USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 7
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In 1860 Mr. Peirce was married at Batavia, Kane county, Illinois, to Miss Esther M. Snow, who has been to him a true and loving companion. Nine chil- (Iren came to bless this union, namely : Austin P., now living at Des Moines, Iowa : Byron B., of Kearney, Nebraska : Edna L., widow of William Philpott, of Grin- nell : M. Genevra, now engaged in teaching at Blue Island, Illinois ; Lucia E., who is also a teacher and is living at home ; Gurdon D., deceased ; IIelen T., now Vol 11-4
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Mrs. C. S. Williston, of Chicago; William S., an osteopathic physician, who i- en- gaged in practice at Lima, Ohio ; and Tiny V., deceased.
Mr. Peirce and his wife are identified with the Universalist church, in which he has served as clerk. He is now independent in politics but for many years was a prominent factor in political affairs in this part of the state. Originally a republican, he became an advocate of the greenback party and was a candidate for the state legislature, carrying every precinct outside of Grinnell with a majority of fourteen votes, but he was defeated by the labor element of the city. He was prominent in the organization of the populist party and was one of the leaders in the Patrons of Husbandry, occupying all the chairs in that body from secretary to master. He is also an active worker in the Grange, remaining with it until the local organization went out of existence. He has been a director of the Poweshiek County Central Agricultural Society and served as its treasurer for three years. He and his estimable wife have a legion of friends in Poweshiek and adjoining counties who have been attracted by their interest in the welfare of others. As the shadows lengthen this venerable couple are blessed with the love of their chil- dren and neighbors, and they have the satisfaction of feeling that in an important degree they have performed their duty. Always progressive in business, kindly in disposition and generous in estimate of others, Mr. Peirce has retained the high regard of those with whom he has come in contact either in social, business or political life, and is one of the most honored residents of this city.
ERNEST JAMES HARRIS.
The records of the successful men of Poweshiek county are doubly interest- ing from the fact that so many of them won their way from humble positions and today are in the enjoyment of an abundance acquired through their own intelligently applied industry. Ernest James Harris is among those who sur- mounted great obstacles, and although he started as a boy of seventeen prac- tically empty-handed, he is now the owner of a beautiful farm of which he has just reason to be proud. He is a native of Dorsetshire, England, and was born January 6, 1871, a son of James and Elizabeth ( Slade) Harris. The parents were both born in the same county as the son, the father November 22, 1835. and the mother December 7. 1838. They were married in England and Mr. Harris spent his entire life in that country, being identified with farming in- terests. The mother came to America in 1890 and is now living with her sons in Poweshiek county. There were five children in their family: Elizabeth, who is deceased; Thomas A., who engages in farming in Chester township: Fred- erick, of Brule county, South Dakota : Ernest James, of this review ; and Edgar J., of Chester township.
Ernest James Harris received bis preliminary education in the public schools of England. In 1887, seeking to take advantage of opportunities presented in the new world, he came to Iowa and began working on the farm of his uncle, George Harris, in Washington township, Poweshiek county. After a short time he went to Grinnell and entered the employment of James Bailey. with
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whom he continued for two years, and then working under A. G. Williams, of Chester township, for one year. At the end of this time he rented forty acres of land in Chester township which he cultivated for two years, and, hav- ing acquired sufficient capital, purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township, upon which he established his home. Ile makes a specialty of raising hogs and Shorthorn cattle. He has provided the farm with a good residence, barn and outbuildings, and also with all modern accessories and conveniences, and its neat appearance indicates the great interest which he takes in his work.
On the 16th of May, 1894, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Lula Lillian Patrick, a daughter of Andrew and Gertrude ( Spire) Patrick, and eight children have blessed this union, namely: James A., who was born July 27, 1895 and died January 29, 1907; Winifred I., born August 15, 1897; Arthur E., born August 15, 1900: Elsie May, born September 23, 1902: Bessie Luella, born May 15. 1904: Dorothy Irene, born November 6, 1905: Alfred, born April 13. 1907, and died April 21, 1907; and Roy Roscoe, born April 3, 1909. Mrs. Harris was born April 14. 1874, at Jasper county, Iowa. Her mother was a native of New York and was married to Mr. Patrick in New . York state. They came to Iowa and lived for several years in Chester town- ship, Poweshiek county, after which they established their home in Jasper county. The father died in August, 1881, and the mother passed away March 2. 1909. He was an earnest adherent of the republican party, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and also of the Grange.
Mr. Harris has been from boyhood a member of the Episcopal church, while his wife is connected with the Methodist church. In politics he supports the republican party and has served to the general satisfaction of the com- munity as a member of the school board. He is an active and helpful citizen, intelligent and progressive in whatsoever he undertakes, and always governed by a worthy ambition to promote to the extent of his ability the best interests of those with whom he is associated. By undaunted resolution and zeal he has won deserved recognition as one of the substantial citizens of Poweshiek county.
GEORGE H. McMURRAY.
Occupying a position of leadership in connection with many of the most important interests, business enterprises and public projects of Grinnell, George HI. MeMurray has contributed in substantial and gratifying measure to the growth and prosperity of the city, and has so indelibly impressed himself upon the community in the work of advancement that no history of this section of the state would be complete without prominent reference to him. Iowa may well be proud to number him among her native sons.
His birth occurred in Bellevue, Jackson county, on the 18th of October, 1863, his parents being James H. and Thirza (Smith ) MeMurray, the former a native of Delaware county, New York, and the latter of Galena, Illinois. They were married in Bellevue, Iowa, the father having located there in early
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manhood. The mother was a daughter of Judge Joseph Smith. who presided over the court of his district in Iowa. Fle had taken up his abode in Bellevue early in the '50s, removing to this state from Knoxville, Tennessee. On be- coming a resident of Bellevue James H. McMurray had turned his attention to merchandising and some years later he removed his business to Dewitt, Iowa, and afterward to Brooklyn, Poweshiek county, in 1869. He was prom- inently identified with the business interests of that town for eighteen years when he went to California for the benefit of his health, spending seven years in Los Angeles. In 1802 he became a resident of Grinnell and purchased a half interest in the business owned by his sons, G. H. McMurray and James H. MeMurray, since which time the enterprise has been conducted under the name of J. H. MeMurray, Jr. & Company. For the past thirty-five years or more father and son have conducted the largest stores in their respective lines in Poweshiek county, their combined stocks representing an aggregate invest- ment of seventy thousand dollars. The name of McMurray is a synonym for progressiveness in commercial lines and their activities have constituted a standard that others have followed.
George H. McMurray was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools and also in a boarding school at Clinton, Iowa, where he finished the work of the freshman year. From the early age of twelve vears, however, he has devoted much of his time to merchandising, assisting in his father's store when not in school. In 1882 he embarked in merchandising on his own account, forming a partnership with Wesley Manatt, in which connection they established business under the firm name of McMurray & Manatt. After five years they sold out and George H. McMurray and his brother J. H. McMurray, Jr., organized the firm of MeMurray Brothers and opened a store in Grinnell. The business relation between them was maintained for five years, at the end of which time, in 1892, the father returned from California and George H. McMurray sold his interest to him and opened his present clothing business, which he has successfully carried on for the past eighteen years. He is today the leading clothier of Poweshiek county, employs five people and conducts a very extensive business. During much of this period he has been interested in branch stores at West Union and Anita, Iowa, and else- where. However, he has since disposed of these and now gives much of his time to the operation of a valuable farm of four hundred acres which he owns in Chester township. On this place he raises horses and feeds cattle and also carries on the usual farm work in the production of grain. He leads an extremely busy and useful life and his determined nature enables him to carry forward to sue- cessful completion whatever he undertakes. His cooperation is counted a valuable asset in any business venture and it is felt that his aid will secure a prosperous outcome. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens' National Bank and is a member of its board of directors. He readily solves intricate and involved financial problems and seems to see from the circumference to the very center of things, recognizing with almost unerring judgment the possibilities for the attainment of success in any given connection.
On the 6th of July, 1886, Mr. McMurray was married to Miss Margaret C. Wright, of Brooklyn, this county, and unto them have been born three children :
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Harry F., who is now a senior in Grinnell College; Arthur R., who is pursuing the work of the junior year ; and Donald J., who is yet a student in the public schools. The family are prominent socially and their own home is most at- tractive by reason of its warm-hearted and cordial hospitality. Mr. McMurray is a member of Brooklyn Lodge, No. 174. A. F. & A. M., and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. Many look to him as the leader in all public enterprises and follow his example, for it is known that his judgment is sound and his loyalty to the best interests of the community above question.
JOHN BAKER.
John Baker, a former agriculturist of Poweshiek county, who is now living retired in Searsboro, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of November, 1834. His parents were Richard and Catherine (Thompson) Baker, also natives of Beaver county, the father having been born on the 22d of Feb- ruary, 1799, and the mother in 1807. The father who during the entire period of his active life engaged in farming, was living retired at the time of his death, which occurred on the 2d of December, 1882. His wife survived him for almost two years thereafter, her demise occurring on the 9th of October, 1884. He voted for the candidates of the democratic party, and while residing in Pennsylvania he acted as postmaster at Baker's Bank. Sixteen children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Baker, the order of their birth being as follows: James, who died in Andersonville prison during the Civil war: So- phronia, who is a resident of Detroit, Michigan; William, who is deceased : Sidney, the widow of William Beatty, of Beaver county. Pennsylvania : Lorenzo B., who was killed at the siege of Vicksburg; John, our subject ; Thomson, who is living at Ansley, Custer county, Nebraska; Sarah, the widow of Benja- min James, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania ; Mary Ann, the widow of Fred Stralia, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania: George, who is a resident of Butler county, Pennsylvania : Matilda, the widow of Walter Craig, of Pittsburg ; Nancy Jane, the wife of Walter Swagers, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania ; Catherine, the wife of Robert Mills, of Custer county, Nebraska ; Wesley B., also a resident of Custer county, Nebraska; Robert, who died in the army ; and Rachel, the widow of Mr. Wood, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania
The first twenty-two years in the life of John Baker were spent on the homestead where he was born and reared, his education being acquired in the district schools of Beaver county. After laying aside his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the homestead until April. 1856, at which time he migrated to Iowa. Upon his arrival in this state he first located in Mahaska county, where he worked by the month as a farm hand. In 1859 he came to Poweshiek county, settling in Sugar Creek township where for a time he con- tinued to do farm work. In 1888 he purchased forty acres of land, in the cul- tivation of which he met with such success that he was later able to add another forty acres to his tract. He still owns this property, but has for some time
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been living retired in Searsboro. Mr. Baker followed general farming. He also had a fine orchard and made a specialty of raising stock.
On the 24th of March, 1859, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Julia Stanley, a daughter of John T. and Mary (Berry) Stanley, of Sugar Creek township, Poweshiek county. Mrs. Baker was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 11th of June, 1835, her parents having resided there for about twenty years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stanley were natives of Virginia, from which state they migrated to Ohio, settling in Miami county in 1830. In 1851 they came to Iowa, settling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sugar Creek township, Powe- shiek county, which Mr. Stanley purchased. He later added to this another eighty acres, continuing to make his home on the farm until his death on the 27th of March, 1888. The mother survived him until the 15th of August, 1890. He was a supporter of the democracy and served as township trustee, while both he and his wife held membership in the Baptist church. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Baker numbered six children, five of whom are now surviving : Mary C., the wife of Paul Nelson, of Rochester, Minnesota; Wesley, who is a resident of Kendall, Missouri: Lucy Jane, who is deceased ; George, who makes his home in Mahaska county, Iowa ; Clarissa ; and Cora, the wife of Bert Sex- ton, of Sugar Creek township.
The family always worshipped in the Christian church, of which Mrs. Baker is a member, and fraternally Mr. Baker has been affiliated with the Ma- sonic order for forty-three years. His political support he gives to the republican party, and for several years served as road supervisor. Many notable changes have taken place in Poweshiek county during the long period of Mr. Baker's residence, in all of which he has ever taken a keen interest.
CHARLES SWECKER.
Charles Swecker is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Jefferson township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and which yields him a handsome annual income.
He is a native of this county, and was born in Jefferson township, January 25, 1873. a son of Abraham and Lydia ( Niswander) Swecker, who were both natives of Virginia. The father was reared as a farmer and came to Powe- shiek county, Iowa, with his family in the spring of 1872. He engaged suc- cessfully in agriculture and stock-raising and became the owner of three hun- dred and twenty acres of good land, which he cultivated for over thirty years. He then retired to Hartwick, where he died in July, 1906. The mother is still living and resides at Belle Plaine.
Charles Swecker, of this review, possessed good opportunities of education in the common schools, and under his father became well acquainted with all classes of work pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. In 1894 he began working on his own account on the old homestead north of Hartwick, and in the spring of 1910 removed to his present location on section 34. where he engages in general agriculture, also raising cattle and hogs for the market.
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Hle cultivates the soil to good advantage and his farm yields a reliable income. The buildings are all in excellent order and he and his family have one of the most comfortable homes in the township.
In 1807 Mr. Swecker was married to Miss Myrtle Wilson, a daughter of Jay Wilson, and to this union one child, Rex. J., was born. The mother of this child died May 3, 1898, and in September, 1899, Mr. Swecker was again married, his second union being with Kathrine McIlrath, a daughter of James Mellrath, a well known farmer of Jefferson township. To the second mar- riage of Mr. Swecker four children have been born, namely: Wayne James, Charles Wilson ; Myrtle E .; and Eleanor L.
Mr. Swecker casts his ballot in support of the republican party. He has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office, but served with general approval as member of the school board. Religiously he is connected with the Congregational church at Hartwick. He is known as an up-to-date farmer and an intelligent and broad-minded man, one who may be depended upon to iend a hand in forwarding every movement that aims to promote the general welfare.
CHARLES H. HALL.
Farming claims the time and attention of Charles H. Hall, who owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott town- ship, as well as a tract of eighty acres in Bear Creek township. He is a native of the latter township, born July 27, 1873, a son of George and Katharine ' Deardorff) Hall, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of O. D. Hall, a brother of our subject. on another page of this work. Their family numbered nine children but only seven are now living.
Charles H. Hall was reared on the home farm in Bear Creek township and was early trained to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting during the spring and summer months, while in the winter season he attended the district schools. He remained under the parental roof until he reached mature years, when he began working out by the month as a farm hand. He was thus em- ployed for three years, when, having saved sufficient capital, he began farming on his own account. As his financial resources have permitted he has invested in land and today owns one hundred and sixty acres on section 6, Scott town- ship, where he resides, and eighty acres in Bear Creek township. Both tracts are improved with good buildings, and his fields are in a cultivable state, from which he annually gathers abundant harvests.
Mr. Hall was married in March, 1898. to Miss Nellie Robertson, who was born in Scott township, December 28, 1871, a daughter of Charles and Annie ( Gibbs) Robertson. both of whom were natives of Scotland but were reared and married in New York. The father came west with his family at an early day and accumulated three hundred and twenty acres of land in Poweshiek county. He died here in early life, in 1886, when but forty-five years of age, while his wife passed away in 1893 at the age of fifty-two. They had two daughters and a son : Nellie, now Mrs. Hall: Thomas, a resident of Scott town-
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ship; and Maggie, the wife of William Johnson, a resident of Brooklyn. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born four children: Lester, Grace, Ray and Lyle.
Politically Mr. Hall is a democrat. Having spent their entire lives in Powe- shiek county, both Mr. and Mrs. Hall are well and favorably known, having a wide circle of friends in their home locality.
WILLIAM MCCLURE.
The position which William McClure holds in the agricultural circles of Poweshiek county is indicated by the fact that for the past five years he has served as president of the Poweshiek County Central Agricultural Society of Malcom. He was born in Scott county, Iowa, in 1861, a son of James and Mary (Corrough ) McClure, both natives of County Down, Ireland. They were reared and married in their native country and later came to Iowa, locating in Scott county. Subsequently they took up their abode in Muscatine county. where the mother passed away in 1872, at the age of forty-six years. The father came to Poweshiek county in February. 1879, and here engaged in gen- eral farming for many years, making his home upon his farm two miles east of Malcom until the time of his death. which occurred about 1891, when he was sixty-nine years of age. He and his wife were the parents of ten chil- dren, seven sons and three daughters, of which number three sons and two daughters still survive.
William McClure, who was the fifth in order of birth, spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native county and there acquired his education. He has been a resident of Poweshiek county since February, 1879, when he came to this county with his father, with whom he resided on the old home- stead farm until twelve years ago, when he purchased his present home. His farm consists of three hundred and fifty-one acres, located on sections 23 and 14. and is a highly improved property, equipped with all modern conveniences. His fields are inclosed by neat. well kept fences, and upon the place are found a comfortable dwelling, a large barn, sixty-four by eighty feet, and substantial outbuildings. Everything about the place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. During the past three years he has rented his farm. He now rents his land but continues to live on his farm and gives his attention to his stock. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and so manages his interests that he is winning most gratifying success.
In October, 1908, Mr. McClure was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth ( Moses) Johnson, a daughter of Simon and Catharine Moses, her birth oc- curring in Monona, Iowa, on the 27th of July. 1876. Unto them have been born two children, Kathryn Elizabeth and William James. By a former mar- riage Mrs. McClure had a son, Raymond C. Johnson, now a lad six years of age.
Mr. MeChuire is well known in fraternal circles as a member of the Knights of Pythias and also of the Masonic order, belonging to Lily Lodge, No. 254.
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Imi m Clure.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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A. F. & A. M., and to Hyssop Chapter, R. A. M., both of Malcom. His relig- ious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and in politics he gives stalwart sup- port to the republican party. He is now serving as township trustee and for the past three years has acted as secretary of the township school board. In what- ever relation he has been found, whether in public, private or business life, he has ever manifested the most loyal and public-spirited citizenship, strongly advocating and upholding every measure which has for its object the material, political, intellectual or moral growth of the community. As president of the Poweshiek County Central Agricultural Association, which position he has oc- cupied for the past five years, he has come into contact with the farming ele- ment throughout the county and his efforts in behalf of progress and advance- ment along agricultural and kindred lines have been potent factors in stimulat- ing the interest and action of his fellowmen in that direction.
JOSEPH D. CARPENTER.
No resident of Poweshiek county has achieved greater success in agricul- tural pursuits than has Joseph D. Carpenter, whose beautiful home on section 3. Pleasant township, is one of the most attractive spots in this locality. He was born at Pownal, Vermont, and comes of old Revolutionary stock, his ancestors in both the paternal and maternal lines having fought in the war for independence. He was the only son of Joseph I. and Augusta E. (Gardner) Carpenter, who were also natives of Pownal, where the father's birth occurred in 1821 and the mother's in 1829. The latter, who passed away when her son was but three days old, was born on the old homestead on which her father and her son were both born. She was the daughter of Captain David Gardner. who died in 1866 at the age of eighty-two years, and a sister of Abram Gard- ner, lieutenant governor of Vermont at one time and also a well known and prominent lawyer of that state. The Gardner family was one of the first to settle at Pownal, Vermont, and the old homestead in which our subject was born, still remains in the family, being now owned by his cousin. Shortly after the death of his wife Joseph Carpenter went to Illinois, locating in Bureau county, and in 1857 he was joined by his son, who was reared in that county. The father engaged in the lumber business in Princeton until his son was eleven years of age, when they removed to a farm near that city and there he passed his remaining days. His death occurred at Princeton in Sep- tember, 1902. By a second marriage he had become the father of four sons and a daughter.
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