USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 38
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FREDERICK MESSER.
Frederick Messer is one of the prosperous agriculturists of Highland township, where he owns a well improved farm of two hundred and thirty-nine acres, his buildings being in the best state of preservation and all of his land being properly tiled. He was born in Germany and combines German thoroughness and patience with American determination and aggressiveness. His date of birth was October 9, 1853, and he is a son of George and Magdalene (Snyder) Messer, natives of Germany who emigrated to America in 1855 and settled upon a farm in Jefferson county, Iowa. Both died there, the father February 26, 1886, and the mother October 3, 1880. They were numbered among the most substantial residents of their neigh- borhood. To them were born seven children: Adam, of Jefferson county, Iowa; Lewis, of Fairfield, Iowa; Philip, deceased ; Charles, deceased; Louisa, the wife of William C. Hawk of Fairfield, Iowa; Lottie, who married Tony Lowen- berg; and Frederick, of this review.
Frederick Messer was reared under the parental roof and received a common-school education. He remained at home until one year after his marriage, when he moved to Keokuk county, where he stayed a similar period and then bought the farm upon which he now lives, which consists of two hundred and thirty-nine acres of fertile land. He has erected practically all of the buildings and made other improvements. His land is in a high state of cultivation, properly drained and tiled, and
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annually yields him rich harvests. He is up-to-date in his methods and has installed modern machinery, largely facili- tating the work of the fields. He has succeeded because he is progressive and ever ready to embrace the most effective methods in order to assure himself of the largest possible returns.
In 1879 Mr. Messer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lowenberg, a native of Keokuk county and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hepp) Lowenberg, natives of Germany, who left the fatherland in 1850 and upon their arrival in America, located in Keokuk county. Both died there, the father being widely known as a successful agriculturist. They had ten chil- dren, of whom nine are living. Mr. and Mrs. Messer have five children : Clara, who married George Hankammer of Des Moines; William, of Corvallis, Oregon; Raleigh, a graduate of a business college; Edna F., a graduate of Parsons College, who married James Van Deventer; and Harry, also a graduate of Parsons College, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Messer and family are members of the Presbyterian church, to which faith they are deeply devoted, Mr. Messer of this review being one of the elders. For many years he has supported the democratic party, being thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of that organi- ization. He now serves as one of the trustees of Highland township and has also done valuable service on the school board for a quarter of a century. There is much credit due him for what he has achieved in life and all who know him honor him. He has made good use of opportunities as they have presented themselves and while attaining to success has always followed the strictly honorable path.
HENRY C. HOLLINGSWORTH.
The attractiveness of Wapello county as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders and have found her opportunities equal to those to be secured elsewhere. While Henry C. Hol- lingsworth has not at all times throughout his life been a resident of this county, he has never left Iowa and now makes his home in Ottumwa. His life has been devoted to educational interests and activities. His birth occurred in Green township, Wapello county, June 13, 1852. His father, James W. Hollingsworth,
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was born near Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, July 31, 1812, and came of English ancestry. It is believed the first rep- resentatives of the family in the new world came with William Penn and settled in Pennsylvania. There has been prepared a genealogical record of the Hollingsworth family in America covering the years between 1682 and 1884.
James W. Hollingsworth spent his boyhood and youth in Vir- ginia and there acquired his education. In 1836 he removed to Ohio and it was in that state in 1839 that he was married to Miss Nancy Maholm, who was born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1820. The young couple took up their abode in her native state and Mr. Hollingsworth there followed milling for several years. In the autumn of 1844 they came to Iowa, settling first at Rome, Henry county, but in the spring of 1845 they came to Wapello county, where they took up their abode upon a tract of land in Green . township, which he entered from the government. With charac- teristic energy he began its development and in course of time broke the sod and converted the land into rich and productive fields. In addition to general farming he also carried on the mill- ing business in this county, having charge of a mill at Agency for a time and also one on Skunk river. Both he and his wife con- tinued to reside on the old homestead until called to their final rest, her death occurring April 15, 1893, and his on the 10th of December, 1895. He was a republican in politics and held some of the township offices in an early day. He read exten- sively and was well informed on current events and on political and religious questions. In all of his dealings he was just, upright and honorable. He was not demonstrative in his sym- pathy, but he loved his family with a deep and abiding affection. For fifty-four years he and his wife traveled life's journey together, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years went on. They had a family of five children: Sarah Elizabeth, who was born in Ohio and became the wife of Michael Baum but is now deceased ; Thomas Wilson, who was born in Ohio and now lives in Ottumwa; Frances A., of Ottumwa, who is the widow of David L. Gephart; Henry C .; and James P., who is now living upon a part of the old home- stead in Green township which was entered by his father from the government in 1845.
Henry C. Hollingsworth resided upon the home farm with his parents until twenty years of age. He had a common-school education and began teaching in the home district in 1872, since
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which time his life has been largely devoted to educational activ- ities. He taught in several districts of Wapello county and afterward attended Mrs. Peck's Normal School in Ottumwa and also the Ottumwa Business College. In the fall of 1875 he entered the Iowa Wesleyan College, in which he pursued a four years' course and was graduated in 1879, receiving the Master of Science degree. He studied law with D. H. Emery of Ottumwa and was admitted to the bar in Judge Burton's court in 1882. He then practiced about a year, but afterward returned to educational fields as superintendent of the city schools of Centerville. He was superintendent and principal of the schools at Morning Sun for two years, at Knoxville for one year, superintendent of the city schools at Centerville for eight years, from 1883 until 1891, and in the latter year was elected superin- tendent of the schools of Albia, where he remained for fourteen years, making a total of twenty-five years devoted to his duties as principal or superintendent of city schools in addition to his work in the rural schools. Mr. Hollingsworth has been an enthusiastic worker in teachers' institutes and has acted as con- ductor or instructor in many summer sessions in southern Iowa. Since leaving Albia in 1905 he has been connected more or less with the state educational department in Des Moines working with the state board of examiners. He makes his home at 431 Hamilton street, Ottumwa.
On the 13th of June, 1883, Mr. Hollingsworth was married to Miss Maggie E. McGuigan, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. To them were born three children: Ralph G., who is with the Harper-McIntire Hardware Company of Ottumwa; and Robert Leigh and Henry Donal, who were drowned in Village creek in June, 1905. Prior to this their mother was killed on Thanksgiving day of 1904 in a runaway accident in Albia. on which occasion Mr. Hollingsworth had both arms broken and was also badly bruised about the head and face, but in time recovered from his injuries. In 1908 he married Miss Sophronia Burkett, of Joliet, Illinois, who was formerly a pri- mary teacher in the Centerville schools, and after their marriage they came to reside in Ottumwa. In June, 1910, Mrs. Hollings- worth was called to Lincoln, Nebraska, on account of the serious illness of her brother and soon after her arrival there was stricken with paralysis. She partially recovered, but on the 20th of December, 1913, sustained a second stroke and passed away three days later.
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Mr. Hollingsworth for many years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has long been an ardent sup- porter of the republican party. His life work has been one of benefit and value to his fellowmen in that he has aided in upholding the standards of education and advancing the interest of the school system of Iowa. He was president of the South- eastern Iowa Teachers' Association at one time and was a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Iowa Wesleyan College for three years. While at Albia and Centerville twenty-two classes were graduated from the high school. Many of these young people have since filled exceptionally fine positions in the busi- ness world. His training was ever thorough, qualifying his pupils for later responsibilities. Mr. Hollingsworth's influence for the higher values of life has been felt by a large number of pupils and teachers, and his name is inscribed high upon the roll of Iowa's able educators.
THOMAS J. HALL.
Industrial activity in Ottumwa finds a worthy representative in Thomas J. Hall, a well known contractor and builder, who since the spring of 1866 has resided continuously in this city. His acquaintance is naturally wide because of his long residence here, and his business prominence and the many sterling traits of his character have gained for him a creditable and enviable position in the regard of his fellow townsmen. He was born on the 3d of October, 1839, in Machias, Maine, a son of Thomas and Mary ( Kinney) Hall. The father was a native of Norfolk, England, and the mother of Machias, Maine. Her father, Cap- tain Kinney, was lost at sea. He came of a family of seafaring men, and Thomas Hall was also a seafaring man, who acted as pilot on coasting vessels. Before coming to the new world Thomas Hall served for eleven years and nine months in the English army. He was engaged in military duty at the time of the battle of Waterloo, but did not participate in that conflict. In 1822 he deserted and came to the United States. He was married in Maine and in 1847 the family removed to Hemp- stead, Long Island. The following year they became residents of Sing Sing, New York, where they resided until 1857, when they went to Toledo, Ohio, where their remaining days were
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS J. HALL
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passed. The father's death there occurred in 1872, and the mother died a few years later. In their family were six chil- dren : Mrs. Rebecca Sager, now of Toledo; Thomas J .; James, who served in the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry from 1861 until 1866, having veteranized, and who for twenty-eight years was a policeman of Toledo, where his death occurred in 1902; Mrs. Lydia Sheldon, deceased; William, a resident of Olympia, Washington, and Charley, who died in 1909.
Thomas J. Hall accompanied his parents on their various removals, but started out in the business world on his own account, while in Sing Sing, where he secured employment in a file factory, continuing in that position for four years. When the family went to Toledo he became a sailor on the lakes and, working his way upward in that connection, he reached the posi- tion of second mate on a grain vessel. Following the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Hall responded to the country's call for troops and enlisted on the 23d of August, 1862, as a member of Com- pany H, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for two years and ten months, returning home July 14, 1865, with a most creditable military record. He took part in forty-one battles and he had charge of the brigade pioneers. His duty was often of a most arduous character, but he never faltered, whether on the firing line or on the lonely picket line.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. Hall came to Ottumwa, where he has since resided, and throughout the entire period he has con- ducted business as a contractor and builder. Being an excellent workman and a thoroughly reliable business man, important contracts have been awarded him and at different times he has employed a large force. He erected the Ennis building, the Fraser Hotel and many other of the best buildings of the city. For three years Mr. Hall was a partner in the Ottumwa Screen Factory. He was also assistant superintendent and had charge of the building of the Coal Palace, doing all of the interior work in that structure. He has ever displayed notable skill and ability, and his own thorough and practical knowledge of the work has enabled him to carefully direct the labors of others.
On the 23d of August, 1859, Mr. Hall was united in mar- riage at Toledo, Ohio, to Miss Mary A. Blair, who was born in Monroe county, Michigan, September 19, 1841, a daughter of Joseph and Olive (Lane) Blair, the former a native of Quebec, Canada, and the latter of Erie, Pennsylvania. Following their
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removal to the west they made their home in Monroe county, Michigan, until their life's labors were ended. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall was born a son, George Wesley, whose death, which occurred on the 17th of March, 1863, when he was but two years and seven months old, was perhaps the greatest sorrow that ever came to them. They adopted a daughter, Emma C., who is now the wife of Robert Shannahan of Ottumwa.
Mr. Hall filled the office of city marshal in 1874. He is independent in politics, voting as his judgment dictates, without regard to party ties. He proudly wears the little bronze button that indicates him a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, his name being on the roll of Cloutman Post, No. 69, and he has been commander of the post for three years. He was the representative of the sixth district of the Grand Army of the Republic at San Francisco in 1903 and at Chattanooga in 1913. He has practically been a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, and for forty years has been one of the elders. Its teachings have been the guiding spirit in his life and have made him a man honor- able and honored. He has now passed the seventy-fourth mile- stone on life's journey, and he can look back over the past with- out regret and forward to the future without fear. For almost a half century he has lived in Ottumwa and is one of its best known citizens. He has watched its growth and development through all these years and has aided largely in many measures that have been of direct benefit to the city.
L. S. SHEPARD.
An excellent farm of three hundred and forty acres in Pleasant township is the property of L. S. Shepard. It is adorned with beautiful shade and fruit trees, all of his own planting, and there are many substantial modern improvements upon the farm which have been placed there through the efforts of Mr. Shepard, who is justly accounted one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of his community. He was born in Port- land, Connecticut, February 4, 1842, and is a son of Edward and Sarah (Stocken) Shepard, who were also natives of Connecticut, while the maternal grandfather was born in Scotland and
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became the founder of the family in America. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shepard passed away in the state of their nativity.
L. S. Shepard was one of a family of three children, he and a brother surviving. His youthful days chronicled no event of special importance affecting his own life beyond the fact that he had good home training and profited by the educational advan- tages offered in the public schools. In 1865, when a young man of twenty-three years, he made his way westward, settling first in Madison county, Illinois. In the meantime, however, he had responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in 1863 as a member of Company B, Twenty-second Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one year, participating in a number of skirmishes, after which he was mustered out at Hart- ford, Connecticut. He then returned to his home in that state, remaining for a short time before going to the middle west. For two years he continued his residence in Illinois and during that period was united in marriage to Mrs. Harriet A. Payne, who was born in that state. At the end of two years spent in Illinois Mr. Shepard and his young wife came to Iowa, settling in Wapello county, where he purchased the tract of land upon which he now resides. It was then raw prairie, scarcely a furrow having been turned thereon, while no improvements of any importance had been made. With characteristic energy he began its development, broke the sod, tilled and cultivated the fields, and in the course of time gathered abundant harvests. He planted all of the trees upon the farm and there are now fine shade and ornamental trees around his home and good fruit trees which bear well in season. Within the boundaries of his place are comprised three hundred and forty acres of rich Iowa prairie land and by the judicious rotation of crops and other methods of keeping the soil in good condition he is able to gather good harvests year after year.
Mr. and Mrs. Shepard became the parents of three children : Anna, at home; Ella, the wife of J. F. Parker of Des Moines ; and Edda, now Mrs. Lee Parker. There were also five step- children : Emma Payne; Henry; G. W .; James A .; and Belle, the wife of W. W. Sternes. Mrs. Shepard passed away on the 16th of March, 1900, and was laid to rest in the Batavia ceme- tery, leaving a husband and eight children to mourn her loss. She had many good traits of heart and mind, and her kindly spirit and good deeds established her firmly in the affections of many friends. In his political views Mr. Shepard has been a stalwart
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republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He served as township trustee and for a number of years has been a member of the school board, always giving his support to those movements which tend to promote the interests of education. He may well be called a self-made man, for starting out in life empty-handed, he has become the possessor of a handsome fortune that now enables him to live practically retired. One of the secrets of his success is the fact that his life has ever been honorable and straightforward. He has never dissipated his energies in any kind of excesses but has concen- trated his efforts upon his duties as a man and citizen. He and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a trustee, and in the work of the church he has long been deeply and helpfully interested.
A. F. HARTER.
A. F. Harter is engaged in farming, dairying and stock-rais- ing in Richland township, where he owns a valuable property comprising one hundred and sixty-one acres of land. He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, November 30, 1849, and is a son of James and Mary (Abrams) Harter, natives of Ohio, who came to lowa about 1846, becoming pioneer settlers of Jefferson county. In 1849 they moved to Mahaska county, where the father entered land, the parents continuing upon this farm until their death. To their union were born eight chil- dren, of whom five have passed away. The others are: Ange- line, the wife of M. McCune; A. F., of this review ; and Oliver, also of this state.
A. F. Harter was reared upon the parental farm, attending a little log school in the neighborhood and early acquainting himself with thorough agricultural methods. He assisted his father until twenty-one years of age, when he rented land in Mahaska county which he cultivated to such good purpose that after four years he was enabled to acquire a farm in that county. There he prospered for about twenty years but then sold out and acquired a farm in Wapello county, where he now lives. His property comprises one hundred and sixty-one acres of fer- tile land in Richland township. Not only is he following gen- eral farming, but he also gives much attention to stock-raising
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A. F. HARTER AND FAMILY.
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and operates a dairy. He is modern and up-to-date in his meth- ods and ever ready to embrace new ideas in order to increase the production from his lands. Not only has he attained to individ- ual prosperity, but he has set a standard in his section of the county.
On February 6, 1873, Mr. Harter married Miss Elizabeth Cassel, a native of Mahaska county and a daughter of Jack and Mary (House) Cassel, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harter became the parents of eight children. Charles is the oldest. Jesse follows mercantile pursuits in Foster, Iowa. He married Edith Stansbury and they have two children, Carl and Oleda. Lillian is the wife of George Reeves, of Ottumwa. Roy is engaged in farming in Richland township. He married Ethel Spurgeon and they have two children, Kenneth and Len. Cleve resides on the home farm. He married Gussie Beckwith, by whom he has two children, Dorothy and Max. Frances is the wife of David Cobbler of Highland township, and they have three children, Gretna, Donald and Helen. John is with the Reeves Automobile Company of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Bertha, the youngest of the family, is at home. Mrs. Harter died August 8, 1896, her demise causing sincere sorrow to her many friends, all of whom esteemed her for her womanly qualities of character. She was laid to rest in the Kirkville cemetery, leav- ing to mourn her a sorrowing husband and eight children.
Mr. Harter is a democrat and is thoroughly in accord with the principles of that party. He has always deeply interested himself in educational matters and has served as a school direc- tor of his district for some time. He is a public-spirited and progressive man, ever ready to bear his share in promoting valuable public enterprises, and enjoys in a large measure the highest regard and esteem of all those who have the honor of his acquaintance.
OWEN S. HICKS.
Owen S. Hicks, a farmer and stock-raiser of Agency town- ship, where he has made his home since 1911, was born in Marshall, Illinois, March 21, 1866, a son of Benjamin F. and Celia (Sowards) Hicks, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Woodford county, Illinois. They were married in
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Illinois and unto them were born two children: Agnes J., now deceased; and Owen S. The father passed away many years ago and the mother afterward became the wife of John Wier on the 2d of December, 1874. For twenty-four years they traveled life's journey together, and on the anniversary of their marriage, the 2d of December, 1898, Mr. Wier passed away at their home in Illinois, since which time Owen S. Hicks has lived with his mother.
Reared in his native state, Owen S. Hicks acquired a public- school education. His experiences in youth were those which usually fall to the lot of the farm lad and his early training well qualified him for the duties and responsibilities that now devolve upon him. In 1911 he came to Iowa and purchased a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres on sections 26 and 27, Agency township, Wapello county. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation in the production of the crops best adapted to soil and climate. He also makes stock- raising a feature of his business and his success in this connection is well merited, for he handles stock of good grades and cares for them according to modern methods.
Mr. Hicks is a supporter of republican principles, having voted for the men and measures of the party since attaining his majority. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Yeomen and in the Grange and he is contin- ually studying out new methods to advance agricultural interests and enhance the value and productiveness of his farm. He and his mother are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are rearing a little girl, Vesta Winkler, who is now ten years of age.
W. H. BENNETT.
Agricultural interests in Wapello county find a worthy rep- resentative in W. H. Bennett, who is living on section 20, Rich- land township. At different times other pursuits have occupied his time and attention, and he is to some extent now living retired, although he still owns and supervises his farm of sixty acres. He is a son of De Witt and Sarah (Nunemaker) Ben- nett, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state and came to Towa about
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