USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 28
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After his marriage Mr. Key again operated a rented farm for several years, at the end of which time, desiring that his efforts should more directly benefit himself, he purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he resided for one year. He then sold that property at a good advance over the purchase price, and in- vested in a larger farm, becoming the owner of one hundred and ten acres. The following year he purchased an adjoining tract of forty acres and two years later bought a farm of eighty acres in Holt township, which he leased. Subse- quently he sold one of his farms and invested in the old Gordon farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Grove township, later adding forty acres adjoining. He continued in the cultivation of that property for about six years, and then sold out and purchased the farm of two hundred and forty acres upon which he now. resides and to the further development of which he has since directed his efforts. It is located on section 27, Grove township, and under his wise and careful man- agement has become one of the most highly improved properties in the township. In its midst stands a neat and attractive two-story residence, two good barns and substantial outbuildings, including a double crib, tool house and scales, all in first class condition. The place is equipped with all of the modern accessories and conveniences for facilitating labor, and nothing is lacking that goes to make up a model farm of the twentieth century. He also owns a tract of one hundred and fifteen acres near the old home farm, all blue grass pasture land, and another farm of two hundred and forty acres west of Lenox, likewise under a high state of cultivation. He is one of the extensive stockraisers and feeders of the township, fattening a large amount of stock anuually, and the ready sale and good prices which his product commands upon the market are a source of grati- fying remuneration to him.
With the passing of the years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Key has been blessed with three children, Ethel, Leroy L. and Russell D., all still under the parental roof, the family being unbroken by the hand of death. The entire family are members of the Blue Grove Christian church, of which Mr. Key is serving as a deacon, while his wife and daughter are actively and helpfully interested in Sun- day-school work. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party on all national issues, but in local affairs re- serves the right of casting his ballot for the best man, regardless of party ties. He has served as a member of the town board for several years and has been identified with the schools for some time, serving first as director and later as president of the board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. He is at present serving efficiently as township trustee, and in every office to which he has been elected has performed his public duties in a most thorough, faithful and entirely satisfactory manner, at all times manifesting in his official capacity the same thoroughness as characterized his business career. Thus he has been called to various positions of honor and trust, showing that he occupies a high place in public regard and enjoys in large measure the confidence of his fellowmen. He possesses good business ability, excellent judgment and keen discrimination, and although starting out in life as a poor young man, with no capital except brains, energy, integrity and good health, he has made continuous progress in the business world until today he is one of the extensive landowners and large stockdealers in the township, possessing about six hundred acres of
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valuable land in three different farms. He is truly a self-made man in the broadest sense of the term and the consensus of public opinion accords him a prominent place among the representative and valued citizens of Grove township.
DANIEL MITCHELL WOODFILL.
Among those who have sought their fortunes in agricultural lines and through their energy, industry and well-directed efforts are meeting with a most sub- stantial and gratifying success, is numbered Daniel Mitchell Woodfill, one of the most prominent and representative farmers and stock raisers of Marshall town- ship. Born in Jefferson county, Indiana, on the 22d of May, 1843, he belongs to a family of Welsh origin, which has long been identified with American in- terests, having been founded in this country in early colonial days by Joseph Woodfill, a native of Wales, who came to the new world about 1755 and located in Pennsylvania on land upon which a portion of the city of Philadelphia now stands. To him all representatives of the name in America trace their ancestry. He was the father of four sons and two daughters, the sons being Joseph, Ga- briel, Daniel and John. Of this number Daniel became the father of John Wood- fill, the grandfather of the subject of this review. John Woodfill was fired upon and killed by Indians in ambush, while one daughter and two children also met death at the hands of the red men.
Andrew Woodfill, a son of John Woodfill and the father of our subject, was born near New Castle, Henry county, Kentucky, on the 27th of May, 1806. Early in life he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, where he was reared in Jefferson county. He married Mary Sebourn Ryker, a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Gerardus Ryker. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Smock, traced her ancestry back to Hendrick Smock, a titled Hollander, who renounced his title and left his native land on account of religious persecution. After his marriage Andrew Woodfill opened up a farm in Jeffer- son county, Indiana, and there reared his family. He continued to make that his home until his demise, residing upon that farm for fifty-two years. His death occurred in 1888 when eighty-two years of age, while his wife, surviving him about four years, passed away at the age of eighty-one. Their family con- sisted of six sons and four daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, while three of that number still survive : Daniel Mitchell, our subject ; Horace C., a younger brother, who owns and operates the old home farm; and Leah, the wife of J. M. Epperson, of Martinsville, Indiana.
Amid the scenes and environment of farm life in Indiana Daniel M. Wood- fill spent the period of his boyhood and youth, and in the schools of his native county received excellent educational advantages, passing through the consecu- tive grades of the common schools until his graduation from high school, while later he supplemented this training by an academic course. When not busy with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the home farm and in the broader school of experience learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, integrity and perseverance, which well equipped him for the respon-
DANIEL M . WOODFILL
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sible and practical duties of life. He remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil war, when, imbued with a spirit of patriotism, on the 26th of August, 1861, he joined Company A, Sixth Regiment of Indiana In- fantry, with the rank of sergeant and color bearer. He participated in many of the important battles of the war, including Shiloh, Stone River, Resaca, Chick- amauga and Missionary Ridge and took part in all of the engagements of the Atlanta campaign. He also fought in many skirmishes and was sick in the hos- pital at one time, although he lost no time from active service and participated in every battle in which his regiment was engaged. Throughout the term of his enlistment he served loyally and valiantly and his colors were always seen in the thickest of the fight, where they served to inspire and cheer the brave defenders of the Union. He was mustered out and honorably discharged in September, 1864, and returned home with a most creditable military record .
When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Woodfill returned to Indiana, where he was engaged in teaching school during several winter terms, , proving himself a very efficient and capable instructor, readily imparting to others the knowledge which he himself had acquired. Deciding, however, that agri- cultural pursuits would be more congenial and profitable, he took up farming as a renter and was thus engaged until the spring of 1870, when he came to Iowa, locating in Taylor county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which tract formed the nucleus of his present extensive possessions. The farm at that time contained a small house and was but partially improved, but with characteristic energy he set about its further development and soon brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He was systematic, methodical and progressive in his methods, and his farming interests were so wisely and carefully conducted that he won substantial success with the passing of the years, enabling him to add to his original holdings from time to time until eventually he had four hundred and forty acres in his home farm. The original dwelling has given place to a fine new residence equipped with all of the modern conveniences and accessories, while in the rear stand two large barns, an ice house, a carriage shed and other com- modious and substantial outbuildings. He has set out a large orchard of about twenty acres, including fourteen acres of Ben Davis apples, while about four acres are devoted to selected fruits for home use. The farm is kept in excellent condition and is equipped with everything that goes to make up a model farm of the twentieth century. In connection with his general farming he gives con- siderable attention to raising and feeding stock for the market, in 1908 fattening three carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs. Both branches of his business, the raising of grain and the raising of stock, are substantial sources of income and he also owns another farm of two hundred and forty acres located about a mile south of the homestead, the rental of which is an additional source of revenue.
It was on the 17th of October, 1867, that Mr. Woodfill was united in marriage in Decatur county, Indiana, to Miss Susan Caroline Hamilton, whose birth oc- curred in that county. No children came to bless their union, but they took into curred in that county. To the industry and judicious economy of this excellent lady he is indebted for his marked success in securing a home and ample com- petence. No children came to bless their union, but they took into their home and reared a nephew. Jesse M. Green, and a niece, Mary Ellen Green. Both
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married and the former now makes his home in Oklahoma, while the latter is now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodfill are faithful and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Gravity, in which he is serving as trustee, and he keeps up pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Bed- ford Post, G. A. R. Politically he gave his allegiance to the republican party until 1896, since which time he has been independent in his views, reserving the right to vote for the men and measures which in his estimation are best adapted to conserve the public welfare. He served as assessor for several years and also as township trustee, and was sent by his party as a delegate to various state and county conventions. Preeminently a man of business, he has, entirely through his own well-directed efforts and honorable methods, gained a foremost place among the agriculturists and business men of Taylor county, within whose borders he has made his home for almost four decades. He is numbered among the early settlers of the county, arriving at a time when the city of Bedford was little more than a cross-roads village, and during the period of his residence here has been closely and helpfully identified with the development and improvement of the district, taking an active part in the 'work of transformation that has been going on. His influence is at all times on the side of progress, advancement and reform, and in all matters of citizenship he is ever as loyal to the interests of the country as when carrying the old flag on southern battlefields. He is a man of many friends, for the cordial hospitality of his home is freely extended to everyone and the honorable and upright principles which have ever governed his actions have won for him the esteem, respect, confidence and good will of everyone with whom he has come in contact.
ALEXANDER H. COCHRAN.
Alexander H. Cochran, who has been actively and successfully identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Taylor county for more than a quarter of a century, is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 27, Platte township, where he makes his home. His birth occurred in Ireland in 1837, his parents being Alexander and Elizabeth (Henry) Cochran, both of whom were natives of that country. In the year 1850 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling near Quincy, Adams county, Illinois, where the father opened up a new farm and reared his family.
Alexander H. Cochran, who was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, grew to manhood in Adams county, Illinois, and on the 6th of June, 1861, was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Powell, a native of that place. In 1864 he removed to Hancock county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on which a few improvements had been made, devoting his time and energies to its further development and improvement until 1883, when he disposed of the property and came to Taylor county, Iowa. Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land in Grove township, near Lenox, and gave his attention
RESIDENCE OF DANIEL M. WOODFILL
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to its cultivation for about eighteen years, at the end of which time he sold the place. Subsequently he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Platte township, on which he resided for six years, bringing the fields under a high state of devel- opment and improvement. He then leased the property and made his home in Lenox for two years, on the expiration of which period he returned to his farm, residing thereon until he sold the place in 1905. He next bought the farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 27, Platte township, on which he now resides and the many substantial improvements on the property stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. In addition to his work as an agriculturist he also raises and feeds stock to some extent, making a specialty of hogs. In all of his undertakings he has won that measure of success which is ever the reward of earnest, persistent and well directed labor and he is entitled to representation among the substantial and respected citizens of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were born nine children, as follows: Joseph, who follows farming in Ringgold county, Iowa; Harry, who married Josie Cabbage and resides upon and operates the home farm for his father; Mary, the wife of George Day, of Oregon ; Tilla, the wife of William Short, an agriculturist of this county ; Anna, the wife of John Edwards, of Lenox; Emma, who is the wife of Luther Hurley, of Lenox; Addie, who died at the age of eighteen years ; Nellie, who passed away when about eight years old ; and Alexander H., Jr., who died in infancy. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 18th of March, 1908, passing away in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Her remains were interred in Grove Center cemtery.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Cochran has given his political allegiance to the republican party but has never desired the honors and emoluments of office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business affairs. He is a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, exemplifying its teachings in his daily life. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than a quarter of a century and he has seen a wonderful transformation as pioneer conditions have been replaced by all the evidences of an advanced civilization. Moreover, he has not only been an interested witness but also an active participant in the work of improvement and upbuilding, having developed three farms in Taylor county. He has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as an upright and honorable citizen.
OLIVER S. NASH.
Oliver S. Nash, who has won merited success in the careful conduct of his farming interests, now makes his home on section 36, Bedford township, where he owns and cultivates two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land that in generous harvests responds to the care and labor which he gives to his fields. Moreover he is entitled to representation in this volume from the fact that he is numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of Taylor county, where he has made his home since 1853. He arrived here when a lad of twelve years, his
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birth having occurred in Madison county, Indiana, February 9, 1841. His father, William Nash, was a native of Tennessee but the removal of his parents to Indiana enabled him to spend his boyhood days in Madison county, that state. .. He was there married to Miss Harriet Ingle, a native of Indiana, and upon a farm in that state the young couple began their domestic life, remaining there for some years. Eventually a removal was made to Missouri and, settling in Nodaway : county, near the present town of Pickering, William Nash there carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits for several years, or until 1853, when he came to Taylor county, Iowa, entering land in Jackson township. At that time few settlements had been made within the borders of the county and much of the land was still in ; possession of the government. «The settlers had to endure many of the hardships and privations incident to the establishment of homes upon the frontier, but they were of a sturdy race and builded well for future generations. After a year Wil- liam Nash removed to Bedford, where he carried on merchandising for some time. At intervals he entered more land and became the owner of several hundred acres, thus placing his capital in safe investments. His remaining days were passed in this county, his death occurring on a farm in Taylor county.
Oliver S. Nash, accompanying his parents on their removal to Missouri and thence to Iowa in his boyhood days, supplemented his early training by study in the schools of Bedford. He remained with his father until about twenty-four years of age, and was then married in Nodaway county, near the present town of Hop- kins, on the IIth of December, 1864, the lady of his choice being Miss America Glendora Aldrich, a native of Scioto county, Ohio, who had come to Iowa with her - parents and later became a resident of Nodaway county, Missouri. She was reared and educated in Van Buren county, Iowa, and in Nodaway county and for five years was successfully engaged in teaching.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Oliver S. Nash located on the farm where they now reside. Only a few acres had been placed under cultivation at that time and their house was a little log cabin which they occupied for ten years, when Mr. Nash erected a more commodious, modern and substantial residence. He began his farming operations here with only eighty acres of land, but as he diligently pursued his work and his financial resources were thereby increased, he kept adding to his property from time to time until he had extended the boun- daries of his farm to include two hundred and forty acres of the rich prairie land of Bedford township. His place is no longer a treeless plain for upon it is a good orchard and some fine shade trees of his own planting. He has also erected modern buildings which he keeps in a state of good repair and he now has a valuable place, pleasantly located within two miles of Bedford. He has been a successful business man, winning prosperity both in the cultivation of grain and in the raising of stock. His place is now given over largely to pasture and meadow land and many herds of fine stock are seen in his pastures.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nash has been blessed with four children. Arthur D., who was educated in Bedford and for three years was a teacher in the public schools, is now assisting in the operation of the home farm. Cora is the wife of D. C. Mohler, a prominent farmer living on the old Mohler homestead near Bed- ford. Archie D. is married and follows farming in Clayton township and Daisy Armada is at home. In his political views Mr. Nash is a democrat but has never
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sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. In his farming operations he has been very successful and has made a specialty of raising fine horses, disposing of one three-year old for fifteen hun- dred dollars. While active in business he has never been neglectful of the duties of citizenship and has given his aid and influence to further various beneficial public projects. He was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. For fifty-six years a resident of the county, he has seen Bedford grow from a cross-roads village to one of the thrifty cities of the state and has witnessed the transformation of wild prairie land into pro- ductive farms, making this one of the richest agricultural districts of Iowa.
REV. ISAAC E. WEBB.
Rev. Isaac E. Webb, a resident farmer of Dallas township, his home being near Newmarket, is also well known as a minister of the church of the Brethren and one whose influence has been a potent factor for good in the moral as well as the material development of the community. His home farm comprises two hundred acres of land and in its development and improvement he displays good business ability and a spirit of undaunted enterprise. A native of Illinois, he was born November 19, 1840, and is a son of Robert H. and Elizabeth (Lollar) Webb. His paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth Webb, natives of Tennessee and their family numbered the following children : Robert, William, John, Isaac, Ibby, Annie and Fannie. The maternal grandparents of Rev. Webb were Mr. and Mrs. D. Lollar, who had three children: Elizabeth, Elkanah and China.
Robert H. Webb was born in Tennessee, on the 4th of November, 1812, and having arrived at years of maturity wedded Elizabeth Lollar, whose birth occurred in the same state in 1815. After living for some time in Illinois, they removed to Iowa in October, 1842, taking up their abode in Keokuk county among its early pioneer residents. Their children were: Isaac E., William, James, John, Samuel Houston, Jacob, Jane, Susan and Fannie.
Isaac E. Webb was not quite two years of age at the time of the removal of the family from Illinois to Iowa, so that his boyhood and youth were passed in Keokuk county amid the wild scenes and environment of pioneer life. He has always been a farmer and for twenty years has been a resident of Taylor county, where his time and energies have been devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He has seen the land treble in value since he came to this county and the prices continually advancing. His own holdings comprise two hundred acres in Dallas township and the soil, which is naturally rich and fertile, responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it so that he annually harvests good crops. In all of his business dealings he is thoroughly reliable and his success is well merited.
Rev. Webb is also widely known in connection with the church of the Brethren, in which he is a minister. For fourteen years he has been thus connected with the church as a minister of the second degree and has labored throughout the
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district of Iowa. He was the first member of the denomination in Taylor county and was largely instrumental in organizing the church to which he belongs and which was formed in 1897. He held meetings in the schoolhouses for several years before a house of worship was bought. There are now about fifteen mem- bers constituting a progressive little flock whose influence is widely felt as a moral force in the community.
Mr. Webb was married in April, 1866, to Miss Hannah Wortman, who was born in Iowa in 1847, and is a daughter of George and Tina (Scott) Wortman and a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wortman. Her parents had four children : Harry H., James, William and Louisa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Webb have been born ten children: Louisa, Nora, Lora, Ida, Minnie, John, Elmer, George, Walter and Frank. The daughters are now all married.
Mr. Webb gives his political allegiance to the democracy while his business enterprise is devoted to farming but the motive power of his life is found in his belief in Christianity which is embraced in tangible measure in his efforts in behalf of the church. His work in this connection has been far-reaching and beneficial and moreover his life record proves that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
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