USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 50
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H. M. Long is one of the best known citizens of Bedford and Taylor county, not only from the fact that he has been active in business circles and also as a farmer and stock raiser but also because of his close connection with affairs rela- tive to the public good. For four years he filled the office of county sheriff and was deputy for twenty years, and in all relations of life his forceful person- ality and earnest purpose have been felt as factors in the growth and progress of the community. He is a native son of Iowa, having been born in Chariton, Lu- cas county, December 12, 1854. His father, W. M. P. Long, was a native of Virginia, and was there reared. He afterward went to Ohio, where he married Hannah Pope, a native of that state. Soon afterward they removed to Green- castle, Indiana, where W. M. P. Long engaged in merchandising for several years. In 1854 he arrived in Iowa, settling first in Lucas county, where he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, opening up a new farm. He owned some land there and carried on general farming for a few years but in 1857 re- moved to Taylor county, becoming one of its first settlers. It was still a frontier district, for much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated and the work of progress and improvement in other lines seemed scarcely begun. In the new county he established a store and carried on general merchandising for a number of years. He was a stonemason by trade and after he disposed of the store he built the old courthouse and also the schoolhouse and was known as one of the leading contractors and builders of Taylor county. At length he put aside his work in that connection and took up his abode upon a farm near the town, cul- tivating his fields until he retired from active business life and removed to Bedford, where his remaining days were passed. His wife died in February, 1872.
H. M. Long was only about three years of age when brought by the family to Taylor county and here he was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of frontier life, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He can remember the time when most of the homes were small and when it was a severe struggle for existence on the part of many of the settlers but he has lived to see the county converted into a rich and pros- perous agricultural district, which is the home of a contented class of people. In his youthful days H. M. Long devoted most of his time to the acquirement of an education and on arriving at mature years he engaged in farming, which he followed until 1882. He then removed to Bedford and filled the office of town marshal for three years, after which he served as deputy sheriff. In 1895 he was elected sheriff and filled the position for four years, while at length he was appointed to the position of deputy and continued to act in that capacity until January, 1909. He served as a member of the council for four years, dur- ing which time he exercised his official prerogatives to uphold and advance many
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substantial measures for the city's good. He has served as a delegate to the state and county conventions of the republican party, of which he has been a life- long and earnest supporter.
Mr. Long's interests, however, have not been concentrated entirely upon political interests or activity. In fact he is well known as a leading and repre- sentative business man of the county. He owns a farm in Clayton township about three miles from Bedford which has been his property for several years. Here he has been engaged in breeding standard bred horses and he is now breed- ing Percherons. In all of his business affairs he displays keen judgment and whatever he undertakes carries forward to successful completion. He built and owns the cement block factory in Bedford, has erected three or four residences, two livery barns and in other ways has been connected with the substantial im- provement of the city in which he makes his home.
On the 15th of October, 1879, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mattice, who was born in Adrian, Michigan, but was reared in Page county, Iowa, and is a daughter of William Mattice. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long have been born three children : Forest P., who is married and follows farming at Rollo, Illinois ; Cecile, a well-educated young lady, who is now Latin teacher in the high school at Bedford ; and B. E., who is married and follows farming on his father's place.
Mr. and Mrs. Long are consistent and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, active in its work and generous in its support. Their daughter and one of their sons are teachers in the Sunday-school and Mrs. Long is also a very active church worker. Mr. Long is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter at Bedford, while he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He also is a member of the Knight Templar commandery at Creston, Iowa and of the Ancient and Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at St. Joseph, Missouri. He likewise holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias lodge and in some has filled all of the chairs. Spending almost his entire life in Taylor county, Mr. Long has become widely and favorably known in this part of the state. In all of his business relations he has been found reliable as well as enterprising and progressive and his genuine worth has gained for him the unqualified respect and trust of his fellowmen. His official service, too, has been most commendable and in many regards his is an exemplary life, well worthy of emulation.
ASA TERRILL.
Asa Terrill, a well known business man of Blockton who has also been suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Taylor county for a number of years, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Shelby county, August 18, 1855. He is a son of Dwight and Catherine (Bowman) Terrill, natives of Lorain county, Ohio, and Indiana, respectively. The father accompanied his parents to Iowa when a young man and located at Blakesburg. He was married
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in Shelby county and later removed to Nebraska. While residing in that state he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, participating in the Indian skirmishes on the western plains. Subsequently he removed to Worth county, Missouri and later came to Taylor county, Iowa, locating in Jefferson township. From there he removed to Shelby county, Iowa, where his last days were spent, his death occurring there about 1890. His wife died October 31, 1901.
Reared amid the scenes and environment of rural life, Asa Terrill passed the days of his boyhood and early youth in his native county upon his father's farm and acquired his early education in the district schools, while the periods of vaca- tion were devoted to assisting his father in the work of the fields. He remained under the parental roof until seventeen years of age, when he entered business life as a clerk in Platteville, where he received good practical training and re- mained until 1877.
On the 25th of August of that year, in Platteville, Mr. Terrill was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Standley, a daughter of Dr. Standley, a pioneer phy- sician and business man of Taylor county. She is also a sister of Dr. Joseph P. Standley, of Bedford, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and was born and reared in Taylor county. After his marriage Mr. Terrill removed to a farm, which he operated for one year, and then went to Bedford, where he conducted the Pacific Hotel for several years. He subsequently sold out and for about a year was identified with mercantile interests at Mankato, Kansas, but in the following March he again sold out and went upon the road as traveling man. He was thus engaged for about four years and during this period he had removed his family to Platteville, where they resided while he was upon the road. Later he withdrew from commercial lines and purchased a farm near that city, to which he removed and upon which he resided until 1902, actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. In that year he came to Blockton and engaged in the hardware and implement business for four years, but since 1906 he has lived retired. During his connection with agricultural pursuits he followed general farming and was an extensive breeder and dealer in live stock. making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, and he held many large and profitable sales. He is still interested in stock raising along the line of his specialty and also owns two valuable and well improved farms, which are proving a source of a very gratifying income to him. As the years have come and gone he has prospered in his various enterprises and has invested in property from time to time until he is now the owner of about eleven hundred acres of fine farm land, constituting him one of the extensive landowners of this section of the county.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Terrill has been blessed with two children. The eldest, Maud Amma, is now the wife of Christian Mosier, a partner of his father- in-law in his farming and stock-raising interests, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, and by her marriage she has become the mother of one child, Trula Anida. The son, Jay S. Terrill, is a physician and is actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Blockton.
Mrs. Terrill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and her life has at all times been in harmony with her professions. The family residence in Blockton is owned by Mr. Terrill and is one of the fine, up-to-date homes of the city. He and his wife are well known in the social circles and fraternally he is a
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Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, the Bedford Chapter and Leon Commandery, while he also holds membership in the Mystic Shrine at Davenport. Politically Mr. Terrill is a progressive republican, doing all in his power to further the interests of that party in his community. He has served for a number of years as trustee and has also been sent as a delegate to various state and county conventions. Starting out at an early age without capital, he has worked his way steadily upward, improving every opportunity and utilizing every chance that has led to successful advancement. By perseverance, determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to prosperity and he stands today among the progressive and representative citizens of Taylor county.
COLONEL JAMES S. HANSHAW.
Colonel James S. Hanshaw, who has been an auctioneer of Taylor county for the past seventeen years, is a respected and prominent resident of Bedford. His birth occurred in Iowa on the 17th of November, 1862, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Simes) Hanshaw, who were natives of Ohio. James Simes, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland and a farmer by occupation. In 1840 he brought his wife and children to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county, where he purchased considerable land. He there passed away at the age of ninety-two years, while his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Simes, was ninety years of age when called to her final rest. They reared quite a large family.
John Hanshaw, the father of our subject, was a minister of the Methodist Protestant denomination and in 1851 became a pioneer preacher of Jefferson county, Iowa. Twelve years later he married in this state and for twenty-five years followed his holy calling in Taylor county, his efforts proving an important element in the moral advancement of the communities in which he labored. Sustaining a stroke of paralysis, he was then compelled to give up his work as a preacher of the gospel and lived retired in the western part of this county and Bedford until his death. He died in 1907, at Green City, Missouri, when he had attained the age of seventy-six years. His widow still survives, being a well known and highly esteemed resident of New Market. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, namely: James S., of this review William, who died at the age of thirty-two years; Dora, the wife of John Lindsey, of New Market, Iowa; Frank, who passed away at the age of fourteen years; Emma, the wife of Barton Rowe, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Anna, who also died at the age of fourteen ; Ambrose, who follows merchandising in New Market; and Maud R., the wife of Claude Riley, of Green City, Missouri.
James S. Hanshaw spent the first eight years of his life in Wapello county, Iowa, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Taylor county. He received a good practical education in the district schools and remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On starting out in life on his own account he rented a tract of land, in the cultivation of which he was engaged for three years, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres of
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land in Polk township on credit and subsequently bought one hundred and sixty acres more in Gay township. Alert, enterprising and energetic, he met with a gratifying and substantial measure of prosperity in the conduct of his agricultural interests and continued to make his home on his eighty-acre farm until 1898, when he came to Bedford and has here since resided, owning an attractive dwell- ing on West Main street. He has sold the eighty-acre farm but still retains possession of his tract of one hundred and sixty acres. For the past seventeen years he has given his attention to auctioneering and has been very successful as a crier of sales, his services being in demand in all parts of the county.
On the 26th of January, 1892, Colonel Hanshaw was united in marriage to Miss Emma R. Bailey, whose birth occurred in Polk township, Taylor county, on the 8th of July, 1867, her parents being Joseph B. and Sarah (Umbarger) Bailey, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Joseph B. Bailey, who was of Scotch descent, was eleven years of age when he accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in the state of New York, where he remained until 1851. In that year he made his way to Illinois, where he was married in 1856, and in 1864 he and his wife came to Taylor county, Iowa, continuing to reside here until called to the home beyond. He was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation and was widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen. He died at his residence in Buchanan (now Siam) on January 7, 1890, at the age of fifty-seven years, passing away in the faith of the Presbyterian church, with which his wife was also identified. Her demise occurred on the 17th of February, 1888, when she had attained the age of forty-eight years, three months and fifteen days. Their family numbered thirteen children, seven daughters and six sons. The sons died in early life but the daughters all lived to be married. Their record is as follows: Elizabeth J., the deceased wife of Charles Clayton; Mary, the wife of Fred Branson, of Clayton township; Sarah, the deceased wife of George Abbott, of Abingdon, Illinois; Mrs. Hanshaw; Othello, the wife of O. T. Miller, of Polk township; Cinda, the wife of O. B. Roberts, of Loveland, Colorado; and Josephine, the wife of John Branson, of Alliance, Nebraska. Unto Colonel and Mrs. Hanshaw has been born one son, Carr C.
In his political views Colonel Hanshaw is a stalwart republican, believing that the principles of that party are most conducive to good government. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Baptist church and have an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of Pythias lodges of Bedford.
WILLIAM M. JACKSON.
William M. Jackson, attorney at law of Bedford, where he has now practiced for about seventeen years, is a prominent and successful representative of the legal profession in Taylor county. His birth occurred at Caldwell, Ohio, on the 27th of November, 1866, his parents being Philip and Rachel (Wiley) Jackson, who are also natives of the Buckeye state. The first representatives of the family
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in this country came from Wales with Lord Baltimore and settled in Maryland, whence they afterward removed to Greene county, Pennsylvania, and subse- quently went to Ohio. Elijah Jackson, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Ohio and died in early manhood. His wife likewise passed away at a comparatively early age. Their family numbered three sons.
Jacob Wiley, the maternal grandfather of William M. Jackson, was also a native of Ohio. He died when well advanced in years, his demise occurring in Noble county, Ohio, where he had lived for some time. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Gorby also lived to attain a ripe old age. They reared quite a large family, the two surviving members being Eli, now a resident of Lamoni, Iowa; and Mrs. Rachel Jackson.
Philip Jackson, the father of William M. Jackson, followed the carpenter's trade in early manhood. About the year 1888 he made his way from Ohio to Iowa, settling in Ringgold county, this state, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He has now put aside the active work of the fields and is living retired in Bed- ford with his wife, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. At the time of the Civil war he served for about eighteen months as a member of Company I, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of South Mountain. For many years he was a local preacher in the Meth- odist church, of which both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members. They became the parents of three children, as follows: William M., of this re- view; D. Fay, who is now deceased; and Roxa A., the wife of Emil Cless, of Lenox, Iowa.
William M. Jackson, whose name initiates this review, remained on his father's farm in Ohio until seventeen years of age and obtained his preliminary education in the district schools. Subsequently he entered the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, and after completing the course in that institution he took up the study of law in the State University at Iowa City, being graduated from the law department in 1891.
He was admitted to the bar the same year and located for practice at Clear- field, Iowa, where he remained for a little more than a year. He then came to Bedford and has here since practiced his profession, enjoying a constantly grow- ing and remunerative clientage.
Mr. Jackson has been married twice. In 1891 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Addie Van Winkle, a daughter of Isaiah and Melinda (Blackman) Van Winkle, by whom he had one son, Floyd O. The wife and mother passed away in May, 1893, when but twenty-two years of age. She was a devoted and con- sistent member of the Methodist church. In June, 1897, Mr. Jackson was again married, his second union being with Miss Nettie Nelson, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Nelson.
In his political views Mr. Jackson is a stanch republican. In 1892 he was elected to the office of county attorney and capably discharged the duties de- volving upon him in this connection for two terms. Fraternally he is identified with Taylor Lodge, No. 156, F. & A. M., Triangle Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M., the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Creston and Bedford Lodge, No. IOI, Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in
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the Methodist church, with which his wife is also affiliated. His ability as a law- yer is widely recognized and the strong traits of his character have made him prominent and popular, not only in professional but also in social circles.
JAMES ELY.
James Ely, who for nearly a quarter of a century was one of the active and enterprising agriculturists and stockraisers of Platte township, giving his atten- tion to the development of a farm of two hundred acres about four miles from Lenox, is now living retired, having for the past twelve years enjoyed a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. Taylor county numbers him among her pioneer residents in that he dates his arrival here in 1875. He has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1835. He is a son of Michael Ely, also a native of the Keystone State, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. On attaining adult age, he was married to Eliza McQuater, who was likewise born in Pennsylvania. They continued their residence in that state until about 1842, when they removed westward to Ohio, settling in Muskingum county, where Michael Ely carried on farming for a number of years. He after- ward became a resident of Highland county, that state, and died in Greenville, while his wife passed away on the home farm a few years before. James Ely was reared in Muskingum and Athens counties, all of the experiences and labors of farm life early becoming familiar to him. His educational opportunities were those afforded by the district schools, which he attended through the winter seasons, while in the summer months he worked in the fields. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and was married in Athens county, on the 4th of July, 1858, to Miss Julia Sickles, who was there born and reared. Mr. Ely afterward rented a farm for a few years, during which time his untiring industry and careful expenditure brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a place, which he cultivated until 1869. He then sold out and went to Knox county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, the cultivation and develop- ment of which further claimed his attention until 1874. He then disposed of that property and went to Iowa, where he first purchased eighty acres of land, con- stituting a part of his present place. He at once began to till the soil here and as he prospered in his undertakings he bought more land from time to time until his holdings now include two hundred acres. On this he erected a house and barn, cribs and shed so that shelter is afforded to grain and stock. There is also a grove upon the place of his own planting, while an orchard that he has set out bears its fruits in season. He has enclosed his fields with well kept fences and carefully watched his crops as the weeks passed until the planting of early spring was rewarded by rich harvests of summer and autumn. He also raised and fed stock and is a good judge of farm animals. After cultivating his place for some time he rented the farm and bought a tract of sixty acres to the west adjoining the corporation limits of Lenox. This he cultivated for a year, after which he sold out and removed to Corning, spending one summer there. He then removed
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to Lenox and purchased the residence which he now occupies. He also bought thirty-one acres of land now within the corporation limits of the city and has since sold thirteen acres of this, but yet retains the balance. He also owns another residence and three lots in Lenox so that his property holdings are quite extensive and return to him a substantial annual income.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ely has been born a son, Charles, who is mentioned else- where in this volume. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Lenox Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Ely has filled offices, serving at the present time as one of the church trustees. Formerly he was identified with the democratic party but is now a prohibitionist for he believes the tem- perance question to be one of the paramount issues before the people today. He is a man of strict temperance principles, honorable and upright in all his dealings and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and as a man and citizen he commands and enjoys the confidence and good will of all who know him.
R. S. HENDERSON.
There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentlemen whose name initiates this review since he has for more than three decades been identified with the business interests of Taylor county, and from the fact that he has been a loyal son of the republic and has attained to a position of distinction in agricultural circles in this section of the great state of Iowa. Mr. Henderson makes his home on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section IO. Platte township. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 22, 1844, a son of William Henderson, who was a native of the Keystone state but removed with his parents to Guernsey county, Ohio, when but a young lad. He was reared in the latter state and was married to Miss Rose A. Dool, who was born on the Bay of Belfast, Ireland, but was reared in Harrison county, Ohio. Following his marriage William Henderson remained in Ohio, where he followed farm- ing for a few years. Later he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where he pur- chased a farm and spent his last years, passing away there in March, 1877. His wife survived for a long period and was called to her final rest in 1901.
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