USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 62
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HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
Jacob R. Gwin obtained his early education in an old schoolhouse which stood on the state road in section 25 and which was removed thirty years ago. He was reared to the work of the farm and after his father's demise took charge of the homestead property. When his mother passed away he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the home farm and has since retained possession thereof. In 1896 he extended its boundaries by an additional purchase of forty acres, his holdings now aggregating one hundred and twenty acres of as good farm land as can be found in the county. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs, selling his stock to shippers. His excellent orchard of three and a half acres contains over three hundred bearing apple trees.
On the 3d of November, 1903, Mr. Gwin was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Mary M. Fry, a daughter of Peter and Barbara ( Niswander) Breniman. She lost her father prior to her marriage to our subject, Mr. Breniman meeting his death on the Northwestern Railway. Mrs. Breniman now resides in Carnforth, Warren township, with her two sons, Oscar and Frank, both of whom are railroad em- ployes. Mary M. Breniman first gave her hand in marriage to William Fry, an agriculturist of Warren township, who died of heart trouble in 1901, falling from his wagon. There were two children by that union, Paul R. and Esther M. Fry, who reside with their mother and stepfather and attend the high school at Victor. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gwin have also been born two children, namely : Clarence E., whose natal day was August 2, 1904; and Arnold. whose birth occurred on the 19th of March, 1906.
In politics Mr. Gwin is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He has served as assessor of Warren township for ten years, acted as township road supervisor for sixteen years and is now serving in the capacity of township trustee, which position he has held for six years. His wife is a devoted and con- sistent member of the Congregational church at Carnforth, Iowa. Well known in the county where he has resided from his birth to the present time, he has a wide acquaintance here and has won uniform trust and good will by reason of a life which in all of its places has been straightforward and honorable.
CORYDON BARKER.
A resident of Poweshiek county for fifty-seven years, Corydon Barker has had ample opportunity to note the wonderful progress and development it has made since he first located here in 1854. Mr. Barker was born in Grant county, Kentucky, on the 26th of October, 1833. and is a son of James and Sarah ( Mur- ray) Barker. The father was a native of New Hampshire, as was the grand- father, Ephraim Barker, but the mother was of Irish extraction, her father hav- ing emigrated from the Emerald isle to America. James Barker, who was a carpenter by trade, removed from Kentucky to Ohio, locating upon a farm which he cultivated while following his trade. He continued to reside in that state until October. 1854, when he came to Iowa, settling upon one hundred and
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
thirty-four acres of government land which he purchased in Deep River and Lin- coln townships, Poweshiek county. This he cleared and placed under cultivation gradually while engaging in carpenter work, having built many of the school- houses as well as residences in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Barker were the parents of seven children, four boys and three girls.
The elementary education of Corydon Barker was obtained in the common schools of Ohio, after which he was sent to a private school in Virginia. When he laid aside his school books he worked at the carpenter's trade in Virginia for a time and then returned to Ohio, where he lived upon his father's farm until 1854, when he came to Poweshiek county, lowa. The trip from McCallsville, Morgan county, Ohio, was made with horses and wagon, several weeks having been consumed in the journey. Oftentimes the roads were little more than wagon tracks across the prairie. He bought eighty acres of land in Lincoln township upon his arrival in this county, where he has ever since continued to reside. In 1863 Mr. Barker responded to the call for troops and enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, with which he went to the front. He spent considerable time in South Carolina, where he participated in some sharp skir- mishes, later being sent to Fort McAllister, where he was taken ill. He joined his company again at Charleston, where they charged the fort. Later he was with Sherman's army on their famous march and was mustered out at Daven- port on the 10th of May, 1864. He was in Keokuk on the day Lincoln was as- sassinated. At the close of hostilities Mr. Barker returned to his farm, where he is now living retired, his son having relieved him of the responsibilities con- nected with the cultivation of his property. He always engaged in general farming but made a specialty of the breeding and raising of Chester White and Poland China hogs and shorthorn Durham cattle. For fifty-five years and more Mr. Barker practiced in veterinary surgery, which he studied in New York city, during a large portion of that time being the only practitioner in his community.
On the 10th of March, 1856, Mr. Barker was married to Miss Jane Grier, a daughter of James and Jemina (Brown) Grier. The father was a native of North Ireland and the mother of l'ennsylvania, although of Irish extraction, her father having been born on the Emerald isle. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Barker's mother, had the distinction of being a cousin of Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat. Four children, three daughters and a son, were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Barker : Lucy D. is the wife of Rean Criswell. of Deep River, where he engages in mercantile pursuits and they have one son, Truesdale, who is mar- ried and has a daughter, Doris, who is three years of age. Emma Jeannette mar- ried George Woodford, of Deep River, who has been a very successful farmer, and they have two children, Ethel. and Bert. Cora D. married James Athey, a farmer in Lincoln township. James William, who is operating the old home- stead, married Charity Newton, of Morgan county, Ohio.
Ever since attaining his majority Mr. Barker has cast his vote for the can- didates of the republican party. He has served as trustee, school director and constable in Lincoln township, and his father was for many years a member of the board of supervisors of Poweshiek county. Mr. Barker remembers well that when Lincoln ran for president the first time there were but twenty-two votes cast in the township which bears the name of the Great Emancipator. While
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
living in Virginia he joined the Masonic fraternity, with which he continues to be identified through his membership in Golden Rod Lodge, No. 128, and he keeps in close relationship with his comrades of the war through the medium of the Deep River Post, No. 142, G. A. R. The methods of living have changed most wonderfully since Mr. Barker first became a resident of Iowa, the pioneer conditions which then existed having given way before the onward march of civilization, which has brought this county to the fore both as an agricultural community and educational center.
MAYNARD E. SEARS.
More than fifty years have passed since Maynard E. Sears, whose name stands at the head of this review, arrived in Poweshiek county, Iowa, and during a large part of that time he has been engaged in farming. He has also been iden- tified with other lines of business, but it is to agriculture and stock-raising that he mainly owes his prosperity. He is a native of Oneida county, New York, and was born December 1, 1852, being a son of Elijah and Ruth (Wetmore) Sears. The father was born in Connecticut and the mother in New York. The former was taken to New York state at the age of two years, and after attaining his majority was married to Miss Ruth Wetmore. He learned the trades of plasterer and mason and, having heard of the possibilities of the great west, ar- ranged to come to Iowa with J. B. Grinnell, one of the earliest settlers of Poweshiek county. However, this plan was interfered with by the death of Mrs. Sears, when the subject of this review was six years of age, and Mr. Sears did not arrive in this county until May 10, 1860. He worked at Grinnell for many years and later engaged in farming.
Maynard E. Sears was the seventh in a family of nine children. He received his preliminary education in the schools of Grinnell and the district schools of the county. He took up his residence on section 10, Chester township, in 1868, and in 1875 bought an interest in a threshing machine, which he assisted in operating for a number of years, disposing of his interest in 1886. He then devoted his attention to farming, but in December, 1896, started a store at Chester Center, which he managed for several years, at the same time, however. being identified with farining and stock-raising. He owns a beautiful place of two hundred and eighty acres and engages in general farming, applying up-to-date methods, which produce gratifying annual returns.
On September 16, 1885, Mr. Sears was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Koester. a daughter of Martin Koester, who was born in Denmark. The father was a carpenter by trade. After taking up his residence in the United States he enlisted in the Civil war, serving valiantly in an Iowa regiment. He died March 19. 1904. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sears : Lloyd C., who is living on a farm near his father's place: Homer A., who is a graduate of Grin- nell Academy, and is now a student of Grinnell College : Lois E., also a student of Grinnell College ; and Mary E., who is attending the district school.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
In politics Mr. Sears adheres to the democratic party and is an ardent sup- porter of the principles enunciated by William J. Bryan. He was a member of the Congregational church at Chester Center until 1903, since which time he has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church at Sonora. He takes great interest in education, as is shown by the excellent facilities possessed by his children. Mrs. Sears is also a sincere advocate of education, having been for several years a successful teacher prior to her marriage. Their home is a wel- come gathering place for friends and acquaintances, and their genuine worth is recognized by the entire community. The business record of Mr. Sears is most creditable and his success may be attributed to an enterprising and hopeful spirit, which is one of his prominent characteristics.
EDWIN H. TALBOTT.
Edwin H. Talbott, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Brooklyn, is a representative of a family whose name has been identified with Poweshiek county since the very beginning of its history, the family being the first to locate within its borders with the exception of a few in the southern part of the county. His grandparents, John J. and Mary ( Maxwell) Talbott, came to lowa in the fall of 1845, first settling in Jefferson county, but on the 7th of April, 1846, they came to this locality, two years before Poweshiek county was formed. Mr. Tal- bott located on section 13, in the eastern part of what later became Bear Creek township, and here erected a log house, which he conducted as the Talbott Tav- ern. It was one mile east of the present site of Brooklyn and was the first stage stop west of Marengo. This district at that time was all a barren waste, covered with native grasses and inhabited only by Indians and buffaloes, and the claim of Mr. Talbott was staked out before the land had been surveyed by the government. The first postoffice was established at his tavern in 1849, and his eldest son, Joshua C., was appointed the first postmaster. His death was the first in the township, occurring on the 20th of February, 1849, and he was survived by his wife and fourteen children.
Bazil Maxwell Talbott, son of John T. Talbott and father of our subject, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1843, and was there- fore but a little lad of two years when he came with his parents to Iowa. Here he was reared, and he had not yet reached his twentieth year when, on the 14th of August, 1862, he responded to the country's call for aid and enlisted for ser- vice in the Civil war. On the 10th of October following he was mustered into Company H. Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry-known as "Brooklyn Sharpshooters"-with the rank of eighth corporal, and on November i was transported to Helena, Arkansas. From there his company marched to Oak- land, Mississippi, under General Harvey, to reinforce General Grant, and in January, 1863, he participated in the White River expedition. On the 29th of March of that year his company began the march toward Vicksburg, arriving at Port Gibson on the 30th of April. On the following day, May I, occurred the battle of Port Gibson at Thompson Hill, in which Mr. Talbott participated, and
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he was also present at the engagement at Edward's Station on the 13th of May. He took part in the battle of Champion's Hill on the 16th, after which he marched with his company to the Big Black river and thence to the rear of Vicksburg. At the siege of that city his company was a part of General Mc- Clernand's corps, which led the van of Grant's army, and during the siege oc- cupied a position in the center of the left wing of the army. On the 15th of June, 1863, during the engagement at Vicksburg, he was wounded in the left breast and arm, and being thus incapacitated for further duty at the front, served as guard at the Rock Island arsenal and prison until the close of the war. He re- ceived his honorable discharge on the 7th of November, 1864, and returned home with the most creditable military record. After returning to civil pursuits he es- tablished a land office in 1866, engaged in surveying and also served as notary public. In 1869 he entered into a business partnership with D. R. Sterling, which relation continued until the death of Mr. Sterling in 1910. and during that period they engaged, at different times, in the land, drug, book, lumber and banking business. In April 1873. they established lumber yards and in 1872 organized the Sterling & Talbott Private Bank, which, in 1885, became the First National Bank. Of this concern Mr. Talbott is now president and under his careful management and wise control it has continued to grow until today it ranks among the safe and substantial moneyed institutions of the county. It has a capital of fifty thousand dollars and a surplus of thirty-five thousand dollars. Coming to this district ere Poweshiek county had been organized, Bazil MI. Tal- bott has watched the vast stretches of wild prairie land converted into one of the finest regions of the great commonwealth of Iowa. has seen its cities spring up and has witnessed each step made in the onward march of civilization here, and in this work of transformation and improvement he has borne his share. He was postmaster of Brooklyn from 1870 until 1873, and in 1874 was elected to the office of mayor of the city. He belongs to the Methodist church and fra- ternally is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows.
Bazil M. Talbott was married. at Brooklyn, on the 12th of May. 1866. to Miss Sarah J. Ashton, and unto them have been born nine children, namely : Albert B., vice president of the First National Bank of Brooklyn: Charles D .. of Los Angeles, California ; Edwin H .; Effie E., the wife of Dr. F. F. Coon. of Niles, Michigan ; Lena E., who married Dr. C. E. Shifflett, of Los Angeles : and Ada, Frederick. Jennie and William, all four of whom passed away in infancy. Since 1876 the family have had a comfortable and attractive home in Brooklyn. and since 1883 Mr. Talbott and his wife have spent the winter seasons in Los Angeles, California, where, in 1909, he built a new home and intends making that his future residence.
Edwin H. Talbott, whose name introduces this review. was born in Brook- lyn on the 12th of May, 1871. and has made his home here continuously. He acquired his education in the schools of this city. He was then employed. for about two years, in a jewelry store here, after which he went to Chicago, where he pursued a six months' course in a trade school. Returning to his native city. he here entered trade circles on his own account, establishing a jewelry business in 1893, which he conducted continuously for thirteen years. In 1897 he extended his efforts to include the drug business and in both lines was ac-
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
corded a patronage which, constantly expanding, established his position among the leading and well known merchants of this city. Since March. 1904, he has been employed by the First National Bank, of which his father was one of the organizers. The other officers are: B. M. Talbott, president; A. B. Talbott, vice president ; and N. H. Wright, cashier. Mr. Talbott is deeply interested in the affairs of the institution with which he is identified, and in the performance of his duties in connection therewith is exhibiting the same sound judgment, keen discriminaton and close application that has characterized his efforts in the con- duct of his mercantile enterprise.
Edwin H. Talbott was married on the 29th of November, 1893, to Miss Florence Snyder, who was born near Brooklyn on the 20th of January, 1874. She is a daughter of J. M. and Armentia (Cain) Snyder, who resides in Brook- lyn. Mr. and Mrs. Talbott have one daughter, Faith Gretchen.
The political allegiance of Mr. Talbott is given to the republican party, and for one year he served as city clerk. Aside from this, however, he has never held nor desired public office. For the past twenty-five years he has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he also belongs to the Masonic body. the teachings and principles of these organizations proving the guiding influences in a life which has ever been characterized by high ideals and noble purposes. In the latter he is identified with Corinthian Lodge, No. 174. A. F. & A. M., of Brooklyn; Hysop Chapter, No. 50, R. A. M., of Malcom; Alpha Council, No. 1, R. & S. M., of Des Moines ; and Oriental Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of Newton, lowa. He has proven himself a worthy representa- tive of an honored pioneer family and in whatever relation of life we find him, whether in public, business or social affairs, he is always the same honorable and honered gentleman, who well merits the high regard which is uniformly given him.
ELI HORN.
Eli Horn operates a well improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which is a part of the old homestead farm, and he is also serving as president of the What Cheer Savings Bank. He was born on his present farm in Deep River township, March 31, 1870, a son of Henry and Harriet ( Wildasin ) Horn, the former born in Germany and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1830. The father was left an orphan at an early age and was thus compelled to make his own way in the world. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Wildasin, and in 1869 they made their way to the middle west. locating first in Wilton Junction, Iowa. In the spring of 1870 they removed to a farm in Deep River township and the father at once began to improve and cultivate his land and as time passed he added to his original holdings until he became the owner of four hundred acres in Poweshiek county. He was also one of the original directors of the What Cheer Savings Bank and was a man who always bore a high repu- tation among his neighbors and friends. He died in the faith of the Grace Re- formed church, in 1898, at the age of sixty years. His wife survived him for
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a few years and was called to her final rest in June, 1910, when she had reached an advanced age. Their family numbered four sons and one daughter, as fol- lows: Albert, a wholesale grocer of Des Moines, Iowa; William H., who lives on a part of the homestead farmi; Eli, of this review ; Mary, the wife of John Jennings, who resides near Tilton, Iowa; and Charles, who is manager of the U. P. Tea Store at Council Bluffs.
Eli Horn was reared on the farm which has always been his home and he began his early education in the district schools near his father's home, later pursuing a business course in the Oskaloosa Business College, while two years were spent in study at the academy in Wilton Junction. After completing his education he engaged in teaching in the district schools for four years but chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He new operates two hundred and eighty acres of his father's estate, this land being located on section 33, Deep River township. He makes a close study of the soil and crops, adheres to a systematic rule of crop rotation, and his labors have resulted in success. Mr. Horn is a prominent man in many ways. He has always been a hard worker but has found time to fill the office of president of the What Cheer Savings Bank for the past ten years. He manifests a lively interest in this in- stitution and is ever ready to do what he can to advance its interests and pro- vide for its needs.
Mr. Horn was married in 1907 to Miss Sadie Moore, a native of Keokuk county, Iowa, and a daughter of James and Sarah Moore. Their home has been blessed with an interesting son and daughter, Raymond E. and Lelah.
Mr. Horn is a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party but has never taken a politician's interest, as his time and attention are fully occupied with his personal affairs. He is a man well known in various sections of the county and is fully sustaining the reputation that was always borne by his hon- ored father.
GEORGE M. HOLLINGSWORTH.
It is a difficult task to offer a fitting memorial to the life and accomplish- ments of such a man as George M. Hollingsworth. Remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom and in his indomitable perseverance and his strong individuality, he was yet one whose entire life had not one esoteric phase, being an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny. A residence of forty-seven years in the county made him well and favorably known and his death, which occurred on the 8th of March, 1910, was therefore the occasion of deep sorrow to his many friends. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio, March 29, 1840, a son of Abner and Nancy (Coleman) Hollingsworth, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania and of German descent. They became residents of Ohio and reared to maturity four sons and three daughters. The mother died in the Buckeye state and the father passed away while on a visit to Iowa. They were prosper- ous farming people of Ohio.
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE M. HOLLINGSWORTH
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONB.
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HISTORY OF POWESIIEK COUNTY
George M. Hollingsworth was reared in the state of his nativity and there acquired his education in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and soon afterward, the Civil war having been inaugurated, he enlisted on the 2d of October, 1862, as a member of Com- pany F. Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served at the front until August, 1863, when he was honorably discharged. He came to Iowa in the same year and here engaged in farming. However, he returned to Ohio for the winter but in the following spring ( 1864) came again to Poweshiek county, making the overland journey. He purchased forty acres of land in Deep River township, located one mile west of Deep River. A few years later he added to his original purchase an eighty acre tract, and later on another tract of forty acres, while by another purchase he added forty acres more, which then made him the possessor of two hundred acres. He improved his farm with good buildings and placed the fields under a high state of cultivation and on this farm property he spent many useful and prosperous years. In the later years of his life, however, he was in poor health and this led him to spend fifteen years in retirement in a pleasant home in Deep River. He retained possession of his farm, however, until just prior to his demise, when he disposed of the land.
Mr. Hollingsworth was married, April 27, 1867, to Miss Fannie Correll, who was born in Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1840, a daughter of William W. and Rosanna (Gearhart) Correll, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. In 1844, when the daughter was but four years of age, the parents came to lowa, making the journey to Burlington by boat. During the voyage the boat on which they were passengers, was sunk but Mr. Correll and his family escaped. - He was. a mason by trade and during the winter of 1844 worked in and around. Burlington at this occupation. His wife died in Louisa county, leaving three children. In 1851 the family came to Poweshiek county and the father bought a claim in Deep River township, which he improved and cultivated for. many years." He was married a second time and by that marriage there were six children. He spent his last years with his daughters, Mrs. Icinbice and Mrs. Hollingsworth, and died August 22. 1900, at the home of the latter in Deep River.
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