USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 57
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It was only about a year after Mr. Hamblin purchased this property that he sought a companion and helpmate for life, choosing Miss Edna Akey to preside over his household. They were married in Taylor county in December, 1878. She has a brother, Guy Akey, who is a well known farmer of Marshall township, this county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hamblin has been blessed with three daughters and three sons, namely: Amasa; Cora, the wife of Elmer Dutton, a resident farmer of this county; Olive; Bessie, the wife of Charles Reeder, who follows farming in Illinois; Ray, who at the age of fourteen years is attending ยท school at Gravity ; and Frank, who is nine years of age and is also in school.
Mr. Hamblin belongs to the Presbyterian church of Gravity, in which he is serving as an elder, his daily life being in strict harmony with his professions. When he took up his abode in Washington township, much of the land was still in a wild state and his own farm required much arduous labor to bring it to its present standard. In the years that have passed he has accomplished much and is today classed with the county's most substantial residents, his public-spirited citizenship being an influential factor in the community in which he lives.
FRANK U. HUNTER.
Frank Hunter is numbered among the agriculturists of Taylor county and is also gaining a reputation as an auctioneer, his services in this connection being in demand in various sections of the state. He was born in Page county, Iowa, February 5, 1869, being next to the youngest in a family of ten children, born of the marriage of John J. and Samantha (Hecox) Hunter, the other members of the family being William, Riley, Oscar, Truman, John, Tama, Caroline, Bessie and Henry.
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Frank U. Hunter was reared to farm life and when starting out upon his own account chose that occupation with which he was familiar. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located in Dallas township, and on this tract has been engaged in general farming throughout a long period. His place is improved with good buildings and his thorough understanding of farm labor has brought to him success in his undertakings. In later years, however, he decided to take up auctioneering and to that end entered the Carpenter School of Auctioneering at Trenton, Missouri, from which institution he was graduated in January, 1909. In this connection he has built up quite an extensive patronage, crying sales of all kinds in various sections of the state. For a number of years he has given close study to pedigreed stock and he expects to make that particular branch of auctioneering his specialty.
Mr. Hunter was married June 23, 1889, to Miss Abbie McAlpin, who was born in Page county, Iowa, in 1866, a daughter of Robert and Susan (Harris) Mc- Alpin. Mrs. Hunter has one sister and three brothers, these being Dora, Thomas, George and Charles.
A republican in his political beliefs, Mr. Hunter has taken a very active part in public affairs and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill some town- ship offices, having served as assessor of Dallas township one term, while at the present writing he is serving as school treasurer of the township. He is an Odd Fellow, holding membership with the lodge at New Market, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church. He is courteous, affable and ap- proachable, which will form strong features in the line to which he is now bend- ing his energies, and the sales which he has already conducted have brought to his patrons a good profit and this is proving his best advertisement.
WILLIS E. OXFORD.
A valuable farming property of one hundred and forty acres in Mason township has been in possession of Willis E. Oxford since January, 1906, and in its further development and improvement he is displaying a spirit of marked en- terprise combined with practical and progressive methods. He was born in Butler county, Iowa, January 17, 1878, and is a son of John W. and Alice Rose (Aman) Oxford. The former was a son of Elias and Ruth Oxford and the family is one that has long been represented in America. The children of Elias Oxford were : Harrison, now deceased ; Mrs. Sarah Reeves ; Mrs. Phebe Nichols ; Mrs. Mary Bird, deceased ; Mrs. Jane Bird ; Mrs. Caroline Randolph, deceased ; and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Benham.
The maternal grandfather of Willis E. Oxford was Walter G. Aman, a brother of John R. Aman. His children were: William L., Elmer E., Charles W., Bert R., Mrs. Alice Rose Oxford, Mrs. Ella Whiteman, Mrs. Effie Brewer, Mrs. Minnie Wolf and Mrs. Emma Brennen. The brothers and sisters of Willis E. Oxford are: Reuben M., John Logan, Orville W., George Francis and Mrs. Carrie Wolf.
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Willis E. Oxford began his education in the public schools of Butler county, Iowa, but after attending for one year accompanied his parents on their removal to Nebraska in 1885. The father died and the son assisted the mother in carry- ing on her business interests for a number of years. He also attended school in Nebraska until his sixteenth year, after which his undivided time and attention were given to the business interests of his mother. At length he determined to establish a home in his native state and, returning to Iowa, settled in Taylor county, purchasing his present farm in January, 1906. He now has an excel- lent tract of land of one hundred and forty acres, which is naturally rich and pro- ductive and responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. It is now most thrifty and attractive in appearance and he carries on general farming and also raises all kinds of stock. He has divided the place into fields of conve- nient size by well kept fences, has sunk wells and has kept the buildings in good re- pair, so that the farm presents a pleasing appearance.
On the 3d of October, 1901, Mr. Oxford was united in marriage at Bedford; Iowa, to Miss Minnie M. Raynor, a native of Taylor county and a daughter of Marquis de Lafayette and Alelia Raynor. Her father, who was a prominent farmer at Newmarket. Iowa, became one of the early settlers of this county, arriving in 1854 when few homes had been established within its borders. He was thereafter closely associated with the pioneer development of the community. He had seven brothers: William, Lewis, Ferd, Parker, Harvey, Austin and Ulysses. Having arrived at years of maturity, Mr. Raynor wedded Alelia Jay, a daughter of Mrs. Margaret Head and a sister of John Jay, Mrs. Mary Adams, Mrs. Kate Pace, Sime, Mrs. Mabel Tyree and Mrs. Edna Tyree. The last three were half brothers and sisters. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Raynor : Mrs. Emma Teeters, Mrs. Oxford, Mrs. Beniah Green, Mrs. Meadie, Holland and Mrs. Addie Adams. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Oxford has been blessed with four children: Lester Young, Carrie Emma, Vera Maud and Goldie Agatha.
In his political views Mr. Oxford is a democrat but while he keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day, he does not seek or desire office as a reward for his party fealty. His life has been a busy and useful one and hi's activity has brought him the success which he now enjoys, making him one of the substantial farmers of the county.
ROBERT H. COULTHARD.
Robert H. Coulthard, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section II, Holt township, was born in Wisconsin, September 3, 1864, and is a son of Henry and Mary ( Hutchinson) Coulthard, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He is the eldest in a family of ten children and was but six or seven years of age when they settled in this county. In consequence he can well re- member some of the hardships of the early days, for as soon as he was able he assisted in the work that was carried on on the home place and assumed some of its responsibilities. He remained there until 1891, when he married and set out
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to make a home of his own. The habits of industry and the skill he had learned in his youth have stood him in good stead and he is now the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres of fine arable land. On it he pursues a line of diversified agriculture, with what result is indicated by the excellent cultivation of his fields and the well cared for condition of his buildings.
In 1891 Mr. Coulthard was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hartzel, who was born in Henry county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Samuel and Josephine (Sigler) Hartzel. The father came to Iowa in the early days of its colonization and when the Civil war was inaugurated enlisted in the Thirteenth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. He is now living in Clayton township, this county, with his wife, who was born in Van Buren county, Iowa. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coulthard: Robert Louis, Clyde Henry and Mary Lois. They are all at home and are being reared in the faith of the Christian church, the religi- ous denomination to which their parents give their allegiance.
Mr. Coulthard is a republican in his political views and has held some re- sponsible positions in the local affairs, having served for the past fifteen years as treasurer of the school board and for two terms having fulfilled the duties of a township trustee. He has demonstrated that the trust of the public reposed in him was not misplaced, though he is modest of his abilities, and does not seek to bring himself conspicuously before the voters of his locality.
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RICHARD W. SOPER, M. D.
Dr. Richard W. Soper is a prominent member of the medical profession and a surgeon of ability, who practices in Taylor and Union counties, where for the past three years he has been accorded a liberal patronage. A native of England, he was born in the city of London, July 9, 1869, and received his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of the world's metropolis. He afterward studied medicine for four years at Guy's Hospital where he pursued a four years' course and later he devoted one year to further study in the Paris Polytechnic Institute. Wide research brought to him comprehensive knowledge and, splendidly trained for his chosen field of labor, he came to the new world in 1894, locating first in Cedar county, Iowa. There he purchased a farm and devoted a year to agricul- tural interests rather as an experiment, but this proved somewhat expensive and was not justified by results.
Then taking up the work of the profession for which he had prepared, Dr. Soper for two years acted as assistant to Dr. Jepson, one of the noted surgeons of the United States. Subsequently he became an army surgeon and spent two years at Fort Brady, Michigan. Later he was army surgeon for two years in the Philippine Islands and, resigning, he returned to the United States, locating at Creston, Iowa, where he continued until 1906, when he arrived in Conway. Here he resumed the private practice of medicine and surgery and in the mean- time to his comprehensive college training had been added broad practical ex- perience. He has performed some very critical and intricate operations since lo- cating here and is regarded as one of the representative men of his profession.
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He has also been a contributor to medical journals and his articles have been widely read. He belongs to the state and district medical societies, thus keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought in the profession and he is a member of the medical staff of the Cottage Hospital at Creston.
Dr. Soper was married in Kansas City, Missouri, on the Ist of November, 1902, to Miss Carolyn Rulon, a native of Illinois, who was born, reared and edu- cated in Monmouth. She died September 9, 1909. Both the doctor and his wife were reared in the Episcopal faith. In fraternal lines he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He has made many friends in this community and enjoys the hospitality of the best homes of Conway and this part of the county.
L. E. BEARD.
L. E. Beard, the story of whose life is the story of honest industry and thrift, has been aptly termed a man of purpose whose energy and determination are evidenced in the excellent appearance of a farm of two hundred and forty acres which he owns and cultivates in Ross township. His place is located on section 26 and in addition to this property he owns two other farms, one of seventy acres and another of eighty acres. These, too, are well improved and the agricul- tural interests of Mr. Beard are of such extent and importance as to class him with the representative and valued citizens of Taylor county. He dates his resi- dence here from 1872, arriving when a youth of fifteen years. He was born near Sandwich, DeKalb county, Illinois, on the 8th of August, 1857.
His father, H. C. Beard, was born in Vermont, January 4, 1826, and was reared to manhood in the Green Mountain State, pursuing his education there, after which he removed westward and took up his abode in DeKalb county, Illinois. In that district he wedded Miss Sarah Frances Sears, who was born in New York but was reared in Illinois. Mr. Beard engaged in teaching in the graded schools of Sandwich and was otherwise connected with the educational interests of that locality as county superintendent of schools, which position he filled for two terms. He also engaged in farming near Sandwich but sold his farm in that locality about 1869 and for three years made his home in the city. He then came to Iowa in 1872, settling in Taylor county. He bought land and developed a farm in Ross township and as his financial resources increased he made further investment in property until he was the owner of nearly six hun- dred acres. Upon that place he spent his last years and for a considerable period was numbered among the foremost representatives of agricultural life in this part of the state. His wife died upon the farm in 1891 and Mr. Beard after- ward lived with his children until his death in January, 1898.
L. E. Beard remained a resident of his native county until the removal to Iowa, since which time he has resided in Taylor county. He acquired his education in the district schools, in the public schools of Sandwich and in the high school of Bedford and later he engaged in teaching for one winter term. He was married November 15, 1887, in Ross township to Miss Nellie F. Myers, who was born in
MR. AND MRS. L. E. BEARD
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Henry county, Iowa, but was reared in this county, and is a daughter of W. O. Myers, who was an early settler and met death here by accident.
Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Beard took up his abode on the place where he now resides. His has been a life of well-directed diligence, thrift and industry. He began his farming operations here with two hundred and forty acres of land and from time to time he has made other investments until he is now the owner of three good farm properties in Ross township, having in addition to the home place two tracts of land of eighty and seventy acres respectively. On the home farm he has erected a commodious and substantial two story frame residence, has also built a good barn and commodious sheds and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has planted a grove and set out an orchard and alto- gether has a well-improved farm on which none of the equipments of the model farm of the twentieth century are lacking. He gives considerable attention to the raising of corn and other cereals and he also raises and feeds stock, this proving a profitable source of income to him.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beard have been born four children: George H., who is a graduate of the Bedford high school of the class of 1907 and is now engaged in farming, was married July 25, 1909, to Lulu Mick of this county ; Edwin is a pupil of the Bedford high school; Mary and Helen are yet under the parental roof.
The parents are members of the Bedford Christian church and Mr. Beard is serving as one of its officers. In the work of the church he takes an active and helpful interest and his cooperation is also given to many movements for the public good. Politically he is a republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and in local affairs he is somewhat prominent. He has been elected and served for two terms as assessor, has been identified for years with the schools in an official capacity and for some time has been president of the school board. He has also been census enumerator for the state at different times and has served as a delegate to the county conventions of the party. He is well known throughout this portion of the state, the extent and importance of his farming operations making him well known in agricultural circles, while his progressive citizenship and genuine personal worth have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he has come in contact in every relation of life.
REUBEN C. QUICK.
Reuben C. Quick, now living retired in Blockton, was for fourteen years closely identified with agricultural interests in Taylor county, ranking among the well known and prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Gay township. Born in Whitley county, Indiana, December 20, 1862, he is a son of Oliver and Sarah (Priest) Quick, natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married. The father engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ohio for some years and later removed to Whitley county, Indiana, being among the early settlers of that district. The region was largely wild and uncultivated at the time of his arrival and he was obliged to clear a space in the forest in order to erect his cabin. He
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at once set about improving and developing the land and soon had one hundred and sixty acres of land under a good state of cultivation. Subsequently he sold this property and moved to Iowa, locating in Mahaska county near Oskaloosa, where for some years he devoted his attention to raising and shipping stock. Later he removed to Hancock county locating upon a farm, where his death occurred a few years afterward. His first wife, Mrs. Sarah (Priest) Quick, was taken ill and passed away while on a vist to Ohio from Indiana. Later Mr. Quick married again and is still survived by his second wife, who has also again married.
Reuben C. Quick was a little lad of ten years when, in 1862, he accompan- ied his parents upon their removal from Indiana to Iowa, the family locating in Mahaska county. There the period of his boyhood and youth were spent, while he acquired his education in the common schools of Oskaloosa. Under the par- ental roof he grew to manhood, in the meantime assisting his father in the cultivation of his farm, whereby he gained a good, practical knowledge concern- ing the best methods of tilling the soil, planting the various cereals and harvesting the crops. That his early training was thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the success which later attended his efforts after he had entered the business world upon his own account.
Mr. Quick was married on the IIth of March, 1875, to Miss Susan McDonough, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Aden McDonough, also a native of that state. Her grandfather, who was born in Ireland, early came to America and was among the pioneer settlers of Ohio. In that state Mrs. Quick was reared and educated, and later removed to Mahaska county, Iowa, where she was married.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Quick began their domestic life upon a farm in Mahaska county, which Mr. Quick continued to cultivate until 1883, when he sold that property and came to Taylor county, purchasing a farm in Gay township. Directing his entire time and attention to its further improve- ment and cultivation, he repaired and remodeled the residence which stood upon the place, built a good windmill, commodious and substantial barns and outbuild- ings, and set out a good orchard. He was untiring in his efforts and through his unfaltering diligence and indefatigable perseverance he succeeded in making his farm, which consists of eighty acres located in the center of Gay town- ship, one of the valuable and desirable properties of the community. He engaged in general farming, cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate, and in connection therewith gave much attention to the feeding and raising of stock, fattening from one to two carloads of live stock per year. Both branches of his business proved remunerative and he continued to prosper until the spring of 1909, when, feeling that the measure of success which he had attained justi- fied his retirement from active labor, he left the farm and removed to Blockton, where he purchased a comfortable residence and has since made it his home, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Quick was blessed by the birth of two children. One daughter. Effie, passed away when only three years of age, while the sur- viving daughter is now the wife of Frank Cotterson, who is operating the Quick farm. They have a little son, Bruce Cotterson.
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Mr. Quick and his wife are members of the Blockton Methodist Episcopal church, and their many good traits of character have gained for them the re- spect of the people among whom they reside. Politically Mr. Quick gives his allegiance to the republican party, and although never seeking nor desiring public office for himself, he takes an active interest in the affairs of the community, doing all in his power to promote the general welfare. During his many years of residence in Gay township he has become well known because of his strict business integrity and honorable manhood, and he ranks high among Taylor county's substantial and representative citizens.
JOHN JAMES O'CONNELL.
John James O'Connell, one of the substantial members of the agricultural community of Holt township, was born in Ireland in 1843 and is a son of Patrick and Margaret O'Connell. The parents were also natives of Ireland, where they were married and where the father pursued the life of a farmer until 1847, when the conditions in the land of his birth suggested the feasibility of his coming to America. After landing upon the shores of this republic he came straight to Iowa, locating near Dubuque, where he and his wife died when their son was but nine years old.
So early in life deprived of parental care, John James O'Connell had to make his own way as best he could. He received his education in the district schools and at the age of eighteen years enlisted in the Union army. It was in August, 1862, that he joined Company F, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers as a private, and with his regiment participated in the engagements at Hartsville, Missouri; Port Gibson, Champions Hill and Black River Bridge. He also took part in the siege of Vicksburg, in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. He was taken ill with the measles and was confined to the regimental hospital, but he was never wounded nor taken prisoner, although he was a good soldier and was ever at his post of duty. At the close of the war he was mustered out of the army and returned to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming.
In 1873 Mr. O'Connell came to Taylor county, settling on section 15, Holt township, where he bought eighty acres of railroad land on ten years time. It was then but partly improved. He was in very moderate circumstances, many times subsisting upon the barest necessities, but he worked hard and was soon able to sell that place and purchase the one hundred and sixty acre farm on section 22 which has since been his home. This is a fine tract of land, well im- proved and adorned with a good house and other buildings suitable and com- modious. On it he has toiled faithfully and with such success that from time to time he has been able to add to his holdings until he now owns six hundred and twenty acres in Holt township.
At the age of twenty-five Mr. O'Connell wedded Miss Margaret O'Connell, who, though she bore the same name, was not related to him. She was born in Iowa, March 1, 1850, and through her marriage, has become the mother of thirteen children. The family circle has not been broken by the hand of death
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and consists of Daniel, who married Miss Winnie Feeney and lives in Corning, Iowa; William, who wedded Miss Frances Lard and lives in Montana; Frank, who, unmarried, remains at home; Henry, who married Miss Ellen Wolf and lives in Montana ; Mary, who is the wife of James McDonald, of Grove township, Taylor county ; Hannah, who married John McGraff, of Adams county, Iowa ; Joseph, who married Miss Mary Cain and lives in Holt township; Ellen, the wife of William Robinson, whose home is in Nebraska; Robert, Annie and Gus, all three at home; Alice, who is clerking in Corning, Iowa; and Gertie, who is at home.
The family are members of the Catholic church at Corning and are devout in the performance of their religious duties. Politically Mr. O'Connell has ever been a stanch republican and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln when he was the second time the candidate of his party. He has not been especially active in political affairs, but with a commendable public spirit he has served as township trustee for a period of eight years and for the past thirty years has been school director. The substantial position which he now enjoys in Holt township is entirely the result of his own efforts, for he did not even have the advantage of parental guidance which is the heritage of almost every boy, and many of the early years of his life were a constant struggle for the way to obtain the means of living. These obstacles and others he has surmounted and but few regrets can shadow the years as he looks back upon them.
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