USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 44
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While in Livingston county, in 1859, Mr. Page was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Livingston, who was born in Licking county, Ohio. In 1865 they removed to Iowa, driving across the country with teams to Warren county, Mr. Page trading for property in Indianola. They afterward spent one winter at Hartford, Iowa, and afterward took up their abode on the Des Moines river, where Mr. Page owned forty acres of land. There he engaged in logging and in manufacturing lumber, devoting three years to that business. His labors brought him a substantial prosperity, after which he purchased another forty acres south of Sandyville, Iowa. With characteristic energy he began its cul- tivation and development, making his home thereon until 1873, when he sold out and removed to Lenox. About the same time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ringgold county. He spent one summer on that land but could get no perfect title, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Platte township. He then engaged in farming that property from 1875 until the spring of 1888, when he sold out and removed to Lenox. He had purchased three hundred acres, constituting the south half of section 8, Platte township, erected buildings thereon and cultivated his fields. He after- ward bought forty acres adjoining the town and later laid out an addition to the town, selling part of his land in town lots. On his place he erected two large barns and four residences. He has a cement house, which is the only cement residence in Lenox. It is built in neat and attractive style of architecture and has but recently been completed. He also has a cement garage and factory and has been manufacturing cement blocks, sewer pipe, drain tile and burial vaults, carrying on an extensive business in this field of labor. He is a man of keen business discernment and unfaltering enterprise and probably no one has done more toward the upbuilding and improvement of the city of Lenox than M1. Page. Although he is now seventy-four years of age, he is still very active from daylight to dark and is yet numbered among the most progressive men of the community.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Page was blessed with one son and five daughters. Abraham, who is married and is operating the home farm, is also engaged in raising live stock and is the owner of a large automobile. Betsy Ann is the wife of William Stancamp of Lenox. Alta is the wife of Fred Worm. Etta is the wife of Arthur Nichols of Cass county, Iowa. Jennie Paul is living in Omaha. Emma is the wife of Mart Hayes, who is living upon a part of her father's farm.
Politically Mr. Page is a democrat. He cast his first presidential vote, how- ever, for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and in 1864 voted for General McClellan. He has since supported every presidential nominee of the democratic party with two exceptions, but has never sought or held office. His wife is a member of the
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Christian church and he is a Master Mason, having been identified with the fraternity since 1869. In his life he has exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His in- tense and well-directed activity throughout his long and useful career has constituted the basis of his success and has won him a prominent place among the most honored citizens of the county.
CHARLES OSCAR DRESHER.
Charles Oscar Dresher, in former years identified with the agricultural in- terest of Taylor county and now a factor in commercial pursuits in Bedford as a dealer in coal and grain, was born in Polk township, this county, May 7, 1862. He is a son of Charles F. and Nancy Jane (Morris) Dresher, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana. The father was a son of Stephen and Louisa (Sneabarger) Dresher, natives of Pennsylvania and of Switzerland, respectively. The former died at an old age while the latter passed away when more than seventy years of age. The Dresher family was of German lineage and was early established on this side of the Atlantic. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Dresher were born twelve children: Charles F., James J., Mary Ma- tilda, Hannah, William, Eliza, Samuel, Albert, Catherine Lucretia, John Henry, George H. and Christie.
In the maternal line Charles O. Dresher comes of English lineage. His great- grandparents were Virginians who removed to Kentucky where Jesse Morris, the grandfather was born and reared. He followed the occupation of farming as a life work and as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Polly Morris. Both lived to be more than eighty years of age and they, too, had a large family of children, namely: James W., Nancy J., William G., Amanda, Mary Elizabeth, Jesse H., Benjamin F., Marion, Monroe, Martha E. and Frances M.
Charles F. Dresher, the father of Charles O. Dresher, devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Indiana in 1856 and in 1858 came to Iowa, settling in Polk township, where he had a farm of ninety acres and another of seventy acres. Upon his farm of ninety acres he made his home and reared his family but during the past seven years has lived retired in Bedford. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and their lives have been a credit to that organization because of their fidelity to principles of honor and uprightness. Mr. Dresher held various township offices and has ever been loyal to the duties and interests of citizenship. In an early day he was a leading auctioneer of the county and became widely known in that connection. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and three daughters: Mary Louisa, the wife of Frank Hamilton, a resident farmer of Polk township; Charles Oscar ; Jesse Albert, living in Bedford; Martha Ann; and Lydia Araminta, the wife of Walter Myers, of Conway.
Charles O. Dresher was reared on his father's farm in Polk township, ac- quiring his early education in the district schools through the winter while in the
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summer seasons he worked in the fields. He then purchased a farm of eighty acres to which he added an additional tract of eighty acres and as the years passed his time and energies were given to the cultivation and improvement of the place. He continued to till the soil until 1091 when he removed to Bedford, where he has since made his home. His entire life has been passed in Taylor county with the exception of one year and his history is as an open book which all may read. Since taking up his abode in the city he has engaged in business as a coal and grain dealer and has built up a good trade in that line. In addition to his business and a good home in Bedford he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this county, from which he derives a substantial annual income.
On the 25th of December, 1887, Mr. Dresher wedded Miss Jennie Aiton, a daughter of William and Catharine Aiton. She was born in Wisconsin while her father was a native of Scotland and her mother of Connecticut. They had eight children, including Mrs. Dresher who by her marriage has become the mother of two sons : William Paul and Oscar Aiton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dresher are members of the Presbyterian church and are generous in their support of its work. Mr. Dresher is serving as a deacon of the church and he belongs to Bedford Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F. He gives his political endorsement at the . polls to the republican party and is interested in every vital political question. Recognizing the obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship, he supports those plans and measures which he deems of most worth.
RENSFORD B. BAKER.
Rensford B. Baker, one of the few surviving soldiers of the Civil war, is the second oldest resident settler of Grant township, having located here in the year 1867. The township was then known as South Platte township. He owns an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 15, Grant township, and his time and energies are devoted to general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. His birth occurred in Windham county, Connecticut, on the 15th of January, 1840, and he was there reared to manhood on a farm. In 1862, at Hartford, he enlisted for two years' service in the Union army, becoming a member of Company G, twenty-fifth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was assigned to the Southern Division under command of General Banks and partici- pated in the Red River expedition and the engagements at Irish Bend, Donelson and Port Hudson. At the last-named place his regiment was under fire continu- ally for forty-two days. On the expiration of his term of enlistment Mr. Baker was mustered out and honorably discharged at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1864, returning home with a most creditable military record. He then carried on farming in his native state for several years but in 1867 journeyed westward and took up his abode in what was then South Platte township, Taylor county, where he purchased a quarter section of land and erected a small house. His brother Henry who came to this county from Osceola on foot, bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. Henry Baker, who now owns several hun- dred acres of land in Taylor county, is at present a resident of Canada. For
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four years following his arrival in Grant township, Mr. Baker of this review kept bachelor's hall. He broke and fenced his land and also set out a fine grove of forest and evergreen trees on four acres. He likewise planted an orchard and subsequently erected a commodious residence and two barns. As the years passed by and his financial resources increased, owing to his well-directed in- dustry and good management, he added to his landed holdings by additional purchase until two hundred and forty acres are now included within the boun- daries of his home farm on section 15, Grant township. It is a highly improved and valuable property and is located within four miles of Clearfield. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Baker also raises and feeds cattle, horses, sheep and hogs and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual income.
In 1871, in Taylor county, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Char- lotte Harris, a native of England, who was brought to the United States when but two years of age and was reared in Illinois and Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Baker now have four sons and four daughters, namely: Frank, who follows farming in Lincoln township, Ringgold county ; Edward, a resident of South Dakota; Hor- ace, living in Beaconsfield, Iowa; Ralph, who assists his father in the work of the home farm; Eunice, who is still under the parental roof; Olive, the wife of Orville Nelson, of Grant township; and Anna and Almina, also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Baker lost a son, Grant, who died when but four months old.
In his political views Mr. Baker is a stanch republican and has supported every presidential nominee of that party since casting his first ballot for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1864. He capably served his fellow-townsmen in the position of road supervisor, was township trustee for four years and also acted as a member of the school board for some time. His wife is a devoted and con- sistent member of the Christian church. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than four decades and he is one of the few who have so long witnessed its growth and development. From time to time he has given hearty cooperation to many movements for the public good and the county owes her development to such men, who dared to face the hardships of pioneer life and have reclaimed this region for the purposes of civilization.
HARRY WILT.
Harry Wilt, busily employed with the duties of field and meadow as he operates his home farm of eighty acres on section 13, Platte township, was born in Taylor county, on the 28th of May, 1867. He is a son of J. M. Wilt and a brother of Eli Wilt, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He was reared upon the old homestead farm in this township and there remained until he had attained his majority, his youthful days being spent in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting in the work of the fields through the summer months while in the winter seasons he attended the common schools. He was thus well qualified for the practical and responsible duties of life when he started out in business on his own account.
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In the spring of 1889, in Creston, Iowa, Mr. Wilt was united in marriage to Miss Nora Jones, who was born in Illinois but was reared in Taylor county, and is a daughter of D. D. Jones, one of the pioneer residents of this part of the state. Her father became a prominent farmer of Platte township, winning success as the years went by, and is now living in Creston, Iowa. Following his marrage Mr. Wilt rented and cultivated the farm belonging to his brother, Eli Wilt, and after two years returned to his father's farm, which he carried on for seventeen years. Following the father's death he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the eighty-acre tract, whereon he now resides, taking up his abode on that place in 1903. He has erected here a good farm residence, a large barn, a double crib, buggy house, washhouse and altogether has a neat and valuable place. The wash- house is supplied with a gasoline engine, with complete machinery to operate the washing machine, wringer, churn or cream separator. Mr. Wilt is a progressive farmer, believing in keeping abreast with the times in the adoption of all modern methods, and this spirit is evidenced in the neat and thrifty appearance of the place and the work which is carried on there. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also raises stock of good grades. He is recognized as a successful business man and farmer and his industry constitutes the basis upon which he has builded his prosperity.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilt has been born one daughter, Leo Odessa Wilt, a graduate of the Lenox high school and now one of the successful teachers of the county, being employed at the present time as teacher in the home district. She also has considerable musical talent and is organist for the Calvary Methodist Episcopal church. The parents and daughter are all members of that church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Wilt gives his political alle- giance to the republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. His time and energies are given to his business affairs and to matters of public moment for at all times he is interested in the welfare of the community and cooperates in many measures and projects for the general good.
HENRY P. LONG.
Henry P. Long, cashier of the Citizens Bank of Bedford, has been identi- fied with financial interests both in an official and private capacity in Taylor county for a long period and his record throughout the entire time has been such as commands admiration and awakens respect. It is the records of such men that stand as contradictory evidence of the statement, too often heard, that. America is given over to the spirit of commercialism; that business and naught else claims the attention and efforts of our leading men. Bedford knows Henry P. Long as a financier of ability, but knows him, moreover, as a public-spirited citizen. The great interests of the country at large-politics, the church and the charities-have made claims upon his attention, claims that he has fully met, and while the business activity and prosperity of the city have been greatly augmented through his labors, her public welfare has profited by his efforts and his history is one which reflects credit and honor upon Taylor county.
H. P. LONG
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He was born in Greencastle, Indiana, February 22, 1852, a son of W. M. P. and Hannah (Pope) Long, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. The father was a mason and contractor who came to Iowa about 1855 and for two years lived at Chariton. He then removed to Bedford, where he carried on general merchandising and also operated a brick kiln and stone quarry. In the latter part of his life he removed to a farm in Benton township, where he owned one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. There he lived for a few years, after which he returned to Bedford and spent his last days in honorable retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Johnston, about two miles north of Bedford, when eighty-nine years of age. He had for some time survived his wife, who passed away in 1870 when sixty years of age. They were both members of the Methodist church. Mr. Long was sheriff of the county at an early day and also one of the first mayors of Bedford. His devotion to the public good was unquestioned and even those who differed from him in matters of policy or of politics always acknowledged the honesty of his purposes and his loyalty to a course which he believed to be right. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and four daughters: Eliza J., the wife of J. M. Houck, of Bedford; Angeline, the wife of J. T. Johnston, of Bedford; Marcus D. L., who is a resi- dent of Lawton, Oklahoma ; Mary C., the deceased wife of James S. Hall ; Sarah B., the wife of M. V. King, of Geneva, Nebraska; William G., living in Chadron, Nebraska; Henry P., of this review; and Hiram M., who makes his home in Bedford.
Henry P. Long was reared in Bedford from the age of five years and its history is therefore largely familiar to him. He has, in fact, left the impress of his individuality upon the records of the city, as he has been more or less closely associated with public affairs. He attended the public schools here and after- ward engaged in clerking for his father in a hardware store for a short time. When twenty years of age he became deputy county treasurer and filled the position for five years. He afterward spent one year in California and upon his return to Bedford he secured a clerkship in the clothing store of John Graff, with whom he remained for a year. He next became assistant in the postoffice under his brother-in-law, M. V. King, after which he returned to the county treasurer's office as deputy. There he remained until 1880, when he was elected county auditor, serving for six years. His reelection was proof of the confi- dence reposed in him and the expression of approval of his course during his first term. Before leaving the office he formed a partnership with L. J. Jones in the real-estate business and on the 10th of August, 1887, he became cashier of the Citizens Bank, which position he is now filling. His business discernment is keen and his judgment sound, so that his opinions on vital questions of bank- ing are of value to the institution. Moreover he is popular with the patrons of the bank, for he is always courteous and obliging.
Mr. Long was married on the 15th of October, 1878, to Miss Carrie F. Parks, a daughter of William H. and Mary C. (Bostwick) Parks. Mrs. Long is a native of Farmington, Michigan, and her father was a native of Canada, while her mother was born in New York. She was their only child and by her mar- riage has become the mother of four children. Harry B. is married and is now
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in the employ of the Schwarzschild & Sulzberger Packing Company at Kansas City, Kansas; Walter F. is with the Swift Packing Company in Kansas City, Missouri; Ralph E. is employed as butter maker and assistant manager of a creamery at Conneaut, Ohio ; and Mary is at home.
The parents are members of the Methodist church and occupy an enviable position in the social circles of the city. Mr. Long holds membership in Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., Triangle Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M., the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp. He is a supporter of the republican party and in an carly day was township clerk. He has served as secretary and treasurer of the Taylor County Fair Association and is interested in all the movements which are calculated to promote the general welfare. In 1887 he was elected secretary of the independent school district of Bedford for one year and then became a director for two years. For one term he was not connected with the board, but in 1893 was again chosen a director and from 1894 until March, 1908, was president of the board. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion, whose efforts in its behalf have been far- reaching and beneficial.
FREDERICK MILLER.
A well-improved and highly cultivated farm in Mason township, Taylor county, is the property of Frederick Miller, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, December 24, 1859. He is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Wingarth) Miller, both natives of Germany, the former coming to the United States in 1843, while the latter accompanied her parents to this country in 1853. The father, upon his arrival in the new world, located in Ohio, where he became identified with agricultural pursuits, being thus engaged up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1898.
Frederick Miller, of this review, is indebted to the public school system of Ohio for the educational advantages which he enjoyed during his early boyhood and youth, which were passed amid the scenes and environment's of his father's farm. He remained a student at school until seventeen years of age, when, lay- ing aside his text-books, he devoted his time to assisting his father in the work of the farm, receiving under his capable direction thorough and comprehensive training in the best methods of cultivating the fields. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and then he entered business life on his own ac- count as a farm hand, remaining in this capacity in Ohio for about two years, when he came to Taylor county, Iowa, where he was similarly engaged for an- other period of two years. Then, feeling that his experience justified such a step, he rented a farm, which he operated for four years. Not feeling satisfied, however, with the progress which he had already won, and desiring that his efforts should more fully benefit himself, he purchased a quarter section of land, which formed the nucleus of his present fine farm. He later added to his orginal investment from time to time, until his property now consists of two hundred and sixty-nine acres, situated in Mason township. When the property came into his
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possession it was still covered with dense timber, but he possessed a determined spirit and indefatigable energy, and he at once began to clear the land, placing his fields under cultivation, and as the years passed his efforts were awarded by rich golden harvests which were gathered each autumn. He continued to im- prove his farm, erecting in its midst a beautiful modern residence and commodi- ous and substantial barns and outbuildings, installing all of the accessories and conveniences which go to make up a model farm, so that today his is one of the valuable and desirable farming properties of the township. Aside from carrying on general farming he devotes considerable time and attention to stock raising, being an extensive raiser of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. He is also the owner of a fine thoroughbred French horse, Globule. He is enjoying a substantial income from the fact that both branches of his business-the rais- ing of grain and the raising of stock-are proving profitable, and he ranks among the progressive and representative agriculturists of Taylor county.
It was on the 24th of December, 1884, in Mason township, that Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Sarah M. Gant, a daughter of Samuel and Almyra Gant, the former a very prominent farmer of this township, who originally came to this country from England. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born the following children : Mary Elizabeth, deceased; Nellie A .; Frederick Gant ; Mag- gie May and Charles Peter, who both passed away in the same year ; Roy Walter, attending school; Ruth Iowa, also in school; Elbert and Albert, twins, the latter of whom is now deceased; and Wilbur and Bertha, infants. In politics Mr. Miller gives stalwart support to the democracy, believing that the principles of that party are best adapted to conserve the public welfare, while on that ticket he has been chosen to serve as a trustee of the township, which office he is now holding. His influence is always on the side of progress, reform and improvement, and he is a thorough going man, enterprising and energetic, reliable in business and a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Taylor county.
HERBERT A. CRUM.
Among the representative farmers of Jackson township is numbered. Herbert A. Crum, living on section 6. He is well known as a breeder and dealer in Poland China hogs and Oxford sheep, which find rich pasture on his farm of two hundred and five acres, where are also seen highly cultivated fields of grain. His place is attractively and conveniently located within three miles of Bedford so that the advantages of town life are also easily obtained.
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