USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 4
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He was married in Madison county, Iowa, December 15. 1886, to Miss Jessie Dickens. They have one daughter, Jessie Bancroft Payne, who graduated from the Nevada high school in 1905 and from the State Uni- versity of Iowa in 1910.
JESSIE DICKENS PAYNE.
Jessie Dickens Payne, wife of William O. Payne, was the daughter of William and Maria Ellen Dickens and was born at Linwood, Minnesota. June 22, 1861. Her mother died while she was small and her father re- moved from his farm to the neighboring town of Anoka. In 1800 the family removed to Aurora, Illinois, and in 1875 to Winterset, lowa. After two years at Winterset, the father's business having been burned out, the family removed to Kansas : but she and her older sister, Ella, remained in lowa and made their home with an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Downing of Boone. She attended the Boone high school and also spent a year at Mt. Carroll Seminary at Mt. Carroll, Ilinois. She taught country schools in Story. Polk and Madison counties, her first school being the poor farm school in this county. Later she accompanied the Downings to St. Jos-
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
eph and Kansas City, Missouri, and in 1885 returned to Madison county, Iowa, where her sister Ella, then Mrs. C. C. Bancroft, resided. It was at this sister's home that she was married, on December 15, 1886, to W. O. Payne. Their home has since been in Nevada, though one year was spent in Washington city. She also was a charter member of the Woman's Club and she was the first president of the local chapter of the P. E. O. sisterhood. She was for many years active in the affairs of the Ladies Nevada Ceme- tery Society and it was during her presidency thereof that the society pur- chased and conveyed to the city what is now the west half of the cemetery.
WILBUR F. SHAW.
Wilbur F. Shaw, a prominent and representative resident of Colo, was appointed postmaster of the town on the IIth of October, 1906, and has ably served in that capacity to the present time. His birth occurred in Columbus, Kansas, on the 17th of June, 1869, his parents being James W. and Margaret (Zook) Shaw, who were natives of New Jersey and Indiana, respectively. The father was a lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, in which state he grew to manhood. Removing to Livingston county, Illinois, he was married in Fairbury, that state, and there made his home during the following five years. He next spent about ten years in Cherokee county, Kansas, and then returned to Livingston county, Illinois, where he remained for some two years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Champaign county, Illinois, residing there until 1892, when he came to Colo, Iowa, where he has made his home continuously since. He was successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, but since coming to Colo has lived retired. His wife was called to her final rest on the 19th of August, 1901, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Epis- copal church. James W. Shaw was reared in the Quaker faith and still adheres thereto but worships in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Wilbur F. Shaw was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1891 he made a trip to lowa, having a brother, Frank E., who was at that time a resident of Hubbard and in partnership with whom he purchased the grain elevator in Colo. In January, 1892, his brother having assumed control of their eleva- tor in Colo, Wilbur F. Shaw removed to this town and for five years the two young men were prominently identified with the grain and lumber busi- ness here. In 1897 Frank E. Shaw withdrew from the business, selling his interest to his brother-in-law, E. A. Binder, and the firm style of Shaw & Binder was adopted. This relation was maintained until the Ist of July, 1907, when the concern sold out to K. R. Frazier & Company, who are the present proprietors of the enterprise. On the IIth of October, 1906, Mr.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
Shaw was appointed postmaster of Colo, assuming the duties of that posi- tion on the ist of November following. He has served in that capacity continuously since and is widely recognized as one of the efficient and popu- lar public officials of Story county. A man of excellent business ability and sound judgment, his efforts have also been a factor in the successful control of the interests of the Colo Cement Block & Tiling Company, of which he is a stockholder and acts as secretary and treasurer. He is likewise the manager of the Colo Lighting Company.
On the 4th of October, 1896, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle E. Houser. of Colo. Her father. William Houser, who was for many years a well known hotel proprietor of Colo, is now living retired in Lyons. Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw now have six children, namely : Zola M., Aaron J., Virginia C., Norma L., Kenneth E. and Keith 1.1.
Mr. Shaw gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as a member of the town council for several terms. He is a member of the present school board, having been connected therewith for several years past. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Co- lumbia Lodge No. 292. He is also a member of the Mystic Workers of the World and for several years has been secretary of Logan Camp No. 1591, M. W. A. Both he and his wife are consistent and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Shaw now acting as trustee and treas- urer thereof and having served on the church board of trustees for several years past. Whatever he undertakes he accomplishes, for he possesses reso- lution, perseverance and reliability and these qualities have caused him to be enrolled among the best citizens of the county.
ABRAM S. McCORD.
Abram S. McCord, one of the leading and successful residents of Col- lins township, is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of Story county's most valuable land and in addition to his farming interests devotes con- siderable attention to the feeding of stock. His birth occurred in Collins township, this county, on the 5th of March, 1857, his parents being Com- modore Perry and Sarah E. (Smith) MeCord, who were natives of Ohio and Illinois respectively. The father, who came west to lowa in early manhood, took up his abode among the earliest settlers of Collins township, Story county. A review of his life is given in the sketch of Jacob W. McCord, a brother of our subject, which appears on another page of this volume.
Abram S. MeCord was reared at home and acquired his education in the common schools. In 1879. when twenty-two years of age, he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating the home farm as a renter until his father's death in 1886, when the estate was settled. Subsequently
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
he purchased a tract of one hundred acres across the road from the home- stead, residing thereon for about six years. On the expiration of that period he traded the property for the old home farmn, which had been acquired by two of his younger brothers and on which he has lived continuously since. The place comprises two hundred and forty acres and is one of the most valuable farms in the county. Mr. McCord has recently erected a very fine country residence and the other buildings afford ample shelter for grain and stock. He is extensively engaged in the feeding of stock and in the conduct of his agricultural interests has met with a gratifying measure of prosperity by reason of his well directed energy and capable business management.
On the 8th of February, 1882, Mr. McCord was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Bowman, a daughter of William and Anna (Bare) Bow- man, who came to lowa in 1858, settling in Linn county. Later removing to Woodford county, Illinois, they resided there for some years and then returned to Iowa, locating in Marshall county. They next went to Polk county and then came to Story county, here spending the remainder of their lives. William Bowman passed away in January, 1905, while his wife was called to her final rest in March, 1884. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCord were born five children, two of whom are yet living, as follows: Earl A., who is employed in a drug store at Collins ; and Ralph D., at home.
Mr. McCord is a republican in politics and has held the office of town- ship assessor for ten years. He is a member of the present board of town- ship trustees, now serving his fourth term. Fraternally he is identified with Fervent Lodge A. F. & A. M .; Crescent Camp No. 2358, M. W. A .; and Fern Camp No. 2823, Royal Neighbors of America. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church, to which his wife also belongs. He has resided in this county from his birth to the present time and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
ALBERT H. LANDE.
Success in any branch of industry depends entirely upon the energy and determination of him who seeks it. To these qualities Albert H. Lande owes his present position as one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Union township. Born in Polk county, Iowa, October 8, 1868, he is a son of George H. and Anna Lande, both natives of Norway. They emi- grated to America while still in their youth and located in Kendall county, Illinois, where they were married and continued to reside until the spring of 1866, when they came to Iowa, and bought eighty acres of land in Elk- hart township, Polk county. Subsequently Mr. Lande added to his posses- sions until he had acquired two hundred and forty acres. Here he resided
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
up to the time of his death, which occurred .August 7. 1900, when he was in his seventy-fourth year. His wife survives him and is still living on the home farm.
Albert H. Lande passed his early youth at home, attending the public school. Upon reaching his majority he. in company with his brother Henry, assumed charge of the home farm, which they continued to operate until the spring of 1903, when Albert removed to his present home in Union township. Story county, which he and his brother Henry had purchased the previous fall. AAside from general farming. Mr. Lande has given special attention to the raising of hogs and cattle for the market and in this line of business he has met with unqualified success.
On December 19. 1902, Mr. Lande was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Lawson, who was born in Rock county, Wisconsin. In his politi- cal preferment he gives his support to the republican party and takes an active interest in the affairs of his community, being a member of the school board. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lande are members of the Lutheran church.
ALBERT K. HELVIG.
In the list of Story county's successful native sons must be placed the name of Albert K. Helvig, who was born in Howard township on the 23d of February, 1864. He is of Norwegian parentage, his father having come to the United States from the Norseland in 1860. He had been a citizen of the United States for three years before he came to Story county but in 1863 he located on a farm in Howard township and continued to re- side there until he died in 1905, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. lle was a successful farmer and had acquired at the time of his death one hundred and twenty acres of land. He married Isabelle Mucklebush and they became the parents of ten children, all but four of whom have now passed away, Albert K. Helvig being the fourth in order of birth. The father was a member of the Lutheran church and voted the republican ticket. He was a very public-spirited citizen and was well regarded in the community where he had resided for so many years.
Albert K. Helvig's early years were spent in an unvaried routine of study, work and play, which characterizes the boyhood and youth of most young people who are reared in the country. At the usual age he laid aside his text-books to assume the weightier duties of life and. having chosen farming as his occupation, assisted his father about the home place until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, when he began to work for himself. He had succeeded in accumulating sufficient means in 1800 to invest in land of his own and he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Warren township, where he has since continued to live. His is one of the valuable farms of the township. He raises a good grade of stock, keeps
ALBERT K. HELVIG
MRS. ALBERT K. HELVIG
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
his property in good condition and from his fields reaps an abundant har- vest, which yields him profitable returns. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of the community as in addition to his realty holdings he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of McCallsburg and the Roland Creamery.
In 1891 Mr. Helvig completed his arrangements for a home in his mar- riage to Miss Mina Hanson, who was a daughter of Charlie Hanson, a pioneer of Illinois, in which state Mrs. Helvig was born. They became the parents of four children, three of whom are still living: Clarence, Esther and Mina, all of whom are at home. The wife and mother passed away in 1899.
The family always attended the Lutheran church, of which the parents were members, Mr. Helvig still being identified with that denomination. Ever since attaining his majority he has stanchly adhered to the principles of the republican party. He has always taken an active interest in local politics and has served in many of the township offices, the duties of which he discharged to the satisfaction of his constituency. He is highly regarded in the community where he has spent his entire life and retains the friend- ship of many of his boyhood comrades, which is a tribute to his fine prin- ciples of life.
HARRY PAUL HANSON, M. D.
Prominent among the professional men of Story county is Dr. Harry Paul Hanson, physician and surgeon, who for ten years past has been located at Cambridge. He comes of good Norwegian parentage and was born at Christiania, Norway, Jannary 14, 1870, a son of Bernhardt and Sophia Hanson. The mother passed away shortly after his birth and the father remained in Norway until 1887, when he came to America and located in Cleveland, Ohio. He was in the optical business in his native country but was engaged in the mercantile pursuits at Cleveland for about twenty years and is now living retired in that city.
Harry Paul Hanson remained at home until fifteen years of age, re- ceiving his education up to that time in the common schools of the country and at Christiania University. Being an ambitious lad, he decided to come to the United 'States, and on August 5. 1885, he landed from a vessel in New York city, being then only fifteen years of age, a stranger in a strange land and with no knowledge of the English language. He felt the impor- tance of larger educational training and, saving his money, he later became a student in the Case School of Applied Sciences at Cleveland, one of the most noted institutions of the kind in America, and took a course in civil engineering. During the summer vacations he was employed as a nurse of the Hon. James Hoyt, a Cleveland millionaire, and for five years he was Vol. II-3
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
the personal attendant and companion of that gentleman, much of this time being spent in traveling.
After the death of Mr. Hoyt our subject was persuaded by Dr. C. B. Parker, professor of surgery at the Cleveland General Hospital, to take up the study of medicine and while pursuing the regular medical course he acted as assistant to Dr. Parker. Having been graduated with the title of M. D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1897, he spent two years in the Cleveland General Hospital acquiring a practical knowledge, which has been of very great benefit to him in the years that have since passed. He began practice in 1899 at Glenville, Ohio, but in 1900 removed to Cambridge, where he has since continued, soon gaining recognition as one of the ablest physicians and surgeons in this section of the state. IIe is at the head of a private hospital in Cambridge, where surgical cases are treated according to the most modern methods, and is also surgeon for the Milwaukee, Newton and Northwestern Railways.
On the 5th of October. 1900, Dr. Ilanson was united in marriage to Florence M. Lane, and their home has been brightened by the arrival of four children, namely: Harry A., born October 9. 1901 ; Lester T., born July 30, 1904; Eugene W., born September 15, 1905; and Sidney L., born November 15, 1907.
Fraternally Dr. IJanson is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his wife are both con- nected with the United Brethren church. Politically he is a radical repre- sentative of the republican party and has served one term as coroner of Story county. Both as a professional man and as a citizen Dr. Hanson occupies an enviable position in the estimation of the entire community. Beginning as a poor boy, he has overcome great obstacles and in doing so gained habits of perseverance and a strength of character that are of in- estimable value. His career is a remarkable illustration of the power of a well defined purpose and in the opinion of his friends the future holds for him nothing but the most brilliant promise of usefulness and honor.
EDWIN R. SILLIMAN.
Edwin R. Silliman, an ex-banker of Colo, is now successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the leading and respected residents of the town. For the past ten years he has likewise been one of the best known breeders of registered shorthorn cattle in the state of lowa. His birth occurred in Whiteside county, Illinois, on the 4th of June, 1871, his parents being Rothmer J. and Lucy N. (Newman ) Silliman. His paternal grandfather, Ira Silliman, was a stone-mason by trade.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
Rothmer J. Silliman, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Como, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood. He followed the profession of teaching for a time but later turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. About 1874 he went west to Nebraska and engaged in the lumber business but, because of the grasshopper scourge, left that state in the spring of 1877. Coming to Nevada, Story county, Iowa, he purchased the lumber business of Judge Kellogg, the yard standing on the present site of the Letts Hotel. Two or three years later he bought a half interest in the West grain elevator and, renting the remaining half, em- barked in the grain business, also removing his lumber yard to the site of the elevator. He was prominently identified with the lumber and grain business at Nevada until 1894, in which year he disposed of his interests there. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Nevada, was elected its second president and served as the chief executive officer of that institution for several years. His principal object in coming to Nevada was to secure the advantages of the schools at that place for his children. About a year after his arrival in the town he was made a member of the school board and dur- ing the remainder of his life labored untiringly and effectively in the inter- ests of the public schools of Nevada. The public library building at Nevada will also be a matter of much pride to future generations of the Silliman family, for it was erected as a Silliman memorial building in honor of Rothmer J. Silliman, showing the esteem in which he was uniformly held. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he served at various times as a member of the town council. Fraternally he was identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His demise, which occurred on the 3d of February. 1896, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret and a serious loss to the community. His widow still survives and makes her home at Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Edwin R. Silliman was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the Nevada schools, by a course of study in Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa. On leaving that institution he returned to Nevada and for a time assisted in the conduct of his father's business. Rothmer J. Silliman and his oldest son, Homer N., were operat- ing a bank in Cambridge. this county, at the time of the panic of 1893. when every financial institution in Cedar Falls failed with the exception of one. Seizing the opportunity, they removed to that city and established the State Bank of Cedar Falls, Mr. Silliman of this review being sent to Cambridge to look after the interests of the bank there. A year and a half later our subject purchased the bank in association with Edgar Jolin, conducting it successfully until 1896. In that year he sold his interest to his partner and came to Colo, here taking over the banking business of P. W. Hopkins and establishing the Citizens Bank, which he conducted until 1902. In 1900 he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
New Albany township, six miles southeast of Colo, stocked it with cattle and hired a man to take care of it. In 1900 he was elected to the board of county supervisors and served for two terms. In the fall of 1902 he located on his farm and continued to reside thereon until the spring of 1907, when he took up his abode in Colo, employing a capable man to su- pervise the operation of his farm. In 1907. in association with Leo Arm- strong of Ames, Mr. Silliman was awarded the contract to build the county bridges of Story county. In recent years he has been successfully engaged in the insurance business and also deals in farm lands to some extent. For the past ten years he has been one of the best known breeders of registered shorthorn cattle in the state and has been a successful exhibitor at the county fairs, the Iowa state fair and also at the International Stock Show in Chicago. He has made it a point to exhibit only stock which he per- sonally has bred and in his exhibits at the state fair and at the International Show in Chicago he has never failed to win a premium. He has gained an enviable reputation throughout the nation as a breeder of thoroughbred cattle, and as a judge of cattle his services are in demand even as far dis- tant as San Antonio, Texas. The American Shorthorn Breeders' Associa- tion numbers him among its valued members.
In 1894 Mr. Silliman was united in marriage to Miss Eva Erb, of Cam- bridge, Story county. He is a republican in politics and has been called to serve on the town council of Colo. He is identified with various fraterni- ties, belonging to Columbia Lodge, .A. F. & A. M., of Colo; Three Times Three Chapter, R. A. M .; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias ; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Red Men. He is also the oldest Elk in Story county, belonging to the lodge at Des Moines. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which he acts as steward and to which his wife also belongs. They have the warm esteem and friendship of many with whom they have come in contact and the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is cordially extended them.
ARTHUR GERALD GLANN. M. D.
Dr. Arthur Gerald Glann, a practicing physician and surgeon of Colo. lowa, well deserves mention among the most able representatives of the medical profession in this county. His birth occurred in Hinckley, De Kalb county, Illinois, on the 8th of September, 1875. his parents being James F. and Phoebe ( Ward) Glann. He comes of Scotch ancestry. The founder of the Glann family in this country was part owner of a vessel which was wrecked in a terrific storm while preparing to leave Turk island with a cargo of salt bound for the Liverpool market. He was also possessed of a title as lord of Vincent island but lost it when he was swept away by a
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
storm and never returned to claim the island. His vessel, being dismasted, drifted around for weeks but he finally landed at New York with a single groat in his pocket. Finding immediate employment a necessity, he went to work for a Dutch farmer of Kings Bridge, New York, one of whose daughters he later married. Both of his sons, John and James, en- listed in the Revolutionary army, serving under Generals Green and Wash- ington. They participated in the battle of Long Island, where John lost his life. James survived the conflict and took up a soldier's right on the line between Sussex county, New Jersey, and Orange county, New York.
It was in the house which he built thereon that James F. Glann, the father of our subject, was born and reared. Journeying westward to De Kalb county, Illinois, the latter was there married and engaged in farming. He became a man of influence in the community and for a number of years acted as president of the board of county supervisors of De Kalb county. In 1880 he came west to Iowa, locating in Plymouth county, where he made his home for twelve or fifteen years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Sioux City, Iowa, there living retired until called to his final rest in 1900. He was a well informed man and an able public speaker. For a time he was identified with the political movement of the greenback party and afterward with the populist party. His funeral oration was delivered by George W. Argo, the well known criminal attorney of Sioux City, who was his close friend and spoke of him as one of God's great noblemen. He read much, thought deeply and reasoned profoundly. Though not identi- fied with any church or chained to any set form of worship. he was a true Christian, the Sermon on the Mount being his creed and the meek and lowly Nazarene his model and his guide.
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