USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 35
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George C. White was reared under the favoring influences of a peace- able home, and as he grew up he assisted his father to the extent of his strength and ability in the work of the fields. He received his preliminary education in the district schools, advancing sufficiently to secure a certificate as a school teacher. He taught for two years and for a time was a student at the normal school at Normal, Illinois, but agricultural pursuits hekl out greater inducements than the schoolroom, and accordingly, in 1893, he began farming on land of his own in Story county, continuing for twelve years. In 1905 he took charge of the Farmers Elevator at Nevada, which he con- ducted most successfully for one year. Having decided to adopt a profes- sional career, he matriculated at Drake University in 1907 and was gradu- ated from the law department with a degree of LL.B. in 1909. Desiring to proceed still further with his studies, he entered the law department of Yale University and was graduated from that celebrated institution with a degree of LL.M., in 1910. Soon after leaving the university he began practice in Nevada and as he has many friends in Story county and his ability in practical lines of business has been thoroughly demonstrated, there is little doubt as to his success in his chosen profession.
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On the 18th of June, 1890, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Ida May Chalfant, who was born in McLean county, Illinois, May 2, 1865. She is the daughter of William and Margaret (Duff) Chalfant, the father being a well known farmer of the county. Mr. White is a member of the Story County Bar Association, and also of Lodge No. 99, A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ever since arriving at manhod he has given his support to the republican party, believ- ing that its principles are best adapted to promote the interests of the coun- try. He has been an earnest supporter of the party in Story county and served in the thirty-second and thirty-third general assemblies of Iowa, showing an ability which greatly pleased his constituents. He is now fairly started on his professional career, and it requires no prophet to foretell that his efforts will be exercised in behalf of the political, intellectual and moral advancement of the region with which he has for many years been intimately identified.
STEPHEN L. LOUGHRAN.
Stephen L. Loughran is one of the well known business men of Ames, being proprietor of the Loughran Machine company, and an old resident of Story county. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on the 27th of August, 1866, a son of Edmund and Sarah A. (Bryer) Loughran, also residents of Ames. The father was born in Armagh, County Armagh, Ireland, on the 30th of June, 1832, and was educated in the schools of Armagh, where he lived until he had reached his fifteenth year, when he emigrated to the United States. Upon his arrival here he went to Hampshire county, West Virginia, but after remaining there for a few months he removed to Wheel- ing, that state, and engaged in the machinery business there until 1855, at which time he went to New York city and after a year's residence in the metropolis he accepted a position in the employ of Cox, Richardson & Boyn- ton, stove and furnace manufacturers, in Westchester county, New York. He did not long retain that position but in 1857 started westward, Des Moines, Iowa, being his destination, and there he engaged in the manufactur- ing business. On the 2d of January, 1864, he responded to the call of the nation's chief and enlisted in the First lowa Battery. The most important battle in which he participated was that of Atlanta on the 22d of July, 1864, and he was also on the field at Resaca, Georgia. On the 5th of July, 1865, he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Des Moines, where he engaged in business until 1874. In the latter year he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jasper county, Iowa, upon which he settled, and for ten years followed the occupation of farming. At the end of that period he came to Ames and bought out the business of Shields & Cook, who handled farm implements, continuing in this for eighteen years. In 1902 he with- drew from active business and is now living retired in Ames.
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On the 6th of February, 1854. Edmund Loughran was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Bryer, and they became the parents of nine children, who are as follows: John B., a resident of Scott, Kansas : Sarah, who became the wife of W. H. Wintersteen and lives in Hartford. South, Dakota ; Edmund James, living in Madison county, lowa ; one who died in infancy; Stephen L., our subject ; Thomas J., residing in Ames ; Jennie E., the wife of F. M. Coulter, also living in Ames; William B., who died at the age of thirty-six years; and Mary B., who lives in Los Angeles, California. The family always attended the services of the United Presbyterian church and the par- ents hold membership in the First church of that denomination in Des Moines. Mr. Loughran votes the republican ticket and for a period of four years filled the office of justice of peace. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being locally identified with Ellsworth Post, No. 30, of Ames. He stands high in the regard of the people of the community where he has resided for nearly a quarter of a century.
Stephen L. Loughran acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Des Moines and in 1884 entered the Iowa State College, where he remained until 1887, at which time he entered into business with his father under the firm name of the Loughran Machine company. This is the pioneer machine business of the county having been in existence for twenty-six years, and they now have a branch establishment at Gilbert, lowa. They handle a full and complete line of buggies, wagons and farming implements, and also deal in coal.
Mr. Loughran completed arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Lillie Brown, a daughter of Captain K. W. and Lydia ( Gates ) Brown. Six children have been born of this union. as follows: Faith Lillian: Sarah, who died in infancy; Stephen L., Jr. : Kendric W .; Dorothy Gates, and Edmund. The family attend the Congregational church of which the parents and three older children are members. Ever since he acquired the full rights of citizenship Mr. Loughran has cast his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. He has never taken an active part in politics, not aspiring to public office, but fulfills his duties as a citizen by being at the polls on election day.
J. J. COON.
J. J. Coon is one of the venerable citizens of Story county, having passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. He was born in Saratoga county, New York, December 23. 1829, and has, therefore, lived through the period of America's greatest and most marvelous development. His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth ( Jaco) Coon, both of whom were na- times of Saratoga county. New York. The mother died in the Empire state, but the father passed away in Branch county, Michigan. They were
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the parents of six children : Rensselaer, Elizabeth, J. J., Sarah Jane, Sam- uel and Louisa, but only the subject of this review is now living.
When six or eight years of age J. J. Coon accompanied his parents on their removal to Rochester, New York, and remained a resident of Monroe county until twenty-four years of age. He was with his parents until about seventeen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade and started out in business for himself. He then went to Michigan, where he spent one year working at his trade, and in 1856 he came to Story county, Iowa, casting in his lot with the early settlers who were seeking to re- claim a wild and unimproved region for the purposes of civilization. He built the first sawmill of the county and the dam for T. R. Hughes on Skunk river and afterward worked at the carpenter's trade in the employ of others for two years. He then returned to Michigan and was married, after which he brought his wife to Story county. They were fourteen days in making the trip from Iowa City with three ox teams, for the mud was so deep that they could make but little progress. Mr. Coon secured one hundred and ninety-six acres of land, a mile and a half northeast of Gil- bert, and in exchange gave one hundred and ninety-six days' work at his trade to T. R. Hughes, its former owner. The land was on the prairie about three miles from any other habitation, so Mr. Hughes felt that he could not live there. Mr. Coon, therefore, made the exchange and also paid one hun- dred and fifty dollars for his present eighty-acre farm on which he has resided continuously since 1860. He afterward purchased an additional tract of twenty acres and now has a valuable property of one hundred acres on section 23, Franklin township. He has lived continuously in this county since 1856 and is one of its best known and most honored pioneers. At the time of his arrival only one house stood on the present site of Ames. He attended the celebration held by the college when they were plastering the first of its main buildings. The occasion was made a most festive one for all countryside, and Mr. Coon speaks with pleasure of his enjoyment on that day. He has seen the building of the towns of College and Ames and witnessed all of the changes which have occurred. In the early days Iowa City was the nearest railroad point and that was one hundred and forty miles away. The common subject of conversation in pioneer times was in- troduced with the question, "How did you cross the slough and which way is the best to take?" Nevada was the postoffice and trading point until the railroad was built to Ames. Mr. Coon managed to get his mail once a week by taking turns with the neighbors in going to the postoffice. There were many hardships and trials to be borne in the early period of develop- ment in Story county, yet there were many pleasures to be enjoyed, for the pioneers were hospitable people, whose homes were ever open for the re- ception of friends and neighbors.
On the 21st of January, 1858, Mr. Coon completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary J. Hinchey, who was born in Rochester, New York, June 4, 1838, and when sixteen years
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
of age went to Ypsilanti, Michigan, with her parents, there residing until her marriage. She is a daughter of William S. and Lucy G. (Davis) Ilinchey, who were natives of Saratoga county, New York, and spent their last days in Ypsilanti. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coon were born five children : Louise A., who is the widow of Lemuel Walters and resides in South Da- kota; Elizabeth, the wife of Alvin Van Campen, of Rochester, Minnesota ; Mary E., the wife of John Hoover, of Ames ; Jennie C., the wife of Seward Mabie, also of Ames; and William P., who is living in Franklin township.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Coon yet enjoy good health and are remarkably active for people of their age. Mr. Coon seems to possess the vigor of a man twenty years younger and still works about the farm although he has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. His wife, too, is splen- didly preserved and does her own housework. They are numbered among the worthy pioneer settlers of the county and all who know them are glad to call them friend. Mr. Coon is familiar with the pioneer history of this part of the state and shared in all of the experiences of frontier life. After locating here he killed three wolves, two foxes and one deer within the county and on one morning he caught fifty-six prairie chickens in a trap. In 1877 he caught a pike that weighed twenty-two pounds in a dip net in Skunk river near his home, this being the largest ever caught in this sec- tion of the state. It was four and a half feet long and might well be a matter of pride to any fisherman. In his farming operations Mr. Coon dis- played an enterprising, progressive spirit and as the years have passed by he has enjoyed substantial success, supplying him with the comforts of life.
W. P. COON.
WV. P. Coon, the youngest of the five children of J. J. and Mary Coon, was born in Franklin township, Story county, April 22, 1867. Through- out his entire life he has lived in this township and since attaining his ma- jority has given his attention to general farming. He is today busily en- gaged in the cultivation of a tract of land of one hundred and thirty-one acres on section 22, whereon he has resided for fifteen years. It is known as the Riverside farm and is a fine property, well improved. He makes a specialty of raising seed corn and is also extensively engaged in the raising of pigeons, selling about two thousand annually to the Des Moines market. Ile finds this a profitable industry and takes excellent care of the birds, so that good results are obtained.
In 1892 W. P. Coon was married to Miss Nannie Miller, a native of this county and a daughter of R. J. Miller. They had two children : Ernest and Theodore. In 1907 Mr. Coon was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Grace Underhill, a native of Michigan and a daughter of
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D. G. Stone. There is one child by this marriage, Edwin, and they also have an adopted daughter, Florence. Like his father, Mr. Coon has led a busy and useful life and is held in high regard throughout the community where he has always made his home.
SEGAR NELSON.
Iowa is indebted to Denmark for many of her progressive and enter- prising citizens and among these must be included Segar Nelson of Rich- land township, Story county. He was born in Denmark on the 21st of December, 1846, and is a son of John and Marie Nelson, who spent their entire lives in the land of the Danes. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom four became citizens of the United States, namely : John Nel- son, a resident of Iowa; Ole Nelson, Richland township; Hans Nelson, Marshall, Iowa ; and our subject.
Mr. Nelson of this review came to America in 1873, feeling after twenty-seven years spent in the old country that his opportunities. for acquiring a competence that would enable him to become independent in the latter years of his life, would be far greater here than there. He had already served eighteen months in the army of his country and had received an honorable discharge. On arriving in New York he made his way west- ward and located in Marshall county, Iowa. He remained there for seven years and in 1880 he bought one hundred and thirteen acres of land on section 1. Richland township, Story county, where he continues to reside. He later acquired one hundred and fifty-two acres on another section of the same township but he has disposed of this. His homestead is one of the finest farms in this section of the county. It is well stocked with good breeds of cattle and hogs and contains modern improvements, all of which have been added since he purchased it, the property is kept in excellent repair and the well tilled fields yield an abundant harvest each year. Every- thing about the place suggests thrift, good management and careful super- vision of details. Time was when it was thought that any one could be a farmer, but it is now universally conceded that it requires just as muchi skill, foresight and executive ability to cultivate the soil so that it will yield profitable returns as to manage any business or industry. That he was by nature qualified to do the work he chose as his life's vocation Mr. Nelson has clearly demonstrated, as the arduous work of his early years enabled him to retire from active farming some time ago.
Mr. Nelson chose for his helpmate Miss Christina Rasmussen and by this union were born two children: Mary, deceased ; and Rasmus A., who lives at home and manages the farm. Ever since his naturalization con- ferred upon him the right of suffrage Mr. Nelson has cast his ballot with the republican party. He has always taken an active interest in politics and
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was for several years road supervisor and is now a member of the school board. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nelson hold membership in the Lutheran church. Ile is one of the leading men of his community, his industry and progressive spirit making him one of the honored citizens of Richland township, whose success and substantial position is regarded as the right- ful heritage of his many years of close application and unremitting activity.
HIRAM F. FERGUSON.
The name of Ferguson is well known in Story county. It has figured in the agricultural development of this portion of the state for many years and Hiram F. Ferguson is recognized as one whom lovers of the Union delight to honor. lle was a brave soldier when the dissolution of the re- public was threatened and during his active life was one of the most pro- gressive citizens of the county, but is now living retired at Nevada.
lle was born in Oswego county. New York, April 14, 1843, a son of Hiram and Ethelinda D. ( Dewey) Ferguson. The father was a native of Oswego county, New York. His grandfather was born in Scotland, com- ing to this country and settling in New York state, where he was living at the time of the Revolutionary war. Hiram Ferguson, who was a mill- wright by trade, came to lowa in 1854 and readily found employment in building a sawmill on the lowa river, near Union in Hardin county. After completing this work he built a mill for John Miller on Skunk river. in Franklin township, and also for Darius Chandler, at Cambridge. He was of an inventive turn of mind and originated a water wheel principally for up and down sawmills, which was used quite extensively throughout the country for many years. After spending two years in lowa he went east for his family and upon returning he lived for a time at Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, where he had overhauled a mill and put in one of his wheels. He built a gristmill and in the fall of 1858 moved his family to Nevada in order that the children might have the advantages of school during the winter. In the spring of 1859. having entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Howard township, he took up his resi- dence there, the mother of the family passing away the following year. In 1862 Mr. Ferguson located at Clemons Grove, Marshall county, and he died while living at that place, July 14. 1863. at the age of fifty-five years. He was an active member of the Methodist church and while in the cast was connected with the Sons of Temperance. Politically he was identified with the old line whig party and its successor, the republican party. Mrs. Ferguson was a native of Connecticut and was also a mem- ber of the Methodist church. She died May 27. 1800, at the age of fifty- three years. There were six children in the family. William D., now liv- ing retired in Oswego county, New York, is a machinist by trade and
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MR. AND MRS. H. F. FERGUSON
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served with distinction in the Civil war, becoming major of the one Hun- dred and Eighty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry. Elijah prepared for the ministry but died in Tennessee prior to the Civil war. Harvey H. passed away in 1863. Jason D. gave up his life for his country in the battle of Shiloh, April 7. 1862, being then twenty-two years of age. He enlisted for three months in the First lowa Volunteer Infantry, while at- tending school at Mount Vernon, and after the expiration of that period reenlisted in the Twelfth Iowa Infantry, at Cedar Rapids, and was made first lieutenant of Company D. The Grand Army Post at Nevada is named in his honor. He was the first man from Story county to be killed in bat- tle. Hiram F. is the subject of this review. Delia N. married John Stough, a farmer, and after his death became the wife of George Monlux, who is also deceased. She is now living at Beaman, Grundy county.
Hiram F. Ferguson received his education in the public schools up to sixteen years of age and after laying his books aside in the spring of 1859 assisted his father upon the farm for two years. In August, 1861, he en- listed at Nevada in Company B, Second lowa Cavalry, and served in the Civil war until September 19, 1865, at which date he was mustered out at Selma, Alabama, as sergeant of his company. He took part in many im- portant battles, sieges and movements, including the siege of Corinth, dur- ing which a charge was made by his regiment, which stands ont promi- nently in the history of the Army of the West. He was also in the battle of Booneville, Mississippi, where Sheridan won his spurs as brigadier gen- eral; the battle of Juka and again at Corinth; Tupelo; Nashville; and in many skirmishes. His regiment during Hood's advance and retreat was for sixty-four days almost continuously under fire. After the war Mr. Ferguson engaged in farming on the old homestead and on other places in Howard township for many years, finally removing to Story City, where he lived retired for seven years. Since 1910 he has made his home at Nevada.
On March 15, 1866, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Ballard, who was born in Will county, Illinois, December 31, 1845, and is a daughter of Moses R. and Eliza ( Beecher ) Ballard. Moses Ballard, the American progenitor of the family, was born in England and came to the United States when he was about eighteen years of age. He served in a Massachusetts regiment of Minute Men throughout the entire Revolutionary war and was in camp at Valley Forge with Washington. His son, Moses R. Ballard, removed from Massachusetts to New York state after marrying Eliza Beecher, the second cousin of Henry Ward Beecher. He was a blacksmith and worked at his trade until crippled, when he took up the study of medicine, beginning practice in Monroe county, New York. He moved to Ohio in 1841 and a year later to Will county, Illinois, where he practiced his profession and his sons cultivated the farm. In 1857 he came to Story county and purchased land in Howard town- ship, where he farmed and practiced medicine until his death, which oc- Vol. II-20
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curred in 1878, when he was in his seventy-seventh year. His wife died in 1880, at the age of seventy-one years. Politically he gave his support to the republican party. There were eleven children in the Ballard family : Russell W., deceased; Hudson L., now living in Alissouri at the age of eighty-two years; Amos B., who enlisted from Minnesota as a soldier of the Civil war and is now deceased; Devillo P., who served as captain of Company A, Twenty-third lowa Infantry, and is now living in Wisconsin ; Mary C., who married George Smith and is now deceased; Samuel A. and Volney P., both of whom are deceased; Henry D., who served in Com- pany A. Twenty-third lowa Infantry, in the Civil war and is now living at Lincoln, Nebraska; Sarah E., who married H. H. Boyes, a farmer of Homer township; Martha J., now Mrs. Hiram F. Ferguson; and Ruth S., who is the wife of O. M. Robbins, a farmer of Kansas.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson: Jason D., now living upon a land claim in South Dakota, who married Angie Elder and has four children ; Addie R., now the wife of E. W. Kimball, a farmer of Milford township and the mother of three children; and Mabel C., who married D. L. Sowers, also a farmer of Milford township, and is the mother of five children.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson are valued members of the Methodist church. He is a member of Ferguson Post No. 31, G. A. R., of Nevada, and ever since he arrived at manhood has voted the republican ticket. He has not aspired to political honors but has held a number of township offices, dis- charging his duties in such a way as to merit the approval of all concerned. In the course of a long and active life he has performed his part in the development of the west and in establishing society on the substantial basis upon which it exists today. In the evening of his career he enjoys the con- fidence of a host of friends and a comfort and repose which he has fully earned.
ALEXANDER HENDERSON.
As mayor of Story City Alexander Henderson has proved one of the most efficient officials the municipality has ever known. He has attained an enviable reputation in this locality, being identified with one of the most prosperous concerns in the town. lle was born in Hamilton county, Iowa, February 6, 1872. a son of Lars Henryson, whose twin brother, Torkel, is now living on a farm adjacent to Story City and has reached the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Lars Henryson, a native of Norway, was a car- penter and farmer by occupation. lle emigrated to America in 1855 and spent ten years in Illinois, removing to a farm near Randall, Hamilton county, lowa, in 1865. He kept a postoffice on his farm for over twenty years and was one of the leading men of the county, serving as county
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supervisor and justice of the peace. He was considered a good scholar and was a surveyor of established reputation, often performing work of that kind for his neighbors. As a carpenter he assisted in erecting many of the early buildings and when living in Illinois was often called upon to make coffins for the early settlers. He passed his declining years in the town of Randall in honorable retirement, passing away in 1896, at the age of seventy- six years. Mr. Henryson was twice married and had eight children by his first union, three of whom died in infancy. His second wife was Sarah Michaelsdatter, who survives her husband and is now living at Randall, Iowa. She is the mother of seven children, namely: M. L., of Randall ; M., superintendent of the electric light and water-works of Story City: A. M., at present postmaster at Story City; Alexander, the subject of this review ; Mrs. Annie Williams, of Randall; O. J., a successful practicing attorney. of Webster City, Iowa; and Mrs. Maggie Sowers, of Story county.
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