USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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He was reared on the home farm and gained his early education in the country schools, also being taught by his father the value of labor. After attaining manhood he learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1865, believing that more favorable opportunities were presented under the flag of the re- public, he came to the United States, his first employment being upon a bridge which was in course of erection at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. After com- pleting that work he worked for four years in a blacksmith shop and then
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opened a shop of his own at Stockbridge, Wisconsin, which he conducted for six years. In the spring of 1876 he was allured by the mines to Dead- wood, South Dakota, remaining in the Black Hills for four years, a large part of which time he spent eagerly searching for the yellow metal. He was moderately successful in his quest but not finding a fortune he returned to Wisconsin, where he was married, and in May, 1881, he came to Nevada, Iowa, and entered the employment of William Gates. Having decided to make this place his prominent home. he purchased a shop that stood on the corner now occupied by the Peoples Saving Bank. and, his work prosper- ing, he built the shop which he has since owned and which is located a few doors north of the spot of his original establisment. By close attention to his business he has secured a large patronage and now enjoys a pros- perity, which is the result of many years of applied energy.
In 1881 Mr. Simser was united in marriage to Miss Etta B. Miller, who was born near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, May 14, 1861. Two children have blessed this union: Jay Adam, who was born March 8, 1888, and is now telephone manager at Roland, Iowa; and Erma B., who was born May 3. 1895, and is attending school.
Mr. Simser is identified with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, having been a charter member of Samson Lodge, No. 77, Nevada, of the latter organization. Politically he gives his support to the republi- can party and is an ardent advocate of its principles. As a patriotic citi- zen he attempts to perform his duty to the community and is now serving most acceptably as member of the city council. He is essentially a self- made man. Starting as a poor boy he has climbed from the bottom of the ladder financially and has now attained a position of independence. Recog- nizing the difficulties that lie in the way of young men who have the de- sire to advance, he is always ready to extend a helping hand to every worthy aspirant, and it is safe to say that no man in this region has a greater number of true friends than the subject of this review.
HENRY F. WOODRUFF.
llenry F. Woodruff is one of the extensive landowners of Story county. although for the past two years he has made his home in Ames, from which point he has superintended his agricultural interests. In the management of his affairs he displays keen judgment, strong purpose and laudable am- bition, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Ile was born in Seneca county. New York, March 8, 1849, his parents be- ing Benjamin and Ruth ( Fuller ) Woodruff, both of whom were also na- tives of the Empire state. The mother died when her son was but six weeks old, and in 1853 the father removed to Lenawee county, Michigan, where he resided for ten years, when he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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He spent his last days in Ames, in Story county, at the home of his son Henry F., passing away here in 1898, at the age of eighty-two years. His father, John Woodruff, was a soldier of the Mexican war, who was wounded in battle and died a few years later. Henry F. Woodruff has a sister, Emma J., who is now the wife of Austin Burbank, of Ypsilanti, Michigan. He also has a half-sister, Mrs. Ruth McClay, who is living in Rockford, Illinois.
Henry F. Woodruff was but four years old when the father removed to Michigan and was a youth of fourteen when the family home was estab- lished in Ann Arbor, where he attended the high school. In 1868 he came to Story county and purchased a farm in Washington township on the Boone county line. There he actively engaged in general agricultural pur- suits until about two years ago, when he erected his present beautiful resi- dence at No. 1215 Lincoln avenue in Ames and took up his abode in the city. He retains the ownership of the home farm and has other property, making him one of the large landholders of this part of the state. He owns a farm on section 24, Colfax township, Boone county, the southwest quarter of sec- tion 18, Washington township, this county, and also land on section 19, Washington township, his total possessions aggregating eight hundred and seventy-four acres, divided into four farms and improved with four sets of buildings. The land, however, is all in one body and constitutes a very valuable and productive property, from which Mr. Woodruff derives a substantial annual income. For thirty years he engaged extensively in feeding cattle and also bought and sold cattle, his live stock interests con- stituting an important branch of his business. His success has come through judicious investment and the wise management of his affairs and is well merited.
In 1872 Mr. Woodruff was united in marriage to Miss Libby Lambert, who was born in Jackson county, Michigan, and died in Story county, Iowa, March 15, 1891, at the age of forty-two years. Their children were: Laura Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Perry and died in 1907, leaving five children ; Minnie, who died in 1894; Effie, who died in the same year of typhoid fever, as did her sister ; Benjamin, a resident of British Columbia ; and Theressa W., the wife of Hiram H. Powers, a professor at the experi- mental station at Crookston, Minnesota. In the fall of 1892, in Michigan, Mr. Woodruff married Theressa Lambert, a sister of his first wife.
In his religious faith Mr. Woodruff is a Methodist. He manifests a citizen's interest in public affairs, giving his aid and support to many meas- ures and projects for the general good. He finds great delight in travel and has visited all of the world's fairs held in this country. On the 10th of February, 1910, he left San Francisco for a tour around the world, reach- ing Ames on the 20th of July after a six months' absence. It was a most enjoyable trip and his mind is today stored with many interesting memories of the lands and people that he visited. His is the notable record of a successful business man, who owes his progress to his recognition and utili-
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zation of opportunity. By untiring industry and wise investment he has worked his way steadily upward and his success has been so worthily won that the most envious could not begrudge him his prosperity. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in business transactions but has placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of industry, determination and close application.
L. G. ROSENFELD.
The history of agricultural and stock-raising interests in Story county would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make ref- erence to the Rosenfeld family, for through many years representatives of the name have closely been associated with business of this character and in fact have been leaders in farming and kindred activities.
He whose name introduces this review was born in Morrison, Illinois, on the 9th of July, 1864, and was brought to Story county by his parents in the spring of 1873. He is a son of George and Louisa ( Fritch) Rosen- feld. The father was born in Baden, Germany, June 4, 1824, took part in the Baden rebellion and was captured by the Prussian army, being one of the fifteen hundred prisoners who were locked up in a church. From that number the enemy each morning took out six officers and shot them. Mr. Rosenfeld in company with General Sigel managed to escape, forty-four of the number forcing their way out of prison. Ile made his way to the United States as soon as possible. In 1853 he secured a French passport and in the year 1855 he arrived in New York. The same year he was mar- ried and soon afterward removed westward to Morrison, Illinois, where he worked at the mason's trade, which he had previously learned in his native country. In 1873 he removed to Story county, Iowa, and was here killed by the cars while driving a team across the railroad, on the 6th of March, 1902. lle had devoted his life to farming in this state and had prospered in his undertakings, becoming the owner of five hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land. He had purchased two hundred and forty acres of the home place here in 1866 but did not take up his abode thereon until 1873.
L. G. Rosenfeld was at that time a lad of nine years. The family home was situated a mile north of Kellogg, on section 33. Washington township, and he has resided upon this farm continuously since. He re- mained with his parents until his marriage, when he located on another part of the farm about a half mile cast of Kelley but still on section 33. He owns one hundred and ten acres of the old home place, and his property constitutes one of the valuable and desirable farms of the neighborhood. Here he is engaged in breeding French draft horses, to which business he has devoted his attention untiringly and successfully since 1902. He owns
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an imported stallion called Courageous, also another named Gotch, and has five thoroughbred mares. His horses are all eligible to registry in both French draft and Percheron classes. Mr. Rosenfeld was a breeder of Hereford cattle for a number of years but does not give any attention to that business at the present time. He also breeds Berkshire hogs and his stock-raising interests are to him a profitable source of income.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Rosenfeld and Miss Ella M. Morris, who was born in Morrison, Illinois, May 22, 1866, and is a daugh- ter of Willard and Addie Morris. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rosenfeld have been born two daughters, Mabel and Blanch, who are now high-school students in Ames.
The family are prominent socially in the county and have an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Rosenfeld has made for himself a creditable position in business circles, being regarded today as one of the leading representatives of stock-breeding interests in Story county. He has thor- oughly informed himself regarding everything that promotes the success of stock-breeders, especially in raising Percheron draft horses and Berk- shire hogs. He works untiringly, is strictly honorable in all of his deal- ings, and success has come to him as the merited reward of his labor.
JAMES H. KIRK.
James H. Kirk, a well known farmer of Union township, was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, on the 3d of August, 1832, and is the son of Tra- vis and Melinda (Purdy) Kirk, also natives of the Blue Grass state, whence they removed to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1841, making their home there until they passed away. There our subject grew to manhood, re- ceiving a practical education in the common schools. In 1853, he came to Iowa, and located in Polk county, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. The following year was spent in Mills county, and at the end of that time he returned to McDonough county, where he remained until he entered the service of his country, enlisting in 1862, in Company D, One Hundred Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was discharged the fol- lowing November, and the next April returned to Iowa, spending one more year in Polk county.
In the spring of 1864, we again find Mr. Kirk in Iowa, and this time he took up his abode in Story county, following farming for himself as a renter for some years. In 1896 he purchased eighty acres of land in Union township, on which he lived until September, 1871, when he sold the place and removed to Kansas. He made his home in that state for three and one half years, but has since been a resident of this county, and now owns and operates a good farm of eighty acres in Union township.
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In 1869 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kirk and Miss Elizabeth C. Warren of Story county, a daughter of John and Ellen ( Groseclose) Warren, both natives of Johnson county, Indiana. It was in the fall of 1853 that the Warren family came to Story county, Iowa, and the father purchased the farm now owned by our subject, where he and his wife continued to reside until called to their final rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirk were born nine children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Charles W .. who is now principal of the Collins schools; James Burtis, a farmer of Polk county, Iowa ; Edward A., a resident of Greeley, Colorado; Frank B., who is now operating his father's farm; Addie E .. the wife of Harley Elliott of Union township; Lulu, the wife of Ingral Hendrickson of Cam- bridge; and Carl II., of Des Moines.
The republican party finds in Mr. Kirk a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and he has taken quite an active part in local affairs, serving as constable for five years, assessor for eight years, and as a member of the school board for over twenty years. Fraternally he is connected with Ersland Post No. 234, G. A. R., of Cambridge, and both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. During his long residence in this county he has become widely and fa- vorably known, and is a man honored and esteemed by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
CHARLES F. STUART.
Charles F. Stuart is an honored veteran of the Civil war but was no more loyal to his country at that time than he is in days of peace, for he is ever ready to aid in promoting projects and movements tending to ad- vance the welfare of county, state or nation. Much of his life has been spent in Iowa and he is now living on section 24, Franklin township, where he owns and cultivates fifty-three and a half acres of land.
He was born at Bridgeport, Belmont county, Ohio, May 13, 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Diana ( Richardson) Stuart, the latter a native of Maine, as was probably the father. They lived for a number of years in Belmont county, Ohio, and in 1858 became residents of Jones county, Iowa, settling about three miles northwest of Olin. Their remaining days were passed in that county, where the mother died in 1868, at the age of fifty- seven years, while the father passed away in 1876, at the age of sixty- seven. Ile was a millwright and followed that trade while in Ohio, but after coming to Iowa turned his attention to farming. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and five daughters: George A., who enlisted at Reynoldsburg and served for three years in the Civil war, after which he died in Illinois : Charles, who passed away at the age of seven years; Mrs. Elmira Jane Robinett, now deceased; Mrs. Mary Ann Forquer Norman,
C. F. STUART AND FAMILY
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of Ashland, Oregon; Mrs. Emeline Norton, of Laramie, Wyoming ; Charles F .; John Albert, who enlisted in February, 1864, and served until the close of the Civil war, his home being now in Jones county, Iowa; Mrs. Vir- ginia Bickford, of Washington, Iowa; and Diana, who died at the age of sixteen years.
When a youth of fifteen years Charles F. Stuart, in 1858, accompanied his parents to Jones county, Iowa, and was living upon the home farin, about three miles northwest of Olin, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the Union army, enlisting on the 10th of August, 1861, as a member of Company B, Ninth Iowa Infantry, under Captain D. A. Car- penter. The command was assigned to the army of the southwest and was on duty in Missouri and Arkansas, participating in its first engage- ment at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Mr. Stuart also took part in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou and was afterward taken ill, being poisoned with the water at Yazoo river. Later he participated in the battle of Jackson. Mississippi, and in the siege of Vicksburg, in which he was twice wounded, on the 22d of May, 1863. These were only flesh wounds, however, and he was off duty but for ten days. He took part in the second engagement at Jackson, then went back to Black river and afterward to Iuka, Tennessee, where he became ill and was left in the hospital for a few days. He was then again on duty at the battle of Brandon, after which the troops went into winter quarters. In December, 1863, he reenlisted in the same com- pany and regiment and was granted a thirty days' veteran furlough. At the battle at Dallas, Georgia, he was taken prisoner and sent to Anderson- ville, where he remained from the 27th of May, 1864, until the 10th of September. He was then removed to Florence, South Carolina, where he continued until the 5th of February, 1865, when he made his escape. He was three months in getting to the lines and his companion who escaped with him was taken sick, Mr. Stuart remaining with him for five weeks, during which time they were cared for by an old negro. They then re- joined Sherman's forces at Charleston and reached their regiment at Alex- andria, Virginia, on the 19th of May, 1865. After participating in the grand review at Washington, D. C., they were sent to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where they were discharged and mustered out on the 19th of July, 1 865.
Mr. Stuart at once returned to his home in Jones county, Iowa, and resumed farming. There he resided until 1874, when he came to Story county. Here he operated a ditching machine for two years, after which he engaged in farming for two or three years. He then followed rail- roading until 1892, acting as bridge foreman, and since that date he has given his attention to general agricultural pursuits, owning and cultivating fifty-three and a half acres of land on section 24, Franklin township. The farm is well tilled and developed and brings to him a good annual income.
Mr. Stuart was married in Jones county, September 14, 1865. to Miss Minerva Overball, who was born in Ohio, May 13, 1845, and died at Ana- Vol. II-15
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mosa, Iowa, February 19. 1874. They had three children : Joseph Michael. who died in infancy; Charles Wilber, who died at Ames when twenty-four years of age; and Mrs. Arlinna May Everett, who died leaving one daugh- ter. Bessie.
On the 27th of June, 1875, Mr. Stuart was again married, his second union being with Ellen Elliott, who was born in Story county, Iowa, De- cember 25, 1854. a daughter of Clark and Mary Elliott, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. They came to Story county in August. 1854. and the father died at Ames, but the mother is now living in Des Moines. Four children have been born to the second marriage of Mr. Stuart: Ger- trude, now the wife of Roy Taylor, of Franklin township; Maude, the wife of Fay Taylor; Clark; and Bessie, the wife of S. B. Allen. All are residents of Franklin township.
Mr. Stuart is a member of the United Brethren church at Ames and also belongs to Ellsworth Post, G. A. R., of which he became a charter member. He has always been true to the banners under which he has marched and to the cause which he has espoused. Loyalty is one of his strong characteristics and the county today numbers him among its public- spirited citizens.
DWIGHT W. BOYDSTON.
For twelve years past engaged in the jewelry business at Nevada, Dwight W. Boydston has attained recognition as an enterprising and pro- gressive citizen whose example and influence have contributed materially to the permanent welfare of the city. He is a native of Knoxville, Iowa. born July 4, 1876. and is a son of George L. and Josephine C. (Waus) Boydston. The father was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and is of German parentage. He learned the tinner's trade and in his early manhood came to Iowa, subsequently locating at Knoxville, where he has been en- gaged in the grocery business for the past twenty-seven years. He is also the owner of a fine farm in Marion county. Ile was a soldier in the Civil war and gives his allegiance to the republican party, with which he has been identified ever since he arrived at voting age. He has been an active worker politically and served for five years as treasurer of Marion county. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic. His re- ligious views are indicated by membership in the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee and a stanch supporter. The mother of our subject is a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and is also an earnest member of the Methodist church. She is now fifty-five years of age. while her hus- band is ten years her senior. There were two children in their family : Dwight W .. our subject ; and Marion, who is now engaged in the general merchandise business at Fairmount, Nebraska.
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Dwight W. Boydston received his preliminary education in the public schools, graduating from the Knoxville high school, after which he at- tended the Bradley Polytechnic School at Peoria, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1898. Having laid the foundation for a successful career by a thorough education and being attracted to mercantile pursuits, he came to Nevada in the spring of 1899 and entered the jewelry business in the First National Bank building, where he has since continued, being now accounted one of the substantial business men of the city.
On October 12, 1904, Mr. Boydston was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. Thompson, a daughter of F. D. and Abigail Thompson, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Boydston: George L., who was born July 26, 1907; and Josephine, born July 20, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Boydston are both members of the Presbyterian church, in whose behalf they are active workers. He is a valued member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias and politically gives his support to the republican party. He has shown capability in his business affairs and a promptness and efficiency in the discharge of every duty, which have won him the honor and esteem of all classes of people. He has now se- cured a handsome competence and is numbered among the representative citizens of Nevada.
HIRAM E. EMERY.
Hiram E. Emery, a contractor and builder of Ames whose ability and business integrity constitute the foundation upon which he has raised the superstructure of his success, was born about a half mile northeast of Ne- vada on the 24th of August, 1858, his parents being John and Amanda (Stull) Emery. The father's birth occurred in Wheeling, West Virginia, November 28, 1832, while the mother was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1835.
The paternal grandfather, Thomas Emery, came to Story county, Iowa. with his family in 1857 and his death here occurred in 1868. His wife, Mrs. Barbara Emery, died in Grant township in 1890. They had four. children, William, Mary, John and Sarah J. The eldest is now living in London, Ohio, at the age of more than eighty-five years. Mary is the wife of Rev. Samuel Gossard, who was one of the first Methodist Episcopal preachers of Story county. Sarah became the wife of Thomas Gossard, the nephew of Rev. Samuel Gossard. lle was a soldier of the Civil war prior to his marriage and died in 1889. His widow is now a resident of Onawa. Iowa. The third member of the family was John Emery, who married Amanda Stull and they became parents of Hiram E. Emery. Both be- came residents of Madison county, Ohio, in childhood days and were there
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reared and married. They arrived in Story county, lowa, in the spring of 1857, traveling by boat to Keokuk and reaching their destination on the ist of March. They located on the place where the birth of Hiram E. Emery occurred and five years later the father entered land in Grant township but never resided upon that farm. Subsequently he purchased a farm on sec- tion 32, Grant township, whereon he lived until 1882, when he took up his abode in Ames. In 1885 he removed to O'Brien county, lowa, where he re- sided until 1895. when he went to live with his son Hiram in Poweshiek county. Later Hiram E. Emery returned to Ames, accompanied by his father, who passed away here on the 28th of December, 1908. Since the death of her husband the mother has resided with the daughter in O'Brien county. In their family were nine children: Mary, who died in Ohio in in- fancy; Iliram E .; Nettie B., the wife of Homer Morgan of Cherokee county ; Charles F., also of Cherokee county; E. Grant, of Montana; Frank, a resident of Fort Dodge, lowa; William, of Sanborn, lowa; John, who died in infancy; and Florence, the wife of Fred Marunda, of Primghar, O'Brien county.
Hiram E. Emery was reared to farm life, remaining with his parents until twenty-two years of age, during which period he became familiar with all the labors of field and meadow. He then began working at the car- penter's trade in Ames and was employed by O. P. Stuckslager for three years. Subsequently he was employed at bridge work and building for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company for five years, and subsequently spent two years in similar service with the Milwaukee Railway Company. Since that time he has engaged in contracting and building on his own ac- count and now has a liberal patronage. lle has done much work in Ames and throughout the surrounding country, confining his attention largely to the building of houses. He has made judicious investments in property and is the owner of a good farm in O'Brien county and another in Minnesota. while in Ames he has three good residences and other business interests. llis life has indeed been a busy and useful one, and the success which has come to him is the merited reward of earnest labor.
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