USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 45
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Mr. Crum has resided in Taylor county for the past eight years, having arrived in 1901. He was born in Dewitt county, Illinois, near Clinton, on the 3d of January, 1872, and is a son of Mathias Crum, who was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, where he was reared. Liberal educational advantages were offered him, for after attending the common schools he became a student in Lom- bard University, from which he was graduated. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause and served for three years in defense of the stars and
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stripes. Later he became a farmer and banker, being identified with the financial interests in Farmer City in the conduct of a banking enterprise for about fifteen years. He is now a prominent and influential resident of Mexico, Missouri, and is president of the Electric Railroad Company, owning an interurban line extending from Mexico to Hannibal. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ordelia Wood, is a native of Quincy, Illinois, in which city they were married.
Herbert A. Crum was reared in the county of his nativity and pursued his education in Farmer City, being a graduate of the high school of that place. He also attended as a freshman the Illinois University, but did not complete his course there. Having arrived at mature years he made preparation for having a home of his own by his marriage in Dewitt county, Illinois, on the 31st of January, 1894, to Miss Luetta Ewbank, who was born and reared there and pursued her education in the normal school at Bloomington. She afterward became a teacher, successfully following that profession prior to her marriage.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crum took up their abode on a farm in Dewitt county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for several years. The year 1901 witnessed his removal to Iowa, where he has an attractive farm of three hundred and sixty acres, which he continued to cultivate for five years. He then bought the farm upon which he now resides and has since made it his place of residence. He has now enclosed the place with woven wire and a hog-tight fence, has made many repairs in the buildings and keeps everything in good condition. With his farming he raises and deals in Poland China hogs and Oxford sheep and each year holds a public sale of hogs. He now has a flock of one hundred Oxford sheep, which are well bred. He always handles high-grade stock and is, therefore, enabled to command the best market prices.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crum have been born five children : Herbert, Duane, Eva, Verneil C., Ruth and John, who are all yet at home. The parents are members of the Bedford Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respect- ability, enjoying a large measure of the confidence and esteem of all who know them. In his political views Mr. Crum has been a life-long republican, casting his first presidential vote for Major William McKinley and the last for William Howard Taft. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a Master Mason of Bedford lodge and he is likewise connected with the Grove Camp of the Modern Woodmen. In all matters of citizenship he is public-spirited, giving active cooperation to many measures for the general good and every act of his life is in keeping with the demands of upright, honorable manhood.
JESSE B. SHEPHERD.
There are those who contend that success is a matter of fortunate circum- stances but to those who carefully consider the situation and examine into the life record of the more successful men it will be found that they have made ad- vancement because they have recognized and utilized their opportunities. Nor have they been afraid of hard work and laborious attention to detail which is always necessary to advancement. The record of Mr. Shepherd shows that pros-
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perity can be gained by diligent, honorable effort without assistance from any one and he is now one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Polk township, deriving a substantial income from his business affairs, which are conducted on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 16. He has lived in Taylor county since 1880, being about forty years of age at the time of his arrival. His birth occurred in Ripley county, Indiana, March 19, 1840, and in 1852 he removed with his parents to Illinois, locating in Rock Island county. His father was William Shepherd, who on coming to Illinois opened a new farm, upon which he resided for a number of years. He then sold that property and went to Kan- sas, establishing his home in Ottawa, where his remaining days were passed. His wife survived him and subsequently came to Iowa, where her death occurred.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Jesse B. Shepherd in his boyhood and youth. He was a lad of twelve when he accompanied his parents to Illinois and there he was reared on the farm until he went to Kansas with the family, spending one year in that state. He was mar- ried, however, in Warren county, Illinois, on the 8th of February, 1866, to Miss Sarah Lathrop, who was born in that county. While in Kansas he worked on railroad construction but returning to Illinois, he located at Roseville, Warren county, and in that locality carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1880. Believing that there was opportunity for judicious and profitable investment in land in southwestern Iowa, he then came to Taylor county and bought one hun- dred and twenty-five acres in Grant township. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and improve the place, living there for seventeen years, after which he traded that property for the farm on which he now resides. Along various lines of improvement he has exerted his labors and he has built to and remodeled the house which is now a comfortable and commodious residence. He has also put up a barn and necessary outbuildings which shelter grain and stock and has built fences which divide the farm into fields of convenient size for cul- tivation. The early spring planting and the cultivation of midsummer is followed by the gathering of abundant crops in the autumn, his labors being thereby generously rewarded. The raising and feeding of stock also constitute a feature of his business, for he now handles high-grade cattle, horses and hogs. In ad- dition to his farm he likewise owns good residence property in Bedford and his realty holdings are the visible evidence of a life of well-directed energy and thrift.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd was blessed with six children : Nancy, the wife of Emmett Phillips, a resident farmer of this county ; Levina, the wife of Clark Grubb, of Bedford; Lucinda, the wife of Cassius Wilt, a resident of Ma- con county, Missouri; Anna, the wife of James Watkins, a Taylor county farmer ; Roy C., who is married and is carrying on the home farm; and Albert, who has started out in the business world for himself. They also lost four chil- dren in early life.
From early manhood Mr. Shepherd has given stalwart allegiance to the re- publican party and its principles. He is entitled to wear the Grand Army button from the fact that he did valiant service as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in Warren county, Illinois, in November, 1861, as a member of the Eleventh Illi- nois Cavalry under Colonel Robert Ingersoll. He was at the front for four years, having veteranized at the close of his first term. He participated in the
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battles of Shiloh. Corinth and Vicksburg, taking part in the siege of the last named and was also in the first engagement at Jackson. He made a most creditable mili- tary record while at the front, never faltering in the performance of any duty and when victory perched upon the Union arms he returned home to take up the duties of private life in the same creditable and acceptable manner which had characterized his course at the front. He is a member of Clearfield Post, G. A. R. and he and his wife are members of the Siam Christian church. Taylor county has but few remaining veterans of the Civil war and as the years pass the country is coming more and more to realize how great a debt of gratitude she owes those who were the defenders of the Union. Mr. Shepherd is not only numbered among the war veterans but is also classed with the representative citizens of Taylor county and with its prosperous farmers. His success is attributable entirely to his own efforts and while he has carried on his business affairs so as to win pros- perity he has at the same time been ever straightforward in his dealings, never being known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any business transaction.
HENRY C. WEBB.
Prominent among the enterprising, energetic and successful business men of Bedford is Henry C. Webb, who belongs to that type of representative American citizens who in promoting individual interests also contribute to the general pros- perity. He is now manager of the Hawkeye Lumber Company, in which connec- tion he is controlling an important commercial interest in Bedford. A native of Knox county, Illinois, he was born near Galesburg, March 2, 1850, his parents being Dr. Luke and Melvina (Allen) Webb, who were natives of Ohio. The former was a son of John V. Webb, who was also born in the Buckeye State and died in middle life. The maternal grandparents of Henry C. Webb were John B. and Belinda (Bull) Allen. Mr. Allen was born in Ohio, following the occupa- tion of farming as a life work and, removing westward, cast in his lot with the early settlers of Knox county, Illinois, where he died when about eighty years of age. His wife reached the age of seventy years and they reared a large family.
Dr. Luke Webb, who in early life studied and followed dentistry, afterward worked at cabinet-making. He became one of the early settlers of Knox county, Illinois, where he resided until March, 1874, when he came to Iowa, establishing his home in Taylor county. Here he died February 24, 1890, at the age of sixty- seven years, and his widow is now living with her daughter in Pleasanton, Kansas. Both were consistent and devoted members of the Methodist church. Their family numbered six sons and four daughters : Henry C .; Fielding B .; John V .; William; Martha, the wife of Horace Smith, of Colorado; Luella, the wife of Edward Bundy. of Denver, Colorado ; Belinda, of Pleasanton, Kansas ; Elizabeth, the wife of George Palmer, of Denver; Ira, who died in 1870 when sixteen years of age ; and Elmer, who died in 1869 when about two years of age.
Henry C. Webb was reared in the county of his nativity, where he remained to the age of twenty-six years. He has since made his home in Bedford. He had
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previously attended the district and public schools of Illinois and afterward operated his father's farm in Chestnut township, Knox county, Illinois, and en- gaged in purchasing stock for him. He arrived in Bedford on the 20th of October, 1876, and engaged in shipping stock until January, 1890, when he was appointed postmaster under President Harrison. For four years he capably managed the affairs of the office and on his retirement from the position he became connected with the lumber trade and for the past three years has been general manager for the Hawkeye Lumber Company. He is thoroughly conversant with the trade, is an excellent judge of lumber and his previous experience in this line well qualifies him for the duties that devolve upon him in his present connection.
Mr. Webb was married October 8, 1874, to Miss Agnes Smith, who was born in Knox county, Illinois, a daughter of George M. and Rachel (Jones) Smith, who were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Illinois. They had eight children and unto Mr. and Mrs. Webb eight children have been born, namely: Inez Gertrude, Sidney P., Nellie B., Nettie, Vera, Beth, and two who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Webb is an earnest republican in hearty sympathy with the principles and purposes of the party. Fraternally he is connected with Bedford Lodge, No. 101, K. P., and he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist church. They are well known in the social circles of the city and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Webb is very popular by reason of a social, genial nature and cordial disposition. He always has a cherry greeting and pleasant smile for those with whom he comes in contact and back of this are the substantial qualities which make for strong character and self-reliance.
ELVON PIERCE.
Elvon Pierce is a farmer and stock raiser of Jackson township, busily occu- pied with the duties devolving upon him in connection with the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres which he owns on section 6. He also cultivates one hundred and twenty acres adjoining this place and his life is one of unremitting diligence and thrift. His farm is situated about four miles from Bedford and its equipment is in accord with the ideas that concern progressive and modern agricultural life.
Mr. Pierce has resided in Taylor county since 1880, coming here when a lad of eleven years. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, April 22, 1870, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Cole) Pierce, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed westward to Illinois, where they lived for some time and were married in Lee county, Illinois, where Mr. Pierce turned his attention to farm- ing, cultivating a good tract of land there. Upon that place all of his children were born and he made the farm his home until 1881, when he removed to Taylor county. Iowa. Here he continued to engage in general agricultural pur- suits for a number of years or until his life's labors were ended in death. His widow still survives and now resides with her son Elvon. In their family were
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eight children, five daughters and three sons, six of whom survive, the brother of our subject being E. R. Pierce, now a resident of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The sisters are : Ella, now the wife of Aid Bradshaw, of Lee county. Illinois : Kate, the wife of H. V. Guisinger, of Storm Lake, Iowa: Chloe, the wife of Charles Nelson of Bedford, Iowa: and Ila, who resides with her mother and brother upon the farm. One daughter, Eva, became the wife of Homer Chamberlin and is now deceased, and Roy died at the age of fourteen years.
Elvon Pierce, coming to Iowa with his parents when a lad of ten years, was reared to manhood in Taylor county and pursued his education in the public schools. He was early trained to the work of the fields and continued to assist his father until the latter's death. He has since remained upon the home farm, renting the property for a time and eventually purchasing the place. He has built a good barn and outbuildings, has fenced the fields, has set out some fruit and altogether has made a neat farm, rich in its possibilities and its opportunities. In connection with the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to climatic con- ditions here. he likewise raiser and feeds high-grade stock and, believing himself capable of carrying on farming on a more extensive scale than is demanded upon his home place, he has operated the adjoining one hundred and twenty acres for twelve years and is therefore cultivating a valuable property of two hundred and forty acres.
In his political views Mr. Pierce is a democrat, but has never sought or de- sired office for he feels that his business affairs demand all of his attention. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and holds membership in Grove Camp. No. 5012. M. W. A. His social qualities have won him kindly regard and warm friendship. while his business reliability and integrity have gained him the good will and trust of all who know him.
LLOYD COMBS.
A valuable farm property pays tribute to the care and labor of Lloyd Combs, who is the owner of one hundred acres of rich and productive land in Mason township, which he purchased in 1908. He is one of Taylor county's native sons. his birth having occurred at North New Market on the 15th of May, 1886. His parents were Burr and Laura (Painter) Combs. The former was a representa- tive of a family that came from Pennsylvania to Iowa and his brothers and sisters were Seth. Frank. Joe, Nancy, and Sissy Combs. At the time of the Civil war Burr Combs responded to the country's call for troops and did valiant service with the Union army, in defense of the stars and stripes. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Laura Painter, who was one of five children, the others being John, Elda, Lizzie and Sadie Painter. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burr Combs was blessed with eight children, namely: Lloyd, George, Charles, Ned, Osea, Nell, Cora and Lizzie, of which number Cora is now deceased.
At the usual age Lloyd Combs entered the public schools which provided him his educational privileges. He continued his studies until his seventeenth
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year, and through the periods of vacation assisted his father on the home farm. After putting aside his text-books he continued to aid his father in the devel- opment of the fields of the old homestead up to the time of his marriage, which occurred in North New Market on the 22d of March, 1905, the lady of his choice being Miss Glenna Johnson, a daughter of Kelso and Mary (Wisener) Johnson. The latter is a daughter of John Wisener and her brothers and sisters were John, Ernest, Nina, Jean, Sadie, Bertha, Grace and Della Wisener. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had two daughters and two sons, Mrs. Combs, Luella, Ed and John.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Combs has been blessed with one child, Harold, who is the light and life of the household. In his political views Mr. Combs is a republican, having continuously supported that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He does not seek nor desire office, however, but prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which are carefully conducted and are bringing to him substantial success. He carries on general farming and raises all kinds of stock. He is a young man, having but recently passed the twenty-third milestone on life's journey, but his business ability has already made him recognized as one of the representative agriculturists of Mason township.
G. A. DAVIDSON.
G. A. Davidson, living on section 8, Ross township, is giving his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He is a man of resolute spirit, accom- plishing what he undertakes and the methods which he always pursues are such as will bear close investigation and scrutiny. As the result of his unfaltering diligence he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres constituting a neat and well-improved farm. Moreover he is numbered among the early settlers of the county, having lived here for more than a quarter of a century.
Mr. Davidson was born in Jay county, Indiana, December 15, 1854, his parents being Thomas L. and Rebecca Davidson, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married. The father followed the occupation of farming in that state until his removal to Indiana, at which time he settled in Jay county and from the government entered a tract of heavily timbered land. He did not fear the laborious effort necessary to place this tract under cultivation but at once began to clear away the trees, to grub up the stumps and burn the brush. In course of time the furrows were turned and later abundant crops were gathered as the sun ripened and developed the seed which he sowed. In 1856 he resumed his westward way and settled in what is now Worth county, Missouri, where he again entered land and once more opened up a farm. He also became one of the first nurserymen of northern Missouri. He owned several hundred acres of land there, for as his financial resources increased he wisely placed his money in the safest of all investments-real estate. He died at Grant City, Missouri. in 1901, and his wife passed away in the same place in 1905.
G. A. Davidson was largely reared in Worth county, Missouri, and in his youthful days he assisted his father in carrying on the home farm and in conduct-
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ing the nursery business, remaining at home until after he had attained his majority. Desiring to establish a home of his own, he was married in Bedford, Iowa, on the 29th of April, 1875, to Miss Rebecca Cox, who was born and reared in North Carolina. Following his marriage he cultivated his father's farm for five years and in 1881 removed to Nebraska, settling in Seward county, where he continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits for a year. During that time, however, he returned to Iowa and purchased one hundred and forty acres of land on section 8, Ross township, where he now resides. In 1892 he located upon this place and began to till the fields and further improve the farm. He has remodeled the house and has upon his place a large barn and other substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has likewise planted shade and fruit trees and has enclosed his fields and his farm with good fences. In this district, which was once known as a treeless prairie, are now many fine groves and upon Mr. Davidson's place is one of his own planting. In connection with the cultivation of his crops he also raises and feeds stock, handling horses, cattle and hogs, all of high grades. He makes a specialty of Duroc Jersey hogs and fattens from one to three carloads per annum, his sale thereof adding materially to his yearly income. He is an excellent judge of live stock and is, therefore, able to make judicious investments and profitable sales.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Davidson has been blessed with four children : James L., a farmer of Ross township, who is married and has one son, Wendel ; Mrs. Nettie M. Wilson, who since the death of her husband has resided with her father and has two children, Claud and Beulah Wilson; Arthur, who is married and is now in Riverside, California; and Cora L., at home.
In his political views Mr. Davidson is independent, supporting the man whom he regards as best qualified for the duties of the office without regard to party affiliation. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he has been officially identified with the schools. While he is a busy man, carefully devoting his time and energies to his stock-raising interests, he has also found opportunity for travel and has been away from his place at three different times for about a year at a time, having spent about a year in California, a year in Grant City, Missouri, and a year in Bedford, Iowa. He is a man of social, genial nature and this quality has made him popular with those with whom he has been brought in contact.
GEORGE W. DAVIS.
A neat and well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grove township pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by George W. Davis, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, whose birth there occurred on the 25th of January, 1841. He is a son of William and Mary (Stamates) Davis, and was but an infant at the time of his father's demise. He moved to Mus- kingum county, Ohio, with his widowed mother, who later was again married. There he was reared to manhood and at the age of eleven years was thrown upon his own resources, earning his own livelihood and supporting his mother until fifteen years of age. Consequently he had no opportunity of attending
G. W. DAVIS AND FAMILY
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school, being entirely a self-educated man who, by extensive reading and close observation, has gained a wide general knowledge.
In September, 1861, Mr. Davis enlisted from Muskingum county as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company D, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went south to Kentucky, where he saw much active service. His first battle was at Crab Orchard and later he participated in the engagement at Cumberland Gap, while he was also present at the siege and surrender of Vicks- burg. Subsequently he was detailed for hospital service, but became ill and was taken to Keokuk Hospital, where he remained during one winter. In the spring of 1864, he joined his regiment at Matagorda Bay and later went up the Mississippi River, taking part in the Red River expedition under General Banks, during which period he participated in several skirmishes. He was then ordered home and honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, his term of enlistment cov- ering three years and one month.
After leaving the army, Mr. Davis returned to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he remained during the following winter, and in 1865 went to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand in both Henderson and McDonough counties for some time. Later he rented a farm which he operated until 1877, in which year he came to Iowa, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land in Grove township. No improvements had been made upon the place and he was confronted with the difficult and arduous task of opening up a new farm and converting the uncultivated land into productive fields. Nothing daunted, however, he at once directed his efforts toward its development and later purchased another one hundred and twenty. acres, soon bringing the entire tract of two hundred and forty acres under a high state of cultivation. He en- closed his fields with good fences, erected a comfortable and attractive dwelling and substantial and commodious barns and outbuildings, and under his careful management the farm became a well-improved and valuable property. He later sold eighty acres, so that the home place now consists of one hundred and sixty acres. He not only carries on general farming but engages to some extent in stock raising and feeding, both branches of his business proving good sources of profit.
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