USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 24
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When disability forced his return from the front, Mr. Smith was elected captain of militia. For three days he held orders from Governor Kirkwood to be ready on call to march to South English, where Tallyrand had been shot while making a war speech, as it seemed, against the public good. It is to be hoped that Christian light and the treaties of ten great nations for arbi- tration will soon make war impossible. There always will be contlicts, however, and Mr. Smith did not escape. The next difficult one which he had to settle individually was that of preaching the gospel. After seven years he took a pastorate at Springfield, Iowa, and continued preaching for thirty years, during which time he served churches in the following places : Peoria, Bellefontaine, New Sharon, Pella, Marengo, Wilton, Oxford, Burlington (Grace church), Danville, Letts, West Lib- erty, Fort Madison ( First church) and Williamsburg. The sub- ject of this sketch was one of four hundred appointed from Iowa to the World's Conference of Religions which met in Chicago in 1893 as a part of the world's great fair.
In 1895 he gave up his pastorate and engaged in child-saving work with the Iowa Children's Home Society. In the first year he was advanced to the position of assistant superintendent and so continued until 1899, when he organized the American Home Finding Association. He also served as assistant general super- intendent of the National Association, with headquarters in Chicago, and he was also a member of its board of general managers. Later he became its general superintendent. At the same time he continues to fill the position of state superintendent of the Iowa organization, refusing always to give up the work here where his interests have so long been centered. After filling
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both places for four and a half months he yielded up the greater for the lesser and still remains at the head of the Iowa organiza- tion. He is yet a member of the Iowa conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and has the honor of being the senior member with the record of answering roll call for forty-seven years without a break.
CHARLES CHILTON.
Charles Chilton, conducting a general contracting business at Ottumwa, is a well known representative of industrial activity, and his intense and intelligently directed efforts are bringing to him substantial and gratifying success. He was born in Ot- tumwa, May 1, 1865, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Williams) Chil- ton, who were natives of Monmouthshire, England, the former born July 17, 1832, and the latter on the ist of December, 1831. They were married in that country and in 1854 sailed for the United States, taking up their abode in Pennsylvania. In 1857 they arrived in Ottumwa and continued their residence here until death called them, the mother passing away December 8, 1900, and the father on the 29th of October, 1906. He was a miner in both England and Pennsylvania and for a short time followed that pursuit in Iowa, but afterward turned his atten- tion to contracting and building, in which he engaged until his retirement. In the family were eight children : Joseph, now liv- ing in Ottumwa; Solomon, deceased; Albert, of Memphis, Tennessee; Fannie M., the wife of D. B. Johnson of Ottumwa; Charles; George, living in Ottumwa; Mrs. Clara C. Bonwill, deceased; and Mrs. Mary C. McDonald, who has also passed away. Three of the children were born in Pennsylvania and five in Iowa.
Charles Chilton has been a lifelong resident of Ottumwa. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and when seventeen years of age he began assisting his father in the contracting business. His work has been largely in quarrying and sewer building and grading. Important contracts have been awarded him, and his interests have made his life a most busy and useful one. He has had few leisure hours and energy and deter- mination may well be numbered among his chief characteristics.
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He has continuously resided in Ottumwa save for the brief period of three years, from 1887 until 1890, spent in California.
On the 14th of March, 1909, Mr. Chilton was married to Miss Mary E. Eckers, a native of this city and a daughter of Nicholas and Anna Eckers. Mr. Chilton belongs to the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum and also has membership in the Country Club. His friends in these or- ganizations are many, and he also has the confidence and good- will of those with whom he has been brought in contact through business relations.
WILLIAM REEVE.
William Reeve, who devoted his attention to general agricul- tural pursuits in Wapello county throughout his active business career, has lived in honorable retirement at Agency for the past four years, enjoying the evening of life in well earned ease. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 5th of November, 1836, his parents being William and Susan (Murphy) Reeve, the former a native of New York, born in 1797, and the latter of Virginia. During his youth William Reeve learned the trade of a cooper. In 1851 he brought his family to Wapello county, Iowa, and on March 22 of that year purchased a farm in Agency township, where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of ten children, as follows : Sarah, James A., Mary A., Lydia and Lucretia J., all of whom have passed away ; William, of this review; Joseph, Susanah and Caroline, who are deceased ; and Minerva J., who is the wife of James H. Jay of this county.
William Reeve, Jr., attended the common schools in the ac- quirement of an education and remained on the home farm until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. Subsequently he cultivated a tract of rented land until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company E. Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, on the 7th of August of that year. He participated in the battles of Champion's Hill and Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg and the engagement at Jackson, Mississippi. He was wounded while on a steamboat on the Mississippi, being on their way to Millikin Bend. He was afterward detailed teamster until the cessation of hostilities and
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received his honorable discharge at Savannah, Georgia, in August, 1865. Returning to Wapello county he settled on a tract of seventy acres on section 19, Agency township, where he successfully carried on general farming and stockraising throughout the remainder of his active business career. In 1910 he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in the town of Agency, where he has lived retired to the present time.
On the 5th of January, 1859, Mr. Reeve was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Ann Magee, who was born in Ohio, April 14, 1838, her parents being Ephraim and Rebecca (Ward) Magee, likewise natives of the Buckeye state. They came to this county in 1850 and here spent the remainder of their lives. In their family were six children. Mr. and Mrs. Reeve have no children of their own but adopted three, as follows: Joseph C., who is a son of William G. Smith and is now a resident of Mis- souri ; Cora E., a daughter of William G. Smith, who gave her hand in marriage to Axtel Nelson, of Osceola, Iowa; and Frank, now living in Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Reeve gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for a number of years served as a school director in Agency township. Both he and his wife are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, exemplifying its teach- ings in their daily lives. Mr. Reeve still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades as a member of Agency Post, No. 107, G. A. R. The period of his residence in Wapello county covers more than six decades, and he has long been numbered among its substantial and representative citizens. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be ac- corded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
SAMUEL KENDALL.
Samuel Kendall is one of the old-time residents of Ottumwa, where he has made his home for sixty years. He arrived here when the city was a little village and gave little promise of be- coming one of the chief commercial and industrial centers of Iowa. For a considerable period he was identified with its
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building operations, but for the past twenty years has lived re- tired, enjoying well earned rest in the evening of life, for he has now reached the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey. He was born in Northamptonshire, England, March 7, 1827, and is a son of John and Hannah Kendall, who spent their entire lives in the mother country, where John Kendall engaged in business as a bricklayer and mason. In the family were eight daughters and two sons, but Samuel and his sister, Mrs. Char- lotte Wilford, of Lorain county, Ohio, are the only ones now living.
Samuel Kendall spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the land of his nativity and in 1850 came to the new world with three other Englishmen. Making his way to Lo- rain county, Ohio, he was there employed for four years, work- ing in the quarries. He had learned the trade of stonecutter and mason under the direction of his father before leaving his native country. In 1854 he arrived in Ottumwa, where he has since made his home, covering a period of six decades. Here he worked at his trade and did contract work, continuing in that field of activity throughout the entire period of his active business life. He has been connected with the construction of some of the most important buildings of the city, but during the past twenty years he has lived retired-a rest to which his well directed activity in former years justly entitles him.
In 1858 Mr. Kendall was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Harper, who was born in Ontario, Canada, July 14, 1837. When she was eighteen years of age she was brought to the United States by her parents, George and Elizabeth ( Robin- son) Harper, who were natives of Ireland. In that country they were reared but were married in Canada, and both died in Ottumwa. Her father was a farmer by occupation and thus provided for the support of his family, which included seven daughters and one son. To Mr. and Mrs. Kendall were born ten children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: Anna, now the deceased wife of Frank McIntyre; Fred, who died at the age of thirty-seven years; Louis, of Council Bluffs; George, who died at the age of twenty-seven years; Mary, the wife of John Cotton of Ottumwa; Laura, the wife of B. P. Brown of Ottumwa; Samuel F., who is living in Galesburg, Illinois; and John Clark, a resident of Chicago.
Mr. Kendall is a Master Mason and has always been loyal to the teachings of the craft, exemplifying in his life the benefi-
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cent spirit of the organization, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He is today one of the venerable citizens of Ottumwa, and few have for a longer period been witnesses of its growth and upbuilding or taken a keener delight in what has been accomplished along the lines of progress and improvement.
JOHN W. YEAGER.
John W. Yeager, the proprietor of a general store at Agency, has gained recognition among the successful and representative merchants of Wapello county, in which his entire life has been spent. His birth occurred in Pleasant township on the 27th of August, 1879, his parents being Alford and Martha (McDow- ell) Yeager, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Iowa. Alford Yeager was brought to Wapello county when but six years of age and has since remained within its borders. Both he and his wife still reside on the old homestead farm in Pleasant township and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. They are the parents of six children, as follows : John W., of this review; M. U., who is at home; Mary S., who gave her hand in marriage to Alford Reynolds of Agency; Min- nie M., the wife of Carl Wymore, of Ottumwa, Iowa; and Lana and Hazel, both at home.
John W. Yeager enjoyed the advantages of a high-school edu- cation and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account and was actively engaged in the work of the fields until 1910, when he embarked in the mercantile business at Bladens- burg. A year later he came to Agency, where he has conducted a general store to the present time and is accorded a liberal pat- ronage, for he carries an extensive and well selected stock of goods at reasonable prices and in his business dealings is known for his straightforward and reliable methods.
On the Ist of January, 1901, Mr. Yeager was united in mar- riage to Miss Elvey McCaw, a native of Wapello county and a daughter of John and Mary ( House) McCaw, the latter born in Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children, namely: Lula B., who is deceased; Donald W .; and Dorothy B. Mr. Yeager gives his political allegiance to the
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republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs. They have spent their entire lives in Wapello county and have many friends here who recognize them as people of genuine personal worth and estimable character.
G. WILLIAM DEUSER.
G. William Deuser is the owner of three hundred and twenty- seven acres of valuable farm land, all in Competine township, and in connection with general farming he makes a specialty of stock-raising. He was born September 25, 1864, upon the farm which is still his place of residence, his parents being P. C. and Katharine (Wolf) Deuser, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. They came to America in 1849, the mother first going to Burlington, Iowa. The father first settled in Indiana, whence he came to Iowa, where his father bought a section of land which he afterward divided among his six children. Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Deuser were married in Burlington, and he later pur- chased the old homestead farm upon which his son G. William now resides. With characteristic energy he began its develop- ment and improvement and continued to carry on general farm- ing there until his death, which occurred in December, 1905. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in February, 1877. They had a family of eight children : G. William; Chris- tian; J. T., living in Davenport, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of Carl Miller, of Competine township; and four who died in in- fancy.
The youthful days of G. William Deuser were spent upon the old homestead, and he was thoroughly trained in farm work, while in the public schools he pursued his education. On attain- ing his majority he purchased the old home property and has always occupied it. His labors, however, have wrought changes in its appearance. He has erected a fine brick residence and has added other modern equipments, which have increased the value of the place and rendered it more attractive. He has also be- come owner of other property, making purchases from time to time until he now has three hundred and twenty-seven acres of fine land, all in Competine township. He has become well
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G. WILLIAM DEUSER AND FAMILY
OLD DEUSER HOME Built by P. C. Deuser in 1851
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RESIDENCE OF G. WILLIAM DEUSER
Erected in 1904
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known as a stock-raiser and handles good grades of horses, cattle and hogs, and this branch of his business is proving profitable.
On September 9, 1896, Mr. Deuser was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Ammenhauser, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Gerhardt and Elizabeth (Shaub) Ammen- hauser, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world in the early '50s and made their way to Ohio, where they resided for a short time, after which they came to Wapello county, settling in Ottumwa, where their remaining days were passed. The father died August 10, 1878, and the mother's death occurred on the 25th of October, 1892. They had a family of eight children, of whom four are now liv- ing: Otto, a resident of Nebraska; Catherine; Ida, who is the widow of Jacob Flemming, of Ottumwa; and Gerhardt A., also of Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Deuser have become the parents of two children : Ruth, who was born July 16, 1897, and is now a high-school student in Ottumwa; and one who died in infancy. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church, and their loyalty to its teachings has developed in them sterling traits of character which have placed them high in public regard.
FRANK FIEDLER.
Frank Fiedler left the impress of his individuality upon Ottumwa in many ways, not alone by reason of his business activity but also owing to his stalwart support of important pub- lic measures. He came to Wapello county in pioneer times and during the years that passed ere death called him he won and retained the friendship of many, so that his demise was deeply regretted. He was born in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1837, his parents being Isaiah and Leah (Zehner) Fiedler, the former a native of Pine Grove and the latter of Mahoning, Pennsylvania. The Fiedlers were an old Pennsylvania family, of German origin, founded in America in colonial days, when settlement was made at Germantown, Pennsylvania. Repre- sentatives of the name participated actively in the Revolutionary war. The parents of Frank Fiedler came to Iowa about 1856, settling at Agency, and there made their home throughout their remaining days. The father was a contractor and worked at railroad construction, building a number of railway lines in Vol. 11 -17
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Pennsylvania. After removing to Iowa he concentrated his energies upon contracting and building and here passed away in August, 1881. In the family were three sons and two daugh- ters: Frank; William, now of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Sarah Light, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Emma Berry, who died in Salem, Oregon; and Henry, also of that state.
Frank Fiedler spent his youthful days in Pennsylvania and was there married, March 11, 1858, to Miss Frances Hunluck Fowler. They began their domestic life in the Keystone state, but in 1861 removed westward, establishing their home in Agency, Iowa. Later they became residents of Ottumwa, where Frank Fiedler continued to reside until his death, on the 28th of November, 1910. He was an architect and builder and many substantial structures of the city bear evidence of his handiwork, indicating his skill both in planning and construction. For twelve years he was superintendent of the waterworks at Ottum- wa, occupying that position from 1881 until 1893, and during that period his advice was frequently sought as a consulting engineer, especially in solving problems encountered in the damming of the river. During that period he also acted as con- struction engineer in connection with work carried on elsewhere. In that capacity he spent some time at Richmond, Indiana, Auburn, New York, Athol, Massachusetts, Appleton, Wis- consin, Omaha, Nebraska, and Adrian, Michigan. During the latter part of his life he confined his attention to the profes- sion of architecture. He possessed notable mechanical ability and thoroughly understood the scientific principles which un- derlay his work in all of its ramifications. During the war he spent some time in the south, having regularly enlisted, both he and his father being engaged in construction work in con- nection with the operations of the army.
His wife, Mrs. Frances H. Fiedler, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1836, and died in Ottumwa, Octo- ber 16, 1902. She was a quiet home woman, a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was most devoted to her family. Her parents were Daniel and Charita (Abbott) Fow- ler, natives of Pennsylvania, and her paternal grandfather was a native of England. Mrs. Fowler was a daughter of Jacob Abbott, of Sussex county, New Jersey, who served as one of the minutemen in the Revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Fied- ler were born five children. Emma, now principal of the Adams school of Ottumwa, was born in Espy, Pennsylvania,
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was educated in the schools of Ottumwa and was graduated from the high school in 1877. She took up the profession of teaching in 1883 and has since followed it in connection with the city schools, being advanced to the position of principal in 1892. She has done much to further the interests of educa- tion here, always upholding the highest standards. She belongs to the Teachers Club of Ottumwa, to the Iowa chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to the Tourist Club, the P. E. O. and is an Episcopalian in religious faith. She has had marked influence on the intellectual and moral progress of the community and no one in Ottumwa is held in higher regard. William, the second member of the family, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Ida M., a native of Ottumwa, died February 2, 1907. Alice, principal of the Hedrick school of Ottumwa, belongs to the same societies as her sister. Frederick Herbert is a traveling salesman of Ottumwa. The daughters are also members of the Ottumwa Country Club.
Mr. Fiedler was a director of the Coal Palace of Ottumwa. His political support was given to the republican party and he represented his ward in the city council. He also belonged to the volunteer fire department in an early day, and his fraternal relations were with the Masons. He always read extensively and from his reading as well as from the experiences of life he learned many valuable lessons. His integrity of character, his upright methods in business, his energy and his high ideals all combined to make him one of the most honored and valued residents of Ottumwa.
SAMUEL KITTERMAN.
Deeds of valor have been the theme of song and story throughout the ages. The world instinctively pays deference to the man who is willing to risk his life for the principles in which he believes. Among the veterans of the Civil war now living in Ottumwa is Samuel Kitterman, who was a lad of but fifteen years when he offered his services to the government, and on various hotly contested battle fields he gave evidence of his loyal support to the stars and stripes. In days of peace he made farming his life work until a recent date, when he retired from business, and is now enjoying well earned rest.
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Mr. Kitterman was born December 31, 1845, in Burcau county, Illinois, while his parents were en route to Iowa from Perry county, Indiana. In June, 1846, they arrived in Wapello county and Samuel Kitterman has since made his home within its borders. His father, Henry Kitterman, was a native of Vir- ginia and a son of Peter Kitterman, a native of Germany. He in turn was a son of Justice Kitterman. It was the grandfather of our subject who became the founder of the family in the new world. When a young man he crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his two brothers, but later returned to Ger- many and had to serve his time in the army. He then came again to the United States and did military duty as a defender of American interests in the War of 1812. He died in Floyd county, Virginia, in 1824, having for thirty-four years been a resident of the new world, the date of his arrival in the United States being 1790. He married a lady who was a relative, and they became the parents of five sons and two daughters. Henry Kitterman, born in Virginia, removed westward to Indiana in pioneer times and in that state was married to Abigail inlaw, who was born in Indiana. By a former marriage he had three children, while ten were born to his second union. His wives were sisters, the elder being Betsy Inlaw. Following her demise he wedded Abigail Inlaw, who passed away in Wapello county in 1876. Henry Kitterman went to Kansas, where he died about 1871. He was not only an enterprising farmer, but was also a good mechanic, displaying skill especially in working in wood or leather. He made everything which he needed in the line of wood and iron implements and his ingenuity was of great worth in the pioneer districts where settlers had to depend largely upon their own resources for all the comforts and con- veniences they had. Of the children of Henry Kitterman eight sons and three daughters are now living. Philip T., a resident of Tracy, Iowa, and Mary Jane, the wife of Joseph West of Winlock, Washington, were born of the first marriage. Another son of the first marriage, Middleton, died in 1858 when a young man. The children of the second marriage were: Samuel; Henry, who died at the age of two years; James Henry, who served for more than two years as a member of Company F, Seventh Iowa Infantry in the Civil war and is now living in Elk county, Kansas ; George W., who was also a member of Company F, Seventh lowa Infantry, and now makes his home in Muske- gon, Michigan ; Christopher C., of Chicago; Lydia Ann, the wife
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