USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 26
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The political indorsement of Mr. Baker is given to the repub- lican party, but, while he gives stanch support to its principles,
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he does not seek nor desire office. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Grand Army of the Republic, and in the latter organization maintains pleasant connections with his old army comrades-"the boys in blue," who defended the Union. He has ever been as true and loyal in citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south.
DEMOSTHENES NEWELL.
Demosthenes Newell is now well advanced in years, having passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey. He was born in Rush county, Indiana, February 5, 1830, and is a son of William and Ann (Baldwin) Newell. The Newell family are descended from French ancestors, three brothers having come to America at an early date and established the family in this country. The mother of our subject was a native of Baltimore, Maryland. The father, who was born in Ohio, went to Indiana at an early day, settling on a farm, and there he built a log cabin in the midst of the wilderness. With characteristic energy he began the development of his place and later removed to War- ren county, Indiana, where his death occurred. His widow sur- vived him and her last days were spent in Iowa. In their family were eleven children, of whom two are yet living.
Demosthenes Newell remained with his mother until seven- teen years of age and during that period acquired a common- school education. In 1847 he came westward to Wapello county and has here since made his home. In 1850 he purchased a tract of land of three hundred acres in Washington township, for which he paid sixteen hundred dollars, and he also entered forty acres from the government. His labors were at once manifest in the improved appearance of the place, and he continued its cultivation with growing success until 1902, when he retired and removed to Agency, where he is now living.
On the 29th of June, 1854, Mr. Newell was united in mar- riage to Miss Glorvina Connelly, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Hugh and Martha (King) Connelly, who in 1844 came to Wapello county, where their remaining days were passed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Newell were born eleven children. Mary B., is the wife of John Enyart, a
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DEMOSTHENES NEWELL AND FAMILY
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resident of Agency, Iowa, and is the mother of two children, Watson N., cashier of the Agency Savings Bank, and Lula, at home. Livia B., married B. F. Cremer, of Agency, and to this union have been born two daughters and five sons as follows, Gene, Pearl, Mec, Rena, Charles, Moss, and Clare. Martha became the wife of J. O. Reighard, of Agency, and they have four children, Wayne, Nellie, Dwight and Ralph. Dr. J. F. Newell is a resident of Matfield Green, Kansas, and has three children,. Dale, Clell and Florence. Elizabeth Jane married J. M. Sirles and they are residents of Agency. They are parents of three children, Monna, Scott and Helen. C. P., a resident of Larned, Kansas, has two children, Mable and Carl. O. S. has passed away, leaving seven children, Earl, Lon, Carrie, Lola, Merle, Floyd and Demosthenes M. Alberta is the widow of D. F. Comeygs, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the mother of three children, Jessie, Helen and Clarence. G. W. is a resident of Des Moines and has one child, Myrna. Winona passed away unmarried. T. H., residing at Agency, has one child, Donald. There are also eighteen great-grandchildren. Mrs. Newell departed this life March 4, 1908, and was laid to rest in the Agency cemetery.
In his political views Mr. Newell has always been a stal- wart republican since the organization of the party and has served as a member of the school board and as township trustee. He is a member of the Methodist church and always gives cheerfully of time and money in the furtherance of the purposes of the church. His long residence in the county entitle him to be classed with its worthy pioneers. He has lived to witness many changes, as the prairie has been reclaimed and converted into productive farms. Everything about his place has always been kept thoroughly well improved and in good repair and the careful management of his business interests has brought to him substantial success.
B. D. RANDEL.
B. D. Randel is a well known farmer of Richland township, living on section 35. He was born in Center township, Wapello county, October 8, 1871, and is a son of E. L. and Rachel (Draper) Randel, who were natives of Greensburg, Decatur Vol. II-18
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county, Indiana. In that locality they spent their childhood and youth, and following their marriage they made their way direct to Wapello county, Iowa, arriving in the year 1864. They took up their abode upon a farm and the father continuously carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1893, when he retired. His first home was north of Agency, where he lived for six years. He then removed to Center township, two and a half miles north of Ottumwa, and upon that farm, where B. D. Randel was born, he remained for twenty-two years. . He then retired to Ottumwa, where he continued for a decade and since then has made his home with his youngest son. He is today one of the old-time settlers of the county, having resided within its borders for a half century. He had more than five hundred acres at one time and was also well known as a breeder of fine stock, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle. His farm lay in Center township, north of Ottumwa, and there his business interests were carefully and successfully conducted up to the time of his retirement.
He took an active interest in politics, giving loyal support to the republican party. Both he and his wife held membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church of Ottumwa, but about three years ago Mr. Randel transferred his membership to the Salem Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Master Mason, loyal to the teachings of the craft, and his life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles. He lost his wife in 1888 and following his retirement from the farm of E. L. Randel went to live with his son B. D. Randel, with whom he still makes his home. In the family were five children: Ella, now living in Des Moines; Luna, who is the widow of A. D. Stephens and resides in Des Moines; Minnie, the widow of S. S. Bear of Des Moines; Mattie, the wife of John. W. Simmons of Fernandina, Florida ; and B. D.
B. D. Randel has resided all of his life in Wapello county, continuing with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life on his own account in Richland township, where he rented land for a number of years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to pur- chase his present property. He now owns one hundred and forty acres of land on section 35, in the midst of which stands a large, fine residence. There are also good barns and outbuild- ings upon the place, ample for the shelter of grain and stock. and he is well known as an extensive breeder of Duroc Jersey
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hogs. His business affairs are capably managed and the energy and perseverance which he displays have been the salient fea- tures in winning for him the creditable success which is now his.
In 1895 B. D. Randel was united in marriage to Miss Anna Thompson, who was born in Kirkville, Wapello county, in 1877, a daughter of E. O. and Mary F. Thompson. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Randel are E. L., Mary and Ella. The family are widely and favorably known in their section of the county. Mr. Randel is a republican in politics and has served as trustee of his township. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Grangers and is actively interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the county along various lines of progress and improvement.
HON. GEORGE W. DICKINS.
The name of the Hon. George W. Dickins is closely asso- ciated with the political history as well as with the agricultural development of Wapello county, for he has twice represented his district in the state legislature and has otherwise done much to mould public thought and action in relation to affairs of gen- eral moment.
He was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1843, a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Staley) Dickins and a grandson of James and Mary (Haskell) Dickins. The father was born in North Carolina, March 12, 1802, and was but four years of age when his parents removed to Ash county, Virginia. He was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years and was bound as an apprentice to a man who eloped with the wife of another man of the neighborhood, and thus Martin Dickins was released from his apprenticeship. Thinking that he might secure employment at Kanawha, he walked to that place, a distance of one hundred miles, and secured work in the salt works, remaining there for a number of years. He after- ward removed to Ohio and in the latter state was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Staley, who was born in 1807, her parents being Malachi and Elizabeth (Coons) Staley. In the year 1845 Martin Dickins removed with his family to Iowa, settling in Wapello county, where he purchased a claim, and
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thereafter was occupied with general agricultural pursuits to the time of his death, which occurred March 2, 1890. He had survived his wife, who passed away in 1863. His farm com- prised three hundred and twenty acres in Competine township, the greater part of which was still unbroken when it came into his possession. He turned the sod and prepared the land for cultivation and in due course of time gathered rich crops. He long occupied a creditable position among the representative farmers of the district and contributed in substantial measure to the pioneer development of the county.
George W. Dickins was one of a large family and was next to the youngest. He was but three years of age when his parents came to Wapello county, where he was reared amid conditions and environments of pioneer life, sharing with others in all of the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of the frontier settler. He was a youth of nineteen years when, being unable to longer content himself at the plow, he went to the front in de- fense of the Union cause, enlisting on the 12th of August, 1862, at Davenport, Iowa, as a member of Company I, of the First Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, of which he afterward became quartermaster. He was with his command for three years and eight months, participating largely in campaigns in the west, and he was mustered out of service at Austin, Texas, on the 14th of February, 1866. He was with the army of sixty thousand men sent to the Texas border to watch Maximilian and Marshal Bazaine and there remained until the collapse of the French scheme to establish a monarchy on American soil and place Maximilian on the throne.
With the close of the war Mr. Dickins was mustered out in Davenport, after which he returned to his home in Wapello county, where he began farming and settled upon the tract of land which he now owns and occupies, on section 17, Competine township. As his financial resources increased he added to his holdings until at one time he was the owner of nine hundred and twenty acres. Of this he has sold some and has given parts to his children until he now retains possession of but one hundred and sixty acres of land. It was in 1868 that he made his pur- chase from B. Randall, paying twelve dollars and a half per acre for property that is today worth two hundred and fifty dol- lars per acre, owing to the highly cultivated condition of the soil and the many improvements he has put upon the place. In addi- tion to his agricultural interests he is known in financial circles
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as president of the Farson Savings Bank, with which he has been thus connected for eight years.
On the 2nd of June, 1864, Mr. Dickins was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Hawthorne, who was born in Wash- ington county, Virginia, a daughter of Reed T. and Mary ( Reed ) Hawthorne, who were also natives of the Old Dominion, coming to Iowa about 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Dickins became the parents of four children: Wilbur T., who died in June, 1871; Anthony, who died in infancy; Mary, who was born July to, 1869, and is the wife of O. E. Dickey of Competine township; and Hiram H., who was born October 7, 1871, and married Vinnie Ulry, their home being in Competine township. Mrs. Dickins passed away on the 22nd of June, 1874, and Mr. Dickins was married, March 30th, 1875, to Miss Martha C. Eller, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, a daughter of Harvey and Caroline (Vannoy) Eller, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. They came to Iowa about 1851, first settling in Jefferson county, where they lived until 1855, when they came to Wapello county, where their remaining days were passed. They had a family of fifteen children, of whom eleven are living and of whom Mrs. Dickins is the eighth child in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Dickins have become the parents of a son and two daughters. Scott M. married and both he and his wife passed away, leaving two sons, Earl and Lloyd, who now make their home with their grandfather Dickins. Rilla May is the wife of C. A. Dickey, a farmer of Competine township. Kath- erine, the youngest member of the family, is the wife of C. B. Baldwin, and they reside on the old homestead. There are nineteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dickins hold membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and he belongs also to the Grand Army post, of which he is a past commander. His political indorse- ment is given to the republican party, and he has been called to a number of public offices. After serving in various township positions he was elected to the nineteenth general assembly of Iowa in 1881 and in 1897 was again chosen to represent his dis- trict in the house, serving in the twenty-seventh assembly. He gave to every question which came up for consideration due attention, and his support of measures was always the outcome of his belief in their efficacy as features in good government. His life has been well spent. Through all of his experiences he has never lost his faith in his fellowmen nor his belief in the
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ultimate triumph of good. He has sought to the extent of his ability to improve conditions and to promote the public welfare, and his worth is widely acknowledged. Both he and his wife are well known and where best known are most highly esteemed.
GEORGE W. EVANS.
George W. Evans is one of the substantial agriculturists of Highland township, Wapello county, where he owns eight hun- dred and eighty-two acres of valuable land. He was born on this farm March 8, 1861, and is a son of William and Harriet (Hines) Evans, natives of Ohio, who came to Iowa in 1849, settling on a farm in Highland township, experiencing the hard- ships of pioneer life and taking up their residence in a log cabin which they occupied for some time. The father devoted him- self to the cultivation of his land and remained on the farm until his death, passing away in 1878, his wife having preceded him in 1870. To their union were born two children: Alice, who married C. Ostertag; and George W., of this review; the father had been married before and by his first union had one daughter, Amanda, who married George W. Hines.
George W. Evans was reared on the parental farm and in the acquirement of an education attended the public schools of the neighborhood. He early began to assist his father with the work on the homestead and acquired the thoroughness of method which later in life made him so successful in the operation of his land. After his father's death he took over the management of the homestead and has continued in its cultivation ever since. He fell heir to part of the land and as he prospered acquired additional holdings, now owning eight hundred and eighty-two fertile acres in Highland and Dahlonega townships. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, deriving a gratifying income from this branch of his activities.
On February 12, 1886, Mr. Evans married Miss Regina M. Neville, who was born in Wapello county and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Blue) Neville. The father was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1823, and the mother's birth oc- curred in Londonderry county in 1822. They came to America with their respective families while children and first settled in Michigan, making a removal to Iowa about 1847. There they
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lived until their deaths. In their family were six children, of whom four are now living. By trade the father was a contractor and mason and quite successful in that occupation. Mrs. Evans is a graduate of the Ottumwa schools and also graduated in music, being highly gifted in this art. She is an alumna of the Visitation Convent of Ottumwa, Iowa. She and her husband have the following children: Margaret A., who attended Iowa State College at Ames, Iowa, three years and then Columbia Uni- versity and now resides at home with her parents; Felix W., a graduate of Ames College; and Harriet M., and Helen A., both attending high school at Ottumwa, Iowa.
Mr. Evans is a republican, stanchly supporting the candi- dates of that organization. He has always taken an interest in the progress of his community and particularly in educational matters, having served on the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brother- hood of American Yeomen.
S. N. YOUNG.
S. N. Young is a successful agriculturist of Richland town- ship, Wapello county, where he owns a well improved farm which is largely given over to hog raising. He was born in Henry county, Iowa, March 26, 1876, and is a son of Robert and Martha J. (Nicholson) Young, the former born in Ohio and the latter in West Virginia. The father came to Iowa in 1855 and located in Henry county on a farm. Both parents are still living, now making their home in Mount Pleasant. In their family were five children as follows: Jeannette, the wife of W. M. Inglebright of Canada; Nellie D .; J. W., of Salem, Iowa; S. N., of this review ; and D. C., of Henry county.
S. N. Young was reared on his father's farm and under his careful guidance early learned the value of industry and hon- esty. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood and after laying aside his text-books assisted his father with the work of the farm, there acquiring the thorough methods which later stood him in good stead. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age and then began farming a part of the old homestead, upon which he resided for three years. He then turned his attention to the dairy business in Mount Pleasant,
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being so occupied for two and a half years and subsequently re- moved to Ottumwa, where he was successful in the insurance business for two years. At the end of that time he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Center township, which he farmed for three years and then sold at a profit. At the end of that time he bought the eighty acres known as the John Wilson farm, which he cultivated for a year and then bought eighty acres on section 26 in Richland township, where he now lives, and all of which is in a high state of cultivation. He follows most modern methods, is thorough in his work and reaps large annual harvests from his land. He gives much attention to hog raising and has been especially successful along this line.
On February 17, 1909, Mr. Young married Miss Alice E. Ernst, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of K. and Tabitha (Ewing) Ernst, natives of the Keystone state. The father died there in 1883, and the mother and her children sub- sequently came to Johnson county, Iowa, later removing to Henry county. Mrs. Ernst is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Young. The latter is one of nine children born to her parents, of whom six are living. She had the advantage of a college education and is a refined lady of cultured tastes. Mr. and Mrs. Young have two children: Robert S., born January 20, 1910; and Esther V., March 18, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Young hold membership in the Presbyterian church, and Mrs. Young is also a member of the Ladies Aid Society of the church. Mr. Young is a republican, thoroughly in accord with the principles of that party but not an office seeker, although he is ever ready to contribute his share in promoting public enterprises. Frater- nally he is a member of Lodge No. 9 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has many friends in that organization.
J. C. MILLER.
J. C. Miller, township assessor of Dahlonega township, has filled this position for fifteen years. He is accounted one of the representative agriculturists of the county, cultivating three hundred and ten acres of rich and productive land lying in Dah- lonega and Pleasant townships. He was born in this county July 11, 1858, and is a son of J. T. and Sarah A. (Reeve) Miller, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Germany, whence she
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J. C. MILLER AND FAMILY
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came to America in early life. Their marriage was celebrated in the Buckeye state and in the early 'sos they arrived in Iowa, settling in Agency, Wapello county, where the father engaged in the tailoring business. There the mother passed away in 1862. Following her demise the father returned to Ohio, where his last days were spent, his death occurring there in 1898. In their family were seven children: J. A., now living in Ohio; Liddie E., the wife of C. F. Barras of Nebraska; J. C., of this review; P. A., living in San Antonio, Texas; and three who have departed this life.
When J. C. Miller was four years of age he went to live with his maternal grandfather, with whom he remained until the grandfather's death in 1876. J. C. Miller was at that time a youth of eighteen years and started out in life on his own account. He has always followed the occupation to which he was reared. He worked as a farm hand until the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1883, the lady of his choice being Miss Delpha Lowenberg, a daughter of Jacob and Ellen Lowenberg, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm. He is now cultivating three hundred and ten acres of land in Dah- lonega and Pleasant townships, and is regarded as one of the most progressive farmers of his part of the county. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he makes a specialty of raising fine seed corn and of breeding Silver-laced Wyandotte chickens. He also raises high-grade Shropshire sheep, having over fifty head on the farm. He likewise handles cattle and hogs quite extensively and from the sale of his stock, including his sheep and his chickens, derives a gratifying annual income. He has won many premiums on his seed corn, chickens, sheep, cattle and hogs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born twelve children: Grace E., who was born February 23, 1884, and is now the wife of J. F. Williams of Highland Center and the mother of two children, Warren K. and Dorris M .; Floyd O., who was born October 25, 1885; Blanch A., born August 30, 1887; Arnold D., born January 22, 1889; Madge E., born October 17, 1890; Claire C., February 20, 1892; Ray L., January 20, 1894; Beaulah M., May 4, 1896; J. Kenneth, July 21, 1898; Nettie I., January 9, 1901; Effie E., March 16, 1904, and Dorothy E., October 30, 1907. Beaulah and Kenneth are both high-school students. The children are members of the Christian church.
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Mr. Miller votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and in local political circles he is a recognized leader. That he has proved a faithful officer is indicated by the fact that he has been retained in the position of assessor for fifteen years, and he has also done effective work in behalf of the public schools as a member of the school board. A lifelong resident of this county, he has a wide acquaintance, and his many sterling traits of char- acter have gained him high regard.
GEORGE W. SHEPHERD.
The attractiveness of Wapello county as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have re- mained within her borders, finding here excellent business oppor- tunities and advantages. To this class belongs George W. Shep- herd, who was born October 28, 1871, on the farm on section 2, Center township, which is now his home. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Watt) Shepherd, were natives of Jefferson county, Ohio, and were married there, retaining their residence in the east until 1864, when they came to Iowa and settled upon what has since been the homestead farm of the family, Mr. Shepherd continuing the cultivation and development of his land until death terminated his labors in 1890, when he was sixty- four years of age. The mother still survives and now makes her home with her children.
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