USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 37
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STEPHEN WILKINS.
For many years Stephen Wilkins contributed toward the agricultural development of Wapello county, where he still lives on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Keokuk township, which he has given to his children and where he is enjoying a life of ease won by former toil. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, February 29, 1836, a son of Ezekiel and Rebecca (Owens) Wilkins, both of Scotch ancestry. The paternal grandfather of our subject served in the Revolutionary war and his record was emulated by his grandson Stephen, who helped to defend the Union in the great strife between north and south. The parents came to Wapello county in 1856, the father settling on a farm to the cultivation of which he devoted the remainder of his days, both he and his wife dying there. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four have passed away. The living ones are: Stephen, of this review; G. W., of Clarke county, Iowa; Sarah Ann, of Nebraska; Rebecca, who married W. H. Robinson of Wapello county; and Mrs. Susanna Loy.
Stephen Wilkins was reared and passed his boyhood under the parental roof in Ohio, attending the schools of his home dis- trict. He came with his parents to this county and remained at
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home until his marriage in 1857. He turned his attention to farming, renting for two years, at the end of which time he was enabled to buy the farm on which he now lives. On February 1, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Com- pany D, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and remaining with the colors for three years. He participated in the first battle of Shiloh and also was present at Corinth. He took part in all of the con- flicts and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged, num- bering in all over one hundred and sixty, always excelling on account of faithfulness to duty and commendable gallantry. He was three times wounded and still carries a rebel bullet in his right thigh. He was mustered out at Davenport, returning sub- sequently to his wife and family. For many years he continued in the operation of his farm, which he made one of the most profitable of his neighborhood. All his fields were brought into high cultivation, and he erected substantial buildings and installed modern machinery, directing his enterprise in a judicious manner and receiving a gratifying income therefrom. He now lives practically retired and has deeded his farm to his children, their possession beginning upon his death.
On October 1, 1857, Mr. Wilkins married Miss Margaret Buchanan, who was born in Indiana and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah J. (Toller) Buchanan, the former born in Pennsyl- vania and the latter in Indiana. Of their family of six children two are now living. Mr. Buchanan removed from Indiana to Jasper county, Illinois, and in 1855 came to Wapello county, where he and his wife both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- kins became the parents of four children : Sarah Jane, deceased ; one who died in infancy; George W., who farms in Keokuk township; and Minnie, the wife of John F. Watts, an agricul- turist of Keokuk township. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and devoted to its work.
Mr. Wilkins is a republican, thoroughly interested in the progress of his township, in which he has held all of the offices. He also has held a position on the district school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 272, and has filled all the chairs in the local organization. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, by which means he keeps in contact with the soldier boys in blue who defended the flag in the greatest of our wars. Mr. Wilkins enjoys in full measure the respect and esteem of all who know him. He has now passed his
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seventy-eighth birthday, yet he is hale and hearty, and greatly enjoys taking his rifle and going hunting. He is thoroughly conversant with the questions and issues of the day and takes an interest in all matters that affect his community and county.
AUGUST DIEHN.
August Diehn has been an active and successful representa- tive of industrial interests in Ottumwa for the past fourteen years as an extensive manufacturer of cigar boxes. His birth occurred in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, on the 25th of November, 1873, his parents being Henry and Fredericka (Wickboldt) Diehn, who were born, reared and married in Germany. The father was born June 7, 1837, and spent the first thirty years of his life in his native land. In 1867 he emi- grated to the United States and located in Davenport, Iowa, where he is still actively engaged in business as a manufacturer of cigar boxes. His wife passed away in the year 1897. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Christian C., a native of Germany, who is now a resident of Davenport, this state; Marie, born in Germany, who gave her hand in marriage to H. C. Goettsch of Manning, Iowa; Henry, living in Daven- port; August, of this review; Herman, a resident of Davenport; and a daughter who is deceased.
August Diehn acquired his education in the public schools of Davenport and subsequently pursued a commercial course in Duncan's Davenport Business College. He afterward became connected with mercantile interests as clerk in a grocery store and later embarked in business as a grocery merchant on his own account. Prior to this time, however, and before taking a busi- ness course, he had spent eight years in his father's cigar box factory, learning the business in principle and detail. In 1900 he came to Ottumwa and purchased the interests of Mr. Krab- benhoeft, a cigar box manufacturer, whose location he has occupied continuously to the present time except that the build- ing has been remodeled. Mr. Diehn employs on an average ten men and has a running capacity of about one thousand cigar boxes daily. In addition to his interests in this connection he serves as president of the L. T. Crisman Company and director of the Ottumwa Supply & Construction Company. He enjoys
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an enviable reputation as a business man of ability and undoubted integrity and has won a well merited measure of prosperity in his undertakings.
Mr. Diehn was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Amelia Scharfenberg, a native of Germany and a daughter of Peter Scharfenberg. They have three children, namely: Verona Dorothy, Bernhardt Henry and August, Jr. The family resi- dence is at No. 180 North Ward street. Mr. Diehn gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is identified fraternally with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and enjoys the friendship and regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. His success has been gained through his own industry and good business ability, for he has always capably managed his affairs, and is today one of the well-to-do citizens of his adopted county.
CHARLES W. SHEPHERD.
Charles W. Shepherd carries on general farming on section 25, Richland township, and the excellent appearance of his place indicates his practical and progressive methods. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty-two acres of rich and productive land, from which he annually gathers good harvests.
Mr. Shepherd was born in Steubenville, Ohio, September I, 1864, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Watt) Shepherd, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born May 14, 1826, and the mother on the 21st of February, 1828. In the year 1865 they removed with their family to Wapello county, settling in Center township north of Ottumwa, where their son George W. Shepherd now resides. The father made farming his life work and was the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in the home place and more than two hundred acres on the south side of the river. He also engaged in raising and feed- ing stock. He served as captain of the Home Guards while in Ohio and aided in the capture of Morgan, who was then on his raid in that state. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, which he supported in stalwart manner to the time of his death, which occurred October 14, 1890. He
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES W. SHEPHERD
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held membership with the Presbyterian church, to which Mrs. Shepherd still belongs, and she now makes her home with her children. They had a large family, numbering ten: Jane, the deceased wife of William Baker; Lucinda, who became the wife of Hamilton Wilson and passed away; Mary Emma, the wife of Thomas Cody of Nebraska; Ann Eliza, who married James Law and is deceased; Martha, the wife of W. H. Bennett of this township ; John, living in Ottumwa; Charles W .; Margaret, the deceased wife of Frank Mast; Nettie, the wife of Roy Smith of Ottumwa; and George W., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
Charles W. Shepherd was reared under the parental roof, remaining at home to the time of his marriage. His attention was divided between the duties of the schoolroom and the work of the fields. He has never sought to change his occupation, feel- ing, as George Washington expressed it more than a century ago, that "agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man." He purchased his present farm about 1908. For a period of ten years he lived in Ottumwa, dur- ing which he supervised two farms, but since that time he has lived at his present place of residence on section 25, Richland township, where he owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of rich and productive land. He has a fine home, in the rear of which are good barns and outbuildings, and these in turn are surrounded by well kept fields. All of the characteristics of the model farm of the twentieth century are found upon his place, and he carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising.
On the 22d of February, 1894, Mr. Shepherd was married to Miss Ollie Kelsey, who was born in Wapello county, lowa, November 13, 1866, a daughter of F. M. and E. J. (Brown) Kelsey, both of whom were natives of Indiana, whence they came to Iowa in 1865, settling first in Davis county. Soon afterward, however, they came to this county, and Mr. Kelsey passed away in 1907, at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife now makes her home in Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have one child, Ravmond.
In his political views Mr. Shepherd is an earnest republican, stanchly advocating the principles of the party since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. He and his wife have traveled extensively, spending a winter in California and another in New Mexico, and they have also visited his father's old birth- place in Ohio, near Steubenville, where they attended a family
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reunion of the Shepherds in August, 1912. They believe in en- joying life and wisely make recreation a balance to work. They possess many good traits of character and occupy an enviable position in the regard of their friends.
JACOB C. MIER.
A fact to which due recognition is not always given is that a large percentage of the people of this section of the state have had their nativity in or trace their ancestry to Germany. To this class belongs Jacob C. Mier, who was born in Buffalo, New York, September 14, 1861, but is of German descent, his parents, Michael and Margaret (Wagner) Mier, having been natives of Luxemburg. They were reared and married in their native land and had one daughter when they became residents of Buffalo, New York, while three more children were added to the family in that city. In 1866 they removed westward to Wapello county, Iowa, settling upon a farm in Center town- ship, where their remaining days were passed. The father's death occurred July 29, 1888, when he was sixty-four years of age, and his wife died in 1884, at the age of fifty-five years. Their family numbered the following children: Mrs. Mary Stochner, now deceased ; John, living in Center township; Jacob C .; Maggie, who has also passed away; Mrs. Caroline Strong, deceased; Kate, who has also departed this life; George, of Center township; Michael, who died in infancy; and Mathew, of Ottumwa.
From the age of five years Jacob C. Mier has been a resi- dent of Wapello county and when starting out in life on his own account he secured a position in a brick yard, where he spent seventeen years, acting as head burner during the greater part of that time. He then turned his attention to farming and is now the owner of eighty-eight and a half acres of land, on which he not only cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate but also engages in raising stock. In fact, stock-raising is the principal feature of his business and brings to him a substantial return.
In 1886 Mr. Mier was united in marriage to Miss Annie Mott, who was born in Center township in 1866, a daughter of Philip Mott. Five children have been born of this marriage:
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Maggie; William; Ida, the wife of P. Taylor of Ottumwa; Ada. who is a twin sister of Ida and is the wife of Murray Hiss of Omaha, they having twin sons, Morrill and Morris; and Mel- vin. The family attend St. Patrick's Catholic church and Mr. Mier gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. His long residence in the county has made him widely known. He has witnessed many of the events which have shaped the history of this section of the state and has at different times been con- nected with its industrial and agricultural interests in a manner that has contributed to material progress as well as to individual success.
GEORGE W. KOONTZ.
George W. Koontz, a prosperous agriculturist of Highland township, Wapello county, was born in Keokuk county, this state, September 26, 1863, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Grimes) Koontz, natives of North Carolina, who came to Iowa in 1845, settling here when primitive conditions of pioneer life were yet existing throughout nearly the whole state. The father located on a farm, where he built a log cabin, and in that structure he lived for a number of years. Both parents died in Hedrick. In their family were ten children, of whom seven are now living.
George W. Koontz was reared on the homestead, acquiring his education in the schools of the neighborhood and early acquainting himself with thorough agricultural methods. After completing his studies he continued on the home farm until twenty-one years of age and then rented land, being engaged in its cultivation until 1893. Having acquired the necessary means he bought a store in Hedrick, which he conducted for two years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm in Franklin county, upon which he lived until 1901, in which year he disposed of his interests there and bought a farm in Mahaska county which he cultivated and improved for seven years. At the end of that period he bought the one hundred and twenty- five acre farm in Highland township upon which he now lives. Since having become owner of this property he has made a number of improvements and has increased the yield of his acres to a remarkable extent, always following the most modern
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ideas along agricultural lines. He has installed improved machinery and his buildings are kept in good repair, bespeaking by their appearance the careful management which Mr. Koontz. exercises over his affairs.
In 1884 Mr. Koontz married Miss Wilda M. Sheets, who was born in Keokuk county and is a daughter of Newt and Mary (Abrahams) Sheets, natives of Ohio, who in the early days came to the widdle west and settled in this state. Mr. Sheets died in 1895, being survived by his widow. In their family were five children, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Koontz are the parents of four children: Walter F., who is a graduate of the high school and who is engaged in teaching; Delpha A., the wife of William Robertson of Wapello county; Alma G., a student in the high school ; and Mary H.
Mr. Koontz and his family attend the Baptist church, to which they give generous support. He is a democrat, in full sympathy with the aims and principles of that party, and has served in all of the township offices, being at present in his second term as trustee of Highland township. Mr. Koontz has contributed toward raising agricultural standards in his county and, moreover, is always interested in promoting public enter- prises which promise to be of advantage to the community. While he has attained to prosperity he has not neglected his duties as a citizen and has been ever ready to contribute his share to all worthy causes.
GEORGE RAYMOND GIBSON.
George Raymond Gibson, a well known and enterprising young business man of Ottumwa, has for the past three years held the position of manager in the wholesale fruit house of the Lagomarcino-Grupe Company. His birth occurred in York, Nebraska, on the Ist of November, 1884, his parents being Lewis and Flora (Dietch) Gibson, the former born near Ottawa, Illinois, in 1857 and the latter in Warren county, Illinois, in 1864. Lewis Gibson, an agriculturist by occupation, came to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1885 and made his home in Ottumwa until 1894, when he took up his abode on a farm in Center town- ship, where he has since resided, being widely recognized as one
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of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community. He is the father of three children, as follows: George Raymond, of this review; Mabel, the wife of John Howard of Ottumwa; and Lois, at home.
The paternal grandfather of our subject is a surviving vet- eran of the Mexican war. Captain John Gibson, the great- grandfather, was a soldier in the War of 1812, while his eldest son, Robert, was killed at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, in 1838. His four other sons fought in the Mexican war, serving in the First and Second Illinois Volunteers, and two served as officers in the Civil war, William Gibson holding the rank of colonel of the Fourth Illinois Infantry and Theodore that of major of the Sixty-fourth Illinois Infantry. George Gibson, a brother of Captain John Gibson, was a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition and subsequently settled in St. Louis, where he passed away. The great-great-grandfather of George Raymond Gibson in the maternal line was Robert Yates a Scotch army officer, who participated in the Revolutionary war as an officer in a Pennsylvania regiment. The grandfather still lives near Ottawa, Illinois, on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, one hundred and sixty acres having been granted him by the government at the close of the Mexican war. He also obtained another quarter section of land from a Mexican war soldier who sold out. He is now ninety years of age and still resides on the place where his father died and was buried.
George Raymond Gibson acquired his education in the pub- lic schools of Ottumwa and after putting aside his text-books was connected with railroad work as a telegrapher from 1902 until 1910. In the latter year he became identified with the Lago- marcino-Grupe Company as a salesman and for the past three years has acted as manager of the Ottumwa branch, where twenty-one men are employed. This is a wholesale house exclu- sively, handling both fruit and vegetables and also manufactur- ing ice cream. In his present important position Mr. Gibson is contributing in no uncertain degree to the continued growth and success of the business and has gained enviable recognition as a progressive young man of sound judgment, ability and enterprise.
On the 20th of June, 1906, Mr. Gibson was united in mar- riage to Miss Minta McIntire, a native of Davis county, Iowa, and a daughter of J. M. and Ruth (Anderson) McIntire, who are now living in Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have four
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children, namely: George Hamilton, Lois Ruth, Esther Fern and Robert Theodore.
In politics Mr. Gibson is a progressive republican, while his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is widely and favorably known in the community where practically his entire life has been spent, for a genial and kindly disposition has won him many friends, and he has the regard and esteem of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
FRANK GEPHART.
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Frank Gephart is the owner of an excellent tract of land on section 1, Center township. It was upon this farm that he was born, but the place bears little resemblance to the old homestead of fifty or more years ago. It was in a two-room log cabin, fifteen by twenty fcet, that he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 9th of April, 1860. That primitive home remained the dwell- ing of the family for about seven years thereafter, when the father erected the present brick residence, which was considered one of the best homes in the county at that time. His parents were David and Sophia E. ( Blake) Gephart. The father was born in West Virginia, about nine miles from Harpers Ferry, August 27, 1820, and the mother was born near Minden, Ger- many, March 4, 1833. She was about four years of age when her parents crossed the Atlantic. They located first in Hamilton county, Ohio, and three years later settled in Indianapolis, Indi- ana. They removed to Ottumwa, February 18, 1845, being among the first residents of this city. Mrs. Gephart passed away near Ottumwa on the home place, August 31, 1871.
David Gephart was a lad of nine years when he went to Circleville, Ohio, with his widowed mother, who had a family of ten children. At the time of the Mexican war Mr. Gephart en- listed at Cincinnati for service at the front and was with the army for a year. About 1849 he came to Ottumwa, where his remain- ing days were passed. He resided in the city until the spring of 1857 and then took up his abode upon what has since been known as the old homestead, his death here occurring Junc 21, 1901. He owned one hundred and eighty-five acres, which
号:
FRANK GEPHART AND FAMILY.
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DAVID GEPHART
MRS. MARY DEMSTER
THE OLD GEPILART HOME
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
he devoted to general farming and stock-raising, and he was also a carpenter and contractor, in which connection he formed a part- nership with N. C. Hill under the firm name of Hill & Gephart, which relation continued until 1857. They were leading builders of Ottumwa of their day and ranked high among the business men of that period. Mr. Gephart also took an active interest in affairs relating to the welfare and upbuilding of his community and was especially helpful to the public schools, serving as di- rector for many years. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party, and during the greater part of his life he be- longed to the Masonic fraternity, being one of the first repre- sentatives of the craft in Ottumwa and at all times one of the ex- emplary members. To him and his wife were born nine children : Agnes, who became the wife of Joseph Kitchen and died in 1891 ; Mary, who is the widow of W. H. Carpenter and resides in Greeley, Colorado; Arthur, a resident of Spokane, Washington ; Charles, who died October 13, 1877; Frank; Walter, who is liv- ing in Inglewood, California; Anna, the wife of F. E. Baldwin, of Kansas City, Missouri; Worth, who died in infancy; and Xelis, of Los Angeles, California.
Frank Gephart has spent his entire life upon the old home- stead farm on section 1, Center township, which he now owns. He has one hundred and eighty-five acres of fertile land and has always carried on general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields to a high state of cultivation. His methods are both practi- cal and progressive and result in the production of excellent crops.
On the 23d of December, 1903, Mr. Gephart was united in marriage with Miss Alma Demster, who was born in Center township, September 26, 1864, a daughter of John and Mary (Alexander) Demster, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Jefferson county, Iowa, born January 15, 1844. Mrs. Demster was brought to Wapello county in the same year by her parents, who located on a farm in Center township and there spent their remaining days. Her father, John Alexander, was a native of eastern Tennessee and arrived in Iowa in 1843. The following year he came to Wapello county and settled on a claim just north of Ottumwa. In their family were five children : Mary Elizabeth, who married John Demster, and long surviving her husband, resided with her daughter Mrs. Gephart until the final summons came May 9, 1914, her demise being sincerely mourned; Mrs. Julia H. Christie, deceased ; Mrs. Laura Jolliffe, Vol. II-26
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of California; Rinnie, twin sister of Laura and now deceased ; and Alice, who has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Gephart have but one child, a daughter, Margaret.
In his political views Mr. Gephart is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He served as township trustee for three years, as assessor four years and has been secretary of the school board for twenty-eight years. He is a Master Mason, and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem, of which he is a trustee. Sterling principles have guided him in all of his life's relations and in this county, where he has always lived, he has a circle of friends that is very extensive.
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