USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 69
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Mr. Allen is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Knox county, on the 30th of September, 1851. There he was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, working in the fields through the summer months and attending the public schools in winter. He remained with his father until about thirty years of age, aiding him in carrying on the farm. He was married in that county and then began farming on his own account, continuing a resident of Knox county, Illinois, until 1890, when he sold his property there and removed westward, to Iowa. On reaching Taylor county he took up his abode upon a tract of land on section 23, Polk township, which he had purchased in January of that year. Looking over his place he noted the improvements which should be made, recognized the opportunities for further development and has carried on the work of general advancement with continued success to the present time. He has repaired the house, built a barn and other outbuildings, has fenced the
MR. AND MRS. HARRY ALLEN
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place and made the farm an excellent property. He first bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, but he has since increased his possessions by an addi- tional purchase of forty acres adjoining. He raises and feeds stock, fattening a large number of hogs each year and all of the stock he handles is of high grade. He has an imported Clydesdale stallion for breeding purposes and has bred many of the best horses in this county. He is an excellent judge of stock and this has constituted an important feature in his business success. He also raises good crops each year, for the system of rotation keeps his land in good condition, while the soil is naturally rich and productive.
While still a resident of Knox county, Illinois, Mr. Allen was married on the 6th of February, 1879, to Miss Tillie Hawkins, who was born and reared in Knox county. In 1896 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, with whom he had traveled life's journey happily for about seventeen years. She passed away on the 7th of January, leaving five children: Pearl, who was mar- ried in Creston, Iowa, on the 18th of May, 1904, to Miss America Gaddis, a native of Taylor county, and is now associated with his father in carrying on the home farm; Ray, who is in Knox county, Illinois; Cora, the wife of Fred Gaddis, a farmer of Ross township, Taylor county; Lloyd, who is in Illinois ; and Dean, who is with his grandparents in Ross township, they having reared him from his infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Allen also lost four children in early childhood.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Allen has been a stalwart democrat where state and national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. The honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him as he has ever preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. The extent and importance of his activities have brought him a wide acquaintance in Hopkins, Missouri, in Bedford, Iowa, and throughout this portion of the country. He is recognized and commended for his spirit of enter- prise, diligence and keen discernment, and his sterling worth has won for him the confidence and high regard of those with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact.
W. J. W. TOWNSEND.
Unceasing activity and strong purpose have been the salient features in the business life of W. J. W. Townsend, of Blockton. He has lived in Iowa since 1853 and in Taylor county since 1874 and thus has been a witness of much of the growth and development of this portion of the state. He has also cooperated in the work of general progress and improvement and his business interests have been of a character that have contributed to general progress as well as to in- dividual success.
A native of Virginia, Mr. Townsend was born in Highland county on the 20th of March, 1852. His father, Stuart Townsend, was likewise a native of the Old Dominion, where he was reared and married. On leaving the south, in 1853, he brought his family to Iowa, settling first in Monroe county and afterward in Appanoose county, whence, in 1873, he removed to Taylor county,
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casting in his lot among the pioneer residents of this part of the state. He lived first in Gay township and subsequently in Jefferson township and with undaunted spirit endured the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life in his effort to estab- lish a home upon the frontier.
W. J. W. Townsend was but one year old at the time of the removal of the family to this state. He was reared to manhood in Monroe and Appanoose counties and later engaged in clerking in Blockton and also in Platteville. In 1885 he opened a general store in Platteville and subsequently at Athelstan. After conducting both for a time he sold out at Platteville and continued in busi- ness at Athelstan until September 15, 1909, when he sold out. He has recently established a general store in Blockton where he is now carrying on business. He also owns two farms in Jefferson township and derives therefrom a substantial rental to supplement the income which he secures from his mercantile interests.
Mr. Townsend was married in Gay township, this county, in 1874 to Miss Rosettie E. Brott, who was born and reared in Monroe county, Iowa. There are five children of this marriage. The eldest is Dr. Owen S. Townsend who for a number of years has engaged in the practice of medicine in Nebraska. He was graduated from Rush Medical College when twenty-one years of age and after- ward spent one year in travel abroad, sailing from San Francisco and passing through many countries, after which he landed at New York. Amy N., at home, was engaged in teaching four years in the public schools, the last two years being spent in the graded schools of Blockton. Guy W., who has attained considerable notoriety as a catcher in the league ball teams, will graduate from the Creighton Medical College, at Omaha, Nebraska, in May, 1910, at which time he will have completed a four years' course and won his M. D. degree. Ivan R. and Florence M. are attending school in Blockton. Mrs. Townsend is an active and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Townsend is con- nected with the Athelstan Lodge, I. O. O. F. In politics he has been a lifelong republican, voting over thirty times in Jefferson township, never failing to be present at every election. He served as postmaster at Platteville for eleven years and has been notary public for twenty-two years. In the duties of citizenship he is never remiss but seeks advancement along lines of general improvement, and as the years go by he does his full share for the upbuilding of his community. He is well known in Bedford, Blockton and the eastern part of the county and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
CHARLES H. LEACH.
Closely adhering to systematic rules in carrying on his farming and stock- raising interests, Charles H. Leach is numbered among the more prosperous men in this line in Taylor county. He owns one of the fine farms of Platte township, his place embracing two hundred and fifty-six acres on section 6. He was born on a farm near Burlington, in Racine county, Wisconsin, January 18. 1873, a son of John and Agnes (McDonald) Leach, the former a native of England, whence he came as a child to America with his parents. They settled in Racine
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county and there the son was reared and after reaching mature years he was married to Miss Agnes McDonald, who was born in Ireland. The father now owns a valuable farm of three hundred and forty-seven acres near Burlington and is still actively engaged in farming pursuits at the age of sixty-six years. Their family numbers five sons and a daughter, all of whom are married and in homes of their own except two of the sons, who are still with their parents.
Charles H. Leach, the eldest in his father's family was reared in the place of his nativity and was given good school advantages, completing the high-school course. He remained with his father until he reached years of maturity and in 1895, when about twenty-two years of age, he came to Taylor county, where lived some friends. For four years he worked for the neighboring farmers by the month and on the 3d of January, 1900, established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mame Stamets, a daughter of John Stamets, one of the early settlers and prosperous farmers of Grove township, where the daughter was reared.
In the meantime Mr. Leach had prepared a home for his bride by the pur- chase of eighty acres of land in Grove township. On this place they began their domestic life and Mr. Leach further improved the farm and also added an ad- joining tract of forty acres. He made that his place of residence until the spring of 1909, when he removed to his present farm, which he had purchased the previ- ous year. This farm is located on section 6, Platte township, within a half mile of Lenox. He has erected a two-story cement block house, which is the only one of its kind in the township. He has also built two barns, corn cribs and two windmills, whereby an ample supply of water is furnished for the stock as well as for household purposes. Altogether his is one of the most pleasantly located and best improved farm properties in this section of the state, and since coming into his possession, Mr. Leach has greatly enhanced its value owing to the substan- tial improvements he has made. He is engaged in general farming and stock- raising, feeding a carload of cattle and two carloads of hogs annually. He is systematic and methodical in carrying on his work and while adding to his in- dividual success he is also doing much for the interests of the community at large.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leach has been blessed with a little daughter, Myrtle Irene. Politically Mr. Leach is independent. Both he and his wife are Presbyterians in their religious belief, being members of the Prairie Chapel. Mr. Leach carries on his business most vigorously and persistently and a glance at his farm is in itself a lesson of thrift, industry and perseverance.
LEONARD CUMMINGS.
Leonard Cummings, one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil war, is now living in honorable retirement in a comfortable home in Blockton, but he was formerly identified with the farming interests of Gay township and still owns one hundred and twenty acres of land there, which is being operated by his son. Mr. Cummings, of this review, was born in Jefferson county, New York,
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August 15, 18.42, a son of Alanson B. and Sophronia (Packard) Cummings, who were likewise born in the Empire State, the former in Oneida county. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that pursuit throughout his active business career, and he also engaged in farming in the east.
Leonard Cumming's was accorded good common school advantages and worked with his father on the farm during the period of his boyhood and youth. He was but twenty years of age, when his patriotic spirit being aroused by the event of the Civil war, he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a mem- ber of Company E, Ninety-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, in February, 1862. His company became a part of the Army of the Potomac and being ordered south. Mr. Cummings participated with his regiment in some of the most im- portant battles fought on southern fields. He was in the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam, where he was slightly wounded. Later he participated in the battle at Fredericksburg, where he was severely wounded in the right hip and arm by a shell. This wound incapacitating him for further service on the field, he was sent to the Harwood hospital at Washington, D. C., but was later transferred to St. Mary's hospital in Rochester, New York. He was honorably discharged on the 23d of February, 1865.
Returning home after he was released from the hospital he was unable to do any manual labor for three years. Later, as his strength returned, he worked with his father in the cooper shop. At length, in 1869, he journeyed westward to Woodhull, Illinois, where he followed the cooper's trade for twenty years. In the meantime having learned favorable reports concerning farming interests in the west, accordingly, in 1889, he came to Taylor county and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Gay township. Taking up his abode thereon, he at once set himself to the task of improving the place. He built to and remodeled the house, built fences, erected outbuildings and in due course of time had his fields under a high state of cultivation, from which he annually gathered good crops. He farmed that place for nineteen years and at the end of that time, feeling that his capital was sufficient to enable him to take more comfort out of life, in 1908 he purchased a nice residence in Blockton and there took up his abode. He rents his land to his son and is now living retired, deriv- ing from his farm a rental that provides him with a good living.
It was prior to his enlistment in the Civil war that Mr. Cummings was first married. He was but nineteen years of age when in 1861 he wedded Miss Mary Jane Kelley, who was a native of New York. There is one son of that marriage, Leonard, Jr., who now resides in Oklahoma. He lost his wife ere his removal to the west and it was while living in Illinois, in 1872, that he was married again, his second union being with Emily Elnora Johnson, a native of Mercer county, that state. There is one son born of that marriage, Alanson B., who is married and conducts the home farm. He has one child, Ary Elton Cummings.
Mr. Cummings has always given stanch support to the republican party but he has never been an aspirant for public office, for he is of rather a retiring na- ture. He is a member of the G. A. R. post at Woodhull, Illinois. He has seen the county developed into one of the rich agricultural centers of southwestern Iowa and has borne his full share in bringing this work about. He has led a busy, useful and active life, and although he came to the west with no capital
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he has through his energy, determination and perseverance accumulated a good farming property from which he now derives a good income, so that he can spend his declining years in comfort and ease.
REV. ELY BALDIN OSBORN.
Among those citizens of Taylor county who are devoting their lives to the up- lifting of humanity through their efforts as preachers of the gospel is the Rev. Ely Baldin Osborn, who has been the popular and efficient pastor of the Bap- tist church at New Market since 1903. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, in March, 1855, he is a son of Ely Baldin and Katherine (Baily) Osborn, the former one of a family of five children born to Abraham Osborn and his wife. The others were Jacob, Comfort, William and Traffina. Representatives of the name were absolutely the first settlers of Page county and the family has figured prominently in its development and improvement since early pioneer days. The mother, who after the death of her first husband, was again married, her second union being with Patrick Moore, still survives at the venerable age of eighty-five years and makes her home with her son Ely B. Our subject had three brothers, namely: George Washington, who was killed in the Civil war; Thomas Jefferson, who also served in the war of the Rebellion; and David Willard.
Rev. Osborn is indebted to the public-school system for his educational ad- vantages, passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school in 1873. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Monroe county, Iowa, where they settled upon a farm which his father owned near Blakesburg, and there the intervening years were passed until 1877, during which time he had been ordained to the ministry at Blakesburg. He was first assigned to College Springs, Page county, and he ministered to that charge until 1882, in which year he removed to Hopkins, Missouri, where he remained for one year. He then received a call to Wayne county, Iowa, which he accepted and where he continued as pastor for four years. In 1887 he went to Clearfield, where he resided for nine years, and during this period he filled the pulpit of the Baptist church for six years. Throughout his connection with the ministry he has been a very successful pastor, faithful and efficient in the performance of the duties of his chosen life work, and something of his personal popularity is indicated by the fact that after presiding over the charge at Clearfield, New Market and also Hopkins, Missouri, he was recalled by each church and is now serving for the second time as pastor at New Market. He was naturally well qualified for his chosen calling and has at all times remained a student of re- ligious problems and has been a fearless and independent thinker. With the pass- ing of the years his sphere of usefulness and activity has broadened and he has endeared himself more and more to the people with whom he has come in con- tact, while his brethren in the clergy have indicated their regard and esteem for him in his appointment as moderator of the Baptist Association, which office he has filled for four years.
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It was on the 12th of April, 1874, that Rev. Osborn was united in marriage in Monroe county, lowa, to Miss Margaret Stocker, a daughter of Aaron and Mary Elizabeth Stocker, prominent farming people of that county, who were the parents of twenty-one children. The home of Rev. and Mrs. Osborn has benn blessed with eight children, seven of whom survive: Leo; Arthur; Walter ; Glenn, who passed away and is buried at Davison Cemetery ; Lena; Milly ; Effie ; and Flossie. Of this number Walter and Flossie are graduates of the high school.
Rev. Osborn gives his support at the polls to the republican party, for, after a close and thorough study of its platform, he was convinced that its principles are best adapted to conserve the general good. He is a public-spirited citizen, at all times doing all in his power to promote the welfare of the community, while his efforts toward the checking of vice have been far-reaching in their effects. Modest and unassuming in manner, he nevertheless exerts a strong influence over those who come in contact with him, and his teachings have proved the guiding influence in the lives of many who have listened to his wise counsel and advice.
J. N. FREELAND.
Among the representatives of the business life of Blockton none are more de- serving of mention in this volume than J. N. Freeland, who is not only progressive in his business affairs but is ever ready to help in any movement for the progress and advancement of his home city. Mr. Freeland was born in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois. January 6, 1861, his parents being F. A. and Louisa (Kirby) Freeland, both of whom were born in Indiana. The father went to Edgar county, Illinois, where for some time he was engaged in farming but in 1864 he removed to Wayne county, Iowa, and purchased a farm, which he operated three years. He later took :1p his abode in Corydon, where his death occurred.
J. N. Freeland was a little lad of but three years at the time of the parents' re- moval from his native state, Illinois, to Wayne county, Iowa, so that he was practically reared in the latter place. He acquired his education in the schools of Allerton, where he qualified for teaching, in which he engaged four years. He then clerked in a store in Allerton two years and subsequently went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was similarly engaged two years. He then went to Sac City, where he managed a store for the Fort Dodge Dry Goods Company. From the latter city he went to Clearfield and spent four years in the conduct of a similar enterprise, while on the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Mt. Ayr. In 1896 he came to Blockton and opened up a general merchandise establishment and his business has grown until he now occupies a double store room in the conduct of his enterprise. He carries a large and well selected line of goods and his courte- ous treatment of patrons and reasonable prices have enabled him to build up his business until today it ranks among the leading enterprises of this character in this section of Taylor county. Mr. Freeland formerly engaged in real-estate op- erations, buying and selling farm lands and in this undertaking he met with suc- cess. He is quick, positive, exacting and comprehensive of every detail of affairs
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that comes within the scope of his action and this has been one of the chief fea- tures in his splendid success.
Mr. Freeland was married in Hancock county, Illinois, February 11, 1886, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella M. Peacock, who was there born and reared. She received liberal educational advantages and for several years prior to her mar- riage engaged in teaching. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, A. V. Freeland, who is a well educated young man, having completed his studies in Simpson College. at Indianola, Iowa, and he is now a partner of his father in business.
Mr. Freeland's study of the political issues of the day has led him to give his support to the republican party and he has served as a member of the town council several years. As an indication of his high standing in the community and of the high appreciation which his fellowmen have for him, it may here be stated that in 1908 Mr. Freeland received numerous letters from people throughout Taylor county urging him to become a candidate for representative to the legislature, this being one case of the office seeking the man and not the man seeking the office. Although Mr. Freeland appreciated this high compliment which was paid him, he felt that his business interests would not permit of him entering public life, so he declined to become a candidate.
Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Freeland has been superintendent of the Sunday school for the past thirteen years, while Mrs. Freeland is also an active worker and a teacher in that organization. Every change Mr. Freeland has made in his business life shows that he has lived for a purpose. His aim and endeavor has been to make today find him farther advanced in his desires than yesterday and has looked forward to tomorrow to add to his attainments. He has been alive to the opportunities as they have presented and his progression has been constant until today he stands prominently among the business men of this sec- tion of the county. while his social qualities have also gained him a host of friends.
GEORGE R. BRAND.
A well developed farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located in Washington township, has been in possession of George R. Brand the past three years, while for two years prior to that time he cultivated this property as a renter. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth having occurred in McDon- ough county. January 2, 1853. His father. A. J. Brand. was a son of George Brand. of Virginia. and the former left his home in the south and made his way to Illinois, where he still resides. His wife who bore the maiden name of Eveline Russell, was likewise a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Robert Russell of that state.
George R. Brand was trained to habits of industry and perseverance during the period of his boyhood and youth, his time being largely taken up with the duties of the home farm during the summer seasons, while in the winter months he gave his time to the acquirement of an education in the district schools, which
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he attended to his seventeenth year. However, after putting aside his text-books, he remained on the home farm till he had reached the age of twenty-six years and then started upon an independent business venture by operating rented land in Illinois for two years. He had heard much concerning the opportuni- ties in Towa and at the end of that period made his way to Page county, where he rented a farm and operated the same four years. He then found himself in possession of a sum of money that justified his purchase of property, and accord- ingly made his way to Atchison county, Missouri, and invested in eighty acres, to which he later added an additional tract of eighty acres. After a time he disposed of that property to advantage and returning to Taylor county, bought two hundred and eighty acres in Washington township, but he disposed of one hundred and twenty acres of this to his son Samuel and now retains possession of one hundred and sixty acres. He has made many needed improvements on the place, including a substantial barn and outbuildings to shelter his stock, while he also improved the house and now has a modern and up-to-date country residence, supplied with every convenience to add to the comfort of the family. While carrying on general farming pursuits, Mr. Brand also raises high grades of stock and through this means has added much to his financial income.
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