USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 37
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
Three years more of thrift, hard work and good judgment in the manage- ment of his affairs enabled him to buy a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres in Story county, three miles east of Collins; here he resided for nine years, and then, in the spring of 1909. he sold his place and bought his present home farm of one hundred and ten acres in Indian Creek township. For the past twelve years Mr. Holtby has made a specialty of breeding and raising registered Shire horses. He has been most successful in this, being known throughout this section of the state not only for the excellent breeds he carries but for his ability in judging the good points of a horse. He began exhibiting his stock at the local fairs in 1896 and since then has taken many first premiums.
On the 16th of February, 1892, Mr. Holtby was united in marriage to Miss Ada M. Thursby, a native of Morgan county, Illinois, and a daughter of Charles and Ann ( Smith) Thursby. both natives of England. They came to the United States in 1855. first locating in Stark county, Illinois, but later removing to Morgan county. Three children have been born of this union: Orlando O., now attending the Capital City Commercial Col- lege in Des Moines; Hazel and Ana.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents are members. Mr. Holtby's fraternal relations are confined to membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. After he had become a naturalized citizen of the United States he decided that the policy of the republican party best conformed to his ideas and has therefore always cast his vote for the candidates of that party. That he has ever proved a capable and loyal citizen is confirmed by the fact that for several years he has been elected to various township offices. He is known throughout the community where he makes his home as one of the thoroughly reliable and capable men of the county and is highly regarded by all.
WILLIAM BURNEY.
Of the many agencies that have contributed to the remarkable growth of Iowa, none have been more important than the country press. Its editors are in many instances men of liberal education and good business capacity, and no class of men has been more faithful in the discharge of responsibilities or more loyal to the people it represents. William Burney. editor and proprietor of the Collins Gazette, clearly belongs to the highly capable newspaper men of Iowa. He was born in the north of Ireland. July 14. 1850, near the city of Portadown, a son of James and An (Od- gers ) Burney, also natives of County Armagh. The father was reared on a farm but after reaching maturity learned the boilermaker's trade and in later years was employed in shipbuilding on the west coast of Scotland, to
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which section he removed with his family before his son William was one year old.
William Burney received his preliminary education in the public schools of Partick and later attended the Mechanics Institute and the Athenaeum of Glasgow, showing a mental capacity that gave bright promise as to his future. When a young man he made musical theory and research a special study and was granted membership in and was given an advanced certificate from the Tonic-Sol-Fa College of London, England. He was also attracted to mercantile pursuits and engaged as a commercial salesman, traveling considerably in Great Britain. During these years he was correspondent for various publications. In 1885 he came to central lowa to visit relatives living near Newton and very soon after arriving in this state was invited by Perry Engle, owner of the Newton Herald, to become identified with that paper. Mr. Engle was soon after this a candidate for state senator and after his election to that position Mr. Burney became part owner of the paper and its managing editor, soon gaining a prominent position in the political affairs of that section. After an experience of ten years with the Herald he for one year had charge of the Newton Times, whose owner. Mr. Sherman, was then serving as postmaster under President Cleveland. In May, 1896, Mr. Burney came to Collins and purchased the Collins Clipper, which he published under the same title until after acquiring in September, 1905, The Liberator, also issued at Collins. He consolidated the two papers, changing the name to the Collins Gazette, now one of the leading local publications in this part of the state.
In August, 1876, Mr. Burney was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hamilton Gibson, of Glasgow, Scotland, who passed away, and on October 7, 1884, he was married to Miss Jane Elizabeth Finch, the ceremony taking place at Drumbanagher Episcopal church, County Armagh, Ireland. Of this union five children have been born, namely: Mary Florence, now the wife of L. H. Ozias, superintendent of schools at Dysart, Iowa; Anne Lena, the wife of Arthur A. Vasey, a lumberman of Collins; Alice Widell, a primary teacher at Des Moines, Jowa; Elizabeth Finch, a teacher of voice at the Teachers College of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and William James, now a student in the Teachers College at Cedar Falls.
Politically Mr. Burney gives his support to the republican party, be- lieving that its principles are best adapted to secure the prosperity of the nation. He is a member of Sunbeam Lodge, No. 181, Mystic Workers of the World, and has served as secretary of this organization since 1898, also being a demitted member of St. Barchan Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Renfrewshire, Scotland. He and his wife are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he serves as trustee. He is a clear and inter- esting writer and his paper has a high standing in a state that abounds in good newspapers, its editors ranking among the most intelligent men of Iowa. The Collins Gazette has a large circle of readers, its influence in a great degree being due to the conscientious position which the paper takes
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in matters of vital interest to the locality. Mr. Burney, judging by what he has accomplished, made no mistake in selecting Jowa as his adopted state, and it is doubtful whether a more patriotic citizen is to be found within its borders than the gentleman whose sketch is here given.
B. C. DUELAND.
Few men deserve the credit that belongs to B. C. Dueland, now in the milling business at Slater, who from a water boy on a railroad has become one of the substantial business men of Story county. His career is a practical demonstration of what may be accomplished by one who is actuated by right principles and who bravely faces every difficulty, being fully determined that it must give way. He is a native of Norway, born August 25. 1866, and is a son of Christ C. and Mary Dueland. The family left that country for America in 1882, coming direct to lowa and locating in Sheldahl. The father is by trade a painter but for sometime after arriving in this country he worked on the railroad or at any honorable labor he could find to do. Finally he secured employment at his trade. He is still living and makes his home with the subject of this review.
B. C. Dueland was educated in his native country, receiving advantage of only two or three months attendance in American schools after arriving in lowa. It was necessary for him to assist in the maintenance of the family and at sixteen years of age he was employed as a farm hand by T. T. Ryan, of Palestine township. The following summer he secured a position as water boy for a railway construction gang and for four years followed this work and also engaged as a farm hand. In 1888, having decided to learn a trade, he became an apprentice in the grist-mill at Sheldahl, in which he spent three and one-half years, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the trade. In 1891 he formed a partnership with John Nielson and rented the mill from his former employer, operating it under the firm name of Nielson & Dueland. In the fall of 1894 they purchased a two-thirds interest in the mill at Slater and seven months later acquired the remaining interest, becoming sole owners, The mill up to this time had produced nothing but feed, and desiring to meet the demands of a growing community, the partners enlarged the building and put in a modern roller process, thus making the mill one of the leading business enterprises of that section. However, in April, 1910, the town was visited by a con- flagration, which destroyed the mill, the depot and two freight houses. Messrs. Nielson and Dueland were not to be easily discouraged, and they immediately purchased the elevator building of Oley Nelson, in which they made many alterations, fitting the structure with mill machinery and enter- ing upon a new era of prosperity. In connection with their milling busi- ness they deal extensively in coal and feed and are now enjoying the largest patronage they have ever known.
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On the 13th of November, 1896, Mr. Dueland was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sydnes, of Huxley township, a daughter of R. T. Sydnes, a prominent farmer now living retired at Huxley. Five children have blessed this union : Lillian, Raymond, Myrtle, Glendora and Carl.
Politically Mr. Dueland gives his support to the prohibitionist party. He is a valued member of the school board of Slater and for several years has served as judge of election. He and his wife are identified with the Lincoln Lutheran church and for eleven years he has been a member of the board of trustees of that organization. Having worked his way through many obstacles, Mr. Dueland, as shown in this brief sketch, is not an individual that becomes easily cast down. He has been successful in busi- ness, gaining the confidence of the community by his straightforward deal- ings and a spirit of helpfulness to others, which is one of his prominent characteristics. His friends are many and under all conditions it is recog- nized that his word is as good as his bond.
MAURITS MALMIN.
Among the children of Scandinavia who have become subjects of Uncle Sam and citizens of Story county must be included Maurits Malmin, who was born in Norway on the 15th of September, 1846. He acquired his education in his native land and when he had reached the required age entered the Norwegian army, spending five years of his early manhood in the service of his country. He became an expert shot and two of his most prized possessions now are medals he won because of his ability in this direction.
Mr. Malmin became a resident of Story county in 1881, engaging in farm work by the month for the first two years and then by the day for a year thereafter. At the end of that period he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to begin the cultivation of land as a renter. After following this for eight years, by means of close application, unceasing energy and careful management he had accumulated the requisite savings to permit him to become a property owner and bought the first one hundred and sixty acres of bis present homestead. He established his residence here in 1893 and has added to his holdings from time to time until he now has the title to three hundred and twenty acres, owning one of the most valu- able farms in the township. It is well stocked, the improvements are good and always in repair, while its carefully cultivated fields yield abundant and profitable harvests. His specialty is the feeding and raising of cattle and hogs, and he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company as well as the creamery.
Mr. Malmin completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Karen Hoverson Lura, a daughter of Hover Lura. Nine
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children have been born of this union, they are as follows: Carrie, who became the wife of Ole Hlougen; Harry; Bertha, deceased; Gerhard; Adolph ; Martin ; Bertha, now the wife of Ole V. Oleson; Clara, at home ; and Laura Matilda, the wife of Thomas Grimslay.
The family attend the Lutheran church, in which the parents hold membership. Ever since he has acquired the right of suffrage through naturalization, Mr. Malmin has cast his vote for the republican party, feel- ing that its policy is best adapted to serve the interests of the majority. His fellow citizens have honored him by election to the office of road supervisor, in which capacity he is now serving his eighth year. He is one of the esteemed citizens of Warren township and is highly regarded by the community in which he resides.
FRANK S. SMITHI, M. D.
Dr. Frank S. Smith, practicing in Nevada, is recognized as one of the most capable and successful members of the medical profession in Story county. He was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1853. llis father, William Smith, was born in Chautauqua, New York, January 18. 1826, and was a son of the Rev. Salmeron Smith, of Massachusetts. The latter married a Miss Avery, who was a descendant of Governor Dud- ley of Massachusetts. After arriving at years of maturity William Smith was united in marriage to Cynthia Smith, who was born near Lachine Rapids on the St. Lawrence in Canada on the 20th of May. 1829, and though of the same name was not a relative of her husband. Her father, Francis Smith, was born and reared in Ireland. The marriage of William and Cynthia Smith was celebrated in Venango county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 28, 1848, and while living in the Keystone state the father was owner of a tract of land near Oil Creek, Pennsylvania. . \ few years after he sold that property and came west, petroleum was found there, and it is said that more millions of dollars were taken from that farm through the development of the oil wells than from any other piece of land in the world. Two consins of Dr. Smith are now pumping oil from the wells there, as their father did before them, and wells and derricks cover the ground until it looks like a harbor with the masts of many sailing vessels placed as close together as possible. It was in the year 1855 that William Smith left Pennsylvania with his family. He lived for brief periods in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin and in 1800 became a resident of Andalu- sia, Rock Island county, Illinois, making his way down the Mississippi river on a lumber raft. William Smith was engaged in the lumber busi- ness continuously from his seventeenth year until his death at the age of sixty-eight with the exception of about three years spent on the farm on which his son Dr. Smith was born, and even during that time he engaged
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DR. FRANK S. SMITH
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in the lumber business for a part of the year on the Allegheny river. He conducted a large retail lumberyard at Andalusia, Illinois, from 1860 until 1883, when he removed to Toledo, lowa, where he continued in the same line until the time when death claimed him on the 30th of May, 1894. Ile was a member of the United Brethren church and was a stalwart republi- can throughout his entire life. A strong. rugged man both mentally and physically, he proved himself an important factor in the public life and the affairs of the communities in which he lived. His wife, a woman of strong personality, had but meager educational advantages in her girlhood but was determined that all of her children should be well educated and bent every energy toward accomplishing this purpose, so that all are now college grad- uates. They owe much to their mother for what she did for them and they sacredly cherish her memory. She survived her husband for a few years and passed away October 21, 1900.
In their family were six children. The eldest, Dr. E. R. Smith, now of Toledo, Iowa, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1851. Dr. Smith, of this review, is the second of the family. Lucy, the third child, died in infancy. Walter C. was born in Jackson county, Wisconsin, April 5, 1857, and is now residing in Toledo, Iowa. Nellie May, born at Pine Hill, Wisconsin, April 13, 1865, is the wife of O. O. Runkle, of Tiffin, Ohio. William Avery, born in Andalusia, Illinois, November 19, 1870, is a lawyer practicing at Nashua, Iowa.
Dr. Smith, of Nevada, acquired his early education in the public schools of Andalusia. a beautiful little town twelve miles below Rock Island on the Mississippi river. He afterward had two years of college work at Westfield College in Westfield, Illinois, from 1870 until 1872, and spent the school year of 1874-5 in the State University of Iowa but completed his course in the Western College of Iowa, now the Leander Clark College, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1876. In the meantime he had taught several terms of school in Rock Island county and following his graduation he became principal of the South Mo- line public schools. remaining in that position for nearly four years. Dur- ing that period he devoted his leisure hours to studying medicine at home under the direction of his brother. Dr. E. R. Smith. In the fall of 1880 he matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he pursued a thorough course, with an extra course in the summer of 1881, and was graduated with the professional degree on the 21st of February, 1882.
In the meantime Dr. Smith had been married and lost his first wife. On Christmas day of 1878 he wedded Miss Etta Dilling, who had been his class- mate in Western College and was an lowa girl. They resided in Moline until the death of Mrs. Smith on the 16th of March. 1880. An infant daughter survived. Etta Maude, who was born February 22, 1880, and was reared by Dr. Smith's parents.
Following his graduation from medical college Dr. Smith located in Tama county, Iowa, where he spent the summer of 1882 in practice with Vol. II-21
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his brother. Dr. E. R. Smith, of Toledo. In the fall of that year he opened an office in Elberon, Tama county, and soon won gratifying professional recognition. On the 30th of September of that year he was married in Rock Island, Illinois, to Miss Ella Wells, a childhood playmate, and there their son, Roy Wells Smith, was born December 13. 1883. They resided at Elberon until March 4. 1885, when they removed to Nevada, where Dr. Smith has continuously engaged in practice to the present time with the exception of eleven months spent in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1889 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his second wife, who died in Ne- vada on the 20th of February of that year, leaving three small children. Roy W., Alta and Olga. On the ist of July. 1890, he married Mrs. Amanda S. Philp, of Rock Island, Illinois, a sister of his second wife, and they have two children. Ella and Donald W. The Doctor's eldest daughter. Etta Maude, who was born in Moline, Illinois, February 22, 1880, is now Mrs. J. K. Weaver. of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Roy Wells, born in Elberon. Jowa. December 15. 1883. is a graduate of the Nevada public schools. 11e is now married and at the present writing is studying medicine in Drake University at Des Moines. Alta, born in Nevada, July 13. 1885. is at home. Olga, born in Nevada, February 3. 1888, is engaged in teaching school. Both she and her sister Alta are graduates of the high school and pursued a four years' course in Leander Clark College of Toledo. lowa, being grad- uated therefrom in June. 1909. with the Bachelor of Science degree. Both now have state certificates. Ella Smith, the youngest daughter, born in Nevada, November 14. 1891. was graduated from the high school in 1911. Donald W., born in Nevada. May 27. 1899. is attending the home school.
Throughout the period of his residence in Nevada Dr. Smith has con- tinuously engaged in practice and his ability has won him wide recognition. That his work has gained him more than local distinction is indicated by the fact that his alma mater in 1908 conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. For many years a liberal practice has been accorded him and he is today the loved family physician in many Nevada households, where his cheery presence inspires confidence. He has done post-graduate work in the Chicago Post Graduate Medical School and Hospital and in the Chi- cago Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital, and at all times he keeps in close touch with the advancement of the profession through wide reading and research. Moreover, he is known in business circles as one of the or- ganizers and stockholders of the People's Savings Bank of Nevada. of which he is now vice president, and he likewise aided in organizing the Nevada Gas Company and the Story County Independent Telephone Com- pany, in each of which he is a director.
Dr. Smith holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and also with the Masons, the Odd Fellow's and the Knights of Pythias. In his political views he is a republican but has never sought nor desired public office and has no ambition in that direction. He has served, however, as school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He
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belongs to the Iowa Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and in strictly professional lines is connected with the Story County Medical Society, the District Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He thus keeps in touch with the ad- vanced thought of the profession and is continuously promoting his knowl- edge through reading and investigation. Anything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life is of interest to him and he performs all professional service with a sense of conscientious obligation and with close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics so that he enjoys in large measure the confidence and high regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity.
AMI JEFFERSON PEDDICORD.
One of the prosperous farmers and extensive land owners of Story county is Ami Jefferson Peddicord, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 27th of January, 1860. He is a son of Edward Smith Peddicord, a native of Virginia, who at the age of four and one-half years walked from that state to Licking county, Ohio. He remained there until a young man and then went to La Salle county, Illinois, where he lived up to the time of his death. He was a successful man, accumulating, by means of his thrift and discretion, one thousand acres of land. He was a man of fine principles and strict integrity, his word being as good as his bond. He married Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Licking county, Ohio, whose parents were Virginians and pioneers of Ohio. Nine children were born of this union, eight of whom lived to maturity and four of these still survive, our subject being the eighth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Peddicord were members of the Baptist church and he always voted the democratic ticket.
A. J. Peddicord's early years were spent very similarly to those of the majority of boys who are reared in the rural districts. He acquired his early education in the district schools of La Salle county, Illinois, and at the usual age put aside his text-books and assisted his father in the culti- vation of the farm. After reaching the age of twenty-two years he hired out by the month for three years, at the end of which time he was married. Subsequent to his marriage he located upon a farm belonging to his wife, and the next year he bought forty acres but after farming this for a time he moved south of Pontiac, Illinois. Subsequently he sold his place there and engaged in the tile business, which vocation he followed for two years. He then returned to the place of his birth in La Salle county and conducted the home farm. Later he removed to Story county, Iowa, locating on section 14, Richland township. He still continues to reside there and now owns one-half of the section. His is one of the valuable farms of the district. It is well stocked, contains a good farm house and other improve-
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ments, all of which are kept in the best of repair, and the well tilled fields each year yield abundant harvests. In addition to his homestead Mr. Peddi- cord owns one hundred and sixty acres in McCook county, South Dakota, and one-half section in Texas, making the aggregate of his realty holdings eight hundred acres.
Mr. Peddicord was united in marriage to Miss Maggie McMichael, a daughter of James McMichael, a Scotchman and pioneer of Illinois. Four children were born of this marriage, who are as follows: James A., who died at the age of four years ; Roy; Margaret ; and Isabelle.
Ever since age conferred upon him the right of suffrage Mr. Peddicord has cast his vote for the democratic party. He has never been particularly active in politics, however, not aspiring to public honors, but has, owing to his warm interest in educational matters, served on the school board. Ile is known as one of the substantial citizens of the county, his early en- deavors and industry having been rewarded by a gratifying success, the achievement of which has never caused any one to question his methods or integrity.
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