USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 59
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On the 14th of January, 1892, Mr. Glassgow was married to Miss Belle Hunter, who was born in Henry county, Iowa, in 1873, and is the daughter of Giles and Jennie (Armstrong) Hunter, and a granddaughter of George Hunter. She is one of a family of five children : Belle, Doudand, Ralph, John and Blaine. To Mr. and Mrs. Glassgow have been born a family of four, who are still living, Allie, Essie, Edward and Ray, while Opal Belle died in infancy.
In political matters Mr. Glassgow gives his support to the republican party, for whose candidate he has never failed to cast his vote from the first time he could exercise his franchise as a citizen of this republic. Though he is an advocate of good government, he has never sought public office for himself, finding his time fully occupied with his farming and stock interests and fully content with the returns they have brought him.
C. W. ELY.
After many years spent in earnest toil as a farmer in Taylor county, C. W. Ely is enabled to put aside business cares and live retired in a modern home in Lenox, where he has resided the past two years. He still retains possession of his valuable farming property in Platte township, from which he derives a good annual income. Mr. Ely was born in Athens county, Ohio, December 14, 1859. a son of James Ely, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. When a youth of fifteen years C. W. Ely accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Taylor county, Iowa, and here he helped his father to open up and develop the homestead farm in what was at that time, 1875, an unsettled district. He continued to assist his father in the work of the farm until he reached ma- ture years, and then established a home of his own by his marriage, Decem- ber 7, 1881, to Miss Ada M. Reeve, who was born in Illinois but was reared in Taylor county, having accompanied her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Reeve, to this county during her girlhood days.
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Following his marriage Mr. Ely located on a farm belonging to his father and in connection with other land which he rented; continued to operate the place for several years. As time passed and he acquired a sum sufficient to justify him in purchasing land he became the owner of eighty acres, which con- stitutes a portion of his present holdings in Platte township. He made improve- ments on the place and in due time placed the land in' good condition to farm and thus gathered good harvests each year. From the sale of his crops he gained the money that enabled him to invest in more land and today he is the owner of three hundred and sixty acres divided into two farms and supplied with good and substantial farm buildings, fences, orchards and groves, all of which im- provements have been made by Mr. Ely. For many years he was busily employed in carrying on farm work and in feeding and fattening stock for the market, shipping two carloads of cattle and hogs each year. His success has been won through his own labor and through his judicious investments and thus it was in 1907 that he felt justified in putting aside business cares and taking life more easy. In that year he purchased a lot in Lenox and has recently completed one of the finest and most up-to-date residences in this section of Taylor county. He now occupies his new home, while his farms are being operated by his sons.
It was soon after taking up his abode in Lenox that Mr. Ely lost his wife, her death occurring in October, 1907. Her demise was the occasion of deep regret not only to the members of her own household, where she was known as a faithful wife and mother, but to a large circle of friends as well. She had become the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters. The eldest, James L., is married and is now located on a farm belonging to his father. He has one son, Marvin. Lulu B., is now the wife of Louis N. Walter, a son of Henri Walter, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and they make their home in Adams county, Iowa, where Mr. Walter follows farming. They have a son and daughter, Clifford and Ethel Walter. The next of the family is George G. Ely, who is married and operates one of his father's farms in Platte township. Julia B., is a young lady at home. Mr. Ely was married a second time on the 7th of November, 1908, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Mrs. Lucy Berry. She was reared in Taylor county near the old home of Mr. Ely and they were companions during their youthful days. Mrs. Ely completed her education in the high school at Lenox and later gave her hand in marriage to a Mr. Berry, after which they located in St. Joseph, where Mr. Berry passed away. Mrs. Ely is a lady of many excellent traits of character and has not only renewed the acquaintanceship of many old friends in and near Lenox but has also gained many new friends during her short residence here.
Politically Mr. Ely is identified with the republican party and through re- election is serving his second term as township trustee. He has been identified with the school board for many years and at present is serving on the school board of Lenox. Mrs. Ely is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lenox and is an active worker in both the church and Sunday-school. Dur- ing the thirty-five years in which Mr. Ely has made his home in Taylor county he has seen great changes. Lenox at that time was but a crossroads village and he has seen it grow into a thriving and enterprising little city, while the country round about has become thickly settled with a progressive class of farmers who
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take pride in keeping their farms in excellent condition. By patience and energy Mr. Ely has been an active factor in bringing these changes about and now in the evening of life he has wisely selected as a place for a quiet home the community which he has helped to establish.
WILLIAM WILDMAN.
More than forty years ago William Wildman came to Taylor county to cast in his lot with its pioneer settlers, and although he faced a difficult problem, he addressed himself to the task which western life presented with steadiness and courage, which as the years have gone by has won him success, as is evidenced by his valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres located in Gay township. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1840, a son of Manassa and Rachel (Fox) Wildman, who were likewise natives of that county, the former born June 9, 1815. He was there reared and followed farming through- out his entire business career. His first wife died in 1854, after which he was again married. His family numbered six sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter still survive, the brother of our subject being Joseph Wildman, who still lives in Pennsylvania, while the sister is Mary, the wife of Elias Cowell, a resident of Maloy, Ringgold county, Iowa. The father passed to his final reward in 1886, when he was seventy-one years of age.
William Wildman was reared on the home farm in the Keystone State and after arriving at years of maturity worked in the oil region of that state for a few years. He was married in Greene county, in July, 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Irene Cowell, a native of that county and a daughter of Jacob Cowell, a farmer of Greene county.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wildman located on a farm in Greene county, where he rented a tract. He believed, however, that the west offered better agricultural advantages and with the hope of more quickly acquir- ing a competence, in 1868 he made his way to Taylor county, Iowa, and for three years operated a tract of rented land. At the end of that time he found himself in possession of a sum of money sufficient to invest in property and accordingly became the owner of forty acres of raw land. He built a small house and barn on the place and then gave his attention to the development of the land. In due time he purchased an additional tract of forty acres and still later added eighty acres, so that his place now comprises one hundred and sixty acres; situated on section 27, Gay township. He planted an orchard and evergreen trees and other shrubbery on the place, while in 1903 he replaced his pioneer home with a modern residence. He has also enclosed his lawn with a neat iron fence and his place presents a very attractive appearance. He does general farming and also raises and feeds stock, fattening about eighty head of hogs for the market each year ..
Mr. and Mrs. Wildman have had eleven children but three of the number died in childhood, while Ora D. died in the spring of 1906 at the age of twenty- six years. The surviving members are: John; Jair; W. R., who is engaged in
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farming and is also acting as clerk of Gay township; L. W .; Myrtle O., a young lady at home; Mattie P. and Ersel B., also at home.
Mr. Wildman gives his political support to the democratic party and cast his first presidential ballot for George B. McClellan in 1864, while his last vote was cast in 1908 for W. J. Bryan. He has served at various times for twelve years as trustee of the township and for a number of years has been identified with the school board, at the present time serving as its president. He is a Master Mason, belonging to the lodge at Blockton. Mrs. Wildman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Gay Center. Mr. Wildman is a man of tried in- tegrity and worth, fully meriting the confidence of the people. More than forty years have come and gone since he arrived in Taylor county and in the intervening period he has been a prominent factor in advancing the agricultural interests of this section of the state. Well known in Bedford, Blockton and various sections of the county, his life history cannot fail to prove of interest to his many friends, by whom he is highly respected and esteemed.
EDWARD LUTON.
Edward Luton owns a nicely improved farm of forty acres, situated on sec- tion 9, Grove township, which has been his home for about three decades. He was born in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, October 23, 1837, and was there reared to years of maturity, after which he went to Cherry Valley, New York. It was in the Empire State that he enlisted in 1861 as a member of Battery M, Third New York Light Artillery. He was in the Army of the Potomac, first under General Butler and later under General Burnsides, participating in the second battle of the Wilderness, Missouri Bluff and Fort Wagoner, while later he was with his command at Washington, North Carolina. He was also in the seige of Petersburg and the engagements at Richmond and Cold Harbor. Be- coming ill with a fever he spent a month in a hospital at Fort Hatteras. He rejoined his regiment at Newberne, North Carolina, and served till the close of hostilities. He was present when General Lee surrendered and saw him deliver his sword to General Grant, who declined to accept it. Mr. Luton was honorably discharged at Syracuse, New York, in July, 1865.
After his military career Mr. Luton spent two or three years working in a sawmill on the Gulf of Mexico. He journeyed from the gulf up the river to Cairo, Illinois, and later went to Missouri, where he worked on railroad con- struction. After a time spent in that way he farmed for three years in Clay county, Missouri, and subsequently went to Lee county, Illinois, working at farm labor near Dixon. He spent five years in the employ of one man and while residing in that district established a home of his own by his marriage in 1870 to Miss Elsie Hill, who was born in Lee county and engaged in teaching prior to her marriage.
Following his marriage Mr. Luton continued to farm in Lee county for two years and then journeyed westward, locating on a raw tract of eighty acres in Marshall township, Taylor county. He improved the place and cultivated the
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land for six years. He then disposed of that farm and purchased his present home farm of forty acres, situated on section 9. Grove township. On this he has erected a nice country residence, a barn and other outbuildings, and although the place had not a tree or shrub upon it when Mr. Luton took possession it now has a good bearing orchard, while shade trees not only add to the attractive appear- ance of the place but afford comfort as well. Mr. Luton is not engaged in farm- ing to any great extent but makes a business of feeding stock and has met with merited success in this venture.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Luton has been blessed with a son and daughter. Albert, who is married and has one daughter, has made his home in Canada for the past four years. Effie is the wife of Fred Wheeler, a barber of Clearfield.
Mr. Luton cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln and has supported each republican nominee since that time. He belongs to the G. A. R. post at Lenox, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and his daughter of the Christian church. He started out in life in a humble way but is now numbered among the citizens of worth in Taylor county. He possesses a patriotic spirit and at all times is actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare.
SAMUEL WILLIAM BRAND.
Among the younger class of residents of Washington township who are meeting with success in their farming operations is Samuel William Brand, own- ing and operating a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of fine land. A native of Illinois, he was born in McDonough county on the 17th of March. 1881, and is a son of George and Sarah Rosella (Crabb) Brand. The father, who was born in Illinois in 1853, still survives and makes his home upon his farm in Washington township, where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1880 to Miss Sarah Rosella Crabb, and in their family were four children, Samuel William, Ezra, Lena and Rosa, the last two being now deceased. The Crabb family originally came from Illinois and Mrs. Brand was one of a family of three children, the others being: John M, of Clarinda; and Ella, the wife of Jesse Bullock. After the death of his first wife George Brand was again married. his second union being with Mrs. Dell Clark, by whom he has one daughter, Bessie. By her former marriage Mrs. Brand has three daughters : Pearl, Eva and Mable.
Samuel William Brand is indebted to the public schools of Atchison county, Missouri, for the educational privileges which he enjoyed, remaining a student thereof until 1900. The periods of vacation were devoted to assisting his father in the work of the farm, wherein he learned lessons concerning the value of energy, industry and perseverance. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when, crossing the threshold of the business world, he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account, purchasing the farm upon which he now resides. This consists of one hundred and twenty acres of fine land, and that his early training upon the home farm was thorough and com-
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prehensive is indicated by the fact that his place is today one of the well-improved farming properties of the locality, responding readily to the care and labor be- stowed upon it and bearing evidence in its well-kept and attractive appearance of the progressive and up-to-date methods of its owner. Aside from tilling the soil and raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, Mr. Brand de- votes considerable time to raising cattle, horses and hogs. He has also raised some sheep. His efforts along the line of his chosen work have been crowned with gratifying success during his brief business career, and as he has prospered he has added various improvements to his farm, having erected one of the best and most attractive residences in his section of the township. He has also built substantial barns and outbuildings which stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift.
Mr. Brand was united in marriage in Clarinda, Page county, Iowa on the 28th of December, 1904, to Miss Maud Gertrude Gilmore, a daughter of J. W. and Emma Gilmore, the former a prominent farmer residing in Nebraska. Unto this union was born, April 16, 1907, a daughter Edna Irene, who is the light and life of the household. Although Mr. Brand is one of the recent arrivals in Wash- ington township, he has, nevertheless, during his brief residence here gained many friends and his salient characteristics are such as to command the honor, respect and good will of all with whom he is associated. A man young in years, he has already won a degree of success in his business ventures that augurs well for a bright future.
MELBON ROSCOE BRANT.
Melbon Roscoe Brant, a well known representative of the legal frater- nity of Bedford, was born at Fontanelle, Adair county, Iowa, October 23, 1880. He is a son of Adam and Mary G. (Gregory) Brant, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana. The paternal grandfather was David Brant, who was likewise born in the Keystone State and was of Scotch-Ger- man descent. He died there when only about thirty-five years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Taylor and, surviving her husband for many years, reached the age of sixty-six. They were the parents of six children, of whom three are now living: Adam, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Cyrus, whose home is in Frankfort, Indiana; and Hannah, the wife of Edward Simms, of Dayton, Indiana.
Adam Brant was for many years a farmer and live stock dealer and is now engaged in dealing in live stock at Kansas City, Missouri. He wedded Miss Mary G. Gregory, a daughter of David Gregory, who was born in Indiana in pioneer times and was of Scotch-German lineage. He devoted his life to gen- eral farming and died at the age of thirty-six years. His wife also passed away at a comparatively early age. In their family were four daughters and a son : Mary G., who became Mrs. Brant; Sophia, who is married and lives in Portland, Oregon; Ida, who is married and resides in Eugene, Oregon; Mag- gie, the wife of James Hanna, of Hood River, Oregon ; and Joseph B., a resident
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of Chicago. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Brant was blessed with three sons and a daughter, as follows: William J., a druggist of Glenwood, Iowa; Ramer E., a train dispatcher residing at El Reno, Oklahoma; Melbon R., of this review; and Elda June, the wife of Walter T. Matson, an attorney of Wichita, Kansas. The parents are members of the United Brethren church and the warm esteem in which they are uniformly held indicates the integrity and up- rightness of their lives.
Melbon R. Brant, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Adair county, Iowa, and was graduated from the Fontanelle high school with the class of 1898. Desiring to follow a professional career, he then removed to Iowa City and entered the law department of the state university, from which he won his LL. B. degree when nineteen years of age. Because of his youth he could not then be admitted to the bar but on the day on which he attained his majority he was licensed to practice in the courts of Iowa and opened his office in Bedford, where he still remains. On the Ist of January, 1907, he was elected county attorney and in that office he discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. His record has at all times been that of a forceful lawyer, whose de- votion to his clients' interests is proverbial and yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.
On the 15th of January, 1907, Mr. Brant was married to Miss Fannie Fern Fordyce, a native of Platteville, Iowa, and a daughter of Arthur B. and Rachel (Bowers) Fordyce, who were natives of Pennsylvania and became early settlers of Taylor county, Iowa, where they reared their family of three children, the brothers of Mrs. Brant being John Fordyce, living in Platteville, and Benson W. Fordyce, who is practicing dentistry. Mr. and Mrs. Brant have one child, Melbon Roscoe, Jr., born August 14, 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Brant are members of the Methodist church and are held in high respect by all who know them by reason of their allegiance to those princi- ples, movements and activities which are for the benefit of the individual and for the public good. Fraternally he is connected with Bedford Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F., and politically is a republican.
ARTHUR LEONARD.
Arthur Leonard, a successful farmer and sheep raiser of Holt township, is the son of Daniel and Jane (Heath) Leonard, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He was born upon his father's homestead in this county, September 14, 1868. and while he attended the district school he worked for his father, who was just emerging from the hardships which surrounded him when he settled in this part of the state. Reared to agricultural pursuits he has continued to follow that vocation from choice and now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is finely improved and cultivated by the most advanced methods. He pursues general farming but is also interested, with his father and his brothers, in the importing and breeding of Shropshire sheep. This industry has
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won him not only success financially, but also a reputation throughout the state that is really enviable.
On the 25th of February, 1892, Mr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Esther Coulter, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois. Her father, John Coulter, now deceased, was one of the agricultural community of Holt township and was widely known. Mrs. Leonard is a member of the Christian church, but her husband does not affiliate with any denomination. Politically he finds him- self in sympathy with the platform of the republican party and has always been active in local affairs. For the past sixteen years he has rendered valuable assist- ance to the cause of education as one of the school directors and for eight years has served the community as constable. He is also much interested in fraternal matters and active in the various lodges to which he belongs. He has attained to the third degree in Masonry, in the lodge at Corning; belongs to the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Iveyville; and to that of the Woodmen of the World at Corning. With his wife he is also a member of the Royal Neighbors at Iveyville. Still in the prime of life, he may well look forward to many years of prosperous activity. So far he has been well repaid for his efforts and there is every reason to be hopeful of the future.
JOHN D. MOORE.
John D. Moore, a well-known and successful agriculturist and stockman of Washington township, is the owner of a finely improved and productive farm of two hundred acres. His birth occurred in Davis county, Iowa, on the 16th of June, 1861, his parents being Edward W. and Emeretta (Ogden) Moore. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Jabis and Alatha (Baker) Moore, who reared a family of ten children, as follows: Edward W., Garrett, John, Elizabeth, Lila, Thomas, Daniel, Robert, James and Jabe. Mr. and Mrs. John Ogden, the maternal grandparents of John D. Moore, had a family of three chil- dren, namely: Emeretta, Aaron and Albert. Unto Edward W. and Emeretta (Ogden) Moore were born seven children: John D., Green, Ira, Mary Ellen, Garrett, Hattie and Frank.
When a little child of three years John D. Moore was brought by his parents to Taylor county, this state, and has here continued to reside to the present time. He obtained a good practical education as a student in the district schools and early in life became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, aiding his father in the work of the home farm. He has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire busi- ness career and is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in section 19, Washington township. This is a neat and well improved property, carefully cultivated and displaying in its attractive appearance the energy and diligence of the owner. He breeds horses, cattle and hogs and also buys and feeds cattle, this branch of his business contributing not a little to his annual income.
Mr. Moore has been married twice. On the 3d of July, 1883, he wedded Miss Addie Marshall, a daughter of William and Amanda (Burr) Marshall, by
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whom he had five children, namely : Jessie, Nettie, Oma, Loretta and Nina. On the 3d of July, 1900, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lizzie Hunt, a daughter of Philip and Jane (Mosier) Clouse. The one child of this marriage, Mildred, is deceased, and they now have an infant daughter.
Politically Mr. Moore is a stalwart advocate of the republican party, believ- ing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Gravity, Iowa. Having lived in this county for a period of forty-five years, he is well and fa- vorably known within its borders and is widely recognized as one of its most substantial, enterprising and representative citizens.
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