USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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Seymour W. Hix was the third in order of birth in a family of seven sons and three daughters and resided at the place of his nativity until nine- teen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal west- ward to Sycamore, De Kalb county, Illinois. In early life he had learned and followed the shoemaker's trade and after becoming a resident of Illi- nois he engaged in the produce business, shipping butter, eggs and poultry both during and after the war. He remained a resident of Sycamore until 1873, when he removed westward to Story county, Iowa, settling in Sher- man township, where he purchased and improved a section of land. Later he bought six quarter sections. He had five hundred and twenty acres in his home place and resided thereon for sixteen years, during which period three children were added to the family, while six children had been born ere the removal to Iowa. Upon the home farm Mr. Hix built the largest farm house in the county. It was three stories with basement in height and there were nine rooms on the first floor. There were two rooms, twenty feet
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square, and a hall the whole length of the house on the second floor. This was used as a ballrom and young people from all over the county were en- tertained there at many delightful social affairs. On one night there were a hundred couples attending a dance there and Mrs. Hix cooked supper for all. Mr. and Mrs. Hix followed a progressive and liberal policy with their children. They recognized the fact that young people demand and must have amusement and they did not place the ban upon many sources of en- tertainment which were largely condemned at an earlier day. They al- lowed their children to play cards and dance at home, knowing that such amusements in themselves are innocent and that it is only environment which can bring harm. That their policy was wise is indicated in the fact that their eight grown children are now good and substantial citizens-a credit to the communities in which they live.
Mr. Hix carried on farming on a very extensive scale for a number of years but at length sold out and erected the residence which his widow now occupies, making his home in Nevada from 1886 until the time of his death.
It was on the 24th of February, 1853, at Mayfield. Illinois, that Mr. Hix was married to Miss Laura Mumford, who was born in Nova Scotia, July 17, 1833, and when eight years of age went to Mayfield. Illinois, with her parents, Thomas and Sarah (Sillibeer ) Mumford, who were natives of Eng- land and on crossing the Atlantic to America settled in Nova Scotia. Later they became residents of Illinois, where their last days were spent. They had a family of five daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Hix lived to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They had nine children : Will- iam, now living in Deadwood, South Dakota; Walter W., a resident of Rhodes, Iowa; Amy, who is the wife of Asa Mead and resides two miles south of Nevada; Albert D., living in Zearing, Story county; Charles E., a resident of Mitchell, South Dakota ; Harry J., of Portland, Oregon : Susan. the wife of Frank Eddy. of Sherman township; Major E., who died at the age of six months ; and Sarah, the wife of Arthur Saunders, of Montana.
In politics Mr. Hix was a stanch democrat and held a number of local offices, yet never sought nor desired political preferment. The Hix home was known far and wide for its generous and lavish hospitality. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Hix ever refused any one a meal or a night's lodging. They, indeed, kept open house and always had extra plates on the table to be ready for any guests that might come in. In addition a large force of workmen were employed on the farm in the operation of the hay presses and at times they were kept busy all winter. The threshers, too, were employed for a long period, for Mr. Hix carried on farming extensively.
In religious faith Mr. Hix was a Universalist and his wife still belongs to the same church. He was a man of very generous and kindly spirit. who gave liberally to the poor and needy and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who needed assistance. His warm heart reached out in sympathy to all and was evidenced in tangible and ready aid. Some one
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has said: "Not the good that comes to ns but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judged in this way as well as in the more material things of the business life Mr. Hix was a most successful man.
Mrs. Hix still survives her husband and spends much of her time in visiting among her children. She is extremely active for one of her age and travels alone, three times having visited Portland, Oregon. She has twenty-three grandchildren living and five great-grandchildren. Her hus- band left her in very comfortable financial circumstances and she is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Sherman township. No history of Story county would be complete without mention of Mr. and Mrs. Hix, for no home has been more hospitable and none have been more free in according to friend and stranger a warm welcome than this worthy and honored couple.
RICHARD WILLIAMS.
The life of any man who has forged his way to a position of responsi- bility through his own exertions is worthy of record. It teaches the im- portance of industry and self-reliance, as without these characteristics very little can be accomplished in the modern world. Richard Williams has from his boyhood been industrious and self-reliant, hence he over- came many obstacles and is today well established as one of the success- ful farmers of Story county. Born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 23, 1849, he is the son of Robert K. and Martha ( Brannum) Williams, the former a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Fair- field county, Ohio. The parents removed to Hancock county, Ohio, in 1851, when the subject of this review was two years old and there the father died in 1860. Subsequently the mother took up her residence with her children and passed away at Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 6, 1907.
Richard Williams was educated in the common schools of the Buckeye state and continued at home until he arrived at maturity. In 1872, after having married, he came west by wagon, bringing his household effects with him, and located in Collins township, Story county, Iowa. He began farming upon rented land and in 1874 had acquired sufficient capital to purchase forty acres, which is now a part of his present farm. He has since made several purchases of adjoining land and at the present time is the owner of a beautiful farm of two hundred and forty-three acres, which he has developed from its original state of virgin prairie until it is one of the most valuable farms in the township. He is equally successful both as an agriculturist and stock-raiser and as he keeps thoroughly informed concerning the most advanced methods and the best available markets, his opinion is much sought by those who desire to keep fully abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to agricultural interests.
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On the 28th of September, 1871. Mr. Williams was united in marriage in Hancock county, Ohio, to Miss Mary Downing, a daughter of George Downing, a record of whom is presented in the sketch of Ellsworth Down- ing in this work. By this union six children have been born, three of whom are now living: Cora E., the wife of J. H. Lafferty, of New Al- bany township ; Jesse M., at home; and Hattie, now the wife of J. C. Mc- Cord, also of New Albany township.
Mr. Williams has never devoted much time to politics, but he gives his adherence to the republican party as the one best qualified to advance the welfare of the nation. Alert and progressive, he is thoroughly alive as to the possibilities of the county and state of his adoption. A man of hope- ful disposition, good judgment and well established character, he fully deserves the recognition he receives as a patriotic and energetic citizen who never seeks to advance his personal interest to the injury of another.
HENRY THOMPSON.
On the old Thompson homestead in Howard township stands the house which has the distinction of having been the home of four generations of that family and the birthplace of three. The present resident. Henry Thompson, was born there on the 9th of June, 1860, and is therefore not only a native son of Story county, but of Howard township, where he still continues to make his home. He is the son of Paul and Enger ( Ilelga- son ) Thompson, both natives of Norway, the father having been born in 1829 and the mother in 1825. Paul Thompson came to the United States in 1847 and located in Kendall county, Illinois, where he remained for . seven years, at the end of which period he came to Story county, Iowa, and worked as a farm hand until 1856, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. His entire quarter section was unbroken and umimproved prairie when he obtained it, but close applica- tion and hard work soon transformed it into well tilled fields, whose har- vests yielded him the means to add to his acreage so that at the time of his retirement in 1902 he owned three hundred and sixty acres of thor- oughly cultivated and well improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were married in 1851 and so have long since passed their fiftieth wedding an- niversary. Three chikiren were born of their union: Thomas Henry, our subject : Edward, deceased; and one who died in infancy. The family always attend the services of the Lutheran church, of which the parents are communicants and Mr. Thompson one of the organizers. After ac- quiring the full rights of citizenship he affiliated with the republican party. He was always a public-spirited man and took a warm interest in politics. serving many years as township trustee and also as one of the school di- rectors in his district. In addition to his landed interests, he is a stock-
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holder in the Roland Savings Bank and the Roland Creamery. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson now live in Roland, enjoying the comfort and leisure pro- cured by the diligence and economy of their early years. They have many friends by whom they are highly regarded.
Henry Thompson spent his early years in the unvaried routine which characterizes country life. He obtained his education in the district schools of Howard township and remained a member of his father's household. At twenty-two years of age he undertook the supervision of the home farm, which he continues to operate. In addition to the three hundred and sixty acres belonging to his father he has bought one hundred and sixty of his own, so that he now cultivates five hundred and twenty acres. He devotes a great deal of attention to the breeding and raising of shorthorns as well as to the breeding and feeding of hogs.
Mr. Thompson has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Lizzie Erickson, by whom he had two children. Amanda is now the wife of A. J. Severson, Story City, and the mother of two children, Paul and Lillian Josephine. Emma married L. E. Quam and has four children : Lucille, Tessie, Hazel and Leverne. Mrs. Thompson passed away in 1885. For his second helpmate Mr. Thompson chose Sarah Ann Watney and they have become the parents of five children: Paul, a graduate of the Iowa State University ; Elliot ; Cyrus ; Milton ; and Ervin.
The family attend the Lutheran church. Ever since he attained his majority Mr. Thompson has cast his ballot for the candidates of the re- publican party, and he has been honored by election to the office of town- ship trustee. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits and in addition to his real-estate holdings is a stockholder in the Farmers Sav- ings Bank and the Roland Creamery.
COMMODORE PERRY McQUISTON.
It has been forty-five years since Commodore Perry McQuiston took up his residence on the farm in Collins township on which he now lives. Today he sees beautiful homes and fertile fields yielding abundant har- vests where formerly roamed the wolf, the deer or other wild animals of the forest or prairie. Mr. McQuiston has been instrumental in bringing about this wonderful transformation. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, March 1, 1829, a son of John and Nancy ( Bowers) McQuiston, both natives of Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania. About 1843 the father removed with his family to La Grange county, Indiana, where he died ten years later.
The subject of this review continued in charge of the home farm until it was sold and in 1855, having previously married, he started with his wife, mother, brothers and sisters and three other families in search of
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more favorable opportunities in the great west. The party came to Jasper county, lowa, traveling by wagon and camping out at night en route. The mother purchased forty acres of land, which one of her sons-in-law cul- tivated. and she made her home in his family. Subsequently she lived around among her children, being called away November 1, 1887, in her eighty-ninth year, while stopping with the subject of this review.
Commodore Perry McQuiston devoted his attention during the first two years after arriving in Jasper county principally to making shingles and ax handles. At the end of that time he and his brother Silas pur- chased seventy acres of land which they divided between them, their farms being located in Jasper county on the Story county line. Here Mr. Mc- Quiston continued for ten or twelve years, when he traded his place for sixty acres in Collins township, Story county, and subsequently bought forty acres adjoining, making an attractive farm of one hundred acres, upon which he has since lived continuously. He is a man of acknowledged ability, upright character and moral worth.
On the 9th of May. 1850, Mr. McQuiston was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Henning, a daughter of Jacob Henning, a farmer of La Grange county, Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McQuiston twelve children have been born, seven of whom are now living, namely: Eli, of Jasper county ; John Q., who now has charge of his father's place; Charles L. and George W., both farmers of Collins township; Dora M., who is the widow of Thomas Holmes and is now living with her father ; Commodore Perry, of Aitkin county, Minnesota; and Sarah E., the wife of George Vasey, of Jasper county.
Mr. McQuiston is an earnest supporter of the republican party, and although his attention has been taken up mainly with his own affairs, he has served with great acceptance as road supervisor and member of the school board. He and his wife are thoroughly respected by their neigh- bors and friends on account of their genial, hospitable characteristics, no needy stranger ever being turned from their door empty-handed. He has from his boyhood been active, industrious and efficient and now has the satisfaction of knowing that through his well applied energy he and his estimable wife are amply provided for during the remainder of their lives.
ISAAC H. ATKINSON.
The name of Atkinson has for more than fifty years been familiar to the inhabitants of Story county. The family having come here in pioneer clays. Isaac 11. Atkinson, the son of Eli and Jestine ( Moore ) Atkinson, was born in Knox county, Ilinois, on the 4th of October. 1856. His father was a native of Clark county, Ohio, and his mother of Tazewell county, West Virginia. They removed to Knox county, Illinois, with their re-
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spective parents when children and there were reared and married. In 1847 they came to Story county, where they lived for one year and then went to Missouri for a year, at the end of which time they returned to Knox county, Illinois, where they resided for twelve years. In 1862 they again came to Story county, locating in Palestine township, but in the spring of 1870 they went to Jasper county and for twelve years were resi- dents of the latter place. They migrated to Gutherie county, Nebraska, in 1886 and later went to Washington and Montana. Our subject's mother has passed away and since October, 1908, the father has made his home with his son Isaac.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, the Rev. Isaac Atkinson, was a Methodist minister and came to Story county with his son Eli when the latter first migrated from Illinois and made his home here during the re- mainder of his life. Not having any means of conveyance, he traveled all over Story county on foot in order to carry the gospel to the people. The story of Christ was told in the log cabin, the primitive schoolhouse, and sometimes in a clearing in the forest-God's first temple. Mr. Atkinson was widely known and highly esteemed throughout the district in which he so long resided. It was said of him that he had conducted more funeral services during the many years he ministered to the spiritual needs of the people than any other divine in the state. During the last thirty-five or forty years of his life he was afflicted with total blindness but no mere physical infirmity could vanquish a spirit such as his and despite the diffi- culties he encountered in going from place to place he continued to preach the word of God. In 1884 he passed away. He was living in Jasper county at the time, where he had removed late in life from the old home- stead in Palestine township, this county.
Isaac H. Atkinson, who represents the third generation bearing this name in Story county, was reared at home. His boyhood and youth were very similar to those of all pioneer farmer boys attending the district school, which was conducted in a log schoolhouse very unlike the modern school buildings seen on the Iowa prairies. He assisted in the work of the farm and enjoyed such recreations as fell to the lot of the young people of his day.
On the 7th of August, 1881. Mr. Atkinson married Miss Mary Boitnott, and immediately after this event he began farming on his own account as a renter, but at the end of four years they went to Nebraska and preempted one hundred and sixty acres in Frontier county, where they continued to live for nine years. In 1894 they returned to Story county and remained here for two years, at the end of which time they again removed to Ne- braska, residing there until 1900, when they sold their preemption. Re- turning to this county they rented the farm in Indian Creek township where they still live and which they now own, having bought it in 1904. It is one of the fine farms of the locality, containing one hundred and forty-eight acres of well improved and valuable land.
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Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are the parents of nine children: Gertie, the wife of Fred Lakin, living in Kansas; Lee, of Colo, this county ; Sidney, who lives in Indian Creek township; Guy, of MeCallsburg, also of this county ; Archie, George and Devere at home, George being a student in the high school; and Lois and Gerald. The family attend the services of the Christian church, of which the parents are members. Mr. Atkinson is a republican in his political views, feeling that party's policy of protec- tion best subserves the interests of the agriculturist, and while he fulfills his duty as a citizen by casting a vote at each election, he has never sought any reward for party fealty in the way of political honors. His fraternal relations are confined to membership in Sylvan Camp, M. W. A. He is one of those unobtrusive, reliable and substantial citizens highly esteemed and respected throughout the community in which he lives because he can at all times be depended upon to fulfill his duty as he sees it to his coun- try and fellowmen.
JOHN THOMPSON.
John Thompson, of Collins, who is well known in financial and business circles in Story and adjacent counties, has achieved a gratifying measure of success and is today numbered among the prosperous and progressive men whose work has redounded to his credit and to that of the community. Born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 14, 1841, he is a son of William and Margaret (Moorehead ) Thompson. both natives of Venango county, Pennsylvania. They were reared in Venango county and subsequently came to Red Rock, Iowa, but later returned to Ohio and lived for various periods in Wayne, Stark and Hancock counties. In 1851 the father crossed the plains to the California gold fields and spent twenty-six years on the Pacific coast, at the end of which time he came to Des Moines, and finally settled in Jasper county, lowa, where he passed away at the age of eighty- seven years. The mother was called to her reward at the age of seventy- five years.
John Thompson continued at home until he arrived at manhood. In 186t he came to Jasper county, lowa, and a year later went to Ohio, re- turning with his mother. The Civil war was then in progress and three of his brothers were at the front serving in the cause of the Union, but the subject of this review decided to remain at home to take care of his mother. llis financial resources were extremely limited and he began farming as a renter, cultivating the land to such good advantage that after four years he purchased forty acres in Clear Creek township, which he im- proved and sold, buying another tract of forty acres in the same county. In about 1872 he purchased eighty acres on section 32, Collins township, Story county, later adding forty acres also on section 32, and making ad-
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN THOMPSON
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ditional purchases until he became the owner of a beautiful farm of two hundred acres, which he improved and cultivated with highly gratifying results. In October, 1898, he removed to Collins, where he has since re- sided. For the past sixteen years he has been engaged in the banking busi- ness and has gained an acknowledged standing in financial circles on ac- count of the ability he has displayed in this line.
On the ist day of January, 1866, Mr. Thompson was united in mar- riage to Miss Ann Elizabeth Angelo, a daughter of Samuel W. and Rhoda (Burwell) Angelo, a record of whom appears in the sketch of J. B. Angelo, which is presented elsewhere in this work. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson : Walter H., and Rhoda E., the wife of Edward Jones of Collins. Mr. Thompson belongs to the liberal branch of the democratic party and reserves the right to vote for a candidate irrespec- tive of political lines. He served for a number of years as member of the school board. He is identified with Fervent Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Odd Fellows. He and his wife are stanch members of the Christian church, of which he is trustee and elder.
The career of Mr. Thompson is a striking example of the effect of well directed energy and persistent purpose and should be an inspiration to any young man who is obliged to face the world and has nothing to depend upon but his own strong constitution and an unalterable determination to win. The silent influence of a noble life no mortal can tell and it is with unfeigned pleasure that the sketch of one of Story county's most honored citizens is herewith presented.
BERT B. WELTY.
Bert B. Welty, for twelve years past in the active practice of law in Nevada and also prominent as a business man, was born at Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, May 31. 1871. He comes of Teutonic ancestry and is a son of Christian C. and Susan (Poffenberger ) Welty, both of whom were natives of Washington county. Maryland. The father was a farmer, and at the time of the Civil war, on account of his sympathy with the Union cause and also because of depredations by soldiers of both armies, who took his live stock, he lost the accumulations of years. In 1870 he re- moved to Ogle county, Illinois, living there until 1881, when he took up his residence in State Center, Marshall county, Iowa. In 1882, however, he located at Johnson's Grove in Richland township, Story county, Iowa, where he was actively engaged in farming until 1899, when he retired to Colo, Iowa, continuing there until 1907, when he passed away at the age of eighty years. He was a man of rugged physique and many sterling qualities that greatly endeared him to those with whom he was associated. Vol. II-7
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The mother of our subject departed this life in January, 1906, at the age of seventy years. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran church.
There were seven children in their family, namely: Daniel D., who is now living on the farm of his brother; Harvey A., of Spirit Lake, Iowa, who engaged in teaching for a number of years and is also actively identi- fied with agricultural interests; Ira C., of Nevada, who has been county superintendent of schools and is now devoting his attention to his land interests; Dora May, deceased ; Bert B., the subject of this review; David Guy, of Nevada, who has also taught school and is a stock-buyer and landowner; and Gertrude \'., the wife of A. B. Alderman, of Marion, Iowa, who for some years past has served as county superintendent of schools.
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