USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 20
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Cary Johnson attended the common schools of his native state in the acquirement of an education and was reared to man- hood on the home farm. He came to Iowa in 1902 and has since spent most of the time in Wapello county. He was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until September, 1913, and still owns a farm in this county on which he resided for two years and which is now operated with the aid of hired help. In September, 1913, he took up his abode in Ottumwa and bought out the automobile business of Mr. Fisk, having since maintained the salesroom in the Utt building. He handles the
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White, Studebaker and Spaulding cars and is accorded a grati- fying patronage that makes the undertaking profitable.
On the Ist of September, 1900, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ociea Smith, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of J. E. and Catherine (Snavely) Smith, who are residents of Eldora, Iowa. The father is an agriculturist by occupation. Our subject and his wife have four children, namely: Edna Marie, Bertha May, Ona Irene and Virgil Glenn. Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a Methodist in religious faith. His fellow citizens know him as a man of honor and genuine personal worth, meriting their re- spect, good-will and confidence.
VERY REV. F. W. HOPPMANN.
Very Rev. F. W. Hoppmann, rector of St. Mary's church of Ottumwa, was born in Burlington, Iowa, November 8, 1859, a son of Ignatz and Frances (Northmann) Hoppmann, who were natives of Ecklingerode province, Saxony, Germany, where they were reared and married. Following their voyage across the Atlantic to the new world they made their way to Galva, Illinois, in 1855 and two years later removed to Burlington, Iowa, where they spent their remaining days. The father was a teamster and rock contractor, conducting business in connection with an uncle for many years. They were the owners of rock quarries and had a liberal patronage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ignatz Hoppmann were born five children, the Rev. F. W. Hoppmann being the third, having two sisters older and two sisters younger than himself. These are all married, two of the sisters living in Chicago, one in Iowa City and one in California.
Rev. Hoppmann was reared in Burlington and attended paro- chial schools there until thirteen years of age, when he went to Calvary, Wisconsin, and entered the St. Lawrence College, in which he continued as a student for five years. He then com- pleted a year's course with the Jesuit fathers at Buffalo, New York, being a student in Canisius College. He afterward en- tered St. Joseph College at Dubuque for his philosophic course and after a year there spent three years in St. Francis College at Milwaukee.
VERY REV. F. W. HOPPMANN
!
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He was ordained to the priesthood on the 20th of June, 1884, at St. Vincent, Pennsylvania, and was assigned to duty at Rich- mond, Iowa, on the 3d of July of that year. There he continued for seven years, after which he went to Portsmouth, Shelby county, Iowa, where he spent three years. Later he had charge of a church in St. Paul, Lee county, Iowa, and on the 25th of February, 1902, came to Ottumwa as pastor of St. Mary's church. This is the Ottumwa deanery, and there are three churches in this city. At Richmond he added a school and new parochial residence to the parish property and improved the church to a large extent. At Portsmouth he was instrumental in securing the erection of a new house of worship and while there he also attended a mission each Sunday at Panama, Iowa, which now has a good church and its own pastor. At St. Paul he did all the preliminary work for a new parochial residence. Since coming to Ottumwa he has done much repair work on school and church. He is mechanically inclined, acts as his own archi- tect and has done much planning and drafting. The results achieved indicate his skill and excellence in this connection. Under his guidance the various churches of which he has had charge have made substantial progress, his work being attended by splendid results.
A. HARVEY NELSON.
A. Harvey Nelson, who has been identified with mercantile interests throughout his entire business career, opened the first specialty store in Ottumwa in 1906 and has since built up an enviable business in the sale of women's outer garments. His birth occurred in Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, on the 29th of December, 1866, his parents being H. H. and Eliza (Mc- Neese) Nelson, natives of Tennessee. The father, who was born in Nashville, that state, came to Iowa in the '40s, settling in Keokuk county, where he embarked in the produce business. His demise there occurred but his widow still survives, making her home at Richland. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Samantha, who is the wife of T. D. Ferguson, of Galesburg, Illinois; Hattie, who gave her hand in marriage to William Brown, of Kansas City; A. Harvey, of this review; Vol. II-14
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Emma, the wife of J. W. Pendergraft, of Richland, Iowa; and Laura, who is the wife of J. W. Green, of Richland, this state.
A. Harvey Nelson acquired his education in the graded and high schools of Richland and likewise pursued a course in a business college of Burlington. Since putting aside his text- books he has given his time and energies to mercantile pursuits with excellent success. He came to Ottumwa in 1903 and was here associated with Mr. Scase for three years. On the ex- piration of that period he opened the first women's specialty store in Ottumwa and the growth of the business has since neces- sitated doubling its quarters. He utilizes the services of ten employes in the sale of women's outer garments and now enjoys an enviable and gratifying patronage. Mr. Nelson also owns the Iowa Cloak & Millinery Company of Ottumwa and is widely recognized as a prosperous and representative merchant of the city. He holds the office of first vice president in the National Federation of Retail Merchants.
On the 5th of May, 1891, Mr. Nelson was united in mar- riage to Miss Carrie Robertson, a native of Des Moines and a daughter of S. M. and Gulia (Gray) Robertson, both of whom are deceased. The father was a traveling salesman. Our sub- ject and his wife have three daughters, namely: Hazel, Helen and Alice Louise.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Nelson has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, while fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man whom to know is to esteem and honor, his sterling qualities winning him the friend- ship and regard of a large circle of acquaintances.
MARCUS P. DUFFIELD.
Marcus P. Duffield is a stockholder in several of the impor- tant business interests of Ottumwa. Thrown upon his own resources when not quite sixteen years of age and facing the further necessity of providing for his mother's family as well as for his own support, he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He was born in Douds Station, Van Buren
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county, January 2, 1871. His father, Huston P. Duffield, a native of Carroll county, Ohio, was born in 1836 and when a young man of twenty-eight years came to Iowa. The greater part of his life was devoted to merchandising, and he conducted business in various towns. In 1883 he came to Wapello county, and his last days were spent in Eldon, where he departed this life in 1886. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Angelina Huckleberry, was born in Indiana in 1845 and is now living in Omaha, Nebraska. Their family numbered five children : Willa, the wife of Clarence M. Shaw of Tecumseh, Nebraska; Eddy C., who was killed in a railroad wreck in 1892 when he was acting as fireman upon the road ; Marcus P .; Roy De Witt, who was injured in a wreck and died from the effects thereof; and Jean P., a piano teacher of Omaha.
Marcus P. Duffield was a young lad when his parents moved to Eldon, where he pursued an education in the common schools. He afterward worked for five years for the Rock Island Rail- way Company in various capacities and subsequently spent two years in the Bradley Bank at Eldon. He then began work for the Hardsocg Manufacturing Company as shipping clerk and was given charge of their garment department. of which he was the superintendent for seven years. He next went upon the road as a traveling salesman and following his recall to the house acted as manager of the Hardsocg Manufacturing Com- pany for eight years. He next became manager of the Hardsocg Wonder Drill Company, in which he is one of the directors. He also is identified with the Citizens Savings Bank and is interested in another manufacturing company-the Ottumwa Iron Works. He readily recognizes opportunities and responsi- bilities, and he utilizes the former with the readiness with which he meets the latter.
On the 28th of August, 1901, Mr. Duffield was united in marriage to Miss Jennie McCampbell, who was born in Colum- bus, Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary (Smith) McCamp- bell, both of whom are residents of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Duffield are the parents of a son, Marcus McCampbell, who was born October 4, 1903. The family attend the Meth- odist church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Duf- field gives his political support to the republican party, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon business affairs and their wise direction has brought him to an enviable position. Although in his youth
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heavy responsibilities were laid upon him, it called forth and developed the strong and salient traits of his character and fitted him for the duties of later life.
BENJAMIN JAMES BOULTON.
Benjamin James Boulton is now giving his supervision merely to his invested interests, looking after his private hold- ings. He was, however, for many years actively connected with commercial and manufacturing interests, and his efforts were not only a resultant element in winning individual success, but were also a feature in public prosperity. His life record had its beginning at Great Yarmouth, England, March 12, 1832, his parents being Benjamin and Mary (Ward) Boulton. The father died in England when his son Benjamin was about sixteen years of age, and later the mother came to the new world and passed away at Green Bush, near Albany, New York. Benjamin and his brother, George W. Boulton, made the voyage to the new world in 1851 and their sister, Esther, came later.
Benjamin James Boulton is the only survivor of the three children of the family. As stated, he left his native land in 1851, and in due time arrived in New York harbor. He then made his way to Canandaigua, New York, where he continued until the winter of 1854-55. In England he had learned the trade of baker and confectioner and was employed along that line in Canandaigua. In the winter of 1855 and 1856 he arrived in lowa. He had to walk across the Mississippi river on the ice to Dubuque and continued in that city until 1859, working at his trade. He then came to Ottumwa, where he purchased a bakery and later extended the scope of his business to include the manufacture of confectionery. In 1866 his brother George came from Albany, New York, and entered into partnership with him under the style of Boulton Brothers, and when at a later date they were joined by Henry Phillips the style of Boulton Brothers & Company was assumed. Subsequently, however, Benjamin J. Boulton purchased the interest of both his partners and conducted the business with growing success until 1889, when, having acquired a handsome competence, he retired. He built up an extensive wholesale confectionery and cracker business, being the pioneer in both lines in this state.
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He installed the first cracker machine in 1861, and at all times he had a splendidly equipped plant, supplied with modern machinery and all accessories that facilitated his work. After embarking in the wholesale trade he was first located where the Globe Tea Company is now to be found, and he is still the owner of part of the building. His attention of late years as been given to the supervision of his property interests, which include a number of dwellings that return to him a gratifying annual income.
In 1861 Mr. Boulton was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Belle Hobbs, who was born in Greencastle, Indiana, February 21, 1845, and was brought to Wapello county by her parents in 1848, since which time she has here resided. She is a daugh- ter of William and Emily (Tennant) Hobbs, natives of Mary- land and Kentucky respectively. The father, who was a soldier of the War of 1812, became a pioneer settler of Indiana and later of Iowa, driving across the country to this state. Both he and his wife died in Ottumwa, where he had long been known as a capable business man, engaged in the manufacture of saddlery and harness. His family numbered ten children, of whom Mrs. Boulton, the youngest, is the only one now living. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, of whom seven have passed away: Ettie, who died at the age of nineteen years; Laura B., who died at the age of twenty-eight; James at the age of one year; George when but ten months old; Esther at the age of two years; and two who died in infancy. Those still living are Anna, the wife of W. S. Hogue, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Lela F., at home.
Mr. Boulton gives his political support to the republican party and for two terms has served as a member of the city council. In religious belief he is a spiritualist, while his wife has for forty years been a member of the Episcopal church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in Dubuque in 1857. He has been presented with a badge that indicates a half century's connection with the order, and he is well known in the different branches of Odd Fellow- ship. He has lived to witness great changes, none of which are more notable than in transportation. When he came to the United States in 1851 he was a passenger on the sailing vessel Victoria, which was six weeks in completing the trip and en- countered one very severe storm. Today the same trip may be made in a little more than four days in vessels that are floating
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palaces. Other equally notable changes have occurred along many other lines, and marked, indeed, is the contrast between the Ottumwa of today and the little city in which he took up his abode in 1859. He has always been in sympathy with the efforts for its upbuilding, has cooperated in many movements for the general good and as years have gone by has proven his worth as a business man and a citizen, being today one of the highly respected residents of Wapello county.
WILLIAM FIEDLER.
Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Ottumwa is William Fiedler, the vice president of the Harper & MeIntire Company, owning and controlling an extensive wholesale and retail hardware business, Mr. Fied- ler having the management of the retail establishment. Power grows through the exercise of effort, and it has been through continuous business activity that Mr. Fiedler has developed his capability and reached his present responsible and gratify- ing position as a factor in the commercial circles of Ottumwa.
He was born in Espy, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1860, a son of Frank and Frances (Fowler) Fiedler, who were also na- tives of the Keystone state. They came to Iowa when their son William was about a year old, settling at Agency, Wapello county, where they joined Mr. Fiedler's father, Isaiah Fiedler, who had preceded them four or five years. Frank Fiedler conducted business as an architect, contractor and builder and was also superintendent of the waterworks in Ottumwa at one time. He did considerable building in the early part of his life and later became engineer and superintendent of construc- tion of the waterworks for S. L. Wiley, who built waterworks all over the United States. In public affairs too Mr. Fiedler was prominent and his cooperation could always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good. His politi- cal allegiance was given to the republican party, and he served for a few terms as alderman. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft. He died in November, 1910, at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife passed away in October, 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years. They had two sons and three
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daughters; Emma, who is principal of the Adams school of Ottumwa; William; Ida, deceased; Alice, who is principal of the Hedrick school; and F. H., a traveling salesman residing in Ottumwa.
William Fiedler has spent the greater part of his life in the city which is still his home, being brought to Iowa when but a year old. He passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high-school pupil and when eighteen years of age started in the business world in connection with the hardware trade in the employ of the firm with which he is now associated. From office boy he has worked his way upward through intermediate positions and official connections to the vice presidency of the Harper & MeIntire Company, which is one of the most important commercial firms of this section of the state. The business was incorporated January I, 1913, and is conducted along both wholesale and retail lines. They have, however, two places of business, the wholesale and the retail establishments, and of the latter Mr. Fiedler has charge. This is one of the most extensive commercial enter- prises of Ottumwa and the volume of trade is a large one, their commercial connections reaching out over a broad terri- tory. The house has ever maintained an unsullied reputation for business integrity as well as for commercial enterprise. Mr. Fiedler started out in life a poor boy without any special advantages, but gradually he has worked his way upward through the force of his character and ability until he stands as a leading factor in commercial circles and as an example of what may be accomplished when perseverance, energy and ambition lead the way.
In 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Fiedler and Miss Belle Graves, a native of Ottumwa and a daughter of H. P. Graves, who was one of the early settlers of this state, arriving soon after its admission to the Union. He engaged extensively in real-estate dealings and for many years acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He was likewise prominent in public affairs in the early days and remained a valued and respected citizen of Ottumwa until his death in 1890. His widow survived him for about a year. Mr. and Mrs. Fiedler have become parents of four children, Lydia, Frank, Mary and Rosamond.
Mr. Fiedler votes with the republican party. He is quick and generous in his support of any measure or movement which
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he believes will benefit the city and county. His influence has always been on the side of progress and right, and he is a con- sistent member of the First Methodist Episcopal church. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being now a Knight Tem- plar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Wapello and Ottumwa Country Clubs, in both of which he is popular. He is regarded as one of the forceful factors of the community, respected by young and old, rich and poor, and best liked where he is best known.
MADISON C. WARDER.
Madison C. Warder is the owner of a large farm in Pleasant township, his possessions aggregating four hundred and thirty- seven acres of valuable and productive land. He is widely known, both as a general farmer and stock-raiser, and he bears a reputation for being an enterprising, progressive and thor- oughly reliable business man. He was born in Ohio, November 12, 1848, and is a son of Philip M. and Nancy (Dillon) Warder, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. They came to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1853, and settled on a farm in Competine township, where they continued to reside until called from this life. Their family numbered seven children, of whom three are living: Frank, now a resident of Hedrick, Iowa; Madison, of this review; and John. There is also a half brother, A. D., who is living in Pleasant township.
Madison C. Warder remained at home until he had reached adult age and then, with a common-school education and the spirit of energy and ambition as a foundation upon which to build later success, he started out in life. He first purchased a farm of ninety-seven acres, upon which he made his home for two years. He then sold that property and made investment in his present farm, to which he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of a valuable and productive property of four hundred and thirty-seven acres, all in Pleasant town- ship. His home place is situated on section 17. He has always engaged in raising and feeding stock and keeps high grade cattle, horses and hogs upon his place. His crops are most care- fully produced according to modern scientific methods. He
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MADISON C. WARDER
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MRS. MADISON C. WARDER
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practices crop rotation, also fertilizes his fields in other ways, and carries on his work according to the latest improved meth- ods, so that excellent results are assured.
In 1875 Mr. Warder was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Carson, a native of this county and a daughter of Calvin and Tena Carson, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a native of Tennessee, while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warder have been born eleven children, of whom eight still survive: Madison, at home; Effie B., the wife of William Amsbaugh; H. E .; Thur- man; Sherman; Mary, the wife of Landa Shoemaker; May, the wife of Ray Green; and Jessie, at home. The wife and mother is a member of the Christian church. Politically Mr. Warder is a democrat, and he has served as township trustee and justice of the peace. In the latter office his decisions have been strictly fair and impartial. He has also done good work as a member of the school board, and his aid and cooperation, have been factors in promoting general improvement and prog- ress along many lines. Moreover, he deserves mention in this volume as one of the pioneer residents of Wapello county, where he arrived when a little lad of about five years and where he has made his home continuously for more than six decades. During this period he has witnessed marvelous changes, as pioneer conditions have given way before an advancing civiliza- tion. He has lived to see the early homes replaced by com- modious and substantial farm residences, while schools and churches have been built here and there and towns and villages have sprung up, indicating the growth in population and pro- gressive spirit that actuates the citizens of this section of the state.
WATSON N. ENYART.
Watson N. Enyart is a factor in financial circles of Wapello county as cashier of the Agency Savings Bank, which position he has held continuously since the organization of the institu- tion in 1906. His birth occurred in Agency, this county, on the 25th of October, 1879, his parents being John W. and Mary B. (Newell) Enyart, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Wapello county, Iowa. John W. Enyart came to this county
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with his parents in early life and has since remained within its borders, both he and his wife being numbered among the sub- stantial and respected residents here.
Watson N. Enyart supplemented his early education by a high-school course. As above stated, he became identified with financial interests in 1906, when he was made cashier of the newly organized Agency Savings Bank, in which capacity he has served continuously to the present time, proving an able, courteous and obliging official of the institution. His fellow officers are Samuel Mahan, president, and John D. Newell, vice president.
In 1898 Mr. Enyart was united in marriage to Miss Retta Cremer, a native of Agency township, Wapello county, and a daughter of L. K. and Ernestine (Santbine) Cremer, who were also born in this county and still reside here. Our subject and his wife have three children, namely: Charles W., who was born March 23, 1900, and is a high-school student; Edna, whose natal day was September 23, 1904; and Ralph, whose birth occurred on the 31st of December, 1906.
Mr. Enyart gives his politicl allegiance to the republican party and has been an efficient incumbent in the office of town- ship clerk. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, be- longing to Olive Branch Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M .; Clinton Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M., and Malta Commandery, K. T., of Ottumwa. He attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Envart have spent their entire lives in Wapello county and have a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
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