USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 17
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BENJAMIN BROTHERS.
No history of Nevada would be complete without mention of Oscar John and George Alonzo Benjamin, founders of the Nevada Journal, now edited by them under the name of the Nevada Evening Journal. The brothers had received comprehensive experience along journalistic lines in connection with other papers prior to the establishment of the Nevada Jour- nal, and this thorough knowledge of the art preservative, combined with keen business sagacity, wise management and progressive and up-to-date methods have insured the success of their present venture, their paper be-
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ing recognized as one of the important and influential factors of com- munity life in Nevada.
The family of which they are representatives is of German and Irish lincage. The father, Jedediah II. Benjamin, was born in New York and in early boyhood removed with his parents to Peoria county, Illinois, where his father engaged in agriculture. He remained on the farm until attaining man's estate, when he entered the mercantile business in Peoria. Illinois, but after a few years thus spent returned to farming, being thus identified until 1890, when he withdrew from active business, the substantial success which he had attained in agricultural and mercantile lines making it possible for him to live retired throughout his remaining years. He took up his resi- dence in Winfield, Kansas, and there passed away in 1909 at the age of seventy-eight years. A democrat in politics, he held several minor offices. including that of township supervisor, and was a prominent citizen of the communities in which he made his home. His wife, who in her maiden- hood was Julia Maria Tyrel, is also of German and Irish descent. Her birth occurred in the Empire state and when a young lady she accompanied her parents to Illinois and was married in Peoria. She still survives, at the age of seventy years and is a faithful and consistent member of the Presby- terian church. By her union with Mr. Benjamin she became the mother of four children, as follows: Oscar John and George Alonzo, who are men- tioned below ; Leitha, who was born near Princeville in 1880 and is now the wife of John D. Funk, a real-estate dealer of Winfield, Kansas; and Edna, deceased. By a former marriage Jedediah H. Benjamin had three daugh- ters. Emma, who wedded J. K. Laycock and now makes her home on a farm in Story county ; Hattie, deceased ; and Ida, the wife of H. M. Blanch- ard, a resident of California.
Oscar John Benjamin, whose birth occurred on the 28th of July, 1869. at Peoria, Illinois, acquired his preliminary education in the district schools of Peoria county and later graduated from the Princeville high school. Later he was given the opportunity of studying in the Princeville Academy and after putting aside his text-books he entered the office of the Princeville Telephone to learn the printing business. After an apprenticeship of about two years he left that office and was employed by various daily newspapers in several cities in the middle west, where he gained comprehensive knowl- edge of his chosen line of work. Later he took up independent journalistic ventures, being associated with three different partners in the management of as many different papers. The year 1895 witnessed his arrival in Nevada and here, in connection with his brother, he founded the Nevada Journal. The wide and varied experience which he had previously acquired in the newspaper field made his efforts in the management of this last enterprise potent elements in what has become one of the successful and prominent papers of Nevada.
Mr. Benjamin laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own in his marriage, in December, 1900, to Miss Carrie Elliot, who was born in
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St. Charles, Illinois, in 1869, and is the daughter of Abner and Elizabeth Elliot. He gives his political support to the republican party, while in fra- ternal circles he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the International Typographical Union and is one of the prominent and in- fluential members of the Nevada Commercial Club. Aside from his con- nection with newspaper interests he is well known in financial and business circles, being a director of the Peoples Savings Bank and a stockholder of the Story County Mutual Telephone Company. Thus his excellent business ability has not only been a factor in the acquirement of an individual suc- cess which makes him one of the substantial and representative citizens of Nevada, but also a potent element in the management of various interests which bear strongly upon the permanent upbuilding and development of the community.
George Alonzo Benjamin is also one of Illinois' native sons, his birth occurring near Princeville on the 24th of October, 1871. Like his brother he received his education in the district schools and Princeville Academy and also acquired his knowledge of the art preservative in the office of the Princeville Telephone, which paper was at that time under the management of an uncle. He remained in that office for several years and was then con- nected with his brother in various other ventures throughout the middle west until their arrival in Nevada in 1895, since which time they have been associated in the management and publication of the Nevada Journal, now known as the Nevada Evening Journal. His knowledge of the newspaper business is also broad and comprehensive and his efforts in behalf of the Journal are important and resultant forces in the success of the paper.
George A. Benjamin was married on the 15th of January, 1896, to Miss Grace Johnson, a native of Illinois, who was born on the 18th of Novem- ber, 1875, a daughter of Rev. J. and Frances Johnson. The father, a min- ister of the Methodist church, is now in charge of a church in Luray, Kan- sas. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin are members of the Presbyterian church, while in politics he supports the principles and candidates of the republican party. He has also extended his interests outside of journalistic fields and is a stockholder in the Story County Mutual Telephone Company.
The Nevada Evening Journal, which was originally established as a weekly paper, was later converted into a bi-weekly edition and has had a continuous and gradual growth under the supervision of the Benjamin brothers, who brought to its inception not only the practical knowledge ac- quired by many years of experience but also an inherited aptitude for wise management and good business ability-elements which have proved potent forces in the upbuilding of the paper. The Journal attracts many readers by reason of its entertaining discussion of public questions and also as a dis- tributor of news of general interest. Moreover, the paper is accorded an extensive advertising patronage, which is well merited for the partners have ever been quick to adopt new methods, are progressive and up-to-date in their ideas and their capable conduct of the paper has won the confidence
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of a large circle of patrons. The high personal worth of the brothers has been widely recognized among their fellowmen, who hold them in unquali- fied respect and esteem, and the honorable and manly principles which have governed their private as well as their business life make them desirable and honored citizens of the community.
J. T. HANDSAKER.
Among the large landowners of Sherman township should be named J. T. Handsaker, who has spent his entire life in this county, attaining marked success both in agriculture and stock-raising. Upon his farm is to be seen the only steam plow in Story county and in other respects he is fully abreast of the times, making use of the best modern facilities and applying up-to-date methods, thus producing the most satisfactory results. He was born in Richland township, December 18. 1859. a son of William and Emily (Wyatt) Handsaker, the former born in Staffordshire, Eng- land, April 6, 1828, and the latter in Indiana. August 7, 1838. The father emigrated to America in 1854. landing at the port of New York, and soon afterward he came west to Illinois. Not satisfied. however, with the con- ditions as he found them cast of the Mississippi river, he started in 1855 for Story county, lowa. walking from the river with George Ilyden, who took up his residence in Richland township. Mr. Handsaker engaged in farming in this county until 1893, when he retired and removed to Nevada. He passed away March 31. 1907. but his wife is still living and has ar- rived at the age of seventy-two years. There were eight children in their family, namely : J. T., the subject of this review; Sabina. now Mrs. Day; and Nona, now Mrs. Hynes, both living five miles south of Nevada ; W. H .. of Grant township; H. G., now living on the old homestead; J. H .. a farmer of Richland township; D. P., who died in 1894 at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a wife and two children ; and Mary Ellen, who died in infancy.
J. T. Handsaker received his early education in the common schools and became so proficient in the text-books that he taught school very suc- cessfully for eight terms. He learned the carpenter's trade and while in the employ of D. B. Paddleford assisted in the erection of the Lutheran church at Johnson's Grove in 1880. This building has since been re- moved to Fernald. Subsequently he engaged in the tiling business. In 1883 he settled upon his present farm in Sherman township and for many years devoted his attention closely to various branches of farming. be- coming recognized as one of the most successful agriculturists in the county. Recently he retired from active labors, leaving the work of the farm to his sons. Father and sons have gained a wide reputation as breeders of red polled cattle and Poland China hogs. They have also engaged quite
J. T. HANDSAKER
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MRS. J. T. HANDSAKER
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extensively in the dairy business and are now regularly shipping one hun- dred and twenty pounds of high grade butter per week to New York and Brooklyn.
On the 11th of March, 1882, Mr. Handsaker was united in marriage in Richland township to Margaret Lawman, who was born in Canada, April 17, 1864, a daughter of John and Violet (Elliott) Lawman. Her parents came to America in 1858 and were married in New York state. After several removals they settled in Richland township, Story county, where they have lived for the last thirty-seven years. Four children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Handsaker, namely: Ethel M., born February 9, 1885, was educated in the common schools and in the School of Music at Ames, and is now living at home. E. Ralph, also on the home farm, was born November 30, 1886, and was educated in the common schools, also taking a course in engineering at Charles City, Iowa. John W., born October 25, 1887, is now living on the old homestead. Thomas L., born November 25, 1892, is also living at home.
Mr. Handsaker, ever since reaching his majority has given his support to the republican party. He has not sought the emoluments of office but has served with great acceptance as township clerk and secretary of the school board for sixteen years and as township trustee for eight years. He is a man of unusual intelligence and keeps fully informed on the progress of everything pertaining to his calling, to which he has applied with great success the best efforts of his life. He has witnessed many changes in Story county. Land when his father came to this county was being sold by the government at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. As late as 1880 Mr. Handsaker of this review bought one hundred and sixty acres in this county for seventeen hundred dollars, being a little over ten dollars and fifty cents per acre. The same land now commands one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, and the tendency in price is still upward. A worthy representative of a family which has performed an important part in the development of the county, Mr. Handsaker now enjoys in comfort and ease the results of his wisely directed efforts and at the same time is ac- corded the confidence and respect of the entire community.
DR. SEAMAN A. KNAPP.
Dr. Seaman A. Knapp, who passed away at Washington, D. C., on the Ist of April, 1911, was the second president of the Iowa State College at Ames. He was born at Schroon, Essex county, New York, December 16, 1833, and was graduated from Union College in 1856, Phi Beta Kappa. He was granted six honorary degrees by the Iowa State College and other col- leges and universities, was vice president of Fort Edward Collegiate Institute from 1856 until 1863, and associate manager of Ripley Female Vol. II-10
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College in 1864 and 1865. Failing health caused him to move to Benton county, Iowa, in 1866, where he served as principal of the Iowa College for the Blind from 1869 to 1875. when he opened a large fine stock farm at Vin- ton and became editor of the Western Farm Journal published at Cedar Rapids. From 1879 until 1886 he was professor of agriculture in the lowa State College, while during the years 1883 and 1884 he served as president of the college. For three years, from 1873 until 1876, he was president of the Iowa Fine Stock Breeder's Association.
Dr. Knapp left Iowa in 1886 to assume the supervision of a tract of land in southwestern Louisiana, as large as the state of Connecticut. He in- troduced to the rice field of the southwest, the wheat machinery of the northwest. By his great work for rice he became president of the Rice Growers Association of America, which position he held until his removal to Washington three years ago.
In 1898, at the request of the secretary of agriculture, he visited the Philippines, Japan and China to report on their agricultural resources. In 1900 he went to Porto Rico on a similar mission. In 1901 and 1902 he went to Ceylon and India and again to China and Japan, bringing from the latter a seed rice of great value, which is used today in the southwest. During this last trip he performed private missions for the secretary of war in the Philippines and for President Roosevelt in Honolulu.
The crowning work of his life was begun when the secretary of agri- culture sent him to Texas in 1903 to fight the Mexican boll weevil. By his efforts he turned what seemed the utter destruction of the cotton crop of the south into a blessing and opened the way for the establishment of the "Farmer's Cooperative Demonstration Work of the South" of which he was the originator and the inspiration during the last seven years of his life.
At seventy-seven years of age he had an office force of thirty men, five hundred field agents, seventy-five thousand adult and forty-six thousand boy demonstrators, all under the Farmer's Cooperative Demonstration Work of the United States department of agriculture, the general education board of New York and the patrons of southern states. By his work the south has been able to grow two blades of grass, two bales of cotton, and two bushels of corn where one grew before. His work was to reach the humblest of southern homes and help them to see the light. Himself the product of the classical school. he became the apostle of and gave his life to the exemplification of modern industrial education.
Dr. Knapp married Maria Hotchkiss, of Washington county. New York, in 1856, and left five children to mourn his loss. They are: Mrs. Maria Knapp Mayo, the wife of A. M. Mayo, of Lake Charles, Louisiana ; Her- man Knapp, treasurer and registrar of Iowa State College. Ames, Iowa; Bradford Knapp, connected with the farmer's demonstration work of the south, of Washington, D. C .; Seaman Arthur Knapp, cashier of Calcasieu National Bank. Lake Charles, Louisiana ; and Mrs. Helen Knapp Fay, the wife of Dr. Oliver J. Fay, of Des Moines, lowa.
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Dr. Knapp's remains were brought to Ames for burial in the College cemetery. He was an educator and philosopher, a gentleman of learning and culture. Of superior ability, he yet recognized individual obligation and the truth of the universal brotherhood of mankind.
JOHN Y. LUKE.
The present incumbent of the office of city attorney in Ames is John Y. Luke, who was born in Galena, Illinois, on the 12th of April, 1870, a son of John W. and Sarah A. Luke. The father, a native of the Empire state, was born in Albany county on the 31st of March, 1840, and after completing his academic education he studied law, being most successfully identified with that profession during his entire life. In 1882 the family located in Hampton, Franklin county, Iowa, and there the father died in January, 1896, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Hampton.
John Y. Luke, who is the second in a family of nine children, was only twelve years of age when the family removed to lowa and therefore has spent the greater part of his life in this state. After completing the gram- mar school course he graduated from the high school at Hampton and then taught in the country. Later he entered the Iowa State College at Ames and after three years' study in that institution he accepted a position as principal of the schools in Roland, Iowa. While a student in the high school he studied law in his father's office and completed his law course and was admitted to the bar during his two years' residence in Roland. At the close of his school he opened an office in that place and began practicing. He only remained there during the summer, however, and in the fall of 1895 he went to Nevada, Iowa, where he formed a partnership with J. F. Martin under the firm name of Martin & Luke. On the Ist of January, 1896, this partnership was dissolved because of the death of Mr. Luke's father necessitating his return to Hampton to look after the latter's large practice and business interests. He remained in Hampton for ten years, and during that period built up a large practice, proving through his capable discharge and execution of the business of his father's clients that he was a man of unusual mental attainment. His powers of deduction, keen dis- crimination in grasping the points at issue and his elucidation of the abstruse problems in a legal entanglement were quickly recognized and accepted at their full value. In 1907 Mr. Luke came to Ames and entered into partner- ship with Mr. McCarthy, taking the position in the firm previously held by Mr. Lee, who was retiring from private practice to accept a position on the bench. The partnership however, is but a nominal one, Mr. McCarthy hav- ing retired from active practice.
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In 1899 at Hampton, lowa, Mr. Luke was united in marriage to Miss Lol H. Hoxie, a daughter of W. Il. Hoxie and a native of Hampton. One child has been born of this union, Gilbert M. The family attend the Con- gregational church and Mr. Luke is fraternally identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ever since attaining his majority he has taken a keen interest in all political issues and has ac- quired more than a local reputation as a campaign orator, having stumped the district quite thoroughly in 1896. He always votes the republican ticket and his party fealty has been rewarded by his constituency electing him to the office of county attorney while a resident of Franklin county and in ad- dition he served two terms as city attorney in Hampton, while since re- moving to Ames his ability has been recognized by his election to the posi- tion of city attorney. He belongs to that body of young politicians who are striving to bring up the political standard of the country and makes no promises or assurances to his supporters which he does not honestly in- tend to maintain.
FRANCIS E. GUNDER.
The spirit of enterprise which has always been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west finds expression in the life of Francis E. Gunder, a progressive and representative farmer of Franklin township. living on section 35. He was born in Colfax township, Boone county, Iowa. December 31, 1869, a son of Casper and Elizabeth (Savits) Gunder. The father was born in Germany on the Ist of January, 1812, and was but four years of age when brought to America by his parents, who settled in Penn- sylvania. Ile was reared to farm life in that state and was married in Cumberland county, after which he removed westward to Illinois, where he spent two or three years. In 1865 he arrived in Boone county, Jowa. and later took up his abode upon the farm on section 35. Franklin town- ship, Story county, which is now the home of his son Francis. It was upon this place that his remaining days were passed, covering a period of a quar- ter of a century, and his death occurred September 6, 1890. He owned here sixty-five acres of land, to which the son Francis has since added. The father was a shoemaker and followed that trade before he came to the west but always gave his attention in Iowa to farming. Ilis widow still survives him. She was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 1. 1828, and now resides with her son Francis, who is the youngest of a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom six sons and two daughters are now living, although they are widely scattered.
When a lad of eleven years Francis E. Gunder accompanied his parents on their removal to Ames, and in 1883 the family took up their abode on section 35. Franklin township, where he has since lived. Adding to his
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father's original purchase of sixty-five acres, he is today the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and ninety acres pleasantly located a half mile north of Ames and known as the Oak Grove Farm. He conducts a dairy business, milking about thirty cows and selling the milk to the whole- sale trade. He has been engaged in dairying for about five years and finds this a profitable source of income. At the same time he carefully develops his fields and gathers therefrom abundant harvests. His home is a modern nine-room brick building, which was erected in 1907, in attractive style of architecture and equipped with all modern comforts and conveniences. There are also good outbuildings upon the place, which he erected, and a house which is occupied by a tenant.
Mr. Gunder has been married twice. In 1891 he wedded Dora Nown- ing, a native of Story county, and a daughter of James and Abbie Nowning. Mrs. Gunder died in April, 1903, leaving two children, Virgil and Byron. In June, 1904. Mr. Gunder wedded Katherine Cooney, a native of Dallas county, Iowa, although reared in Illinois. Her parents were William and Mary Cooney. Two children have been born of the second marriage, Dwight F. and Lolita E. The family are most pleasantly located in one of the beautiful country homes of Story county. Mr. Gunder has his own electric light plant which lights both the house and barns. He also has a water system, supplying the house and barns, and a gasoline power engine for grinding feed, as well as generating electricity and pumping water. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church at Ames and their many sterling qualities have gained them an extensive circle of friends. In matters of citizenship Mr. Gunder is progressive and gives his hearty cooperation to many movements for the general good. In business affairs he is thoroughly reliable and has followed progressive methods which may well serve as an example for others who are connected with the agri- cultural interests of the county.
THOMAS W. RAWSON.
A bright example of success in a responsible vocation is shown in the career of Thomas W. Rawson, cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank of Slater. Starting upon his business career with a laudable ambition and im- bued with high ideals, he attained a position of trust, which he fills to the entire satisfaction of the directors and stockholders of the bank. He was born in Dallas county. Iowa, September 15, 1878, a son of Edmund A. and Catherine (Huston) Rawson, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to Iowa in his early manhood and served as principal of the schools of Panora, Dallas county, Iowa, later engaging in farming in the same county. His first wife having died he went to Oneida, Illinois, where he was married to Catherine Huston. Re-
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turning to Dallas county, he taught school and farmed and also took up the study of medicine, subsequently entering the medical department of the State University at Iowa City, from which he was graduated with the de- gree of M. D. in 1884. He practiced in Sheldahl until the town of Slater was organized, when he took up his residence in this place. Here he con- tinued in successful practice until his retirement, in July, 1910. He is now making his home in Boise City, Idaho. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are both identified with the English Lutheran church, but were originally members of the Congrega- tional church.
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