USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 35
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On November 4th, 1855, Mr. Harlan was united in marriage in Wapello county by Judge Silas Osborn to Miss Bellona Nos- ler, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, July 17, 1839, a a daughter of Christian and Martha (Denny) Nosler, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Mercer county, Ken- tucky. They brought their family from Indiana to Iowa in 1843 and were afterward residents of Wapello county. The father Vol. II-24
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entered land about four miles north of the present site of the city, although the town had not been established, and he became one of the pioneer agriculturists of the district. He converted wild prairie into rich and productive fields, and upon the farm which he developed, both he and his wife spent their remaining days. They were the parents of four daughters and two sons: James H., who was mortally wounded at the battle of Shiloh and died two weeks later in Keokuk; Mrs. Harlan; Elmira, who is the widow of Joseph Davis of Faith, South Dakota; Mary Evans, deceased; Eudora, the wife of H. C. Nosler of Ottumwa; and George F., of New Orleans.
Mr. and Mrs. Harlan had ten children : Charles F., who died in 1894, leaving a widow and two children; Addie, who is the widow of A. S. Spear and lives in this county; Julian George, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia; Carl S., who makes his home in Oakland, California; Martha, the wife of Dr. E. A. Sheafe, of Ottumwa, la .; Estella, the wife of John R. Criley of Decatur, Illinois; T. K., of Ottumwa; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Glew of Creston, Iowa ; Bertha, the wife of H. L. Hills of Des Moines, and one who died in infancy. There are also thirty grandchil- dren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Harlan lacked twenty days of being old enough to vote at the time when Fremont was the candidate of the republican party. He afterward supported that party for many years and is now identified with the progressive movement. For forty years he has been a member of the Christian church and has ever endeavored to faithfully follow the golden rule. He and his wife tell many interesting tales of pioneer life, for they resided in this county at a period when they made practically everything they had and raised everything which they ate, and when the Indians were still in the county. When Mr. Harlan drove from Indiana to this state, a distance of five hundred miles, they crossed but one railroad track, and that at Indianapolis. Mrs. Harlan remembers when there was only one little store in Ottumwa, conducted by Mr. Lyons. Her girlhood was spent in a log cabin upon the prairies and the first school which she attended was held in a log building having an immense fireplace in one end of the room. Her father, however, although in lim- ited circumstances at the time of his arrival, became a man of considerable means before his death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Har- lan can well remember when the greater part of the dwellings were log cabins, when much of the land was still unclaimed and
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uncultivated, and when Ottumwa gave no promise of ever becoming the thriving, progressive and populous city that it is today.
JOHN C. PROSSER.
John C. Prosser is engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and eighteen acres on section 2, Center township, the place being situated on the Milner Street road, a quarter of a mile south of the city limits of Ottumwa, so that the advantages of town as well as country life are enjoyed by the family. His attention has been given to general agricultural pursuits since 1874. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1844, a son of John and Margaret (Gittens) Prosser. The father's birth occurred in South Wales and when he was eleven years of age he accompanied his parents, David and Margaret Prosser, to the new world. He was the third in order of birth in their family, the others being: David, William, Thomas, James, Elizabeth and Mary A. David Prosser, the grandfather. followed farming and merchandising after coming to the new world, and his last days were spent in Birmingham, Penn- sylvania.
John Prosser spent the greater part of his life in Pennsyl- vania and followed the occupation of carpentering. He was a very industrious man, working hard and saving his money. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Margaret Gittens, who was of English lineage and who died of cholera in 1849. To them were born four children : John C .; Christopher, of Center township; Margaret; and Mary Ann. The daughters died of cholera about the time of the mother's death. Later, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the father wedded Eliza Bratt. The family resided at Sharon until their removal to the west, at which time they went down the canal and thence by railroad and the river to Keokuk, where they hired a man to bring them by wagon to Wapello county, where they arrived on the 13th of June, 1856. The father operated a ferry for about ten years where the Market street bridge in Ottumwa is now seen. He owned a tract of land on the river that covered the site of the park and later he engaged in the milling business on Soap Creek and at Port Richmond, now a part of South Ottumwa. His death occurred in Ottumwa in 1884 when he was in the sixty-third year of his age.
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John C. Prosser learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father and afterward went to St. Louis, where he was employed for a year. For three years he operated a ferry at Richmond and in 1874 turned his attention to farming. In connection with his wife he now owns one hundred and eighteen acres of land on section 2, Center township, only a quarter of a mile from the city limits of Ottumwa. He has brought his place to a high state of cultivation, the fields yielding to him splendid crops annually, owing to his practical and progressive methods. Everything about the place is kept in good condition, the farm is divided into fields of convenient size by substantially built fences and the latest improved machinery is used in planting, plowing and harvesting.
In 1869 Mr. Prosser was united in marriage to Miss Exira C. Mulford, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, December 24, 1849. In July, 1854, the parents drove across the country to Wapello county, where Mrs. Prosser has since resided. Her father, Lewis Mulford, was born in New Jersey, November 26, 1812, and it was in Ohio that he married Amy Miller, whose birth occurred in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1818. Mr. Mulford was a harness maker by trade and followed that pursuit for some years after he came to Iowa, yet for an extended period also carried on farming. He resided near Ottumwa and passed away in 1873, while his wife, surviving him for about seventeen years, departed this life in 1890. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in early life, while five reached mature years. The record is as follows: Harvey W. was killed at the battle of Champion's Hill while serving as a member of Company D, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, in which he enlisted in 1861. Sarah is the wife of Samuel Hollo- way of Boise, Idaho. Mrs. Prosser is the next of the family. William died in Denver in 1899. Charles E. is living in Port- land, Oregon. Florence and Frances both died in childhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Prosser have been born seven children : Charles Lewis, at home; Rosa May, who died at the age of five months; Edna Pearl, at home; Harry Otto, who died at the age of two years; Walter C., who died in infancy; Harvey John, of Ottumwa; and Herbert Hope, who died at the age of two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Prosser have traveled quite extensively over the United States. Although reared in the faith of the demo- cratic party, of which his father was a stanch adherent, Mr.
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Prosser gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good government. For many years he has served as school director and has ever been much interested in the cause of education, recognizing that the public school is one of the bulwarks of the nation. For an extended period he has been a resident of this county and for forty years has been identified with its agri- cultural interests. Industry and energy are numbered among his salient characteristics, and it has been these qualities which have brought to him the substantial measure of success which he now enjoys and which enables him to travel and get much out of life. In all of his business dealings he has been strictly fair and reliable, and in other relations of life he has commanded and enjoyed the respect and good-will of his associates.
E. E. PARKS. ยท
Since pioneer times the name of Parks has been connected with the history of Wapello county and has ever been a synonym for progressive citizenship and for enterprise in business. E. E. Parks was born in this county, August 25, 1865, and is a son of Clinton and Milly J. (Hill) Parks, both of whom were natives of Ohio, but came to Iowa at an early day and settled upon a farm in Wapello county, casting in their lot with its pioneer residents. For many years thereafter the father con- tinued to engage in general agricultural pursuits, but his life's labors were ended in death April 2, 1898, when he had attained the age of seventy-six years, eight months and two days. The mother is still living. In their family were eight children : Joseph, a resident of Ottumwa ; Sarah, the wife of William Opp, of Ottumwa; Oliver, deceased; Wesley, of Ottumwa; E. E., of Kirkville; Edward, who has passed away; and Anna M., the wife of Grant Smith, and Fred, both of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
E. E. Parks remained at home until twenty-one years of age and during that period was trained in farm work, early becom- ing acqainted with all the labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- turist. On reaching adult age he began farming on his own account, renting land for five years, during which time he care- fully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase his present place, a farm of forty-four acres on section 18, Richland town-
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ship. He acquired a common-school education but had no special advantages to aid him in starting out in life. Energy and industry have constituted the foundation of his success, which places him among the substantial farmers of his township.
On the 26th of October, 1887, Mr. Parks was united in mar- riage to Miss Ada Bridges, who was born in this county, a daughter of Milton and Susan (Clark) Bridges, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ohio. They came to Iowa during an early period in the development of the state, and Mrs. Bridges passed away in Monroe county, November 6, 1906, at the age of sixty-five years. The father departed this life in Montana, August 24, 1911, at the age of seventy-six years. In their family were ten children, including Mrs. Parks, who by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter and son : Lulu, the wife of Harry Reed, of this county, by whom she has one son, Kenneth ; and Leo G., at home. Mrs. Parks is a men)- ber of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Parks belongs to several fraternal organizations, including Lodge No. 442, A. F. & A. M .; and Lodge No. 47, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is likewise connected with the Red Men at Kirkville, and he and his wife are affiliated with the Rebekah degrec of Odd Fellowship. He has always voted with the repub- lican party and has served as road supervisor, while at the present time he is filling the office of township trustee. He has ever been loyal to the best interests of the community and has cooperated in many plans and movements for the general good. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and most of all where he is best known.
F. G. BUXTON.
F. G. Buxton is well known in business circles of Ottumwa as a wholesale dealer in butter and eggs and has conducted a creamery and ice cream factory here for the past twenty-one years. His birth occurred in England on the 10th of December, 1862, his parents being John and Bessie (Thompson) Buxton, who were likewise natives of that country. The father emigrated to the United States in 1868 and made his way direct to Wapello county, Iowa, but subsequently removed to Oklahoma, in which
F. G. BUXTON
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state his demise occurred in 1911. Unto him and his wife were born two children, but only our subject survives.
F. G. Buxton accompanied his grandfather to America in 1870, when a little lad of eight years. They settled in Wapello county, and Mr. Buxton has remained within its borders through- out the intervening forty-four years. His education was acquired in the common schools. In 1893 he embarked in business on his own account as the proprietor of a creamery and ice cream fac- tory in Ottumwa and has since built up an enviable patronage as a wholesale dealer in butter and eggs. He has won a grati- fying and well deserved measure of success in this connection and has long been numbered among the enterprising and repre- sentative business men of the city.
On the 10th of December, 1882, Mr. Buxton was united in marriage to Miss Lenna Leotta Mefford, a native of this county and a daughter of William and Diana Mefford, who were born in Pennsylvania. The father is deceased, but the mother survives. Mr. and Mrs. Buxton have two children, Vernon and Estelle, both of whom are high-school students.
Mr. Buxton has always supported the men and measures of the republican party, but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs. During his long residence in Wapello county he has gained many warm friends who hold him in high regard because of his true worth and sterling characteristics.
A. W. HOLZHAUSER.
For forty-one years A. W. Holzhauser resided continuously upon the farm which is now occupied by his family in Compe- tine township. He was a native of France, born in Havre, March 25, 1849, but was just three days old when his parents sailed for America. He was a son of George P. and Mary Phoebe (Deuser) Holzhauser. The father, a native of Ger- many, crossed the Atlantic with his family in 1849 and first made his way to Louisville, Kentucky, where he resided for two years. He then removed to Iowa and his death occurred in this state in 1854. To him and his wife had been born four children, two of whom yet survive.
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A. W. Holzhauser was a little lad of but five summers at the time of his father's death. He continued to live with his mother until he attained his majority and then removed to the farm upon which his widow now resides. He first rented the tract, continuing to lease it for some years, and afterward he purchased the farm, becoming owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres on section 7, Competine township.
On the 5th of October, 1871, Mr. Holzhauser was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Ritter, the youngest daughter of John P. and Katherine (Shriner) Ritter, both of whom were natives of Germany. In 1857 they bade adieu to friends and fatherland and sailed for the United States. After reaching this country they made their way to Keokuk county, Iowa, and took up their abode upon a farm, where their remaining days were passed. The father died in 1871 and the mother subsequently departed this life. In their family were twelve children. To Mr. and Mrs. Holzhauser have been born ten children: Mary C., who was born in 1872, and is now the wife of Adam L. Grenig of Hancock county, Illinois; Emma, who was born February 25, 1874, and is the wife of Amos Crile of Jefferson county, Iowa; Lizzie, who was born February 4, 1875, and is the wife of Joseph Greiner, now of North Dakota; Clara, who was born July 8, 1876, and died in infancy; George P., who was born May 28, 1877, and is living in Competine township; John P., who was born September 29, 1878, and makes his home in Woodburn, Iowa; Joseph A., who was born January 11, 1880, and passed away in 1899; Charles W., who was born August 4, 1883, and is a resident of North Dakota; William D., who was born July 6, 1886, and is living upon the home farm, his wife having formerly been Lydia Jane Harkins; and Margaretta F., who was born July 8, 1889, and is the wife of William Morgan of Hedrick, Towa.
The death of the husband and father occurred December 2, 1912, and he left a widow and eight children to mourn his loss, his death being also the occasion of deep regret to many friends. Mr. Holzhauser was a self-made man, for he started out in life empty handed, having no one to assist him. Gradually he worked his way upward, carefully managing his business interests until he was able to invest in what is now the home- stead property, becoming owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres, which he converted into a valuable and highly productive farm that is now the property of his widow. He belonged to
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the German Lutheran church and his Christian faith guided his entire life, making him a man honorable and upright in every relation. Mrs. Holzhauser and her children also belong to the same church and the family is one highly respected throughout the section in which they live.
D. D. CONNELLY.
D. D. Connelly may well be termed a self-made man, for he has always depended upon his own resources for success. A prominent financier has said, "If you would win success, you must be willing to pay the price-the price of earnest, self-deny- ing effort," and this Mr. Connelly has done, concentrating his attention upon business interests that in time have gained him a place among the substantial residents of the county. He was born in this county, June 16, 1869, and is a son of W. W. and Elizabeth Connelly, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. His youthful days were spent in his father's home and his time was divided between the work of the fields, the pleasures of the playground and the duties of the schoolroom. He acquired a common-school education and had further instruc- tion at Quincy, Illinois. After attaining his majority he started out in life on his own account and spent a year in farming. He was afterward bookkeeper for the E. T. Harris Company in Chicago for a year and on the expiration of that period returned to this county and has since devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, with the result that close application and intelligently directed effort have brought to him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres on sections 24 and 25, Agency township, and the place is splendidly improved with modern equipments and accessories. Everything about the farm indicates his careful supervision and his fields promise rich harvests. He studies rotation of crops and all methods which will facilitate his work. He makes a specialty of raising hogs and of dairying and keeps a number of cows for dairy purposes. The different branches of his business are bringing to him gratifying success.
On the 26th of January, 1893, Mr. Connelly was united in marriage to Miss Osa Giltner, who was born in Agency town- ship and is a daughter of Andrew and Emma (Warren) Giltner.
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the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Connelly have been born seven children : Ada L., who was born September 14, 1895, is a graduate of the Agency high school and, after spending one year in the State Normal school at Cedar Falls, she is now engaged in teaching. Joe H., born December 6, 1897, is a high school pupil. Areva M., born December 20, 1900, is also attending high school. Lela Mabel, born September 27, 1902, Olive Opal, born October 4, 1904, and George H., born December 20, 1906, are all in school. Frank M., born January 28, 1909, completes the family. Mr. Connelly has ever been a stanch advocate of education and. the improvement of the schools and has served as president of the school board for nine years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are earnest, consistent Christian people. His political indorsement is given the demo- cratic party, nor does he hold the obligations of citizenship lightly, but makes earnest effort to meet every duty devolving upon him in this connection. His life may well serve as an inspiration and an example to others, who, like himself, must depend upon their own efforts for the attainment of prosperity.
L. T. CRISMAN.
L. T. Crisman is a worthy exponent of business enterprise in Wapello county, where he is today well known as secretary, treasurer and manager of the L. T. Crisman Company, engaged in the contracting, building and manufacturing business. Suc- cess tauntingly plays before the dreamer but yields its fruits to the man of resolute, determined purpose and such is L. T. Cris- man known to be. He was born in Morgan county, Illinois. June 28, 1866. His father, also a native of that state, made farming his principal business but was a butcher by trade. He married Katherine Scott, and both have now passed away, the father's death occurring July 31, 1872, and the mother's January 7, 1897. In their family were five children: Mrs. Mary A. Brant, Ara A. Ball, L. T. Crisman, Ella C. Stroud and Susan F. Thorne.
L. T. Crisman, reared in his native state, remained a resident of Hlinois until about twenty years of age, when, on the 15th of February, 1886, he came to Ottumwa and engaged in prospect-
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L. T. CRISMAN
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ing for coal for the Hawk Eye Coal Company. Later in the spring he turned his attention to carpenter work in the employ of H. N. McCoy. On January 1, 1889, he began contracting and a few months later formed a partnership with James Clifton, a contractor of Sigourney. This partnership continued for a period of two years, after which time he continued alone until 1897 when he formed a partnership with Robert McMaster, having an office at 116 East Second street, and later in 1899 purchasing the planing mill at 314 West Main street, now known as the Ottumwa Mill & Construction Company. This com- pany was known as L. T. Crisman & Company for a period of two years, after which they incorporated and took in W. E. Cook as a third partner, incorporating under the name of L. T. Crisman Company. He was president and manager of that concern until March 24, 1905, when he sold his interest and went into the company known as the Ottumwa Brewing & Ice Company, and was president and manager of that concern for a period of about one year and six months, during which time he built and equipped the brewery. One month before handing in his resignation he had been elected president and manager for the third time. His resignation was accepted November 10, 1906. January 1, 1907, he started in the contracting and building business again, taking in as partners W. S. Wells and John H. Meier. Later in the season they purchased an interest in the Middle West Planing Mill and incorporated July 1, 1907. under the name of L. T. Crisman Company, which business has been conducted at 138-140 Church street ever since. L. T. Cris- man was the president and manager of the above company for two years after which they changed the board of directors and made August Diehn, president, and L. T. Crisman, secretary, treasurer and manager. The corporation has continued until the present time under this management. This company is engaged in the manufacture of all classes of odd mill work, store fixtures, bank fixtures, etc.
Mr. Crisman is, also, a director of the Ottumwa Supply & Construction Company, and his activity and success place him among the leading representatives of industrial activity in this city.
On the 8th of January, 1893, Mr. Crisman was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Kiefer, who was born in Van Buren county, a daughter of Adam and Anna Kiefer, who are now living in Ottumwa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crisman have been
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born three children: Vern B., deceased; Charles Ancil; and Claudine Doris.
Mr. Crisman is a democrat and in the latter part of 1910 was appointed a member of the city council. He belongs to No. 16, A. F. & A. M. and No. 347, B. P. O. E. and is a member of the Commercial Association, of which he is a director. He is in hearty sympathy with the purposes of the latter organiza- tion, which seeks to upbuild and benefit the city along business lines. He is well known, for his industrial activity has gained him a place among the representative men of Ottumwa.
ALBERT D. WILSON.
Albert D. Wilson resides at No. 2002 West Second street, just outside the city limits of Ottumwa. For an extended period he was identified with agricultural pursuits in this county and employed modern methods in the cultivation and development of his fields, but is now living retired, having in 1913 put aside the more active work of the farm and taken up his abode at his present place of residence.
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