USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
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On Christmas Day of 1889 Mr. Emery was united in marriage to Miss Arminda J. Brown, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 27, 1862, but when 9 years of age went to Poweshiek county, lowa. with her father's family. She was the daughter of Samuel and Victoria Brown. The mother died when her daughter was but five years of age, and the father afterward married again. Mr. and Mrs. Emery became the parents of two children but the younger. J. V .. died in infancy. The elder, Samuel Orville. is now attending the high school.
Mr. Emery belongs to the Masonic fraternity in which he has taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and council. Ile also holds membership re- lations with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Homesteaders. Ilis has been a well spent life, devoted to the duty close at hand. There is nothing hesitating or vacillating in his nature. When he sees that there is
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something that should be done, he does it, and his promptness and ability in the discharge of his work have been strong elements in his success. Grad- ually he has advanced in his business life and now occupies a creditable posi- tion among the contractors and builders of Story county.
CYRUS SIMMONS.
Cyrus Simmons was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Story county and for many years was identified with its agricultural interests. Those who yet remember him-and his friends were many-speak of him in terms of high regard and attest the fact that his labors were an element in the substantial improvement and upbuilding of this section. He was born November 3, 1823, in Ohio, a son of Lorenzo and Anna ( Taylor) Simmons, whose family included Henry, Amos, Rachel, Jolin, Warren, and Cyrus, who was the third child.
Cyrus Simmons spent his youthful days in Ohio, acquiring his educa- tion in such schools as the home neighborhood afforded. When about twenty years of age he accompanied his parents on their westward re- moval to Adamsville, Michigan, and there he was married in 1853 to Miss Rosetta Corwin, who was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, February 13, 1836, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Hewlitt) Corwin, who removed from New York to Michigan and there spent their remaining days. In their family were eleven children of whom Mrs. Simmons and Stillman Corwin, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, are the only ones now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Simmons began their domestic life in the Wolverine state where they resided until 1855, and then came to Story county, Iowa, making the trip in a wagon. Here Mr. Simmons purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres which he secured at the nominal price of four dollars per acre. It was wild and unimproved land, but with characteristic energy he began to turn the sod and prepare the fields for cultivation. In time planting was done and crops were ultimately gathered. Year by year the work of the farm was carried on until the place was converted into a rich and productive tract of land from which large harvests were an- nually garnered. After some years Mr. Simmons sold two eighty-acre tracts of his place, leaving to his widow eighty acres which is situated on section 14, Washington township. He also had some timber land. Ile made substantial improvements upon his farm, including the erection of good buildings, and remained there until his death, which occurred in June, 1878.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simmons there were born three children but two of the number died in infancy. The surviving daughter, Alice, is the wife of Albert Kelly and they reside upon the old Simmons homestead. Mr.
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Kelly operating the farm. They have three children, Ruth, Ralph and Floyd.
A third of a century has passed away since Mr. Simmons was called to his final rest, but he is yet remembered by many of the old settlers and citizens of this country as a man of genuine worth, active and indus- trions, and loyal to the best interests of the community. Mrs. Simmons is today the eldest resident in this neighborhood, having lived here for more than fifty-five years, during which period she has witnessed a marvelous transformation. When she came there were no railroads, much of the land was unclaimed and uncultivated and the work of civilization and im- provement seemed scarcely begun. She has seen crossroads villages trans- formed into thriving cities and towns and as the years have gone by has also witnessed substantial growth in educational and moral progress as well as along material lines. She can relate many interesting incidents of the early days when the homes were small and luxuries few but when hos- pitality reigned supreme and a spirit of general helpfulness existed among neighbors.
JAMES H. LARSON.
One of the highly esteemed business men of Roland is James H. Lar- son, who is also serving his second term as mayor of the village. He is the son of Lars and Joanna Haugen, both natives of Norway. The father was born in Norway in 1827 and came to the United States in 1867, lo- cating in Kendall county, Illinois. During his first five years of resi- dence in the United States he worked by the day and then rented a place in IToward township, Story county, Iowa, which he cultivated until 1879. By thrift, careful management and untiring application he acquired the means which enabled him to become a property owner and in 1879 he bought eighty acres of land on which he lived until 1896, when he added to his holdings another one hundred and sixty acres. Shortly after this he withdrew from active farming and is now living retired in Huxley. Iowa, enjoying the fruit of his early labors, his realty yielding him a sufficient income to provide him with the necessities of life and some of the luxuries. Mr. and Mrs. Haugen were the parents of nine children. of whom seven are living: James 11., our subject ; John, residing in Salem, Oregon ; Louis, living at lakefield, Minnesota; Belle, a resident of Col- orado Springs; Cornelius, of Devil's Lake, North Dakota; Eddie, resid- ing in Seattle, Washington; and Louise, who is the wife of Elmer Thompson.
Mr. Larson spent his boyhood and youth on a farm, performing such work as paternal authority dictated. His education was mainly acquired in night school and he enjoyed the sports and games usually favored by
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young people. He remained at home assisting his father until he was eighteen years of age, when he began business for himself by drilling wells. He continued in that business for thirteen years, doing some farmi- ing at intervals, but in 1900 he embarked into the grain business. After he had engaged in that for seven years he sold out and went into the lumber business, which he is now following. In addition to his lumber interests Mr. Larson is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank and the Story Independent Telephone Company.
Mr. Larson established a home for himself by his marriage to Miss May Erickson, a daughter of Michael Erickson. Unto them have been born five children: Leonard, Severt, Malcolm and Mildred, all of whom are at school; and Avis, who is at home. The family always worship with the Lutheran denomination in which church the parents hokl membership and are ardent workers. Mr. Larson is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of his community, who well deserves the esteem which his fellow citizens entertain for him.
HENRY CLAY LOWREY.
Henry Clay Lowrey is one of the extensive landowners of Storey county and one of the most prominent importers and breeders of Percheron horses. His business interests have been so wisely and ably conducted that success in large measure has come to him and by all is acknowledged to be the merited reward of his effort.
Mr. Lowrey was born in Mclean county, Illinois, March 28, 1858, his parents being Joseph and Josephine (Jenkins) Lowrey. The father, a na- tive of Scotland, came to the United States in 1830, settling in Pennsyl- vania, where he lived for a short time when with two companions he started on horseback for Illinois, which at that time was largely a frontier region. Land could be obtained at a very low figure on the western fron- tier and Mr. Lowrey traded a horse for one hundred and sixty acres. He then turned his attention to farming and with characteristic energy converted his place into highly cultivated and productive fields. As he prospered in his undertakings he made other investments in property until his holdings aggregated several thousand acres, and he was numbered among the wealthy farmers of McLean county at the time of his death. He left a widow and four children to mourn his loss.
H. C. Lowrey, the third in order of birth, spent his boyhood and youth upon the old home farm in McLean county and in the district sehools ac- quired his early education, which was afterward supplemented by study in the Kentucky University at Lexington for a year. He was then com- pelled to return home to assist in the management of the farm and re- mained in McLean county until 1894, when he removed to Story county,
.
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Iowa, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock-breeding, making a specialty of importing Percheron horses from France. He is one of the largest importers of the state and has made forty trips abroad for that purpose. He has a splendidly improved farm, equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences and has upon the place every facility for the care of his stock. Energy, economy, thrift and diligence have enabled him to win a place among the prosperous agriculturists of his adopted county, within the borders of which he now owns eight hundred acres of valuable land, while in Big Stone county, Minnesota, he owns four hundred acres.
Mr. Lowrey was married. November 5. 1890, to Miss Elizabeth Otto, of McLean county, Illinois, and to them have been born three children : Joseph and Lawrence, who aid in carrying on the home farm ; and Leona, at school.
Mr. Lowrey gives his political support to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He is honest almost to a fault. His word is as good as his bond, and he has never been one to take advantage of the necessities of another in any business transaction. Hc would far rather suffer loss himself than inflict it upon anyone else. He has prospered by reason of his close application, his intelligently directed effort and his sound judgment, and his record should serve to encourage and inspire others.
LOVETTE OLIVER.
Lovette Oliver, a capitalist of Gilbert, who has been both the archi- tect and builder of his own fortunes, was for many years identified with commercial pursuits and at the present time is vice president of the Gil- bert Savings Bank, although not in active control of the institution. Large investments in lands, as well as in bank stock, indicate the success which has come to him as the reward of persistent and intelligently directed labor.
Ile was born in Livingston county, New York, October 13, 1846, a son of John and Mary ( Rosenberg ) Oliver. The father was born in Lin- colnshire, England, in 1816, and when about twenty years of age crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of New York, where he married Miss Mary Rosenberg, who was born in the Empire state in 1820. About 1850 he removed with his family to Indiana, where he lived for three years, and then became a resident of Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1869. He then came to Ames, lowa, but spent his last days in Neosho, Missouri, where he passed away in 1871. His widow long sur- vived him and died in Missouri on the 11th of October. 1910. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, serving a seven years' apprenticeship in
LOVETTE OLIVER
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England and afterward following his trade in the United States until his removal to Wisconsin, when he turned his attention to farmning. Unto him and his wife were born nine children: Mrs. Mary Dowse, now deceased; James, of Montana; Lovette, of this review; Mrs. Eliza Walker, of Neosho, Missouri ; John, a resident of Cummins, Iowa; Mrs. Libby Mott, deceased ; William, of Neosho, Missouri; Charles, a resident of Ames ; and one who died in infancy.
Lovette Oliver was only six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Indiana and a youth of nine years when they went to Kenosha county, Wisconsin. There he resided until 1869, when, at the age of twenty-three years, he made his way to Ames, since which time he has lived in Story county. He was reared to farm life from the age of nine and was continuously connected with agricultural pursuits until the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war. He offered his aid to the government in Lake county, Illinois, in February, 1865, and was assigned to duty with Company F. One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he continued until the close of hostilities, doing guard duty most of the time with the Army of the Cumberland. He then re- turned home, after which he engaged in teaching school in the winter months and in the summer seasons studied photography. After his re- moval to Ames he opened a photographic gallery, which he conducted for three years and then removed to a farm a mile and a half southeast of the present site of Gilbert. Bending his energies to the cultivation and improvement of his land he transformed his farm into a valuable place and remained active in its improvement and control until 1880. When the town of Gilbert was founded he opened a lumberyard there and was en- gaged in the lumber and implement business for twenty-eight years. When he retired he was the oldest dealer in those lines in either Story or Boone counties. Throughout the entire period he had enjoyed an extensive pat- ronage, for he had closely applied himself to business and at all times met the demands of his patrons with courteous service and honorable deal- ing. He was therefore accorded an extensive patronage and his business brought him substantial returns. As he prospered in his undertakings he invested more and more largely in real estate. He sold his farm property in Story county but is the owner of good farming land in Palo Alto county, together with eight hundred acres in South Dakota. He and his brother John owned and conducted a lumberyard at Cummins for several years but at length sold it. Lovette Oliver has invested in bank stock and has been vice president of the Gilbert Savings Bank since its organization in 1906. His attention, however, is merely given to the supervision of his invested interests and he is enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
In November, 1868, Mr. Oliver was united in marriage in Lake county, Illinois, to Miss Lavina Ruth, who was born in that county, October II, 1846, and is a daughter of Erwin and Leah ( Brown) Ruth. Mr. and
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Mrs. Oliver have two children: Irene, now the wife of Oscar Johnson, living two miles west of Gilbert; and Dr. Clifford 1. Oliver, who is a grad- uate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago and now a practicing physician of Graceville, Minnesota.
Mr. Oliver has been a lifelong republican, active in support of the party and its principles. He served as township clerk of Franklin town- ship for fifteen years, has done effective work as a progressive member of the city council of Gilbert and in the spring of 1910 was elected mayor, since which time he has given to the city a businesslike and public-spirited administration, resulting beneficially to Gilbert in many ways. He is like- wise a valued representative of fraternal organizations. He is a charter member of Frank Bentley Post No. 79, G. A. R., and also of the Odd Fellows lodge of Gilbert, and he joined the Congregational church of the town on its organization and has since been one of its active and helpful members. With the exception of two years he has served continuously as clerk of the church and for twenty-five years has been superintendent of the Sunday school, doing excellent work in making the methods of the school of interest to the young and thus inculcating in their minds lessons which are factors in character building. While he has met with splendid success, business has been to him but one phase of existence and not the end and aim of life. Ile has at all times recognized his duties and obliga- tions in other relations and stands as a high type of American manhood and chivalry.
SAMUEL S. STATLER.
Samuel S. Statler, now living retired at Nevada, was for many years actively identified with its business interests. He has now passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey and, having throughout life been gov- erned by strict principles of honor and fidelity to every trust, he enjoys the good-will of all who know him. He was born in Stoyestown, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. December 2, 1830, and is a son of Jonathan Stat- ler, also a native of Pennsylvania. The family on the paternal side is of German origin and good Revolutionary stock, the early progenitors hav- ing arrived in America during colonial days. Jonathan Statler was a mer- chant and also owner of a tannery. being known as a man of good busi- ness judgment and reliable character. He was a member of the Presby- terian church and politically was identified with the democratic party. Ile was called away at the age of fifty-six years, in 1860. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Maria Snell. was born in Penn- sylvania, May 14, 1811. She was of Scotch descent and possessed many admirable traits inherited from worthy ancestry. She was a firm believer
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in the Bible and for many years an active worker in the Methodist church. She departed this life September 24, 1887.
Samuel S. Statler is one of a family of four children and received his education in private schools, the public-school system not being then es- tablished. He remained with his parents until after reaching manhood but in 1855, being then twenty-five years of age, he started out for him- self. Coming west to Nevada, Iowa, he was connected for a year or more with the land business. He soon gained many friends in Story county and was appointed deputy county treasurer and recorder under William Lockridge, serving for three years. In 1873 he was elected county treas- urer and filled that office for one term, while previously he had served as member of the board of supervisors from Nevada township. After retiring from the treasureship he entered the grocery business, in which he continued about fifteen years. During this time he also acted as agent of the American Express Company, continuing in that capacity after re- tiring from the grocery business and serving altogether twenty-five years as representative of the express company in Nevada. Since giving up this position he has taken no part in business affairs.
On March 22, 1860, Mr. Statler was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Stephens, who was born in Beaver county. Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 16, 1831, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lytle) Stephens. The parents came to Nevada in the spring of 1858 and here took up their permanent abode. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Statler : Samuel V., James F. and Sidna, all of whom are deceased; one who died in infancy; Edgar, further mention of whom is made below; Carrie Ellen, who married Frank A. Flach, of Amboy, Illinois, and is the mother of four children ; Margaret, at home; and Ferdinand, a fruit grower of El- berta, Utah. The mother of these children was called from earthly scenes December 23, 1908. She was a woman of many noble qualities of mind and heart, who thought no sacrifice too great provided it added to the comfort and happiness of those with whom she was associated.
Edgar Statler was born in Nevada, Iowa, in 1865. He was educated in the public schools and engaged in various occupations until arriving at the age of twenty-five years, when he entered his father's grocery, continuing there for three years. Subsequently he engaged in other lines but since 1903 has again been identified with the grocery business and has met with a goodly measure of success. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church, of which he is a liberal supporter. In 1889 he was married to Miss Cora M. Slifer, who was born in Grundy Center, Iowa, in 1871. There are five children in their family.
Samuel S. Statler is a member in high standing of the different bodies of the Masonic order and is connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. He has for many years been affiliated with the Odd Fellows and is the oldest member of the order in Story county and the only charter mem-
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ber living. Politically he is in sympathy with the democratic party. Al- ways straightforward, sincere and generous in judging others, he was carly recognized as the possessor of those estimable qualities that are most es- sential in the formation of manly character. That he has ably performed his part is the unanimous opinion of those who know him best.
FRANK JOHNSTON ECKELS.
One of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Story county is Frank Johnston Eckels, who was born in Mercer county. Penn- sylvania, on the 20th of September, 1855. His father. James Starr Eck- els was also from the Keystone state, having been born in Cumberland county on the 7th of December. 1827. The latter was a graduate of the Washington and Jefferson University and after having completed his academic course studied law. Before he began practicing, however, he filled the chair of Latin and Greek in a school at Greenville, Pennsylvania. He married Margaret Herron, a daughter of James and Isabelle (John- ston) Herron. Her father was a native of Pittsburg, the descendant of the Pennsylvania branch of the family, and the mother of New York, her family being originally from Kentucky, however.
James Starr Eckels left Pennsylvania in 1857 and located with his family in Princeton, Illinois, where he practiced law up to the time of his death. He was a member of the democratic party and was always very active in politics. He was several times the candidate of his party for congress in a republican district and he was also a delegate to all of the democratic national conventions while in politics. He passed away in Princeton, Illinois, in 1907. In his family were four children. Frank Johnston of this review is the eldest. James Herron, who was a lawyer, received the appointment as comptroller of currency during the Cleveland administration and after his retirement from office was elected to the presidency of the Commercial National Bank of Chicago. His death oc- curred in Chicago in April, 1897. George Morris is at present acting as legal counselor of the Commercial National Bank of Chicago. And Jane Isobelle is the widow of the late Dr. C. A. Palmer, of Princeton, Illinois. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a brother of the paternal grandfather of Mrs. William Taft, the wife of the president of the United States, thus Mrs. Taft and the children of James Starr Eckels are cousins.
Frank Johnston Eckels acquired his preliminary education in the pub- lic schools of Princeton and after graduation from the high school he went to Albany, New York. to attend law school. having chosen the profes- sion of his father as his vocation. He received his degree in 1875 and, re- turning to Princeton, entered the office of his father, with whom he con- tinned to practice until 1882, when he decided to give up law for agricul-
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tural pursuits and with this purpose in view located in Wellington, Ohio. After eighteen years residence in the Buckeye state he removed to Iowa, locating on two hundred and twenty acres of land in Story county, where he still resides. His farming has always been conducted along thoroughly scientific and businesslike methods. His stock is well sheltered and cared for, all sheds, pens and barns being kept in a thoroughly sanitary condi- tion, while the latest models in machinery and most up-to-date processes in drainage and fertilization are employed in the cultivation of the fields. He has given as much study to agriculture and as careful regard in its pursuit as he would have bestowed upon the details of any profession or industry, all of which is indicated by the general air of prosperity which surrounds his homestead.
Mr. Eckels was married to Miss Jennie Wadsworth, a daughter of Benjamin Wadsworth, of Wellington, Ohio, one of the extensive land- owners and prominent farmers of that section of the state. Mrs. Eckels is a well educated and highly cultured woman, an alumna of the Oxford University of Oxford, Ohio, one of the oldest and best educational institu- tions in the state. She is a descendant of Captain Wadsworth of Massa- chusetts, who hid the charter of the state in the old Charter Oak, and the poet Longfellow was connected with the same family on his mother's side. Mrs. Eckels also has the distinction of being a descendant of General Putnam of Revolutionary fame. Both she and her husband belong to good old American families who have been connected with the history of the country since colonial days and are eligible to various societies whose membership depends on Revolutionary lineage.
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