USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 9
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JOHN CAUDLE.
One of the enterprising young agriculturists of Poweshiek county is John Caudle, who is engaged in general farming in Union township. He was born in Sugar Creek township, this county, on the 4th of August, 1882, and is a son of Jacob C. and Mary (Watson) Caudle, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of Sugar Creek township. Jacob C. Caudle, who was a farmer. migrated to Iowa in his early manhood and located in Poweshiek county. He first engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sugar Creek township, where he rented land and later he bought a farm which he cultivated for a time. On disposing of it he bought the place in Union township upon which his son John now resides. The father is now living retired in New Sharon, Iowa, but the mother passed away on the 23d of June, 1892. Three children were born of this union: Cora, who is the wife of Alford Allen, of Sugar Creek township: Hattie, who is deceased; and John. our subject. The fam-
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ily worshipped with the Baptist denomination, of which church Mr. Caudle is a member, while in politics he is a democrat and has served as a member of the school board.
The education of John Caudle was acquired in the district schools in the vicinity of his home. After he had obtained a sufficient knowledge of the common branches to enable him to assume the heavier responsibilities of life he laid aside his text-books and gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. He continued to remain at home with his father until he was twenty- three years of age and then rented land, which he cultivated until 1906, when he purchased his present farm of his father. This contains fifty acres of land. all of which is under a good state of cultivation and well rewards the efforts of Mr. Caudle, who is engaged in general farming.
In Union township on the Ist of April, 1906, Mr. Caudle married Miss Rosie Elmira Vought, a daughter of Robert and Jennie (Johnson) Vought. Her father is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in the vicinity of Pitts- burg, and her mother of Iowa. Mr. Vought, who is a farmer, in his early manhood located in Missouri but later came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, locating in Union township, where he continues to be engaged in agricultural pursuits. He votes the democratic ticket and Mrs. Vought belongs to the Christian church. Their daughter, Mrs. Caudle, is a native of Poweshiek county, having been born in Union township on the 14th of July, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Caudle have two children: Mary Elnora, who was born on the Ist of October, 1907 ; and Fannie Christine, whose birth occurred on the 18th of August, 1909.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Caudle affiliate with the Christian church and be votes with the democracy, feeling that their policy is best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. Since starting out in life for himself Mr. Caudle has given evidence of possessing the perseverance and foresight as well as executive ability essential for success in any vocation.
PHILIP HEISHMAN.
Some men are endowed at birth with the faculty for business which is further developed by practical experience, and naturally become leaders in the community. To this class belongs Philip Heishman, of Sheridan township. He was born in Hardy county, Virginia, now West Virginia, May 29, 1838, a son of Philip and Rebecca (Bowers) Heishman. The parents were both natives of Hardy county and spent their entire lives in that county. The father died at the age of eighty-two years, the mother having been called away twenty years previously. The grandparents were John and Mary Heishman, natives of Germany, who came to America and settled in West Virginia.
Philip Heishman spent his boyhood years on his father's farm, and con- tinted there until he was married. He then began farming on his own account upon rented land. In 1861 he answered the call of the south, enlisting as a private in Company I, Eighteenth Virginia Cavalry. For four years he wore the gray, serving on scout duty on the left flank under Stonewall Jackson, and
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later under General Early. He participated in a number of prominent battles and in skirmishes in the Shenandoah Valley and was captured at Winchester, January 3, 1863, and conducted as a prisoner of war to Harper's Ferry. Later he was confined at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, where for two months he en- joyed northern hospitality. Then he was confined at Fort Delaware, where he remained a prisoner of war until June 20, 1865, when he was released and re- turned to his home, via Baltimore, Maryland. After laying aside the accouter- ments of war he took up farming and after two years removed to Delaware county, Indiana, where he rented land for ten years. Having accumulated sufficient capital, he came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, in 1877 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township, upon which is now his homestead. At various times he acquired more land until he is the owner of six hundred acres in the garden spot of Iowa, four hundred acres of which are located in section 13, eighty aeres in section 11, and forty acres in section 14, of Sheridan township, and eighty acres in section 18, Madison township. The land is well drained and excellent buildings have been erected, the farm being one of the largest and best in this part of the county. All of the land is under cultivation. Mr. Heishman is an extensive raiser of corn, oats and grass. He is also a large breeder of horses and of full-blooded Duroc Jersey hogs. He feeds three hundred head of hogs yearly and also feeds three carloads of cattle for the market each winter. As is readily to be seen, he farms upon an ex- ceptionally large scale and prides himself on the fact that he has never gone into debt for a single acre of the land he now owns.
On the 9th of June, 1859, Mr. Heishman was united in marriage in Hardy county, Virginia, to Miss Maggie Richman, a daughter of Daniel and Lydia Richman, the father being a farmer of Hardy county. Eleven children were born to this union, seven of whom are now living, namely: Alice, who became the wife of N. P. Boyle, a farmer of Grundy county, Iowa ; Andrew J., at home ; Elmer C., who is a farmer and lives in Grinnell; William H., who engages in farming near the old homestead; John L., also a farmer, residing near Grinnell; Augustus, who is engaged in farming near Brooklyn; and Ernest, at home. The mother of these children died April 7, 1890, and Mr. Heishman was married December 8, 1892, to Mrs. Catharine (Shank) Miller, a daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Mason) Shank, natives of Rockingham county, Virginia, where Mrs. Heishman was born and reared. In 1876 she came west with her former husband, John M. Miller, to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and Mr. Miller died at his home in this county June 8, 1887. At the time of her marriage to Mr. Heishman she had four daughters; Ida, Betty, Sally and Mary. The first three daughters married three of the sons of Mr. Heishman; Ida became Mrs. William H. Heishman; Sally became Mrs. Ernest Heishman ; and Betty mar- ried Augustus Heishman. John L., another of the sons of Mr. Heishman, mar- ried Miss Anna Miller. By his second marriage Mr. Heishman has three sons : Clifford P., Lester J. and Elza F., all of whom are living at home.
Politically Mr. Heishman gives his support to the republican party and all of his sons vote in support of the same organization. He served as town- ship trustee for six years and for the past thirty-four years has uninterruptedly filled the office of member of the school board in District No. 6, Sheridan town-
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ship. His son, William H. Heishman, also holds membership on the same board. Mr. Heishman has passed the Psalmist's span of three score and ten years, but he is still actively interested in business affairs and his advice is eagerly sought by neighbors and friends who regard his opinion on many sub- jects as final. By a life of industry and by his constant regard for the wel- fare of others he has earned the place he holds as one of the highly respected citizens of central Iowa.
GEORGE H. HAMLIN.
George H. Hamlin is cashier of the Merchants National Bank but the per- formance of his duties in that connection do not by any means indicate the extent of his activities nor the breadth of his usefulness as a citizen of Grinnell. One of the native sons of this city, he was born October 23, 1855, his father being Homer Hamlin, one of the four founders of Grinnell and well known as a promi- nent and honored resident of Poweshiek county. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm and his early education was supplemented by study in the high school of Grinnell. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in the days of his boyhood and youth.
When old enough to handle the plow, he began work in the fields and con- tinued to assist in the cultivation of the crops until his seventeenth year, when, feeling that he would find other pursuits more congenial and profitable, he sought employment clsewhere, entering the First National Bank of Grinnell as teller. He filled the position for ten years and in 1883, upon the organization of the Mer- chants National Bank, he was elected cashier and business manager of the new institution, in which he has served continuously for more than twenty years, hav- ing complete control of the bank's policy throughout the entire time. He is today recognized by bankers and business men generally as one of the ablest finan- ciers of this section of the state and under his guidance the Merchants National Bank has met with remarkable success, being by far the largest banking institu- tion of the county and the largest national bank between Davenport and Des Moines on the Rock Island railroad. A general banking business is conducted and progressive methods are instituted whenever the interests of the depositors and patrons can be better safeguarded, or the business of the bank promoted along substantial lines. The policy maintained has ever been such as to com- mend the bank to the confidence and patronage of the public, and its success is attributable in large measure to Mr. Hamlin.
On the 12th of January, 1881, Mr. Hamlin was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie R. Bonsall, of Grinnell, a foster daughter of Dr. S. C. Cravath, president of the Merchants National Bank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin are members of the Congregational church, in which he is serving as a trustee. They are also prominent in social circles of the city and their own home is the abode of a warm- hearted and generous hospitality.
In politics Mr. Hamlin is a republican and has served as a member of the town council and as town treasurer. He was also for several years a member of the
GEORGE II. HAMLIN
TILL-1
A IONS.
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board of education and the public schools have found in him a stalwart champion. He was one of the principal factors in the organization of the Poweshiek County Agricultural Society and served for years as treasurer and secretary of the so- ciety. He is now one of the park commissioners of Grinnell and is a member of the Commercial Club. He is actively interested in every movement of that or- ganization for the upbuilding and benefit of the city and both individually and in connection with others, he does everything in his power to promote the work of general progress. His labors have been far-reaching and beneficial, and he is justly accounted one of the most prominent residents of this city.
JOHN C. MANLY.
No history of Poweshiek county would be complete without the record of John C. Manly, whose life illustrates clearly what may be accomplished when determination and force of character constitute the foundation for advancement. Starting out in life without the aid of wealth or influential friends, he sought ever to do faithfully the duty nearest his hand, and his capable service won him gradual promotion in business when he was in the employ of others and led to the expansion of his own interests when he started out independently. He came eventually to be recognized as one of the most prominent and suc- cessful grain and lumber dealers of the state, and while developing his in- dividual interests, contributed in substantial measure to the growth and pros- perity of various sections of Iowa.
Mr. Manly was born in Schenectady; New York, on the 15th of May, 1846, his parents being Dominick and Margaret (Manly) Manly. The father was a native of England and the mother of Ireland, and in early manhood and wo- manhood they crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Dominick Manly en- gaged in construction work in early life and for years was foreman with va- rious concerns engaged in canal and railroad building. He died in 1851 at a comparatively early age and the mother afterward married again, becoming the wife of John Manly. This is rather a strange coincidence as both her husbands bore the name of Manly and yet there was no relation between any of them. Her second husband was like her first one a railroad builder. The leath of Mrs. Manly occurred in Belvidere, Illinois, about 1895, when she had reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years.
John C. Manly spent his youthful days in his mother's home and was about seven years of age when he accompanied his mother and stepfather on the removal from Buffalo, New York, to Chicago, where his stepfather was employed by Bristol & Holton, who had been the contractors in the widening of the Erie canal and had removed to the west to engage in railroad building, having the contract for the construction of the Chicago, Galena & Union Rail- road. now a part of the Northwestern system. After the building of this road the Manly family finally located at Marengo, Illinois, where John C. Manly attained his majority. He supplemented his early educational privileges by study in Marengo high school and in Euphemia Hall Academy at Marengo.
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As early as his eleventh or twelfth year he was employed, when not in school, in one of the stores in Marengo and subsequently entered the telegraph office, learning telegraphy. He followed that profession for several years in the em- ploy of the Northwestern Railroad Company, and on the outbreak of the Civil war went to the front with General Stephen A. Hulbert, whose home was in Belvidere, Illinois, as telegraph operator, General Hulbert being assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. They went to Memphis, where Mr. Manly re- mained for about a year, at the end of which time General Forrest made a raid and entered the city, at which time General Veach was placed in command to succeed General Hulbert and Mr. Manly returned home. He again secured a position as telegraph operator on the Northwestern and afterward was em- ployed as a clerk in the freight office in Chicago where he was stationed for seven years, within which period he won promotion to the position of head bill clerk.
In 1871 Mr. Manly left that city to come to Iowa, in the employ of the Cen- tral Railroad Company of this state, being made agent at Oskaloosa. A year later he was sent to Marshalltown as master of transportation of the road and continued in that capacity for about a year, when he became general agent of the road with offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he remained until 1876, when he returned to Marshalltown as general freight agent of the road, occupy- ing that position acceptably until 1879, when he resigned to accept the position of general agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with headquarters at Des Moines. While serving in that capacity he had much to do with the building of the road from Albia to Des Moines and with the pur- chasing of terminal facilities at the capital city. In 1880 he was appointed as- sistant superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, his division being from Ottumwa to Creston, with all of the branches of that line. He thus rep- resented the company until 1882, when he resigned to engage in the lumber and grain business in Lineville, Iowa, and the year following removed to Grin- nell. He became identified with Henry B. Gifford in the operation of a line of elevators and lumber yards throughout Iowa, under the firm name of Gifford & Manly, and during the years that followed they laid out towns, built depots under contract with railroads and steadily pushed forward the wheels of pro- gress, their labors constituting not only a source of individual profit but also an important element in the general upbuilding and prosperity of the state. In all things Mr. Manly has shown himself to be a man of initiative and enter- prising spirit. Ile readily recognizes and improves an opportunity and in the conduct of the grain and lumber business he won a position among the fore- most representatives of commercial interests in the state. About ten years ago he and his partner disposed of their elevators and retired from active participa- tion in business affairs, so that Mr. Manly is now enjoying a well earned and well merited rest.
It was impossible, however, for him to cease to be a factor in the public life of the community. While not active in business at present, he is a director of the Merchants National Bank of Grinnell and is also well known as a lead- ing republican of Poweshiek county. In the fall of 1898 he was elected county supervisor and served in that capacity for four terms, or twelve consecutive
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years, his reelection being incontrovertible proof of the ability he displayed and the faith reposed in him by his constituents. He has also filled the office of town councilman of Grinnell for seven or eight years and for an extended period has been a member of the school board, serving both as trustee and president of the board. Whatever he undertakes, whether of a public or private nature, is sure to meet success, for his determined purpose will brook no obstacles that can be overcome by honorable effort. When one avenue seems closed he searches out another path that leads him to the goal of what he seeks.
In 1876 Mr. Manly was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Carter, of Wood- stock, Vermont, and this union has been blessed with three sons and one daugh- ter: Carter, who is engaged in the clothing business at West Union, Iowa ; Mary F., the wife of K. W. Blow, a salesman of buggies in Grinnell ; John C., Jr., also of this city ; and Charles M., who is a law student in Drake University at Des Moines.
Fraternally Mr. Manly is connected with Grinnell Lodge, No. 358, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of Fidelity Encampment, No. 118, and Rebekah Lodge, No. 119, all of Grinnell. He is also connected with Grinnell Lodge, No. 175, K. P. and is most loyal to the teachings and principles of those organizations. He has a very wide acquaintance not only in Grinnell and Poweshiek county but throughout the state and his worth as a man and citizen is recognized by all who know him.
FRANK E. TERRELL.
One of Poweshiek county's native sons who has successfully directed his activities along agricultural lines is Frank E. Terrell, a well known stockman of Union township. His birth occurred in the township where he is now re- siding on the 23d of September, 1864, his parents being Christopher C. and Martha Ann ( McCoy) Terrell, who were both natives of Highland county, Ohio. The father's natal day was the 30th of May, 1819, and that of the mother the 14th of March, 1822. Christopher C. Terrell, who was a physician, pursued his professional studies in the Cincinnati Medical College, from which institution he received the degree of M. D. Following his graduation he first engaged in practice in Leesburg, Ohio, going from there to Martinsburg, where he met the lady who subsequently became his wife. In 1856 he removed with his family to Forest Home, Union township, Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until he retired. Here the mother passed away on the 23d of May, 1882, but the father survived until the 28th of February, 1897. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom are living : Charles W., who is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Mary Esther, who became the wife of John A. Griffith, of Montana; Ida, who married Isaac H. Saunders, of Union township; and Frank E., our subject. Among those deceased were Nancy Jane, Lois, Thomas, Andrew, Victoria and Era. The mother was a Presbyterian, while the father was a member of the Christian church. Fraternally Dr. Terrell was identified with the Independent Order of
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Odd Fellows and the Masonic order. He was a public-spirited man, always took an active interest in local politics and was several times elected to minor township offices, his support being given to the candidates of the republican party.
After the completion of his preliminary education, in the acquireinent of which he attended the public schools, Frank E. Terrell studied at lowa Col- lege, Grinnell and Penn College, Oskaloosa, Iowa. Early having decided to be- come an agriculturist after the completion of his education he worked on a farm for a time and then rented his present homestead, which in 1897 he pur- chased. It contains one hundred and fifty-five acres, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation and which is known as Woodland Stock Farm. Here Mr. Terrell devotes practically his entire attention to the breed- ing and raising of fancy shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.
Mr. Terrell was married in Poweshiek county, this state, on the 18th of No- vember, 1884, to Miss Irene Benson, a daughter of George and Josephine ( Ben- son ) Benson, natives of Jamestown, Ohio. They came to lowa during pioneer days, locating in Lucas county, where the father engaged in agricultural pur- suits for several years. From there they went to Oregon, of which state Mrs. Terrell is a native, her birth having occurred in Salem on the 18th of January. 1865. Mr. Benson continued to follow farming in the west until his demise, following which Mrs. Benson, who is now living in Forest Home, returned to Iowa. The family affiliated with the Christian church, while Mr. Benson gave his political support to the republican party. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Terrell have been born five children: Coleman C., a resident of Charles City, lowa, who married Miss Adela Miller : Martha, who married Joseph Miller, of Sugar Creek township : G. Clark, who is living at home : Lillian, at home ; and Pauline. who also resides at home.
Ever since granted the full rights of citizenship Mr. Terrell has given his support to the men and measures of the republican party. He is now serving as township trustee and always takes an active and helpful interest in all public movements the adoption of which he feels will promote the intellectual or moral welfare of the community.
JAY R. ORCUTT.
Jay R. Orcutt, conducting a general hardware and implement business in Searsboro, lowa, is meeting with success in this line of activity and at the same time his efforts have been a factor in the commercial development of the town. He is a native of Poweshiek county, his birth having occurred in Sheridan township on the 9th of May, 1883, his parents being Lewis and Anna D. (Hart- zell) Orcutt. The father was born in Rome, New York, on the 27th of May, 1836, and the mother in Rock Island, Illinois, January 20, 1849. Early`in life they came to Poweshiek county, locating in Sheridan township. The father was a farmer by occupation and was the owner of a well developed farm, to the cultivation of which he gave his attention until the time of his demise. He
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passed away in 1885. His wife still survives him and makes her home in Grin- nell. Mr. Orcutt was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also Mrs. Orcutt, and he gave his political support to the republican party. In their family were three children, namely : Helen Mildred, who was born January 18, 1880, and passed away August 5, 1887; Lewis Percival, born October 27, 1881. whose death occurred August 5, 1900; and Jay Reginald, of this review. By a former marriage Mr. Orcutt had three children: Detta, deceased ; Charles, of Grinnell : and Frank, of Minnesota.
In the school of Sheridan township and Grinnell, Iowa, Jay R. Orcutt re- ceived an excellent education, passing through consecutive grades, and later entered the college at Grinnell, from which he was graduated. With this good general information to serve as a preparation for life's practical and responsi- ble duties he took his first step in the business world in connection with the real- estate and insurance business, in which he was associated with J. J. Muller for about one year. At the expiration of that period he accepted a position as travelling salesman for the Gale Manufacturing Company of Albion, Michigan, and was on the road for two years, after which, on the 17th of July, 1908, he purchased the hardware stock of Moody & Son, in Searsboro, and has since conducted business on his own account. He has greatly increased his stock and now deals in hardware, agricultural implements, builders' supplies, etc., and his trade is constantly growing in volume and importance, being one of the prosperous enterprises of this town. He is a shrewd young business man and his ability and untiring efforts have added much to the growth of trade in this community.
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