USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 12
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On the 17th of March, 1880, Mr. Arrison was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Laura Caldwell, who was born in Ottumwa, a daughter of Paris Caldwell, a native of Virginia. The father was a farmer and in the year 1839 came to Iowa, settling first at Burlington. He thence removed to Wapello county, taking up his abode where Mr. Arrison now resides, although the tract on which he lived was then a farm. The date of his arrival was May 1, 1843, and this entire district was a pioneer region, in which the work of development and progress seemed scarcely begun. With the improvement and upbuilding of the county he was closely associated for many years and continued a worthy and honored resident of the county until his death, which occurred in 1899. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Mar- garet Hackney, is also deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arrison
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have been born two sons: Harry, who married Muriel McDon- ald and lives in Ottumwa, and Ralph Hackney, of Alliance, Nebraska, who married Elsie Tschirgi, and has two children, Dorothy and Glendale. Mr. and Mrs. Arrison have a pleasant and attractive home on the site where her father settled seventy years ago and their friends in this county are many. In religious faith they are Presbyterians and Mr. Arrison also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has the happy faculty of placing those whom he meets at their ease, is ever tactful and courteous, is ready at repartee and has other qualities which make him an admirable political leader, not the least of which is his firm belief in the doctrines which he advocates.
FRANK McINTIRE.
Frank McIntire needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is a representative of a family that has long figured prominently in Wapello county. His record is one which reflects further credit and honor upon an untarnished family name. He stands in a prominent position in business circles as a representative of many important corporate interests, including both commercial and financial enterprises. He is equally well known as president of the Harper & McIntire Company and the South Ottumwa Savings Bank and is vice president of the Hardsocg Wonder Drill Company. His entire life has been passed in Wapello county, and his youthful days were spent upon his father's farm, with the usual experiences of the farm boy. He is a son of William Clark McIntire, a native of Clark county, Ohio, who in 1843 married Eliza A. Myers and immediately afterward came to Iowa, settling in Keokuk township, Wapello county. That this district was a frontier region is indicated in the fact that the government still owned much of the land and Mr. McIntire readily secured a claim, which he at once converted into rich and productive fields. He continued actively in the development and improve- ment of the farm until his death, which occurred January, 30, 1881 His original home in this county was a log cabin and life was not free from many of the hardships and privations incident to the frontier. It is said, however, that he possessed that energy which conquers adversity and brings success.
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The father recognized the value of education and provided his children with the best opportunities possible in that direction. Frank McIntire attended the public schools near the old home and afterward became a student in the Iowa Agricultural Col- lege at Ames, subsequent to which time he engaged in teaching for three terms. He made his initial step in the commercial world as a clerk in the hardware store of Egan, Harper & Com- pany on the 15th of April, 1880, and eagerly bent his energies to the mastery of the business, with which he had thoroughly acquainted himself when, in January, 1881, he was admitted to a partnership, the firm name being then changed to Harper, Cham- bers & Company. With his admission to the firm he went upon the road as a traveling salesman and for ten years was engaged in that branch of the work. In 1891, however, it was felt neces- sary that he take his place in the office, for at that time Mr. Cham- bers withdrew. The firm style was then changed to Harper & McIntire Company and has so continued to the present. Theirs is one of the large wholesale and retail hardware establish- ments of the state. The business has constantly reached out along ramifying lines until the trade now covers a wide territory. The reputation of the house for promptness, enterprise and busi- ness integrity is unassailable, and by their progressive and reli- able policy the owners have won the friendly regard of many patrons.
Important and extensive as is the business now controlled by the Harper & McIntire Company, of which Mr. McIntire is president, it does not cover the entire scope of his business inter- ests, for he is a factor in the ownership and control of various other corporations, being now president of the South Ottumwa Savings Bank, vice president of the Ottumwa Savings Bank and vice president of the Hardsocg Wonder Drill Company. At one time he was also president of the Iowa Hardware Jobbers' Asso- ciation.
Mr. McIntire resides at No. 228 West Fifth street. He has long been an interested witness of the growth and progress of the county, and his aid and cooperation have been important factors in promoting measures and movements for the general good. He is in hearty sympathy with the civic activity so strongly mani- fest in the last decade and believes each individual should use his opportunities for making the city better along commercial, esthetic and educational lines. The force of his character and ability is shown in his business career. He has never been
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prompted by the spirit of vaulting ambition which often over- reaches itself, yet he has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way and his perseverance and even paced energy have carried him into important commercial and financial relations.
WILLIAM B. ARMSTRONG.
For an extended period the life history of William B. Arm- strong was closely interwoven with the history of Iowa and it is meet that he should have representation in this volume among the representative residents of his county. He was born in Mil- ford, Pike county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of August, 1830, and was a son of William and Mary ( Pellett) Armstrong. The grandfather held a major's commission in the Revolutionary army and enjoyed the acquaintance and confidence of General George Washington. He was a man of marked force of char- acter and ability and did much to shape public thought and ac- tion in his community. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth, called him to office, and he represented his district in the state legislature.
The father, William Armstrong, followed the occupation of farming in early life, but afterward turned his attention to mill- ing, in which he was extensively engaged. He removed with his family to Sussex county, New Jersey, when his son William was but a small child and there the latter was reared and ac- quired a good common school education. His youthful days were passed in the cast, and after attaining his majority, in 1851, he came to the Mississippi valley, wishing to see something of the western country. He made his way first to St. Louis, Missouri, where he secured a situation as clerk in a commission house. The next year he went to Athens, where he continued in a similar position until he resigned to engage in railroading. For a half century he was identified with the freight and traffic department and during the greater part of that period was con- tinuously a resident of Ottumwa. He was recognized as one of the oldest railroad men in this part of the state, as well as one of the most capable and faithful. He arrived in Ottumwa when the city was small and gave little promise of rapid development. For a time he was freight and passenger agent at Croton, a small
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town in Lee county, Iowa, representing the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines & Minnesota Railroad. He afterward occupied a simi- lar position at Bentonsport, whither he went in the spring of 1860, but in September, 1861, he came to Ottumwa as agent for the same road, remaining in that position for eleven years. This road is now a part of the Rock Island system. He kept many souvenirs of his railroad service, one of which was the first way- bill ever made out on the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines & Minne- sota Railroad, it being issued in the fall of 1860 at Croton. He also had in his possession a general order, issued from the office of the assistant freight agent at Burlington for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company. It reads as follows :
"General Order. "November 1, 1872.
"Mr. W. B. Armstrong has been appointed general agent at Ottumwa for this company, vice James A. Wentz, to take effect this date. Mr. Armstrong is authorized to countersign trip passes.
"Signed by William B. Strong, assistant general superintend- ent. Approved by C. E. Perkins, general superintendent."
It was at that time that Mr. Armstrong entered the employ of the company, with which he continued until his death. On the Ist of January, 1883, the road became a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system and Mr. Armstrong continued as general agent until the erection of the present Union depot at Ottumwa. He afterward acted as freight agent, while the pas- senger department was controlled by his son, the late William Armstrong. In June, 1903, the position of commercial agent was created, due to the enormous growth of the freight business in this city on the Burlington, and Mr. Armstrong was assigned to the latter position, which he continued to fill to the time of his death, with headquarters at the Union depot. On one occasion he said to a reporter: "I have seen considerable alteration and changes in the railroad business in my forty-seven years of serv- ice and although I am seventy-seven years of age, I am able to drive along at it for awhile yet." He continued active until his demise and was one of the most honored, respected and trust- worthy employes of the road. At various times he was identified with business enterprises, and Ottumwa ever regarded him as one of her most valued citizens.
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In 1858 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Thome, of Athens, Missouri, a daughter of Arthur and Eliza (Sharp) Thome. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Kentucky. Mr. Thome went to the latter state when a young man and was married there. In 1842 he removed to Missouri. He had been a slave owner in Kentucky and, be- coming convinced that the practice of slavery was wrong, he sold out and went to Missouri. There he embarked in the milling business and on one occasion lost eight thousand dollars in the Des Moines river. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Thome were five children, but Mrs. Armstrong is the only one now living. She too was born in Kentucky, although she spent much of her girlhood in Athens, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were born four children: William, who died November 28, 1902; Mrs. Mary Fetzer, a widow residing in Chicago, her daughter, Mary A., being now a student at the Northwestern University ; Paul O., who died March 4, 1872 ; and Anna Thome, who is at home. There are also two grandchildren : William B. Armstrong and Mary A. Fetzer.
Mr. Armstrong was a prominent Mason and was a charter member of the lodge, chapter and commandery of Ottumwa and also the first treasurer of the commandery. In politics he was a republican. For several terms he was a member of the city coun- cil, was also city treasurer for several years and was school direc- tor for six years. He took an active and helpful interest in all that pertained to the welfare of his city and county, and his labors were directly beneficial. His many sterling traits of character brought him the high regard of all, and his death was the occa- sion of deep and widespread regret. His widow resides in Ot- tumwa, where she owns two fine residences and also valuable commercial paper.
JOSEPH HENRY MERRILL.
Few seemingly care to cultivate the qualities of leadership. They are not willing to enter upon the self-sacrificing effort which brings the individual to the forefront in any field of labor in which he may choose to engage. The great majority of people are content to remain in the stations into which they are born or are willing to follow the paths which others have
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made easy. Occasionally here and there, however, are found those men whose initiative spirit carries them far beyond the common-place to the goal of success.
Such a one was Joseph Henry Merrill, founder and promoter of one of the most important commercial enterprises of Ottumwa -the extensive wholesale business which bears his name. He was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on the 27th of Decem- ber, 1827. One of his brothers and the brother's seven sons were in the southern army and none of the number ever suffered even a scratch, although frequently in the thickest of the fight. When a young man, in his twenty-second year, Joseph Henry Merrill started across the plains for California in 1849, traveling by ox and mule team. After many weary months the journey was ended at Sacramento, and he and his father built the first toll bridge across the Sacramento river. He made his return to the east by way of the Isthmus route to Boston. Throughout prac- tically his entire business life he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. In 1854 he was married and the following year removed to the middle west. He was employed for one or two years in Peoria, Illinois, and was acting as agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Mount Pleasant at the time of the birth of his son Herman. Leaving that city, he embarked in the wholesale grocery business in Ot- tuma in connection with C. W. Kittridge, with whom he con- tinued until 1861. During the period of the Civil war he was alone in business and following the close of hostilities he was joined by Major Samuel Mahon and the partnership continued until July, 1901. He then withdrew and in connection with his son Herman opened an office in the Electric building, starting a business which was developed into a colossal wholesale grocery business, recognized as one of the most important commercial enterprises, not only of Ottumwa but of this section of the state. Not only did he figure prominently in commercial circles but also became widely known in financial connections as president of the Iowa National Bank and as president of the City Savings Bank. He early became familiar with the fact that success tauntingly plays before the dreamer but yields its prizes to the man of persistent, earnest effort, whose activities are guided by honorable purpose. It was along such lines that he advanced until he reached the position of leadership accorded him.
In early manhood Mr. Merrill was united in marriage to Miss Garaphelia Burnham, who was born in Bradford, Ver-
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mont, September 13, 1831, and who reached the age of eighty- one years when called to her final rest. In their family were five children. One son, Denison Burnham, left at his death a widow and one son, Charles Greenleaf. The surviving member of the family is Herman W. Merrill, his father's successor in business at Ottumwa. The death of Mr. Merrill occurred in 1911, while his wife passed away in 1912. He did much to mold public thought and action along many lines, was always deeply interested in matters of citizenship and was a member of the state legislature from 1871 until 1874, inclusive, his re-election coming in recognition of his faithfulness, capability and loyalty during his first term. In every relation of life in which he was active his influence was felt as a factor for good and for progress.
JACOB W. JORDAN.
The honorable life record of Jacob W. Jordan makes his example one well worthy of emulation. His memory is cherished by many who knew him and most of all by those who knew him best, for they learned to know his many excellent traits of char- acter and to respect him for the honorable motives which guided his life. He was born in Lancaster, Keokuk county, Iowa, April 9, 1849, and died on the 31st of May, 1910. For forty years he had been identified with the business circles of Ottumwa, being associated with his father, the late W. A. Jordan, and his broth- ers in the well known firm of W. A. Jordan & Sons. The father, WV. A. Jordan, was a native of Columbus, Ohio, born on the 20th of August, 1820, and, moving westward, he became one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa. His parents were in moderate circum- stances, but were of eminent probity, and under the parental roof the son learned lessons of industry and integrity that proved of untold value to him in later life. His educational training was that of the common schools and when eighteen years of age he started out in the business world on his own account, making his way to Keokuk, Iowa, when that city was but a small village. He started in business as a dealer in dry goods and groceries with but a small capital at his command. His careful and sys- tematic business habits, his thrifty disposition and his unfaltering diligence soon brought their reward. He prospered in his undertaking and from time to time increased his stock in order to
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meet the growing demands of his trade. On the 21st of June, 1846, he entered upon a happy home life through his marriage to Miss Maria McGrew, who was born July 11, 1828, in Vigo county, Indiana. He died May 26, 1873, in the fifty-third year of his age. His wife led a long and useful life and was much interested in the progress of her home city until her death, May 1, 1910. For some years following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Jordan remained residents of Keokuk county and in 1868 removed to Ottumwa, where he embarked in business, opening one of the pioneer general mercantile stores of this city. He brought with him enough capital to carry forward his enterprise and his business was one of constantly growing volume and importance. At the time of his death he owned three retail stores, drygoods, clothing and shoes. His interests, too, were of a character that contributed to the general upbuilding as well as the individual success, and he was widely recognized as one of the leading and honored merchants of his section of the state. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Jordan were twelve chil- dren: W. B., whose home is in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jacob W., deceased; Albert, also deceased; J. C., who is living in Ottumwa; Charles, who has passed away ; Mrs. Ira Myers; Mrs. G. F. Hall and Mrs. B. W. Ladd, twins, the former living in Ottumwa and the latter in Kansas City, Missouri; William G., a resident of Minneapolis; and Mrs. Claude Myers, Mrs. M. B. Hutchison, and Mrs. E. A. Work, all of Ottumwa.
Jacob W. Jordan was but a boy when his parents removed to Eddyville, where they remained for ten months before moving to Ottumwa. He attended school for two years at Fairfield and Mount Pleasant. He afterward received an appointment to the Annapolis Naval Academy at Maryland. Following his school days he spent one year in preparation for the naval service of his country, but owing to failing eyesight was forced to give up his cherished plans. He then went into business with his father and brothers, who at that time were conducting a boot and shoe store in the block between Court and Market streets in Ottumwa. Later the firm enlarged the scope of their activities, adding dry goods, clothing and other lines of merchandise. It was as a merchant that Jacob W. Jordan was best known to Ottumwa's citizens. He not only conducted interests of large extent and importance but also enjoyed an unassailable reputation for com- mercial integrity and honor. He would rather suffer personal loss than cause another to lose by a method that he might pur- Vol. II-9
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sue. He was serving his first term as a member of the board of supervisors when death suddenly called him and had made a record for marked ability and fidelity.
On the 12th of August, 1896, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss Laura Hennegin, who was born in Jackson county, Missouri, and is a daughter of Captain P. and Mary E. (Ross) Hennegin. She taught for ten years in the public schools of the city, being principal of the Lincoln school prior to her marriage. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the P. E. O. sisterhood. Mr. Jordan was a mem- ber of the Masonic order and had attained to the Knight Templar degree. In their family are two sons: Jacob Wimer and John Clay Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were out for a pleasure ride in their automobile and while cranking the car he ruptured a blood vessel, which caused his death on the 31st of May, 1910. He passed away in the car ere help could be summoned and his demise was a shock to the entire community, causing the most profound regret and sorrow. His memory is still cherished by all who knew him either through business or social connections. His cordiality, his recognition of sterling qualities in others and his appreciation for all that is honorable in manhood won for him high and enduring regard. His life was one of increasing usefulness, and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of his city and state.
HARRY EAGER.
Harry Eager is the proprietor of a tailoring and cleaning establishment in Ottumwa, where he has been continuously engaged in business since the spring of 1906. His birth occurred in Onarga, Illinois, on the 14th of November, 1875, his parents being C. R. and Helen (Skeels) Eager, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. They removed to Illinois in the '50s and in the year 1890 settled in Nebraska, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Four of their six children survive. .
Harry Eager enjoyed the advantages of a high-school educa- tion in his youth and also attended Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga, Illinois, and when seventeen years of age secured a position as clerk in a dry-goods store in Nebraska, being thus employed for a period of seven years. In 1900 he came to Iowa
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and learned the tailor's trade. In the spring of 1906 after spend- ing a period of six years in the employ of Meek Brothers he embarked in business as a tailor in Ottumwa and five years later added a cleaning plant to the establishment. He has built up an extensive and enviable patronage in both connections and is numbered among the prosperous and enterprising business men of the city. He does all manner of steam cleaning and dyeing for ladies as well as gentlemen.
In 1901 Mr. Eager was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Pickett, a native of Iowa and a daughter of A. C. and Sarah E. Pickett, whose family numbered nine children. Our subject and his wife have one son, Percy R., who was born on the 7th of December, 1903.
Mr. Eager is a republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations: Lodge No. 269, A. F. & A. M. ; Lodge No. 347, B. P. O. E .; Lodge No. 484 of the Loyal Order of Moose. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Royal Arcanum, belonging to Ocrum Council of the latter organization. Mr. and Mrs. Eager enjoy an extensive acquaintance in Ottumwa and are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth.
SAMUEL MAHON.
Among the prominent residents of Ottumwa is Samuel Mahon, a capitalist, whose business activities have constituted not only a source of gratifying personal success but also a feature in the general prosperity of the city. A native of Ireland, he was born at Tyrrells Pass, in County Westmeath, on the 31st of August, 1840, and traces his ancestry back to Daniel Mahon, who was born in 1730. The line is traced down through Edward Mahon, born in 1765, to John Mahon, who was born in 1792. He wedded Sarah Ann Keith in the year 1822. In 1849 he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed with his family for the new world, becoming a resident of Xenia, Ohio.
In the public schools Samuel Mahon, who was a lad of about nine years when he came to America, pursued his education. He remained upon the home farm from 1849 until 1855, at which time he was placed in a store, being thus employed until 1861,
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save for an interval of four months devoted to teaching in the country schools. Following the outbreak of the Civil war, how- ever, he regarded his duty to his country as paramount and re- sponded to the call for troops. He enlisted in July, 1861, as first lieutenant of the Seventh Iowa Infantry, with which he served for four years and one month, or until after the close of the war. His fidelity to duty was acknowledged in his promotion to the captaincy of his company in June, 1862, and in 1864 he became major on the reorganization of the Seventh Iowa Veteran Volun- teer Infantry. He served in all of the campaigns under Grant and Sherman in the west, participating in the battles of Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Chattanooga and Atlanta. He was also with Sherman on his march to the sea, participating in the capture of Savannah and in the campaign through the Carolinas. He was in the battles of Bentonville, Goldsboro, Raleigh and Durham Station, and was present at the surrender of Johnson. He then proceeded to Washington with his regiment by way of Richmond, participated in the Grand Review of Sherman's army and in due time was mustered out. He had had all of the experiences which fall to the lot of the sol- dier and returned home with a most creditable military record, having done his full duty to the Union.
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