USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 6
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Mr. Taylor belongs to the Christian church, whose teachings form the guiding influence in his life, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. A stalwart democrat, he has never been active in politics, however, further than casting his ballot at the polls, but he is nevertheless deeply interested in the wel- fare of the community, and his name is foremost upon the list of the town's public-spirited citizens and benefactors. It was his donation of nine acres of land to the Rock Island Railroad Company for a right of way and a site for a station that decided the location of the town of Barnes City at this point, and thus with its very founding his name is connected. He also gave a tract of three acres as a site for the Barnes City Tile Factory and in this way brought to the village one of its well known and important industries, and he also assisted largely in the erection of all three of the church edifices here. An excellent example of the self-made man, he has every reason to be proud of the success which he has achieved and
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the high place which he has won in the community, for his life has been one of noble purposes and has found its reward in the high regard, respect and good-will in which he is held by all who know him.
JOHN F. HATCHER.
John F. Hatcher, one of the leading citizens of Poweshiek county, is a retired agriculturist of Brooklyn and a prominent factor in financial circles as the presi- dent of the Poweshiek County Savings Bank. His birth occurred in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 21st of April, 1842, his parents being Elijah and Jane (Craig) Hatcher, both of whom were natives of Loudoun county, Virginia, the former born on the 15th of August, 1796, and the latter on the 15th of August, 1806. Elijah Hatcher, a farmer by occupation, was one of the earliest settlers of Ohio, making his way to that state from Virginia on horseback. He cleared his ground of the timber, erected a log cabin and then returned to the Old Dominion for his bride, driving back to the Buckeye state in a wagon. There he continued to reside until called to his final rest at the age of eighty-three years. His wife was also eighty-three years old when she passed away.
John F. Hatcher remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, obtaining his education in the district school and the seminary at Lloydsville, Ohio. After attaining his majority he removed to Illinois, where he had a sister living. In the meantime his father had entered three hundred and twenty acres of land near Webster City, Iowa, and had sent money to pay the taxes but, in spite of the fact that he received receipts, the land was sold for taxes. Our subject then came to lowa with the receipts and regained possession of the prop- erty. He was married after returning to Illinois and in 1864 purchased and located on the old Bates farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Malcom town- ship, Poweshiek county, Iowa, being successfully engaged in its further culti- vation and improvement until 1902, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Brooklyn. While residing on the old homestead in Malcom township, he purchased four farms, aggregating four hundred and eighty acres of land, all of which he leases at the present time. The home place has been sold.
In 1904 Mr. Hatcher was elected a member of the board of directors of the Poweshiek County Bank of Brooklyn, Iowa, serving in that capacity until 1908, when the institution was organized as the Poweshiek County Savings Bank. He has been chosen president of the bank pust prior to the change and retained his position as chief executive officer of the new organization. A man of splendid executive ability and sound judgment, his efforts have been a potent factor in the continued growth and success of the institution. He is likewise the presi- dent of the Brooklyn Heating & Lighting Company and a large stockholder in the Brooklyn Grain & Lumber Company.
Mr. Hatcher has been married twice. On the 15th of November, 1864, he wedded Miss Mary J. Hoge, a daughter of Isaac and Caroline ( Holderman) Hoge, who were natives of Virginia and from that state removed to Illinois.
2.8: Halten
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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By his first wife Mr. Hatcher had two sons. Isaac F., a retired agriculturist of Morris, Illinois, married Miss Cora Palmer, by whom he had two children, Carrie and Paul. Charles E. Hatcher, a retired farmer living in Marshalltown, lowa, married Lizzie Ballisberger. Mrs. Mary J. Hatcher passed away on the home farm in Malcom township on the 18th of January, 1879, and on the 14th of June. 1883, Mr. Hatcher was again married, his second union being with Miss Clara L. Brown, a daughter of William H. and Martha J. (Pancoast ) Brown, who were natives of Loudoun county, Virginia, and spent their entire lives in the Old Dominion. Mr. Brown, who followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, died on the 21st of January, 1898, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 23d of January, 1893.
In politics Mr. Hatcher is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. For twelve years he served as trustee and for eight years as school treasurer of Malcom township, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and capable manner. For many terms he was also a member of the school board of district No. 5, Malcom township. Both he and his wife are members of the Goose Creek church of Quakers of Loudoun county, Virginia. Mr. Hatcher has resided in Poweshiek county for almost a half century and enjoys a very wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders, being hon- ored and respected by all by reason of the commendable policy he has followed in an active business career anth also owving to the excellent traits of character which he has displayed in all-hie's relatibiff. j
S. D. WARD.
S. D. Ward is one of the capable agriculturists of Poweshiek county, whose ability is most ably manifested in the general appearance of his fine farm of one hundred acres in Chester township, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 22d of De- cember, 1863. his parents being Milton and Amanda ( Denison) Ward, natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, located in Rock Island in 1835, where he remained for three years, then removed to Hampton, Illinois. In 1884 he came to Poweshiek county, locating in Grinnell, in which city he was living retired when his death occurred two years later.
The common schools of Hampton provided S. D. Ward with an education, which was terminated by his graduation from the high school. He came from Hampton to Poweshiek county, locating upon the farm of one hundred acres in Chester township in the cultivation of which he has ever since been engaged. There is a fine orchard upon the place, in the development of which Mr. Ward has expended much time and money, but it is repaying his efforts. He makes a specialty of feeding stock for the market, a venture which has proven to be highly lucrative.
On the 18th of March, 1886, Mr. Ward was married to Miss Lettie Rickard, a daughter of Alvin and Jane (Nichols) Rickard, her father being a pioneer
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farmer of Iowa. Four children were born of this union: Ella, who died in in- fancy ; Samuel Howard, who married Cora Davis, and is living in Chester town- ship ; Alvin D., a graduate of the Grinnell high school, who is teaching in Chester township; and Margaret, who is attending the district school. The religious views of the family coincide with the principles of the Congregational denomination, their membership being held in the church of Chester.
The policy of the republican party has ever found in Mr. Ward a stanch sup- porter, as he considers it the party best adapted to protect the rights of the ma- jority. He always takes an active and helpful interest in local politics and for twelve years has been assessor of his township, this long period of service elo- quently attesting his capable discharge of his responsibilities.
CHARLES C. HUNT.
Charles C. Hunt, engaged in the abstract business in Montezuma, serving for his third term as county treasurer and well known throughout the state as a prominent representative of the Masonic fraternity. was born at Cleve- land. Ohio, November 9. 1866, his parents being William George and Mary (Chase) Hunt. The father was born in Kent county, England. August 7, 1803. and there resided until about forty years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to New York. He was a gilder. working for a long period in gold leaf. After coming to the United States he studied medicine and engaged in its practice. In 1870, after living for some time in Ohio, he came to lowa, settling in Jones county, and his death occurred in Monticello, that county, in 1886. He was three times married and was a widower when he left his native land. He afterward wedded Mary Chase, who was born in Pennsylvania, July 5. 1845. and is now a resident of Walsenburg. Colorado. They were the parents of two children, the younger being W. C. Hunt, also of Walsenburg.
Charles C. Hunt, the elder son, accompanied his parents on their removal from Cleveland, Ohio, to Monticello, Jones county, lowa, where he resided until 1887. Having attained his majority, he left home and made his way to Grinnell, where he resumed his education. In 1892 he was graduated from lowa College at Grinnell with the Bachelor of Arts degree and later he en- gaged in teaching school until appointed deputy county treasurer in May, 1895. At a later election he was chosen treasurer and is now serving for his third term in that office, proving himself a most faithful custodian of the public funds. He has made an unassailable record in this position and the confidence reposed in him is indicated in the fact that he has been three times chosen for the office. His political allegiance has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he is an earnest worker in its ranks. For one term he served as a member of the school board at Monte- zuma and in March, 1911, was again elected to that position for a three years' term. He has ever been an active champion of the cause of education. On the Ist of January, 1911, he took charge of the abstract books formerly owned by
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E. J. Lewis. He purchased these books and now has a complete set of ab- stracts of real estate in Poweshiek county.
In 1898 occurred the marriage of Charles C. Hunt and Miss Catharine M. Knapp, who was born in Minnesota, July 4, 1871, and there resided with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Knapp, of Smithfield, Minnesota, up to the time of her marriage. She has become the mother of four children : Lucian F., George A., Evelyn K. and Catharine L.
Mr. Hunt is a very prominent Mason, having attained high rank in the order. Hle belongs to Lafayette Lodge, No. 52, A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife are members of Lafayette Chapter, No. 232, O. E. S. He is connected with Capitular Masonry as a member of Hyssop Chapter, No. 50, R. A. M., with Cryptic Masonry as a member of King Solomon Council, No. 20, R. & S. M., and with Chivalric Masonry as a Knights Templar of De Paynes Commandery, No. 6. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Des Moines Consistory, S. P. R. S., and belong to Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He likewise holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. His quietude of de- portment, 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, a right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities.
ELDON LINCOLN HALL.
Eldon Lincoln Hall is a prosperous and progressive farmer of Poweshick county, his possessions comprising three hundred and twenty acres, located in Scott and Bear Creek townships. He was born in Berrien county, Michigan, September 23, 1860, a son of George and Katharine ( Deardorff ) Hall, the former a native of Butler county, Ohio, born in February. 1826, while the latter was a native of Indiana. They came to Poweshiek county in 1865 and the father was here engaged in farming to the time of his death on the 12th of January, 1898. The mother survives and makes her home in Brooklyn. More extended mention of the family is made in connection with the sketch of Orlando D. Hall on another page of this work.
Eldon L. Hall, the third in order of birth, was a little lad of five years at the time the family home was established in Poweshiek county. He was reared on the home farm, early being trained in the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer boy, and in the winter season he pursued his studies in the (listriet school near his father's home. After reaching mature years he de- cided to start out upon an independent business venture, choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. From time to time he has made investment in land until today he is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in Poweshiek county, one hundred and sixty acres of which lie
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in the home farm on section 4. Scott township, while he has eighty acres on section 3 and an eighty acre tract in Bear Creek township. This is all culti- vable land and the two farms in Scott township are well improved and valuable properties.
It was on the 19th of March, 1885, that Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Mary Milne, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, February 4, 1864. In her childhood she accompanied her parents. Stewart and Mary (Chapman ) Milne, to Poweshiek county but after residing here for some time they removed to Oregon, where they are now living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born five children: Elza Ross, of Scott township; John LeRoy, who makes his home in South Dakota; Lewis Arden : Roscoe ; and Eldon Clinton. They also took into their home Lois Marie Hall, when she was but three days old, she being a daughter of Mr. Hall's brother and his wife's sister. She is being reared and educated as her own.
Mr. Hall has always given his political support to the democratic party but is not active in its ranks, taking merely a citizen's interest in public affairs. His success has been by no means the result of fortunate circumstances. It has come to him through energy, labor and perserverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles. In manner he is quiet and straightforward, and his word has become a synonym for business integrity.
R. L. MORTLAND.
It has been said that there is no better criterion of a community than its newspapers, which are both makers and mirrors of public opinion. The pro- gressive journal has much to do with shaping thought and action and the editor who ciosely studies the signs of the times may stand in a position of leadership in relation to many public affairs and projects. This R. L. Mort- land has done in editing and publishing the Montezuma Democrat. Mr. Mort- land is now in the seventy-third year of his age but in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1838, a son of Robert Mortland, descended from Protestant-Irish ancestry. In his native state Robert Mortland was reared and throughout his life fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He wedded Margaret Cumberland, also a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born four children.
R. L. Mortland spent his youthful days under the parental roof and as opportunity offered attended the public schools, but spent much of his time in the work of the farm. He afterward engaged in wood chopping and in the manufacture of charcoal at Maple Furnace, where he remained for some time. He afterward devoted his attention to lumbering in the oil regions and to boating on the river, continuing in the east until 1864, when, believing that better opportunities might be obtained in the middle west, he made his way to Mercer county, Illinois. There his attention was devoted to farming and carpentering for four years and in the spring of 1868 he came to Poweshiek county, where he carried on farming for a year. At the end of that time he
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established his home in Montezuma and followed various pursuits for a time, but later became a contractor for bridges and buildings, giving his attention to that work from 1875 until 1889, during which period he built many bridges in Poweshiek and adjoining counties.
Then came a decided change in his life inasmuch as he put aside industrial interests to turn his attention to journalism. He purchased a half interest in the Democrat in 1889 and on the Ist of August of the same year became sole proprietor of the plant and paper. He conducted that paper until 1894 and in 1895 established the Poweshiek County Palladium, which he has since pub- lished with his son, R. A. Mortland as active editor. After a period of ten years R. L. Mortland resumed his active connection, with county work and has erected many wood and concrete bridges. Although he has passed the age of seventy-two years he is yet a most active, energetic man and accomplishes today an amount of work from which many a younger man would shrink, thinking the burden too heavy to be borne.
In September, 1864, Mr. Mortland was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Ann Webber, who was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of June, 1841, and there resided until she came west with her husband. Unto them were born seven children who reached years of maturity, while three died in infancy. The living are : Nettie ; Mahala T .; Robert A .; James A., who is living in White Creek, New York, where he is following the profession of civil engineering, having been educated therefor in the state university and in the Chicago University; Inez, who is a graduate of the Drexel Institute of Philadelphia and for the past eight years has been librarian at the Louisiana State University ; Mazie : and Ruth. One of the sons, James A., was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, serving with the Third Army Corps.
In his political views R. L. Mortland has been a lifelong democrat and has taken an active and helpful interest in the party work. He stands at all times for that which is progressive in citizenship and in every relation of life he has been found reliable and trustworthy.
C. O. BOWERS.
Well known among the younger business men of Malcom is C. O. Bowers, cashier of the Malcom Savings Bank, with which institution he has been iden- tified for almost two decades. He was born in Delaware county, Indiana, December 28, 1872, a son of Shem and Ruth Jane (Painter) Bowers. The parents, who were natives of Rockingham county, Virginia, were married in Indiana, and there the mother passed away when the subject of this review was about six years of age. Later the father was again married and. in 1883. came with his family to Iowa, locating on a farm six and a half miles northwest of Brooklyn. He devoted his entire active life to farming and was connected with agricultural pursuits until 1892, when he removed to Brooklyn and there lived retired until his death in March, 1893, when he was sixty-two years and seven
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months old. By his first marriage there were ten children, eight of whom yet survive, our subject being next to the youngest in order of birth.
C. O. Bowers was eleven years of age when he came with his father to Poweshiek county, and his education, which had been begun in his native state, was continued in the country schools here. Later he received the benefit of a commercial course at the Iowa Business College of Des Moines, and on the 2d of January, 1893, accepted a position as bookkeeper in the private bank of Johnson, Dorrance & Leonard. He was thus engaged until August 7, 1905. when the bank was reorganized under the name of the Malcom Savings Bank. at which time he became cashier of the institution. Ilis connection with the business extends over a period of eighteen years, his long association therewith being proof of his ability and integrity. He is popular alike with the patrons and officers of the bank, for he is prompt, accurate and faithful in the discharge of his duties, while at the same time he treats all patrons with a thoughtfulness and kindly consideration that not only wins their good will for himself, but reflects credit upon the institution. Aside from his connection with financial circles he is interested in Dakota and Canada lands, in which he has invested rather extensively.
On the 14th of June. 1899. Mr. Bowers was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Wilcox, who was born in Malcom on the 27th of July, 1876, a daughter of Dr. V. S. Wilcox, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Unto this union have been born four children : Donovan Hamilton, Vinton Shem, Reberta Painter and Wilbur Oscar.
Mr. Bowers holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He gives his political support to the repub- lican party and, although he has never sought nor desired public office for him- self he has ever been a public-spirited citizen, advocating every measure which has for its object the development and general welfare of the community in which he resides. Fortunate in possessing ability and character that inspired confidence, the simple weight of his character and ability has brought him into a position of trust and responsibility, and he ranks high among the well known and valued young citizens of Malcom.
LUCIEN G. C. PEIRCE.
Seventy-five years ago Lucien G. C. Peirce entered upon the journey of life and is today living retired at Grinnell in the enjoyment of a competency which he earned through industry and good judgment. He looks back on many years of activity, in the course of which he extended a hand of sympathy to many a way- farer whose lot was less fortunate than his own. He comes of an illustrious line of ancestors and was born in Villenovia township, Chautauqua county, New York. February 5, 1836, a son of Austin and Mary Ann ( Sterling) Peirce. The father was a native of Thetford, Vermont, and was born in 1799. He was married to Mary Ann Sterling. March 17, 1826, and they removed to Villenovia township. Chantauqua county, New York, three years later when that section of the state
Esther A Peine
THEN- ORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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was still only thinly settled. Ile engaged in the practice of medicine until 1850, when he was attacked by spinal disease and confined to his bed for nearly twelve years. He passed away June 17, 1861. He was a firm believer in the Christian religion and a devout member of the Presbyterian church. For many years he took an active interest in politics and was supervisor of his town, serving also as member of the state legislature of New York in the winter of 1841-2.
The Peirce family was very prominent in the early days of New England. The emigrant ancestor, Thomas Peirce, was born in England about 1583 and emi- grated to this country in 1633 or 1634, settling at Charlestown, Massachusetts. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in England about 1595. Thomas Peirce was made a freeman in the colonies May 6, 1635, and was one of the twenty- one commissioners appointed by the general court of Massachusetts to see that saltpetre heaps were made by all the farmers of the colony. Several members of the family served in the Revolutionary war and since that time many of them have been prominent in public life and also in business in various states of the Union, On the mother's side the subject of this review is descended from noted ancestry of Scotland, Mary Ann Sterling having been a daughter of Lord Sterling. The ancestry is traced back to Walter De Streverlying, who lived about 11 30 A. D. The name underwent various changes until it became Sterling.
Lucien G. C. Peirce was reared in his native town Villenovia township and educated in the public schools, remaining at home until seventeen years of age. In 1853. having a desire to see the world and also to carve out a fortune for himself, he went to Kane county, Illinois, where he worked on a farmi in the summer and clerked in a store in the winter. For several years, beginning in 1858. he was employed by Brady & Pease at Aurora. He spent ten years in Kane and Kendall counties, Illinois, and for two years was deputy postmaster at Lisbon.
In the meantime Mr. Peirce purchased one hundred and sixty aeres in Poweshiek county, lowa, four miles southeast of Grinnell and in the fall of 1862 he visited this county and in the spring of 1863 brought his wife and two children to their new home. It was for some time a lonely spot as there were no neighbors within several miles, the eye being greeted only by the open prairie and blue sky. He built a house fourteen by eighteen feet in size, still standing, in which the fam- ily lived until 1880, when he erected a modern residence, having meanwhile ap- phed himself to good advantage as a farmer and stock-raiser. In 1889 he re- moved to Grinnell and for three years was interested with a partner in the cream- ery business. Since that time he has lived retired. He is a member of the board of directors of the Interurban Telephone Company, which operated between Grin- nell and Montezuma. and for twenty-five years was secretary of the Poweshiek County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, displaying in the discharge of his duties an ability that made his services highly acceptable to all concerned.
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