USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 7
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In all of her church and charitable work Mrs. Fulton had the earnest indorsement, cooperation and support of her hus- band, Major Fulton, who was a member of the church from his boyhood, his entire life being actuated by his Christian belief and principles. His political allegiance was given to the Repub-
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lican party from its organization and he was mayor of Ottumwa for the years 1868-69. He made an excellent official record, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that left nothing to be desired. He held to high standards in his profes- sion and to even higher standards in private life. As a citizen he did everything in his power to promote the welfare of the community. He held friendship inviolable, and his devotion to home and family was one of his most salient characteristics.
JOSEPH WARNER.
Joseph Warner has been a resident of Iowa ever since he was thirteen, coming to this state from Missouri in 1848. He was one of those adventurous spirits who sought wealth in the gold fields of California, going west when but a youth of seventeen and returning two years later by way of Panama. He relates many interesting incidents of those stirring times. After his marriage he began farming and followed that occupation for many years, and now lives retired in Eddyville, in the enjoyment of a com- fortable income, which permits him to enjoy the evening of life in quietude and contemplation. He was born in Hancock county, Ohio, June 13, 1835, and is a son of Lorenzo and Charity (Lent) Warner, the former born in the Buckeye state and the latter in Vermont. She came to Ohio when nine years of age and was married in that state to Mr. Warner. The father was a cabinet- maker by trade and resided in his native state until 1836, when he removed to the middle west in order to improve his financial condition by taking advantage of the opportunities which he heard were plentiful in that section. He went to Caldwell county, Missouri, and lived there until the spring of 1848, when he made his entrance into Wapello county, locating on a farm which he had entered and where he lived until his death, in March, 1863. The mother later moved to Kansas, where she passed away. They were the parents of ten children, of whom three are living.
Joseph Warner attended the common schools of Caldwell and Wapello counties, but at the age of seventeen bade farewell to the parental home and crossed the plains to California, cover- ing half of the distance with ox teams and making the remainder of the journey on foot. He resided in the Golden state until
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1859, when he returned to Wapello county, where he began to farm and subsequently also served as superintendent of the county farm of Monroe county for five years. He later removed on a property which he had bought in that county and there he lived until his retirement. He was always progressive in his methods and gave close attention to all details so that he might derive the greatest benefit from his lands. His buildings were substantial, sanitary and suitable for the purposes for which they were intended. He installed new machinery and in many ways set an example to other agriculturists. Having acquired a com- petence, he removed to Eddyville, where he now lives, sur- rounded by the comforts of life.
In 1862 Mr. Warner married Miss Sarah A. Sherod, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John G. and Nancy (True) Sherod, who came to Wapello county at an early day in its history. Mr. and Mrs. Warner became the parents of eight children: Fred H. ; Lorenzo D .; Della, who married Robert Young of Oakland, California; Alvin, and four who have passed away. Mrs. War- ner passed away on Thanksgiving Day, 1896, and was laid to rest in Monroe county in Schaefer's cemetery. She was beloved by all as a woman truly good and ever ready to help any who were in need of material aid or of comfort in sorrow or of cour- age to face the future. Mr. Warner still takes an active interest in all questions and issues of the day, and is particularly con- cerned in the growth and progress of Eddyville, where he has valuable property interests. Although he gave his first vote to Abraham Lincoln, he has since supported the democratic party, finding its platform more nearly in accord with his ideals. For several years he has served on the school board and in other ways has furthered the intellectual and moral growth of his com- munity. All who know him are agreed as to his high qualities of character and those whom he considers his friends are proud of that distinction.
RUSSELL W. HARPER.
Russell W. Harper is a member of the Harper & McIntire Company, controlling an extensive hardware trade. He was born in Ottumwa, November 4, 1877, and is a son of the Hon. Samuel H. and Cornelia (Russell) Harper. The father was
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born near Zanesville, Ohio, April 23, 1843, and was a little lad of but ten summers when brought to Wapello county by his parents, who took up their abode on a farm about a mile and a quarter north of the present city limits of Ottumwa. There Samuel H. Harper was reared to agricultural pursuits, remain- ing upon the farm until 1862, when he could no longer content himself to follow the plow, for the country was involved in civil war and he felt that his first duty was to the Union. Accord- ingly, he offered his services to the government, becoming a private of Company B, Thirty-sixth Regiment of Iowa Infantry. In June, 1863, he received a commission from the secretary of war, making him a second lieutenant in the Forty-sixth Regi- ment of United States Colored Infantry. He was afterward advanced to the rank of first lieutenant and later to the rank of captain and was honorably discharged in February, 1866, thus closing a service that covered three years and seven months.
The following year Samuel H. Harper became actively con- nected with the hardware trade, in which line of business he continued until his death. He entered the firm of Henry & Haw. of Ottumwa, with whom he remained until 1869, when he estab- lished business on his own account as junior partner in the firm of Egan & Harper. A disastrous fire overtook them in 1873, destroying building and stock, but in the same year they pur- chased the hardware stock of Daggett & Edgerly, after which the business was continued under the firm style of Egan, Harper & Company, Mr. Edgerly remaining with the new firm. How- ever, in 1875 he sold his interest to E. A. Chambers and in 1876 the firm embarked in the wholesale business by sending two men upon the road to represent their house to the trade. In 1881, when Mr. Egan disposed of his interest, R. C. Wilson and Frank McIntire entered the firm under the firm name of Harper, Chambers & Company. In 1881 fire again brought disaster to the house, destroying their building and largely dam- aging their stock. In 1885 Mr. Wilson retired from the firm and in 1892 Mr. Chambers withdrew, at which time the business was reorganized under the name of the Harper & McIntire Company and has so continued. In 1893 the large four-story building now occupied by the company was erected and the business year by year has continually increased until it has reached extensive proportions.
Samuel H. Harper continued in active connection therewith until his death, and he was also president of the South Ottumwa
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Savings Bank, a director of the Iowa National Bank and of the Iowa Savings Bank and also vice president of the Phoenix Trust Company, while of the Chillicothe Savings Bank he was a director. He was widely recognized as a man of sound business judgment, of close application and of unfaltering energy. He never made engagements that he did not keep nor incurred obligations which he did not meet, and he enjoyed to the fullest extent the respect, confidence and honor of colleagues and con -. temporaries. His position in business circles is indicated in the fact that he was elected to the presidency of the Mississippi and Missouri Valley Hardware Association. He took an active part in politics and was serving as mayor of the city at the time of his death. He was also for five terms a member of the state senate and aided in molding the legislative history of the state. He indorsed and supported many important bills which eventu- ally became laws, and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the development and progress of the common- wealth. He likewise indorsed all those measures and movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He served on the board of education and was a member of the board of directors of the Ottumwa Library. He was one of the directors of the Open Door Mission and was an elder in the First Pres- byterian church. He was likewise on the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and did all in his power to advance the moral progress as well as the material develop- ment of the community. His social nature found expression in his membership in the Wapello and Country Clubs, and his fraternal spirit was manifest in his membership in the Masonic lodge and in the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was state commander for the years 1905 and 1906. He was also commander of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, depart- ment of Iowa, in 1906-7. He died December 17, 1911, and in his demise Wapello county lost one of its most worthy and valued citizens, for his efforts were an element in public progress along many lines.
His son Russell W. Harper has spent his entire life in Ot- tumwa and is indebted to the public-school system for the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed. After putting aside his text-books he entered the employ of the Harper & McIntire Company. accepting a clerical position and later going upon the road as a traveling salesman. Some time later he returned to the office, with which he has since been connected, and upon the incorpora-
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tion of the firm in February, 1913, he was elected treasurer. Practically his entire time is devoted to the development of the hardware business, which is conducted along both wholesale and retail lines, its ramifying trade interests reaching out over a wide territory. He is also a director of the Iowa Savings Bank and the Agency Savings Bank and is financially interested in a num- ber of other business enterprises of Ottumwa. He possesses the typical progressive spirit of the age and individual merit and worth have brought him to his present connection.
In June, 1908, Mr. Harper was united in marriage to Miss Edna Burroughs, of Marshalltown, Iowa. They belong to the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Harper is a member of the Wapello Club. His political allegiance was given the Repub- lican party until 1912, since which time he has been identified with the Progressive party. The change in his political affilia- tion was characteristic of the man. He has always taken an advanced step when the way seemed favorable, and when he has felt that the times demanded it. He has never been content to remain in a groove marked out by others, and his initiative spirit and laudable ambition promise well for further success in the future.
FRANK EPPERSON.
Frank Epperson, of Eddyville, is not only an important factor in local financial circles as vice president and director of the Manning & Epperson State Bank, but as president of the Iowa Bankers Association occupies a position which brings him into contact with the banking interests of the state and nation.
Mr. Epperson was born in Eddyville, June 13, 1876, and is a son of F. M. and Louise Epperson. He attended the public schools of his native city, laying aside his text-books on May 20, 1894, in order to accept a position as a clerk in the banking and general merchandise firm of Manning & Epperson. He has since made continuous progress along this line, specializing to- day entirely in banking, and is vice president of the Manning & Epperson State Bank. He is considered one of the best judges of local conditions, and his advice is frequently sought in regard to financial questions. While he is a man of more than ordi- nary executive ability, he has a great capacity for detail and
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is thoroughly aware of the great value of system. While Mr. Ep- person is most progressive in promoting new commercial and industrial enterprises by extending credit, he is cautious and con- servative in regard to the investments of the bank, his first con- sideration always being the safety of his depositors. He is a man of unerring accuracy and possesses in an extraordinary de- gree that sixth sense of the banker-intuition as to character, rapid analysis of method, "what there is in a proposition"-in short he knows whom and what to trust. During the panic of 1907 he was appointed special state bank examiner and was elected vice president of the Iowa Bankers Association in 1913, succeeding to the presidency in March, 1914, upon the death of President D. L. Heimsheimer. Mr. Epperson was chairman of the state-wide committee which appeared before the Reserve Bank Organization Committee in Chicago in January, 1914, urging the alignment of the entire state of Iowa with the Federal Reserve Bank to be located in Chicago.
Mr. Epperson is a progressive republican but yet a republi- can, sincere in his adherence to that party. He has never de- sired public office, although he is ever ready to promote public enterprise. Fraternally he is one of the oldest members of Elks Lodge, No. 340, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and he also belongs to the Hamilton Club of Chicago.
On September 14, 1904, Frank Epperson married at Eddy- ville, Iowa, Louise, a daughter of John and Katherine Jager, who was born on a farm near Eddyville and was graduated from the Eddyville public school in 1902. She is a member of Chap- ter DG, P. E. O. Mr. and Mrs. Epperson have a little daugh- ter, Lynette, born November 11, 1911.
WALTER T. HALL.
Walter T. Hall is at the head of one of the most important productive industries and business enterprises of Ottumwa, being senior partner in the confectionery manufacturing firm of Walter T. Hall & Company. Under his direction and capable manage- ment this business has grown steadily from a small beginning to one of extensive proportions and is a source of benefit and profit to the city as well as to the individual stockholders.
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Mr. Hall is a native of Wapello county, and his record is one in which his fellow townsmen feel pride. His birth occurred in 1857, upon the old home farm ten miles north of Ottumwa, his parents being James and Evelyn (Worley) Hall, both of whom were natives of Ohio, born near Portsmouth. The Hall family came from England and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of Walter T. Hall. The Worley family is of German lineage and both families were established in Ohio dur- ing pioneer times. It was in 1823 that Evelyn Worley was born and in early womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to James Hall. In 1853 they left that state for Iowa and estab- lished their home upon the farm in Wapello county upon which occurred the birth of their son Walter. There the father carried on general agricultural pursuits for five years, or until 1858, when his life's labors were terminated in death. His widow continued to reside upon the farm for many years and then removed to Quincy, Illinois. She afterward returned to Ot- tumwa, however, in 1880 and now resides in Agency with a daughter. She is a well preserved woman of ninety-one years, having excellent health for one of her age, while her mind is clear and bright. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born four children: Victoria, now deceased; Carrie, the wife of F. C. Byers of Summerville, Oregon ; Julia, the wife of John Connelly of Agency, Iowa; and Walter T.
The last named remained upon the old home farm until ten or twelve years of age, when he accompanied his mother to Quincy and there resided until January, 1880. He then returned to Ottumwa, where he has since made his home. His education was completed by a high-school course in Quincy, and early in his business career he entered the employ of T. H. Mason & Company, manufacturers of baking powder, extracts, spices, etc. He removed to Ottumwa to enter business with H. M. Cockerill under the firm name of Cockerill & Hall, manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in baking powder, extracts, teas and spices. Their business proved a growing one and the partnership was continued until 1885, when Mr. Hall purchased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor, conducting the business alone until 1890, when he was joined by his brother-in-law, W. S. Vinson, while in 1892 J. W. Coen was admitted to the firm and remained a member for about three years. The last named had been with the house as traveling salesman for a number of years.
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At the time the firm of Cockerill & Hall was dissolved Mr. Hall began the manufacture of candy, of which that firm had been jobbers for a few years. He started the manufacturing business in a two-story building on Third street. His trade grew steadily and in order to meet the demands of the business he added other space from time to time in the same block until eventually he was occupying a half block, consisting of three fronts. Later he extended the rear to a depth of one hundred and fifty feet and thus had a half block of buildings which he occupied entirely-three floors and basement. Still the business continued to grow until it exceeded the quarters occupied and a few years ago Mr. Hall and his partner Mr. Vinson purchased the entire block between Market street and the alley, with a frontage of one hundred and thirty-two feet and a depth of one hundred and fifty feet. The building is three stories and base- ment and he occupies the entire building save a room of about forty feet in width. Something of the growth and extent of the business as it is today is indicated in the fact that employment is now furnished to one hundred and twenty-five people in the factory, while twelve traveling salesmen are kept upon the road, their territory being largely Missouri and Iowa. The business, constantly increasing, has become one of the most important manufacturing interests of Ottumwa and this section of the state. Mr. Hall also has other interests. He is the vice president of the Citizens' Savings Bank and a director of the First National Bank. He also owns a controlling interest in the firm of Con- nelly Brothers & Hall, manufacturers of gloves in Chicago. Thus his interests have constantly broadened and, reaching out along ramifying lines, have covered a wide territory. His plans and purposes are always well defined and promptly executed and he possesses a spirit of enterprise that carries him easily over the difficult places in his path and enables him to reach the goal of success.
In 1886 Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Minnie M. Vinson, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Stephen Vinson. This marriage has been blessed with two children: Adine V., who graduated from Smith College of Massachusetts with the class of 1914; and Evelyn May, who will complete a course in the high school of Ottumwa in 1915.
Mr. Hall gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. He is without ambition for office, although he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship. Fraternally he is connected
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with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his social nature finds expression in his membership in the Country Club and the Wapello Club. He is also president of the Commercial Asso- ciation and is in hearty sympathy with the purposes of that organization, which seeks the material benefit of the city and also progress along many civic lines. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he is an active, earnest church worker, serving as elder in the First Presbyterian church. He is a director in the Open Door Mission, organized for evangelical and benevolent purposes. Manly and sincere in action, honor- able in purpose, his life has been one of signal usefulness to the community in which he makes his home, for his business activities have been of a character that have contributed to the general prosperity as well as to individual success.
JACOB LOWENBERG.
Jacob Lowenberg is the owner of what is known as the old Lowenberg homestead farm on sections + and 9, Dahlonega town- ship. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres. Iowa's land is naturally rich and productive when cultivated according to progressive methods and Mr. Lowenberg's place is no excep- tion to the rule, for early spring planting brings forth abundant harvests and the quality of his crops insures a ready sale upon the market.
Mr. Lowenberg was born in Butler county, Ohio, March +, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Shriner) Lowenberg, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1835 and were married in Ohio, establishing their home in Butler county, where they lived for a number of years. In 1852, however, the father brought his family to Iowa, settling in Wapello county, where he purchased the farm that is now the property of his son Jacob. This part of the state was still largely a frontier district, and the family shared in all of the labors that have brought it to its present condition of agricultural de- velopment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lowenberg, Sr., passed away in this county. They were the parents of seven children : Jacob, of this review; William, who is living in Wapello county; and five who have departed this life.
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Jacob Lowenberg was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents to Iowa. He had gained his education in the schools of Ohio, and in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. He was early trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm and worked dili- gently in the fields, assisting his father year after year until he had reached the age of twenty-three. He then started out in business life on his own account and for three years rented land, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until he had a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. He in- vested in land in Highland township and resided there for three and a half years, after which he sold that property and bought the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 4 and 9, Dahlonega township, which he still owns and cultivates. The place is today well improved with modern equipments and his farm work, conducted along progressive lines, has resulted in the attainment of success.
In 1862 Mr. Lowenberg was married to Miss Ellen Fair, a native of Pennsylvania, born in York county, and a daughter of John and Rebecca (Fisher) Fair, the former a native of Mary- land and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in the year 1855, settling upon a farm in Wapello county, where they remained until called to their final rest. In their family were ten children, of whom seven still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Lowen- berg became the parents of five children : Delpha May, the wife of Clinton Miller, of Dahlonega township; Arford J., who is living in Ottumwa; Cora E., the wife of Frank Connelly, now engaged in the glove business in Chicago; Roy R., also in Chi- cago; and Floy Lennett, deceased. The family are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Lowenberg belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge in Ottumwa, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He votes with the Democratic party and is well versed concerning the principal questions and issues of the day, but does not seek political office. He has held school office, however, being both director and trustee. He is today one of the old residents of the county, having lived here for about sixty-two years, and this enables him to speak with authority upon many questions relating to the history of this part of the state. He has lived to witness the gradual development that has brought about the present prosperity and progress of the county, his memory going back to a time when the farms were widely scattered and when several of the now thriving towns and villages of the
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county had not sprung into existence. He has at all times stood for progress and improvement, and his influence has ever been on the side of right and justice.
WILLIAM S. ASBURY.
William S. Asbury has been successfully engaged in the practice of law at Ottumwa for the past five years and has won a merited reputation as an able representative of the profession in the county. His birth occurred in Blakesburg, Wapello county, Iowa, on the Ist of August, 1873, his parents being B. F. and Alta M. (Van Cleve) Asbury, who are likewise natives of this county, the former born on the 13th of June, 1852, and the latter on the 9th of March, 1850. At the present time they are resi- dents of Albia, Monroe county, this state. Both the Asbury and Van Cleve families were among the first settlers of Wapello county, taking up their abode here before the advent of railroads. Benjamin Asbury, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, while the maternal grandfather was born in Indiana. B. F. Asbury, the father of William S. Asbury, followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. To him and his wife were born six children, as follows: Frank J., who passed away at Glenwood, Iowa, in 1907; William S., of this review; Fannie D., at home; Albert, who is deceased; Zilpha, the wife of Paul H. Barker of Des Moines, Iowa; and Zell V., at home.
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