USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 41
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
modate the entire outfit. During the trip the cattle were led by an old bell cow named Rose. She had learned to follow the wagons closely from the time they were started in the morning until the party went into camp at night. Two of the wagons were loaded on the ferry-boat which started to cro :- the river. the subject of this review. then a child. and a sister who was still younger having been left behind to herd the cattle. However, the bell cow Rose interfered with carefully laid plans and as the boat moved away in the water she started after it. followed by the rest of the herd. The mother stood in the stern of the ferry-boat and, seeing that it was impossible to turn the cattle back, called to them eagerly and they bravely responded. but were carried down by the current a quarter of a mile below the ferry landing. Upon reaching the opposite shore Mrs. Kitchel hurried down the river and through her encouragement the cattle landed safely and she returned to the wharf with Rose and her other charges close behind. Gathering the possessions of the family together, Mr. Kitchel made his way to the old Winnebago Indian mission lands, where he lived for three years. then locating in Winneshiek county, lowa. There he entered government land and built a log cabin, in which the family lived for about five years. In 1856 Mr. Kitchel moved to Olmsted county. Minnesota. where he again took up his work as a farmer. The mother departed this life while on a visit to a brother, and the father sub- sequently made his home with his children.
Prince Albert Kitchel acquired his education in a log schoolhouse with slab benches. puncheon floor and windows covered with greased paper. He continued with his parents until June 26. 1861, when he enlisted at Fort Spelling. Minnesota. in Company B. Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served for four and one-half years and was an active par- ticipant in many of the greatest battles and movements of the war. the Second Minnesota being in almost continuous activity during the great rebellion. He was under Sherman during the celebrated march to the sea and was present at the surrender of General Johnston at Raleigh, North Carolina. discharging his duty at all times in such a way as to meet the hearty approval of the oficers of his company. On July 20, 1865, he was honorably discharged and mustered out of service at Fort Snelling, and in 186; came to Jasper county. Iowa, purchasing -ixty acres of raw prairie land. upon which he built a board cabin that was later superseded by a comfortable modera residence. As his resources increased he purchased more land and became the owner of a highly improved farm of one hun- dred and forty-five acres which he disposed of in 1910. Since 1905 he has made his home at Collins, being now in the enjoyment of a well earned rest to which he is entitled after many years of useful labor.
In 196 Of :. Kitchen was united in marriage to Mrs. Lucetta Henter, of Jasper county, a daughter of Warren Roberts, a native of Allen county. Ohio. Fire children blessed the union: Gertrude, now the wife of Charles Darling, of Rhodes, Iowa: Laura. now Mal. John Jackson. Who
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is in charge of the old Kitchel homestead in Jasper county; Edward, a farmer of Collins township; Catherine, the wife of Andrew Stevens, also of Collins township ; and Warren A., who recently purchased his father's farm but is still living in Collins.
Politically Mr. Kitchel has been identified with the republican party ever since he cast his first ballot and he has great faith in its ability to direct the destinies of the republic. He is an earnest friend of education and served for several years as a member of the school board, being in- strumental in the erection of several schoolhouses in Jasper county. Socially he is connected with the E. H. Keys Post, G. A. R., of Mingo, lowa, and is well known in many parts of the state on account of his ability as a public speaker, being often called upon to address meetings of the old soldiers and of the pioneers. He is a stanch member of the Christian church, to which he gives a willing service, and it is doubtful whether any other citizen of Story county stands higher in the estimation of friends and acquaintances than does Prince Albert Kitchel.
WILLIAM C. HARRIS.
Honored and respected by all, the passing of William C. Harris caused the deepest regret not only in Nevada, where he had spent several years in retirement, but throughout Story county, where for a quarter of a cen- tury he had made his home. In his lifetime the people of his state re- joiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained and since his death have cherished his memory. He was born in Exeter, England, November 2, 1830, a son of John and Mary Harris, who spent their en- tire lives in England, where the father conducted a restaurant for many years.
William C. Harris, one of a family of five children, ran away from home at the age of sixteen years and went to sea, prompted by the spirit of adventure which leads so many boys to break away from the narrow confines of community life that they may know something of the world and seek the broader opportunities to be found elsewhere. A short ex- perience on the sea satisfied him that he preferred another life. For six years he was a member of the English army and served in South Africa against the Boers and throughout the Crimean war, participating in the celebrated charge of the light brigade at Balaklava, a charge which Ten- nyson immortalized in his famous poem. With one exception, Mr. Harris was the last survivor of that charge. Soon after the Crimean war he came to the United States and with a team he traveled over much of this coun- try. In early manhood he seemed of a restless, roving disposition and enjoyed seeing the different parts of the country and the experiences which came to him as he thus rode abroad. Finally, however. he determined to
WILLIAM C. HARRIS
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settle down and located at Marengo, Iowa county, Iowa. There he was married on the 16th of June, 1861, to Mrs. Elizabeth Reed Bale, who was born in England. December 28, 1830, and was reared in Devonshire. About 1852 she gave her hand in marriage to Hugh Bale and four years later they came to the United States, settling first in Cleveland, Ohio. Later they removed to Dayton, Ohio, and subsequently to Marengo, Iowa, where Mr. Bale passed away in 1860. He had been employed in connection with the plumbing at the State Asylum at Dayton and became the engineer there.
Following his marriage, William C. Harris engaged in farming in Iowa county but at length traded his property for a tract of land in Story county and removed here in March, 1875. He became owner of a farm of one hundred acres in Richland township, seven miles north of the courthouse, and afterward he added to his place eighty acres and also another tract of one hundred acres. Further investment made him the owner of four hun- dred and ninety-seven acres of rich and valuable land ere his retirement from business life in 1894, at which time he took up his abode in Nevada. He gave to each of his sons one hundred acres of land and to his wife a tract of ninety-five acres. He was very fortunate in his investments, his property increasing in value, so that he was able to turn over splendid hold- ings to his family.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harris there were born the following children : Charles William, now living in Nevada; Nellie, the wife of Walter Wink- ler, of California : Zella, the wife of John Dawson, of Audubon county, Iowa ; Clifton, whose home is at McCallsburg; Clinton, living at Baxter Springs, Kansas; Bessie, the wife of Bruce McQuillin, of Cherokee, Iowa; and Clayton, also of McCallsburg, this county., By her first marriage Mrs. Harris had five children: Anna, the wife of Simon Armstrong, of Nevada ; Mary, the wife of Joseph Hamman, of Davenport, Iowa; John, who died at the age of six years; Elias, who died at the age of eight months ; and James, who died in infancy. Mrs. Harris lost two children in Dayton, Ohio, and one in Marengo, Iowa.
For six years prior to his death, Mr. Harris lived retired in Nevada, where he passed away on the 5th of October, 1900. After coming to Iowa he concentrated his energies upon agricultural pursuits and his capably conducted business affairs won him substantial success. As the years passed on he made a most creditable record as a judicious investor and energetic business man and at one time was one of the extensive land- owners of the county. In his later years, however, he divided his prop- erty among his wife and children. Mrs. Harris was ever a faithful help- mate to her husband. When they removed to Story county they settled upon the raw prairie north of Nevada, and they and their children all bent their cnergies toward the development of a farm and the accumulation of a goodly estate. Mr. Harris' carly experiences in life as a sailor, as a Vol. 11-23
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
soldier and as a traveler over this country, stored his mind with many in- teresting incidents, from which he drew at will, making him an entertain- ing companion, and portions of which pertaining to his South African and Crimean campaigns he wrote up very interestingly and had published in the Nevada Representative.
JAMES E. HALE.
The business interests of Story county are ably represented by many of its energetic and prosperous citizens, among whom is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He is a native of this county, born in Collins township, December 17, 1872, and is the son of Anthony and Jane (Crouch) Hale. The father was born in England and the mother in Onondaga county, New York. Anthony Hale came to America with his parents at eighteen years of age. After his marriage in New York state he removed to Cook county, Illinois, and with his father engaged in farm- ing and dairying on a place eighteen miles west of Chicago and drove daily to the city with milk. In 1871, on the day of the Chicago fire, he started in a wagon for Jowa, coming direct to Story county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. He set vigorously to work and improved the property until about 1891, when he disposed of it at forty dollars per acre. It was the first farm that had been sold in that immediate section at an advanced price and the people of the neigh- borhood declared that forty dollars per acre was preposterous and alto- gether too high. However, it is not probable that this opinion prevails today, as the same land could not be purchased for less than one hundred and forty or one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. The father removed to the town of Nevada and later to State Center but is now living with his wife at Webster City. He is an earnest advocate of the republican party and while a resident of Story county was a prominent factor in its councils. He held various public offices and served for six years as a member of the board of county supervisors.
James E. Ilale attended the district schools and continued with his parents until about twenty years of age, when the father having sold the home farm, the son started out for himself. After working for a year as a farm hand he began renting land and acquired sufficient capital to pur- chase eighty acres in Hamilton county, where he lived for two years. llaving sold that land he purchased a farm in Story county and subse- quently bought and sold considerable property in Collins and elsewhere and has acquired a handsome competence. He is the owner of three hun- dred and twenty acres of valuable land three miles east of Collins, one hundred and sixty acres of which is in Story county and one hundred and sixty acres in Marshall county. In 1905 he became connected with N. E.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
Miner, a Chicago grain merchant, as his agent at Collins, being placed in charge of the elevator. In August, 1906, he rented an elevator on his own account and has since engaged in the grain business, being now known as one of the extensive grain buyers of the county. He has exercised good judgment in business affairs and is recognized as one of the most sub- stantial and progressive men of his locality.
On the 11th of June, 1894. Mr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss Mary McWhorter, of Collins township. His wife having died May 1, 1900, he was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Viola Mc- Whorter, a sister of his first wife. Two children were born to this union : James, deceased ; and Maude.
Mrs. Hale is a member of the Christian church and is a lady of ad- mirable characteristics, which have made her a host of friends. Mr. Hale is a man of versatile talents, thoroughly energetic and capable in business affairs and has a reputation for faithfulness in the discharge of obligations and fidelity to principle which speaks in no uncertain terms as to his stand- ing in the community. He gives his support to the republican party, and while he has not sought political honors he served for three years as mayor of Collins and is at the present time a member of the town council.
MARTIN T. WAULA.
Martin T. Waula, one of the old residents of Story county, was born in Norway on the 20th of December, 1851, in which country he spent his boyhood and acquired his education. At the age of sixteen years he de- cided to try his fortune in a new country, feeling assured that he would find greater opportunities and better advantages here, and in 1867 he came to the United States. On his arrival in this country he went to Tama county, Iowa, but only remained there one year, however, and then came to Nevada, Story county. Later he located in Roland, this county. His first real-estate investment in the United States was in eighty acres of land in Hamilton county, Iowa, and on selling that he bought one hundred and forty acres in Warren township, Story county, on which place he continues to reside.
Mr. Waula married Miss Anne Johnson and by this union were born the following children: Anna, Caroline, Clara and Otis. The family worship with the Lutheran denomination, with which the parents are identified by membership. Ever since his naturalization Mr. Waula has cast his vote with the republican party, feeling that its policy best serves the interests of the general public. He has always taken an active interest in local politics and is at present township assessor, which office he has held for eight years.
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AAlthough he was unfamiliar with the language and the customs of the people when he arrived in the United States he had an abundance of courage, which was always sustained by unwearied energy, perseverance and a definite purpose, and never at any time did he lose sight of the goal toward which he aspired, so that today he is regarded as one of the pro- gressive and substantial citizens of the community where he resides and has made and retained the friendship of many of its best people. He owns one of the valuable farms of his township, which is well stocked, contains good improvements and its fields yield large and profitable harvests.
CHARLES M. SOPER.
Charles M. Soper, of Nevada, now serving as clerk of the district court and who for a number of years has been actively identified with public affairs, was born in Delaware county, New York, January 17, 1856. He is a son of James II. and Martha MI. ( Hobbs) Soper, both of whom were of English descent. His grandfather. Nelson Soper, belonged to the second generation of the family in the United States and was a soldier in the war of 1812. James H. Soper, the father, came to Boone county, lowa, about 1873, where he purchased a farm, which he later sold, engaging in the mercantile business at Ames for several years. He departed this life at Legrand, Iowa, in 1892, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a mem- ber of the Christian church and was a stanch supporter of the republican party. The mother of our subject was also a native of New York state. She died at the age of about twenty-two years, leaving one child that grew to maturity-the subject of this review.
Charles M. Soper received his preliminary education in the district schools, subsequently becoming a student at the State Agricultural College of lowa, where he continued for eighteen months. He taught school one winter but, not being attracted to that vocation, was employed as book- keeper in various stores at Ames and also engaged in the general mercantile business, concluding his experience along this line by maintaining a men's furnishing goods store for three years. In 1898, having become well ac- quainted throughout the county, he was elected clerk of the district court and acceptably served in that capacity for four years. On retiring from that position he was appointed deputy clerk under C. P. McCord for a term of four years and then again became clerk of the district court, with Mr. McCord as his deputy. In the fall of 1910 he was reelected to the office for another period of four years. He has shown rare adaptability for a position which calls for good judgment and special training and is one of the most popular public officials in this part of the state.
On September 16, 1879. Mr. Soper was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Underwood, who was born in Kane county, Illinois, in 1861, and four
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children have been born to them, two of whom, Orpha M. and Lester, died in infancy. Bernice MI. is now assisting her father as deputy clerk, and Donald H. is a student in the public schools.
Mr. Soper is a man of gentlemanly address and pleasing personality, gaining friends readily wherever he is known. His extensive acquaintance with business affairs previous to his entering public office prepared him thoroughly for his new responsibilities and by the capable and conscientious discharge of his duties for a number of years he has gained in an unusual degree the confidence and good-will of the courts and the people. Politi- cally he is identified with the republican party and fraternally with the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, being a stanch believer in the beneficient teachings of these organizations. Mrs. Soper, who has proved to her husband a helpful and loving companion, is an active worker in the Congregational church and is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which Mr. Soper also belongs.
F. D. EDENBURN.
Among the new residents of Indian Creek township none has proven himself to be a greater acquisition to the community in which he now lives than F. D. Edenburn, who two years ago bought the old Veneman farm on which he has since lived. He was born in the capital city on the 5th of June, 1867, being therefore a native son of this state. His parents were John J. and Emeline (Shannon) Edenburn, both natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married, but soon after marriage they came west and settled in Des Moines, where they lived for several years. The father was a plasterer by trade and followed this occupation the greater part of his life. From Des Moines the family removed to Dallas county, Iowa, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives.
Mr. Edenburn was a very small boy when his parents removed to Dallas county and it was there he was reared, receiving his education in the common schools. During his boyhood and youth his time was quite equally divided between the task of the schoolroom, the work assigned by parental authority and the sports and amusements indulged in by all active young people. In 1899 he began farming as a renter, but by means of diligence and economy he saved sufficient capital to enable him to become a landowner in 1906, and he bought ninety-four acres of farming land in Greene county, Iowa. He only remained there one year, however, and then sold and bought eighty acres in Boone county. He had cultivated this but one year when he disposed of it and purchased eighty acres in another portion of the county. In February, 1909, he bought and moved to his present farm in Indian Creek township, this county, where he still resides. He is making a specialty of raising hogs and in this he has been very suc-
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cessful, having some fine full blooded Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs upon his place at the present time.
Mr. Edenburn established a home of his own by his marriage on the 9th of January, 1906, to Miss Alice Riley, of Dallas county, a daughter of Michael and Mary ( McGovern ) Riley. Two children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edenburn: Harry J., now deceased ; and Mabel Gertrude.
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The family are communicants of the Catholic church. Since age con- ferred upon him the right of suffrage Mr. Edenburn has always cast his ballot with the democratic party, feeling its fundamental principles are best adapted to protect the united interests of the public at large. Although he never has taken any active part in politics, having devoted his time to his private interests rather than public, at the same time each election day finds him at the polls casting his vote for the candidates of his party. Ile has been a resident of this county only a short time but nevertheless he is highly esteemed and respected by all whom he has met in either a business or social way.
P. T. NEWMAN.
Observation shows that some men are gifted with business talents much beyond the ordinary and make a financial success of almost everything they undertake. P. T. Newman of Slater has prospered as a farmer and is also one of the largest horse buyers in this section. Moreover, he is a railway contractor and has demonstrated his ability in other lines with gratifying results. He was born in Sweden. May 5, 1858. a son of Olai and Catherine M. Newman. The family came to the United States early in the '60s, living for a number of years at Sweet Point, lowa, now known as Madrid. In 1873 Mr. Newman removed to the prairie in Boone county. one and one-half miles northwest of Slater, where he purchased one hun- dred and eighty acres of land. He was very successful as a farmer and acquired additional land until, in company with his two sons, he owned between five and six hundred acres. He departed this life in Madrid in 1904, about two weeks after removing to the town. The mother is still living and makes her home in Madrid.
P. T. Newman was reared under excellent conditions for becoming thoroughly acquainted with all the details of agriculture and stock-raising, assisting about the house and in the fields when not attending the district schools. In the fall of 1879 he purchased eighty acres of land in Boone county, this being the last piece of prairie in that section. In 1880 he planted this land in flax and harvested eight hundred and forty bushels. which he sold at one dollar and five cents per bushel. He lived at home and farmed his land until after his marriage, when he located on his own
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place. As opportunity presented he purchased additional property until he became the owner of a highly improved farm of two hundred acres, which he still cultivates. In 1893 he removed to Slater and built a grist- mill near the depot, which he operated for two and one-half years, then disposing of it to Nelson & Dueland. Subsequently he entered the livery business, building the present livery barn at Slater, but after five years hie sold out in order to devote his attention more closely to the purchase and shipment of horses to the eastern markets. Since that time he has handled more than five thousand horses, being known as one of the largest buyers in this part of the state. He still has general supervision of his farm, upon which his son-in-law now lives. Recently he engaged as railroad con- tractor, having secured the contract for building the road-bed of the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway through Cass county, and he has shown an ability in the management of this important enterprise which gives very satisfactory promise.
In 1884 in Boone county, Mr. Newman was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Williamson, a native of Henry county, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Carrie Williamson, and to this union seven children have been born : Delia May, now the wife of O. A. Auestad, who is living upon Mr. Newman's farm; Carrie Edna, a teacher in the Kelley schools; Cecil C., Irene, Wilma, Orrin Jesner and Paul Carroll, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Newman owes his success to his energy, ambition and clear judg- ment. He is alert and enterprising, and business is to him a pleasure which yields golden rewards. In politics he is numbered among the progressive republicans. He has served two terms as mayor of Slater and has been a member of the town council, with the exception of two years, ever since he took up his residence in Slater. He and his family are identified with the Lutheran church and are active workers in behalf not only of the church but also of every worthy cause that aims to advance the welfare of this section.
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