USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
It was in September, 1871, that Mr. Davis was united in marriage in Hen- derson county, Illinois, to Miss Emma Johnson, and unto this union have been born cleven children, namely: Elmo M., who is married and is conducting busi- ness at Fredonia, Kansas; William M., also married and with his brother at Fredonia; Arthur, who is married and resides in North Dakota ; Blanche A., the wife of Louis Key, a farmer of Grove township; Lenora, who married Homer Laird, of Mount Ayr, Iowa; Clara, residing at Fredonia, Kansas; Inez, the wife of Charles Gould, of Taylor county; Dollie and Elsie, who are also married; Bonnie, single, who makes her home with her sister Dollie in Fredonia, Kansas ; and Walter, who died four years ago.
A careful study of the political situations early led Mr. Davis to give his allegiance to the republican party, as the principles of that organization were, in his opinion, best adapted to conserve the general welfare. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he has at all times cooperated in all of those movements which have for their object the material, intellectual and moral development of the com-
448
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
munity. Although he has never sought office for himself, he was elected town- ship trustee, which position he filled for some years, and also served efficiently as a member of the school board. He holds membership in Blue Grove Christian church and is a gentleman of high ideals and honorable and upright manhood. Having resided in Taylor county for thirty-three years, he has become well known throughout the community in which he resides and also has many ac- quaintances in Bedford, while a large circle of warm friends hold him in high regard because of his many excellent traits of character. He has seemed to real- ize in a large degree his obligations to humanity, and his actions toward his fellowmen have ever been governed by a spirit of brotherly kindness which has made him very popular with all who know him. Having started out at the early age of eleven years to earn his own living, with no favoring circumstances at the outset of his career, he has worked his way steadily upward in the busi- ness world until he has won a most creditable measure of success and richly de- serves the proud American title of a self-made man.
C. J. ENGSTROM.
Among the citizens that Sweden has furnished to this section of Iowa, none is held in higher esteem or more justly merits the confidence and respect of his fel- low-men than does C. J. Engstrom, who for years was one of the active, indus- trious and prosperous farmers of Taylor county, and still owns a farm of six hundred and ninety acres in Marshall township. This is a well-improved and valuable property and he derives therefrom a substantial annual income. He has lived in the county since 1875. His birth occurred in Sweden August 1, 1848, and he was there reared to the age of nineteen years, when he came to the new world. He now has two brothers in the United States-August Engstrom, who came to America in 1871 and is now located in Henry county, Illinois ; and Fred Engstrom, who arrived about 1886 and is living in North Dakota.
While still in his native country, C. J. Engstrom learned and followed the cabinet-maker's trade but the reports which he heard concerning the opportunities of the new world decided him to seek his fortune on this side the Atlantic, and in 1867 he bade adieu to friends and native country. He took ship at Gottenberg for New York by way of Hull and Liverpool, and in due time landed safely on American shores. He did not tarry on the seacoast, however, but continued his journey to Henry county, Illinois, where he worked on the farm for ten years. He paid his fare across the ocean with his earnings, and with laudable ambition sought the opportunity for investment in farm land on his own account.
It was in 1875 that Mr. Engstrom arrived in Taylor county, where he has now lived for thirty-four years. With the money which he had saved from his earnings he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land in Marshall town- ship, on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He did not take up his abode upon the place at that time but in 1877 returned, located upon his land and at once began to farm and cultivate it. Soon the once barren fields were made to return rich crops and from time to time he purchased more
449
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
land until his possessions aggregate six hundred and ninety acres in two farms, upon which are two sets of good buildings. He erected a substantial residence, two barns and ample sheds for the shelter of grain and stock. He also set out shade trees and an orchard and developed an excellent property. In connection with cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raised and fed stock and became recognized as one of the leading stock men and representa- tive farmers of the community. He also owns six hundred and forty acres of land in Canada, and his business record has been one attended with excellent success, placing him prominently before the people in this connection.
Mr. Engstrom was married in Taylor county on the 3d of March, 1880, to Miss Georgia Holstine, who was born in Iowa and reared in Jones county. She died, however, about 1885, and in November, 1887, in Taylor county, Mr. Eng- strom wedded Mary A. Dalton, who was born in Clayton county, Iowa, and was there reared to the age of fourteen years, whither she came to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Engstrom now have one daughter, Bessie Fay, a young lady at home.
In February, 1894, Mr. Engstrom rented his farms and removed to Bedford, where he purchased a neat, attractive and comfortable residence. He is a well- known and progressive citizen, belonging to that class of substantial men who are never neglectful of duty, whether it be of a public or private character. Po- litically he is a republican and has been officially identified with the schools but otherwise has never sought nor held public office. His wife and daughter are members of the Bedford Baptist church and the family is one of the highest respectability, enjoying the confidence, good will and esteem of all who know them. Mr. Engstrom has made a most creditable business record and his life shows what may be accomplished by determined and persistent purpose and by the intelligent direction of labor. He came to America a poor young man but has steadily worked his way upward and is now numbered among the men of affluence in Taylor county.
GEORGE WILLIAM HOOK.
Among the successful business men of Bedford is George William Hook, junior partner of the firm of Willis & Hook, dealers in hardware and furni- ture. He has sought his success in the legitimate lines of trade and has closely followed the old and time-tried maxims such as "Honesty is the best policy" and "There is no excellence without labor." He has lived in Bedford from the age of eight years, his birth having occurred, however, in Lowry City, Mis- souri, December 27, 1870. His parents were William and Cynthia Hook, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Kentucky. James Hook, the paternal grandfather, was also a native of Pennsylvania and was of Scotch descent. He lived for a considerable period in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa just after the close of the Civil war, his last days being spent in Agency, this state, where he died at the age of seventy-three. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Lyle and died at an advanced age. They were the parents of thirteen children. The maternal grandfather of George W. Hook
450
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
was a native of Georgia and devoted his life to the occupation of farming. Re- moving to St. Clair county, Missouri, he there reached old age ere he was called to his final rest. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Hinkle and had also reached old age when called to the home beyond. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters.
William Hook was reared in Ohio and during the pioneer epoch in the history of Iowa came to this state, arriving fifty-eight years ago. He settled on the present site of the city of Ottumwa and there purchased a tract of land, which he developed into a well-improved and valuable farm. When the war broke out he and five of his brothers went to the army but after serving for a short time he was so seriously injured that he was discharged. When unfitted for further duty at the front he made his way to St. Clair county, Missouri, where his first wife, Mrs. Amy (Clark) Hook, died. Later he was there married to Mrs. Cyn- thia Barnett, nee Hopkins, and they returned to Iowa, settling in Bedford, Taylor county, where they lived for many years. They afterward removed to Clearfield, where Mr. Hook died in 1905, at the age of seventy-five years. He had never been ill a day until he sustained a stroke of paralysis, which was the beginning of the end. His widow still survives him and resides in Clearfield. Both were members of the Methodist church. Their family numbered two sons and a daughter: George W .; Mattie, the wife of Dr. F. P. Carry, of Clearfield ; and Walter, who died in infancy.
In taking up the personal history of George W. Hook, we present to our readers the life record of one who is well known in Bedford, where he has lived from his early youth. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools here and afterward attended a business college in Quincy, Illinois. Subse- qently he engaged in clerking in Bedford for several years but put aside all business and personal considerations at the time of the outbreak of the war with Spain, and became a private in Company I, Fifty-first Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, serving with that command until mustered out with the regiment. After the war he returned home, was married and began farming, which pursuit he followed for five years but thinking to find commercial interests more congenial and profitable, he formed a partnership with C. L. Willis and embarked in the hardware and furniture business, in which he still continues. He now has a well-appointed store, tasteful in its arrangement and attractive in the lines of goods carried. His business methods, too, are such as will bear the closest in- vestigation and scrutiny and the honesty which he displays in all trade relations is one of the strong features of his success.
On the 19th of September, 1900, Mr. Hook was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Boyd, a daughter of John S. and Simildi (Reynolds) Boyd. There were three children of that marriage, Ruth, John and Mary, who are still under the parental roof. Mrs. Hook was born in Marshall township, this county, her parents coming from Ohio to Iowa more than a half century ago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hook are members of the Methodist church and he is identified with Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M .; Trangle Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M., and Bed- ford Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He is
451
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
always prominent and active in movements for the public good, however, and at the Chautauqua held in Bedford in the summer of 1908, he had the pleasure of entertaining at his home General John C. Black, who was connected with the Civil Service Commission, and also commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. In addition to his property in Bedford he owns a farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres in Marshall township and as the land is rich and productive he derives therefrom a substantial income. He is yet a young man, possessed of the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west. Whatever he undertakes he accomplishes, whether it be for the welfare of the community or for individual interests. His social qualities, too, endear him to his associates, who find him a genial, cultured gentleman, display- ing at all times deference for the opinions of others and readily appreciative of good qualities in those with whom he comes in contact.
THOMAS CLAREY.
Thomas Clarey is living on a farm on section 26, Platte township, and is num- bered among the active and enterprising farmers and stock raisers of the com- munity. His landed possessions include three hundred and sixty acres, con- stituting a well-improved and valuable farm, on which are two sets of buildings. He has been continuously a representative of agricultural interests in this county since 1874, when he arrived within its borders-a lad of five years. His birth occurred in Barton county, Missouri, August 23, 1869, his father being John Clarey, a native of England, in which country he was reared. He came to the new world as a young man in 1854 and first settled in Delaware, where he resided for two years, after which he removed to Illinois, whence he later made his way to Barton county, Missouri. He was married there to Miss Jane Adams, a na- tive of Ohio, and for seven years engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Barton county, opening up a new farm and making substantial progress in his agricultural activities there. Two sons were born unto the family during their residence in Missouri. In 1874 they removed to Taylor county, Iowa, and Mr. Clarey purchased raw land in Platte township. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon it, but he opened up a farm of eighty acres, transforming the wild prairie into productive fields. He has reared his family upon this place and still makes it his home, being numbered among the representa- tive agriculturists of the community.
Thomas Clarey came to Platte township when a lad of five years and spent his youthful days on the old homestead, assisting in the work of the fields and the performance of other duties incident to the development and the conduct of the farm. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He re- mained with his father until twenty-one years of age, when in the fall of 1889 he was married to Miss Ida Wood, who was born in Pennsylvania but largely spent her girlhood near Creston, in Union county, Iowa. She is a daughter of L. D. Wood, one of the pioneers of Union county.
452
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
After his marriage Thomas Clarey rented, land, where he engaged in farm- ing for seven years, during which time through his unfaltering industry and careful expenditure he accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides. He at once began to cultivate and further improve this place, has rebuilt and remodeled the house, has put up a good barn and the necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, has fenced the fields and has tiled one hundred acres of his land. He also bought an improved place of eighty acres across the road and another eighty-acre tract to the north and now owns three hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, all well improved. He has set out much fruit, has a good grove upon his place and the farm presents every feature of a model property. Annually he gathers good crops and he also raises and feeds stock, being well known as a breeder of and dealer in Chester White hogs. He holds a general stock sale each year, at which he reaps the profits of his labors.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clarey have been born four sons and two daughters : Elsie B .. the wife of J. L. Johnston of Kellerton, Iowa ; George E., Leta Dell, Joseph E., Frank H. and Cecil H., all at home. In his political views, Mr. Clarey has always been a democrat where national issues are involved, but at local elec- tions votes independently. He has been identified with the schools as a director for seven years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Odd Fellows society, which he joined in Clearfield, and he has since passed through all of the chairs and has been a representative in the grand lodge. His life has been one of earnest, honest labor, his success being due to his capable management, his reliability and his unfaltering perseverance. He has been a witness of the growth and development of the county for thirty- five years and is, therefore, numbered among its pioneer settlers for the work of cultivating the soil and improving the natural resources of the land had hardly been begun when the Clarey family took up their abode in Platte township.
JOSEPH W. BEAUCHAMP, M. D.
Dr. Joseph W. Beauchamp, holding to high ideals in the practice of his pro- fession, has made a most creditable record as a physician and surgeon of Bedford. He was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, November 7, 1851, a son of Levi and Mary J. (Price) Beauchamp. The former is a native of Delaware and has been a resi- dent of Iowa since 1846. His parents were Joseph and Sarah (Anderson) Beauchamp, also natives of Delaware, and the family is of English lineage. In early manhood Joseph Beauchamp turned his attention to the occupation of farming, which he made his life work. In 1846 he arrived in Iowa and spent his last days in Davis county, this state, where he died at an old age.
Levi Beauchamp is now following farming near Pulaski, Iowa. He, too, arrived in this state in 1846 and he now lives on the farm which he entered from the government more than a half century ago. He first secured one hundred and sixty acres as a claim and from time to time he purchased other land until his holdings were quite extensive but he has now disposed of much of this, re-
453
IIISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
taining possession of about three hundred acres. He is a well read man, always keeping thoroughly informed concerning current events, political questions and subjects bearing upon the national welfare. At one time he was county commis- sioner and was also township assessor for a number of years. He wedded Miss Mary J. Price, a native of Indiana, while her father was born in Kentucky and was of English descent. He married a Miss Harper and at an early day they came to Iowa, settling within its borders before it had been admitted to the Union. The Indians would pitch their tents in front of the Price home, which was situated in what is now Van Buren county. As the years passed, however, Mr. Price bore an active and helpful part in reclaiming the district from the do- main of the savages and converting it into one of the rich farming sections of the state. He died there when about fifty years of age, while his widow reached a very advanced age. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters but only two are now living: Mrs. Mary Jane Beauchamp; and Josephine, the wife of John Creeth, of Cantril, Iowa.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Levi Beauchamp are still living, maintaining their resi- dence on the old home farm near Pulaski. They are members of the Christian church and their many sterling qualities have gained them firm hold on the affec- tions of those with whom they have been brought in contact. Their family numbers nine children, seven sons and two daughters, namely: Joseph W., of this review ; William and James, who are residents of Pulaski, Iowa; Robert, who follows merchandising in Wanetta, Iowa; Edward D., a practicing physician of Bloomfield, Iowa; Emma, living in Bloomfield; Lizzie, the wife of Edward Matthews, a hardware merchant of Pulaski; Frank, who also makes his home in Bloomfield; and Charles, a druggist of Denver, Colorado.
Dr. Beauchamp was reared on his father's farm in Davis county, devoting the summer months to the work of the fields, while in the winter seasons he attended the district schools. When he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught he continued his education in Troy Academy for two years, after which he was graduated. He next entered the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, where he continued for a year and then began teaching school but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, it being his object to fit himself for the practice of medicine. He began his studies under Dr. W. H. Sheldon, of Pulaski, Iowa, and subsequently entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, where he completed the regular course and was graduated. He entered upon active practice in West Grove, Iowa, where he remained for fifteen years and then came to Bedford in 1892. Here he has practiced continuously since and in the intervening seventeen years has made for himself an enviable name and reputation in connection with the field of labor which he has chosen as his life work. Wide reading and research keep him in touch with the onward march of the profession and he readily adapts any im- proved method which his judgment sanctions as of value in his professional labors. He is of cheery presence and hopeful disposition and these qualities add not a little to the effectiveness of his work in the sick room.
On the 7th of December, 1880, Dr. Beauchamp was married to Miss M. P. Ewing, a daughter of William and Mary (Cunningham) Ewing. Her parents were natives of Tennessee and became early settlers of Davis county, Iowa. Her
454
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
paternal grandfather was a native of Georgia but died in Tennessee when he had reached old age. Her maternal grandfather was Samuel J. Cunningham, who was also born in Georgia and became an early settler of Iowa. He devoted his life to farming and spent his last days in Davis county, many years being allotted to him ere he was called to the home beyond. His wife bore the maiden name of Dovey Stinson and they reared a large family.
Mr. and Mrs. Ewing, the parents of Mrs. Beauchamp, became early settlers of Davis county, where the latter died in 1871 at the age of forty-one years. The former survived for about a decade and died in 1881 at the age of sixty. They were the parents of six children who reached adult age : Flavius B., a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mrs. Beauchamp; Quince, the wife of W. C. Huggins, of Granger, Washington ; Margaret, the wife of William Smart, of Waskada, Man- itoba : Jennie, the wife of S. P. Torrence, of Kearney, Nebraska; and Dona, the deceased wife of S. S. Smith, of Ogden, Utah.
Mr. and Mrs. Beauchamp became the parents of three children : Bertha, who is the wife of Arnold W. Lauer and lives at Norman, Oklahoma; and Lenore and Harry, at home. Mrs. Beauchamp is a member of the Presbyterian church and Dr. Beauchamp belongs to Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., and Triangle Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M. He is a worthy exemplar of the craft and in his life displays the beneficent spirit which underlies the order. His political support is given to the democracy and he served as county coroner in Davis county and was pension examiner under Cleveland. In more strictly professional relations he is connected with the County and State Medical Societies, the Mis- souri Valley Medical Society, the Southwestern Iowa Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has given his life to a profession in which wealth or influence availeth little or naught to attain success. Advancement inust depend entirely upon the individual, his capabilities and his devotion to his work and Dr. Beauchamp belongs to that class of physicians who in the faithful performance of each day's duties find inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding day. While well versed in his profession from a sci- entific standpoint, experience has also proven to him a valuable teacher and he is quick to master the lessons which are learned in that school.
J. M. STICKELMAN.
J. M. Stickelman, who carries on general farming on section 16, Polk town- ship, his home being about a mile from Siam, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, February 28. 1846, and was reared at Fort Recovery, Mercer county, this state. His youthful days were passed on his father's farm and when a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for several years in Ohio and later in Taylor county, Iowa, becoming a contractor and builder of this part of the state. He arrived here in 1870, bought land and then returned to Ohio, after which he and his mother, three brothers and a sister drove across the country to Iowa. Mr. Stickelman first purchased two hundred eighty-seven and a half acres and he and his brothers broke the sod, harrowed the land, sowed the seed
455
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
and in due course of time gathered good crops. Year by year the work of gen- eral improvement and development was carried on. The first home was a small slab house, which they occupied for a year or more but as they prospered in their undertakings more modern improvements were added to the farm and a more comfortable and commodious dwelling was erected.
It was on the 14th of April, 1872, that Mr. Stickelman was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Howe, who was born and reared in Taylor county, a daughter of Samuel Howe, one of the first settlers of this part of the state. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which Mr. Stickelman had se- cured but they traveled life's journey together for only a brief period, as the young wife was called to her final rest after two years. In 1882 Mr. Stickelman was again married, his second union being with Miss Missouri Ingram, whom he wedded in Nodaway county, where she was born and reared. There were seven children of this marriage: Arthur, who is married and carries on general agricul- tural pursuits on the home farm; Iva, the wife of E. J. Glover, of Siam; Nellie, the wife of Floyd Cobb, who is living in Ross township; Elma and Elda, twins, the latter the wife of Elmer Henderson, of Bedford, Iowa ; Lonesa, a young lady at home; and J. Loyd, who completes the family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.