USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 28
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John Wesley Millisack resided at the place of his birth until he had reached the age of forty-four years, when he came to Wapello county, Iowa. Here he has since made his home, cover- ing a period of forty-three years. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, he worked on the farm and in his father's store until his marriage and then started out upon an independ- ent business career. He has led a busy and useful life and as the result of his industry, careful management and enterprise he has become the owner of valuable property, still owning one hundred and fifty acres of land in Ashland. About two years ago he sold the farm of one hundred and forty-two acres upon which he had long made his home, but he still retains the owner- ship of one hundred and fifty acres in Washington township, where at one time he owned and cultivated about three hundred acres, all of which was acquired through his own efforts.
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In 1852 Mr. Millisack was married to Miss Catharine Over- holt, who was born in Ohio in 1832 and died in Washington township, this county, April 7, 1909. They became the parents of six children, including Mrs. McCarroll, with whom Mr. Millisack now resides. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, and he holds membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery. He and his people were spiritualists. In politics he is a progressive but for many years supported the republican party. He has held various township offices, to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow citizens, who have ever found him most loyal to the trust reposed in him.
WALLACE W. STERNER.
Wallace W. Sterner, busily engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, his home farm being on sections 3 and 10, Pleasant township, was born in Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, October 9, 1851, a son of Jacob and Adelina (Shaff) Sterner, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. In their happy family were ten chil- dren, of whom six are yet living.
Wallace W. Sterner, the only son, spent the period of his minority in his native state and was educated in the public schools. He was twenty-one years of age when in 1872 he came to Wapello county, Iowa, where he secured employment as a farm hand, spending two years in that way. Desirous, however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he then rented a farm, which he cultivated for three years. He next purchased the farm whereon he now resides, comprising two hundred and thirteen and one-half acres, situated on sections 3 and 10, Pleasant township. This is a good tract of land, the soil rich and arable, and as a result of his careful and practical methods of cultivating the fields he annually gathers large crops, the sale of which brings to him a substantial annual income. He has erected all of the buildings upon the place and has made many substantial improvements which add to the attractive appearance of the farm and promote its productiveness. He has always handled and raised stock and this branch of his business also indicates him to be a man of sound judgment and unfalter- ing enterprise.
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MR. AND MRS. WALLACE W. STERNER
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
In 1881 Mr. Sterner was united in marriage to Miss Martha Porter, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, a daughter of Marion and Martha Porter. Mr. and Mrs. Sterner have become the parents of seven children; Daisy, now the wife of Vergil Webb; Eveline, who married E. Harris and resides in Jefferson county ; Celestia, the widow of William Brown; John R., Marion, at home; Mary, deceased, and Belle, at home. The wife and mother passed away in 1905 and was laid to rest in the Competine cemetery. On September 27, 1907, Mr. Sterner was again married, his second union being with Miss Clara Belle Payne, who was born in Madison, Illinois, the daughter of T. C. and Harriet ( Handlon) Payne. Mr. and Mrs. Sterner attend the Christian church, and their lives are guided by its teachings. In politics Mr. Sterner is a republican and has served as school director. He stands at all times for those things which feature most strongly as factors in promoting public progress and improvement, and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged.
CAREY NEWMAN.
Carey Newman, a resident and representative farmer of Competine township, was born in Ottumwa, April 16, 1860, and is a son of John A. and Celena (Twillinger) Newman, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former born in 1812 and the latter in 1826. They came to Wapello county in 1847, settling in Ottumwa when the now thriving county seat contained but three log cabins. The father was the first marshal of the town and occupied the position for two years. He was one of the twelve white men who settled in this locality in Black Hawk's time. He entered a claim in Louisa county and there resided for two years, after which he gave it away in order to get rid of it. He then went to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he operated a sawmill for four years. He was one of the old pioneer settlers on the Mississippi and made about eighty trips to New Orleans by way of the river route. In 1847 he returned to Indiana, was there married and subsequently removed to Wapello county, where he lived until his death. In the family were eight chil- dren: Rhoda, the wife of E. J. Kirchener of Kansas; Jasper, living in the same state; Laura, the wife of M. J. Lambert of
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Kansas; Carey, of this review; Della, the wife of Fred Sauer of Highland township, this county; and three who have passed away.
Carey Newman remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years. He then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for a number of years, after which he pur- chased eighty acres of land south of Farson in Competine town- ship. He lived upon that place for three years and then pur- chased the farm upon which he now resides, on section 10, Com- petine township. He owns two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land and as a result of his care and supervision excellent crops are annually harvested. He also carries on stock-raising, and both branches of his business are proving profitable sources of income.
Mr. Newman gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and for two years he was constable, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has also been school director and at all times has been loyal to the best interests of citizenship, cooperating in many movements relative to the public good.
On December 24, 1889, Mr. Newman was united in mar- riage to Miss Charlotte Sauer, who was born in this county and is a daughter of George A. and Helen ( Hanchez) Sauer, both of whom were natives of Germany, but came to America in childhood. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Keo- kuk county, Iowa, and subsequently removed to Wapello county, where both passed away. Mrs. Newman is one of a family of eleven children, seven of whom are yet living, and by her mar- riage she has become the mother of eight children: Helen, who was born December 4, 1890, and is the wife of F. A. Sward; John A., who was born September 24, 1892, and is a graduate of an auctioneering school; George B., who was born January 29, 1894, and died December 28, 1896; Carey, who was born Sep- tember 4, 1896; Norris, October 29, 1898; Nora M., December 25, 1900; Laura F., August 6, 1903 ; and Chester, April 15, 1905. The family home is an attractive residence, in the rear of which stands substantial barns and outbuildings and these in turn are surrounded by well tilled fields. The farm presents a most attractive appearance and is one of the valuable properties in Competine township. It is most carefully managed, the work being intelligently and systematically directed, and the result of his labors is that he has met with rapid success. Moreover, he deserves representation in this volume as a member of one
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of the old pioneer families. The Indians had not left this dis- trict when his father took up his abode within the borders of Iowa and from that time to the present the Newmans have taken active and helpful part in advancing the welfare of the districts in which they have lived.
J. G. DANA.
J. G. Dana, of Kirkville, Iowa, is residing upon a valuable farm which is cultivated under his active supervision. He is also postmaster of Kirkville and has served in that capacity for the past two years. He was born in Washington county, Ohio, June 2, 1848, and is a son of P. F. and Sarah E. (Green) Dana, natives of that state. The mother died in Ohio in 1856 and two years later Mr. Dana came to Iowa and located on a farm in Richland township, where he lived until 1868. In that year he removed to Ottumwa, buying a small fruit farm and continuing in its cultivation until his death. In their family were nine children, of whom three are living: D. G., of Arkansas; J. G., our subject; and R. P., of Portland, Oregon. The father sub- sequently married again and to this union were born four chil- dren, of whom the only one now living is Ina, of Ottumwa. The great-grandfather of our subject, William Dana, served as a captain in the Revolutionary war, while the oldest brother of J. G. Dana held the same rank in the Civil war, serving in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry throughout that conflict. He has passed away, his remains being interred in the Kirkville cemetery. Another brother, D. G. Dana, also rendered military service dur- ing the great strife between the north and south.
J. G. Dana of this review was reared upon the home farm, acquiring his education in the schools of the neighborhood and assisting his father with agricultural work until twenty-two years of age. He then rented land in Richland township and in 1876 removed to Mills county, this state, where he bought a farm which he cultivated for two decades. He then disposed of his interests to advantage and returned to Wapello county, where he bought a farm of forty acres adjoining the town limits of Kirkville, and there he still lives. Throughout life he has fol- lowed the most advanced methods and has succeeded because
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he combined judicious management with thrift, industry and in- defatigable energy.
In 1871 Mr. Dana married Miss Henrietta Slutts, a daugh- ter of T. and Eliza ( Reed) Slutts, natives of Ohio, who located in Richland township, Wapello county, in 1865. Both parents are deceased. In their family were seven children. all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Dana have two children: Blanche, who married Rev. A. E. Talley, now deceased, his widow resid- ing in Minnesota; and J. N., who attended Northwestern Uni- versity in Evanston, Illinois, and is now treasurer of the Redpath- Chautauqua Company, his duties just now confining him to South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Dana are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, the former being one of the officers in that organization.
Mr. Dana is a republican and has served on the town and school boards. Two years ago he was appointed postmaster of Kirkville and is now giving great satisfaction in that position. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 442, A. F. & A. M., and is treasurer of the same. He is popular wherever known and esteemed for his high principles of manhood, and his many excellent qualities commend him to the respect and confidence of the public.
WILLIAM T. ARCHER.
William T. Archer, of Ottumwa, is manager for southern Iowa for the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company of Los Angeles and is also secretary and treasurer of the American Commercial Travelers Accident Association. His name is today well known in insurance circles, and the success which has come to him is the direct result of his enterprise, inde- fatigable energy and laudable ambition. Mr. Archer is a native of La Plata, Missouri, born March 15, 1863. His father, James M. Archer, was born near Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1822 and his life record covered a period of seventy-six years, being terminated in death in 1898. He taught school for about forty years, and a large number of the old residents of Macon county, Missouri, owe their education to him. He married Miss Deborah Allen, who was born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1830 and died in 1871. In their family are three children who yet
WILLIAM T. ARCHER
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
survive : Mary Josephine, the wife of William H. Dull of Shel- don, Missouri; Laura J., who married B. H. Greer of Hanna City, Illinois ; and-William T.
The last named acquired his education in the common schools of Missouri and was graduated from the high school of La Plata. He afterward engaged in farming and later turned his atten- tion to commercial pursuits, working in a store evenings and mornings while attending school through the day. From the time of his mother's death he was dependent upon his own resources, and his gradual advancement has been the result of his determination and intelligently directed efforts. He was appointed to the railway postal service by Congressman W. H. Hatch, of Hannibal, Missouri, and acted in that capacity for seven years. He next entered the bakery business in Ottumwa in 1892 and conducted that for two years. He then sold out and went to Des Moines and was ticket agent in the Union depot for two years. He next became a traveling salesman for the Deering Harvester and the International Harvester Companies, repre- senting that line of business from 1897 until 1904, when he turned his attention to the life-insurance business, becoming manager of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company of Los Angeles for southern Iowa. This agency had the third largest increase in the United States in 1913, showing a careful systemization of the business and the wise direction and executive force of Mr. Archer. He is now secretary and treasurer of the American Commercial Travelers Accident Association, and his name has become a synonym for intense activity and energy in the field of insurance.
On December 22, 1891, Mr. Archer was united in marriage to Miss Clara S. Kraner, who was born in Ottumwa, a daughter of William and Rosa ( Buedell) Kraner, of whom the father is now deceased. He was connected with the hardware trade and the brewing business. The mother was a native of Bavaria, Ger- many, and at an early age crossed the Atlantic as a passenger on a sailing vessel which was six weeks in completing the trip. To Mr. and Mrs. Archer have been born five children, three of whom are yet living: Ruth Josephine, who is now a senior in the high school of Ottumwa; Helen Loretta, a sophomore in the high school; and William Kraner, a bright boy of nine years, who displays noteworthy musical talent.
Mr. Archer gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and he and his family are members of the Episcopal
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Archer serving now as president of the Fellowship Club in that church. He also belongs to Empire Lodge, No. 269, A. F. & A. M .; Clinton Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M .; Malta Commandery, No. 31, K. T .; and Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Davenport, Iowa. He is likewise a valued and popular member in the Wapello Country and Commercial Clubs and in the last named has served as a director. These affiliations indi- cate his social nature, and his appreciation of the good qualities in others has been one of the strong factors in winning his large circle of friends. He is easily approachable and is never too busy to be courteous nor too courteous to be busy.
JAMES WILLIAM NEFF.
A well developed farm on section 2, Highland township, is the home property of James William Neff, who for a half cen- tury has been a resident of Wapello county and has therefore witnessed much of its growth and development. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 2, 1842, and is a son of Sam- uel and Harriet ( Hamett) Neff. The father was born in Win- chester, Virginia, and died in Bureau county, Illinois, about 1859, being then forty-five years of age. The mother, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, passed away at the home of her son James William in 1902 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In his youthful days Samuel Neff had accompanied his parents from the Old Dominion to Ohio and was married in that state, after which he removed with his family to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1848. There he secured a tract of land and carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death. In his family were eight children: John H., now deceased, who was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting from Bureau county in the Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years and then veteranized, remaining at the front until the close of hostilities; Francis Marion, who served throughout the war as a member of Battery I, Second Illinois Artillery, and is now deceased ; Lewis Henry, who served throughout the war as a member of Company I, Second Illinois Artillery, and is now living in Santa Ana, California; James William, who was the fourth in order of birth; Catharine, the wife of J. O. Milli-
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
gan of Wakefield, Nebraska; Mrs. Lucinda Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Sarah Ross, both of whom have passed away; and Rufus, who is living in Cody, Wyoming.
James William Neff, like others of the father's family, had that strong spirit of patriotic devotion to country that manifested itself in military service. The smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away when, in April, 1861, he responded to the first call for troops to serve for three months, joining the Twelfth Illinois Infantry. When his military duty was over Mr. Neff followed farming on the old home place in Illinois, but later came to Iowa, making his way to Ottumwa. He pur- chased an eighty acre farm of prairie land a mile south of Hed- rick, began to cultivate and develop it and thereon resided until he took up his abode in the town. There he engaged in merchan- dising and in dealing in grain for about fifteen years, the family, however, still remaining upon the farm. On the expiration of that period he removed to his present farm of sixty acres. three quarters of a mile southwest of Hedrick. He sold the farm upon which he had previously resided and also another tract which he had near it, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. His present possessions include a two hundred acre farm a mile south of his present home. At one time he owned four farms, al! of which he developed and improved, making them model farni properties. He also owned the best residence in Hedrick. About eight years ago he went to Wyoming and purchased a large tract of state land in the Big Horn basin near Cody and there built an irrigation ditch, six miles in length, to irrigate his land, this ditch supplying water for nine hundred and twenty acres of his tract. The ditch was completed and the greater part of the land was placed under cultivation. He also became identi- fied with the improvement of Cody and there erected a brick block, in which he now has four tenants, bringing to him a rental of one hundred and seventy-five dollars per month. He likewise owns a fine residence in Cody. His investments have ever been judiciously made and have brought to him substantial returns, showing him to be a man of sound business judgment and unfal- tering enterprise.
In the fall of 1861 Mr. Neff was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Winner, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, in 1846 and died in this county in 1902, leaving four children: Idella, the wife of Andrew Lawson; Charles E., of Highland town- ship, who is married and has eight children, one being deceased ;
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Elmer E., of Modesto, California, who is married and has two children; and James Brunson, a member of the United States navy. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have five children, and they re- side upon the home farm with the father, Mr. Lawson now act- ing as manager of the place.
Mr. Neff has earned the proud American title of a self-made man. Almost a half century ago he arrived in this county with a team, which he drove, bringing with him his wife and baby. He built a shanty on the prairie and lived and worked the way that others did who began life empty-handed. All that he now possesses has been acquired through his own earnest labor and wise investments. He carefully saved his earnings and as he did so purchased other property, which brought to him good returns. Year by year he added to his holdings and became a large landowner and the possessor of considerable valuable city realty. He invented and built the first two-horse corn plow and he was ever alert to methods of improving his farm in any way. His intelligently directed labor has been the secret of his gratifying success, placing him today among the substantial residents of the county. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has since supported the candidates at the head of the republican ticket. His has been a well spent life and constitutes an example that others might wisely emu- late. Today, at the age of seventy-two years, he is most comfort- ably situated and has no reason to feel financially anxious for the future.
GEORGE T. REDMON.
George T. Redmon is one of the substantial agriculturists of Highland township, where he owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres; moreover, there is honor due him as a veteran of the Civil war. He was one of those loyal sons of the Union who in the hour of need and stress took up the cause of the flag and offered his services to his country. He was born in Ken- tucky, April 6, 1845, his parents being William C. and Maria (Johnston) Redmon, both natives of that state, where they re- sided until their deaths. They had ten children, of whom six are still living.
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George T. Redmon was reared in his Kentucky home, at- tending the schools of the neighborhood and remaining a member of his parents' household until seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-seventh Kentucky Mounted Infantry. He served throughout the entire war, being most of the time on the skirmish line, and was mustered out in Louis- ville. He then returned to private life, remaining with his parents until 1867, when he moved to Wapello county, where he worked for a year as a farm hand. At the end of that time he rented a farm and for about thirty years continued as a renter, acquiring the means which enabled him to buy the farm which he now owns. His property comprises one hundred and forty acres and is in a high state of cultivation. It is improved with a set of excellent buildings which are modern and adequately equipped. Mr. Redmon has always been a leader in agricul- tural matters and has introduced new standards to his section of the county. While he has attained substantial independence he has given a valuable impetus toward development and has furthered the general prosperity.
On November 25, 1869, Mr. Redmon married Miss Susan F. McClung, a native of Indiana and a daughter of J. C. and Mary E. (Scott) McClung, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Indiana. They were married in Indiana and came to Iowa in 1847, locating on a farm in Wapello county, where the father built a log cabin with the proverbial clapboard roof and stick chimney and with a string latch hanging out, its doors always open to his neighbors and friends, who ever found in him a kind and hospitable host. There the parents resided until their deaths. They had seven children, of whom four are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Redmon had six children: Arvel C., a graduate of Ottumwa Business College, now a resident of Hed- rick; Mary A., who died at the age of six years; Edith E., a graduate of Ames College and formerly a school teacher, who married E. I. Dewell of South Dakota, who was also gradu- ated from Ames College and now follows mercantile pursuits ; Finkle L., a graduate of a business college in Quincy, Illi- nois, and a merchant of Hedrick; Alice L., a graduate of the Cedar Falls College and of the University of Chicago, an artist of exceptional ability, who is now residing in Cheyenne, Wyom- ing, where she is art supervisor of schools; and Jessie M., a graduate of the Cedar Falls College, who subsequently took a
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business course in Des Moines and is now deputy county super- intendent.
Mr. and Mrs. Redmon are members of the Christian church, and both take a deep interest in its work. They are highly esteemed by all who know them and have many friends in High- land township. Politically Mr. Redmon is a republican, loyally supporting that party, and he has served as township trustee and school director. Fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of Masons, having filled all of the chairs in the local organiza- tion, and he also belongs to Post No. 484, G. A. R.
CASWELL BREON.
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