USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 53
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Oscar G. Brown obtained his education in the schools of Mason township and of New Market, there pursuing his studies until he had attained the age of nine- teen years. Early in life he became familiar with the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance which he rendered his father in the cultivation of the home place and after putting aside his text-books, he continued to aid in the work of the old homestead farm until he had attained his majority. He then began operating a forty-acre tract of land and subsequently purchased a farm of eighty acres, in the cultivation and improvement of which he was successfully engaged for a number of years. On disposing of the property he bought his present place of eighty acres on section 8, Mason township, and has here since carried on both farming and stock-raising with excellent results. The property is equipped with all of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century, and in his undertakings Mr. Brown is meeting with a well earned and creditable measure of prosperity.
On the 3d of March, 1892, in Mason township, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Alice Strode, a daughter of William and Rachel (Wimmer ) Strode. Her father was a well known agriculturist of Mason township.
In his political views Mr. Brown is a stalwart republican and is now serving as a school director, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at New Market. He has resided in this county throughout practically his entire life and, owing to his upright and honorable career, the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
GUY LEONARD.
Guy Leonard is a representative of one of Taylor county's pioneer families and is numbered with the progressive farmers of Holt township. He was born on the Daniel Leonard homestead, June 23, 1859, and his boyhood days were spent upon his father's farm where stood the old log house which the father had erected in the fall of 1856. The experiences of pioneer life were vividly impressed upon his mind. He attended the district schools and, remaining under the parental roof, afterward assisted in developing the farm until twenty-one years of age. He then started out in life on his own account and the occupation to which he was reared furnished him further employment, for be began cultivating a part of his father's estate. He continued thereon for five years, after which he pur- chased the farm upon which he now resides. It was a partially improved tract of land but as the years have since gone by he has replaced the old buildings with new and modern ones, has cultivated and developed his fields and it is today one of the finest improved farms of the township. It comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich land, all under a high state of cultivation. Aside from general farming on his own behalf Mr. Leonard is associated with his father and brothers in the firm of Daniel Leonard & Sons, pioneer importers and breeders of Shrop- shire sheep. In this connection they do an extensive business and have done much to improve the grade of sheep raised in this part of the state.
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On the 15th of March, 1880, Mr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ditto, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, May II, 1857, and is a daughter of A. J. and Ellen (Wright) Ditto, natives of Ohio and later residents of Illinois. The father is now deceased but the mother is still living and resides in Henderson county, Illinois. Mrs. Leonard was one of a family of seven chil- dren. The others are: Bert and Leonard, who are residents of Kansas ; Budd, who is living in Oquaka, Illinois; J. W., whose home is in Conway, Iowa; Mrs. John Wheatley, of Nevada, Missouri; and Mrs. John Duvall, of Gladstone, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have been born eight children, as follows : Jennie, the wife of Marion Cramer, of Holt township; Nettie, keeping house for her grandfather; Alta, who wedded Wilbert Hurd, of Greene county, Iowa ; Minnie, Ina. Sarah and Dan, all still under the parental roof; and Lydia, who passed away at the age of one year.
In his political views Mr. Leonard is a republican and fraternally is a member of the Woodmen of the World, connected with the camp at Corning, Iowa. He is one of Taylor county's most progressive and enterprising farmers, winning success by reason of his close application, earnest purpose and indefatigable energy. Having spent his entire life in this county he is widely and favorably known and is worthy of the highest regard of a large circle of friends and business associates.
ALLIE E. PULLEN.
Allie E. Pullen, a farmer and stockman of New Market, Taylor county, Iowa, owns eighty acres of land in Dallas township. He was born July 7, 1875, in Illinois, and is a son of Albert and Marjory (White) Pullen. His father, who was born in Indiana in 1850, was one of two sons and two daughters, the children of John Pullen and his wife, Joseph, Elmira, and Luella being his brother and sisters. Marjory White was the daughter of David and Charlotte (Williams) White, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1852. She was the eldest of nine chil- dren, the other members of the family being David, Joseph, James, Sarah, Eliza- beth, Rebecca, Mary Ann and Minerva. Albert Pullen came to Page county, Iowa, in 1877, and subsequently moved to Taylor county, which has been his home ever since. He is a farmer and has achieved success in his life work. To Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pullen were born twelve children : Allie, John, Charlie, James. Jesse, Willie, Sylvester. Silas, Taphan, Dovie, Cora and Marjory.
Allie E. Pullen, the second in order of birth, was but two years of age when his parents came to the state of Iowa. He received such education as the schools of his locality could give during the few months they were in session, and he assisted with the work on his father's farm from the days of his boyhood. He has lived for the last seven years upon his present farm, and points with pride to the various buildings on the place, all modern structures which he built him- self. The land, which is rich and productive, supports well the general line of farming Mr. Pullen carries on, and also affords pasturage for the stock that of late years has commanded more and more of his attention and time.
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On the 2d of March, 1892, Mr. Pullen was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Combs, who was born in this county, July 30, 1876, and is a daughter of Burr and Lucretia Ann (Painter) Combs. The father, who is a son of Jacob Combs, was born in Virginia in 1839. In his family were eight cihldren: Nellie, Charlie, George, Floyd, Ned, Cora, Lizzie and Osie. The mother, who before her mar- riage was Lucretia Ann Painter, was the daughter of Jacob and Ruth Painter, and one of a family of six children : George, John, Nettie, Melissa and Sarah, being the others. Mrs. Combs was born in 1850 in Ohio and was twenty years of age when she came to live in Taylor county.
When called to exercise his franchise Mr. Pullen gives his vote to the republi- can candidate as the choice of the party with whose principles he is in closest accord. He enjoys fraternal relations with the New Market lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is an ardent supporter of the ideals held up by this organization. Although he frequently attends the meetings of the lodge, he devotes the greater share of his time to the work of his farm and to his stock. The day's toil is hard but it is to his liking and he feels requited by the fair competence that is his now.
GEORGE H. MATHEWS.
George H. Mathews, who since 1894 has resided in Mason township upon a farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres, which he owns and cultivates, was born in Kentucky, October 17, 1853. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Flynn) Mathews. The paternal grandfather was James Mathews and the family originated in England, whence representatives of the name came to America about a century ago. Mrs. Elizabeth Mathews had two brothers, John and Will Flynn, who were soldiers of the Civil war, connected however with the opposing forces.
George H. Mathews pursued his early education in the schools of Kentucky and afterward continued his studies in Tennessee until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he permanently put aside his text-books. In the meantime he had assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and after another year spent under the parental roof he left home and established a trading business at Raytown, Greene county, Tennessee. In 1875, however, he began farming on his own account and through the succeeding seven years engaged in the culti- vation of various rented farms. During that period he carefully saved his earn- ings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase land and he made investment in a farm on which he resided for eight years. In 1891, however, he left the south and came to Iowa, where he again cultivated a rented farm for three years, on the expiration of which period, in 1894, he purchased the prop- erty upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and thirty-six acres of rich and arable land in Mason township. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and in connection with general farming he raises horses, cattle, mules and hogs, his live stock interests being important sources of revenue to him. He has made all of the improvements upon the place, including the erection of a commodious modern residence built in an attractive style of archi- .
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tecture. He also possesses much mechanical ingenuity and is the inventor of an adjustable vehicle thills which he has patented.
On the 23d of July, 1875, Mr. Mathews was married in Tennessee to Miss Mary Jane McNees, a daughter of Elihu and Arie Emeline (Hayes) McNees. Her paternal grandfather was Samuel McNees, a brother of Governor McNees. The family originated in Great Britain but has long been represented in this country. Jacob, Henry and Elihu McNees, sons of Samuel McNees, served in the Civil war and Henry died on the field of battle.
Mr. and Mrs. Mathews attend the Methodist church and are greatly esteemed because of their many excellent traits of character. In his political allegiance Mr. Mathews is a thorough republican, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party. He is serving as township trustee and was school director for four years. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft.
E. M. BURWELL.
A finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located in Wash- ington township. is the home of E. M. Burwell, who is engaged in general farm- ing and stockraising, making a specialty, however, of the latter business. He was born February II, 1863, in Crawford county, Ohio, and was a little lad of three years when he was brought by his parents, Joseph and Sarah (Eby) Bur- well, to Linn county, Iowa. Later the family removed to Page county, where the parents still live. They were likewise natives of the Buckeye state, the father being a son of William Burwell, while the mother is a daughter of Peter Eby. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Burwell were born six sons and three daughters, the brothers and sisters of our subject being: Elmer, Alonzo, Ida, Emma, Lewis, Orlando, Carrie and Alden.
E. M. Burwell of this review was reared to farming and has followed that occupation as a life work. At the age of twenty-four years he established a home of his own by his marriage on the 16th of October, 1887, to Miss Kitty Eby, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, in 1867, and, being left an orphan, was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eby, the maternal grandparents of Mr. Burwell. At the time of Mr. Burwell's marriage he had but fifty cents in money but with the added responsibility of supporting a family he began his work with renewed energy and through his own labors and the assistance of his estimable wife at length accumulated the funds that enabled him about six years ago to become the possessor of his present farm property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township. He has made some improvements on the place and has also brought the fields under a good state of cultivation and now has one of the valuable properties of his section of Taylor county. He raises some grain but his time is given more particularly to the raising of cattle, horses and hogs, and in this work he is meeting with very creditable success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burwell has been born one daughter, Orpha, whose birth occurred December 19, 1888. She is now the wife of Charles Lock, their
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marriage being celebrated on the 23d of December, 1908. Mr. Burwell gives his political support to the democratic party but has never sought nor desired public office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Metho- dist church. Since starting out in life for himself Mr. Burwell has had to face many difficulties but his determination has enabled him to overcome every ob- stacle in his path and work his way upward until he now finds a place among the substantial farmers of Taylor county-a position that is well merited and richly deserved.
A. T. WEST, M. D.
Prominent among the medical practitioners of Iowa and Taylor county may be mentioned Dr. A. T. West, who has practiced his profession in Conway for the past thirty-two years, and he is therefore widely and favorably known in this section of the state. He is a native son of this state, his birth having oc- curred in Knoxville, on the 9th of April, 1854. He was reared in the place of his nativity and there acquired his literary education, completing his studies in Knoxville Academy when a youth of eighteen years. The medical profession appealing strongly to him, to that end he entered Bennett Eclectic Medical College at Chicago, being graduated from that institution in May, 1874. He then located for practice in Derby, Iowa, where he continued three years, but be- lieving that Conway offered much better opportunities for his practice, he then removed to this place and has here continued to the present time, covering a period of about thirty-two years. At that time this place was a mere hamlet but in the years that have since come and gone it has grown to an enterprising and thriving little city and with the increase in population Dr. West's practice has likewise increased, so that he now has a very large and lucrative patronage. His services, however, are not only confined to this city but are in demand over a large area of country and he has come to be the loved family physician in numerous households in this section. While the Doctor does a general prac- tice, he makes a specialty of diseases of the lungs, throat and heart. He owns his own office, which is a neat structure of brick and also has erected a fine residence, his being one of the commodious and substantial homes of this city. In addition to his practice the Doctor is also interested in other industries, one of which is a livery business, which he has conducted with the assistance of others, for the past eighteen years and in this he has been very successful. He is also a stockholder and a director of the Conway Savings Bank and owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, a mile east of Conway, which brings him a good rental.
Dr. West was married in Derby, Iowa, October 17, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Oehlman, who was born and reared there. Their mar- riage has been blessed with two daughters, but Frances died at the age of seven- teen years. The surviving daughter is Anna, now the wife of Nolan Edwards, a resident of Macon, Missouri.
Politically a republican, the Doctor casts an independent ballot at local elec- tions, while his fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows. He first joined
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the lodge at Derby, lowa, but now holds membership in the lodge at Conway, in which he has served through all the chairs and is now past grand. He has com- mitted to memory the entire ritual of this organization. Both he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge and in this he has also served through the chairs and is now past grand and also for several years served as district deputy. Mrs. West has been sent as a delegate to the grand assembly on several occa- sions. He is also equally prominent in the Modern Woodmen order, and the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, having served as correspondent in the lat- ter for twelve years. Mrs. West is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Interested in all public movements and measures, Dr. West served as treas- urer of the town board for six years, in which connection he rendered honest and efficient service. Dr. West, however, does not neglect his professional duties but keeps in close touch with the advancement that is being made in this direction through his membership in the Southwestern Iowa Medical Society and in the Taylor County Medical Society. He may well be termed a pioneer physi- cian of Conway and during the thirty-two years in which he has practiced here he has adhered to a high standard of professional ethics, which has won him the unqualified regard of his fellow practitioners, while the skill and ability which he has displayed has gained him a liberal patronage from the general pub- lic. And not only has he held to high ideas in his profession but as well in citi- zenship and in social relations, thus commanding the warm esteem and genuine admiration of all with whom he comes in contact.
KENDRICK UTTER.
Kendrick Utter. an enterprising and substantial agriculturist and stock raiser of Grant township, is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land, eighty acres of which constitute his home place on section 14. He is likewise numbered among the early settlers of Taylor county, having taken up his abode within its borders in 1875. His birth occurred in Madison county, New York, on the 17th of December, 1852, his father being Palmer Utter, who was likewise born and reared in the Empire State. His mother bore the maiden name of Julia Mann. Palmer Utter was actively identified with general agricul- tural pursuits in New York and in that state all of his children were born. In 1855 he removed westward to Iowa, settling in Louisa county, where he opened up and developed a farm, to the cultivation and improvement of which he gave his attention throughout the remainder of his life. Subsequent to the death of his first wife he was again married, his second union being with Caroline Thorpe.
Kendrick Utter, who was but three years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state, remained on his father's farm in Louisa county until he was married at the age of twenty-two years. In 1875 he came to Taylor county, taking up his abode on the farm where he now resides on section 14, Grant township. He first purchased and broke a tract of forty acres of raw land and erected thereon a small house, in which he made his home for several years. Subsequently he bought another forty-acre tract adjoining and later added
MR. AND MRS. KENDRICK UTTER
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to his landed holdings by purchasing forty acres in another section. He also owns a half section of land in Canada. On his home farm he has erected a commodious and substantial residence and a large barn and also planted a grove and orchard, setting out peach and apple trees. The attractiveness of the place is greatly enhanced by evergreen and ornamental trees. Mr. Utter has a wind- pump on each of his farms and his neat and well improved property is the visible evidence of his life of well-directed industry and perseverance. In addition to cultivating the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also devotes some attention to the raising and feeding of hogs and likewise conducts a dairy business. As the years have gone by his capable management and energy have brought to him well-earned and justly merited success and he is now widely recognized as a prosperous and representative citizen of the community.
On the 10th of March, 1875, in Louisa county, Iowa, Mr. Utter was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Sutherland, who was born, reared and educated in Canada. Prior to her marriage she successfully followed the profession of teach- ing in that country and also in Louisa county, this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Utter was born one child, a son, who died in infancy.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Utter has supported the men and measures of the republican party but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his fealty, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Clearfield. He has now made his home in this county for more than a third of a century and has lived to see a remarkable transformation as pioneer customs have been replaced by the evidences of a progressive and advanced civilization. Little pioneer homes have been replaced by the commodious and substantial residences built in modern styles of architecture, trees have been planted and the native prairie grasses have been replaced by all the cereals that are cultivated by the farmer today. In all the work of general improvement Mr. Utter has borne his part and well deserves mention in this history.
EMERSON J. JOHNSTON.
Emerson J. Johnston, one of the successful farmers of Holt township, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, April 15, 1861, and is a son of Hermanus H. John- ston, whose sketch appears in another part of this volume. He received his educa- tion in the district schools, while he obtained practical instruction in the conduct of agricultural work at home under the wise guidance of his father, who had learned the road to success. At the age of twenty-four he married and engaged in the business of life for himself. Now he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. Here he follows general farming with profit to himself and to the advantage of the community, for he is progressive in his methods and unsparing in his industry.
On the 22d of February, 1885, Mr. Johnston wedded Miss Mary Richardson, who was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Benjamin F. and
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Lila (Runnels) Richardson. The father was one of the early settlers of Taylor county, and when the Civil war was in progress he was one of her loyal sons who flocked to the defense of their country. He is now living in retirement in Gravity. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston: W. F., Mattie, May, Hazel E., J. M., Emma May and Lila Winnefred, all at home. Mrs. Johnston and her two older daughters are members of the Christian church. Mr. Johnston has always given his support politically to the republican party, in whose plat- form he places the greatest faith, and while not an office seeker has served as a school director for ten years. He recently resigned that position, however, and is devoting himself entirely to the cultivation of his fields. Abundant harvests tell with what return his efforts have met. for his crops are as large as any that could be reaped from the same amount of land.
GREEN CHANEY.
Green Chaney, a well-known agriculturist and stock-raiser of Platte township; owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 23. He was born in Greene county, Illinois, on the 12th of June, 1838, but in early life was brought by his parents to Mason county, that state, where he was reared. After the death of his father he and the other children of the family took charge of the home farm and cared for the mother until she, too, was called to her final rest.
On the Ist of September, 1861, Green Chaney wedded Miss Martha Short, likewise a native of Greene county. Illinois, and continued to reside on the old homestead place where he was reared. His wife passed away about a year after their marriage and on the 27th of December, 1865, he wedded Miss Mary C. Kelley, who was a native of Tennessee but was reared in Mason county, Ill- inois, from the age of twelve years. A few years later he took up his abode in Dewitt county. Illinois, where he purchased a farm and remained for a period of twenty-three years, devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pur- suits with excellent success. In November, 1890, he disposed of the property and came to Taylor county. lowa, purchasing a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 23. Platte township. The place was badly run down but he set resolutely to work, added to and remodeled the house, erected a large barn and good outbuildings and in fact carried on the work of improvement and cultiva- tion until the property is now lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. The farm is divided into fields of con- venient size by well kept fences and the attractiveness of the place is greatly en- hanced by a fine grove and orchard. Mr. Chaney has extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of forty acres and now owns a quarter section of rich and productive land, which returns to him a gratifying annual in- come. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he is also engaged in the raising and feeding of stock, breeding shorthorn cattle on quite an extensive scale. The son now carries on the business.
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