USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 19
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In politics Mr. Kidd is a republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 16, A. F. & A. M .; Clinton Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M .; Malta
SCHAFER& STEINHOFF 18 BLOCK 98
SCHAFER & HARTMAN'S FURNITURE STORE, EDDYVILLE
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Commandery, No. 31, K. T .; and the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Country Club. His entire career has been character- ized by high ideals and noble principles and in every relation. of life his record has ever measured up to a high standard of honorable manhood.
GEORGE F. HARTMAN.
George F. Hartman is one of the successful business men of Eddyville, being a member of the firm of Schafer & Hartman, furniture dealers and undertakers. He was born in this city, April 28, 1871, his parents being August and Sophronia (Miller) Hartman, the father a native of Sweden and the mother of In- diana. The former emigrated to America in the early '6os and subsequently located in Wapello county, where he is still living, his wife having passed away. In their family were eight chil- dren: Edgar, of Colorado; W. A., a resident of Eddyville; George F., of this review; R. T., who makes his home in Cedar Rapids; Clara, of Lakonta; C. E., of Des Moines; Oscar, of Valley Junction; and Grace, the wife of F. D. Lanning, of Lakonta, Iowa.
George F. Hartman remained at home until eighteen years of age, attending the common and high schools and enjoying fair educational advantages. He then took a trip to California, going to Clipper Gap, where he remained for one year as foreman in a box factory. He then returned to Iowa, where he worked with his father in building bridges for railroad companies. Subse- quently he was for four and one-half years fireman on a loco- motive and for the next five and one-half years held the position of engineer on the Rock Island Railroad. At the end of that time he had acquired the means which permitted him to purchase an interest in the furniture and undertaking business of Mr. Schafer, the firm becoming Schafer & Hartman. Mr. Hartman is trustworthy and follows the highest business principles, be- lieving in standing by his customers and treating them with the utmost fairness. He is courteous and obliging and it is therefore no wonder that the business has increased from year to year. The firm also maintains an undertaking department which is mod-
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ernly equipped so that they can take care of the most elaborate funerals.
In 1893 Mr. Hartman married Miss Minnie B. Schafer, and they have three children : George, Jr., who was born November 28, 1894, a graduate of the high school and now attending college at Ames; Blanche M., born September 27, 1899; and Mildred, born September 8, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman are members of the Congregational church, the services of which they regu- larly attend. Both are members of Lodge No. 99 of the Eastern Star, and Mr. Hartman is also a member of Lodge No. 74, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He also belongs to Homestead Lodge, No. 98, of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and is popular in these fraternal organiza- tions. For eight years he has served on the city council of Eddyville, giving his support to all progressive measures which he deems of great benefit to the city, and for two terms held the position of township clerk. He is an enterprising business man, a useful citizen and a steadfast friend.
CHARLES R. TOWER.
In the year 1909 Charles R. Tower became one of the organ- izers of the Tower-Majors Candy Company and since that time the business has increased four-fold, becoming one of the im- portant productive industries of Ottumwa. Their establish- ment is known as "The House of Chocolates" and is popular with the public because of the excellence of their product and the reliable business methods of the members of the firm, of which Mr. Tower is secretary and treasurer.
He is one of Ottumwa's native sons, born October 3, 1868, and is a representative of an old New England family. His grandfather. Oramel Tower, was born in Randolph, Massa- chusetts, March 8, 1799, and in 1839 came to lowa, while this state was still a part of the territory of Wisconsin. He settled at Farmington, Van Buren county, and became closely identi- fied with the pioneer development of that section of the state. Thirteen years later, or in 1852, he removed to Ottumwa and watched the development of the tiny hamlet into a thriving and prosperous city, in which he made his home until his death in 1884. His son, Daniel Webster Tower, was born at Farm-
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
ington, Iowa, January 26, 1841, and after serving through the Civil war came to Ottumwa in 1865. He enlisted at Keokuk, Iowa, on May 27, 1861, as a member of Company F, Second Iowa Infantry, for ninety days. At the end of that time, when he received his discharge papers, he immediately reenlisted, joining Company B, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities, receiving his final dis- charge on the 5th of May, 1865, at which time he was serving as second lieutenant, to which rank he had been promoted on the 7th of February, 1863. It was Lieutenant "Web" Tower who when exchanged from Cahawba Prison in Alabama and sent north on account of sickness, carried home in his wooden leg the original copy of the song "When Sherman Marched Down to the Sea." This was published in the north and thou- sands of copies were sent south to the boys at the front, where it was sung at the camp fires from the Mississippi river to the Atlantic ocean. The original copy, which was carried north by Lieutenant Tower, is now in the Historical building at Des Moines. In Ottumwa he entered the grocery business in con- nection with his father, Oramel Tower, where the Ennis build- ing now stands. After some years' connection with commer- cial interests in Ottumwa, D. W. Tower was elected county re- corder and by reelection was continued in that office for three terms. He afterward became bookkeeper in the office of the First National Bank and remained in that connection until his death in 1885. In early manhood he married Laura Agnes Rowley, who was born at Crown Point, Indiana, in 1846, and she, too, has passed away. They had a family of three children, of whom one died in infancy, the others being: Charles R., of this review; and Mabel, the wife of James MI. Majors, of Ottumwa.
Charles R. Tower entered the public schools of Ottumwa and passed through consecutive grades to the high school. On putting aside his text-books he went to Kansas City, where he engaged in clerking in a shoe store for five years. On the ex- piration of that period he returned to Ottumwa and traveled for J. H. Merrill & Company for twenty years, his long connec- tion with that house indicating his loyalty and thorough relia- bility. He had the entire confidence of those whom he served and they were loath to part with him when he resigned in order to engage in business on his own account. It was in 1909 that he became associated with George B. Simmons and James M.
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Majors in organizing the Tower-Majors Candy Company, of which Mr. Simmons is the president, Mr. Majors vice presi -. dent and Mr. Tower secretary and treasurer. In the interven- ing years they have increased the business four-fold, doubling it the first year. They employ on an average from sixty to sixty-five people in the manufacturing and jobbing of candy and have six traveling salesmen upon the road. They make a specialty of the manufacture of high-grade chocolates, and their output finds a ready sale upon the market because of its excellence and by reason of the straightforward business meth- ods of the firm.
Mr. Tower was married in Chariton, Iowa, on the 10th of June, 1896, to Miss Berta Belle Briggs, a native of Dubuque and a daughter of Maurice W. Briggs, born in Erie, Pennsyl- vania, a grain dealer of Dubuque and later owner of the M. W. Briggs Wholesale Paper House of that city, but now deceased. His wife was Harriett E. Crandall, who was born in West Hart- ford, Vermont. They came to Iowa in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Tower have one child, a daughter, Doris Briggs, born Septem- ber 19, 1902. Mr. Tower belongs to that class who have justly earned the proud American title of self-made man. He has worked his way steadily upward in business connections, his power and ability increasing through the exercise of effort, and today he stands among those who are resourceful, ener- getic and progressive and to whom the city owes its present progress and prosperity.
GEORGE L. NYE.
George L. Nye, who for sixteen and a half years has been postmaster at Agency and for twenty years has been on the sol- diers' relief committee, stands for all that is progressive in citizenship and his public-spirited devotion to the general wel- fare has had many tangible evidences. He was born in Cass township, Wapello county, on the 28th of September, 1845. There is scarcely a native-born resident of the county older than he yet living. His father, W. A. Nye, was born in Germany in 1825 and when a lad of eight years was brought by his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Waverly, Ohio. He married Rebecca Wicker and in the year 1845 be-
y
GEORGE L. NYE AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
came a resident of Iowa, taking up his abode upon a farm in Cass township, Wapello county. Some years later he removed to Ottumwa, where he spent two years, filling the office of county treasurer during that period and for two years thereafter. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he was frequently called upon to fill township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. To him and his wife were born five children: George L., John W., William A., Samuel A. and Mary.
The birthplace of George L. Nye was a log cabin, and he was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. In his youthful days he aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm, and he continued his residence in Cass township until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1863 he responded to the country's call for aid, joining Company B, Seventh Regi- ment of Iowa Infantry as a private. He remained with that com- mand until the close of the war and was on active duty in the Indian country in Kansas and Nebraska. That was at a time when the buffaloes roamed over the western prairies, and he saw thousands of those animals.
When the country no longer needed his military aid, Mr. Nye returned to his home and continued a resident of Cass township until 1869, when he removed to Agency township, with the agri- cultural interests of which he has since been identified. He owns valuable land which is highly cultivated and well improved, and he has given demonstration of his ability as an enterprising, pro- gressive agriculturist. On the 15th of November, 1897, he re- ceived appointment to the position of postmaster at Agency city and reappointment has continued him in the office to the present time.
Mr. Nye was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah J. Dudley, who was born in a log cabin in Agency township in 1847. They have become parents of six children : Charles M., Minnie L., A. M., Fannie, William D. and Russell G. The name of Nye has long figured in connection with the development and upbuilding of this section of the state and has ever been a synonym for loyalty in citizenship and progress in business. Mr. Nye has voted with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and in addition to the office which he is now filling, he has been both trustee and clerk of his township. He was also a member of the school board for a number of years and has ever been interested in the cause of education. He belongs to Wins-
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low Post, No. 107, G. A. R., and for twenty years has been on the soldiers' relief committee, in which connection he has done important work in behalf of his old army comrades who wore the blue uniform during the darkest hour in the history of the republic. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. For almost three score years and ten Mr. Nye has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred in his part of the county and has first-hand knowledge of events which are to others matters of history. He can speak authoritatively upon many questions relating to the annals of Wapello county, for he has seen it merge from pioneer conditions and take on all the evidences of a modern and progressive civilization.
WALTER ALLEN LINTON.
Walter Allen Linton is a recognized factor in business circles of Ottumwa as the owner of the Roseland Fuel Company, a wholesale and retail coal concern. His birth occurred in Ains- worth, Washington county, Jowa, on the 25th of October, 1879, his parents being William C. and Anna (Fisher) Linton, the former born in Kingston, Canada, on the 24th of January, 1850, and the latter in Ottawa, Illinois, on the 30th of January, 1852. William C. Linton came to Iowa in 1877 and four years later took up his abode in Wapello county, having resided here con- tinuously during the third of a century which has since elapsed. When a youth of fourteen years he worked as telegraph operator at a salary of one hundred dollars per month. He acted as chief train dispatcher in the service of the Rock Island Railway for a number of years and is now successfully engaged in the insurance business. Mr. and Mrs. William C. Linton have four surviving children, as follows: Orville E., who is a mail carrier of Ot- tumwa ; William, a resident of Davenport; Walter Allen, of this review; and Lester M., living in Chicago.
Walter A. Linton acquired his education in Ottumwa, com- pleting the high-school course with the class of 1901. The fol- lowing year he became identified with the coal business as an employe of the Roseland Fuel Company, going to the mines and familiarizing himself with the work in every department. At that time the company owned a mine in Wapello county and another at Centerville, Appanoose county. Mr. Linton worked
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with the concern until 1908, when he purchased a half interest and in 1909 bought the remaining stock, having since been the sole owner of the Roseland Fuel Company. He conducts both a wholesale and retail business and employs on an average twenty- five men, utilizing the output of two mines. The offices of the company are at No. 129 East Second street in Ottumwa. Mr. Linton has sought success along legitimate lines nor fails to accomplish what he undertakes, for his carefully formulated plans have their root in good judgment and progressiveness.
On the 5th of June, 1907, Mr. Linton was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth N. Loomis, a native of Ottumwa, lowa, and a daughter of E. C. and Ella (Lawrence) Loomis. The father is now living retired, but the mother has passed away. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Mildred.
In politics Mr. Linton is independent, always considering the fitness and capability of a candidate as of more importance than his party affiliation. He is a valued member of the First Con- gregational church, in which he served as treasurer for several years, and has always taken an active interest in church work and also in the activities of the Young Men's Christian Association. He likewise belongs to the Country Club and is popular in both business and social circles of the city in which practically his entire life has been spent.
JAMES M. MAJORS.
James M. Majors, vice president of the Tower-Majors Candy Company, manufacturers and jobbers of confectionery at Ottumwa, has always lived in Wapello county save for a brief period and is well known here. His birth occurred at Kirkville, on the 18th of February, 1875, his parents being Andrew Jackson and Martha (Speer) Majors, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, while the former was born in Wapello county and is a representative of one of the early pioneer fami- lies. To Mr. and Mrs. Majors were born five children : James M .; Sadie, the wife of J. E. Hinsey of Ottumwa; Mar- garet, the wife of Arthur B. Heisel, whose home is in Sand Springs, Montana; Will W., a resident of Ottumwa; and Cloetta, who is at home.
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James M. Majors was educated in the common schools of Wapello county and in the high school of Ottumwa, coming to this city in 1888. He completed his course of study in 1892 and then entered the employ of the Morrell Packing Com- pany, securing a position in the office. He applied himself closely to the mastery of the duties assigned him, and his abil- ity won recognition that led in time to his transfer to the branch house at Des Moines, of which he was given charge, acting in the capacity of manager at that point for six years. He was next transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, where he re- mained for five years, and on the expiration of that period he left the Morrell Company and began the wholesale manufac- ture of candy, entering into partnership with George B. Sim- mons and Charles R. Tower under the firm style of the Tower-Majors Candy Company. Their business has grown rapidly and substantially and they have a large and well equipped plant, in which they furnish employment to about sixty-five people. Their success is assured, for their business methods awaken public confidence and the quality of their out- put is most satisfactory to their patrons.
On the 14th of November, 1900, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Majors and Miss Mabel Tower, and to them has been born a son, Webster M., whose natal day was March 6, 1902. The parents are widely known in Ottumwa and their popularity makes their home the center of a cultured society circle.
C. H. SHEARER.
C. H. Shearer, conducting a confectionery store and ice cream manufactory in Agency, is classed among the success- ful business men of that enterprising town. He was born in Indiana, September 21, 1858, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Shearer, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They journeyed by wagon to lowa and settled in Wapello county in 1865, the father here remaining until his death. In the family were five children, of whom two are living: Eliza, the wife of T. J. Raper of Burlington, Iowa; and C. H., of this review.
The latter remained at home until he had attained his ma- jority and then began learning the barber's trade in Agency.
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He was employed in the work for fifteen years, some of the time conducting business on his own account. Since then he has been proprietor of a confectionery store in Agency which he still conducts, and in connection with the sale of sweets, he is also engaged in the manufacture of ice cream. His enter- prising business methods, his close application and his unfal- tering energy have been salient features in his growing success.
On the 13th of January, 1887, Mr. Shearer was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Dunbar, a native of Iowa and a daugh- ter of John and Lucy Dunbar, the former now deceased, while the latter is still living. Both were natives of Kentucky and at an early period in the development of Iowa they came to this state. The father served throughout the period of the Civil war, participating in a number of hotly contested battles. To Mr. and Mrs. Shearer has been born a daughter, Katie E., who is now the wife of Fred C. Rutz, a resident farmer of Wapello county, and they have two children, Francis and Elvie. The parents are members of the Methodist church and are in hearty sympathy with its work. Mr. Shearer gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has sup- ported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For three years he served as a member of the city council and during that period exercised his official prerogatives in sup- port of many progressive public movements. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and has filled all of the chairs in that organization. He is well known in this county, where he has lived continuously for almost a half century, and those who know him entertain for him the warm regard that is always the instinctive tribute paid to sterling qualities of manhood.
JAMES F. POLING.
James F. Poling is one of the foremost business men of Ot- tumwa, but more than that he is of the best type of American citizenship and a man whose actions are directed by the highest principles. He is prominent in the electric light business and connected with a number of concerns of that kind in this and other cities of the state. Mr. Poling was born in Wapello on a farm were the Dain Manufacturing Company now stands.
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The date of his birth was November 7, 1871. His parents were N. S. and Catherine (Smith) Poling, the former born near Grafton, West Virginia, and the latter in Maryland. The father's birth occurred April 28, 1838, and he came to Iowa after the war in 1865. He was a soldier on the Confederate side, serving under Stonewall Jackson in the Army of the Po- tomac. After coming to lowa Mr. Poling, Sr., engaged in agricultural pursuits and was successful along that line until he retired to Ottumwa, where he yet lives, making his home at 515 Hamilton street. The mother, who was born June 10, 1838, has passed away. She bore her husband five children: M. W., who is closely connected with his brother James F. in all of his business interests ; James F., of this review; Mary Alva, at home; Lulu, deceased; and Harry Leroy, of the firm of Cramblit & Poling.
James F. Poling grew up under the parental roof and ac- quired his education in the common schools. He remained on his father's farm until he was about twenty-eight years of age, when he joined the staff of the Ottumwa Railway & Light Company, remaining with them for about four years. He then joined the Oskaloosa Traction & Light Company, with whom he stayed for a similar period, taking over at the end of that time, in partnership with his brother M. W., the electric sup- ply department of the Ottumwa Railway & Light Company. They have been engaged in business in the city for about eight years and in that length of time Mr. Poling has fully demon- strated his value and ability as a commercial leader. Mr. Pol- ing has also stock in the Home Electric Company at Burling- ton, and he and his brother own the Poling Electric Company and a store at Albia. They employ on an average of about twenty people, and, considering that they are entirely engaged in the electrical business, this fact alone speaks for the volume and extent of their interests. They are doing inside and outside work and are well equipped for the installation of lights, motors and other electrical appliances. There is much credit due Mr. Poling for the success of the various enterprises with which he is connected, as his capability, aggressiveness and knowledge of the business have been an important factor in their growth.
On June 14, 1901, James F. Poling married Nellie B. Walker, who was born in York, Nebraska, and is a daughter of Z. and Hattie (Ditch) Walker, the latter deceased. Mr. Walker was engaged in the rubberoid roofing business after
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coming to Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Poling have three children, Guy Morris, Helen Mary and Rosa May.
Mr. Poling is a democrat and, although interested in the welfare of his party, has never sought political honors. How- ever, he is ever ready to give his support to worthy public enterprises and has done much for the growth and development of the trade interests of his city. His religion is that of the Congregational church, and fraternally he is known as an Odd Fellow and a Moose. He has many friends in Ottumwa both in business and social circles and is esteemed by all who know him and most highly respected by those who know him best.
CARY JOHNSON.
Cary Johnson is well known in business circles of Ottumwa as a dealer in automobiles, handling the White, Studebaker and Spaulding cars. He is widely recognized as a young man of enterprise and energy who has won success in his undertakings. His birth occurred in Illinois on the 23d of March, 1880, his parents being W. C. and Ann (Jones) Johnson, the former born in Ohio on the 8th of May, 1833, and the latter in Indiana in 1845. W. C. Johnson, who followed general agricultural pur- suits throughout his active business career, now makes his home with his children. During the period of the Civil war he served for three years with the Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His wife was called to her final rest in 1900. They had four children, as follows: Charles, who is a resident of Champaign, Illinois; Edwin, living in Moscow, Idaho; Cary, of this review; and Forest, of Fayette county, Iowa.
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