USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 65
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Charles F. Dresher, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared on his father's farm in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and there acquired his education. Seven years were spent in the German schools of his district, and at the age of fourteen he began his study of the English tongue, in this way becoming familiar with both languages, being able to translate from one to the other with ease. After completing his education he remained on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he removed to Indiana, accepting a position as clerk at Worth- ington. On the expiration of one year, however, he went to Owen county, that state, and in 1858 came to Taylor county, Iowa, settling on a farm of eighty acres in Polk township. He directed his efforts to the cultivation of this farm, the soil responding readily to the care bestowed upon it and yielding gratifying returns, so that he was able, year by year, to add to his original purchase until his hold- ings amounted to two hundred and seventy acres. Close application, unfaltering energy and unwearying perseverance were factors in his success-a success which eventually permitted him to retire from active labor, and in 1900 he removed to Bedford. Here he purchased a nice home and is now enjoying in honorable retirement the fruits of his former labor.
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On the 24th of June, 1858, Mr. Dresher was united in marriage to Miss Nancy J. Morris, a daughter of Jesse and Polly ( Morris) Morris, and unto them were born five children : Mary Louisa, the wife of Frank Hamilton residing in Polk township; Charles Oscar, who wedded Jennie Aiten by whom he has two sons, William and Aiten; Jesse, who married Sarah Shearbeck and has two children, Helen and Charles; Anna, who is residing at home; and Arminta, the wife of W. E. Myers, of Conway, Iowa, a mail carrier, by whom she has one daughter, Josephine Jane. Mrs. Dresher was born in Indiana, while her par- ents were both natives of Kentucky. She was the fourth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, the others being: James W .; Morris; James G .; Wil- liam ; Amanda, the wife of Solomon Neumeyer; Martha Ann, deceased; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Kellar Thompson of Hopkins, Missouri; Hamilton ; Ben- jamin ; Marion ; and Monroe.
Mr. and Mrs. Dresher attend the Methodist church, of which they have been members for over fifty years. Mr. Dresher votes with the republican party, and that his fellow-citizens recognize and appreciate his sterling worth and public- spirited citizenship is indicated in the fact that they have, during his residence in this county, called him to offices of honor and trust, the various positions held by him being those of constable, justice of the peace, assessor, supervisor, town- ship clerk, school director, and in fact all of the township offices except that of township trustee, while his services as justice of the peace extended over many years. He has made an efficient and faithful officer, discharging the duties of the various positions which he has held with promptness and fairness, while his personal integrity and devotion to the public good have at all times remained un- questioned. In private life he has gained many warm friends who hold him in the utmost confidence and esteem.
S. J. WENTZEL.
S. J. Wentzel, who for almost two decades has been a prominent and success- ful representative of agricultural interests in Taylor county, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of November, 1843. He is a son of Daniel and Catharine (Campbell) Wentzel, natives of Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, where they were reared and married. His paternal great-grandfather fought for American independence during the Revolutionary war, while his grandfather, Daniel Wentzel, was a soldier of the war of 1812. His father, who was a stone-cutter by trade, followed that occupation in Pennsylvania for about thirty-six years and then settled upon a farm in Perry county, that state, where his remaining days were spent. His family consisted of five sons and seven daughters, all of whom reached mature years and reared families of their own, and were all church members. Of this number four sons and four daughters
still survive.
In the common schools of the Keystone State S. J. Wentzel acquired his edu- cation and on his father's farm he was reared to manhood, assisting his father in the work of the fields until twenty years of age. Then imbued with a spirit
MR. AND MRS. S. J. WENTZEL
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of patriotism, on th 2d of September, 1864, he enlisted for three years' service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company F, Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac and his first duty was on the picket line. Later, however, he participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Appomattox, Peach Or- chard, Bermuda Hundred, Fort Steadman, Petersburg, Five Forks or Hatchers Run. He was a member of a brigade detailed to tear up the railroads, during which time he took part in several skirmishes and was also one of twenty men detailed as a guard to escort General Fitzhugh Lee, with some twenty soldiers, to the Union lines. He later guarded twenty Confederate soldiers after Lee's surrender, keeping them in a building until morning, when they were released. He continued to serve with his regiment until the close of the war and was then mustered out at Alexandria. Later he marched to Washington, D. C., where he participated in the grand review, and was then honorably discharged at Harris- burg on the 17th of June, 1865. Throughout his entire service he lost no time through sickness or other causes, was always on duty and was loyal and brave in his defense of the old flag and the cause which it represented.
When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Wentzel returned home, where he assisted in the work of the farm and remained until after the fall crops were harvested. He then went to the pineries, where he worked in the timber through the following winter, and when spring came he boarded a canalboat at Williamsport and went to Baltimore. He made four trips to Key West, two from Baltimore and two from Fortress Monroe. Upon his return to his native state, having located in the county in 1857. He was at that time a young man in 1870 came west, locating in Knox county, Illinois, where he obtained employ- ment on a farm, working by the month for over a year. In 1872 in that county, he was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Cline, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was reared and educated. They began their domestic life upon a rented farm which Mr. Wentzel continued to operate for several years. He then removed to Iowa and took up his abode upon a farm which he had previously purchased in Taylor county. This farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres on section 26, Grant township, was but partially improved when it came into his possession, but he immediately set about bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. He erected a comfortable residence and a good, substantial barn, and has introduced upon the place various improvements which serve to make it one of the valuable and desirable properties of the township. He has made a close study of agriculture and is methodical, systematic and progressive, so that he is numbered among the substantial and successful farmers of his section of the county. In connection with his farming he engages in stock rais- ing and this branch of his business is proving a very gratifying source of income.
As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wentzel has been blessed with six children, five of whom are now living, namely: Charles Ira, who follows the occupation of farming; David Leroy, who is married and operates a farm in Platte township, Taylor county ; Laura May, the wife of F. L. Rood, of Clearfield, Iowa; Lydia Alice, who married Ed Grant of Northville, South Dakota; and Lucinda Adell, the wife of George Crane, of Ringgold county, Iowa. Mary F. passed away when three years of age.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Wentzel are members of the United Presbyterian church of Clearfield and are people of the highest personal worth, occupying an enviable place in the social circles of the community in which they reside. Politically Mr. Wentzel is a democrat although he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 while serving in the army. He also supported James A. Garfield, and it is a coincidence that both candidates were elected on his birthday and both were assassinated. He served as township trustee three or four different terms and was sent as delegate to various county conventions. His friends, and they are many, know him to be a man of high principles and stalwart purposes, and throughout the community in which he resides he commands the respect and con- fidence of those with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN P. KEENAN.
John P. Keenan is known as a progressive farmer, stock feeder and shipper and since 1895 he has made his home in Blockton, where he owns a nice residence, although he still retains possession of a valuable farm of three hundred acres, located within a mile and a quarter of Blockton. Mr. Keenan is a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, born December 27, 1857, and came as a young man of eighteen years to the west, making a location first in Taylor county, Iowa. He was here engaged three years in herding cattle. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Ringgold county, this state, and removing thereto, was engaged in its operation for several years. He then returned to Taylor county and purchased his present farm in Jefferson township, his place embracing three hundred acres of fine farming land. For a long period Mr. Keenan gave his entire attention to cultivating his farm and after taking possession he built a new house, supplied with all conveniences, built a barn and other outbuildings, set out an orchard and shade trees and his place is now one of the valuable properties of Jefferson town- ship and Taylor county. While still residing on the farm he also fed stock on quite an extensive scale, shipping annually about six carloads of cattle to the city markets. In 1895 Mr. Keenan left the farm and purchased a residence in Block- ton, which he has since occupied. He is still engaged in buying and shipping stock. He makes his purchases both in Iowa and Missouri and his long experience in this line of business has made him an excellent judge of stock, so that he is able to carry on a very profitable business.
It was during his residence in Ringgold county that Mr. Keenan was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Minnie Norton, whom he wedded February 18, 1884. Mrs. Keenan was born in Brown county, Illinois, a daughter of M. K. Norton. The latter was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and was there reared and married to Miss Rebecca Nelson, a native of Indiana county, that state. While still residing in the east Mr. Norton engaged in farming but in an early day went to Brown county, Illinois, while in 1868 he continued his journey westward, then locating in Ringgold county, Iowa. He there engaged in farming and spent his remaining days, passing away in 1888. Mrs. Norton survived for
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several years but is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keenan lost their only child, Hugh, who died when but eleven months old.
Mr. Keenan has been a life long democrat but would never consent to hold pub- lic office, preferring to give his attention to his private business affairs. He has always lived at peace with fellowmen. He has never incurred an indebtedness, nor has he ever sued any man. Mrs. Keenan is a member and an active worker in the Christian church. They are people of the highest respectability, and Mr. Keenan has a very wide acquaintance in Taylor and adjoining counties, his busi- ness transactions taking him to various sections of this state and Missouri. He has advanced year by year in the business world and today he stands as one of the most prominent stock buyers and feeders of this section of Iowa.
MYRON LE ROY BURT.
Varied business interests enter into the development, growth and progress of Bedford and among the enterprises which are indicative of the city's advance- ment is that of which Myron Le Roy Burt is proprietor. He is conducting a successful business under the name of the Bedford Light, Heat & Power Com- pany and in all of his business relations shows a ready adaptability to the needs at hand and an intelligent appreciation of the opportunities that are presented. He was born near Minonk, Marshall county, Illinois, June 24, 1878.
His father, Joseph Frank Burt, was likewise a native of that state and is now a farmer of Lane county, Kansas, where he has lived for the past eighteen years. He was reared, however, in Marshall county, Illinois, and there resided through the period of his early manhood. He married Miss Margaret Jane Shanklin, who was born in Kentucky and was a daughter of James and Sarah (Perkins) Shanklin, who were likewise natives of that state. Her father was a farmer by occupation and became an early resident of Marshall county, Illinois, where he died when eighty-eight years of age. His widow still survives and is now about ninety-two years of age. They were the parents of three sons and a daughter, the latter being Margaret Jane, who became Mrs. Burt. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burt are members of the Christian church and their many good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the friendship and kindly regard of those with whom business or social relations have brought them in contact. They have three children: James Floyd, living in Greensburg, Kansas; Myron L., of this review ; and Clarence Leslie, also of Greensburg.
After spending the first eight years of his life in his native county M. L. Burt accompanied his parents on their removal to Rockford, Illinois, where they lived for four years. He was a youth of twelve when he went with them to Lane county, Kansas, where he acquired a common-school education, after which he spent two years in the Kansas University at Lawrence. He next returned to Rockford, where he began working in the electric light business and in De- cember, 1902, he came to Bedford and purchased the Bedford Light, Heat and Power plant, which he has since operated. His establishment is well equipped
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
and he gives to his patrons good service in all these connections. He has now many subscribers and his business is steadily increasing in volume and importance.
Mr. Burt was married September 17, 1901, to Miss Mabel K. Keith, a daughter of Lewis and Louisa ( Farley) Keith. Two children were born of that union, Myron Le Roy. Jr., and one who died in infancy. The parents are mem- bers of the Christian church and Mr. Burt belongs to Bedford Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F., and to Bedford Lodge, No. 101, K. P. His study of the politica' questions and issues of the day has led him to give unfaltering allegiance to the republican party and in 1908 he was elected on that ticket to represent the eighth district in the state legislature, receiving a majority of three hundred and sixty- five. He is now serving on the railroads and transportation, mines and mining, municipal corporations, labor, suppression of intemperance, telephones, claims, institute for feeble-minded and enrolled bills committees, and is chairman of the senatorial district. He keeps well informed concerning the issues before the people and his labors in support of his party have been far-reaching and ef- fective. Moreover, he is always progressive as well as loyal in his citizenship and the politicai honor to which he has attained is worthily won. In local af- fairs he is a champion of all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride, and his record as a business man and citizen well entitles him to the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
GEORGE S. BEACH.
There are few citizens of Taylor county who more richly merit the title of a self-made man than does George S. Beach, who occupies a foremost rank among the prominent and progressive agriculturists and business men of Grove township. A native of New York, he was born in Herkimer county on the 15th of December, 1853, and he continued to make his home in the Empire State until ten years of age. In 1863 he came west with his mother to Illinois, taking up his abode in Monmouth with an uncle, General Harding, by whom he was reared to manhood. General Harding was a very prominent man in his locality, having served one or more terms in congress from the Monmouth congressional district. He was colonel of the Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and was in command during the second battle of Fort Donelson.
Mr. Beach acquired his early education in the schools of Monmouth and later, upon reaching years of maturity, was employed by his uncle to manage his farm- ing interests. Later he attended school in Chicago and studied law with a cousin in that city, and upon the completion of his legal course was admitted to the bar. Returning to Monmouth he again took charge of his uncle's farms, being thus en- gaged until the time of his marriage, after which, in 1876, he came to Iowa and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Taylor county. The following year he established his home upon that farm and set about its further development. Systematic, methodical and progressive in his methods, he so carefully managed his affairs that as the years passed he became very successful and was able to add to his original purchase from time to time until today his farm consists of five
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on sections 35 and 36, Grove township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. In its midst stands a large and commodious farmhouse, surrounded by a neat and well kept lawn, and in the rear are found two substantial barns and good outbuildings. He also has a fine orchard and grove of his own planting and has erected three sets of buildings upon the farm, all of which are comparatively new and in excellent condition. The farm is one of the best improved properties in the locality, bespeaking in its at- tractive appearance the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner and indicating the fact that he has ever kept in close touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. For some years he has, in connection with his general farming, given considerable attention to raising and dealing in stock, making a specialty of breeding Galloway cattle, being the owner of a herd of pure-blooded registered stock, with a fine imported bull at its head. He is also a breeder and dealer in pure blooded Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs, and his stock interests have proved a very gratifying source of revenue to him. That he has been eminently successful in his business affairs is indicated in the fact that aside from his extensive farming property he owns two good business houses in Lenox and two residences.
On the 12th of November, 1874, Mr. Beach was united in marriage to Miss Luella E. Cowan, a native of Illinois, having been born, reared and educated in Monmouth. She is a daughter of William Cowan, a pioneer settler of Warren county, Illinois, removing to that state from Pennsylvania at an early date. Mrs. Beach is a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind, who has a large circle of warm friends in the community. By her marriage to Mr. Beach she became the mother of eight children, the eldest, Alice E., having passed away in her sixth year. The others are: George H., who is married and resides on one of his father's farms; one who died in infancy; Nellie L., who still resides under the parental roof ; Effie J., the wife of Lee Jacoby, of Lenox ; Edna M., the twin sis- ter of Effie J., who became the wife of Harry Holbrook, of Concordia, Kansas ; Luella E., who wedded James Cottrell, a prominent farmer of Platte township, Taylor county ; and Clifford S., who is a student at Ames College.
Fraternally Mr. Beach is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Lenox and the chapter at Corning, having served as senior deacon in the former for several years, while he and his wife and three children are members of the Eastern Star. In politics he gave his allegiance to the republican party for a num- ber of years, but recently has become rather independent in his views, being governed at the polls by the character of the men and measures rather than by party ties. He has been called to positions of honor and trust, a fact that clearly indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He was elected assessor of Grove township and served in that capacity for ten years, and has been sent as a delegate to numerous state, county and congressional conventions.
During his residence in Taylor county, which extends over a period of more than thirty years, Mr. Beach has taken an active and influential part in the work of progress and advancement which has been carried on within its borders and has come to be recognized as one of its most public-spirited and representative citizens. Starting out in his business career in this county as a poor man, without capital or influence to aid him, he has, by indefatigable energy, untiring persever-
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ance and well directed efforts, made continuous progress in the business world, so that, with the aid of his estimable wife, he has accumulated much valuable property and is ranked among Taylor county's most substantial business men. No man's history indicates more clearly the value and power of close application, of concentration, of earnest and honorable purpose and of wise utilization of op- portunity.
J. T. DUNLAP.
J. T. Dunlap is numbered among the prominent, progressive and successful citizens of Taylor county, who, throughout his residence in Iowa, has improved various farming properties and through his labors has assisted materially in the work of the general development and advancement. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, May 1, 1859, and is a son of James R. and Mary C. (Taylor) Dunlap, natives of Pennsylvania and Adams county, Ohio, respectively. At an early date the father left the Keystone State and with his parents went to Ohio, where he was reared and married. He followed the occupation of farming for some years in Ohio and then in 1863 enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, be- coming a member of the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. He served throughout the remainder of the war and was honorably discharged, after which he returned to Adams county, Ohio. Subsequently he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where he operated a rolling and flour mill for about three years, when he sold out and purchased a farm, upon which he resided until 1881. In that year he re- moved to Lenox, Iowa, where his remaining days were passed. The subject of this review is the eldest in a family of six sons born unto Mr. and Mrs. James R. Dunlap, the others being: John N .; George P .; Robert S., deceased; Charles E., and an infant deceased. With exception of our subject all reside in California.
J. T. Dunlap was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, and on his father's farm he spent the years of his boyhood and youth. He acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of Mercer county and later supplemented this training by a good academic course. Shortly after laying aside his text-books he accompanied his parents on their removal to Adams county, Iowa, where the family took up its abode on a farm which the father purchased about four miles north of Lenox. There Mr. Dun- ham remained with his father and mother until their removal to Lenox, after which he took charge of the home farm and conducted it successfully for two years. He then went to Kansas, where he took up a homestead claim, upon which he resided for two years. At the expiration of that period he traded the farm for land in Adams county, Iowa, upon which he located and to the further cultivation and improvement of which he directed his efforts for some time. Later he sold that property and removed to California, engaging in prospecting in that state for one year.
After his return to Iowa Mr. Dunlap bought a farm in Grant township, Taylor county, near Clearfield, but soon afterward sold it and purchased land in Adams county. This property consisted of one hundred and sixty acres lo-
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cated north of Lenox. He put many modern improvements upon the place, erected good barns and outbuildings and continued to reside thereon until 1902, in which year he sold it at a great advance over the purchase price. He then invested in two hundred and forty acres on section 5, Platte township, Taylor county, where he now resides and which he has brought under an excellent state of cultivation. The soil is naturally rich and fertile and under his careful management is yielding abundant crops annually. He erected a large two-story residence upon the place and also two big barns and substantial outbuildings, and the farm lacks none of those modern conveniences and accessories for facili- tating farm labor. In connection with general farming, he engages extensively - in the stock-raising business, breeding, feeding and shipping cattle, hogs and sheep. He also makes a specialty of breeding pure blooded Shire horses, in which connection he has raised and sold some very high priced colts. He is the owner of a fine imported English Shire stallion for breeding purposes. By close application to his various interests, and by constant exertion combined with good judgment, he has gained a place among the substantial citizens of Taylor county, and the gratifying degree of prosperity to which he has attained clearly indicates the business ability which he has displayed.
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