the highest standards of manhood. His quietude of deportment, his easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of address, with a total absence of anything sinister or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, ready concep- tion of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the execution of human activities.
A native of Adams county, Ohio, he was born November 17, 1847, a son of Rev. Andrew Moler, whose birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, June 13. 1824. His great-grandfather, the Rev. Joseph Moler, emigrated from Germany with his parents in 1747 and landed at Philadelphia, and soon after the family home was established at Georgetown, where he remained until the beginning of hostilities inaugurating the Revolutionary war. He served as a defender of American interests and at the close of the war found himself in Georgia. He afterward went to Kentucky and thence to Highland county. Ohio, where he died at the venerable age of ninety years. The grandfather was the Rev. John Moler, who was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, April 8, 1796, and accon- panied his parents on their removal to Highland county, Ohio. In early man- hood he became affiliated with the ministry of the German Baptist church and devoted his life to that calling. He also conducted agricultural pursuits and his career was one of wide usefulness in behalf of his fellowmen and deep regret was felt at his death, which occurred in 1857.
Rev. Andrew Moler, the father, also determined to devote his life to the work of the ministry, as had his father and grandfather, and was ordained in the German Baptist church. He labored for the moral uplift of the citizens of Highland county, Ohio, until 1853. when he removed to Jay county, Indiana. There he engaged in preaching the gospel until 1861, at which time he returned to Ohio, residing in Clermont county until 1864. when he came to Keokuk county,
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JOHN MOLER
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Iowa, settling on a farm near South English. There he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits and also continued his ministerial labors whenever opportunity favored. He married Martha A. Phillips, who was born in Ohio. December 13. 1827, and was a daughter of Asa F. Phillips, a native of Maryland, who be- came one of the early settlers of the Buckeye state, where he followed farming until 1851, when he removed to Indiana. He was a devoted and faithful mem- ber of the Methodist church and passed away at the venerable age of ninety years. His daughter, Martha, became the wife of the Rev. Andrew Moler and unto them were born seven children, of whom five children are still living.
John Moler, the eldest of the family, spent his youthful days in the usual manner of farm lads amid the agricultural environment of Ohio and Indiana. and in 1864 he came with his father to Iowa, in which state he aided in the development and improvement of the home farm, giving to his father the bene- fit of his services until twenty-two years of age. He was then married and started out in life on his own account. It was in 1869 that he wedded Miss Nancy M. Myers, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Christian Myers, one of the early settlers of Iowa county, Iowa, where for many years he engaged in farming. Following his marriage Mr. Moler took his bride to a farm in Pilot township, Iowa county, where he purchased one hundred acres of raw land. He then devoted his time and energies to the work of breaking the sod and tilling the fields, and each year witnessed a marked transformation in the ap- pearance of the place as his care and cultivation converted it into a valuable property. In 1882 he left the farm and removed to Kinross, where he estab- fished a lumber business under the firm name of John Moler & Company. A year later, however, he came to Montezuma, where he has since made his home. He was first connected with the business interests of this city as a grain and lumber merchant, built lumberyards and elevators and for a time carried on his interests under the firm style of Moler & Company, which was later changed to Moler & Clark upon the admission of M. J. Clark to a partnership. His elevators and cribs, with a capacity of forty thousand bushels, were situated on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad and the firm made extensive annual shipments. They also handled all kinds of lumber and building material, and, extending the field of his operations, Mr. Moler became a stockholder in the Savings Bank of Montezuma, in the electric light plant and also became connected with the lumber trade at Clarion, Iowa, as a partner in the firm of James Sturgeon & Company. He continued in the grain and lumber business at Montezuma from 1881 until 1908 and then sold out, but after a brief pe- riod he again became an active factor in commercial circles, opening a cloth- ing house in 1910, which he is now conducting. He has no interest in the lum- ber business at the present time but he and his former partner, Mr. Clark, still own the lumber and grain plant which they have leased. Mr. Moler is like- wise the owner of a good farm in Jackson township. Poweshiek county. His business and property interests are the visible evidence of a well spent life, whereby he has attained a gratifying measure of prosperity.
In 1900 Mlr. Moler was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in that year, leaving three daughters, all of whom are graduates of Cornell College. Elizabeth, who for some years was successfully engaged in teaching.
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is now engaged in church work, doing field work in the Deaconess Home at Great Falls, Montana. Cora C. is a graduate nurse of Wesley Hospital of Chicago and is following her profession in that city. Jennie is the wife of Thomas C. McIntyre, of Halsey, Nebraska. In 1904 Mr. Moler was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Abbie S. Tribbet, a daughter of F. A. Kilburn, a pioneer merchant of Montezuma.
In community affairs Mr. Moler has ever taken a deep and helpful interest and gives his aid and cooperation to many measures and projects for the general good. He is serving as member of the city council and for seven years, from 1900 until 1907, filled the office of county supervisor. He has always voted the republican ticket and its principles have found in him a stalwart supporter. Socially he is connected with both the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also with the lowa Legion of Honor, of which he formerly served as secretary and treasurer for ten years. He has long been a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist church, in which he has served as a trustee, and was also a delegate to its general conference in 1900. His life has been active, busy and useful, crowned not only with ma- terial success as the reward of his industry but also with the high regard of his fellowmen, tendered him in recognition of sterling worth.
WALTER A. FRASER.
Walter A. Fraser, one of the thrifty and prosperous young agriculturists of Warren township, is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30. His birth occurred in Bear Creek township, Powe- shiek county, on the 17th of March, 1870, his parents being Donald and Martha J. (Coulson) Fraser. The mother, a lady of German descent, was born near Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, and is now living at Anthon, Woodbury county, Iowa, with her daughter. Mrs. Edna Moore. Donald Fraser, known by his friends as "U'ncle Donald," was born on the 30th of October, 1831, at Inver- ness-shire, Scotland, where he resided until he was twenty-one years of age. On attaining his majority he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Illinois. In 1856 he came to Iowa and took up his abode on a farm near Brook- lyn. Poweshiek county. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in defense of the Union, joining the Fourth Iowa Cavalry on the 20th of February, 1864, and remaining with that command until the close of hostilities. He par- ticipated in sixteen decisive engagements and when the war had ended returned to his farm in Bear Creek township, Poweshiek county, here residing until Feb- ruary. 1893. At that time he removed to Woodbury county, Iowa, making his home near Anthon until called to his final rest on the 8th of September, 1909. He was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. On the 22d of October. 1858. at Brooklyn, Iowa, hie had wedded Miss Martha Jane Coulson, hy whom he had seven children, namely: J. S., who operates a farm of one hun- (red and eighty-five acres belonging to A. Braden, and who married Miss Georg- iana Adams, a daughter of Warren Adams, an agriculturist of Warren town-
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ship : Walter A., of this review; Rufus, who follows farming in Woodbury county, Iowa, and who wedded Miss Letha Waldo of that county ; Catharine, the wife of Wilmer Adams, an agriculturist of Warren township, this county ; Edna, the widow of Henry Moore, and who resides in Woodbury county, this state : Sallie, who died at the age of fourteen years; and Harvey, who passed away when a little lad of three years of age.
Walter A. Fraser assisted his father in the work of the fields until he was twenty years of age, when he started out as an agriculturist on his own account. He devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land in Bear Creek and Warren townships for nine years and then purchased the tract of one hundred and twenty acres which has since remained in his possession. By an additional purchase of forty acres he has since extended the boundaries of his farm to in- clude a quarter section of land. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also breeds registered Hereford cattle. He feeds both cattle and hogs and ships his stock to Chicago. He has won a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings as a farmer and stockman and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
On the 6th of March, 1895, Mr. Fraser was united in marriage to Miss Clara Willett, a daughter of Cornelius and Eliza (Adams) Willett. Mr. Willett, a well known agriculturist of Warren township, is now living retired in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fraser. His wife died on the 18th of December, 1904, her demise occurring at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ira Baker, of Bear Creek township, this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fraser have been born five children, namely: Vergie, who is fifteen years old; Eva, aged twelve years ; Gladys and Florence, who are eleven and seven years of age respectively ; and Dorothy, who was born on the 18th of March, 1909, and died on the 21st of De- cember. 1910. All of the living children are students in district school No. 9, Warren township.
Mr. Fraser gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fra- ternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Brook- lyn. His wife is a faithful member of the Episcopal church at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Fraser enjoy in large measure the confidence and esteem of those with whom they have come in contact, and the hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
JOHN D. BAGENSTOS.
His present homestead was the scene of the birth of John D. Bagenstos, which occurred in a log house on section 23, Madison township, this county, on the 5th of September. 1860. His parents were John L. and Elizabeth ( Hellman) Bagenstos, both natives of Berks county. Pennsylvania, but of German extrac- tion. The father was born on the 19th of March, 1814, and the mother on the 7th of November, 1823. They were married in 1842 and for ten years there- after continued to reside in the Keystone state. In 1855 they migrated to Iowa,
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locating upon the farm where their son John D. now resides, which at that time was neither cleared nor improved. Mr. Bagenstos felled the trees necessary for the construction of his eabin, which was the third erected in Madison township. Forty trees were needed for which he was charged fifty cents apiece, but not having the cash to spare he agreed to work for them at the rate of fifty cents per day. The drawing knife which he used in splitting and shaving the shingles for the roof is now one of the valued possessions of his son. Mr. Bagenstos, who was a blacksmith by trade, resided upon his homestead until 1901, when he retired from active farming and now makes his home with his children. He is now ninety-seven years of age but is well and in full possession of his faculties, being able to read without glasses. His wife passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Albert Igou, in Laporte City, Iowa, on the 7th of November, 1897, which was the seventy-fourth anniversary of her birth. They were the parents of the following children: Emma, the widow of Chester Fuller of the state of New York, who was killed in the Civil war, and now residing in Belle Plaine, Iowa ; William H., a retired contractor living at Laporte City, and who married Miss Catharine Knodle, of Illinois; Jacob N., who died at the age of three years in Berks county, Pennsylvania ; James W., a farmer of Jessup, Iowa, who married Miss Sarah Kachel of Tama county, Iowa: Catharine, who married B. B. Mogle, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; John D., our subject ; and Mary, the wife of Albert Igou, of Laporte City, Iowa.
The entire life of John D. Bagenstos has been spent on his present homestead, his education being acquired in the district schools of Madison township, upon the completion of which he assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm un- til the latter's retirement in 1884. when the son bought the property. He has added to his tract from time to time until he now owns one hundred and seven- ty-five acres, eleven acres of which is natural forest. The property is known as Hickory Lawn Farm and is one of the best known stock farms in central lowa. Three years ago Mr. Bagenstos disposed of all of his graded stock and now keeps nothing but registered thoroughbreds. He now owns thirty head of reg- istered shorthorns and he has one hundred head of large type, big-boned Poland China hogs. For the past twenty years he has been breeding this line of hogs and he holds semi-annual sales which are attended by breeders from all over the country. He also has a fine flock of registered Shropshire sheep which he started three years ago. Mrs. Bagenstos is her husband's partner and devotes her attention to the raising of barred Plymouth Rock chickens.
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