USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 32
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In 1893 Mrs. Payton was called to her final rest and left, besides her husband, two sons to mourn her loss, Ralph and Guy, who are now aiding in the operation of the home farm. In June, 1894, in Bedford, Iowa, Mr. Payton was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Inez Parish, a native of Taylor county, where she was reared and educated. Unto this union have been born four chil- dren, three of whom still survive, namely, Alice, Howard W. and Jessie. One daughter passed away at the age of eleven years. Mr. and Mrs. Payton are both members of Gay Center Methodist Episcopal church, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their lives. Both are deeply interested in the church work, Mr. Payton acting in the capacity of steward, while his wife is prominent in Sunday-school work, being at present the superintendent thereof.
Politically Mr. Payton gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party and served as township trustee for several years. He was likewise elected and served four years as a member of the board of supervisors, and is public-spirited in his citizenship, lending his aid and influence at all times to matters and measures having for their object the permanent and substantial growth and progress of the community. Throughout his years of residence in Taylor county he has witnessed the various improvements which have been instituted in both Blockton and Bed-
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ford and saw the first railroad built through these towns, while he has rejoiced at the progress which has been made in recent years and at all times has exerted an influence to further the work thereof. A man of keen business ability, he has worked his way upward in the agricultural world until today he stands as one of the prominent and representative farmers of Gay township.
K. L. FULLER.
Near the town of Blockton, Jefferson township, is the home of K. L. Fuller, whose prosperity is indicated in his ownership of a valuable farm property of two hundred and eighty acres. Thereon he engages in the raising of grain and stock and is also well known as a buyer and shipper of stock. He is unfaltering in his business activity and seems to know exactly when and where and how to invest that his labors shall bring the best possible return. Iowa has numbered him among her residents since 1881 and after living in Mahaska county for about eight years he took up his abode in Taylor county in 1889.
Mr. Fuller was at that time a young man of twenty years, his birth having occurred in Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1869. His father, D. E. Fuller, was also born and reared in the Keystone state and when he had obtained his majority he was married there to Miss Amy E. Lynch, a native of Pennsyl- vania. The young couple began their domestic life upon that farm in Greene county where they lived for a considerable period, during which time six children were born unto them. The tales which he heard concerning the middle west, however, proved to him irresistibly attractive and, believing that he would have better opportunities beyond the Mississippi, he removed to Iowa about 1878 and settled in Mahaska county, where he resided for five or six years. He made his home during that period near Oskaloosa and subsequently he took up his abode in Taylor county, where he resided for a number of years and then went to Rena county, Kansas. He continued a resident of that locality until his demise which occurred about 1895. He is yet survived by his widow, who is still making her home in the Sunflower State.
K. L. Fuller spent his youthful days in Pennsylvania and in Iowa, accom- panying his parents on their removal westward. His educational opportunities were those offered by the public schools of the two states. He remained with his father until about twenty years of age and in the meantime accompanied his parents to Kansas, where he lived for about three years. He then returned to Taylor county, where he sought and secured employment as a farm hand, working by the month for four years, the entire time being spent in the employ of Mr. Keenan. This fact alone indicates his faithfulness and the ability with which he served his employer.
On the 22d of February, 1883, desiring to have a home of his own, Mr. Fuller was married to Miss Dora E. Babson, who was born and reared in Franklin county, Iowa. Following their marriage Mr. Fuller rented land which he cul- tivated for three years and then for seven years rented the farm, upon which he now resides. At the end of that time his wife inherited one-half of the amount
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and Mr. Fuller purchased the other half. He has bent his energies with inde- fatigable purpose to the further development and improvement of the place, has erected a commodious and substantial residence there, has also put up a good barn and set out a nice grove of forest trees upon the place and his farm alto- gether presents a most neat and well kept appearance. As he has prospered in his undertakings he has made other investments in property and is now the owner of three-fourths of a section of land in Texas and an eighty-acre farm in Oklahoma and one hundred and sixty acres in Nebraska. In addition to the cultivation which he bestows upon his Iowa land, he is engaged in buying, feed- ing and dealing in live stock, which business has claimed much of his attention for a number of years. His judgement is seldom, if ever, at error in regard to the value of live stock and he has thus been enabled to secure good profit on his labors as a dealer.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller has been blessed with four children but Gale E., the eldest, died at the age of seven years. The others are: James Clif- ford, Dorothy M. and Amy Marie. The family are well known in their part of the county and the hospitality of the best homes of the neighborhood is freely and generously accorded them. Mr. Fuller, since age conferred upon him the right of franchise has voted with the democracy but, though having firm belief in its principles, has never been ambitious to hold office. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Blockton and in social, business and political circles is well known, being regarded throughout southwestern Iowa and northeastern Missouri as a man of good business capacity and of exemplary habits, whose industry and determination have constituted the salient features in his success and made his example one well worthy of emulation.
CHARLES H. HUNTER.
Charles H. Hunter is numbered among the numerous farmers of Gay town- ship, where he is now serving as assessor. He lives on section 15, where he owns a well-improved and valuable farm of eighty acres, and he also controls and operates an adjoining tract of eighty acres. A native of Illinois, he was born near Springfield, in Sangamon county, August 10, 1874, and is a son of John Hunter and a brother of Paul Hunter, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The father was a native of England and when a youn man of eighteen years bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States, settling first in Illinois. He was married there to Miss Mary Weir, a native of Illinois, and taking up his abode in that state Mr. Hunter was there connected with business affairs for some time. In 1874 he arrived in Iowa and took up his abode upon the place now owned and occupied by C. H. Hunter. The land on which he settled was wild and unimproved but he at once began using the breaking plow and soon changed the wild prairie into richly cultivated fields. He knew, however, that to keep a farm in excellent condition constant care, and consideration of the financial side of the question was required, and he therefore labored diligently and persistently to win his prosperity. His last years were
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spent on the home place, where he died June 1, 1900. He served for some years as township school treasurer and was a member of the township board. His fellow-townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to several offices, the duties of which he discharged in a most prompt and creditable manner. His wife survived him for about four years and died in 1904.
Charles H. Hunter was brought to Iowa an infant in his mother's arms and was reared to manhood under the parental roof. The educational advantages which he received were those offered by the county schools but his opportunities were somewhat limited for his services were needed in tilling the soil. He re- mained with his father in the care and development of the farm until after he had attained his majority and later succeeded to the ownership of eighty acres. He has since erected thereon a good, neat residence, has fenced his place and is continually planning further improvements which will add to the value of the land. In addition to his home farm he has for some years cultivated eighty acres which belong to his sisters Cora and Lillie. The fields bring forth abun- dant harvests for which he finds a ready sale on the market and he also has no difficulty in disposing of the high-grade stock he raises. He handles hogs, cattle and horses and his annual income is materially increased thereby.
On the 3Ist of August, 1904, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage, in Bedford, to Miss Maggie Frost, who was born in Gay township and was educated there. She is a daughter of Newton Frost, formerly from Greene county, Pennsylvania. Politically Mr. Hunter is a republican and has voted with the party since casting his first ballot for Major William McKinley. He has since supported every nominee at the head of the ticket and at all times he has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was appointed to fill out a term as township trustee in the fall of 1908 and was elected assessor and made one as- sessment of Gay township. Mr. Hunter has been a resident of the county for thirty-five years, during which period he has been a witness of much of the growth and development that has occurred. He has greatly desired the progress of the county and has therefore cooperated in measures which have had direct bearing upon its growth.
LEONARD T. McCOUN.
Leonard T. McCoun is a veteran of the Mexican war and also of the Civil war; is a pioneer settler of Taylor county ; and is numbered among the lawyers and law makers of the state. All these facts combined make him worthy of representation in the history of Taylor county, within the borders of which he has resided for more than a half century. A native of Kentucky, Mr. McCoun was born in Woodford county, May 6, 1832. His paternal grandfather, John S. McCoun, was likewise a native of that state, where he passed away after reaching mature life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Slaughter, died when well advanced in years. Both were of Scotch descent. They reared a family of several children, including John S. McCoun, who was born in Ken- tucky and became a physician and surgeon. In 1842 he removed to Danville,
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Indiana, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death there occurred in 1844, when he was about forty-five years of age. In early manhood he had wedded Elizabeth Munday, who was likewise born in the Blue Grass State and was a daughter of Thomas Munday, a native of Kentucky, who es- tablished a ferry on the Kentucky River near Harrodsburg, and also built flat- boats. That place is now called Munday's Landing. He died of cholera when past middle life and his wife, who was called "Sookie" (Slaughter) Munday, also died in middle life. The death of Mrs. Elizabeth McCoun occurred in 1833, and for his second wife Dr. McCoun chose Miss Arsena Towles. There were two children of the first union, Leonard T. and Elizabeth, but the latter died in early childhood. The children of the second marriage are: Nancy, now the widow of Harlan Hadley, and a resident of Danville, Indiana; and Fidelia, the wife of James L. McCoun, of Danville, Indiana.
Leonard T. McCoun was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Kentucky to Indiana, being reared in Danville. His education was largely acquired in the public schools and in the seminary there. He was only twelve years of age when his father died and was a youth of six- teen when he enlisted in the regular army and went as a recruit to Vera Cruz. There he was assigned to Company E, of the Second Regular Infantry, under command of Colonel Riley, while General Lyon of Civil war fame was at that time first lieutenant and was brevetted captain. Mr. McCoun served for one year in the regular army and in the organization of the militia on the border in 1861, he was elected lieutenant colonel of the regiment, the superior officer being Colonel Mórledge. In 1862 he raised a company at Bedford, which became known as Company G, of the Fourth Missouri Cavalry. The company went to St. Joseph. Missouri, and there joined the regiment, and Mr. McCoun was chosen captain. He was with that command for more than a year, when, on account of ili health, he was obliged to resign. While at home at Bedford, in the fall of 1863. he was elected captain of Company B, of the Border Brigade, and so served until the following May. Subsequent to that time he raised Company D, of the Forty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was with that command during its time of service-one hundred days. The regiment was commanded by Colonel D. B. Henderson, afterward speaker of the national house of representatives.
When the war was over Captain McCoun returned to Bedford and resumed the practice of law, for which he had previously qualified. He was admitted to the bar in February, 1856, at Danville, Indiana, and came to Bedford that year but did not locate here permanently until 1857. He is today the oldest practicing lawyer in Taylor county and throughout the entire period has been regarded as a representative member of the bar because of the ability which he has displayed in handling the legal interests entrusted to his care. He was also elected judge of the probate court in 1861 but resigned that position in 1862, in order to join the army.
Pleasantly situated in his home relations, Mr. McCoun was married on the 12th of December, 1849, to Miss Sarah D. Mahan, a daughter of John and Nancy (Woodson) Mahan. Mrs. McCoun was born in Mercer county, Ken- tucky, and her father was a native of that state, while her mother's birth occurred in Virginia. Their family numbered nine children, of whom three are now liv-
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ing: Eliza, the widow of Joseph Lewis and a resident of Pittsburg, Indiana; Mrs. McCoun ; and Indiana V., the wife of G. W. Turner, of Bedford.
When Mr. and Mrs. McCoun came to Bedford he purchased one hundred acres of land, for which he paid six hundred dollars, and he added to that, eighty acres. He brought his farm under a high state of cultivation but afterward sold the entire property with the exception of a tract of twenty acres, on which he re- sides and which constitutes an ideal home. In addition to this property he owns a large farm in Ross township, Taylor county. While carefully managing his business affairs and conducting his law practice-in both of which he has been very successful -- Mr. McCoun is also supervising the interests of his own house- hold. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, but the eldest, Nancy, died when eight years of age. John, who became a lawyer and practiced in Bed- ford, died in 1898. Mary J. is the widow of C. W. Connett, who was an en- gineer on the railroad and was killed in an accident. Emma died in early child- hood. Martha died in infancy. William, who is a mason by trade, married Alma Bates, and after her death wedded Nellie Boner. The other child of the family died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. McCoun are devoted members of the Christian church and he belongs to Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M. and to Sedgwick Post, G. A. R. He has long been recognized as one of the most prominent rep- resentatives in his district and was a member of the twelfth and thirteenth gen- eral assemblies of Iowa. He became county prosecutor and served for two terms, so that his official service has always been in the path of hi's profession. He owns a beautiful home just west of the corporation limits of Bedford, situated in the midst of a fine tract of land of twenty acres and there he spends his summer months, while in the winter season he occupies a good home which he owns in town. He is one of the old settlers of Taylor county and has watched with 'pride its growth and development as it has been transformed from a wilder- ness into one of the leading counties of the state. Throughout all these years he and his wife have been held in highest esteem here because of their many ex- cellent traits of character. As a lawyer he ranks high, possessing an analytical mind and is noted as a successful pleader at the bar, having won many celebrated cases. Although he has now reached the age of seventy-seven years, he still re- mains in active connection with the profession and with public interests. In spirit he seems yet in his prime. Old age does not necessarily suggest helpless- ness or want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and physically as the years go by and continually gives out of its rich store of wisdom and experience, and such is the record of Leonard T. McCoun.
HENRI WALTER.
The general farming and stock-raising interests of Taylor county find a worthy and well-known representative in Henri Walter, who for more than four decades has lived in this part of the state. For a long period he was closely connected with the agricultural life and still maintains a deep interest therein. although since 1902 he has lived retired in Lenox, the success which he achieved
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in former years being sufficient to permit him now to rest from further labor in the fields. His history, too, is an example of what can be accomplished in this free land of ours, where labor is unhampered by caste or class. He was born in Switzerland, October 14, 1844, and was brought to the new world by his par- ents in 1853, the family home being established in Monroe county, Ohio, where his father died, the mother surviving him for some time.
Henri Walter was the youngest of a family of six sons and five daughters and after coming to the United States remained on the farm with his mother until he had attained his majority. He was married in Ohio, in 1867, to Miss Louisa Schafroth, a native of Switzerland who came to the United States in her early girlhood days. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Mon- roe county, Ohio, where they lived for a year and then came to Adams county, . Iowa, after which Mr. Walter rented land and thus carried on farming for several years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings and purchased forty acres of raw land, where he soon had the breaking plow at work. He thus opened up a farm four miles southeast of Corning and later bought more land. He then sold the forty-acre tract and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie. This he converted into productive fields and still owns the property, which is a valuable farm southeast of Corning. As time passed and his financial resources increased he added to his landed possessions from time to time and is now the owner of four hundred acres in one farm in Adams county and another farm of five hundred and sixty acres, both being well-improved and valuable properties. His possessions are the visible evidence of his life of well-directed energy and thrift. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and gathered rich crops as a reward for the labor he bestowed upon his fields. In his pastures were found good grades of stock which he raised and fed, selling at a good price on the market. In 1902 he bought the farm whereon he now resides adjoining the corporation limits of Lenox. This is a well-improved and valuable property. He has built to and remodeled the house, has built a barn, and alto- gether has made this an attractive place. He has likewise invested in another farm of four hundred and eighty acres three miles east of Lenox and he owns another tract of one hundred and sixty acres west of Lenox and a quarter section in Adams county, in addition to the property previously described. All of his land is well improved and he is today one of the most prosperous farmers of this part of the state.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walter have been born eleven children, of whom six sons and three daughters are yet living. Their first born, Edmund, reached mature years and died about 1900. J. J. is a prominent farmer and stock feeder of Lenox, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. John is a resident farmer of Grove township. Henry A. follows farming in Adams county. Andrew and Louis are also resident farmers of Adams county. Ben assists in the operation of the home farm. Ella is the wife of Simon Hufnagle, a farmer of Platt township. Maleta is the wife of James Ely, who follows farming in Platt township; and Delia is at home. They lost a daughter, Ida, at the age of two years.
Mr. Walter votes with the republican ticket, but has never sought nor desired office. His life has been an active and strenuous one in which has been few leisure hours. As the years have gone by, however, he has prospered in his
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undertakings and his success is the direct result of his perseverance, diligence and careful investment. His life record should serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what may be accomplished if one ha's the will to persevere in a chosen field of labor.
ROBERT W. HARVEY.
Robert W. Harvey, a retired farmer and stockraiser, who in his seventy- ninth year, is now enjoying a well earned rest after many years of earnest and honorable labor, is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Clermont county, May 31, 1830. There on his father's farm he grew to manhood, in the meantime acquiring a good common-school education which fitted him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He remained at home, assisting his father in the cultivation of his fields until the latter's death, after which he devoted himself to caring for his widowed mother. In 1851, in Clermont county, he was married to Rhoda Cazel, who was also a native of Ohio. After his marriage. Mr. Harvey engaged in farming on the old home place and was thus actively connected with agricultural pursuits until May, 1864, when, put- ting aside all business and personal considerations, he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company H. Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He went south with this regiment and participated in a number of engagements, among the most important being that at Harpers Ferry. He was in several skirmishes and did much picket duty. He continued in active service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Camp Dennison and was honorably discharged at Columbus in September, 1865.
When his country no longer needed his services, Mr. Harvey returned home, and in the following year, 1866, he sold the old home farm and removed to Knox county, Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres of land. He continued to operate this farm until 1869, when, selling that property, he came to Iowa and invested in three hundred and twenty acres in Gay township, Taylor county, upon which he located in the fall of 1870. When the place came into his possession, it was all raw land, but with characteristic industry and persever- ance he broke the sod, divided the land into fields of convenient size, planted the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, built a good barn and house and continued to cultivate and improve the place until it became a valuable and de- sirable farm. He became a successful agriculturist and as he prospered he added to his realty possessions, later purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of raw land. He set out a good grove and an orchard, which in time bore rich fruit, and also erected new farm buildings. In addition to general farming, he engaged in the raising and feeding of stock, making a specialty of dealing in horses. He also specialized along the line of Poland China hogs, being the first to introduce that variety into his section of the county, having purchased his stock during his residence in Illinois. He resided upon his farm until the spring of 1888, when the high degree of prosperity to which he had attained made it possible for him to retire from active work. He came to Blockton and erected a
MR. AND MRS. R. W. HARVEY
RHODA CAZEL HARVEY
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fine residence for himself and family, also building several other houses, some of which he later sold. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank and is now one of its stockholders.
After his arrival in this city, in 1891, Mr. Harvey was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, her remains being interred in the Platteville cemetery. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey had been blessed with five sons and three daughters, namely: Joseph, a resident of Fort Morgan, Colorado; William, resi- dent of Bedford; Milton, following agricultural pursuits in Gay township; Frank, operating the home farm; Mary E., the widow of C. C. Wolford, residing in Enid, Oklahoma ; Clara, the wife of Orin Kivey of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mattie, who wedded Earl Gray, a farmer of Jefferson township; and George, a stock dealer and shipper, who grew to mature years, was married and has passed away in Kansas. Unto each of his sons, Mr. Harvey gave eighty acres of farm land, while to each daughter at her marriage he gave five hundred dollars in money. He still owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres.
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