USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 64
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John McMillan acquired his education in the common schools and academy of his native village, where he was fitted for college, and remained in New Eng- land until the outbreak of the Civil war, when, prompted by a spirit of pa- triotism, he responded to his country's call for troops and enlisted, in 1861, as a soldier in Company H, Fourth Vermont Infantry. He was first stationed at Camp Griffin, near Washington, and later received a wound which caused the loss of one limb. This occasioned his discharge from the army, but later, in 1863. he reenlisted as a member of the invalid corps but was not again sent to the front.
After the close of the war, in 1866, Mr. McMillan left his home in the Green Mountain state and sought the opportunities of the rapidly growing middle west. He made his way to Iowa, locating in Poweshiek county, and here he was em- ployed at farm work by the month for about seven years. He then started to improve the land which he had previously purchased on section 3. Chester township, upon which he continued to reside until 1911. During the intervening years he devoted his attention to the cultivation of his land, although handi- capped by poor health and a disabled limb. He converted the place into a val- uable and productive farm, supplied with all modern accessories and conven- iences. In its appointments it is neat and well ordered and since the retire- ment of Mr. McMillan has been operated by his son. He now makes his home near Chester Center, where he is living in happy contentment after many years of well directed effort.
On the 29th of October, 1878, Mr. McMillan was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Augusta Hetherington, a daughter of Christmas and Margaret M. (Dial) Hetherington. Her mother passed away in November, 1883, and her father died ten years later. The Hetherington family is of English origin, the father of Christmas Hetherington being an astronomer and teacher in England. His mother, however, was of French lineage and came to America in early colonial days. For some years he followed contracting and building at Oskaloosa, Iowa,
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and was also an extensive land dealer in that locality. His son James E. Heth- erington, now deceased, held the position of revenue officer in the south for twenty years and was a resident of Atlanta, Georgia. By a former marriage Mrs. McMillan had one son, George F. Waggoner, who is a traveling man, re- siding in Dickinson, North Dakota. He is married and has a son, Dana L. Wag- goner. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McMillan has been born one son, Putnam Dana, who was married, in August, 1910, to Miss Ella Ahrens, of Grinnell, Iowa, and who now resides on the old homestead farm in Chester township, where he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
Mr. McMillan attends the services of the Methodist church of Sonora, of which he is a member. Recognizing the fact that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils against which the country has to contend, he gives stalwart sup- port to the prohibition party, and his influence is ever on the side of all meas- utres and movements which have for their object the betterment and upbuilding of the community at large. He is a stockholder in the Chester & Grinnell Tele- phone Company and has ever been a strong advocate of all public utilities. He is a gentleman of broad mind and takes a calm survey of life, recognizes its purposes and meets its obligations. He is held in high regard throughout the county and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
WILLIAM N. MORGAN.
For fifty-eight years the Morgan family have been represented in Powe- shiek county. William N. Morgan is the son of John C. and Rebecca D. ( Bar- ker) Morgan and was born in Lincoln township, Poweshiek county, on the 23d of August, 1865. His grandfather, John Morgan, was a native of Ohio, from which state he removed to Illinois, where his son John C. was born on the 14th of August, 1842. In 1853 he brought his family to Iowa, driving from Sangamon county, Illinois, to Poweshiek county. On arriving here, the grand- father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land on what is called the state road, in the improvement and cultivation of which both he and his son engaged. Mrs. Rebecca Morgan, who was a native of Ohio, passed away in April, 1899, but her husband survived until the 2d of July, 1906, his demise occurring at the residence of his son.
The education of William N. Morgan was acquired in the district schools of his native county. After laying aside his school books he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, assisting his father until he had attained his majority, at which time he began working for himself. For one year thereafter he hired out by the month as a farm hand, following which he located in Deep River town- ship for two years, and then removed to his present homestead. This is a one hundred and sixty acre tract, formerly the home of his father, and has been in possession of the family for about fifty years. Mr. Morgan raises Berkshire hogs and shorthorn cattle and also engages in general farming. He is meeting with success in his undertakings and is constantly improving his farm.
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On the 25th of September, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mor- gan and Miss Cora Criswell, a daughter of William and Mary ( Bromley ) Criswell. Her father is a native of Indiana and her mother of New York. They lived in Illinois for a time and from there removed to Poweshiek county, where they have ever since continued to reside, their present home being in Deep River township. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Mor- gan : Orrion L., who was born April 14, 1891, and is still at home; Rebecca Dorothy, born November 5, 1897; and William Harold Carman, born December 22, 1899.
Fraternally Mr. Morgan is a member of Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, A. F. & A. M., of Deep River; Modern Woodmen of America, Deep River Lodge, No. 297; and Modern Brotherhood of America, Deep River Lodge, No. 146. His political support he accords to the candidates of the republican party, his views coinciding with the progressive faction of that body. He takes an inter- est in civic affairs and is now serving both as a school director and township trustee. Perseverance and earnest endeavor have enabled Mr. Morgan to make a success of his vocation, and he is regarded as one of the successful agricul- turists of Lincoln township.
ANDREW SCOTT GRAHAM.
One of the most successful young agriculturists and stockmen of Powe- shiek county is Andrew Scott Graham, who was born on the farm where he now resides in Madison township on the 4th of July, 1878. His parents are Archie and Christiana ( Brownlie) Graham, the father a native of Smith Falls, Canada, and the mother of Iowa. Archie Graham came to the United States in the early '60s, locating in Scott county, Iowa, where he resided for several years, and then removed to Poweshiek county, settling upon a farm in Madi- son township. He met with success in his agricultural pursuits and added to his holdings from time to time until he had acquired four hundred acres of land, in the cultivation of which he engaged until the ist of March, 1904, when he retired and removed to Brooklyn, where he and his wife continue to reside.
The education of Andrew Scott Graham was obtained in the district schools of his native township, and in the Capital City Commercial College, following which he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead until the latter's retirement, at which time he assumed the entire management. In 1910 he bought two hundred and forty acres of land, which he also operates in addition to the 160 contained in his father's farm. He engages in general farming and stock- raising and is meeting with more than a fair degree of success in both under- takings. Each year he feeds one carload of cattle and two of hogs for the market. He has an excellent farm, which is well improved and highly culti- vated, everything about the place giving evidence of the capable supervision and regard for details which bespeaks success in any vocation.
On the 8th of February, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Graham and Miss Bertha Graham, a daughter of Thomas and Jennie (Lang) Graham,
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who were at one time well known residents of Madison township. Thomas Graham originally came from Smith Falls, Canada, but the mother is a native of Scott county, Iowa. When Mrs. Bertha Graham was a child of five years the family removed to Minnesota, where the father engaged in farming for fifteen years. In 1899 the family returned to Iowa, settling in Brooklyn, where Thomas Graham has ever since lived retired. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Graham: Blanch Elizabeth, who was born on the 27th of July, 1906; and Robert Edward, whose birth occurred on the 26th of Jan- uary, 19II.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham hold membership in the Christian church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Corinthian Lodge, No. 174. A. F. & A. M., of Brooklyn. His political allegiance he gives to the re- publican party, and for more than five years he has been the choice of the people for the office of township clerk, which office he continues to hold. Mr. Graham is one of the progressive and energetic young farmers of Madison township, and judging by the measure of success awarded his efforts thus far his future appears most promising.
JOSEPH McKEE.
Joseph McKee who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Deep River township, has made his home on this place for the past twenty-eight years and is today classed among the well known and prominent farmers of Poweshiek county. He was born in Washington county, Maryland, April 16, 1843, a son of Samuel and Susan ( Parks) McKee, the former a native of Ireland. Their family numbered five sons and four daughters, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth. The father died when the latter was a small boy but the mother survived for many years and died at the home of her son Joseph in 1880.
Joseph McKee pursued his studies in the common schools of his native state and was there reared to maturity. He then went alone to Ogle county, Illinois, and for three years worked as a farm hand by the month. He was then joined in that county by his brother John and together they operated a farm for two years, after which they came to Poweshiek county, and here con- tinued farming together for fourteen years. Mr. McKee was then married and engaged in farming on his own account, renting the place on which he now lives for a period of three years. During this time he prospered in his under- takings so that he was able to purchase the land. He has here one hundred and twenty acres, on section 15, Deep River township, which is as rich farming land as is to be found in the entire county. Since becoming owner of this place, Mr. McKee has made many improvements in the way of good and substantial buildings, for when he took possession there was only a small house and a little stable on the farm, but he has built a good country residence and substantial barn and today has a valuable property.
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Mr. McKee was married in Iowa county, November 21, 1882, to Miss Laura Jane Cole, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, February 25, 1852. Her parents, Crossman Jacob and Catherine (Eaton) Cole, were both natives of New York, the former born April 7, 1827, and the latter October 24, 1828. They were married in Madison county, Indiana, in 1851, and in 1856 removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, where they resided until the death of the mother. The father followed farming and harness-making throughout his business career and died while on a visit to Indiana, June 23, 1886, when fifty-nine years of age, while the mother died in Keokuk county, Iowa, February 28, 1870, at the comparatively early age of forty-two years. In their family were six children, of whom Mrs. McKee is the eldest, the others being: Cynthia Ann, deceased ; Martha Ellen, the wife of John Sigler, of Virginia ; William T. A., a resident of Montezuma; Ida Viola, who became the wife of John Garber but is now deceased; and Lucy Elizabeth, the wife of Carney Henderson, a resident of Oxford, lowa.
Mrs. McKee accompanied her parents on their removal to lowa and attended the schools of the school district near which they resided, but she received the major part of her education at Sigourney, Keokuk county. She eventually en- gaged in teaching, and before and after her marriage taught forty-eight terms in the district schools. She holds a life certificate to teach in the state of lowa. For the past few years she has devoted her time to the raising of fancy poultry, making a close study of this line of work. From the time of its organization to the present she has acted as superintendent of the poultry department of the Poweshiek County Farmers Institute and ever takes an active interest in its development and work. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have no children of their own but have reared a nephew, Charles Joseph Garber, who is now engaged in farming in Deep River township.
Mr. McKee is a republican in his political views and his wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, in the work of which she takes an active part. They are both well known in Deep River township as well as other sections of Poweshiek county and Mr. McKee has a reputation for fair and honorable dealing which is surpassed by no man in his locality.
WILLIAM JAMES MCLAIN.
William James McLain has followed farming on his present property of three hundred and sixty-seven acres, located on section 5, Lincoln township. since 1897. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, January 21, 1866, a son of John and Sarah ( Middleham) McLain, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. In 1848 the father emigrated to the United States and followed farming in Pennsylvania until about 1850, when he continued his journey westward, locating on a farm in Rock Island county, Illinois. About 1867 or 1868, he removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa, purchasing land in Scott township, which he cultivated until the time of his death in 1896 at the age of seventy years. He was a republican in his political faith and was a mem-
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ber of the United Presbyterian church, in which he filled various offices, and he also assisted in building several churches. The mother of our subject still sur- vives and makes her home on the farm in Scott township.
William James McLain was but an infant when brought to Poweshiek county by his parents, and in the schools of his home district he acquired his early education but later attended Grinnell Academy. During the periods of vacation he was trained in the work of the home farm and after completing his educa- tion he returned to the farm and there remained for some time. Eventually, however, he went to Colorado, where he remained for six months, but in 1897 returned once more to Poweshiek county and since that time has lived on his present place, consisting of three hundred and sixty-seven acres on section 5, Lincoln township. He has here a valuable property, his fields having been placed under a high state of cultivation, and in addition to general farming he raises Chester White hogs and shorthorn cattle on quite an extensive scale, making his shipments to the Chicago market. In addition to this property he is also interested in farm lands in Dakota and Montana. He has made wise use of his capital, investing it where it has brought substantial returns, an:1 today he is classed with the well-to-do citizens of his section of the county.
Mr. McLain was married on the 24th of December, 1896, in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Miss Minnie L. Breniman, a daughter of Reuben and Minnie (Pierce) Breniman. The former, of Swiss descent, is a farmer by occupation, while the mother is of English descent. The father formerly owned the farm on which our subject now resides. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McLain have been born three daughters and two sons, Mildred, Margery, Miriam, Marvin and Maynard.
In politics Mr. McLain is a republican and for two terms served as town- ship trustee. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in Harmony Methodist Episcopal church. His genial, cordial nature has endeared him to all with whom he comes in contact, and no man in the community has a wider circle of warm friends.
C. F. SCHULTZ.
A well spent youth, coupled with thrift and energy, enabled C. F. Schultz to acquire a competence which makes it possible for him to spend his latter days in the ease and comfort which is ever considered to be the just reward of well directed effort.
He was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 28th of August, 1842, a son of Christopher and Mary (Rabach-Schroeder) Schultz, who were also natives of the fatherland, in which country the mother passed away. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, engaged in ship building, preparing the heavy timbers in the woods for the vessels. Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Schultz : Charles : Louis ; Henry : Hugh : C. F .. our subject ; and Augusta, the only daughter. In 1850 the father emigrated to America on a sailing vessel.
MR. AND MRS. C. F. SCHULTZ
DORT SPARY
AST #NOX AND LOEN J NDATIONS.
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it requiring ninety days to make the trip. Upon his arrival here he made his way westward to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade and with his brothers Joe, Charley, Henry, Gus and Fritz, took up a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in the cultivation of which some of the brothers engaged while the remainder worked out. Later Mr. Schultz removed to Iowa, locating in Sheridan township, Poweshiek county, following which he settled upon a farm in Malcom township, where he continued to live until he passed away in May, 1894. For his second wife Mr. Schultz chose Mrs. Schroeder, the widow of August Schroeder, a plasterer of Prussia, Germany, where he died. Following his death Mrs. Schroeder and the children came to the United States, where she met Mr. Schultz, their marriage being solemnized at Montezuma, Poweshiek county. She survived her husband five years, making her home during that period with her daughter, Mrs. Charles Eisele, at whose residence she passed away in the spring of 1899.
The first twenty-one years of his life C. F. Schultz spent in the land of his nativity, in the common schools of which he acquired his education. He then worked out by the year, making his home with his grandmother. In 1866 he came to America, coming direct to Poweshiek county where he joined his father, who was then residing in Malcom township. During the first years of his life in the United States he worked for his father. At the expira- tion of that period, however, he was married and subsequently rented eighty acres in section 33, Sheridan township, from his father for one year. He was energetic and thrifty and at the end of that time decided to purchase the land. which was valued at sixteen hundred dollars. By means of constant applica- tion and by practicing the most rigid economy he was able to pay for the prop- erty in six years, and in 1887 he added another eighty acres in section 32 of the same township. In 1901 he added to his holdings a quarter section, also in sec- tion 32, which he purchased from George"Baustian, making his aggregate hold- ings three hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Schultz has not been actively en- gaged in the cultivation of his land for several years, having rented it to his sons, although he and his wife continue to reside upon their homestead. His land is all in a high state of cultivation and his is considered to be one of the most valuable properties in the township.
In 1872 Mr. Schultz was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wentzel, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Wentzel, the latter having passed away in 1851, when the daughter was but one hour of age. Mr. Wentzel was a shoemaker, having followed his trade in southern Germany, until he and his daughter mi- grated to the United States. They first located in Princeton, Illinois, only remaining there a few months and then removed to Poweshiek county, set- tling upon a farm in Malcom township, in the cultivation of which the father engaged for several years. His death occurred at the home of Mrs. Schultz in 1882. Seven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Schultz, six of whom are living, Ludwig, the eldest, having passed away on the 9th of October. 1895. at the age of twenty-three years. Those surviving are as follows: Phillie, the wife of Joseph Banstian, of Sheridan township: Joseph, of Grinnell township : Andrew. of Malcom township: Edward and George Otto, of Sheridan town- ship; and lda Anna, of Adel, lowa. The four sons are all engaged in agricul-
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tural pursuits. The family always attend the services of the Lutheran denom- ination, the parents holding membership in the church of Malcom township.
Ever since acquiring the right of franchise, through naturalization, Mr. Schultz has given his political support to the candidates of the democratic party, although he has never been an office seeker and so does not actively participate in township affairs. He is one of the highly respected citizens of the community and takes great pride in being able to say that he has never been drawn into court in any capacity whatsoever. He has met with most gratifying success in his ventures, but it is generally recognized as the well merited reward of perseverance and determination.
AARON W. ARMSTRONG.
Aaron W. Armstrong is one of the well-to-do farmers of Deep River town- ship, his possessions here comprising eight hundred acres, divided into four farms, his home place being located on section 26. He was born five miles east of Knoxville, Tennessee, March 20, 1835, and comes of Scotch ancestry in the paternal line. His great-grandfather, Robert Armstrong. was the pro- genitor of the family in America, and his son, Robert, the grandfather of our subject, entered land in East Tennessee, making his home in Knox county. He was a farmer by occupation and died in that state. His family included Aaron Armstrong, who became the father of our subject. The latter was born in the upper part of East Tennessee, August 3, 1787, and his entire life was spent in Knox county as a farmer. He wedded Miss Betsy Bounds, and they reared a family of fifteen children, one son and one daughter still residing in Tennessee, while one son, James, resides on the farm which was entered by the grandfather and later became the home of the father. The latter served in the war of 1812 and his death occurred in the fall of 1860.
Aaron W. Armstrong, whose name introduces this record, was reared on the home farm in the state of his nativity and after the death of the father, he assisted his mother in the management of the farm, remaining with her until he had reached the age of twenty-six years. He enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company G, Sixth Tennessee Infantry, which he joined at Columbus, Kentucky. April 10, 1862. He was rapidly promoted first becoming corporal, afterward sergeant and still later sergeant major. After serving with that command for eight months he was transferred to the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant and later captain. He participated in a number of skirmishes. and did valiant duty for his country while at the front.
Following the close of hostilities, Mr. Armstrong returned to the old home- stead in Tennessee and in the winter of 1865-6 made his way to Iowa, spending six weeks at Victor. He afterward spent seven months in Omaha, Nebraska, while for a brief period he was in Phelps county, Missouri. In March, 1867. he returned to Iowa, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Deep River township, for which he paid twelve dollars per acre and which constitutes
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a part of his present holdings. He at once began to develop and improve his land and as time passed and he prospered in his work he added to his holdings from time to time until his possessions now embrace eight hundred acres all in Deep River township. This is divided into four farms. On his home place stands a good country residence and substantial outbuildings, all of which have been erected by Mr. Armstrong. He formerly owned and conducted a store in Tilton and also engaged in buying and shipping stock for a short time but now gives his entire time and attention to his farming and stock-raising interests, the principal feature of his work being the raising of horses, cattle and hogs, which he usually ships to the city markets. He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for when he first located in Poweshiek county he found largely a wild and undeveloped region, but improving the ad- vantages which a new country offers, he has added to his possessions until he is today numbered among the wealthy citizens of his section of the state.
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