USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 29
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Caswell Breon, engaged in general farming, has since 1890 resided upon the place which is now his home, comprising two hundred and fifty-five acres on sections 7 and 18, Competine township. It was in this township that he was born December 2, 1857, his parents being John and Diana (Craft) Breon, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respectively. The year 1852 witnessed their arrival in Wapello county, at which time they took up their abode upon a farm. With the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Breon, aroused by the spirit of patriotism, responded to the country's call for troops and went to the front. While on active duty he was captured and sent to the Confeder- ate prison at Tyler, Texas, where he died. His widow survives at the age of seventy-six years. In their family were three chil- dren: Eli, who makes his home in Highland township; Sarah J., deceased ; and Caswell, of this review.
At the age of fourteen years Caswell Breon started out to make his own way in the world and has since depended entirely upon energy and close application for the attainment of success. He had no special advantages nor the aid of influential friends when he began for himself. He first worked by the month, but, being ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he later rented a farm, which he conducted for eight years. Dur- ing that period he carefully saved his earnings, practicing econ- omy as well as industry, and in 1890 he purchased the farm upon which he now lives-an excellent tract of two hundred and fifty- five acres on sections 7 and 18, Competine township. He carries on general agricultural pursuits, and his place is well improved,
CAASWELL BREON AND FAMILY
BARN ON THE BREON HOMESTEAD
RESIDENCE OF CASWELL BREON
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
its neat and thrifty appearance indicating his careful supervi- sion and practical methods.
On January 3, 1878, Mr. Breon was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Parker, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Canada) Parker, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Delaware. About forty-five years ago they came to Iowa and settled upon a farm here, remaining residents of Wapello county until the death of Mr. Parker. His widow subsequently removed to North Dakota, where she passed away. In their family were nine children, eight of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Breon became the parents of four children: J. A., a resident of Highland township; John M., also living in that township; Ada B., the wife of James Robi- son of Jefferson county, Iowa; and Mary E., the wife of Louis Kopsieker of Keokuk county, Iowa. A grandson, Glenn .L., is living with Mr. and Mrs. Breon.
Mr. Breon is a self-made man. He started out in life with nothing and has accumulated a handsome fortune as the result of his well directed thrift and enterprise. He early learned that industry is the strongest force in winning success, and he has been most diligent in all of his work. In his political views Mr. Breon is a democrat, but has neither sought nor held politi- cal office. He has served, however, as a member of the school board for many years and believes in giving children good opportunities along educational lines. He himself had few advantages in his youth and, therefore, he has come to realize just how important and valuable are the opportunities which qualify one for the responsibilities of later life.
PHILIP MOTT.
Sixty years have come and gone since Philip Mott arrived in Wapello county and throughout the greater part of the inter- vening years to the present time he has made his home in this section of the state, identified with agricultural pursuits. He was born in Baden, Germany, November 22, 1830, a son of Jacob and Mary Mott, who spent their entire lives in their native land, where the father learned and followed the wagon- maker's trade. Unto him and his wife were born five sons and two daughters: Philip; Lawrence, who served in the Confeder- Vol. II-20
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ate army in the Civil war and is now a resident of Ottumwa: Edward, whose home is in Chillicothe, Iowa; and Mrs. Caroline Slowgates, deceased. There were also three who died in Ger- many.
Philip Mott was reared in the land of his birth and was a young man of about twenty-four years when he crossed the At- lantic to the United States, sailing for New Orleans, whence he made his way up the Mississippi river to Wapello county. Here he has lived for many years but on three different occasions has crossed the plains. In 1862 he made a trip with ox teams to Idaho and the next time went to Montana, while a third trip was made to Nevada. All three trips were made while the west was still a pioneer region and such journeys were fraught with many hardships and difficulties, if not with dangers. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Mott attempted to enlist but was re- jected. Most of his life has been devoted to farming and for sixty years he has resided on his present place, comprising one hundred twelve and a half acres on section 12, Center township. He has been actively engaged in its development and still gives supervision to the farm work, although he is now eighty-four years of age.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of Mr. Mott and Miss Mar- garet Striker, who was born in Baden, Germany, and died in 1906, at the age of seventy-one years. She came to the United States about 1852 and joined a brother in New Orleans. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mott were born twelve children: Mary, now the wife of Mat Mier, living on a farm not far from her father's place; Joseph, of Montana; Henry, also of that state; John, of Colorado; Annie, the wife of Jacob Mier, of Center township; Frank, living in Colorado; Maggie, the wife of George Mier, of Center township; Caroline, the wife of William Coyn, of Center township; Antony, whose home is in Arizona; Jacob, of Montana; and Peter and William, both at home. All of the children were born upon the old homestead farm and all are still surviving.
In politics Mr. Mott is a stanch democrat and his religious belief is indicated in his membership in St. Patrick's Catholic church of South Ottumwa. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he has found good opportunities and in their improvement has gained substantial success. His trips to the west brought him in- timate knowledge of frontier life and he has had many unusual
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experiences, which he relates in an interesting manner. He can tell many a tale of the early days in this part of the state, when the work of civilization and development seemed scarcely begun.
CHARLES T. AREINGDALE.
Charles T. Areingdale, engaged in general farming on sec- tion 4, Center township, was born March 4, 1866, at the place where he still resides. His parents were Richard and Mary (Cissne) Areingdale, the former born in Maryland in 1827 and the latter in Ohio on the 6th of January, 1840. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1855, the family home being estab- lished in Ottumwa, and in that city she gave her hand in mar- riage to Richard Areingdale, who had arrived in 1854. Their wedding was celebrated on the 10th of December, 1861, and in 1864 they took up their abode upon the farm where they continued to reside until Mr. Areingdale put aside the active work of the fields in 1898 and removed to Ottumwa, where he lived retired to the time of his death, which occurred on the 15th of January, 1903. His widow still survives and now makes her home on North McLain street in Ottumwa. Mr. Areing- dale was a carpenter by trade, acquainting himself with that busi- ness when but sixteen years of age. He did the woodwork on the old courthouse and built many residences and store buildings in Ottumwa, being thus identified with building operations in the city until he took up his abode upon the farm in 1864, at which time he purchased eighty acres of land. To this he added as his financial resources increased and was the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of splendidly improved land at the time of his demise. For many years he was a school director. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. He displayed many sterling traits of character, and confidence and good-will were entertained for him by all who knew him. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Areingdale were born four children: Edward, who is living in Ottumwa; Charles T .; Nora, who died at the age of twenty years; and Arthur, who is living on a part of the home place.
Charles T. Areingdale has always made his home. on the old home place and is today the owner of two hundred acres of rich
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and arable land. He has erected a good residence and made many other improvements upon his place, which in its neat and attractive appearance indicates the careful supervision and pro- gressive methods of the owner. His plowing, planting and har- vesting are done along most practical and progressive lines and excellent results have attended his efforts.
On the 29th of March, 1904, Mr. Areingdale was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Burk, who was born in Michigan and is a daughter of M. and Julia (Powell) Burk. Her mother is now deceased and her father makes his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Arcingdale have one daughter, Alice M.
Mr. Areingdale gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party but does not seek nor desire office for himself, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his agricultural inter- ests with the result that his close application and energy are bringing to him gratifying and well deserved success. In fact, he is accounted one of the prosperous farmers of his community and his progressiveness is manifest in the attractive appearance of his place and its many modern improvements.
F. A. SWARD.
F. A. Sward, assistant cashier of the Farson Savings Bank, was born in Illinois on the 9th of July, 1887, and is, therefore, a young man of but twenty-seven years. His parents are James A. and Anna M. (Swanson) Sward, both of whom are natives of Sweden. The father was born November 4, 1858, and was a son of Jones and Mary Sward, both of whom were natives of Sweden, in which country they spent their entire lives. James A. Sward was one of a family of four children, three of whom are yet living, all being residents of America. It was in 1881 that J. A. Sward crossed the Atlantic to the United States, first settling in Henry county, Illinois, and in 1902 he removed to Wapello county, purchasing the farm upon which he now re- sides, comprising one hundred and fifteen acres of rich and pro- ductive land on section 15, Competine township. This was partially improved, but with characteristic energy he began its further development and cultivation and has now an excellent property, supplied with all of the equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century. He makes a specialty of raising and
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feeding stock, and his success has been the direct result of his energy and close application. His political allegiance has al- ways been given to the republican party since he became a natur- alized American citizen, but he has never sought nor desired public office. Both he and his wife are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and are highly esteemed in the commun- ity where they make their home. It was in 1886 that James A. Sward married Miss Anna Swanson, who was born in Sweden and came to America in 1882. She, too, settled in Henry county, Illinois, and there the marriage was celebrated. Unto them were born five children: F. A., of this review; Josephine W .; Oscar W .; Eva Irene; and Albert R. The last four are all yet at home.
F. A. Sward was a young lad when his parents came to Iowa. He continued at home until he had attained his majority and was well trained in habits of industry and economy. He is a graduate of the Martinsburg high school and of the Cedar Rap- ids Commercial College, in which he completed his course in 1913. This training well qualifies him for the work which he has undertaken. For four years he engaged in teaching school, but, thinking to find other pursuits more profitable and congenial, he accepted his present position in the Farson Savings Bank as assist- ant cashier. He is a courteous and obliging official, loyal to the welfare of the institution which he represents and at the same time carefully attending to the interests of its patrons.
On the IIth of March, 1914, Mr. Sward was united in mar- riage to Miss Helen Newman, who was born in Iowa, a daugh- ter of Carey and Charlotte (Sauer) Newman, who are now residents of Wapello county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sward hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and they are highly esteemed by a large circle of warm friends in the section of the county in which they make their home.
J. L. WARNER.
J. L. Warner is a resident farmer of Center township, living on section 14, which was the original homestead claim of the family, entered from the government by his father in 1843. It was upon this place that J. L. Warner was born October 20, 1859, his parents being Sylvester and Juliet (Ford) Warner.
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The father was born in Oneida county, New York, November 21, 1817, and the mother's birth occurred in Cattaraugus county, New York, May 30, 1829. She came to Iowa with her brother, John Ford, when about fifteen years of age. They were orphans and from early boyhood and girlhood were dependent upon their own resources.
In 1837 Sylvester Warner removed from the east to St. Fran- cisville, Missouri. He was connected with the work of making the first geographical survey of the Des Moines river, being thus engaged for two years, after which he lived with his father in Van Buren county, Iowa. By trade he was a blacksmith, but owing to impaired eyesight turned his attention to farming. When Wapello county was open to settlement in 1843 he made his way hither and set his stakes at midnight on the night the dis- trict was opened to the white man. Upon the claim which he thus secured he spent his remaining days and converted it into a well improved farm. He was the builder of the first wagon ever made in Ottumwa, and he also assisted in building the first log house. On that occasion there was a log raising or bee and Mr. Warner, being a mechanic, was made overseer of the work. In the fall of 1841 he and Dr. Hubbard made the trip in an ox cart to Fort Des Moines, which was before this district was open to white settlement. He became well acquainted with Black Hawk, Keokuk, Wapello and Appanoose, four well known Indian chiefs. He served as a blacksmith in the Black Hawk war. He went to enlist for active duty as a soldier and when it was learned he possessed mechanical talent of that character he was put to work in the blacksmith shop. Few men were more closely associated with the early development and progress of the county, and as one of its pioneer settlers he well deserves mention. in this volume. He lived to witness remarkable changes as the country was taken over from the red men and utilized for the purpose of civilization. In politics he was a stanch democrat for many years and later became a socialist. His religious faith was that of the Spiritualist church. He died in the year 1892, having for two years survived his wife, who passed away March 15, 1890. In their family were nine children: George E., of Agency; J. L., of this review; Ella L., at home; Guy N. and Juliet, at home, and Annie, Jacob, Sarah and Charles, who passed away in early childhood.
J. L. Warner has spent his entire life upon the farm which he now occupies and which he owns in connection with his sis-
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ters, Ella and Juliet. The place comprises one hundred and eighty acres and they also have twenty-seven acres south of the river. Mr. Warner is engaged in dairying and stock-raising and milks on an average of twelve cows. He raises his own dairy stock and also horses and hogs. In business affairs he is energetic and enterprising and is meeting with success in his undertaking.
Mr. Warner is a member of the National Spiritualist Organ- ization and a charter member of the local organization. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but he never seeks nor desires office as a reward for party fealty. He is today well known as a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county and for almost fifty-five years has been a witness of its growth and progress. He has lived to see its wild lands converted into highly cultivated farms, its villages transformed into cities and all of the evidences of modern business enterprise and of modern civilization introduced.
DIETRICH CLAUSEN.
Dietrich Clausen is one of that class of German-Americans who have made good use of the opportunities presented in this country and who have attained to success by their own efforts. He is entitled to the proud name of self-made man and there is due him all credit for what he has achieved. He is a prosperous farmer of Highland township, where he owns three hundred and fifty-five acres of land, all well improved and in good bearing. He was born in Germany, June 4, 1862, a son of Albert and Eliza (Stake) Clausen, natives of Germany, who died in that country. Their son Dietrich was one of five children born to his parents : Margaret, a resident of Germany; Rebecca, the wife of Henry Custer of Logan county, Illinois; Dietrich, of this review; and two who have passed away.
Mr. Clausen of this review received a common-school cdu- cation in his native country, and when seventeen years of age crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Illinois, where he worked for some time as a farm hand. After five years he was married and subsequently rented land in Illinois for twenty-two years. Being thrifty and careful of his earnings, he had acquired the means to make himself independent and came to Wapello
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county, where he bought three hundred and fifty-five acres of land. This farm is now under high cultivation, and his build- ings are in the best of repair. He is a progressive, up-to-date agriculturist, always following the latest methods, and the best of machinery and equipment can be found upon his place. His buildings are substantial, modernly equipped, sanitary and well lighted. He has succeeded because he has always applied him- self closely to matters at hand and because he has never deviated from his course.
Mr. Clausen was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Knol- lenberg, a native of Germany and a daughter of Henry and Katherine Knollenberg, who came to America about 1886, locat- ing on a farm in Logan county, Illinois, where both passed away. They had eleven children, of whom ten are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Clausen were the parents of eleven children : Henry, Lena, Minnie, Emma, Elizabeth, John, William, Dietrich, Freder- icka, Albert and Edward. Mr. Clausen has always interested himself in educational matters and is now serving in his second year as a school director of his district. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and devoted to that faith, gen- erously contributing to the local church. He is a democrat by political persuasion and at present is serving as trustee of High- land township. He is considered to be one of the well-to-do farmers of his neighborhood and much credit must be given him for his achievement, although he modestly concedes that it is. largely due to the help of his good wife that he has so admirably succeeded. He is a thoroughly public-spirited and patriotic American citizen and has done much toward promoting pros- perity in his township, being ever ready to make personal sac- rifices to this end.
GUY N REID.
Guy N. Reid, a photographer of Ottumwa, having estab- lished a gallery in this city in 1905, is recognized as a most capable exponent of his art. He was born in Defiance county, Ohio, February 25, 1882, and is a son of J. W. and Ella Grace (Langdon) Reid, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. The maternal grandfather settled in Ohio in the early '30s and was a tavern keeper in the pioneer period. J. W. Reid
GUY N. REID
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learned the art of photography and in 1908 he joined his son Guy in Ottumwa and was in partnership with him for two years, but is now located in Decatur, Illinois. As time has advanced he has kept abreast with modern processes and has devoted his entire life to his art. Unto him and his wife have been born two chil- dren : Guy N .; and Lake E., now of St. Louis, Missouri.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Guy N. Reid pursued his education in the public schools, completing a high-school course. He then took up the study of photography at Van Wert, Ohio, and also was for two years an apprentice. His thorough training and practical experience constituted an excellent foundation upon which to build his later success. Removing to Toledo, Ohio, he there continued in business for one year, after which he went to Mansfield, Ohio, where he spent one year. He was afterward again in Van Wert for two years and on the 9th of March, 1905, he arrived in Ottumwa and pur- chased his present studio, which he has since occupied. This is splendidly equipped with all modern facilities for turning out the most artistic work. He understands the most improved processes of the art and, moreover has a splendid recognition of the variations of light, shade and pose, so that he has accom- plished splendid results and is accorded a liberal patronage.
On the 24th of October, 1905, Mr. Reid was united in mar- riage to Miss Ethel May Standish, who was born in Ohio on the 8th of October, 1883, and is a daughter of M. H. and Esther (Ekfelt) Standish, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state and are now living in Boise, Idaho. Mr. Standish was a pioneer of Kansas, and his family numbered ten children, includ- ing Mrs. Reid, who was graduated from the high school at Van Wert, Ohio, with the class of 1902 and for three years engaged successfully in teaching the primary grade in the Van Wert public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Reid have been born two children: Rowena Grace, born March 26, 1907, and Law- rence Standish, born February 2, 1909.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Reid is a Royal Arch Mason. In politics he is a progres- sive, believing in the advanced step which has been made to break away from old party ties and the rule of the machine, and seeking the best interests of the majority, without regard to class distinctions. He has never sought nor desired office, however, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. He is a member of the Photographic Guild of Iowa, of which he
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is past president, and the Photographic Association of America. He is a young.man, ambitious and energetic and, moreover, pos- sesses a love for his art that constitutes one of the features in his growing success.
E. D. DAVIS.
A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Wapello county, and especially of Competine township, without learning that the Davis family has figured most prominently and honorably in connection with the agricul- tural development of this part of the state. Since pioneer days the family has been represented here, and for almost six decades E. D. Davis has been not only a witness of the growth and devel- opment of Wapello county, but also an active participant in much that has been wrought for its present prosperity. He was born in this county December 25, 1855, and is a son of William and Priscilla (Mowery) Davis, who are mentioned in connec- tion with the record of George W. Davis on another page of this work. Like others of the household, E. D. Davis remained at home, performing such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority and dividing his time with the work of the school- room. When his text-books were put aside he concentrated his energies upon farm work and upon school teaching. He had supplemented his carly educational training by a college course and for some time he successfully engaged in teaching, impart- ing readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. When twenty-eight years of age he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Eller, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Harvey E. and Mary C. (Vannoy) Eller, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. At an early day they came to lowa and their remaining days were passed in Wapello county. In their family were fifteen children, of whom eleven are still living.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis began their domestic life upon the farm where they now reside, and he has become owner of three hundred and fifty acres in Competine township, constituting an excellent and well developed tract. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, and has added many modern improvements to the farm, so that the place is one
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