USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 66
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On the 20th of May, 1884, in Adams county, Iowa, Mr. Dunlap was united in marriage to Miss Hattie E. Fulton, a native of Benton county, Iowa, where she was reared. She received good educational advantages and is a graduate of the Lenox high school. Unto this union were born three chilren, namely : William K., who is married and carries on general farming in Taylor county ; Eula .B., the wife of Earl Rogers, a farmer of Adams county; and James L., still under the parental roof.
Mr. Dunlap's religious faith is indicated in his membership in the United Presbyterian church, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. During his residence in Adams county he served as township trustee and assessor and is now filling the office of president of the school board, the cause of educa- tion finding in him a warm friend. He is thoroughly identified with the interests of Taylor county, his influence at all times being upon the side of progress, re- form and improvement. His life has been actuated by a laudable ambition to at- tain success and as the years have passed he has achieved a measure of prosperity which has come to him as the reward of persistent and earnest labor, so that he has gained a place among the representative agriculturists and stock dealers of his community. Moreover, the standard of life that he set up for himself lias been one that has commanded for him the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
FRANCIS J. ROGERS.
Francis J. Rogers, who since 1901 has been identified with the hardware in- terests of New Market, is meeting with gratifying success and ranks high among the progressive merchants of the city. He was born near West Point, in Cuming county, Nebraska, on the 5th of October, 1874, and is a son of John and Eliza A. (Chappell) Rogers. Acquiring his early education in the schools of Adams and
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Taylor counties, Iowa, he devoted his time to his text-books and remained upon the home farm, assisting his father in the work of the fields during the vacation periods until he was eighteen years of age and throughout this time he learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. Subsequently he entered Simp- son College at Indianola, Iowa, where he remained for one year, and then he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account.
Mr. Rogers was thus identified for two years, the expiration of which period witnessed the beginning of his career as a hardware merchant. He entered busi- ness at Guss, Iowa, but after one year he sold out and came to New Market, in 1901, where he entered the hardware business in partnership with J. S. Harris. This relation existed for one year, when Mr. Rogers' brother, G. S. Rogers, en- tered the firm and two years later he purchased the interest of Mr. Harris, since which time the brothers have continued to conduct the store. From its inception the business has been most successful, having gained throughout the intervening years a very extensive patronage which is constantly growing. The enterprise is conducted along progressive and modern lines and the policy of the house is such as to inspire confidence in its patrons, while Mr. Rogers, recognizing the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement, makes a close study of the needs of the people and attempts at all times to meet the demands of the general public. He possesses good business ability and executive control and these characteristics are potent elements in the successful conduct and expansion of the business.
It was on the 6th of March, 1901, in Bedford, Taylor county, that Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Orpha Eells, a daughter of E. H. and Lucy (Huss) Eells, the former a retired farmer making his home in New Market, Iowa. In fraternal relations Mr. Rogers is a Mason, holding membership in the blue lodge, and he is likewise affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is filling the office of township clerk, while he is also serving as a director of the New Market schools, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. Loyal and progressive in his citizenship, he exerts his influence upon the side of reform, advancement and improvement and his many excellent personal traits have gained for him a wide acquaintance during his residence in Taylor county, his fellowmen enter- taining for him high regard, esteem and good will.
D. B. PAXTON.
Among the prominent business men of Blockton may be numbered D. B. Pax- ton, who is conducting a general store in this city, having been located here since 1895. Mr. Paxton was born in Preble county, Ohio, December 23, 1851, and was there reared to farm life, while his education was acquired in the common schools. In 1880, believing the advantages of the west offered good opportunities to the ambitious young man, he came to Iowa and locating in Warren county, where he engaged in farming for five years. He then secured employment in a store at Milo, being engaged as clerk about six years, after which he purchased an in- terest in the store and continued at that place until 1895. Disposing of his interests
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there, he then came to Blockton and embarked in his present business, carrying a full line of dry goods and groceries and handling only the best grade of goods. High quality and moderate prices have made this enterprise one of the best in Blockton.
It was in Preble county, Ohio, in 1875, that Mr. Paxton was united in marriage to Miss Martha Smith, who was born and reared in that county. In early life he gave his political support to the republican party but is now a strong prohibition- ist, though at local elections he votes independently. He has served as a member of the city council three years and has been identified with the schools. He helped to organize the Blockton high school and is ever interested in advancement along educational lines, whereby the children of the neighborhood can be benefited. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church and are teachers and active workers in the Sunday-school.
A public-spirited citizen, Mr. Paxton has been an influential factor in many improvements that have been made in Blockton since the time of his arrival. He has a kindly, genial nature and is very considerate in his intercourse with all peo- ple, being to all equally affable, whether they are poor or have wealth. He is a typical business man and Blockton is proud to number him among her best and most substantial citizens.
S. J. HOPSON.
About four years ago S. J. Hopson, who enjoys the reputation of being the best photographer in Taylor county, established himself in business in Bedford. His studio, located on the corner of Main and Court streets, exhibits some fine examples of his art, evincing the fact that he is more than an artisan, being in truth a real artist. A native of this county he was born February 7, 1878, his par- parents being James Elliot and Lydia S. (Honneysett) Hopson. The former was born in Chautauqua county, New York, December 4, 1831, and spent the years of his boyhood and young manhood in the place of his birth. For a con- siderable period he was employed on railroads in the east, in the capacities of brakeman and engineer, and then, in 1875, came to Iowa, locating upon an un- improved farm in Ross township, Taylor county. He still makes his home there, but while he has for so many years been engaged in agricultural pursuits, he is better known as an insurance man, for during the past thirty-four years he has been the agent of the Farmer's Insurance Company, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
James Hopson has been twice married. Of his first union there were two children, namely: Albert, who is a farmer in this county; and Edna, who is the wife of Ellsworth Foreman, of Bedford. His present wife is also a native of Chautauqua county, New York, where her birth occurred March 22, 1833. By her previous marriage she had two children but only one, Virtue A. Gates, is living. By her union with Mr. Hopson two children have also been born: S. J., the subject of this sketch; and John who has a family and lives with his father on the farm in Ross township.
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The reputation of being the leading photographer of the county is not one which has been hastily conferred upon S. J. Hopson but one to which he has proved his right by the character of the work he has been able to turn out. Many years' ex- perience has given him a skill in the posing of his subjects and in the developments of his plates and pictures, and while part of this cleverness may have been gained through apprenticeship to some of the prominent men in his line throughout the United States, the artistic touches which make his products distinguished among many others are the outgrowth of his own abilities, of his sensitiveness to line and form. In short it is the combination of those qualities which make him more than a mere manipulator of an instrument. It is for those characteristics of his, recognizable wherever his pictures are on exhibition, that he has been accorded a title of which he may in all modesty be justifiably proud.
JAMES T. CARTER.
Among the citizens of Grove township, Taylor county, whose well-directed efforts along agricultural lines have made it possible for them to withdraw from active business life and enjoy in well-earned rest the fruits of their former toil, is James T. Carter, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, his birth occurring near Zanesville on the 24th of April, 1840. Under the parental roof he was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools of his native county, and at the same time he gained a thorough and practical knowledge of the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm until about nineteen years of age.
Mr. Carter then went to Henderson county, Illinois, where he later purchased and opened up a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in partnership with his brother, W. M. Carter. He carried on agricultural pursuits in that county until 1879, in which year he came to Iowa, having previously purchased four hundred acres of raw prairie land in Grove township, Taylor county. For some time he was engaged in the arduous and difficult task of developing new farming land, in the meantime meeting many obstacles and hardships, but determination and ambition were strong within him and he persevered from year to year until his efforts were crowned with gratifying success. He and his brother became the owners of one thousand acres of valuable land. The property, which was but partially improved when it came into their possession, was, under their wise man- agement and careful direction, brought under a high state of cultivation. Later the brothers severed their connection and divided the property, and James T. Carter added to his holdings from time to time until he eventually owned six hundred and forty-five acres of well-developed land, all in one body, constituting him one of the extensive landowners of Grove township. He made many im- provements upon the farm and in addition to general agricultural pursuits gave considerable attention to stock interests, breeding and dealing in Percheron horses, and having in his possession many fine specimens. He also made a specialty of feeding and fattening cattle for the market, and the excellence of his stock commanded high prices and ready sales. He was thus engaged upon that farm
O
JAMES T. CARTER
MRS. JAMES T. CARTER
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until the year 1902, when he took up his abode upon his present farm, consisting of five hundred acres of valuable land on section 28, Grove township, and equipped with three sets of buildings, all in excellent condition. It is a well- improved property, in the midst of which he has erected a neat and attractive residence, and here he is now living practically retired from the active duties of business life.
It was on the 9th of March, 1863, in Henderson county, Illinois, that Mr. Carter was united in marriage to Miss S. S. Lovitt, who was born, reared and educated in Muskingum county, Ohio. Unto this union have been born two sons and two daughters, one daughter, Alta May, having passed away in infancy. The others are : Olivia, the wife of A. L. Gordon, of whom mention is made on an- other page of this book; Darwin L., an extensive stock raiser and farmer of Grove township, a sketch of whom also appears elsewhere in this volume; and Claud, engaged in farming and stock raising in this township.
Mr. Carter's religious belief is indicated in his membership in the Blue Grove Christian church, the teachngs of which form the guiding influence in his life. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given his political allegiance to the democracy on all national issues, but at local elections he supports the best men and measures, regardless of party ties. He served as township clerk for a number of years and has been closely and helpfully identified with educa- tional interests for some time, doing all in his power to advance the standard and efficiency of the schools throughout the township. The record of Mr. Carter has been a long and useful one, in which his efforts have not only been a means of winning for him a most gratifying measure of success, but have also been potent elements in the growth and development of the community at large. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he has ever cooperated in all measures which have for their object material, intellectual and moral development and advance- ment, and now, in the evening of life, he is yet keenly interested in the com- munity's welfare, the consensus of public opinion according him a foremost place among the most substantial, representative and valtted citizens of the township.
JOSEPH COOPER.
An excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres located on section 27, Grant township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by Joseph Cooper who, through his industry and well directed efforts in agricultural lines, is meeting with a most creditable degree of prosperity. He was born on the 17th of May, 1866, in Lee county, Illinois, his parents being William and Hannah Cooper. He is a brother of J. R. Cooper, a prominent business man and banker of Conway, Taylor county, extended mention of whom is made on another page of this volume. Reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, he ac- quired his education in the district schools near his home and when not busy with his text-books assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued to give
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his father the benefit of his assistance until the latter's death, after which he re- mained upon the homestead, caring for his mother, for a number of years.
The year 1891 witnessed his arrival in Taylor county, and he settled in Grant township, purchasing the farm of three hundred and twenty acres on sec- tion 27 which is now his home. Under his care the soil, which is naturally rich and fertile, has been brought under a high state of cultivation. He has made a close study of agriculture, and this, combined with the thorough and comprehen- sive training which he received under the direction of his father upon the home farm, has well equipped him for the successful conduct of his farming interests. He also engages extensively in feeding cattle and hogs and fattens from two to three carloads of stock each year. In the midst of his farm he has erected a comfortable and attractive dwelling and has two good barns, one of which is not yet completed. The entire place is well fenced and contains a fine orchard and grove, while it is equipped with all the modern accessories and conveniences that go to make up a model farm.
It was in September, 1889, that Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Anna Erbes, a native of Lee county, Illinois, where she was reared, educated and married. Unto this union have been born four children : Flossie, Frank C., Howard and Grant, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Politically Mr. Cooper has given stanch allegiance to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. On that ticket he was elected to serve on the township board of Lee county and also filled the office of supervisor, while since his arrival in Grant township, Taylor county, he has been elected township clerk, which office he filled for six years, and is now serving as township trustee. He has also been sent as a delegate to various county conventions and has been a prominent and influential figure in the affairs of the party in this county. In his fraternal relations he is a Master Mason. His business interests have been carefully conducted, his duties of citizenship capably performed, and at all time he has been true to the obligations and responsibilities that have de- volved upon him in every relation of life, making him one of the worthy and valued citizens of Grant township.
CHARLES BECHERER.
As the years are added to the cycle of the centuries the ranks of the veterans of the Civil war are constantly growing smaller as one by one those who so valiantly stood by the Union in the darkest hour of her history pass to their final rest. Among those who still remain is numbered Charles Becherer who, al- though he has almost reached the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, is still active and helpful in the world's work. A native of Germany, he was born in Prussia on the 26th of January, 1840, a son of Charles and Hanna Becherer. The father, who was also born in Germany, was there reared and married, and was engaged for a number of years as a stage driver in the employ of the government. In 1851 he came to America with his five children, the family home being established in Wisconsin near the city of Milwaukee.
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Charles Becherer, whose name initiates this review, was a lad of eleven years when he came with his parents to America and was reared to manhood in their Wisconsin home. He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation and the period of his boyhood was spent in the usual manner, his time be- ing divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- ground and the tasks assigned him by parental authority. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he came to Iowa, locating in Scott county, where he worked as a farm hand for a time. In August, 1861, however, he responded to the country's call for troops and enlisted as a member of Company C, Second Iowa Cavalry. He went south to Tennessee and the first engagement in which he took part was the siege and battle of Corinth, Mis- sissippi. The next important battles were at Tupelo and Nashville, but in the mean- time he had participated in many minor engagements and skirmishes. Later he veteranized in Tennessee and returned home on a thirty days' furlough to visit his parents. He was mustered out and honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in October, 1865, after four years of valiant and faithful service, during which period he won a most creditable military record through his courage and bravery.
When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Becherer returned to - agricultural pursuits and for several years was employed as a farm hand, while he later operated a farm in the capacity of renter for some time. The year 1875 witnessed his arrival in Taylor county, and he purchased the farm in Grove township upon which he now resides. It consisted of eighty acres of raw land upon which not a furrow had been turned, and he at once directed his energies toward its development. He commenced breaking the sod and converting the land into productive fields, and with the passing of the years the work of trans- formation was steadily carried forward until today the farm has been brought under a high state of cultivation. He fenced his fields and erected a comfortable dwelling and substantial barns and outbuildings, and today the place is one of the well improved properties of the locality, indicating in its neat and attractive ap- pearance the industry and thrift of the owner. He carries on general farming and in addition is engaged to some extent in the dairy and chicken-raising busi- ness. He keeps about eight cows, selling his milk and cream to the creamery, and he has sold about four hundred dollars worth of eggs and poultry since New Years, 1909, one month's sales averaging sixty dollars for eggs. His ex- cellent business ability has been an important feature in his success, his industry, energy and perseverance being salient elements in his business career.
On the 21st of October, 1891, Mr. Becherer was united in marriage in Grove township to Miss Sarah E. Cochran, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, where she was' reared until eighteen years of age, acquiring her education in the district schools. She is a daughter of Thomas Cochran, who sometime ago inoved from Adams county, Illinois, to Grinnell and three years later came to Taylor county, Iowa. Unto this union have been born three children: Fred C., Esther Myrtle and William E., all still under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Becherer hold membership in the Presbyterian church, the teach- ings of which form the guiding influence of their lives, while he holds pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army
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post at Lenox. Politically he gives stalwart support to the republican party, which was the defense of the Union during the dark period of the Civil war, but he has never desired public office. He cast his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1864 while serving in the army and has voted for every candi- date upon that ticket since Preeminently public-spirited, he has ever been as true to the interests of his country in all matters of citizenship as when he fol- lowed the old flag on southern battlefields.
During the many years of their residence in Taylor county Mr. and Mrs. Becherer have been witnesses of the work of improvement and advancement which has been carried on within its borders, and they have seen many of the best farms improved and developed, while at all times they have born their share in the work of transformation, being ranked among the substantial and repre- sentative citizens of the community. Through industry, diligence and perse- verance Mr. Becherer has attained a most gratifying measure of prosperity in his business ventures, having acquired a handsome competence which makes it possible for him now in the evening of life to withdraw from many of the more active and strenuous duties of business life and enjoy the fruits of his former toils. His success has come to him as the result of well directed efforts and honest business methods, and the honorable life which he has ever led has gained for him the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
BERT F. WILSON.
Bert F. Wilson is numbered among the prominent business men of Taylor county, having conducted a bank at Sharpsburg for the past seven years. A native son of the county, he was born at Conway, April 11, 1878, of the marriage of Jerry and Caroline D. (Beall) Wilson. The father was born at Skaneateles, Onondago county, New York, April 29, 1839. He justly deserves mention as a self-made man. At the age of thirteen years he purchased his time of his father for one hundred dollars and started out in the world a penniless. lad but full of of native American grit. He left home and emigrated to Wisconsin, where he worked in the lumber region and did such other labor as might be offered in those days. His first earnings were used to pay his father for his time. In the early '6os he became imbued with the desire for western life and for several years freighted across the plains from the Missouri river to Denver. While in that section of the country he accumulated a little money and decided to return to the east. At that time southwestern Iowa was a sparsely settled region but he was endowed with keen business insight and foresaw the future possibilities of the country and settled in Taylor county in 1864. He then purchased a farm in Marshall township where he resided until the middle 'zos when he removed to Conway and engaged in the lumber business. After withdrawing from that field he turned his attention to the grain business in which he continued until the fall of 1902, when he sold out and lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
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On the 6th of September, 1866, at Bedford, Jerry Wilson was united in mar- riage to Miss Caroline D. Beall, who passed away December 12, 1881. They became the parents of six children, five of whom are still living, namely: Mary Bannon, Etta Carter, Cora Seymour, Minnie Cooper and Bert F. Wilson. Follow- ing the death of his first wife Mr. Wilson was married November 12, 1882, to Mrs. Maggie M. Church, of Conway, who still survives. He was a man of keen discernment and sound business judgment and from time to time bought land until at his death he was the owner of nine hundred and twenty acres in Grant Marshall and Gay townships. A man of sterling qualities, liberal minded but firm in his convictions, cheerful in disposition, he loved the comforts of home and enjoyed not only the love and confidence of the members of his own house- hold but also of others with whom he came in contact. He was always liberal in his dealings with his fellowmen and to the appeals of the needy he never turned a deaf ear. During his long years of residence in Conway he invariably identified himself with all public enterprises proposed for the benefit of the town and opposite his name on a subscription list was always found a liberal sum which he gave freely in behalf of public progress. During the last five years of his life he suffered from ill health, due to heart trouble, though he bore his sufferings patiently, always thinking of the comforts of his family even to the detriment of his own health. While on a visit to Excelsior Springs, Missouri, with the hope that his own and his wife's health might be benefited thereby, he passed away suddenly May 6, 1907. His long residence in Taylor county and his promi- nence as a land owner and business man made his acquaintance far-reaching. He was a member of Triangle Lodge, No. 348, A. F. & A. M. of Conway, and of Conway Lodge, No. 553, I. O. O. F., and in his life exemplified the benefi- cent spirit of those organizations.
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