USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 31
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Mr. Hawthorne has been married twice. In 1867 he wedded Miss Ella Silvers, and unto them were born two children : U. S., and William J., but the latter died in 1889. The wife and mother passed away in 1879 and in 1881 Mr. Hawthorne wedded Miss Alice Trout, who was born in Mason county, Illinois, a daughter of A. and Margaret (Laughlin) Trout, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1850 and were married in Jefferson county, this state. Subsequently they removed to Mason county, Illinois, and in 1862 returned to Iowa, where the family remained, while the father went to
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California. He was upon the Pacific coast for nine years and then again came to Iowa, where he lived for one year. On the expiration of that period he removed to California, where his remaining days were passed. His wife died in Jefferson county. Iowa, in 1908. In their family were five children, of whom four are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne has been born a daughter, Lillian, who married E. MeCay, of Albia, Iowa, and has two children, Marjorie A. and Wendel. The parents attend the Baptist church. In politics Mr. Hawthorne is a democrat, and he has served as school director, but has held no political offices. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Knights of Pythias, and in both organizations has gained many friends, who esteem him for his sterling traits of character. His life has been quietly passed, but has been one of worth and value to the community, his labors constituting a force in winning for Wapello county its well earned reputation of being one of the leading agricultural districts of the state.
WALTER E. ANTHONY, M. D.
Among the younger representatives of the medical profession now successfully engaged in practice in Ottumwa is Dr. Walter E. Anthony, who was born January 13, 1889, in Santa Ana, California. His father, Enoch Anthony, is a medical practi- tioner in Wapello county, where he has continuously practiced for nineteen years. He is a native of Athens, Missouri, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Nelson. The paternal grandparents were born on old homesteads near Athens, Missouri, in a district which was then but sparsely settled and where the Indians were numerous. William Clark, the great- grandfather of Dr. Anthony, settled in what is now Clark county, Missouri, in the early part of the nineteenth century. The grandfather Anthony was a Union soldier throughout the Civil war. The Nelson family came from Maine and was established in Missouri in pioneer times. The great-grandfather in that line carried the mail on horseback from Keokuk to Keosauqua before the old Rock Island road was built, and thus it is that Dr. Anthony is descended from ancestors closely associated with the settlement and development of the region west of the Mississippi.
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In the pursuit of his education he completed a high school course at Ottumwa in 1908 and for professional training attended Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he won his M. D. degree on the 3d of June, 1912. He has since engaged continuously in the practice of medicine, returning to Ottumwa for practice and here remaining to the present time, his success increasing with the passing years. He is a member of the Wapello County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was exam- ining physician for the Woodmen of the World and for the Homesteaders in 1913, and for the Knights of Maccabees in 1914. Of those organizations he is a member and also of the Loyal Order of Moose. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he is not a politician in the sense of office seeking.
On the Ioth of October, 1912, Dr. Anthony was married at the home of T. T. Funk, ten miles north of Ottumwa, to the daughter of the household, Miss Mary Moss Funk. Her parents have spent their entire lives in Wapello county, where Mr. Funk still follows the occupation of farming. He has often been officially associated with school and township affairs. To Dr. and Mrs. Anthony has been born a daughter, Velma Rose. The parents are members of the First Methodist church and in Ottumwa, where they have practically spent their entire lives, they are widely and favorably known, while the professional ability of Dr. Anthony places him in a creditable position as a representative of the medical fraternity.
J. F. WILLIAMS.
Dr. J. F. Williams, who enjoys a large veterinary practice in Highland township, well merits the confidence placed in him, for his reputation is built upon a thorough professional educa- tion and a large practical experience. He has today a profitable clientele and is considered one of the most successful men in his line of work in Wapello county. He was born in Carroll county, Missouri, March 14, 1876, and is a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Decker) Williams, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Indiana. Both were brought to Iowa when children. Conrad Williams died in June, 1906, his widow now making her
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home in New Mexico. In their family were nine children, of whom seven are living.
J. F. Williams remained at home until he reached his maturity. Having completed his schooling, he learned the blacksmith's trade, continuing in that line for a few years, but, not finding the desired satisfaction in this work, his thoughts turned to more profitable fields of employment. Deciding upon veterinary work, he attended the Kansas City Veterinary Col- lege, from which he graduated in 1911. Since that year he has been practicing in Highland Center with unabating success.
On the 21st of April, 1912, Dr. Williams married Miss Grace Miller, a native of Wapello county and a daughter of J. C. and Delpha (Lowenberg) Miller, both living and of whom extended mention is made in another part of this work. Dr. and Mrs. Williams have two children: Warren K. and Doris Marie. The parents are members of the Christian church and devoted to its work. Before her marriage Mrs. Williams taught school for nine years, having received an excellent educa- tion, which was concluded with graduation from the Ottumwa high school. Dr. Williams owns a handsome residence in High- land Center, which is the family home. He is not only efficient professionally, but is a useful citizen who is ever ready to con- tribute to the general welfare. Politically he has not been par- ticularly active, preferring to concentrate all his energies upon his work. He is a member of the Farmers' Grange.
JAMES E. McCARROLL.
James E. McCarroll spent many years of his life as a farmer of Wapello county, where he owned and cultivated a good tract of land of eighty-one acres just north of the city of Ottumwa, on the Court Street road. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, October 14, 1847, and his last days were spent on the old home- stead farm, where he passed away May 29, 1909, at the age of nearly sixty-two years. His parents were Scott and Susan (English) McCarroll, natives of Ohio. Removing westward they became early settlers of Wapello county, taking up their abode upon a farm near Kirkville, where their remaining days were passed. They reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living.
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This family included James E. McCarroll, who was but a little lad of less than three years when brought by his parents to Iowa in 1850. From that time forward he continued a resident of the middle west, and the greater part of his life was devoted to farming. For a considerable period in early manhood he engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Kansas, but re- turned to this county and invested in a farm of eighty-one acres, his place being situated just north of the city on the Court Street road. It is a good property, well developed and improved with many modern equipments and buildings.
Mr. McCarroll was married twice. He first wedded Lottie Sinnard of Kirkville. On the 30th of December, 1886, he mar- ried Miss Ida M. Millisack, who was born in Ashland, Wapello county, June 17, 1857, a daughter of J. W. and Catharine (Over- holt) Millisack, whose biographies appear elsewhere in this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCarroll were born three sons : Har- rison, a resident of Sterling, Illinois; and Ray and Morris, both at home. Mr. McCarroll continued to engage in farming to the time of his death. In politics he was a republican, stanch in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He did not seek office, however, as a reward for party fealty, but was content to do his public duty as a private citizen. However, he co-operated in various movements for the general good, and his worth was widely acknowledged.
FRANK L. DAGGETT.
Frank L. Daggett, who is engaged in the undertaking and embalming business in Ottumwa, his native city, was born on the 4th of June, 1874. His youthful days were spent in the home of his parents, and at the usual age he entered the public schools, in which he passed through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school. He also attended a business college in this city and then, in preparation for his chosen line of work, he entered the Hohenschuh Embalming School at Iowa City, from which he was graduated in 1901. He then entered the under- taking business, which he still conducts under the name of Daggett & Sons, Frank L. Daggett being manager. The firm is liberally patronized and has a well appointed undertaking cstab-
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lishment, carrying an excellent line of everything needed in their business.
In 1898 Mr. Daggett was married to Miss Maud L. Sprague, who is also a graduate of the embalming school in which her husband completed his course, and she now assists him in the business. To Mr. and Mrs. Daggett have been born four chil- dren, but Nellie, the firstborn, is deceased, twins have also passed away and Jeannette is the only one now living.
Mr. Daggett is prominently and popularly known in frater- nal circles. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and has attained high rank in the order. He also has membership with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. He is likewise connected with the Yeomen lodge, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star and the Royal Neighbors. Both are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is president of the Young Peoples Association of the church. His wife, a graduate in music, is an excellent pianist. Theirs is an attractive and hospitable home, and its good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. They possess in large measure those attrac- tive social qualities which win warm regard in every land and clime.
JAMES WELLINGTON NORRIS.
The history of newspaper publication in Ottumwa would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to James Wellington Norris, who was one of the early editors and newspaper publishers of Wapello county and the publisher of the first daily paper. He was born in Meredith, New Hampshire, August 13, 1815. His father, Samuel Sheriff Norris, also a native of the old Granite state, was born in 1789 and died in May, 1861. He married Anna Mckenzie Bean. They were carnest Chris- tian people, whose lives constituted an influencing force for moral development in the communities in which they lived. Mr. Norris, a devoted Christian man, aided in founding two churches in Canada, one in Bloomington, Illinois, and a fourth in Ottumwa, Iowa. He labored with much success as an agent of the Bible Society and as a Colporteur of the American Tract Society on the frontier of Iowa. He was one of the original members of the First Congregational church of Ottumwa. His
JAMES W. NORRIS
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two sons, James Wellington and George Punchard Norris, and two daughters, Ann Nichols and Julia, came to Ottumwa with him.
The second son, Captain George P. Norris, was born in Compton, Canada, May 15, 1830, and in 1845 arrived in Ottumwa, Iowa, in company with his parents. He enlisted in Company C, of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, as first lieutenant on the 3d of January, 1863, and was promoted to the rank of cap- tain in 1865. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and was mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1866. He married Roxcy Murray, and in their family were six children. Captain Norris spent the greater part of his life in Minnesota and Ottumwa, but passed away in Canton, Missis- sippi, May 30, 1899.
James Wellington Norris, the elder son of Samuel S. Norris, was a youth in his teens when his parents removed with their family to Compton, Lower Canada. He attended Hadley Academy and in the summer of 1833 went to the grammar school at Peacham. In the winter of 1834 he took up the profession of teaching but in 1835 resumed his studies, marticulating in Mari- etta College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1838. He then secured a position as private tutor in Kentucky and while thus engaged devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, so thoroughly qualifying for the profession that he was admitted to the bar in 1839, although he continued teaching at Bloomington, Illinois, until 1843. In that year he removed to Chicago, and he published the first directory of that city in 1843-4. In April of the same year he established the Chicago Journal in connection with Robert L. Wilson and after two years began the publication of directories again. He organized the first Rough and Ready Club and invited Abraham Lincoln to address them, which he did. He was thus closely associated with a number of important events that occurred during the early his- tory of the western metropolis.
On the 29th of March, 1849, Mr. Norris left Chicago with a mule team and arrived at Ottumwa about the ist of May. In December, 1855, he purchased the Courier and ten years later established the Daily, which was the first daily published in the county. During the period which antedated the war he was a strong advocate of Abraham Lincoln and in the year 1861 Lin- coln appointed Mr. Norris to the position of postmaster of Ottumwa, in which capacity he served for five years to the entire
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satisfaction of the general public. At the same time he continued the publication of the Courier, but in 1866 sold the paper and in 1867 went to Europe, this being at the time of the great world's exposition in Paris.
On the 27th of July, 1851, Mr. Norris was married to Miss Martha Rebecca Spaulding, a sister of the Rev. B. A. Spaulding, one of the Iowa band of Congregational ministers famous in church annals. Her parents were Sampson and Susanna Spauld- ing, and she was born in Billerica, Massachusetts, on the 20th of June, 1819. Through the columns of the press and through indi- vidual effort Mr. Norris exerted a wide-felt influence on public affairs in Wapello county, doing much to shape the public policy during the formative period in the history of this section of the state. Mr. Norris passed away March 3, 1882, and his wife survived until February 3, 1900.
C. J. COURTNEY.
C. J. Courtney is one of the prosperous agriculturists of Keokuk township, where he owns a valuable farm of one hun- dred and forty-seven acres which is largely devoted to stock- raising. He was born in that township December 15, 1873, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Crowley) Courtney, natives of Ireland, the former coming to America in 1852 and the latter in 1854. They were married in Wapello county in 1860 and in 1861 moved upon a farm which the father had purchased. There he continued with unabated success, following the occupation of an agriculturist until 1910. His widow is now residing in Ottumwa. In their family were fifteen children, of whom six are living: Daniel; C. J., of this review; Joseph P .; Nellie. the wife of N. Alderman; James; and Julia, who married William Arman.
C. J. Courtney was reared upon the parental farm, acquiring his education in the neighboring schools. After laying aside his text-books he assisted his father in the operation of the fields until thirty-one years of age, when he removed to South Dakota in the expectation of profiting by the opportunities which that yet unopened country offered. There he remained until 1909, when he returned to Wapello county and bought a homestead of one hundred and forty-seven acres. In addition to general
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farming he also follows stock-raising, breeding horses and feed- ing hogs and cattle for the market. His buildings are in excel- lent repair and in the best sanitary condition, while he has installed the latest machinery in order to facilitate farm labor and to increase the output of his acres. He studies stock-raising from a scientific point of view and has been successful along this line because he has made use of a number of new ideas and has applied new methods, thereby setting an example for other farmers of Wapello county.
In 1913 Mr. Courtney married Mrs. Mary (Deiters) Ripperger, who was born in Iowa and before her marriage to our subject was the widow of William Ripperger. Both Mr. and Mrs. Courtney are members of the Catholic church and devoutly attached to that faith. The former is a democrat, conversant with the policy of his party, which he stanchly upholds. Although he has not been active politically he is ever ready to support worthy public enterprises and has contributed to the development of his district, particularly in regard to agricultural advancement.
HARRY B. SOMERS.
Harry B. Somers, chief clerk at the Ballingall Hotel at Ottumwa, has been connected with this hotel since August, 1887. He was born in Ohio, August 30, 1861, and is a son of Dr. P. G. and Anna (Waggoner) Somers, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. They were married in the Buckeye state and there remained until called to the home beyond. In their family were two children: Frank P., who is now a resi- dent of Cleveland, Ohio; and Harry B.
When eleven years of age the latter went to live with his uncle, William Waggoner, upon a farm. This uncle was a school teacher in Wapello county at an early date. In the acquirement of his education Harry B. Somers attended the public schools, was graduated from the high school at Copley, Ohio, and also attended the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal School. For five years he engaged in teaching in Ohio and in 1887 made his way westward to Wapello county, where he engaged in sell- ing encyclopedias. In August, 1887, he entered the Ballingall Hotel as a clerk and has since been connected therewith, working
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his way upward to his present position of chief clerk. He is ever courteous and obliging and has become a popular hotel man, faithfully representing the interests of his employers and at the same time carefully guarding the comfort of hotel patrons.
On the Ist of August, 1891, Mr. Somers was united in mar- riage to Miss Maud A. Haines, a native of Wayne county, Iowa, and a daughter of Aaron A. and Eliza A. ( Anderson) Haines. The father is now deceased but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Somers have become the parents of three children : Harry F. A., who is now in Chicago; Meta A., who is a graduate of the high school and is studying music; and Marvel T., who is likewise attending high school and studying the art of music. Mr. Somers and his family attend the Baptist church. and he belongs to the Royal Arcanum, serving as chairman of the finance committee of the grand council for nine years. He is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen. At the present writing he is serving on the Ottumwa school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion, loyal to the best interests of progressive education. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor desire political office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He has a wide acquaintance in Ottumwa and Wapello county and also among the traveling public and is popular with all who know him.
WILLIAM H. BAXTER.
William H. Baxter, actively and successfully engaged in general farming and dairying on section 35, Cass township, is one of the native sons of Wapello county who have proved that energy and determination constitute a sure and stable foundation upon which to build success. He was born in this county. Feb- ruary 3, 1868, and is a son of S. C. and Sarah A. (Bensay) Baxter, the father a native of Missouri and the latter of Ohio. In an early day they came to Iowa and were married in this state. Here the mother passed away, since which time Mr. Baxter has removed to Oklahoma, where he now resides. In the family were four children: George W., who makes his
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home in Des Moines; J. R., who is living in Houston, Texas; Minnie A., deceased ; and William H.
Through the period of his boyhood William H. Baxter remained upon the home farm, in the work of which he received thorough training, while his opportunities for intellectual advancement were secured in the training of the public schools. After attaining his majority he rented a farm, which he has since been cultivating, and today operates a farm of one hundred and seventeen acres, situated on section 35, Cass township. Here, in addition to tilling the crops best adapted to climatic conditions, he is also engaged in dairying and likewise makes a specialty of the raising of hogs.
In 1902 Mr. Baxter was united in marriage to Miss Melissa McAdams, a native of this county and a daughter of James F. and Emma ( Holmes) McAdams, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Indiana. When Iowa was emerging from pioneer conditions they took up their abode within the borders of the state, settling on a farm in Cass township, where they continued to make their home until Mr. McAdams departed this life. The mother still resides in this county. In their family were seven children, including Mrs. Baxter, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is widely and favorably known in the community in which she makes her home. Mr. Baxter gives his political indorsement to the democratic party, believing firmly in its principles. For four terms he filled the office of assessor in Cass township and is now one of the town- ship trustees. He holds membership with the Modern Wood- men of America in Camp No. 2808, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is loyal to its teachings concerning the spirit of helpfulness and he has many good qualities, which are manifest in his business and social relations. His sterling worth is acknowledged by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
HARRY H. KAMERICK.
Harry H. Kamerick, who organized the Ottumwa Fuel Com- pany in 1910, has conducted the same continuously and success- fully since and is widely recognized as an able and enterprising young business man of the city. His birth occurred in Marion county, Iowa, on the 9th of July. 1885, his parents being Harvey
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and Anna (Thompson) Kamerick, who are likewise natives of this state and still make their home in Marion county.
Harry H. Kamerick, an only son, received a good practical education in the common schools and when fourteen years of age began learning telegraphy, being subsequently employed as a telegrapher for a period of nine years. In 1910 he organized the Ottumwa Fuel Company, which he has conducted con- tinuously since and has developed into an enterprise of extensive and profitable proportions.
In 1907 Mr. Kamerick was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Doyle, who was born in Monroe county, Iowa, on the moth of September, 1885, her parents being Michael and Julia Doyle, natives of Ireland. They emigrated to the United States in the early 'sos, locating first in New York and later in Ohio, while in 1865 they came to Iowa. The father here passed away, but the mother is still living. Our subject and his wife have three children, namely: Bernard, Katherine and Mary.
Mr. Kamerick is a republican in his political views and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Court of Honor, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, of which his wife is also a devout communicant.
A. B. PHELPS.
A. B. Phelps, residing in Farson, is a veteran of the Civil war and is a retired farmer, who after long years of active con- nection with agricultural pursuits is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has almost reached the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Ohio, August 27, 1839, his parents being Benjamin B. and Jane (McCall) Phelps, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married. After residing in that state for a number of years they came to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1852 and settled on a farm in Competine township, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. For four years he has survived his wife, who passed away in 1871. In their family were sixteen children : A. B .; Abigal B., who is the wife of L. Eller, of Wapello county; Josiah,
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