USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 48
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lived to a ripe old age and is now one of the most honored and respected as well as one of the most venerable citizens of the county. He has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, having been born in Sussex county, New Jersey, November 7, 1828. There he was reared to manhood and is almost wholly a self- educated man, having had few opportunities in his youth for the acquirement of those advantages which are sought in the schools and in books. He was reared on a farm but on attaining his majority went to New York city and engaged in driving a hack for three years on Broadway and Eighth avenue. He then deter- mined to seek a home in the west and made his way to Iowa, arriving in Bedford in 1855. He went to work, like Abraham Lincoln, at splitting rails and in fact accepted any employment that he could obtain for he had only fifty cents on his arrival in Bedford and necessity made it imperative that he secure immediate employment. He also worked as a farm hand for three years but was desirous of engaging in business on his own account and carefully saved his earnings with that end in view.
On the 23d of September, 1858, Mr. Litteer was married in this county to Miss Mary L. Lewis, who was born in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, and was a daughter of Enos and Elizabeth Lewis. Her father died on his farm near Philadelphia during the early womanhood of his daughter Mary and the mother then reared her family. Miss Lewis was educated in Philadelphia and later was connected with business interests there for ten years. She came west to Iowa with a lady friend in 1856 and this friend established a millinery business in Dubuque, Miss Lewis entering her employ. In that way she spent one year but the following year, 1858, gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Litteer. On the 23d of September, 1908, they were surprised by their friends and neighbors who, knowing the fact that they had traveled life's journey together as man and wife for a half century, gathered at their home in celebration of their golden wedding. They left many substantial evidences of their regard and esteem for this worthy couple and the occasion was a most enjoyable one.
Before his marriage Mr. Litteer had purchased a tract of railroad land of one hundred and twenty acres in Marshall township. He at once set to work to break the sod and till the prairie and in course of time had transformed the wild land into productive fields, from which he annually gathered rich harvests. His first home was a little log cabin in which they lived for six years, after which he erected a large two-story frame residence, the family being then comfortably ensconced within. He also built a good barn and outbuildings and had a grove of forty acres of native timberland. He bought more land from time to time as his financial resources increased until he owns four hundred and sixty acres in the old home place and another farm of two hundred and forty acres in Ross township. For several years he continued to engage in general farming but in 1865 removed to Bedford and built on the lot where he now resides. His original home in the city, however, has been replaced by a large commodious residence in which he is now spending the evening of his days. After coming to Bedford he engaged in the jewelry business for eighteen years and at the same time he man- aged his farming and stock-raising interests. He also conducted a dairy business here in Bedford for six years. His interests have been diversified but always
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carefully controlled, and his wise judgment and enterprise have brought to him substantial success.
Mr. and Mrs. Litteer have no children of their own but have reared and edu- cated seven children and thus have done a splendid work in the world. One of these was Ernest Litteer, a nephew of Mrs. Litteer, who for several years engaged in teaching but is now living on the old home farm. He is married and is num- bered among the prosperous agriculturists of the community.
In his political views Mr. Litteer was a democrat in early life but in 1856 supported John C. Fremont for the presidency and has never missed an election since that time, supporting every presidential nominee of the republican party. He has served as road supervisor, as township trustee for a number of years and for a few years was also school director. He also served on the town council of Bedford for several years and in every political position has proven himself worthy of the trust reposed in him. He has been a delegate to the state and county conventions of his party and has always been greatly interested in its success because of his faith in its principles. Mr. Litteer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and council, and in the lodge he filled various offices and is now a past master. He and his wife were formerly identified with the Eastern Star and Mrs. Litteer filled all of the chairs in that organization, becoming a worthy matron. Mr. Litteer has been a resident of the county for fifty-three years and of Bedford for forty-three years and is one of the oldest living among the first settlers. His work has been of far-reaching importance, for while promoting his individual interests he has also contributed to the substantial growth and improvement of the county. He is a man of tried integrity and worth, and he and his wife have the love and esteem of the entire community.
GEORGE W. BLACK.
Among the representative farmers of Platte township is George W. Black, living on section 13, where he owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. For a quarter of a century he has lived in this section of Iowa, arriving in Page county in 1876 and in Taylor county in 1884. He was born in Warren county, Illinois, August 9, 1861, and was therefore a youth of fifteen years when he came to Iowa with his father, Samuel Black, who was a native of Tipton, Ohio, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married in the Buckeye State to Miss Sarah Dunn a native of Indiana. Samuel Black was a cooper by trade and also devoted a part of his time to general farming. On removing to Illinois he took up his abode in Warren county, where he purchased land and opened up a new farm of two hundred and forty acres. Most of his children were born upon that place. In 1876 he came to Iowa, settling in Page county, where he purchased land and again performed the arduous task of transforming wild prairie into richly pro- ductive fields. He thus cultivated two hundred and eighty acres and year by year gathered rich crops in return for the plowing, planting and harvesting which
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made his one of the well-developed farms of the neighborhood. He spent his last years upon that property and died February 16, 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-six. His first wife had died in Illinois during the childhood of George W. Black and later the father married again, the second wife passing away about four years before the death of her husband.
George W. Black was one of a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom reached adult age, while three brothers and a sister of our subject are yet living. His youthful days were passed in Illinois and in Page county, Iowa, where he early became familiar with the arduous tasks of converting the virgin soil into rich and productive fields. He aided his father in carrying on the home place until he had reached man's estate and the practical experience which he received made him well qualified for the work which he undertook when he started out upon an independent business venture.
Mr. Black made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage, on the 2d of October, 1884, to Miss Maggie Mawhinney, who was born and reared in Page county, a daughter of A. J. Mawhinney, one of the pioneers of Page county but a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. On leaving the Keystone State he had removed to Ohio where he married Miss Mary Hull, a daughter of Dr. Hull. On coming to Iowa he developed a farm in Page county, being one of the first settlers in this part om the state. Such was the wild and unsettled con- dition of the country at that time that it was necessary for him to go to St. Joseph, Missouri, to do his trading and one could ride for miles across the prairie without coming to a house or fence to impede his progress. He spent the remainder of his life there and was recognized as one of the prominent and representative farmers of Page county. Following his marriage Mr. Black came to Taylor county and settled on a farm in Grant township comprising one hundred and twenty acres of land, to the development and improvement of which he devoted his energies and undivided attention until 1902. He then sold that property and bought one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides. In connection with his farming and stock raising he feeds and fattens stock, shipping about three car- loads of cattle and hogs each year. His business judgment is sound, his enter- prise far-reaching and the success which he has enjoyed has come to him as the merited reward of his own labor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Black have been born three sons and a daughter: Samuel A., who assists in carrying on the home farm ; Robert L., a student in the Clearfield high school of the class of 1910; Verbal D., also attending the Clear- field high school; and Mary E., a pupil in the home school. The parents are members of Calvary Methodist Episcopal church of Clearfield, in which Mr. Black is serving as a steward, while his wife is an active worker in the church and Sunday school and in numerous auxiliary societies. His children are also members of the church, so that this is a Christian household and one whose influ- ence is a potent force for good in the community.
Politically Mr. Black is a republican and while living in Grant township was officially identified with the schools for a number of years and has served as a member of the school board in Platte township. He belongs to the Clearfield Masonic lodge and his influence is ever on the side of justice and truth, righteous- ness and progress. He owns one of the neatest homes in Platte township and,
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having been a resident of this section of the state from his childhood days, has witnessed the greater part of its growth and development. Hc early realized the fact that success should be based upon the substantial qualities of industry, perse- verance and integrity, and these qualities have been the potent factors in winning him the enviable position which he now occupies as a representative of the agricultural interests of Taylor county.
L. B. WILSON.
The ranks of Civil war veterans are fast being desolated and among those who still remain to answer to the roll call of the Grand Army of the Republic is L. B. Wilson, of Lenox. For over a quarter of a century he has been numbered among the active business men of this place and is also classed with the old settlers in Taylor county where he dates his residence from 1876. He has lived in Iowa since 1868, arriving here when a young man of twenty-five years. His birth oc- curred in Clark county, Ohio, on the 12th of June, 1843, and he was there reared to manhood. His educational privileges were somewhat limited but the ex- periences of life have brought him many valuable lessons, and reading and obser- vation have greatly extended his knowledge. In the opening year of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause, joining the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, as a member of Company D, when eighteen years of age. With his com- mand he went south, joining the forces under General Rosecrans and was first under fire in the engagement at Lewisburg, West Virginia. He afterward par- ticipated in the battle of Dutton Hill and in the siege of Knoxville. After he veteranized at Strawberry Plains, he was granted a thirty days furlough and re- turned home, spending that time happily in association with old friends at the north. Later he returned to the front and afterward joined the Eighth Ohio Vol- unteer Cavalry with which he did scout duty in West Virginia. Subsequently he went on the Hunter raid in the rear of Lynchburg and was slightly wounded there. Later the regiment camped at Beverly, West Virginia, where Mr. Wilson, together with a number of his company, was captured. He was then taken to Libby and was held as a prisoner of war for several months, almost suffering star- vation for the rations granted to the Union prisoners were scarcely sufficient to keep soul and body together. At length he was released under a general order of exchange at the close of the war whereby all prisoners were to be discharged under parole.
No longer held captive in a loathsome prison pen Mr. Wilson returned to Ohio where he recuperated from the hardships of war. After a time he began work at the tinner's trade at Yellow Springs, Ohio, and was there employed for two years. In the meantime he was married on the 14th of September, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Albin, who was born and reared in the Buckeye State. In 1867, they re- moved westward to Iowa, settling first in Louisa county, and Mr. Wilson worked at his trade at Fredonia where he remained for about two years. He then re- moved to Ainsworth, Washington county, Iowa, where he engaged in the hard- ware and tinware business for eight years. At length he traded his store for land
L. B. WILSON
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in Taylor county and shortly afterward made exchange of his farm for a business in Lenox. Here he has since handled hardware and agricultural implements and formerly was also engaged in the coal and grain trade, but at a more recent date has withdrawn from the grain business. He erected a business block which was later destroyed by fire and afterward he rebuilt it and continued the business therein until February, 1899. He has also owned two residences in the town, first purchasing a dwelling and later erecting the neat home which he now occu- pies. He is recognized as a man of keen business discernment and was one of the promoters, stock holders and directors of the First National Bank, of which he is now the president. He is closely associated with the financial interests of Lenox and since taking up his abode here his labors and efforts have continually been effective in promoting the business progress and advancement of the city. His possessions include two hundred and forty acres of land in Platte township, near Lenox, and his farm is one of the valuable properties of the community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born three children: Edgar T., a busi- ness man of Iola, Kansas; Emert J., who is connected with business interests in Lenox ; and Etta, the wife of Howard Mckenzie, a hardware merchant of Lenox.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he served as a member of the building committee at the time of the erection of its house of worship. He has assisted liberally in building two churches here and was one of the trustees of the congregation in which he now holds mem- bership. His wife is an active worker in the Ladies' Aid Society and both do all in their power to promote moral progress here. Mr. Wilson became one of the charter members of the Grand Army post at Lenox and served for a number of years as its commander. His political allegiance has always been given to the re- publican party and upon its ticket he has been elected to a number of local offices, serving as a member of the council for a number of terms and also on the town- ship board. He has likewise been a delegate to county and state conventions and assisted in nominating Leslie M. Shaw for governor. His record as a soldier, as a business man and private citizen is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has conformed his life to high standards, has sought success by honorable methods and at all times has borne in mind the spirit of President Lincoln's statement: "There is something better than making a living-making a life."
FREEMAN P. BEARD.
Freeman P. Beard, a prominent and successful farmer and stockman of Tay- lor county, was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, on the 20th of January, 1867, his parents being Hiram and Frances (Sears) Beard, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The maternal grandfather, Archibald Sears, whose birth likewise occurred in the Empire State, carried on agricultural pursuits throughout the greater portion of his business career but in later years became a broker of DeKalb county, Illinois. He passed away in Kendall county, that state, when he had attained the venerable age of ninety-two years. Hiram
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Beard, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation and in 1847 re- moved to Illinois, settling in De Kalb county, where he made his home until 1872. In that year he came to Taylor county, Iowa, purchasing a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Ross township, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he successfully devoted his time and energies as the years went by. While residing in De Kalb county, Illinois, he served as superintendent of schools and in Taylor county was also recognized as a most valued and substantial citizen -one whose aid and influence could be counted upon to further any movement or measure instituted to advance the general welfare. He was called to his final rest in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years, having for several years sur- vived his wife, who passed away in 1891, when fifty-seven years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born two children, as follows: Lawrence, a resident of Ross township; and Freeman P., of this review.
Freeman P. Beard, who was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, was reared on his father's farm in Ross township and attended the district schools in pursuit of an education. After attaining his majority he still continued to reside on the home farm, being busily engaged in its operation until the time of his father's death, when the property came into his possession. He yet owns and operates the place and in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he is also engaged in the raising of stock on quite an extensive scale, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. Since 1902, however, he has made his home in Bedford, where he owns an attractive, commodious and substantial residence.
On the IIth of February, 1892, Mr. Beard was joined in wedlock to Miss" Mary E. McCormick, a daughter of Elisha and Susan (Cummins) McCormick, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Jacob McCormick, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Beard, was a farmer by occupation and removed to Illinois at an early day. Both he and his wife had attained an advanced age at the time they were called to their final rest. The maternal grandfather, who was a native of Scotland, took up his abode in Maine after crossing the Atlantic to the United States. Subsequently he removed to Illinois, passing away in that state at a venerable age. Mr. and Mrs. Elisha McCormick were born in Penn- sylvania and Maine respectively and became early settlers of Warren county, Illinois, where the birth of their daughter, Mrs. Beard, occurred. The year 1875 witnessed their arrival in Taylor county, Iowa, Elisha McCormick purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Ross township. He afterward ex- tended the boundaries of the place by an additional purchase of seventy acres and carried on his agricultural interests there for some years but subsequently removed to Jackson township and in 1906 took up his abode in Bedford, where both he and his wife have since resided. They reared a family of ten children, as follows : Fanny, who is now deceased; Addie, the wife of R. J. Montgomery ; Mary E., the wife of Freeman P. Beard; Villa, who is the wife of C. E. Jones; Elmer, who died at the age of fourteen years; Walter; Ed and Dean, twins; Fred ; and Ruby, the wife of Claude Trumbo. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beard has been born one son, Harold F.
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In his political views Mr. Beard is a stanch republican, while fraternally he is identified with Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., and Triangle Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, with which his wife is also affiliated. Well known in the county where he has resided from early boyhood days, he has a wide acquaintance here and has won uniform trust and good will by reason of a life which in all of. its phases has been straightforward and honorable.
E. S. ROWE, SR.
In the days when Taylor county was still a pioneer district, with comparatively few settlers and only a few improved farms, E. S. Rowe took up his abode within its borders. The year 1852 witnessed his arrival and in the fifty-seven years which have since come and gone, he has borne a most helpful and important part in the work of general improvement and development, especially along agri- cultural lines. His memory goes back to the time when deer and many kinds of wild game were to be had in this section of the country. The prairies were covered with their native grasses, which frequently grew to great height in the summer time and only occasionally was a path seen, showing that the white man or his predecessor, the Indian, had followed the same trail a sufficient number of times to mark indelibly the course that he had trod. Mr. Rowe can relate many interesting incidents of the early days and can tell the tale of development and improvement here. His own record has been marked by steady and substantial advancement and he is now one of the county's prosperous farmers, owning nearly six hundred acres of valuable land in this county and across the boundary line in Nodaway county, Missouri.
Mr. Rowe was born in Lincoln county, West Virginia, September 13, 1840, a son of Abbott Rowe, a native of Kentucky, who was there reared and when a young man went to Virginia. In the latter state he married Miss Anna Diles, who was a native of Tennessee, but was reared in the Old Dominion. For some years after his marriage Mr. Rowe continued to engage in farming in Virginia and six children were born unto him and his wife in that state. In 1852, however, he removed westward to Iowa, settling in Taylor county. While en route he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died while they were travel- ing through Andrew county, Missouri. On reaching their destination the family settled in Jackson township on a farm of forty acres, which is now the property of E. S. Rowe of this review.
Mr. Rowe was twelve years of age at the time of the removal to Iowa, and he assisted in the arduous task of developing new land and transforming the wild prairie into productive fields. He was married in Nodaway county, Missouri, December 27, 1862, to Miss Mary Dowas, a native of Missouri, who was born near Savannah, and when a child came to Taylor county, Iowa. Her father was Isaac Dowas, one of the early settlers of Andrew county, Missouri, and later a pioneer resident of Taylor county, Iowa. Following his marriage Mr. Rowe be- gan to cultivate rented land, which he farmed for four years, during which time
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he carefully and economically saved his earnings until he was able to purchase one of the farms that he now owns. He came into possession of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated and developed, turning the first furrows in the fields and otherwise cultivating the land until he was able to gather rich har- vests as the reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon his farm. As he prospered in his undertakings he bought more land from time to time and now owns nearly six hundred acres. There are three sets of buildings upon the place, two of these being across the boundary line in Nodaway county, Missouri. His diligence and persistency of purpose have brought him substantial success and he annually harvests and markets good crops. He is also equally prosperous as a stock raiser, feeding and fattening from one to two carloads of stock each year. This also brings a profitable source of income to him and he is now well known in this section.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have been born four children: Isaac, who is as- sisting his father in carrying on the home farm; Minerva, the wife of Senator Risser, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Eldredge S., who is married and is a prominent farmer of Taylor county, Iowa, and Nodaway county, Mis- souri ; and Anna May, at home.
In his political views Mr. Rowe is a democrat, voting for the party since cast- ing his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas, the "little giant" of Illinois. He has never sought nor would he accept office, preferring to concen- trate his energies upon his business affairs. He has, however, been always in- terested in matters relating to the general welfare and has given his aid and co- operation to many movements for the public good. During his long residence in the county he has seen Bedford develop from a cross-roads village and has watched the work of advancement as it has been carried forward continuously until this splendid county is now a monument to the efforts and energies of its leading farmers and business men.
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