USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 57
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state one of its richest districts. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 22d of May, 1823, a son of George and Mary Jane ( Robb) Burgett, and a grand- son of Phillip Burgett, a soldier of the war of 1812. His parents both passed away in Carroll county, Ohio, where the greater portion of their lives were spent, the father being a farmer by occupation. P. B. Burgett was the second in order of birth in a family of eight sons and three daughters, of whom Owen is the only surviving member and was present at the surrender of Vicksburg on the 4th of July. 1863. Ile now makes his home in Carroll county, Ohio, on the old homestead. Tipton served in the Civil war as a squirrel hunter, and died in the fall of 1862. The eldest son, William F., was one of Iowa's pioneers, locat- ing in Des Moines in the early '50s, where he engaged in the merchandising business. The youngest son, John W., was drowned in Coon river, Iowa, about forty years ago, while fishing. The family originally came from Burgetts- town. Pennsylvania, a town which was laid out by the great-greatuncle of our subject.
P. B. Burgett spent the early years of his life in the county of his nativity and when twenty-one years of age went with relatives on flatboats down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. Subsequently he made six or eight similar trips to the Crescent city, the summer seasons being devoted to farm work in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. He was married in the fall of 1856 and in the spring of the following year came to Poweshiek county. Iowa, locat- ing in Deep River township. Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of school land on section 16. and soon afterward purchased another quarter section and at once began the development and improvement of his land. He was a very successful farmer and at one time owned more than six hundred acres of valuable property, five hundred and forty acres of which were in his possession at the time of his death. He continued in the cultivation of his farms until 1895. when he retired from that line of activity and removed to Deep River where he erected the present beautiful family home. After his arrival in this town he became identified with financial interests here. being president of the State Bank of Deep River from 1894 until succeeded by his son, John S., in 1904. He was married. on the 21st of October. 1856, to Miss Castara Queen, who was born in Carroll county. Ohio, on the 9th of July. 1830, and remained in that state until her marriage, when she came west to Iowa. Her parents, Samuel G. and Mary ( Hesser ) Queen, were natives of Loudoun county. Virginia, and were there reared and married. In the fall of 1820 they removed to Ohio and there both passed away on the farm on which they first located, Mrs. Queen surviving her hus- band for forty-five years. He was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. His father. Jonah Queen, fought in the Revolutionary war. He was a native of the north of Ireland and passed away in Columbiana county, Ohio, at the very advanced age of ninety-three years.
Mrs. Castara Burgett was one of ten children, three sons and seven daugh- ters, of whom she and a sister, Mrs. Cornelia Norris, of Berkeley, California, are the only surviving members. A brother, Samuel G. Queen, enlisted in the Civil war for a term of three years, at the expiration of which time he veter- anized and served until the close of hostilities.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Burgett were born seven children, as follows : Bing- ham Hesser, born August 1857, who was a student at college at the time of
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his death, being killed in the cyclone at Grinnell on the ISth of June, 1882; Al- cinus LeRoy, born June 29, 1860, a banker at Albion, Iowa ; Samantha Mary, born December 23, 1862, now at home; William Queen, a druggist of Newell, Iowa, who was born January 14, 1866: John S., of this review: Winnifred F. Cornelia, born May 28, 1872, who married LeRoy Tibballs, of Baker City, Ore- gon : and Lulu Wilma, who was born June 16, 1876, and passed away on the 14th of January, 1901. All of these children received excellent educational advan- tages. attending the high school at Deep River and most of them entering col- lege, either at Grinnell or Cornell, Iowa.
P. B. Burgett, the father of this family, was originally a whig in his political beliefs, but after the organization of the republican party gave to it his unfalter- ing support throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away on the 17th of February, 1910, at the age of eighty-six years, and at that time a local paper had the following to say : "P. B. Burgett was one of God's noblemen, and while he was not active in those walks of life which some consider the only paths to greatness, he was an important and effective force in the real concerns of life which stand for the stability of the community, the county, the state and the nation."
The mother still survives, making her home in Deep River, and although she has reached a ripe old age she is remarkably bright and active. Her mind is richly stored with knowledge concerning the early history of the state and events which occurred while Poweshiek county was still in a formative period. She readily recalls the conditions of the pioneer days, when not a tree nor a fence stood between the villages of Montezuma and Millersburg, both of which towns she could see from her home on clear days, and her memory forms a connect- ing link between the days of the primitive past and the progressive present, cov- ering a period in which she has witnessed the transformation of the vast uncul- tivated prairies of Iowa into one of the richest farming districts in the galaxy of states.
It was on the home presided over by these worthy parents that J. S. Burgett, our subject, was reared, and under their direction he early acquired habits of industry, perseverance and integrity. The early period of his life was spent on the home farm, where he remained until 1894. when, thinking to find more con- genial work in the city, he came to Deep River and entered the employ of the State Bank of this city as assistant cashier. He continued in that position until January, 1903, when he became cashier, acting in that capacity until 1904, when he was elected to the office of president, to succeed his father. The thorough experience which he acquired since first becoming connected with this institu- tion, combined with his natural business sagacity and sound judgment, makes him a most capable official, and his careful administration is proving a potent force in the conduct of the bank's interests. Other important enterprises have also felt the stimulus of his advice and counsel, for he is secretary and treasurer of the Deep River Brick & Tile Company and half owner of the Deep River Rec- ord. He also carrier on a general insurance business in connection with Hon. George Grier, who is also his partner in his newspaper venture, and he is ex- tensively interested in local real estate and also in Canadian lands.
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Mr. Burgett has never married, but continues to make his home with his widowed mother in the handsome family residence in Deep River. He is a re- publican in politics but has never sought nor held public office. He prefers to give his undivided attention to his duties as executive head of the State Bank of Deep River which, under his careful direction, is enjoying a period of suc- cess and prosperity. It is one of the safe, substantial moneyed institutions of the county, having a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, with deposits amounting to over three hundred thousand dollars. Its other officers are C. N. Cox, vice president ; George E. Grier, cashier ; with a board of directors com- posed of J. P. Winders, C. N. Cox, S. W. Scovel, George E. Grier and J. S. Burgett. The business affairs of Mr. Burgett are capably conducted. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense, are the chief characteristics of the man. As a result he has gained wealth, yet it was not alone the goal for which he has strived, for he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promote the general prosperity while advancing individual interests.
MELROSE CARPENTER.
For a period of fifty-three years the late Melrose Carpenter had been a resi- dent of Poweshiek county, during which period he had won and held the esteem and regard of the majority of those with whom he came in contact. His birth occurred in Essex county, New York, on the 9th of March, 1829, and his parents were Elijah and Abigail ( Lewis) Carpenter. The father, who was a farmer, was of English and the mother of German extraction. Both spent their latter days in the Empire state.
After the completion of his education, which was acquired in the common schools of his native state, Melrose Carpenter assisted his father in the work of the farm, continuing to be identified with agricultural pursuits until 1854. De- ciding that better opportunities were afforded farther west he migrated to Iowa, at that time locating in Le Claire. In 1857 he came to Poweshiek county, buying two hundred and ninety acres of land on section 9, Madison township, in the cul- tivation of which he engaged until the 14th of October, 1892, when he retired from active duties and removed to Brooklyn. He continued to reside there until his demise on the 12th of December, 1910, at the age of eighty-one years, nine months and three days.
He was married at West Fort, New York, on the 30th of November, 1853, to Miss Achsah Wood, who passed away on the 27th of February, 1880. Of this union there were born three children : Wallace, Henry H. and Charles E. On the 26th of March, 1882, Mr. Wood was married to Mrs. L. Adella Nourse, a daughter of Avery and Julia (Mead) Robinson. The father, who was a broom- maker by trade, was of English extraction. He was born in Portage county, New York, migrating from there to Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, with his par- ents in his very early youth. At the opening of the Civil war he enlisted in Com- pany D, Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, and at the expiration of his term of service
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reenlisted. He was for a time a steward in a hospital in Tennessee. Death came to him during the Red River expedition at the battle of Yellow Bayou, and he was laid to rest in the National cemetery at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 3d of July, 1864. Mrs. Robinson passed away in Iowa in 1907 at the home of her daughter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter were born two sons: Orville C., an elec- trician living in Great Falls, Montana, who married Miss Lucille Tuttle of Albia, lowa : and Homer A., who is cultivating the old homestead.
In politics Mr. Carpenter was a republican, while his church affiliation was with the Baptist denomination of Le Claire. He was a fine type of Christian character. bearing with uncomplaining fortitude and kindly consideration for others the intense pain with which he was afflicted during his last illness. Dur- ing the long period of his residence in Madison township he had become recog- nized as a man of upright character and incorruptible integrity, a kind neighbor and loyal friend.
HOMER A. CARPENTER.
Homer A. Carpenter is one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Madison township. After attaining his majority he rented the homestead of his father, which contained two hundred and eighty acres on section 9, continuing its operation until the death of his parent, since which time he has leased it from the other heirs. In addition to the cultivation of his land he engages in the breed- ing and raising of a high grade of stock and is an extensive feeder of cattle and hogs.
On the 8th of March, 1905, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Ormiston, a daughter of S. S. Ormiston, and they have one child, Vera, who is now three years of age.
Mr. Carpenter casts his ballot in support of the candidates of the republican party, and both he and his wife are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church of Madison township. Mr. Carpenter is meeting with unqualified success in his undertakings, and his thrift, energy and progressive ideas should enable him to make rapid advancement in the development of the enterprise which he has so well established.
GEORGE S. MOUSER.
Among the well known and highly respected residents of Deep River town- ship, Poweshiek county, whose well directed efforts along agricultural lines now makes it possible for them to live retired, is numbered George S. Mouser. Born near Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, on the 19th of August, 1833, he is a son of Nicholas and Rosanna (Shaul) Mouser. The parents were both born in Vir- ginia, of German ancestry. They were married in Ohio and in 1863 came to lowa, locating in Iowa county, where both passed away in 1873. the father on
GEORGE S. MOUSER
THENEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTO , LENOX AND TILDEN F NAT .
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the 15th of September and the mother on the 3d of April, when about sixty- eight years of age. Their family of six children included the following : George S., of this review; Margaret E., the deceased wife of Frank Jones; Ann C., who has passed away; Rebecca M., residing with her brother George S .; John N., who has also passed away ; and Mary F., who married Isaac Friez, of Iowa county.
George S. Mouser accompanied the family to Iowa in 1863, and in 1870 he arrived in Poweshiek county. On the old homestead in Ohio he had been reared amid the wholesome environment of rural life, and his training in the work of field and meadow was of a most thorough character, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields and as his years and experience increased he assumed larger responsibilities and more arduous tasks. Upon at- taining man's estate he took up agricultural pursuits as his life occupation and that his choice was a wise one is indicated by the prosperity which has since at- tended his efforts in that direction. He is now the owner of a finely developed farm of one hundred acres, located on section 17, Deep River township, which in its neat appearance speaks of a life of industry, energy, perseverance and thrift on the part of the owner. He is now living retired, however, leaving the actual work of the place to others, although he still retains the supervision of his affairs. The farm is now operated by Manuel Holderness, a young man whom Mr. Mouser has reared from boyhood.
Mr. Mouser continues to reside on his home place, where he has the con- pany of his sister Miss Rebecca M. Mouser, the two having made their home to- gether since the death of their parents, almost forty years ago. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are faithful and exemplary members, and both are held in the highest esteem throughout the community in which they have resided for so many years, their many excellent traits of character winning for them the good-will and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances and neighbors.
(Since this sketch was written, Mr. Mouser died June 26, 1911.)
W. E. COX.
The name Cox is an old and prominent one in Poweshiek county, represen- tatives of the family having lived here from 1854 to the present time, and its members have been prominently identified with the business interests of Deep River throughout a long period. W. E. Cox, whose name introduces this re- view, was born in Deep River township, February 18, 1861, a son of Christopher and Mary Ellen ( Morgan ) Cox, the former born in Harrison county, Ohio, June 13, 1832, and the latter in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1840. They accom- panied their respective parents to Poweshiek county, Iowa, at an early day, the Morgans coming here in 1856, while the Cox family had located here two years previously in 1854. It was here that the father and mother formed an ac- quaintanceship, which later culminated in their marriage. W. E. Cox is the eldest in a family of four children, the others being : Samuel, who died in infancy ;
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Maggie, the wife of W. C. McKee, a resident of Montezuma ; and Mary, who died in infancy. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1864. The father was married again and by his second marriage there are four sons and four daughters. He has followed farming throughout his business career and has also raised and dealt in live stock to some extent. He made his home in Poweshiek county until 1888, since which time he has resided in Gosper county, Nebraska. He is still, however, remembered by many of the older residents of this section of Iowa.
W. E. Cox was a little lad of only three years at the time of his mother's demise. He was reared on the home farm in Poweshiek county, assisting itis father in the work of plowing. planting and harvesting through the spring and summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. He remained on the farm until 1883, when he came to Deep River, where he has since made his home. During the first four years of his residence here, he was employed by his uncle, George Cox, in the grain and lumber business. He then purchased an interest in the business but after four years bought his uncle's share and conducted the busi- ness alone for a few years. He eventually retired from the grain and lumber trade and has since given his time to the seed business. He is also interested in land in Canada and from this derives a good annual income.
Mr. Cox was married on the 25th of September, 1887. the lady of his choice being Miss Mattie A. Light, who was born in Deep River township. June 7. 1863, a daughter of Joseph W. and Elizabeth ( Hightower) Light, who were natives of Kentucky but were married in Virginia. They came to Iowa in the '50s but for a time had resided in Illinois prior to their removal to Poweshiek county, and their son George was the first white child born in Deep River town- ship. Both parents passed away here. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have a daughter and son, Glenn L. and Mary E.
Mr. Cox gives his political support to the republican party and belongs to the Presbyterian church, of which he is acting as treasurer. He is a Mason, be- longing to Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, at Deep River. Perhaps the highest tribute that can be paid Mr. Cox is that he has met with success in all his under- takings and that he has so discharged his duties as a citizen and as a business man as to merit the confidence of those who know him best.
ELAM J. HADLEY.
Elam J. Hadley, a prominent and leading resident of Grinnell, has con- tributed in large measure to the substantial upbuilding and development of the city as a promoter and builder, having laid out three subdivisions. He was born of Quaker parentage, in Richland, Iowa, his grandfather, Riley Hadley, having come to Iowa while it was still a territory. His birth occurred on the 5th of December, 1870. his parents being Irvee S. and Julia (Jessup) Hadley. the former a native of Keokuk county, Iowa, and the latter of North Carolina. Mrs. Hadley was three years of age when taken by her parents to Marshall
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county, Iowa, in 1851. Irvee S. Hadley attended Iowa College during the years 1864, 1865 and 1866 and remained in Keokuk county, Iowa, until 1873, when he removed to Hardin county, where he purchased a farm, continuing to reside thereon for about twenty years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Nebraska and subsequently took up his abode in Whittier, California. In the spring of 1904 he returned to Iowa, undecided as to whether he would remain here or go back to California, as his health was greatly impaired. It was soon after his arrival here that he passed away, having survived his wife for about two years.
Elam J. Hadley was the eldest of five children. He was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the common schools and the Friends Academy at Legrand, lowa, while subsequently he pur- sued a commercial course in Eastman's Business 'College at Poughkeepsie, New York. 'After putting aside his text-books he began farming in Redwillow county, Nebraska, where his parents were then living, following general agricultural pursuits in that state for two years or until he removed to Gilman, Iowa, in 1896. His wife owned a farm across the county line in Tama county and thereon they took up their abode. In the spring of 1901 Mr. Hadley took a trip to California, where his parents were living, for the purpose of looking up a location for a home. He spent the summer in different parts of the west but on his return to Iowa in the fall decided to remain here. He brought his family to Grinnell and this town has remained his place of residence continuously since. On his arrival here he purchased the Hobart tract of eighty acres, forty acres of which lay within the corporate limits of Grinnell, while the following winter he bought the Stewart tract of forty acres, adjoining the Hobart tract. In the spring of 1902 he laid out the first Hadley subdivision, comprising twenty- three acres, which sold rapidly and which he improved with good buildings. In the fall of 1902 he laid out the second subdivision, comprising forty acres, and in 1904 the third subdivision, embracing seventeen acres, was laid out. His undertakings in this connection have been very successful, for his addi- tions are in the most desirable residence section, being in the highest part of the town as regards altitude. Mr. Hadley has also built up a great part of the section, erecting and selling the homes. He is likewise the owner of two farms in Jasper county and has another farm on the county line, lying partly in Poweshiek and partly in Jasper county.
In 1893 Mr. Hadley was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Boyd, a daughter of Douglas Boyd. Her mother died when she was small and she was reared by her grandfather, Jacob Korns, a well known and wealthy agriculturist of Tama county. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children, namely : Edmund E., Gladys E., Grace A., Donald B., Dwight E., Dorothy J. and Harold.
In politics Mr. Hadley is a stanch republican, while fraternally he is iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Grinnell Lodge, No. 175. Both he and his wife are consistent and devoted members of the Congregational church. Though still a comparatively young man and a resident of Grinnell for but nine years, he has done much toward the upbuilding and extension of the city and has crected buildings which will be a credit to a greater Grinnell. He is
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alert and enterprising, possessing the progressive spirit of the times and accom- plishing what he undertakes, while his geniality and deference for the opinions of others have made his circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
THOMAS JAMES BRAY.
Not the boundaries of Grinnell or even the confines of the state mark the limits of Thomas James Bray's reputation as a pleader before the bar. In this connection he has become widely known as an able and distinguished lawyer, having gained an eminent position as a member of the legal profession.
He was born in North Danville, Vermont, August 31, 1877, and is the eld- est of the nine children of Thomas E .. and Nora ( Farrell) Bray, who were natives of Vermont, their parents having removed from Canada to the Green Mountain state. In 1890 the father came with his family to Iowa, settling in Grinnell, where he was engaged in the live-stock business up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 30th of December. 1908. The mother is still living and makes her home with her son Thomas.
In the state of his nativity Thomas J. Bray spent the first thirteen years of his life and then left New England for the middle west in company with his parents. His early education, acquired in the public school of Vermont, was supplemented by study in the Grinnell high school. from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1895. He afterward pursued a course in shorthand and for three years was employed as a stenographer in a Grinnell lumber yard, after which he was made official shorthand reporter for the sixth judicial dis- trict, in which capacity he served for six years. During that time his interest in the law was aroused and he began reading in preparation for the bar, to which he was admitted on the 3d of June, 1904.
He then located for practice in Grinnell on the Ist of January, 1905, as a member of the law firm of Boyd & Bray. this partnership continuing until September 1, 1910, when the present firm of Bray & Shifflett was formed. He is faithful to his clients, fair to his adversaries and candid to the court. In many cases he has exhibited the possession of every faculty of which a lawyer may be proud-skill in presentation of his own exidence, extraordinary ability in cross-examination, persuasiveness before the jury. strong grasp of every feature of a case, ability to secure favorable rulings from the judge, unusual familiarity with human nature and untiring industry.
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