USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 34
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1
DR. JOHN C. BONIIAM
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
resented on both sides. Malachi Bonham served in the Mexican war with the rank of lieutenant and was later made major gen- eral. He was killed at the Alamo, being shot down after having surrendered and having been guaranteed protection. Bonham, Texas, was named in his honor.
John C. Bonham acquired his early education in the common schools of Wisconsin and completed the high-school course at Lancaster with the class of 1878. Subsequently he attended the normal school at Platteville, Wisconsin, and then followed the profession of teaching for two years, also reading medicine during that period. He afterward became a registered phar- macist by state examination both in Wisconsin and Iowa and for two years was engaged in the drug business. On the expiration of that period he entered Hahnemann Medical College, and fol- lowing his graduation from that institution in the spring of 1883 began the practice of medicine at Sutherland, O'Brien county, Iowa, where he remained for seven years. Subsequently he spent a year in practice at Sioux City, Woodbury county, this state, and in 1891 came to Ottumwa, which city has since remained the scenc of his professional labors. He confines himself to office practice exclusively and enjoys a gratifying patronage that has steadily grown as his skill and ability have become more and more widely recognized. Dr. Bonham owns a farm of one hun- dred acres within two miles of Ottumwa and spends the summer season on that property, being much interested in the raising of hogs.
On the 16th of January, 1884, Dr. Bonham was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Schell, a native of Bloomington, Wis- consin, and a daughter of F. J. and Mary (Fagg) Schell. The father, a boot and shoe merchant, is now deceased, but the mother survives and makes her home at Dodgeville, Wisconsin. To the Doctor and his wife was born a daughter, Cecile E., who is at home. Mrs. Bonham died June 17, 1914.
Dr. Bonham supports the men and measures of the democ- racy, which has always been the political faith of the family. He served as mayor of Sutherland for two years and gave the city a most beneficial and businesslike administration. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Con- gregational church, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise a member of the Sons of the
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American Revolution. Dr. Bonham is well known in Ottumwa and Wapello county, where he has long resided, and his many friends include the best residents of the community, indicating that his social and other qualities are such as win him high regard and popularity.
CAPTAIN W. H. C. JAQUES.
Captain W. H. C. Jaques, of the law firm of Jaques & Jaques, is the Nestor of the Wapello county bar, and his professional career has been one of growing and gratifying success. He has always made a specialty of trial cases and is recognized as one of the strongest trial lawyers in this part of the state. His birth occurred near Abingdon, Virginia, October 29, 1841, his parents being William and Mary Jaques, who were natives of England, in which country they were reared. They were married, how- ever in Virginia, and in the fall of 1848 left that state for the middle west with Fort Madison, Iowa, as their destination. In 1849 they went to Jefferson county, where they spent their remaining days, the father engaging in farming, brick laying and plastering. He died at the age of sixty-seven years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-seven.
In their family were four sons and two daughters, of whom Captain Jaques is the eldest son and third child. He was a little lad of about seven years when the family home was established in Iowa, and he has since resided within the borders of this state. He remained under the parental roof until 1862 and then, at the age of about twenty-one years, enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company D, Nineteenth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, with which he served for a year and a half. He then became captain of Company V, Fifty-sixth United States Colored Troops, with which he remained until the close of the war. In fact his military duty continued until the fall of 1866 with the Army of the Frontier, being on duty in Missouri and Arkansas and later at Vicksburg, Jackson and Lawrence, Mississippi. He likewise served on staff duty while a com- missioned officer. His military experience was one of long dura- tion and brought him into active connection with almost every phase of military life. He never faltered, and the bravery and courage which he displayed won him distinction as a soldier.
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In the fall of 1866 Captain Jaques returned from the front and entered the Harvard Law School, spending one year there in preparation for the profession. In the spring of 1867 he came to Ottumwa and here completed his law reading, being admitted to the bar in the fall of 1867. He has engaged in general prac- tice since 1868 and today is the oldest representative of the bar in Wapello county in years of continuous practice. He has been very successful from the beginning, early proving his ability to cope with intricate and complex problems of the law. He has made trial cases a specialty and his strength in presenting his cause and proving his point has been again and again demon- strated, the court records bearing testimony to his ability.
Captain Jaques' activity has covered connection with public office. He served as city solicitor for three consecutive terms and at an early day was deputy collector of internal revenue. His political allegiance has always been given the democracy, and he has been his party's candidate for district judge and judge of the state supreme court, on both of which occasions he ran far ahead of his ticket.
In 1869 Captain Jaques was united in marriage to Miss Florence Williams, a native of Indiana. She is a lady of supe- rior culture and intelligence and is greatly interested in many of the important civic and public questions of the day. For many years she has been president of the Humane Society of Ottumwa and has done splendid work in that connection. To Captain and Mrs. Jaques have been born three children : Estella . W., now the wife of Edward Moehn of Chicago; Jo R., a Yale graduate of 1894, and now a partner of his father; and Mabel M., the wife of H. R. Galbraith of Dubuque, Iowa.
Captain Jaques wears the little bronze button that indicates his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member of the Loyal Legion and of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. He has been president of the Fishing and Hunting Club since its organization-a connection which indi- cates something of the nature of his interests and recreation. His standing in professional circles and the honor entertained for him by fellow members of the bar is indicated in the fact that for the past eight years he has been president of the Wapello Bar Association.
His son and partner, Jo R. Jaques, was born in Ottumwa, February 13, 1873, and has spent his entire life in this city. Following his graduation from the high school with the class of
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1890, he spent three years as a student in the State University, devoting one year to the law course. He afterward matricu- lated in Yale University as a law student and completed his course there with the class of 1894. The same year he was admitted to the bar and began practice, entering into partner- ship with his father. The firm today has an extensive practice, covering southern Iowa and northern Missouri. The ability of the father and son is pronounced and in their practice they have ever held to high professional standards. Their devotion to their clients' interests is proverbial, yet they never forget that they owe a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.
In 1892 Jo R. Jaques was married to Miss Kate Rupe, a native of Wapello county, and a daughter of Enoch Rupe, a farmer of this county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jaques are 'well known in this section of the state and, like the older couple, they occupy a leading position in the social circle in which they move. Like his father, Jo R. Jaques is a democrat in his political views. The interests of the two are largely identical, and the work of the son ably supplements that of the father and has maintained the high professional reputation always connected with the name of Jaques.
ANDREW JOSIAH SPAULDING.
Among the well known and leading contractors of Ottumwa of an early day was Andrew Josiah Spaulding, who in 1851 came to this state to reside permanently. He was born at Billerica, Massachusetts, September 1, 1823, his parents being Sampson and Susanna (Skinner) Spaulding. The father was born at Chelmsford, Massachusetts, March 1, 1775, while the mother was a native of Billerica. Following their marriage they took up their abode upon a farm near that place and there spent the remainder of their days. They were members of the Congre- gational church and were recognized as people of the highest respectability and worth. They had a family of ten children, three of whom came to Iowa-Andrew J., Benjamin A., who was the first Congregational minister of Wapello county, and Martha Rebecca, who became the wife of James W. Norris, who was a leading citizen of Ottumwa, and who engaged in the prac-
ANDREW J. SPAULDING
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
tice of law, filled the office of postmaster and was also editor of the Courier.
Andrew Josiah Spaulding remained upon the home farm until after his mother's death. In early life he learned the car- penter's trade and in 1849, when a young man of twenty-six years, came to lowa, but at a later day returned to New England and worked at his trade in Concord, New Hampshire, where he con- tinued until 1851. On the 6th of October, 1851, he was married and then came to Ottumwa, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. He did good work as a contractor and builder during the period of his residence here, which continued until the 17th of January, 1860.
Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage to Elizabeth Armit Brown, who was born February 12, 1828, in Concord, New Hampshire, and there resided until her marriage. She is a daughter of Cotton S. and Betsey A. (Colcord) Brown, natives of New Hampshire, where they spent their entire lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were born two children: Ella Elizabeth, who was born September 11, 1852, in Ottumwa and now resides with her mother in this city; and Helen Frances, who was born September 2, 1854, and died June 22, 1895. Both daughters had high school educations and both were graduated in June, 1873, at the Denmark (Ia.) Academy. They afterward engaged in teaching in the public schools of Ottumwa for a number of years and made valuable contributions to the educational advancement of the district. The Spaulding family has ever been accorded high place in the regard of their fellow towns- men, and Mrs. Spaulding and her daughter, Miss Ella Spauld- ing, have many friends here.
ERASTUS T. ROLAND.
Erastus T. Roland, filling the position of postmaster at Eldon, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, January 18, · 1844, a son of George H. and Jeanette Y. (Glenn) Roland, who were natives of the Shenandoah valley of Virginia. There they were reared and married and on leaving the south emigrated to Indiana. In 1850 they came to Iowa, settling in Davis county, but about 1860 removed to Missouri, where the death of the father occurred. He had made merchandising and farming his
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life work. He possessed a turn for speculation and in nearly all of his ventures met with success. He served as a colonel in the state militia of Indiana and was a candidate for captain in the state militia of Missouri in opposition to Colonel D. Moore. His political support was given to the whig party in early life and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred about 1870, after which his widow went to Louisville, Kentucky, where her last days were spent. They were the parents of seven children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: P. H., who has now passed away; Mattie M., the widow of Frank M. James, of Louisville, Ken- tucky ; Melville, deceased ; Erastus T .; and O. G., who is living in Missouri.
Erastus T. Roland was a little lad of but six years when brought to Iowa, and ten years later he went with his parents to Missouri, where he remained for three years. He then returned to this state, settling at Bloomfield, where he completed a high school education. He then acquainted himself with the drug business in the employ of J. B. and S. H. Glenn at Eddy- ville, and while there residing he was married, on the 17th of January, 1867, to Melvina A. Mummert, who was born in Wapello county, February 7, 1847, a daughter of William and Rachel (Cox) Mummert, who were pioneer settlers of Iowa, coming to this state from Nauvoo, Illinois, about 1837. The father was a tailor by trade and both he and his wife died in Wapello county.
Following his marriage Mr. Roland removed to Missouri, settling in Clark county, where he remained for two years, clerk- ing for his father in a drug store. In 1871 he came to Eldon, where he has since resided, and on the 4th of August, of that vear, he was appointed postmaster, in which position he has served continuously since, save for the periods of President Cleveland's administrations, so that his incumbency in the office covers more than a third of a century. His present term will expire on the 20th of April, 1915. There is no one who ques- tions the fact of his efficiency and faithfulness in the position. This is evident in his long retention in the office. He was also secretary of the first school board of the city of Eldon, at which time there was but one teacher. Today fourteen teachers are employed to instruct the youths of the town. He has likewise been mayor of the city for several years and has given a most
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business-like, public-spirited and progressive administration. He has ever been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day. He was notary public for more than a quarter of a century and in every public office he has been most loyal to the duties devolving upon him. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the · Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He needs no special encomium. His worth is well known and he has a most wide and favorable acquaintance in Eldon and other parts of the county. For forty-three years he has made his home in the town where he yet resides and it is safe to say that almost every one who knows him is glad to call him friend.
N. F. REED.
N. F. Reed, whose recent appointment as United States marshal for the southern district of Iowa is highly gratifying to his many friends, is certainly well qualified to discharge the duties of the important position to which he has been called. He is a well known business man and for a number of years has been a recognized leader in democratic circles. He was born at Joliet, Illinois, on the ist of October, 1868, and in 1870 came with his parents to Iowa, the family home being estab- lished at Eldon, where he acquired a public-school education, passing through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1884.
He made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a grocery store, where he remained for two years. At the age of eighteen he entered the restaurant business, in which he remained for eight years, but during that period he took up the study of pharmacy and had become a registered pharmacist at the age of twenty-six. He had not attended a pharmaceutical school, but his close application and thorough study in his leisure hours qualified him for the required examination. Mr. Reed then entered the drug business in Eldon, where he remained for six years, and in 1901 he came to Ottumwa, where he established a drug store. Success has attended his efforts in this city from the beginning, and he is today owner of three drug stores in
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Ottumwa. These are well appointed establishments, neat and attractive in arrangement and carrying a large and carefully selected stock of drugs and druggist's sundries. Mr. Reed owes his success to close application, unfaltering energy and thoroughly modern business methods. He is also interested in several enterprises outside of the drug business, including both banking and manufacturing. His investments have at all times been judiciously made, and he is today the owner of considerable real estate in Ottumwa. Moreover, his high standing among men engaged in the drug business is indicated in the fact that he has been honored with the presidency of the Iowa Pharma- ceutical Association, and under his administration its member- ship was trebled. He is now serving on its executive board.
Mr. Reed has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and took an active interest in its affairs even before age had won for him the right of franchise. When a youth of but nineteen he was elected a delegate to a state con- vention and has been serving in some capacity in that organiza- tion since twenty-one years of age. For five years he was town committeeman in Eldon, serving as a member of the democratic ward committee in Ottumwa for four years, and for two years was chairman of the democratic county central committee. He spent four years as a member of the congressional committee and for six years was a member of the democratic state central committee, during which time he acted as its treasurer for two years and for four years as chairman. In that period he wisely directed the interests and policies of the party and supervised. the work done, which resulted in winning a number of notable democratic successes. As chairman of the state committee he has visited every county in Iowa, knows personally every county chairman and at least half of the district's precinct committee- men. He also knows personally almost every democratic editor in the state. He maintains an office in Des Moines as permanent headquarters and there is no committeeman who has kept in closer touch with the work and plans of his party than has Mr. Reed. Notwithstanding his active political work he has never been an office seeker. In 1900, however, he was nominated for the legislature and succeeded in reducing the normal republican majority of one thousand to less than three hundred, a fact indicating his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him.
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He was appointed by President Wilson to the office of United States marshal for the southern district of Iowa and his appoint- ment was confirmed in the United States senate on the 15th of March, 1914. He had the support of the department of justice from the start and his many friends in the senate worked loyally in his behalf. Those who know Mr. Reed and the thorough- ness with which he undertakes any work feel that his record in office will be a most satisfactory and creditable one. Already he has proven his worth in this connection, as he has in business affairs.
MORGAN L. TRUITT.
Morgan L. Truitt is the owner of valuable farming property on sections 19 and 24, Agency township, his place comprising one hundred and eighty-three acres of rich and productive land, and in addition to general farming he carries on dairying and stock-raising. He was born in Woodford county, Illinois, Sep- tember 18, 1866, a son of Thomas M. and Catherine (Hodge) Truitt, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Illinois. In 1908 they removed to Wapello county, where their last days were passed. In their family were eight children, of whom five are now living: Hattie B., the widow of S. J. Jones; Morgan L., of this review; Owen J., who is living in Elmwood. Illinois; Charles D., a resident of Indiana; and Henry A., of Ottumwa.
Morgan L. Truitt remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. The educational privileges which he enjoyed were those offered by the common schools. After reach- ing man's estate he rented land in Illinois and began farming on his own account, spending seventeen years in that way. In 1902 he came to Wapello county, where he purchased a farm, but it was not until five years later that he took up his abode in this county. About seven years have since come and gone and in this period he has firmly established himself as one of the progressive agriculturists of the community. His farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres is neat and thrifty in appearance and gives evidence of the careful and practical supervision of the owner. The fields return good crops annually and in addition Mr. Truitt engages in the raising of stock and also conducts a dairy busi-
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ness, keeping a number of high grade cows for that purpose. The products of his dairy find a ready sale upon the market, nor does he have any trouble in disposing of his stock and his grain, for he is recognized as a thoroughly reliable business man. Starting out in life empty-handed, he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, and his life history indicates what an individual may do if he possesses energy and determination.
On the 14th of January, 1891, Mr. Truitt was united in marriage to Miss Ophelia E. Jones, a native of West Virginia and a daughter of Milo and Eleanor ( Hamilton) Jones, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In the year 1865 they removed westward to Illinois, settling in Woodford county, and later they became residents of Marshall county, that state, where both the father and mother remained until they were called to their final rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born five chil- dren: Diora, the wife of William Bickel of Wapello county; Julia, the wife of John Goodell of Jefferson county, Iowa; Mrs. Truitt; and two who have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Truitt have a son, Lawrence, who was born January 7, 1893, and is now attending college in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Truitt is a democrat, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a member of the Grange at Agency and is now serving on the school board. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability, his career being a practical demonstration of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
JOSEPH ALEXANDER HARLAN.
Sixty-three years have come and gone since Joseph Alexan- der Harlan became a resident of Wapello county. He is now living retired in Ottumwa, enjoying a well earned rest, but for many years he was closely associated with agricultural interests in this section of the state and also engaged in the breeding of shorthorn cattle. He is now nearing the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Union county, Indiana, November 24, 1835. His parents were Aaron and Lucetta (Conaway) Harlan. The father, a native of Tennessee, born in 1805, was but five years of age when in 1810 he accom-
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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH A. HARLAN Taken on the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage
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panied his father, George Harlan, to Indiana, where the latter died in 1813. The son had the usual experiences of the pioneer settler in a heavily timbered country. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Lucetta Conaway, who was born in North Carolina, in 1805, and in her girlhood days was taken by her parents to Indiana. They were married in Union county and there resided until 1851, when they drove across the country to Wapello county. There were two families who made the trip. They had two teams and Joseph A. Harlan drove a team for his neighbors. After reaching his destination he bought a farm four miles north of Ottumwa on the Kirkville road and there continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until the third of April, 1863, when death claimed him. He was also a local preacher in the Christian church, and his life was an influencing factor for good in the community in which he made his home. His widow resided on the farm as long as she was able and then removed to Ottumwa, where she passed away Jan- uary 3, 1876. They had a family of nine sons and three daugh- ters, and of this number nine reached years of maturity. The only ones now living are : Joseph A., of this review ; James S., of St. Louis, and Elizabeth, the wife of E. B. Davis of Ottumwa.
Joseph A. Harlan spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native county and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Wapello county, where he has lived since September, 1851. For an extended period, therefore, he has been a witness of the growth, progress and development of this section of the state. He turned his attention to farming and his was a life of arduous and unremitting toil until he reached the age of fifty- five years, when he put aside the more strenuous work of the farm and removed to Ottumwa. He took charge of a farm be- longing to his father when but seventeen years of age, and as the years passed he not only carefully cultivated his fields, but also engaged in the breeding of shorthorn cattle for ten years. He is now the owner of a number of dwellings in the city and from his property derives a good annual income.
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