USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
Bert B. Welty was reared on his father's farm and thoroughly in- structed by him in all details pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. He attended the district schools and taught for several terms. He was a student in the lowa State Normal School, at Cedar Falls, from which he was graduated in 1896. Having decided to devote his attention to the legal profession, he matriculated at the lowa State University in the fall of 1896, graduating with a degree of LL. B. in June, 1898. He at once began practice at Nevada and possessing natural adaptability for law and also having made thorough preparation in one of the most noted schools in the west, he has met with gratifying success from the very start. He is the owner of a farm east of Nevada of two hundred and forty-five acres, where he maintains a noted herd of Shetland ponies, to which he has devoted a great deal of attention, having made two trips to the Shet- land Islands, Scotland, for the purpose of selecting and importing pedi- greed stock. He has arranged for a trip to the islands with his family in 1911. He also owns eighty acres in Sherman township and an interest in the Highland Park addition to Nevada, being associated in the latter enterprise with Judge C. G. Lee and P. E. Shugart. He has other busi- ness connections and has shown a judgment and discrimination in finan- cial affairs which give great promise for his success along those lines in the future.
In June, 1900, Mr. Welty was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Shoemaker. a native of Indiana and daughter of Daniel and Mattie (Baer) Shoemaker, who came to Iowa in 1880. Four children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Welty: Esther M., born September 2, 1901 ; Paul B., February 28, 1904; Mildred A., July 13, 1906; and Joseph P., who was born January 9. 1910, and died July 1, 1910.
Mr. Welty is a member of the Story County Bar Association and po- litically gives his earnest support to the republican party. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. Frater- nally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America, and he is a strong advocate of the beneficent principles of those organizations. He has attained a high position in professional
137
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
and business circles, and, being a man of unusual energy and determina- tion, his friends prophesy for him a brilliant future. Thoroughly honor- able and straightforward, he is always loyal to his convictions, never swerv- ing from what he believes to be just and right. It is men of his class, possessing virility, intelligence and progressiveness that add to the pros- perity of the county, state and union.
CHARLES J. PORTER.
In Scott county. Iowa, on the 27th of September, 1855, was born Charles J. Porter, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Sykes) Porter. The father was an Irishman by birth but the mother was a native of England, both coming to this country after reaching maturity. The mother was a widow when she married Mr. Porter, her first husband being a Mr. Todd, with whom she had lived in New York city for several years, but after his death she removed to Iowa and here she met and married Mr. Porter. In 1867 they removed to Story county, locating on eighty acres of land which they bought in Indian Creek township, adding to their holdings from time to time until they had acquired two hundred acres. The father died on this farm in 1882, but the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years and makes her home in Des Moines.
The early years of Charles J. Porter's life were spent under the pa- ternal roof and were occupied in acquiring an education and in assisting in the work of the farm. His leisure hours were employed very similarly to the majority of young people. He laid aside his text-books when he felt that he had acquired such knowledge as he deemed essential for the vocation he elected to pursue and then assumed the heavier responsibili- ties of life. At the age of twenty-one years he left home and the first two years of his independent life were spent as a farm hand but at the end of that time he rented land and thereafter worked for himself. Dili- gence, good management and application enabled him to acquire sufficient capital to buy a place, so he purchased a farm just one mile north of his homestead and lived there for four years. At the expiration of that period he rented his present farm, which at that time was the property of his father-in-law, N. P. Hall, for seven years and then bought it in 1898. This is one of the best farms in Indian Creek township, containing one hundred and thirty acres of well tilled land. with good improvements which are in excellent repair. Mr. Porter also owns sixty-five acres on section 34 of the same township, which he purchased in 1895. the aggregate of his realty holdings thus being one hundred and ninety-five acres. For the past twenty-five years he has made a specialty of feeding stock for the market, making it a practice to consume all of his crops in this manner, and he has been most successful in his undertakings.
138
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
Mr. Porter established a home of his own by his marriage on the 9th of September, 1886, to Miss Ellen Ilall, the daughter of Noble P. and Margaret ( Felkner ) Ilall, early settlers of Story county. They are the parents of two children: Rose Ethel. the wife of John 1. Fleming, of Omaha, Nebraska: and Curt C. who lives at home.
The family have always attended the Presbyterian church, of which the parents are members. The republican party has at all times had the strong support of Mr. Porter, as he considers its basic principles best adapted to the protection of home interests and industries. He has never been an active participant in politics to the extent of seeking office or desiring pub- lic honors, but fulfills his duty as a citizen by casting his ballot for the can- didates of his party. He is regarded as one of the successful and sub- stantial citizens of his township, whose business methods and high prin- ciples as well as upright life compel the respect of all.
CHRISTOPHER HARRINGTON.
Among the self-made men of Story county probably none are more worthy of the success they have attained than Christopher Harrington, the owner of one of the most productive farms in the county, which he ac- quired entirely through his own industry and good business judgment. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York. July 21, 1855. a son of Christopher and Julia A. ( Rouse ) Harrington, the former a native of Ver- mont and the latter of Canada. The father was twice married. the mother of the subject of this review being his second wife. After his second mar- riage he took up his residence on a farm in St. Lawrence county, New York, where he lived for twenty-five or thirty years, passing away in 1876. The mother departed this life in 1891.
Christopher Harrington was reared under the kindly influences of a genial home and received his education in the common schools. He con- tinned with his parents until twenty-one years of age and then, like many young men of the east, he decided to cast his fortunes in the Mississippi valley. Accordingly he went to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he worked upon a farm for two years, and then in 1879 removed to Story county. Iowa, and continued in farm work for another period of two years. In 1881 he began renting land and after about twelve years, having acquired sufficient capital, he bought eighty acres on section 1, Collins township. but he has never lived upon this place, as one year later he purchased the farm which he had been renting. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres in one body and has made many improvements. converting this into one of the most valuable properties of its size in the county.
In 1880 Mr. Harrington was united in marriage to Miss Dora .1. Crouch, a daughter of Jacob Crouch, who came from West Virginia to
139
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
Jasper county, Iowa. in 1852 and shortly afterward took up his residence in Story county. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington : Charles A., now a farmer of Collins township; Jesse I .. a farmer of Grant township; William J., who is engaged in farming in New Albany township; and Christopher C. and George N., both of whom are at home.
Mr. Harrington gives his support to the republican party and although he has never sought public office, he has served as a member of the school board and for many years as road supervisor, being largely instrumental in the construction of the present good roads in the township. At the present time he is a member of the board of township trustees. Fraternally he is identified with Crescent Camp, No. 2358, M. W. A. He ranks as one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the county. In the early part of his career he overcame many difficulties, keeping in view a position of independence which he has now gained. He justly stands very high in the estimation of the community in which he lives, being. regarded as one of its most valued members.
JONAS A. CHRISTIAN.
One of the best improved farms in Story county is the property of Jonas A. Christian, the vice president of the Roland Savings Bank, who was born in Harvard township in 1867. His father, John Christian, was born in Norway but came to the United States with his parents when he was twelve years of age. The family located in Kendall county, Illinois, in the district schools of which John Christian acquired his education. He remained a member of his father's household until he had reached the age of twenty-three years, when he removed to Story county, Iowa, to engage in farming. By purchase he had already acquired the right to one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he located when he arrived and made all improvements thereon. He was one of those men who make in- dustry spell success and by application and economy he became one of the most extensive landowners in this section of the state, having acquired title to fourteen hundred acres at the time of his death. He married Miss Cecelia Pierson and they became the parents of nine children three of whom are still living: Jonas A .; Otis H., a resident of Aberdeen, South Dakota ; and Edward. The parents were both members of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Christian gave liberal support, being one of the organizers of the church in Roland. He was a stanch advocate of the policy of the republican party, for whose candidates he always cast his ballot. Mrs. Christian is still living at the age of sixty-seven and makes her home on the farm where they first settled, but her husband passed away in 1908 at the age of seventy-five years. His only asset when he
140
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
began his business career was an inexhaustible fund of courage. winch was ever supported by a worthy ambition and strength of purpose, by means of which he achieved his success.
The early years of Jonas A. Christian's life were spent in procuring an education, performing his share of the farm work and enjoying such pastimes as the average youth. He remained at home until he had reached his majority, when he commenced working for himself. Since that time he has acquired three hundred and seventy acres of land. all of which he is cultivating. He makes a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs, and in this he has met with success. His homestead is well improved. the resi- dence being one of the handsomest in Story county and containing all of the modern improvements and many beautiful appointments.
Mr. Christian has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Bessie Johnson, a daughter of Knute Johnson, by whom he had three children, as follows: Cora, Maime and Silvia. The wife and mother passed away in 1905. Mr. Christian's present wife, who was Miss Deona Logan, is the daughter of Christian Logan. Two children have been born of this union, twin boys, Julius Cecil and John Logan. Mr. and Mrs. Christian attend the Lutheran church, of which denomination they are members. The can- (lidates of the republican party always receive his ballot and have ever since he received the right of citizenship. He is very active in local poli- tics and is at present serving as trustee in Harvard township. He has been successful in his various undertakings and in addition to his real estate is one of the stockholders and officials of the Roland Savings Bank. He is considered one of the most progressive citizens and foremost busi- ness men in his community, and both he and his wife have many friends who enjoy the gracious hospitality of their beautiful home.
C. E. LONGNECKER.
C. E. Longnecker, the proprietor of the Calamus Run Stock Farm, was born in Polk county, Iowa, on the 23d of March, 1865. His father was a native of Indiana and was but ten years of age when his parents removed to lowa, locating in Polk county near Des Moines, where the son grew to manhood and married Miss Mary Davis, the mother of our subject. After his marriage Mr. Longnecker settled on a farm in Polk county. which at that time was a piece of unbroken and unimproved prairie, and there the parents spent their entire lives, Mrs. Longnecker passing away in 1875 and her husband twenty-five years later.
The early years of C. E. Longnecker's life were uneventful, the routine of the days being varied only by trivial incidents which hardly served to break the monotony. ile attended the district school, aided his parents about the house and farm, and for recreation depended upon such diver-
141
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
sions as are made possible for young people living in an unsettled com- munity. His father ran a sawmill and threshing machine and from his tenth year Mr. Longnecker served as his assistant, as his strength in- creased with the passing years more of the work and greater responsi- bility devolving upon him. This cooperative plan of work remained in effect until the son became twenty-five years of age.
On the 30th of March, 1890, Mr. Longnecker was united in marriage to Miss Allie Cole, a daughter of Henry Cole, of Maxwell, and subsequent to this event he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres two miles south of Collins. It was upon this place the young people began their life together and were soon able to add another forty-six acres to their holdings. They resided upon this farm for twelve years and then in 1902 they sold and bought their present homestead in Indian Creek township. Mr. Longnecker now owns two hundred and forty acres of as fine and well improved farming land as can be found in the vicinity. During his occu- pancy he has rebuilt the house, erected a new barn, tiled his land and added various other improvements, all of which have served to increase the value of his property. He has become quite prominently known as a stockman through the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, in both of which he has been most successful.
Mr. and Mrs. Longnecker have become the parents of two sons and two daughters : Roscoe H., Iona B., Ruth and Ralph D., all of whom reside at home. The family attend the Presbyterian church, of which the parents are active members, the father having served as a deacon for some years. Mr. Longnecker is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and being a strong advocate of prohibition he always casts his vote for the candidates of that party. In addition to his realty holdings and stock interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Max- well. He is known as one of the progressive and intelligent agriculturists and stockmen of his district and is highly esteemed by all who have had either business or social relations with him.
JOHN H. GAMBLE.
For thirty years John H. Gamble applied himself industriously to farming in Story county and then he retired to Maxwell, where he is now enjoying the fruits of his labors. He was born in Carroll county, Indiana, December 22, 1854, son of J. D. Gamble, a record of whom is presented in the sketch of William H. Gamble which appears elsewhere in this work. John H. Gamble received his education in the common schools and con- tinued upon the home farm, assisting his father until after reaching man- hood. In 1876 he began farming on his own account and a year later purchased eighty acres adjoining the family homestead. Having married,
142
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
he and his bride began housekeeping upon the farm, where he continued for six years, at the same time renting a portion of the homestead. In 1883 he sokl his place and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 22, Indian Creek township, to which he removed. For more than twenty years he devoted his attention closely and with marked success to agriculture and stock-raising, and then in 1905 he removed to Maxwell. where he has since resided. In 1907 he sold his farm and purchased eighty acres on section 26, which he still owns and which is in charge of one of his sons.
On the 7th of March, 1878. Mr. Gamble was united in marriage to Miss Clara Maxwell, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Maxwell. Her father came to Story county about 1852 and is now living in Iowa Center, being in his eighty-seventh year. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gamble, three of whom are now living, namely: Vera. the wife of Fred Ray, of Rendrick, Iowa; Van D., now in charge of his father's farm; and George M., of Maxwell. The mother of these children. having (leparted this life July 21. 1900. Mr. Gamble was married June 26, 1902, to Miss Phoebe Moore, a daughter of Lott and Mary (Glenn) Moore. Her father was a well known farmer of Indian Creek township.
Mr. Gamble has never taken any active part in political or religious affairs, preferring to devote his energies to his own private interests. He became a thorough and systematic farmer and by his example of patient application leading to a gratifying measure of success he influenced many others to renewed ambition. He reared his children to lives of industry and accomplished his part in the great work which has transformed the wild prairie and woodland into the beautiful farms to be seen in all parts of the state today.
S. E. COOPER.
The business interests of Story county find a worthy representative in S. E. Cooper, who has throughout the existence of Maxwell been promi- nently identified with its upbuilding and advancement. He is today one of the leading business men of the city, conducting an up-to-date furniture and undertaking establishment, and is president of the Peoples State Bank. which is one of the reliable financial institutions of this section of the state. He is a man of good business and executive ability and usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
A native of Illinois, Mr. Cooper was born in Mercer county, on the 7th of March. 1853. and is the son of John and Rebecca Ann ( Stark ) Cooper. His father was a native of Devonshire. England, but was only three years of age when brought to this country by his parents, who settled near Albany in New York state. Later the family removed to Michigan
THE BIG FURNITURE STORE
S.E.COOPER & SON. FURNITURE,
.
BUSINESS BLOCK OF S. E. COOPER
145
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
and from there to Mercer county, Illinois, where John Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Ann Stark, a native of Indiana. Upon a farm in that county they made their home until 1860, when they removed to Warren county, lowa, and in 1864 came to Story county, locating in the village of Iowa Center. There the father carried on agricultural pursuits and was also interested in other business until the spring of 1871, when he went to Kansas, living in that state for several years. Finally he returned to Story county and made his home in Maxwell until called to his final rest.
S. E. Cooper was reared on the home farm and acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa. His father being a wagonmaker by trade, he took up that occupation during his boyhood and continued to work with him for some years. In 1879 he opened a shop of his own in Iowa Center, where he carried on business as a wagonmaker for five years. In 1882 he came to Maxwell, through which village the railroad had been built the previous winter, and here hie erected a building on the corner now occupied by the Peoples State Bank, it being the second structure built there. In it he opened a stock of furniture, becoming identified in busi- ness with the firm of Baldwin & Maxwell, general merchants, under the name of S. E. Cooper & Company. In 1893 Mr. Cooper bought out his partners and continued in the furniture business alone. He carries a large and well selected stock, necessary to meet the demands of his customers but has not confined his attention alone to the furniture trade for he also does all of the undertaking business in his locality. On the organization of the Peoples State Bank, he became its president and has since served in that capacity. In the spring of 1909 he purchased the Miller block, which was built in 1900 at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars but at the present time would probably cost twenty-five thousand dollars, owing to the rise in building material. It is the finest business block in a town of its size to be found anywhere, and Maxwell has every reason to be proud of the institution.
Mr. Cooper was married in 1877 to Miss Nellie Squires of lowa Cen- ter, a daughter of Henry and Josephine Squires, and to them were born seven children, of whom five still survive, namely : Rae, the wife of C. B. Wells, of Maxwell; Hugh J., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Weatherford, Oklahoma ; Guy, who is a partner in his father's business; Hazel, the wife of Sidney Sherman, of Maxwell; and Nellie, a teacher in the public schools of this county. The mother of these children died in 1892, and the following year Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Mrs. Mattie J. ( Moore) Wood of Iowa Center, by whom he has one son, Forest F., now sixteen years of age.
Fraternally, Mr. Cooper is a member of Social Lodge, No. 463, I. O. O. F., and three times has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the state. He is one of the leading members of the organization and wears the veterans jewel for twenty-five years in good standing. He is also con- nected with the Yeomen and with the Mystic Workers of the World. In
ยท
146
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
his political affiliations he is a republican and has been honored with the office of mayor of Maxwell, which position he acceptably filled for one term. He has also been a member of the town council and of the school board continuously since the town was organized. He is today one of the most prominent business men and leading citizens of Maxwell, and the honorable position which he has attained is due entirely to his own well directed efforts, good management and sound judgment, for in starting out in life for himself he was without capital and had to make his way in the world unaided by financial support.
JAMES McCOY.
James McCoy, the senior member of the real-estate and insurance firm of James McCoy & Son, which he organized in August, 1907, is one of the leading and successful citizens of Colo. His birth occurred in West Virginia on the 28th of June. 1855. his parents being Rodger and Bridget (Manahan) McCoy, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in early manhood and womanhood. lo- cating in West Virginia, where their marriage was celebrated and where they continued to reside until 1861. That year witnessed their removal westward to Clinton county, Iowa, where they made their home for two years, on the expiration of which period they went to Sabula, Jackson county, lowa. They came to Story county in 1868 and on the 28th of May of that year Mr. McCoy purchased and located on a farm of eighty acres situated a mile and a half west of Colo in New Albany township. Subsequently he extended the boundaries of this farm at two different times, making the homestead one of two hundred acres. The further cul- tivation and improvement of the property claimed his time and energies until 1894, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Colo, where his demise occurred on the 22d of September, 1897. The period of his residence in Story county covered almost three decades and he gained a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders. Both he and his wife passed away in the faith of the Catholic church, the latter being called to her final rest on the 8th of March, 1898.
James McCoy was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools of Colo. When a youth of eighteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade and after completing his apprentice- ship opened a shop in Colo, being engaged in blacksmithing for about thirty-five years. While still operating his shop he embarked in the im- plement business, becoming the proprietor of an establishment of this char- acter about 1880. Some years later he abandoned blacksmithing and turned his entire attention to the conduct of his agricultural implement business. in which he was successfully engaged until the ist of June, 1900, when he
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.