USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 41
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Mr. Hallberg gives his political allegiance to the republican party and, while never an office seeker, he has not been remiss in the duties of citizenship, but, on the contrary, has cooperated in many projects for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. For three years he served on the school board. He is thoroughly American in spirit and interests and though still feeling a love for the land of his birth, his deepest attachment is for the land of his adoption, where the greater part of his life has been spent and where he has found and improved the opportunities that have led to success. A noted traveler once said, in comparing the other countries with Sweden, that the latter "is the home of the honest man." Mr. Hallberg seems to have inherited this characteristic trait, and wherever he is spoken of in business circles his thor- ough reliability is mentioned as well as the enterprising spirit that has lead him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and ad- vance steadily along commercial lines, his efforts proving an element in general prosperity as well as in the acquirement of individual wealth.
EMERY M. WILSON.
Emery M. Wilson is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Wapello county and still lives on the old homestead three miles west of the county seat on the Eddyville Road. It was here that he was born on the 20th of January, 1869, and he has always resided upon this place.
He is a son of Prier S. Wilson, who for many years was a leading agriculturist of the county and a man highly respected by all who knew him. He deserves much credit for what he accomplished, for he started out in the world empty-handed when but eleven years of age and became the possessor of valu- able farming property. He was a native of Monroe county, Indiana, born July 22, 1838, and he traced his ancestry back through intermediate generations to Ireland. His grandfather and his father, however, were natives of Kentucky, and the family home was established in Indiana in pioneer times. There Prier S. Wilson remained until 1849, when he removed to Wapello county, Iowa. After a brief period he went to Van Buren county,
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but in 1852 returned to Wapello county, and from that time for- ward until his death was closely and prominently associated with agricultural interests here. In 1860 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and as his financial resources increased extended the boundaries of his farm until he had four hundred acres. Upon this place he erected a dwelling in 1862 and also built a large barn fifty by one hundred feet, and other buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Some years afterward he erected another residence thirty-five by forty feet and afterward a third home twenty-eight by thirty feet, renting the first two and occupying the third. He brought his land to a high state of culti- vation and in addition to the production of large crops he raised cattle and hogs. He likewise dealt in real estate and gained a good profit from the sale and purchase of farms. He was a man of high business integrity and honor, straightforward in all his dealings, and was never known to take advantage of the necessi- ties of a fellowman in a business transaction.
For almost sixty years he resided upon the old homestead, settling there in 1852 and remaining thereon until his death on the 26th of April, 1911. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Stephenson, passed away in March, 1874. They were married in 1858 and unto them were born five children : Nancy, who is now the widow of Frank Arnold of Kansas City, Mis- souri ; Laura E., the widow of Wesley Bryant of Chariton, lowa; Albert D., living in Ottumwa; Emery M., of this review; and Thomas H., who died in early childhood. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Wilson was married again in 1880.
Emery M. Wilson spent his youthful days upon the old home farm on the Eddyville Road, where his birth occurred January 20, 1869. As his age and strength increased he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields and ultimately came into possession of two hundred acres of the old homestead, which he still owns. He makes dairying and stock-raising the principal features of his place. In connection with his brother, Albert D., and their father, he conducted a dairy and ran a milk wagon in the city for about twenty years, and continued to run the wagon alone for about ten years. At times they had one hundred and ten cows for their dairy supply, and Mr. Wilson now has about twenty-five head of dairy cattle. His business has always been carefully managed, his enterprise is unfaltering, and his judg- ment concerning the leading features of his business is sound and reliable.
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In 1889 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss E. Millie May Houk, who was born in Wapello county, Iowa, October 24, 1868, a daughter of Jacob and Chloe C. Houk, who were early settlers of Wapello county, coming to this state from Pennsylvania. Both her parents passed away here. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born two children : Forest Henry and Ardie C., both at home. Mr. Wilson is widely known in this county, where his entire life has been passed and where his many substantial qualities have won him success in business and the high regard of his fellowmen. He represents one of the worthy old pioneer families, and the work which was instituted by his father is now being successfully carried on by him, resulting in the material development of the community as well as in his personal success.
A. N. WILLIAMS.
A. N. Williams is a retired farmer and real-estate dealer, now living in Ottumwa. He was born in Marion county, Indiana, April 14, 1842, and is a son of Jonas and Sarah (Woodcock) Williams, who were married at Rushville, Indiana. The father was a native of that state and the mother of New York. They began their domestic life in Marion county, Indiana, where the family resided until the spring of 1858, when removal was made to Louisa county, Iowa. The father had died in Marion county on the 20th of July, 1853, at the age of forty-six years, while the mother, who was born May 28, 1815, passed away in Agency, Iowa, on the 14th of April, 1900, when in the eighty-fifth year of her age. They were the parents of seven children. Alvah, who died July 20, 1865, had served for three years as a member of Company D, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry. Caroline, now de- ceased, was the wife of William Rerald. A. N. is the next of the family. Cyrus died July 20, 1853. Ezra is living in Garnett, Kansas. Catherine Jane and Electa have both passed away.
A. N. Williams was a lad of eleven years at the time of his father's death. He remained with his mother in Indiana until 1858 and afterward resided with her on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa, up to the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war. He watched with interest the progress of events that seemed to indicate that the country would become involved in hostilities
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and on the 13th of June, 1861, just two months after the first gun was fired, he enrolled as a member of Company K, Eighth lowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained until honorably dis- charged on account of physical disability on the 13th of March, 1862. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered he reenlisted August 15, 1862, joining Company G, Nineteenth lowa Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war on the 14th of April, 1865. He participated in all of the engagements with his company and was frequently in the thickest of the fight. He never faltered in the performance of any duty assigned him and returned home with a most creditable military record.
When the war was over Mr. Williams resumed farming in Louisa county and there carried on general agricultural pur- suits until November 3, 1869, when he made an overland trip to Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, driving over that part of the country in company with others. He continued upon the plains of the west and southwest for fifteen years and in the spring of 1884 returned to Iowa, establishing his home in Moravia. He afterward engaged in farming in Appanoose county until he came to Wapello county in 1890. For about eight years he re- sided in South Ottumwa.
Mr. Williams was married here on his fiftieth birthday and afterward engaged in farming on a place four miles southwest of the city, on Village creek. At length he sold that property and returned to South Ottumwa. For three years he leased a farm on Bear creek and afterward bought a farm near Agency, on which he lived for eight years, during which period he brought the fields to a high state of cultivation and derived there- from splendid harvests. At length he sold out and returned to Ottumwa, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate business, handling city and farm properties and rentals. He has been accorded a good clientage, and his business is now extensive and gratifying.
On the 13th of March, 1872, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Noe, who was born in Tennessee and died in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1874. He was not again mar- ried until the 14th of April, 1892, when he wedded Miss Birdie Walker, a native of Iowa. They have one daughter, Leah, at home.
Mr. Williams exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but does not seek
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nor desire public office. He holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant associations with those who wore the blue uniform as he did during the dark- est hour in our country's history. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and its teachings have been the motive force in his life. His experiences have been varied, but he has never lost sight of the high principles which have gov- erned him, and that his has been a well spent life is indicated in the expressions of warm regard heard from his many friends when his name is mentioned.
J. A. CREAMER.
More than a century ago George Washington said that agri- culture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupa- tion of man, and the truth stands today as it did when the sen- tence was uttered. Mr. Creamer is numbered among those who are devoting their lives to farm work, his property comprising a tract of forty acres on section 24, Agency township. He was born in Arkansas, June 29, 1874, and is a son of A. J. and Saman- tha J. ( Bartholomew) Creamer. The father's birth occurred in Illinois, while the mother was a native of Ohio, and they came to Wapello county about sixty years ago. For an extended period they were identified with agricultural interests here, and in 1910 they removed to the state of Washington, where they are now residing. They were the parents of four children, but Leona J., their first born, is now deceased. The others are: Amanda W., the wife of George Beall of Agency township; J. A., of this re- view; and C. M., who is also in the state of Washington.
Although born in Arkansas, J. A. Creamer has spent the greater part of his life in Iowa, and in the acquirement of his edu- cation he pursued a high-school course. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm, continuing to assist him until twenty-two years of age. About that time he was united in marriage to Miss Birdie McDowell, who was born September 1, 1877, in Jefferson county, lowa, and is a daughter of Aden and Mary (Spurlock) Mc- Dowell, both of whom were natives of Jefferson county. In 1911 they left Iowa for Colorado, where they now make their home. Mrs. Creamer is the eldest of their four children, the others
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being: Cora O., the wife of J. A. Reeve of Minnesota; Elna, who is a teacher ; and Hazel, who is living at Boulder, Colorado.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Creamer began their domestic life upon a rented farm, and for some years he con- tinued to cultivate land which he leased, but during that period he carefully saved his earnings and when his economy and in- dustry had brought him sufficient capital he invested in prop- erty, becoming the owner of forty acres on section 24, Agency township. He has since devoted his attention to its cultivation and improvement and now has an excellent farm, which is well equipped with modern accessories and conveniences. To Mr. and Mrs. Creamer have been born two children : Harry L., who was born May 4, 1898, and is now a pupil in the high school of Agency; and Helen Fern, born August 9. 1902. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Agency and are loyal to its teachings. Mr. Creamer also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Grange of Agency, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has sup- ported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Practically his entire life has been passed in this state, and he has ever been an interested witness of its development and progress. His life in a way has been quietly and uneventfully passed, yet the record illustrates what may be accomplished when energy and ambition point out the way to success.
C. D. GITHENS.
C. D. Githens, a worthy native son and representative mer- chant of Wapello county, is actively engaged in the grain, feed and fuel business at Ottumwa, in which he embarked in 1901. He was born on the 11th of September, 1876, a son of W. H. and Debby J. (Reed) Githens. J. T. Githens, the paternal grand- father of our subject, took up his abode among the earliest settlers of this county, here purchasing a farm and making a specialty of the raising and selling of hedge plants for fences. He also made the first threshing machine engine in the county and was widely recognized as an enterprising and substantial citizen. His son, W. H. Githens, still resides on a farm in Wapello county and has long been numbered among the prosperous and respected citizens here. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Githens have two sons :
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C. D., of this review; and Fred, who resides on a farm and de- votes his attention to general agricultural pursuits.
C. D. Githens attended the common schools in the acquire- ment of an education and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he came to Ottumwa, here working as an electrician for four years. On the expiration of that period, in 1901, he embarked in business as a dealer in feed and fuel, in which he has been engaged continuously since, own- ing a half interest in the enterprise. He is accorded a liberal patronage and has won an enviable reputation as a business man of ability and unquestioned integrity. He also owns a half in- terest in a farm of one hundred and forty-two and a half acres in this county.
Mr. Githens was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Rhue of Jones county, Iowa, her parents being H. E. and Ida Rhue, who came to Wapello county about 1894 and are still living here. Mr. and Mrs. Githens have one child, Helen.
Mr. Githens gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America and the Owls. Both he and his wife attend the services of the First Methodist Episcopal church. His entire life has been spent in Wapello county, and the circle of his ac- quaintances is a wide one. A man of exemplary habits, of high principles and of upright conduct, wherever he is known he com- mands the good-will and trust of those with whom he is asso- ciated.
MRS. ANGELICA L. SCHAFER.
Throughout her residence in Ottumwa Mrs. Angelica L. (Horn) Schafer has been prominently identified with the busi- ness interests of the city, having in connection with her husband embarked in the ice business on their arrival here in 1879, and she is still actively connected with that industry. She comes of a very old and highly respected family in Germany, being born on a farm belonging to the Hohenzollern family, it being the prop- erty of King William. Her paternal grandfather had charge of this farm for thirty years and was also mayor of the city in which he resided, being one of the most prominent men of that com- munity. Her parents were Ambrose and Mary C. Horn, who
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MRS. ANGELICA L. SCHAFER
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
spent their entire lives in Germany. In their family were seven children.
Mrs. Schafer was reared and educated in her native land and in 1864 was united in marriage to Ludwig Schafer. Later they came to America and located in Wapello county, Iowa, and here the husband died in 1887. Ten children were born of this union, namely: Frank, who is still at home and is now engaged in the ice business in partnership with his mother ; Louis H., also of Ottumwa; Mary T., the wife of William J. Dinklage; Eliza- beth C., the wife of George Siebert of Sioux City, lowa; Ella M., the wife of L. P. Eisenbeis, of Ottumwa; Fred C .; Charles L .; Anna L., who is a graduate of a business college and now has charge of some of her mother's business ; John; and Jacob. The six brothers are in business in connection with their mother. Onc of Mrs. Schafer's grandsons, Frank Strohauer is a graduate of Leland Stanford University of Palo Alto, California, and two granddaughters, the Misses Desdemona and Juletta Eisenbeis, the former eighteen years of age the latter sixteen, will graduate from the Ottumwa high school this year.
On locating in the city of Ottumwa in 1879 Mr. and Mrs. Schafer embarked in the ice business, which is still carried on by the widow in connection with her children. Mr. Schafer was a good, reliable business man and was a supporter of the Demo- cratic party. The family hold membership in the Catholic church and are highly esteemed by all who know them.
JOSEPH C. BLUNK.
Joseph C. Blunk, prominently connected with industrial en- terprises, has devoted his entire life to contract work, concen- trating his energies largely upon railroad construction, masonry and street work, not only in Ottumwa, where he makes his home, but in other sections of the country as well.
He was born in Ottumwa, May 25, 1867, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Conly) Blunk, who were natives of In- diana, born September 6, 1838, and January 11, 1838, respective- ly. They were married in Illinois on the 24th of April. 1860, and the wife died October 30, 1869, after which Mr. Blunk mar- ried Sarah Ann Porter, who passed away in 1910. His death occurred July 23, 1912, when he had almost reached the ripe old
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age of seventy-four years. He had removed westward to Bloom- ington, Illinois, with his parents when a lad of nine years and resided there until he enlisted for active service in the Civil war in the fall of 1861, when about twenty-three years of age, joining the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, with which he served for three years and six months, or until honorably discharged after the close of hostilities. He participated in all of the principal battles in which his regiment took part and was particularly fortunate in that he was never wounded. He was with the army at Shiloh and at Corinth and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. After the war, or in 1866, Mr. Blunk became a resi- dent of Ottumwa, where he resided until his death. Here he engaged in contract teaming business and conducted a dray line for about ten years. About fifteen years prior to his death he retired from active business and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. His political support was al- ways given to the republican party, for he believed that its prin- ciples contained the best elements of good government. Frater- nally he was connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, and for thirty-six years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Blunk had a family of four children by his first mar- riage: George, who was born in January, 1861, and died Sep- tember 30, 1862; Evaline, who was born August 29, 1865, and died July 14, 1866; Joseph C .; and Henrietta, who was born September 29, 1869, and died on the ist of February, 1870. There were also two children by his second marriage: Amanda May, now the wife of B. Sopher of Ottumwa; and Hattie, who died at the age of three years.
Joseph C. Blunk was born and reared in Ottumwa and has here spent his entire life . When fourteen years of age he started with his father in contract work and has since been engaged in business along that line, largely doing railroad construction work and masonry and street work. In fact, he takes contracts for heavy work of all kinds both in and out of Ottumwa. He has done much street paving and throughout the years has been ac- corded a liberal and gratifying patronage.
On the 9th of August, 1893, Mr. Blunk was united in mar- riage to Miss Estella May Lewis, who was born in Ottumwa in 1874, a daughter of Fred T. and Alice ( Knowde) Lewis, the former a native of lowa and the latter of Maryland. They were among the early settlers of Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Blunk have
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become the parents of five children : Donald J., Daphne, Estella May, Raymond and Alice. Mr. Blunk is independent in politics, supporting men and measures rather than party. His influence is always on the side of progress and improvement, and he be- lieves that work relative to the general welfare should be carried steadily forward. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and with the Odd Fellows and in those organizations is popular.
P. L. GUGGERTY.
P. L. Guggerty is one of the prosperous landowners of Cass township, Wapello county, holding title to a property consisting of three hundred and forty-four acres. He was born in Cass township, December 2, 1870, and is a son of Lawrence and Bridget (Gillespie) Guggerty, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1849, their marriage being performed in this coun- try. Both are still living and to them were born ten children : Margaret, the wife of J. Mangan ; Julia, deceased ; John ; Mary, at home ; P. L., of this review; B. E .; W . E .; Ellen, the wife of Michael Riley; Agnes ; and one who died in infancy.
P. L. Guggerty was reared under the parental roof, and under the guidance of his parents he became imbued with those prin- ciples which make for success in life. Industry and honesty were the watchwords in his father's household, and he early was held to do his work upon the homestead. He attended the neighbor- ing schools and also had a college education. After laying aside his text-books he remained with his parents, assisting the father in the farm work. During this time he became acquainted with the tried and thorough methods by which the father had succeeded and there laid the foundation for his agricultural success. After his marriage he began to farm on one of his father's properties in Cass township, on section 26, and he now operates three hundred and forty-four acres, making a specialty of stock-raising. He is thoroughly modern and up-to-date and has introduced new stand- ards to agricultural life in his part of the county. His build- ings are in the best of condition, well and substantially built, mod- ernly equipped, thoroughly sanitary and well lighted. He em- ploys the latest machinery and all of his acres are under high cultivation, annually returning him most gratifying yields. In
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following stock-raising he also applies the latest ideas and has been eminently successful along this line.
P. L. Guggerty was united in marriage to Miss Nora Glenn, a native of Farmington, Iowa, her father and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Murphy, both being natives of Ireland who emigrated to America many years ago. Both have passed away. They had ten children, of whom six are living. Before her marriage Mrs. Guggerty followed school teaching for some time, being considered one of the most successful in- structors in her neighborhood. She and her husband have three children : Margaret Irene, born June 9, 1900; Mary Rose, Sep- tember 6, 1902; and Lawrence Glenn, born November 23, 1904.
Mr. and Mrs. Guggerty are devout communicants of the Catholic church, to which they make generous contributions. Fraternally he belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and politically is a democrat. He is serving as assessor of Cass township, being now in his second term, and is also a school di- rector of his district, ever having taken a laudable interest in the cause of education. Mr. Guggerty is not only one of the sub- stantial residents of Cass township but has been a factor in its development, particularly in regard to agricultural progress. He is public-spirited and a useful American citizen who is ever ready to make personal sacrifices in order to promote the gen- eral welfare. He has many friends, all of whom are proud to be considered as such by him, and receives on all hands the respect and esteem which is due him for what he has achieved in life and because of his substantial qualities of character.
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