USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 32
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A. B. PHELPS AND FAMILY
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I
A. B. PHELPS As a Union Soldier
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living in Mason City, Iowa; Steven V., whose home is in Nebraska ; Mary, the wife of B. I. Stevens of Hedrick; William, also living in Nebraska; Leonidas, who makes his home in the same state; and nine who have passed away.
A. B. Phelps remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age and then, his patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted for active serv- ice in the Civil war as a member of Company I, First Iowa Cavalry, with which he served throughout the period of hostili- ties. He took part in several skirmishes, fighting the bush- whackers of Missouri, and although he was continuously in active duty he returned home without a scratch. He was mus- tered out in Texas and at once came again to Iowa.
Mr. Phelps then turned his attention to farming on his own account, purchasing forty acres of land in Competine township, which he developed and improved through the succeeding year. He then sold that property and purchased a farm of four hun- dred and eighty acres upon which he made his home until he retired. He then removed to Farson, where he has since spent his days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He had brought his farm to a high state of cultivation, for the methods which he followed in tilling the soil were at once practical and pro- gressive. The place was divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and there were substantial barns and out- buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, while the latest improved machinery was secured to promote the work of the fields. In his business management he showed good judgment and unfaltering enterprise and thus gained the success which is now his.
On the 18th of October, 1866, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Dickens, who was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas M. and Elizabeth (Staley) Dickens, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. When children they became residents of Ohio and with their respective parents lived in log cabins for some years during the pioneer epoch in the history of that state. In 1845 they came to Iowa, casting in their lot with the early settlers of this state, and here Mr. Dickens entered land. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon his place, but with characteristic energy he began its development and soon had an excellent farm, upon which he remained until his life's labors were ended in 1885. His wife passed away in 1863. In Vol. II-22
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ยท their family were ten children: Mrs. Phelps; George; and eight who have passed away. In 1864 the father married again and had two children by that union, but both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phelps six children were born. Mary E. is the wife of C. Canfield and they reside in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia. Otis O. of Dryad, Washington, married Esther Forrest and of their four children one is deceased. Thomas M. has passed away, leaving a widow, Nellie (Tade) Phelps and three sons, who reside on a farm near Agency, Iowa. Elzie E. and Ella E. are twins. The former is a resident of Delta, Iowa, where he is vice president of a bank. He married Effie Rupe, of Hedrick, and they have four children. Ella E. is the wife of M. G. Whiting, by whom she has three children, and they reside on the old home place. Mattie J., the youngest member of the family, is the wife of Thomas J. Hawthorne. They have four children and are also residing on the old homestead.
Mr. Phelps has given his political allegiance to the republi- can party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and was treasurer of the school board for nineteen years. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Grand Army post, No. 424, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he has served as a deacon for thirty years. In his Christian faith is found the motive springs of his conduct. His entire life has been guided by the teachings of the church, and all who know him bear testimony to the fact that he possesses many excellent traits of character, which have made him worthy the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
CALVIN MANNING.
Not to know Calvin Manning in Wapello county is to argue oneself unknown. His position has long been one of leadership at the bar, in banking and in republican circles. He was born at Keosauqua, Iowa, June 7, 1851, a son of Edwin and Sarah (Sample) Manning. His father, Edwin Manning, was a native of New England, whence in early manhood he removed to Penn- sylvania and afterward came to Iowa, when this state was largely a frontier region, much of the land being still in possession of the government. He entered a claim and began the develop-
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ment of a tract upon which hitherto not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. Settling in Keosauqua, he laid out the town in 1836, not only long before the admission of the state into the Union but also before the organization of Iowa as a territory. From that time forward until his demise in 1901 he was closely associated with the substantial development of the district in which he lived. Like her husband, Mrs. Manning was from Pennsylvania, being a native of Washington county.
Liberal educational opportunities were awarded Calvin Manning, who supplemented a public-school course by study in the schools of New England and the Iowa State University at Iowa City, from which he was graduated with the law class of 1872. Entering upon the practice of law, he soon gained recognition through the ability which he displayed in the care- ful analysis of his cases and his ready mastery of the intricacies of the law. He was also connected with the Iowa National Bank as its president for fifteen years. For four years he was city attorney of Ottumwa, and he has also been active along political lines, representing the second ward as a member of the city council for four years. He was elected on the republi- can ticket, for since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise he has been a stalwart advocate of republican principles and one of the recognized leaders of his party in his section of the state. In 1884 he was a delegate to the republican national convention in Chicago and in 1896 a delegate to the national convention of his party in St. Louis, aiding the first time in nominating James G. Blaine and on the second occasion in nom- inating William McKinley. He was appointed United States commissioner to the Paris exposition in 1900 by President McKinley and proved an able representative of the government at that time. He has further been active in public connections as president and secretary of the Wapello County Agricultural Society and as one of the charter members of the Wapello Club of Ottumwa and is interested in all those movements and projects which feature as elements in the county's upbuilding and development.
In Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1877, Mr. Manning was united in marriage to Miss Juliet K. Blake, a daughter of Charles F. Blake, one of the pioneer residents of Wapello county, actively identified with the early settlement and development of Ottumwa. He was a member of the wholesale drug house of Blake, Bruce & Company and was president of the Iowa
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National Bank of Ottumwa for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have two children living, a daughter, Mary Blake, the wife of George F. Trotter, of Pueblo, Colorado; and a son, Edwin C. Manning, who now resides in Albia, Iowa. Two daughters, Maud and Louise, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Manning attend the Congregational church and are prominently known in the social circles of the city, while upon many events which have shaped the history of Wapello county Calvin Manning has left the impress of his individuality and ability.
DAVID C. DINSMORE, M. D.
For many years Dr. David C. Dinsmore was one of the fore- most physicians of Kirkville but he now lives retired in this city, resting from a life which has been filled with useful labor. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1830, and is a son of James A. and Grizzelle (Collins) Dinsmore, natives of Pennsylvania, who in 1833 removed to Ohio upon a farm which the father had bought as early as 1814. In 1833 he built a log cabin there, in which they made their home, and there the parents remained until their deaths. In their family were seven children: Catherine, deceased; Tabitha, who now resides in Bucyrus, Ohio; David C., of this review; Janet, deceased ; Andrew A., of New York city; and Rachel and James A., both of whom have passed away.
David C. Dinsmore remained on the parental farm in Ohio until he reached his majority, attending the public schools of the neighborhood to gain his fundamental education. He then studied medicine with Dr. Firestone for one and one-half years but in 1856 came to Iowa, locating in Martinsburg, Keokuk county, where he practiced until 1859, when he went to Cleve- land, where he graduated in 1860. He then returned to Mar- tinsburg, practicing there for another year, and in 1861 enlisted in Company 1, First Iowa Cavalry, being made first lieutenant of the company. After one year of valorous service he was promoted to the rank of captain and served as such until his term expired, or for three years and two months. Although he was often under fire and could always be found on the battle line. he went through the conflict without a scratch. After receiving his discharge he returned to Ohio, where he remained for a time,
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but in 1865 removed to Kirkville, Iowa, where he has since been located and where he practiced medicine with increasing success and with excellent results until his retirement. He was the trusted physician of many families, and his personality was such as to inspire confidence. His reputation was always of the highest and his practice extended over a wide territory outside of the county.
On April 2, 1863, Dr. Dinsmore married Miss Cyrilla J. Andrew, a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, who was born March 7, 1834, and is a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Nichol) Andrew, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Early in life they removed to Indiana. In that state both passed away. Mrs. Dinsmore is the third in order of birth of the nine children born to her parents, of whom five are living. She bore her husband ten children, one of whom died in infancy. The others were: James C., deceased; Jessie, the wife of Philip Waterman of Albia, and the mother of three children, Harrison and David, twins, and Cyrilla A. L .; Kate L., deceased ; Clara, the widow of A. Ackerman of Iowa City; Henry; Mary, deceased ; Florence, at home; Henrietta, the wife of J. A. Can- ning of Albia; and Helen, who married E. C. Sloan of Albia. Mrs. Dinsmore is a member of the Presbyterian church and devoted to that faith.
The Doctor has been a lifelong republican and was mayor of Kirkville and also served his community as school director Fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of Masons. He owns property in Des Moines and a small farm in Wapello county, also holding title to his residence in Kirkville. He has many friends in that city who esteem him for the long years of unselfish professional services which he rendered and for the high qualities of character which distinguish him as a man.
W. S. CRIPS
W. S. Crips, of Ottumwa, is the owner of extensive property interests in Wapello county. For thirty-six years he was promi- nently known in connection with the transfer business in this city but is now concentrating his energies upon the management of his farms. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 2, 1847. and is a son of W. H. and Martha A. (Jones) Crips, who were
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likewise natives of that state. In the fall of 1849 they came to Iowa and cast in their lot with its pioneer settlers, establishing their home upon a farm, where the father continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1893. His wife survived him for a number of years and passed away in 1904. In their family were the following children : Henry, deceased; Mary, the wife of L. J. Michael, of this county ; W. S .; H. P., who is now living in North Dakota; E. J., a resident of Portland, Oregon; Joseph, deceased ; Alice, the widow of George W. Cowan; John O., of Lucas county, Iowa; and S. P. and Edward, both of this city.
W. S. Crips was a little child of but two years when the family came to Iowa, and upon the home farm he was reared, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops. On attaining his majority he started out in life on his own account by renting a farm, and later he embarked in the cattle business, in which he continued for a year. About that time he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Lee Jeffries, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Ben and Mary (Allcock) Jeffries. Her father, a native of Kentucky. came to Iowa at an early day.
Mr. and Mrs. Crips began their domestic life upon a farm, which he cultivated for two years and then removed to Ottumwa, where he engaged in the transfer business, in which he continued for thirty-six years in connection with his brother, S. P. Crips. They had the largest transfer business in the city, handling both passengers and baggage and owning a bus and a number of wagons.
As the years passed on the business steadily increased and success attended their efforts in large measure. After more than a third of a century W. S. Crips traded his transfer business for four farms and is now the owner of nine hundred acres of rich and valuable land in this section of the state, returning to him a most gratifying income. His property holdings also include a fine residence on Fifth street, Ottumwa.
Mr. and Mrs. Crips became the parents of a son and two daughters: B. W., who is now manager and foreman of the Crips Transfer Company; Mary E., the wife of Harry V. Hen- ness, secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Oskaloosa, Iowa; and Anita, who is a graduate of the Ottumwa high school and was graduated in music at Mount Pleasant in June, 1914.
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Mr. Crips belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and his political support is given to the republican party, but he does not desire office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. His has been an active and useful life, his record indicating the forcefulness of industry and close applica- tion as factors in winning success. He was never afraid of hard work and his sound judgment and capable management also featured largely in the attainment of his present prosperity.
CHARLES F. WILEY.
For an extended period Charles F. Wiley has made his home on section 4, Pleasant township, where he now owns and culti- vates ninety-two and a half acres of good land. He is a native of the neighboring state of Missouri, his birth having there occurred March 14, 1858. His parents were John and Maria (Warder) Wiley, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in the Buckeye state and on their removal westward they settled in Illinois, whence they afterward made their way to Missouri. In 1860 they came to Wapello county, Iowa, and settled upon a farm here. Their remaining days were passed in this county and they were laid to rest in the Dickens cemetery when their life's labors were ended. They had become widely and favorably known in the community and enjoyed the friendship and high regard of those with whom they had been brought in contact. In their family were six children: Nancy L., who is now the wife of J. B. Carman, of Des Moines; John, living in Wapello county ; Charles, of this review; and three who have passed away.
Charles F. Wiley spent his youthful days under the parental roof and after attaining his majority took charge of the old homestead, which he cultivated for two years. He then pur- chased his present farm, situated on section 4, Pleasant township, and here he owns ninety-two and a half acres of rich and pro- ductive land, the soil responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He makes a specialty of stock-raising in connection with farming and the result of his labors is seen in his success. He has never feared that laborious attention to detail which is so necessary in the achievement of prosperity, and
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industry has ever been numbered among his salient character- istics.
In 1898 Mr. Wiley was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda M. Dickson, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Joseph and Letha (Smails) Dickson. In their family were six children, of whom five are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have become parents of a daughter and son, Rena May and Rex Arlo. The parents and daughter are members of the Christian church, in the work of which they are actively interested, Mr. Wiley serving as one of the deacons. He is a school director and is now filling the office of township trustee, to which he was elected on the republican ticket. He has always been a stanch advocate of republican principles, indorsing the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. The greater part of his life has been passed in this county, he being but two years of age when brought to Iowa. He has since lived here and that there have been no esoteric chapters in his life record all acknowledge, his career being as an open book which any may read. He has worked diligently and persistently in business, has been progressive in his citizenship and loyal in his friend- ships and these qualities have won him high regard.
WILLIAM M. REECE.
There are chapters in the life record of William M. Reece which vie in interest with any tale of fiction. He knows the story of the southwest and that of Alaska from actual experi- ence. The periods which he spent in those districts brought him various hardships, yet he met these courageously and if he did not gain wealth, he gained a knowledge of the countries such as broadens one's understanding and vision of life. He is now quietly but successfully engaged in business in Ottumwa as president and manager of the Sunray Lighting Company.
He was born in Wood county, West Virginia, November 25, 1856. His father, Alphus R. Reece, was also a native of Wood county and was a son of Abram Reece, who was born in Virginia, while his father was a native of Wales. The family, however, was founded in America during the colonial epoch in the history of the country and was represented by active patriots in the Revolutionary war and also in wars against the Indians. At
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WILLIAM M. REECE
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one time Abram Reece was the owner of a number of slaves, but, becoming convinced that the practice of holding human beings in bondage was wrong, he liberated them. His son, Alphus R. Reece, was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Low- ther, a native of Ritchie county, West Virginia, and a daughter of Jesse Lowther, whose birth occurred in the Old Dominion. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reece continued their residence in West Virginia throughout their entire lives. The father of William M. Reece was a member of the Fifteenth West Virginia In- fantry during the Civil war and was wounded at the battle of Antietam, but after three months he returned to his command, with which he remained until mustered out on the 15th of July, 1865. He made farming his life work and thus supported his family. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Archi- bald, who died at the age of fifteen years; William M .; Abraham L., of West Virginia; Anna, the wife of Clark Wigner of the same state; Lettie, the wife of W. Dilley of West Virginia; and Ella, who is living at Weston, West Virginia.
William M. Reece spent the period of his minority in his native state. He was reared upon a farm but also spent some time in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 1877, however, he came to Iowa, where he took up carpenter work, which he followed as a journeyman until 1882, being employed in Wapello and Van Buren counties. He then entered upon general contract work and was identified with a number of important building interests. He had the contracts to build the Ottumwa Coal Palace, the Franklin school building, the Leighton block, the C. T. Sullivan building, which is a white enameled brick front on Second street, and others of equal importance. He followed the profession of architecture, making plans and designs for buildings as well as engaging in their construction. In his chosen line of work he steadily advanced until he reached a position of leadership and no higher testimonial of his ability can be given than the above list of fine buildings which were erected by him.
Mr. Reece has also figured prominently in public connec- tions. He was appointed by the Hon. John F. Lacey, clerk of the committee on public lands in the House of Representatives at Washington, D. C., in 1895, and held that position for twelve years. His knowledge of legislative matters gained from actual experience in drafting bills and writing reports on measures which came before his committee, qualified and fitted him to
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advise and assist the Wapello County Bar Association in taking the proper steps to secure the federal court at Ottumwa. In the spring of 1906 he advised the president of the bar association to circulate a petition to Congress amongst the members of the bar in all the counties now comprising the judicial district. The names were secured and the petition delivered to Mr. Reece by Attorney W. A. Work on the evening before his return to Washington to attend the second session of the sixty-first con- gress. On his arrival in Washington he immediately drafted the bill in compliance with the petition and turned both over to Hon. John F. Lacey, representative of the sixth lowa district, for introduction. The measure was referred under the rules of the house of representatives to the committee on judiciary and was promptly reported back to the house for passage. The prompt report was in no small degree due to the influence of Mr. Reece, who had enjoyed the personal friendship of Hon. John J. Jenkins, then chairman of the committee on judiciary. If the hen that lays the egg is the mother of the chicken, Mr. Reece is the father of the federal court at Ottumwa. He shared the friendship of many distinguished men and became acquainted with every important move on the national political chess-board.
He was next appointed by Secretary of the Interior Garfield and President Roosevelt to the position of special agent for the general land office and had an office at Bismarck, North Dakota. He acted in that capacity in a most acceptable manner for about a year, when he resigned, owing to the ill health of his wife, which made it imperative that they seek a change of climate. They then returned to Ottumwa, and here Mrs. Reece passed away.
In the spring of 1909 Mr. Reece and his son Carroll moved westward, taking up their abode in the Willamette valley, near Eugene, Oregon, where he purchased a fruit farm. A year later, however, he sold out and returned to Ottumwa, where he began a series of experiments that led to the invention of an acetylene generator, named by him the Sunray Generator. The Sunray Generator Company was then incorporated, with Mr. Reece as president and manager, and his entire time is devoted to the development and management of the business, which in- cludes generators and a line of acetylene fixtures and burners all of his own design. His inventive genius has found expression in a manner that has constituted a valuable contribution to man- kind and the business is growing steadily.
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An interesting chapter in the life of Mr. Reece is that which covers his Alaska experience. In 1900, following the discovery of gold at Nome, Mr. Reece secured an outfit for himself and son Harlan and started on an expedition to the northwest, in- tending to wash the sands of Nome. He found this method of seeking the precious metal unprofitable, however, and decided to make a tour of the interior. Accordingly, he proceeded to the head waters of the Nome and Snake rivers. In the fall of 1900 the party suffered serious damages in a severe storm and they also met with a tidal wave eight miles up the Nome river while proceeding down that stream in a boat. They had to tie up their boat and cross the Tundra on foot in a terrific storm. Mr. Reece had been sick with mountain fever several days and gave up when half across and lay there for some time. Finally, however, he managed to reach a miner's tent and eventually was able to continue his trip to Nome, where he caught the steam- ship Ohio and returned to the United States. In 1904 he made a trip across the territory of Arizona with a burro train, and he has also made the trip through Yellowstone Park and through Yosemite Park and other recreation tours. His experiences have been many and varied, most of which have brought him pleasure, while at the same time he has learned valuable lessons or gath- ered important information concerning the districts which he has visited.
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