USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 29
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During the period of the war he had attained his majority and on the 6th of February, 1866, Mr. Canady was married to Miss Loretta Tamer, who was born in Dewitt, Clinton county, Iowa, October 14, 1847, and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Shinn) Tamer, the father a native of New Brunswick and the mother of Illinois. Her death occurred in her native state while Mr. Tamer passed away at Wall Lake, Iowa. Following his marriage Mr. Canady engaged in farming in Clinton county for a brief period but in December, 1866, came to Story county and located near the present site of the Iowa State College. He aided in building the first cen- tral building of that institution. He also went to Zenorsville, Boone county, where he worked in the coal mines for twenty years, and in 1902 he came to Gilbert, where he followed carpentering. The past five years, however, have been spent in the conduct of a wagon shop. He learned the trade of carpentering in 1872 and followed it in Des Moines, Boone and other cities. He possesses natural mechanical ability which training and ex- perience have augmented and he is now numbered among the capable arti- sans of Gilbert, where he has won a liberal patronage in the conduct of his wagon shop during the past five years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Canady have been born ten children: Carter N., now living in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Eddie M., who died in infancy ; Etta M., the deceased wife of Clifford Zenor ; Murt, living in Greene county, Iowa; Sadie J., the wife of George Black, of Dawson, Iowa ; Leonard J., at home; Lilly, the wife of Frank Reynolds, of Boone; Arthur, of Pitts- burg ; and Thomas E. and Ethel, both at home. Two of the sons, Carter and Arthur, are graduates of the civil engineering department of the Iowa State College, the former having completed his course in 1888 and the latter in 1908. Carter Canady now has charge of the highway department for the American Bridge Company at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Arthur is working there for him. He has also spent eight months at work on the Panama canal.
In his political views Mr. Canady has long been a republican, believing that the principles of that party contain the best elements of good govern- ment. While living in Boone county he served as justice of the peace for ten years and his decisions were based upon a comprehensive knowledge of the law as well as of the equity of the case. He has also been justice of the peace of Gilbert for two years and was the second mayor of this city. He takes an active part in the public life of the community and his worth is
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recognized by his fellowmen who have honored him with office. He be- longs to Frank Bentley Post, No. 89, G. A. R., of Gilbert, also to the Odd Fellows lodge here and is likewise a member of the Congregational church. A review of his life shows that he has closely followed a course which has made of him a valued citizen and an upright man. He has many good qualities, is social and genial by nature and at all times approachable. Good words are spoken of him by his fellow townsmen, and he is justly ac- counted one of the worthy citizens of Gilbert.
ISAAC H. CRAIG.
Isaac H. Craig is regarded as one of the prominent citizens of western Iowa, and, while a resident of Boone county, is widely known in Story county, his home being just across the line. His friends in this part of the state are many, and his life history therefore cannot fail to prove of in- terest to a large majority of the readers of this volume.
His birth occurred in Harrison county, Indiana, August 25, 1832, and he was reared in Clay county of that state. His parents were Presley R. and Elizabeth ( Hiestand) Craig, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Ohio. When their son Isaac was about fourteen years of age they were baptized by the Mormon missionaries and joined that religious sect and when they were driven out of Nauvoo, Illinois, the father decided to go with them across the plains. Isaac H. Craig accompanied his parents as far as Council Bluffs and there the father and children were taken ill. This was his first experience in Iowa. The following spring the family returned to Indiana and remained residents of Clay county until March, 1853, when they came to Story county, the family home being established three miles north of the present site of Ames. The father entered land from the government, began the development of a farm and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits in this county throughout his remaining days. His wife also passed away in Story county. They were the parents of six children : Isaac H .; Elisha B., who enlisted with the first squad from Story county as a member of Company E, Third Iowa Infantry, and died in the service; Benjamin F., who joined Company D, of the Tenth Iowa Infantry, and also died while serving in the Union army; Samuel Clay, who died at the home of his brother Isaac about twenty years ago; Mrs. Nancy E. Horine, also deceased; and Sarah A., who is the wife of Alex- ander H. Buck, a veteran of the Civil war now living in Ames.
After coming to Iowa Isaac HI. Craig remained at home with his parents until after the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he joined Company A of the Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry in July, 1862. He was on active duty among the bushwhackers in Missouri until honorably discharged on
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account of disability in March, 1863. He then returned home and was en- gaged in farming in Story county until he sokl his farm of seventy-nine acres and purchased his present farm just across the boundary line in Jackson township, Boone county. Upon this he took up his abode in March, 1909. Ile has sixty acres of rich and valuable land, a mile and a quarter west of Ontario and a quarter of a mile west of the Story county line. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and in his work his practical methods and unfaltering spirit of industry have consti- tuted the source of a substantial success. What he undertakes he accom- plishes. There is about him no hesitancy, and his carefully formulated plans are well executed and have brought him prosperity.
Mr. Craig has been married twice. On the 27th of December, 1856, he wedded Miss Mary Briley, a native of Indiana, who came to lowa with her mother in 1852 and died here in February, 1896. There were seven chil- dren born of that union : Laura E., who is now in Ames; Eldora, who died in childhood : Mary, who died at the age of fourteen years; Arthur Sher- man, who passed away at the age of eleven years; Minerva, the wife of Ralph Bell, of Idaho: Charles, living in Ontario, Iowa; and Nanny, the wife of George Cowdrey. of Washington township. Story county. In Feb- ruary, 1898, Mr. Craig was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Rebecca Breezley, the widow of J. D. Breezley.
Mr. Craig has now been a resident of this section of the state for fifty- eight years and has therefore witnessed the greater part of its growth and development as its wild lands have been transformed into attractive farms. as cross-roads villages have grown into cities and as the work of improve- ment has been carried on along all the lines which indicate an advanced civilization. He has participated in or witnessed many of the events which are now matters of history. He cast his first vote in 1853 at the first elec- tion hield in Story county at the organization of the county, his ballot sup- porting candidates who were running for county offices. In 1856 he voted for John C. Fremont, the first presidential nominee of the republican party and has never failed to support its presidential candidates since that time. He has never held any office higher than that of township trustee, for his ambition is not along political lines. He has sought to do his duty quietly as a private citizen but has preferred to leave office-holding to others. 11e maintains pleasant relations with his oldl army comrades through his mem- bership in Ellsworth Post, No. 30, G. A. R. of Ames.
Hle relates many interesting incidents of the early days and of the ex- periences which constituted features of pioneer life. He was an expert rifle shot when a young man and has killed many deer on the present site of Ames, for they were to be found in plentiful numbers during the first three years of his residence in lowa. Wild turkeys were also very nn- merous, as were prairie chickens and other game. In 1854 Mr. Craig wished to go back to Indiana to see some of his old neighbors, for he was homesick and longed for the companionship of okl friends. lle walked
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from Story county to Iowa City and on to Rock Island, Illinois, which was the nearest railroad town, covering the distance of one hundred and ninety miles in four days. At night he would seek shelter in some pioneer cabin, for in those days the homes of the early settlers were always open to the traveler. He did not need money or introduction to secure accommoda- tions. It was a time in which hospitality reigned supreme and a cordial welcome was extended to all. While Mr. Craig misses some of the old- time pleasures and customs, he is yet a believer in the world's progress and knows that substantial advancement has been made over the old methods of living when the farm work was done with crude machinery and when the homes were small, large families being crowded into two or three rooms. Today comforts and conveniences are to be had by all who will labor per- sistently and earnestly for them, and Mr. Craig is numbered with those to whom prosperity has come as the reward of earnest and persistent toil.
LEWIS APPELGATE. .
Lewis Appelgate, who was numbered among the early settlers of Story county and who took active and helpful part in developing and improving this section of the state, was born in Indiana on the 25th of February, 1819, a son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Smith) Appelgate, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was probably born in Indiana. They had seven sons and four daughters, including Lewis Appelgate.
In his childhood days our subject accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Bureau county, Illinois, the family home being established mid- way between De Pue and Princeton. There he was reared to manhood amid the pleasant conditions of country life and having arrived at years of maturity he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Tichenor, who was born in Indiana, February 7, 1821. Her father was Moses Tichenor.
Mr. and Mrs. Appelgate began their domestic life in Illinois, and six children were born unto them there before their removal to Iowa in 1855. at which time they took up their abode in Story county, settling on section 18, Nevada township, two miles south of Nevada. There the father spent his remaining days, devoting his time and energies to the development and improvement of a farm of one hundred and forty-two acres of land which was naturally rich and productive and responded to the care and labor which was bestowed upon it. He was ever an upright, honorable man, and held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His political alleg- iance was given to the democratic party, and he filled some minor offices but never cared for political preferment.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Appelgate were born nine children. Joseph. the eldest, is now deceased. James M. enlisted from Story county for active service at the front during the Civil war and died in the army. Sarah A.
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is the wife of E. T. Raimer, who was born in this county in November, 1868, and has always resided within its borders. In May, 1905, he wedded Sarah Appelgate who since 1855 has resided upon a farm where they now made their home on section 18, Nevada township. She came to this county with her parents when ten years of age. Lorenzo D., the next of the family, is a resident of Nevada. Franklin M. wedded Miss Mary Lewis in 1876. She was born in Connecticut in February, 1856, and when four years of age went to Illinois with her parents. Her mother died when she was six years of age and her father afterward married again, coming with his family to this county when Mrs. Appelgate was nine years of age. Unto F. M. Appelgate and his wife have been born three children: Her- bert; Bernice, the wife of Lewis Appelgate, of Richmond township; and Verne, the wife of Guy Atkinson, living near McCallsburg. Mary, the sixth member of the family of Lewis Appelgate, Sr., is the wife of John Densmore, of Nevada. Olive is the wife of Albert Hemstead, of Clinton, Iowa. Mrs. Viola Gooden is deceased; McClellan, the youngest of the family is living in Grant township.
The name of Appelgate has been associated with the history of this county for more than fifty-five years, and the members of the family have taken active and helpful part in the work of general improvement and progress, so that they deserve prominent mention upon the pages of this volume.
JAY G. DUTTON.
Jay G. Dutton, president of the Farmers Bank of Nevada, throughout the last period of his residence in this city, covering thirteen years, has long been accorded a prominent position in business and financial circles. Ilis record is another proof of the fact that success is not the result of genius as held by some, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment, ex- perience and close application.
Ile was born in Benton county, Iowa, August 31, 1866, and in 1870 was brought to Nevada by his parents, O. B. and Elizabeth A. (Beavers) Dutton, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. The father became a resident of Chicago in 1835, before the incorpora- tion of the city, and was closely identified with its early development. The year 1855 witnessed his arrival in Iowa and in Delaware county, this state, he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Beavers. Subsequently he removed to Norway, Benton county, and in 1870 came to Nevada. In that year Mr. Dutton established the first bank of Story county and conducted busi- ness under the firm style of O. B. Dutton & Son, bankers, the junior part- ner being O. E. Dutton, now living in Los Angeles, California. For eleven years he continued in the banking business but in 1881 sold out and re-
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moved to Missouri Valley, where he established the First National Bank of that place. He was connected with financial interests there for about nine years but disposed of his interest in the bank in 1890 and returned to Nevada. In early life before entering banking circles he had engaged in merchandising and from time to time as opportunity offered he made ex- tensive and judicious investment in real estate, becoming the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land adjoining the corpora- tion limits of Nevada on the west. To the development and improvement of the property he gave his personal supervision. He was a very success- ful man, his business judgment being sound, his sagacity keen and his en- terprise unfaltering. His labors, too, were of a character that contributed largely to the improvement and progress of the section in which he lived, and his commercial integrity was such as to win for him the unqualified confidence of all. The death of Mr. Dutton occurred in Nevada in 1891, when he was sixty-five years of age. He had for several years survived his wife, who passed away in Missouri Valley, in April, 1888, at the age of fifty-three years. Their children were six in number: Martha, the wife of David Leonard, a resident of Lake City, Iowa; O. E., living in Los Angeles, California; O. J., a banker of Grand Junction, Iowa; Jay G., of this review; Jeannette, the wife of Dr. F. H. Conner, of Nevada; and Omer B., who died at the age of sixteen years.
Jay G. Dutton was only four years of age when his parents came to Nevada and in the public schools of this city he began his education, which was continued after the removal of the family to Missouri Valley. In the latter place he made his initial step in business, becoming the first cashier of the First National Bank of Missouri Valley, which position he occupied for seven years, or until his removal from that place to Perry, Iowa. His attention was then given to the lumber and grain trades and to the banking business for seven years, when he disposed of his interests there. He then returned to Nevada, where since 1897 he has continuously made his home. He came here with the intention of entering the banking business and purchased an interest in the Farmers Bank, of which he has since been the president. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of banking and is conducting a business that safeguards the interests of depositors and also promotes the success of the institution. He is also the owner of ex- tensive landed interests in this county and elsewhere, much of his capital having been placed in the safest of all investments-real estate.
In 1891 Mr. Dutton was united in marriage to Miss Lida Briggs, a native of Nevada and a daughter of Otis and Jennie Briggs. The father is now deceased, and the mother resides in Los Angeles, California. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dutton have been born two children : Dorothy and Orson B.
The family are prominent in Nevada, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended them. As a citizen Mr. Dutton advocates and supports all those measures and movements which are of practical value in the upbuilding of the city along material, intellectual, social and moral
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lines. His entire life has been actuated by a spirit of enterprise that is manifest in his public relations as well as in his private business affairs. Hle is resolute and determined, accomplishing what he undertakes and his success is the logical sequence of his industry. close application and busi- ness integrity.
FRANK E. MORRIS.
Frank E. Morris, who has engaged continuously in the livery business in Ames since 1893 and is also identified with agricultural interests in Story county. was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, about two miles east of Morrison, on the 30th of July, 1868. Ilis parents. Willard and Adaline (Leonard) Morris, were both natives of Schenectady. New York, the for- mer born June 22, 1825, and the latter in 1830. They were married in the Empire state and on coming to the middle west settled in Illinois, where they remained for about eighteen years, after which they arrived in Story county, Jowa. The mother's death occurred in January, 1901, but the father still survives and makes his home upon a farm north of Ames. In their family were seven children: Addie, the wife of Chet F. Davis, living three miles east of Gilbert, Iowa ; Ella, the wife of Lester Rosenfeld, whose home is a half mile east of Kelley; Joie, the wife of William Kannan, re- siding on the home farm with her father; Walter, a resident of Franklin township: Frank E., of this review; Gertie, at home; and Lynn, who is conducting a livery stable in Ames.
Frank E. Morris resided upon the old home farm in Illinois, upon which his birth occurred, until he came to Iowa in October. 1875. in company with his parents, who made their way direct to Ames. The family home was established upon a farm near that city, and there he continued to aid in the cultivation and development of the fields until 1893, when he took up his abode in the city and established a livery barn. In the spring of 1900 he erected his present livery stable, which is the largest building in Ames. It is three stories and basement, with gable roof, is fifty-one by one hundred feet and fifty-one feet in height. It is built of glazed brick and is used exclusively for the livery business. Its location is at the corner of Main and Bamette avenue, and Mr. Morris has about twenty-five head of horses, together with vehicles of all kinds, and three hearses and a num- ber of closed carriages for funeral nse. Ilis livery barn is accorded a liberal patronage, and the business has grown along substantial and gratifying lines. In addition to this Mr. Morris owns eighty acres of valuable farm land in Franklin township, three miles north of the city, and one hundred and sixty acres in Milford township.
In 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Morris and Miss Ella Dodds. who was born in Franklin township, in 1872, and is a danghter of Robert Dodds. They have three children : Glenn. Clair and Ralph.
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Mr. Morris votes with the republican party and was a member of the city council for six years, capably discharging the duties of the office in the interest of municipal progress and upbuilding. Ile belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and has many substantial qualities that make him a valued citizen as well as an enterprising and successful business man.
M. O. ANDERSON.
M. O. Anderson, imbued with a progressive spirit, has made steady advancement in his business life, winning substantial success as a farmer, while he is now conducting profitable operations in real estate, making his home in Roland. His birth occurred about three and a half miles south- west of this city in Howard township, on the 3d of November, 1872, his parents being Ove and Aggie (Orton) Anderson, both of whom were na- tives of Norway, where they were reared and married. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world in 1870, they made their way direct to Story county where they spent their remaining days, the father devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. As the years passed he pros- pered and was the owner of a half section of land at the time of his de- mise, which occurred in 1894 when he was sixty-three years of age. His wife survived him for a decade and died in Roland in 1904. His life his- tory illustrates clearly what may be accomplished by determined purpose and unfaltering industry, and his reliable business methods gained him the confidence and good will of all. Mr. Anderson was the father of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. The first five were natives of Norway and the others were born in Story county. O. B., a resident of Richland township, and A. B., of Fernald, were children of the father's first marriage. The other members of the family are: T. O., living in Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Barbara, the wife of O. M. Ryerson, of Roland ; O. O., who is located near Roland; J. O., of Hamilton county, Iowa ; M. O .; Martha and J. T., who are residents of Roland; Axel. who died at the age of fourteen years; and Nellie O. and Allen O., twins, who are residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The youthful days of M. O. Anderson were spent in the usual manner of farm lads. He worked in the fields during the summer months and at- tended school during the winter seasons. He continued to give his father the benefit of his services until 1897, when at the age of twenty-five years he removed to Roland and for two and a half years thereafter conducted a livery stable. He then worked again for a year upon the home place, at the end of which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the corporation limits of Roland on the south. This property he still owns and to its cultivation and development he devoted his energies
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with good success until 1909, when he purchased his present home in Roland. He has also engaged in the live stock business and during the past year has operated in the real-estate field. In addition to his farm prop- erty in this county he also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Pembina county. North Dakota.
In 1899 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hegland, who was born in Roland in December, 1881, and is a daughter of MI. Heg- land. This union has been blessed with five children. Orvil. the eldest, died in infancy, and Amos, the second, died at the age of five years. The others are Orphie. Belford and Melvern.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Anderson gives his political allegiance to the republican party which he has sup- ported continuously since attaining his majority. He does not seek recog- nition along political lines, however, but gives his time and energies to business affairs, and his unfaltering perseverance, his watchfulness of all details and his improvement of opportunities have been the salient features in a desirable and gratifying success.
M. L. TESDALL.
M. L. Tesdall, filling the position of county recorder, is numbered among the native sons of Story county, his birth having occurred in Palestine township, on the 6th of January, 1869. Ile has always lived in this county and was reared as a farm boy, spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Ole and Betsy (Sheldahl) Tesdall, both of whom were natives of Norway, the former born on the 3d of September, 1836, and the latter on the 12th of January, 1843. They left the land of the midnight sun in early life, however, and in 1855 became residents of Story county. where they were married. They settled upon a farm in Palestine township, where they still make their home, being well known and worthy representatives of the agricultural interests of this part of the state.
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