USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 25
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of Grant Clark of Creston; Elias, of Elk county, Kansas; Jerome B., a resident of Chillicothe, lowa; Abraham Lincoln, of Geddes, South Dakota, and Hettie, living in Los Angeles, California.
Samuel Kitterman, brought to Wapello county in his infancy, was here reared upon the home farm. He listened to the talk of war before the outbreak of the rebellion and watched the progress of events following the opening of hostilities. At length his patriotic spirit could no longer be fettered by farm duties and on the 17th of December, 1861, he enlisted as a mem- ber of Company F, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, or for three years and seven months, having veteranized at Pulaski, Tennessee. He enlisted when he was fifteen years of age, and while at the front he participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, Mis- sissippi, in many skirmishes and in the siege of Atlanta. On the 22d of July, 1864, he was in the engagement at Atlanta on that side of the army where McPherson fell at Lay's Ferry. In eighteen minutes there the command lost seventy-two men out of three hundred who had responded for duty. Mr. Kitterman was with Sherman all the way through to Raleigh, North Caro- lina, and then on to Washington, where he participated in the Grand Review, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the western hemisphere. Thousands of victorious Union sol- diers marched through the streets of the capital and passed before the reviewing stand, where the president welcomed the returning Union forces. After the war Mr. Kitterman engaged in cradling wheat, and following his marriage, which occurred in 1868, he resided for one year in Monroe county upon a rented farm, but on the expiration of that period he returned to Wapello county and settled on Fremont Road, seven and a half miles north of the city. He there engaged in farming until 1908, and is still the owner of that tract of land of eighty acres, which he brought to a high state of development and improvement. He now makes his home with his son, S. A. Kitterman, in Ottumwa.
On the 20th of February, 1868, Mr. Kitterman was united in marriage to Miss Mary O. Wilson, who was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and on coming to the west settled first in Delaware county, Iowa. About the close of the war her parents removed with their family to Wapello county, and here Mrs. Kitterman passed away in December, 1907, her death being deeply regretted by all who knew her. Seven children were
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born of that marriage : Jennie May, now the wife of Philip Mar- tin of Ottumwa ; John H., of Willamina, Oregon ; George Grant, a resident of Ottumwa; Samuel Ansel, of this city; Mrs. Ola A. Young, of Ottumwa; Oren Alexander, of Niobrara, Nebraska; and Alta R., the wife of C. E. Abrams of Montana. All of the children were born on the home farm in Richland township.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Kitterman has given his political support to the republican party, and he has held the office of constable and justice of the peace. He has also been a school director in Richland township for nine years and believes that the schools should keep in touch with the progress of the times. He is a member of the Presby- terian church, of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the subordinate lodge and encampment of Odd Fellows. A review of his life displays many sterling traits of character, not the least of which is his loyalty to his country and his loyalty to duty at all times. He has ever been faithful in friendship, and he enjoys the high regard of his fellowtownsmen, among whom he has now lived for almost three score years and ten.
CHRISTIAN KAISER.
Christian Kaiser, who departed this life February 28, 1906, was born at Crossen on the Oder in Germany, July 9, 1842, a son of George and Anna (Purtz) Kaiser, who were also natives of the same locality. In the year 1859 they left that country and with their family came to the United States, arriving at Agency, Iowa. On the 6th of July, 1866, they came to Ottumwa, where they remained until called to their final rest, the father dying July 22, 1889, when in his eighty-first year, while the mother passed away March 11, 1904, in her eighty-ninth year. The active life of George Kaiser was devoted to farming. In the family were four sons, Frederick, John, Christian and Adolph, but all are now deceased.
Christian Kaiser was a youth of seventeen years when the family left Germany and came to the United States. Thereafter he was a resident of lowa, and from 1866 made his home con- tinuously in Wapello county. He was reared upon a farm and early became familiar with the duties and labors falling to the lot of the agriculturist, but after attaining his majority he
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removed to the city and was engaged in the brewing business with the firm of Hofmann & Kraner. Later he engaged in the mercantile business, but about twelve years prior to his death he retired from active life, giving his attention merely to the supervision of his investments. From time to time he had pur- chased real estate until his holdings were extensive and impor- tant, including considerable residence and business property in Ottumwa. By the acquirement of his realty he was able to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances.
On the 8th of December, 1871, Mr. Kaiser was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Louise Schultz, who is also a native of the locality in which occurred the birth of Mr. Kaiser, her natal day being June 28, 1844. She came alone to the new world in 1869. Four children were born of this marriage: Anna Eliz- abeth, now the wife of H. A. Coughlin, of Chariton, Iowa; The- odore A., who is in Chicago; Christopher J., a resident of Rich- mond, California, and Martha Louise, who is at home and looks after her mother's interests. She is very active in the work of the Episcopal church. Mr. Kaiser was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, but as there was no organization of that denomination in Ottumwa he attended and supported the Epis- copal church. In the business world his success was attributable entirely to his own efforts, and while actively engaged in busi- ness he manifested close application and unremitting energy.
FREDERICK RUPE.
Frederick Rupe is now successfully engaged in the cultiva- tion of sixty-seven acres of land in Keokuk township, his farm being numbered among the profitable agricultural establish- ments of his neighborhood. He was born in that township, . November 16, 1880, and is a son of Addison and Myrtie (McNair) Rupe, both natives of Wapello county. Both are living in Wapello county. In their family were nine children, of whom seven are living.
Frederick Rupe was reared under the parental roof and attended the schools of the neighborhood, subsequently improv- ing his knowledge by a college course. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age and then taught school for two years. At the end of that time he set himself up independently
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as a farmer and now owns sixty-seven acres of fertile land in Keokuk township, to the operation of which he gives his sole attention. He is a young man of modern ideas who employs the latest methods in order to achieve the best results. His build- ings are in good repair and he has installed modern machinery in order to facilitate the labor upon the place and to increase the yield.
On the 20th of March, 1907, Mr. Rupe married Miss Hetty C. Streeby, a native of Iowa and a daughter of H. D. and Lillie (Patrick) Streeby, both now living in Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Rupe were the parents of three children: Claud L., deceased ; Ferol L., and one who died in infancy. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, generously supporting the local institution. Politically he is a democrat, conversant with the principles and aims of his party, and at present serves as township trustee, being in his second term. He has always taken an interest in educational matters and has held a place on the district school board. There is much that is commendable in the career of Mr. Rupe, for he has achieved independence at a comparatively early age and entirely through his own efforts. He has many friends in Keokuk township, all of whom appre- ciate and esteem him for his high qualities of character.
HORACE A. BROWN.
Horace A. Brown, superintendent of the waterworks at Ottumwa and ranking high as a construction engineer, was born in Orono, Maine, January 22, 1884. His father, Arthur P. Brown, a native of Bradford, Maine, was born in 1857 and is now a lumber merchant of East Corinth, Maine. He wedded Myra A. Kennedy, who was born in Greenbush, Maine, in 1857, and they became the parents of five children: Amy F., who is now the wife of Albert J. Farrington, of Brewer, Maine; Ralph H., who is living in East Corinth; Horace A .; Edward T., who is associated with his father and brother Ralph in the lumber business at East Corinth; and Leah M., who is in school.
Horace A. Brown acquired his early education in the public schools of the Pine Tree state and afterward entered the Univer- sity of Maine, from which he was graduated with the
HORACE A. BROWN
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class of 1904. He then took up general engineering and became very proficient along his chosen line by reason of his thorough- ness in workmanship and his broad study and investigation. In April, 1911, he came to Ottumwa to build the filter plant of the waterworks, being at that time in the employ of a New York firm. After the work was completed in December he returned to this city to take charge of the waterworks in the capacity of superintendent and has so continued his labors, giving thorough satisfaction. He has the designing of the new dams and the power house, which are to be built in the near future and which will be constructed under his direction. Gradually but steadily he has worked his way upward in the field of his chosen profession, and his ability has already won him an enviable place in the foremost ranks.
On the 29th of November, 1905, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Effie B. Cook, who was born in Waltham, Maine, a daughter of George W. and Eliza A. (Rankin) Cook, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Brown attend the Congregational church. In social circles they are well known, and fraternally Mr. Brown is connected with the Masons. He also belongs to the Wapello and Country Clubs. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, capably directed, have brought him a substantial measure of success. He has made good use of his time and opportunities and, realizing at the outset that "there is no excellence without labor," he has won his success in the path of earnest, self-denying effort.
COLONEL JOHN FEEHEN.
Ottumwa has a number of retired citizens-men who have been active and enterprising in business and have thereby acquired a measure of success that now enables them to live retired. Such a one is John Feehen, who has passed the psalm- ist's allotted span of three score years and ten. He was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, on the 12th of May, 1844, and is a son of Thomas and Bridget (Welch) Feehen. In the year 1851 the family crossed the Atlantic to Quebec and in 1853 made their
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way to Hamilton, Ontario. In 1855 they crossed the border into the United States, settling at Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the mother passed away about 1856. The following year the father came with his children to Iowa, establishing his home in Keokuk. His death occurred in 1875. Unto him and his wife were born two children, the elder being Mrs. Anna Chambers, who died in Ottumwa.
The younger, John Feehen, while residing in Keokuk, went to Quincy, Illinois, and there enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company E of the Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry on the 12th of September, 1861. He served until hon- orably discharged on the 22d of September, 1864, and during the three years spent at the front he participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the advance on Corinth, the second battle of Corinth on the 3d of October, 1862, the en- gagement at Town Creek, Alabama, Chattanooga, Resaca, Buz- zard's Roost and Altoona Pass.
After the war Mr. Feehen went to New Mexico with the Third United States Cavalry in the capacity of teamster, spend- ing the year 1866 there. In 1867-68 he rode the pony express from Fort Hays to Fort Dodge on the Indian reservation. In 1869 he came to Ottumwa, but afterward returned again to the plains and was employed on the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railroad. Later he again came to Ottumwa and was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in 1872. The following year was spent in the service of the Iron Mountain Railroad Company, and in 1878-79 he was with the Texas Pacific.
In 1880 Mr. Feehen returned to Ottumwa and in 1882 was united in marriage to Miss Mary McCormick of Farmington, Iowa, who was born in Clark county, Missouri, in 1859. After his marriage Mr. Feehen conducted a restaurant and boarding house in Ottumwa and subsequently engaged in the saloon busi- ness, in which he continued until 1910, when he retired.
To Mr. and Mrs. Feehen have been born the following chil- dren : Anastasia, who is a graduate of the Ottumwa high school and is now teaching in the public schools in this city; Mary, the wife of William Sweeney of Red Lodge, Montana; Agnes, of Denver, Colorado; Margaret, who is engaged in clerking in Ottumwa; Kate, who is a graduate of the Ottumwa high school and a teacher in this city, and John, who for three and a half years was a high school pupil, but is now attending the Iowa
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Success Business College. The daughter Mary was a teacher of music prior to her marriage and is also a high school graduate.
Mr. Feehen belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is now senior vice commander of Cloutman Post, No. 69. He was also elected lieutenant coloned of the survivors of the Fif- tieth Illinois Infantry of Quincy, Illinois. He served for three years, yet was never wounded nor ill and says that he never missed a fight or a foot-race among the boys. He was also for three years with the regular army in different capacities, but not as an enlisted soldier. He belongs to the Sacred Heart Catholic church and is a republican in politics where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot.
E. E. MOORE.
E. E. Moore has been for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Highland township, Wapello county, where he owns a valuable farm comprising one hundred and nine acres. He was born in Clinton county, Michigan, December 17, 1849, and is a son of William and Lucy (Morton) Moore, natives of New York state. Deciding to profit by the opportunities of the middle west, in 1842 they went to Michigan, where William Moore bought a section of timber land which he partly im- proved, building thereon first a bark house and later a log cabin. He remained in that state until 1866, when he and his family removed to Wapello county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Highland township, where both he and his wife passed away. In their family were five children, of whom two are living: E. E., of this review; and Jennie, the wife of William Bushnell, now residing in the state of Washington.
E. E. Moore was reared on the Michigan farm and when eighteen years of age removed with his parents to this county, assisting his father in bringing his land under cultivation until he was twenty-one years of age. At that stage in his life he bought the homestead in Highland township upon which he is yet residing. Years of arduous and intelligent labor have brought him prosperity, and he is now numbered among the substantial agriculturists of his district, owning one hundred and nine acres in Highland township and also several valuable lots in Eldon and a handsome residence there. He is also a success-
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ful breeder of Percheron horses. He has always followed modern methods and has set an example to others by his industry, his steadfastness of purpose, his far-sightedness and his judicious management.
In 1872 Mr. Moore married Miss Laura Spencer, who was born in Ohio and died in 1873. In 1876 he wedded Miss Ada Reynolds, a native of Michigan, and to this union four children were born: Clyde, of East St. Louis; Bessie, the wife of Fred Stevens of Des Moines; Charles, a contractor of Champaign, Illinois; and Paul, deceased. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they give their moral and material support. Politically Mr. Moore is a republican, in sympathy with the purposes of his party and always upholding its candidates. He has held all of the township offices and has served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he belongs to Highland Lodge, No. 287, I. O. O. F., in which he has held several offices. He is popular with all who know him and has many friends in Highland township.
W. C. ARNOLD.
The home farm of W. C. Arnold is on section 27, Richland township, and is a well developed place, from which he annually gathers good harvests. It was in Richland township that he was born on the 19th of September, 1873, his parents being J. M. and Sarah C. (Snyder) Arnold. The father was born in Shelby county, Indiana, in 1848 and the mother was born in Bartholo- mew county, Indiana, in 1854. J. M. Arnold was a lad of about seven years when, in 1855, he came to Wapello county with his parents, George W. and Mary A. (Carr) Arnold, who were natives of Indiana, at which time they settled upon the farm that is now the property of their grandson, W. C. Arnold. Upon this place they continued to reside until called to their final rest. The grandfather, who was born in 1821, passed away March 13, 1876. He made farming his life work, always fol- lowing that occupation. His wife, who was born in 1823, died December 1, 1902. In their family were nine children: Mary E., J. C., David, J. M., Julia E., Thomas J., Ruth J., Frank W. and George W.
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J. M. Arnold was largely reared upon the home farm in Wapello county and in 1872 was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Snyder, who in her early girlhood days was brought to Iowa by her parents, Captain Samuel and Martha Snyder. Her mother died in this county in 1889, and her father passed away in Kansas City about six years ago. He served as captain of a company of colored troops in the Civil war. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Arnold began their domestic life upon the home farm and year by year the place was culti- vated with good success, while stock-raising also constituted a profitable feature of the business, Mr. Arnold owning and culti- vating a quarter section of land. In 1893 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whom he survived for about fourteen years, passing away October 1, 1907. Their children were as follows: W. C .; Rora, who was born in 1875 and died in 1885; Carl F., living in Minnesota; Alice B., the wife of Charles E. Turner of Idaho; and Bertha G., who is living with her eldest brother.
W. C. Arnold has spent his entire life in his native county and since completing his education in the public schools has concentrated his energies upon general farming and the raising and feeding of stock. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty- four acres, constituting a part of the homestead, which was pur- chased by his grandfather in 1855 and has since been in posses- sion of the family. He and his father were extensively engaged in the stock business at one time and operated two farms together. In 1911 W. C. Arnold erected upon his place a modern, com- modious and attractive residence containing nine rooms. The house is supplied with all twentieth century conveniences, is tastefully furnished and, moreover, is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality.
On the 16th of March, 1897, Mr. Arnold was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Hawk, who was born in Scranton, Penn- sylvania, November 12, 1875, and when four years of age was brought to Wapello county by her parents, Edwin and Martha (Dorman) Hawk, who are residents of Center township. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have become parents of three children: Opal M., Grace C. and Frank M. Mr. Arnold is business manager of White Grange, No. 2070, and he belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America. His political indorsement is given to the democratic party, but he has neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his
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farming and stock-raising interests, which have been wisely directed and have brought to him a very gratifying success, placing him among the substantial farmers of his part of the state.
LORENZO D. BAKER.
Lorenzo D. Baker, busily engaged in general agricultural pursuits, his farm being on sections 22, 26 and 27, Highland township, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on the Ist of March, 1845, a son of S. P. and Jane (Wood) Baker, the former a native of New York and the latter of England. In girlhood days the mother came to the United States and was married in Chautauqua county. Thinking to have better oppor- tunities in the middle west, the parents removed from New York to Illinois, settling twenty-two miles north of Chicago. Subse- quently they went to Will county, Illinois, and in the 'sos came to Iowa, establishing their home in Mount Pleasant. In 1867 Mr. Baker came to Wapello county with his family and after five years removed to Nebraska, in which state he passed away at an advanced age. His life work was that of farming and he handled many cattle. During the period of the Civil war he enlisted for service at Mount Pleasant with the Fourth Iowa Cavalry and went to the front, doing active duty in defense of the Union through the darkest period in the history of the country. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and his well spent life won him respect and honor. In his family were nine children, seven of whom reached adult age, namely: Lorenzo D .; O. W., now a resident of Nebraska; Lydia, the wife of Abe Berry of Nebraska; J. K., Charles, and Elizabeth, all of whom have now passed away; and Elzada.
Lorenzo D. Baker was very young at the time of the removal of the family to the middle west. He accompanied his parents to Mount Pleasant and in the fall of 1861, when a youth of sixteen years, he ran away from home to enlist as a soldier in the Civil war. He enlisted about four miles west of Burlington as a mem- ber of Company K, Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for eighteen months, and was then honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He was taken
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prisoner at the battle of Shiloh on Sunday, April 6, 1862, and was thus held for fifty-two days, after which he was paroled and later exchanged. He then returned to the family home in Mount Pleasant and two or three years later came to Wapello county. Here he remained until 1870, when he went to Howard county in southern Kansas, where he lived for about eight years. While in the Sunflower state he preempted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on the Osage Mission Reserve. This he sold and then returned to Wapello county in the fall of 1879. Two years passed and he then went to Webster county, Iowa, where he also spent two years. In 1883 he purchased his present farm on sections 22, 26 and 27, Highland township, upon which he has since resided, and he is today the owner of three hundred and ninety-five acres of rich, arable and valuable land, upon which he has made nearly all of the improvements. There is a creek called Big Cedar upon his place, also some brush land, and he likewise has some splendid prairie land, which responds readily to the care and labor he bestows upon it. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and both branches of his business are gratifying sources of revenue. Diligence and de- termination have ever been numbered among his sterling char- acteristics and constitute the chief features in his growing suc- cess.
In 1869 Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stoughton, who died in this county. Their children were: Jessie and James, who are residents of Nebraska; Nellie, the wife of John Eby of the same state; Samuel, of Highland town- ship; William, a resident of Idaho; and Ellsworth, who makes his home in Oregon. For his second wife Mr. Baker chose Mrs. Sarah Dennis, who also passed away in this county, sur- vived by a daughter, Eva, now the wife of Cliff Bourlan, of Eldon, while a son, Fred, died at the age of two years. On the 28th of February, 1893, Mr. Baker married Miss Rhoda McCormick, a native of Highland township and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stevens) McCormick, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. For a time they resided in Illinois, whence they came to Iowa during the early period of development in this state. The children of Mr. Baker's third marriage are: Searle, of Highland township; and Warren and Noel, both at home.
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