USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Bert F. Wilson was reared in Conway and began his preliminary education in the schools of that town. He was graduated from the high school and after- ward entered the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, where he pursued a commercial and shorthand course, after the completion of which he was engaged in that institution as Assistant Instructor in Commercial Branches. He thus served four years, and during that time completed the Normal Didactic and Scientific courses. He then took a course in penmanship at Columbus, Ohio, after which he returned to the Western Normal College and for five years had full charge of the Shenandoah Commercial Institute. This constituted the basis of his business career. In 1903, he came to Sharpsburg, since which time he has conducted what is known as the Sharpsburg Bank, a private institution owned by J. R. Cooper which has for security Taylor county real estate to the amount of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Mr. Wilson has been cashier and has had charge of the bank since the organization and secured a good patronage; and the bank is today recognized as one of the strongest moneyed concerns of the county and one in which the people feel a just pride. It is solid and safe beyond question and its management is conservative.
Mr. Wilson was married in Conway, December 29, 1897, to Miss Nellie A. Cooper, a daughter of John R. Cooper, who is engaged in the banking business at Conway and is a large landowner of Taylor county. His sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Wilson was born and reared in Conway and
660
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
there acquired her early education while later she attended the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, and Amity College at College Springs, Iowa. She is now acting as assistant cashier in the bank and is proving an able assistant to her husband in his business affairs. She is the mother of one daughter, Martha Belle, and the family have a nice home in Sharpsburg.
Politically Mr. Wilson is a republican and in the midst of a busy life has al- ways found time for matters of general interest. He was active in securing the incorporation of the village and has been town clerk since the incorporation ; while in many other ways he has done his full part toward the promotion of public measures. He is a Master Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Conway, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In all directions in which he has benthis energies his efforts have been crowned with success and his methods are of interest to the commercial world, while a social, genial nature has endeared him to all with whom business or social intercourse has brought him in contact.
JAMES E. WISE.
A fine farm of forty acres, located in Mason township, Taylor county, pays tribute to the care and attention bestowed upon it by James E. Wise, a native of Cedar county, Iowa, born on the Ist of February, 1867. He is a son of Owen and Catherine (Barnard) Wise, the former a farmer of Mason township. The father was a son of Henry Wise, who came from England at an early date, the family home being established in Ohio, from which state representatives of the name removed to Cedar county, Iowa. Owen Wise was a brother of the following: Mrs. Lizzie Dawson, a resident of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Sarah Hardman, who passed away in Iowa; George, residing in California; Samuel, of Wilton, Jowa ; and James, making his home in Iowa.
In the public schools of his native county James E. Wise acquired his educa- tion, remaining a student thereof until twenty years of age, and during this time, when not busy with his text-books, he assisted in the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the country lad. After completing his education he remained upon the old homestead and in fact continued to give his father the benefit of his assistance throughout almost his entire life. He did not leave the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred in his thirty-ninth year, when he received from his father the farm upon which he now resides and upon which there was a small mortgage to pay. The farm consists of forty acres of land situated in Mason township, to the further improvement of which he has directed his entire energies, with the result that it is now a valuable and attractive farming property, highly cultivated and yielding rich harvests annually. He practices rotation of crops, is progressive and up-to-date in his business methods and is meeting with most creditable prosperity.
On the 26th of March, 1906, Mr. Wise was united in marriage to Miss Cora Hulse, a daughter of John and Mary Hulse, the former a farmer and carpenter
661
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
of Clarinda. This union has been blessed with a little daughter, Wilma, who is the light and life of the household. Mr. Wise is a republican in politics and is well known throughout the community, where he has many warm friends, his salient characteristics winning for him the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen.
OSCAR M. DUNNING.
The life record of Oscar M. Dunning constitutes an interesting chapter in the history of Taylor county, with the development and progress of which he has been closely associated from pioneer days. Not only has he assisted in its material development but also in its moral progress and in the establishment of principles of citizenship which have born rich fruit in the life of the com- munity. He was long identified with farming interest but since 1884 has lived retired in Bedford. A native of the Empire state, he was born in Cayuga county August I, 1823, and is descended from a family which came originally from England. This branch was established in Connecticut at an early period in the colonization of that state, and Benjamin Dunning, the first of the ancestors of whom there is authentic record, was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Con- necticut. From his birthplace he removed to central New York where he reared his large family. By his first marriage he had four children, Sallie, Abraham, Jacob and Isaac. His second wife was Mercy Shove, and to them were born eight children, namely: Betsey, Lois, Jemima, Clarinda, Mercy, Lorainy, Arilla and Benjamin Alva.
Dr. Isaac Dunning, a son of the first marriage and the father of Oscar M. Dunning, was born in Connecticut October 21, 1772, and after becoming a physician practiced his profession in both the east and the middle west. In 1832, he removed to Edwardsburg, Michigan, where he died in 1850. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hulda Rood, was born July 3, 1783, and died December 2, 1861. Their children were: Horace B., who married Sarah A. : Camp; Philander B., who married Fidelia Treat; Emily M., the wife of Uriel Enos ; Barton B., who married Laura Stiles; Benjamin B., who married Harriet Loston; Isaac M., who died in infancy; Harriet M., who was the wife of Na- thaniel Aldrich ; and Oscar M., who is the only one of the family now living.
Oscar M. Dunning was ten years of age when his parents removed to Cass county, Michigan, and his education was acquired in the common schools, while his boyhood days were spent on his father's farm. He, too, became a farmer and cared for his parents in their later years, both father and mother making their home with him. In 1869, he came to Iowa, bringing with him the proceeds of the farm which he had sold in Michigan. Here he made investment in six hundred and forty acres of land five miles northwest of Bedford. It was an unimproved tract, but his previous experience, determined purpose and in- defatigable energy enabled him to convert it into productive fields. As one of Taylor county's early settlers he did his full share in reclaiming the land and transforming it from its primitive condition into valuable farms. He not only tilled the soil but was also an extensive buyer, feeder and shipper of stock and
662
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
his business affairs were so managed that he won success in every undertaking. Year by year he cultivated and improved his farm until 1884, when he retired from active life and removed to Bedford, where he still makes his home. He yet owns four hundred and forty acres of his original tract and derives there- from a substantial annual income.
On the 21st of March, 1845, in Edwardsburg, Michigan, Mr. Dunning was united in marriage to Miss Martha May, who was born in that state in 1829 and died March, 1858. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children, of whom the eldest, Mary Hulda, died in infancy. Milton O., who was born in Edwardsburg, Michigan, December 24, 1848, accompanied his parents to Taylor county and assisted his father in developing the farm during pioneer days. He became a successful agriculturist and made his home in Taylor county until 1902, when he removed to Parsons, Kansas. He was married March 6, 1881, to Miss Alice Bowers, who was born in 1855 and died August 17, 1908. Lehman H., the third of the family, was born in Edwardsburg, Michigan, April 12, 1850, and died in Indianapolis, Indiana, January 6, 1906. His boyhood days were spent in his native state and for two years after com- pleting his literary education he attended medical lectures in Buffalo, New York. He then spent one year in Taylor county where his father had just set- tled, his time being devoted to teaching in country schools and to clerking in the drug store of Dr. A. M. Golliday, of Bedford. Resuming his medical course in Rush Medical College, of Chicago, he was graduated therefrom with the class of 1872. He began the practice of his profession in that year and as a country physician was forced to take long drives or horseback rides as he made his visits to his patients. His practice grew rapidly, however, and he came to be ranked with the eminent physicians and surgeons of Indiana, while his medical exper- ience and his skill in practice gained him a reputation that was by no means limited by the confines of that state. It was as a man and friend, however, that he was most deeply loved and will be longest remembered. His genial good nature and his rare sympathy and tenderness appealed to all who came in con- tact with him, and his patients benefited not only by his professional skill but also in large measure by the encouragement and inspiration of his personality. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and carried the help- ful spirit of his religion into his daily life, remaining untainted by the material- ism which seems to infect the majority of scientific students .. On the contrary his soul was ever in harmony with the most delicate spiritual relationship and he resolutely adhered to that faith which through nineteen centuries has been a predominating influence for good in the world. On the 9th of December, 1875, he married Miss Harriet J. Beauchamp, who with three children, Florence, Lehman M. and Herbert P., survive him. The daughter was married in 1909 to Gilbert Elliot of South Bend, Indiana. The elder son was graduated from the Medical College of Indiana, in which his father was an instructor prior to his death. He has now taken up the practice of medicine and has spent one year as interne in the City Hospital of Indianapolis. Eva, the fourth of the children of Mr. Dunning's first marriage, was born in Edwardsburg, August 4, 1852, and was married January 23, 1875, to James Beauchamp, their home being now in Cass county, Michigan. Hulda R., who was born June 31, 1855,
663
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
became the wife of Ed Marsh in November, 1875, and is living in Berrien county, Michigan. Martha, the youngest, was born December 24, 1857, and on the 3d of July, 1878, became the wife of Hays C. Fordyce, of Creston, Iowa.
On the 25th of December, 1858, Mr. Dunning married again, his second union being with Miss Anna M. Wilkinson, who was born August 30, 1838. There were four children of that marriage. Sidney the eldest, born August 9, 1861, was married August 20, 1884, to Miss Anna Rose, and now resides in St. Joseph, Missouri. Mary, who was born December II, 1862, makes her home with her father. Milo B., born on the 25th of May, 1874, is a successful physician in Bedford. Following his parents' removal to that city during his bodhood days he acquired his education in the schools there and was graduated from high school with the class of 1892. He then became a medical student in Bedford with Dr. V. R. King as his preceptor, and later spent one term in the Kentucky school of Medicine at Louisville. Subsequently he entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, from which he was graduated in 1895. He spent one year in the City Dispensary there, after which he located for the practice of his profession in Michigan City, Indiana, where he remained for two years, moving thence to Taylor county. He practiced for six years in Siam but in the fall of 1908 opened an office in Bedford, where he has since pursued his chosen profession with success that is indicative of his skill and thorough understanding of the great scientific principles that underlie his work. On the Ist of January, 1903, he married Miss Olive L. Fowler, who was born October 22, 1875. Her father, Edward R. Fowler, who died in Parsons, Kansas, August 14, 1907, was for many years a resident of Taylor county, during which time he engaged in the grocery business and also served for two terms as audi- tor of the county. On his removal to Kansas he engaged in the real-estate business, to which he gave his attention until his death. His widow, Mrs. M. F. Fowler, still resides in Parsons. She was the mother of eleven children, and all of the nine girls of this family are married. Dr. and Mrs. Milo B. Dunning have three children: Lois, born November 10, 1904; Ruth, October 8, 1906; and Horace, September 15, 1907. Dr. Dunning is a republican in his political sympathies and for two terms, from 1900 until 1904, served as coroner of this county. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, belonging to Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., at Bedford. He keeps abreast with the advance in the profession through his membership in the County Medical Society and in the Iowa State Medical Society. His practical knowledge of his profession, his care in diagnosis, and his conscientious performance of all duties have brought to him a large and remunerative practice, together with the unqualified esteem and regard of his fellow townsmen. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is serving on its official board as one of the church trustees.
Mildred D., the youngest of the children of Oscar M. Dunning, was born July 3, 1880, and on the 14th of August, 1906, became the wife of R. B. Edmon- son an attorney of Parsons, Kansas. The mother, Mrs. Anna (Wilkinson) Dun- ning, passed away December 28, 1906. Had she lived two years longer they would have arrived at the half century of married life. She was a devoted mother, not only to her own children but to the five children born of her husband's first
664
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
marriage, their ages ranging between one and ten years when she came to preside over their father's household. These children always regarded hes as their own mother, for she was most watchful over their welfare and filled to the fullest extent the place of an own parent. She bore her share of pioneer hardships, making the trip from Michigan overland in a covered wagon, bravely facing all the difficulties and dangers of frontier experience. Her father was a min- ister of the Baptist church, and, being reared in that faith, Mrs. Dunning held membership in that denomination. Her life, however, was not narrowed by creed or dogma, but was the exemplification of that broader Christian spirit which reaches out in charity and helpfulness to all mankind.
Mr. Dunning, public-spirited in an eminent degree, has given freely of his time and means for the benefit of town and county, and his purse is ever open for good causes which have sought his financial assistance. Politically a whig, he supported that party from the time he cast his first presidential ballot for Henry Clay until the dissolution of the organization, when he became a stalwart republican. He has been a Mason for thirty-five years, his membership being in Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M. Of a deeply religious nature, manifesting earnest interest in the cause of Christianity during his childhood days, he has been a lifelong member of the Baptist church and through his influence has left a deep impress for good upon the community as well as upon his own family, his children being reared in the fear and admonition of the Lord. His life has been a noble, upright one, characterized by unfaltering allegiance to high ideals, and his name will long be remembered and honored after he has passed away, not only because of his worth and the strength of his character, but also because of the fact that his several sons, learning the lessons of life at his knee, have carried his teachings beyond his immediate locality.
FRANK N. LEWIS.
No compendium such as this work defines in its essential limitations would be considered complete were there failure to make promiment reference to Frank N. Lewis, who is now serving as mayor of the city, his administration being characterized by needed reforms, improvement and progress. Moreover he figures prominently in various business lines, especially in financial circles as the presi- dent of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Bedford. He was born in Berlin, Wisconsin, February 17, 1854. His parents were Levi N. and Harley Ann (Resseguie) Lewis, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The family was an old one in that state, the grandfather's birth having there occurred. He was well known because of his political activity and enjoyed much more than a local repu- tation as a competent speaker. Unto him and his wife were born four children: Levi N .; Charles, now deceased; Ezra; and Orvis. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Lewis Resseguie, a native of Pennsylvania, but of French descent. He was a farmer by occupation and died in Wisconsin at an advanced age while his wife passed away in middle life. Their three children were: Alden, Ambrose and Harley Ann.
F. N. LEWIS
667
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Levi N. Lewis studied law in early life and on leaving the east removed to Berlin, Wisconsin, becoming one of the first settlers of that locality. About 1859 he arrived in Taylor county, Iowa, and opened a law office in Bedford where for many years he engaged in active practice. His ability at the bar was pronounced, bringing him a liberal clientage and in other ways he proved himself a valuable citizen of the community. He platted considerable Bedford land which he made out in town lots, owning fifty acres of what is known as the Lewis addition, now constituting the finest residential district of the city. He was at one time mayor of Bedford and his allegiance to the public good was always pronounced, being manifest in many tangible ways. He died here at the age of sixty-three years while his wife passed away July 31, 1907, at the age of seventy-five. Both were members of the Presbyterian church and their many good qualities won for them the confidence and high regard of all with whom they were associated. Their family numbered five children, Frank N. being the only son and second in order of birth. The daughters are: Ella, the wife of William Faith of Bedford; Annie, the wife of Frank Igou of Kansas City, Missouri; Hattie, the deceased wife of A. B. Keplinger of Blockton, Iowa; and Una of Bedford.
Frank N. Lewis was only five years of age when his parents removed to Bed- ford so that almost his entire life has been passed in this city. His history is a familiar one to his fellow-townsmen who recognize in him one who has always been loyal to the best interests of the community. He acquired his education in the public schools, afterward learned the carpenter's trade and subsequently followed contracting and building for a number of years. On withdrawing from that field of labor he engaged in the retail lumber business for several years and subsequently took up the real-estate business. In all of these departments of labor he won substantial success and he still owns several brick business houses in Bedford, while both he and his wife are large land owners in Pottawatomie county, Kansas. On the Ist of May, 1908, Mr. Lewis organized the Farmers & Merchants Bank in connection with George W. Hartley, who became cashier and Lloyd N. Lewis who became assistant cashier. From the beginning Mr. Lewis has been president and his individual responsibilities amount to seventy-five thousand dollars. He has learned the lessons which each experience of life has brought and is very apt in understanding conditions and possibilities. His intelli- gent appreciation of opportunity has been one of the strong points in his career, winning him success which is most enviable.
On the 23d of December, 1879, Mr. Lewis wedded Miss Cora P. Hall, a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, and a daughter of Thomas D. and Experience Hall. They became the parents of seven children: Leavitt; Elvira, the wife of George Shriber of Arlington, Iowa; Helen M., the wife of O. W. Ormsby ; Abbie, the wife of William Phillips, of Arlington; Cora, now Mrs. Lewis; Hattie M., the widow of Jesse Edwards, of Saratoga, Wyoming; and Minnie, the wife of Claud Garvey, of Kansas City, Kansas. The father of this family passed away August 17, 1908, at the remarkable old age of ninety years.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis has been blessed with four children : Adda May, Lloyd N., Mahlon D. and Gale M. Lewis, all at home. The parents and family are of the Presbyterian faith and are interested in the work of the church to which they belong. Mr. Lewis is also a member of Taylor Lodge,
668
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
No. 156, A. F. & A. M. He is recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in this county, served as a member of the city council for five years and in 1908 was elected to the office of mayor. He is still the chief executive of the city and ably handles the reins of government. His administration is businesslike and his official service has been characterized by needed reforms and improve- ments. He has ever discharged his duties with marked ability for he is a most loyal public-spirited citizen. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical and this has been mani- fest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life.
D. L. CARTER.
Agricultural pursuits have characterized the efforts of D. L. Carter throughout his entire business career, extending over a period of about twenty years. Born in Henderson county, Illinois, on the 4th of January, 1866, he is a son of James T. Carter, a successful farmer of Grove township, who is now living retired and whose sketch appears on another page of this volume.
D. L. Carter was a lad of thirteen years when he came with his parents to Tay- lor county, and his education, which had been begun in his native county, was here completed in the public schools and in Shenandoah College. Amid the activities of rural life he was reared to manhood, and on his father's farm laid the founda- tion for his future success-broad and practical experience-early learning les- sons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, giving his father the bene- fit of his assistance in the operation of the home farm and in the conduct of his business affairs.
Mr. Carter then purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres near Sharps- burg, which he developed and improved upon which he resided for eleven years. 'At the expiration of that period he sold that place and came to his present farm, which was originally a portion of his father's property. The farm, which consisted of three hundred and seventy-five acres located on section 28, Grove township, was under a good state of cultivation when it came into his possession, and he has since directed his energies towards its further development, so that it is today one of the best improved properties in the township. He has erected sub- stantial buildings upon the place and introduced all of the modern conveniences and accessories known for facilitating farm labor, and everything about the place in- dicates that he has ever kept in close touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in the agricultural world. He has made a close study of agri- culture, so that he knows what crops are best adapted to the soil and climate and the proper cultivation of the same, and in connection with this also devotes con- siderable time and attention to stock feeding, fattening about one hundred head of cattle and two carloads of hogs annually. In this line of activity he has been very successful and both branches of his business, under his careful management, are proving gratifying sources of income.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.