USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 26
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! with which to manufacture the celebrated Johnston rufflers. The first machinery was pro- pelled by hand. through the aid of a large grindstone. The old grindstone was soon re- placed by an engine, and more spacious quar- ters were taken on Court street, where a large store room was secured. Business grew rapid- ly and soon 30 hands were employed. The company was known as W. T. Johnston & Company, consisting of W. T. Johnston, Allen Johnston, W. T. Major, J. T. Hackworth and J. G. Hutchison. In the spring of 1871 they bought a lot in the middle of the block they now occupy, and thereon built a factory, 30 by 60 feet. in dimensions, and two stories high. thinking that structure would accommodate all the business the firm would ever have; but this was a mistake, as business increased rapid- ly, and they had to add to their capacity until the entire block was covered by one solid build- ing. In 1872 the concern was organized as a corporation under the title of the Johnston Ruffler Company, the incorporators being J. T. Hackworth, Allen Johnston, W. T. Major and J. G. Hutchison. The last named gentle- man sold his interest after a few years, and A. G. Harrow was admitted into the corpora- tion. The largest amount of business done by them was during the period from 1882 to 1892. The Johnston Ruffler Company had in it's employ over 500 men.
Allen Johnston took out patents on vari- " ous sewing machine attachments, and they were all manufactured by the Johnston Ruffler Comr pany until recent years. Most of the sewing machine patents have been sold to an eastern
corporation, and the Ottumwa Iron Works, which now occupy the plant formerly operated by the Johnston Rufffer Company, and which are controlled and managed by the same gen- tlemen who promoted the latter company, now manufacture other machinery patented by Mr. Johnston. Mr. Johnston's patents for the auto- matic screw machines were among the first secured for that kind of machinery. These machines were manufactured and sold for a time by the Johnston Ruffler Company and the Ottumwa Iron Works, but the patents hay- ing finally been sold to other parties, they ceased to manufacture the machines. Among the many other patents taken out by Mlr. Johnston, the latest and most important are machines for the manufacture of cutlery.
Some time ago Mr. Johnston was induced to take stock in a cutlery factory, and this is what led him to make improvements on ma- chinery of that kind. His first patents were for grinding and polishing machines; these brought out another condition in the depart- ment of forging, which led him to make im- provements in order to get a uniform product for the grinding machines. The result of this was the inauguration of the manufacture of grinding machines and this led to the designing and patenting of machines for the different op- erations,-forging, grinding, whetting and glazing, also machines for grinding and finish- ing handles. About 25 patents have been taken out by Mr. Johnston, bearing on cutlery ma- chinery. So important have these been, that they have revolutionized the manufacture of cutlery, even in the Old Workl. These ma-
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chines are made by the Ottumwa Iron Works, and are being used in Norwich, Connecticut, and Sheffield, England, the two greatest cut- lery manufacturing centers in the world. The Ottumwa Iron Works are now building ma- chines for one of the most extensive plants in Sheffield, England. In this connection an in- cident may be related. A year or so ago Mr. Johnston was on his way to England to make arrangements with cutlery works there for the introduction of his machines. On the steamer he made the acquaintance of an Englishinan, who made some inquiries as to the object of his visit to England. Mr. Johnston replied: "I am going there to show them how to make cutlery." The Englishman replied : "Why do you mean to say that they don't know how to make cutlery in Sheffield?" "No," said Mr. Johnston, "I don't mean that, but I am going over to show them a better and cheaper way to make cutlery, and I am sure they will take hold of my proposition." The result proved to be as the latter said; the English factories were glad to take hold of the American in- ventor's patents, and are well pleased with their investments.
Mr. Johnston was married, in 1872, to Elizabeth Wiley, a daughter of Dr. Wiley, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and they have three chil- dren: Stella M., wife of F. W. Sharp, of Ottumwa; Roy W., who was educated in the Ottumwa public and high schools and the Chi- cago Manuel Training School, and is now a member of the Johnston & Sharp Manufactur- ing Company; and Alice M., who is attending school. Mr. Johnston is a Republican in pol-
tics. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian church of Ottumwa, contributes liberally to its support and lends his good connsed to all its undertakings. He is also liberal in bestowing charities and in the furtherance of enterprises tending toward the benefit of the city. He does not pretend to be a business man, as that term is applied to the promoters of great enter- prises. His forte is invention, and in this sphere he is a genius, who, contrary to the usual experience of inventors, has also secured a competency. He has taken out about 100 patents and has now a number pending in the patent office. His life is an example of honest industry and application of the talents given him, and the success which has come to him should prove an incentive to every young man or boy who is born with the same opportunities.
1. RANDEL, who for many years was a prominent farmer of Center E township, Wapello county, Iowa, is now living a retired life in the city of Ottumwa. He was born in Greensburg. Decatur county, Indiana, in 1836, and is a son of Benjamin Randel.
Benjamin Randel was of Scotch descent and was born in Virginia. He followed the trade of a potter until 1846, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He came to W'apello county with his son, E. L., and died here in August, 1888, at the age of seventy-six years. Politically he was active during his earlier life. and served officially as associate probate judge in Indiana. He was a Whig and
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a Republican. He was married in Indiana to Miranda Lathrop, who was born in Canada in 1811, just across the Vermont line. While she was a babe in arms her father moved to Vermont, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. During a battle in which her father was engaged her mother held her in her arms and watched the smoke of the conflict. Mrs. Randel died in 1891. This union resulted in to children, five of whom are now living, as follows: J. M. Randel, a retired farmer, of Mississippi; J. N .. who lives in Ottumwa: Margaret J. ( Logan), of Ottumwa; Almira ( Spilman), of Ottumwa; and E. L.
E. L. Randel was reared to manhood in Indiana, and, as a boy, assisted his father some- what in the potter's trade, but has made farm- ing his successful life work. Ile located in Wapello county, lowa, in 1865, purchased a farm near Agency, of the claimant, William Ruckman, who removed to Washington, and there died. He improved this farm, resided upon it until 1871 and then exchanged it for 240 acres of land three miles north of (t- tumwa, to which he added largely, and which he still owns. He resided on the farm until 1893, since which time he has been practically retired, although he still looks after his farm- ing interests. Ile resided six years in South Ot- tumwa, and then a year on Park avenue, but at the present time he lives with a widowed sister on Chester avenue, South Ottumwa. lle is engaged in general farming and stock- raising, and keeps only the very best grade of stock. He kept pure Shorthorns and Poland- China and Berkshire hogs for about twenty-
five years. He introduced the McGee, or Pol- and-China, hogs in this county, having brought some from. Greensburg, Indiana. In the early "seventies" he brought two carloads of stock from Indiana, which he took pains to keep pure and registered. At times he shipped very extensively, and also supplied many of the farmers with good stock. He held many pub- lic sales here and also in Western Iowa and Nebraska. He always took great pride in building, and otherwise improving his farm, and adopted scientific and business-like prin- ciples in his work. He raised some wheat at an early day, but decided there was more money in stock-raising, and corn, clover and hay became his staple crops. He leases his farm now, partly for cash and partly for grain rent,-keeping a close supervision of it. He has met with success in his work, and has made many friends throughout the county.
Mr. Randel was united in marriage, in In- diana, to Rachel Draper, who was born in Indi ana, in 1842, and died in 1889. They had five children: Ella, a trained nurse, of Des Moines, lowa; Luna E. (Stevens), of Ot- tumwa: Minnie ( Bare). of Des Moines ; Mat- tie ( Simmons), of Fernandina. Florida : and Benjamin D., who is located on one of his father's farms. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics, but never sought office. Owing to the fact that a Republican had never before been elected at Agency, he consented to run for supervisor on that ticket. and was elected, serving in 1866 and 1867. He is a Mason. Religiously he has always been a faithful Methodist.
WILLIAM SHUMAKER.
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ILLIAM SHUMAKER, who is now living a retired life, was for many years a prominent farmer of Pleas- ant township. Wapello county. lowa; he now lives on section 11, in Agency township. Ile has been a very prosperous man, and at the present time owns 204 acres of land in the county. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1827, and is a son of Joseph Shumaker.
Joseph Shumaker was born in Pennsylvania and was a chairmaker by occupation. Ile mar- ried Elizabeth Riley, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, and of the three children born to them, William is the only one now living.
William Shumaker resided in his native state until 1850, and during his youth was a shoemaker. He came to Wapello county, Iowa, in the fall of 1850, and lived in Ottumwa until March, 1851, when he returned to Pennsyl- vania: in the fall of that year he went to Cali- fornia. There he was engaged in mining for four years, at the end of which time he re- turned, in 1856, to Wapello county, lowa, and has since made his home here. In 1850 he bought a farm of 160 acres in Pleasant town- ship, on which he lived until 1861. when he rented the land and located on a farm near Agency City. Agency township. He resided upon that farm until 1891, and then located on his present farm in section 11. He was a carpenter by trade, and also followed general · farming, but at the present time is living a re- tired life.
Mr. Shumaker was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah ( Barnard) Morley, who was born in Greene county, Illinois, in 1840, and is a
daughter of John Barnard. The latter was born in Tennessee, and was a blacksmith by trade. Hle married Mary Creighton, who was born in South Carolina, and they reared 13 children, two of whom are now living,-Sarah and Edward. By her marriage with George Morley Mr. Shumaker's wife had one child, Kate O., who married Martin S. Bush. Mrs. Shumaker is a member of the M. E. church. In politics Mr. Shumaker is a Democrat. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, belonging to Olive Branch Lodge, No. 21, of Agency City. A portrait of Mr. Shumaker accompanies this sketch.
OIIN H. MORRELL, one of the promi- nent business men of Ottumwa, Iowa, is one of the two American directors of the packing establishment of John Morrell & Company. Limited, whose main offices are in Liverpool, England.
Mr. Morrell was born in England in March. 1864, and is a son of the late George Morrell. Ile was reared to young manhood in England. and has been identified with the firm of John Morrell & Company, Limited, since 1878, hav- ing occupied various positions in England and the United States. He came to America in 1883. located at Chicago, Illinois, and in 1800 came west to Ottumwa, lowa. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, and has served with credit in his present capacity.
John 11. Morrell was united in marriage, at Ottumwa, with llelen Edgerly, a daughter of
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the late J. W. Eagerly, and they have one son, George Alfred. His home is on Market street, Ottumwa, and he attends the First Methodist Episcopal church.
OHIN E. HULL, a life-long resident of Wapello county, lowa, is a prominent real estate dealer and insurance agent in the city of Ottumwa. He was born June 9. 1865, and is a son of Wesley and Mary C. (Apperson) Hull.
Wesley Hull was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1824, and at the age of eleven years began to learn the milling business,-his father being engaged in that line of work. He was a miller throughout his active business career : he operated a sawmill at Chillicothe and Blakesburg, this county, and a grist-mill at the latter place. fle was also engaged in the lumber business for some years, and in 1800 retired from business cares. In politics he was a strong Democrat. Mr. Hull was united in marriage with Mary C. Apperson, who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, and died in Wapello county, lowa, at the age of fifty years. This union was blessed with six children. as follows: George W .: William W .; Charles J. : John F. : Mary ; and James . \. George W., who lived in Blakesburg for sixteen years and left that place at the age of twenty-four years, is now clerk in a foundry at Denver. William W. became a physician, having been educated in Kerkük and lowa City medical colleges. He practiced seventeen years at Attica, Marion
county, Jowa, and is now located at Fulton, Missouri. Charles T. left Ottumwa at the age of seventeen years and has been located at various places since. John E. is the subject of this biography. Mary ( Brooks) resides near Byer, Ohio. James .A. is a physician, located at Keb. Wapello county, lowa.
John E. Hull was reared and schooled at Blakesburg. He entered the stock business at an early age, and made several trips west with cattle. While at Omaha on one of these trips he enlisted in the regular army, and spent one year in the service. He then returned to Wa- pello county, engaged in school teaching near Blakesburg. and followed that and other ocen- pations at the same time for about five years. He worked at the lathing trade with Con- tractor Ed Birch for some time, and was ap- pointed to the police force of Ottumwa, on which he served during . 1891 and 1892, In the latter year he entered the real estate and insurance business, which he has since followed with great success. For six years his office was located in the Beaver Bleck, and at the present time is in the Sampson Building, owned by W. W. Cummings. He has had much success in this business, and recently erected some fine houses in Dain's Addition, South Ottumwa. He has worked his way to the front by perseverance and industry, and is a self-made man in every sense of the term.
John E. Hull was married at Blakesburg to Tena Smithburg, who was born in Jeffer- son county, lowa, of Swedish parents, both of whom died before her marriage. Three chil- dren were born to them, as follows: Ruth V.,
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aged twelve years; John W., aged eleven i miller and followed it for some years in Vir- years ; and Mary Emeline, aged eight years. ginia. Later he learned the trade of a cabinet- maker, which he followed until his death, in 1869. He was an active Democrat in politics, and served as justice of the peace and post- master at .Ashland, which was considered the best town in Wapello county in the early days. While a resident of West Virginia he married Nancy Newman, who was born just across the line, in Pennsylvania, and is of Dutch descent. Eight children were born of this union, Leoni- das M. being the youngest. All were born in the East, and all but the eldest brother, who d'ed in 1849, came west. While a resident of Adams township Mr. Ilull served as assessor at Blakesburg. He was a candidate for city auditor of Ottumwa, and from 1899 to 1901 served as alderman from the Seventh Ward. Hle declined a renomina- tion. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias (of which he is master of finance ) ; the Royal Arcanum; Pilgrims; and 1. O. O. F. He has served through all the chairs of the latter order, and has been trustee for the past three years. He is also a member of the Uniform Rank, K. of P., and was cap- tain in 1900. Mrs. Hull is a member of En- terprise Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah. In religions views they are Methodists.
L EONIDAS M. GODLEY, a gentle- man who bears an honorable record for service in the Union army during the Civil war, was for many years a trusted official of Wapello county, serving in various capacities. He was born in West Vir- ginia in 1836, and is a son of Mahlon and Nancy ( Newman) Godley.
Mahlon Godley came of an old Virginia family, of English extraction. Several gener- ations back two Godley brothers came from Englund .- one locating in Virginia and the other in New England. Mahlon Godley had seven brothers and two sisters, who scattered, most of them going south, while he located in West Virginia. He learned the trade of a
Leonidas M. Godley first came to the State of lowa with his parents in 1850, locating in Jefferson county, and in April, 1854. he came to .Ashland, Wapello county. He engaged in farming for a number of years, and then fol- lowed the trade of a carpenter until the out- break of the Civil War. He spent some time in working at his trade in Kansas, and was a resident of Sedalia, Missouri, when the war began. He enlisted in the 27th Reg., Missouri Vol. Inf .. but was sick in Sedalia at the time of the siege of Lexington. After his three months' term of service had expired he re- turned to Wapello county, Iowa, and upon recovering his health enlisted in Company E. 220 Reg. lowa Vol. Inf. They rendezvoused at lowa City, and thence went to spend their first winter in Missouri. They were som or- dered to Port Gibson, Mississippi, and took part in the engagement at that place. Mr. Godley also participated in the battles at Cham- pion Hills and Black River Bridge, and was
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at the siege of Vicksburg. It was during the first assault upon the works that he was struck by a ball between the knee and ankle. The wound being very painful, he lay down between the firing lines of the contending armies. Finding his limb was bleeding profusely, he arose, and, while trying to tie his handkerchief around the member, was shot in the right breast, the ball coming out at the shoulder blade. He was later shot through the knee of the same limb. The general charge had terminated, and he sat up and became a target for the enemy. Being forced to resume his recumbent position. he lay between the two lines for three hours, and was finally assisted to a shady spot under a tree, where he lay from forenoon until midnight, with 20 others who were disabled. At his own request he was car- ried inside the Confederate lines to the Texas Legion, and was next morning looked after by the surgeon. He was carried out and laid in a hole beside the railroad bridge, upon some branches and leaves, which served as an op- erating table. Ile displayed great courage and fortitude during the operation of ampu- tating his limb, and refused the aid of any anesthetic. Two strong men were chosen to In 1864 he was elected clerk of the court of Wapello county, and held that office for four- teen years ( seven successive terms), the long- est period of any incumbent. He was later appointed a revenue collector in the govern- ment's employ, and was engaged in examining distilleries, but resigned, and was then ap- pointed deputy revenue collector under Mr. Burnett, of Burlington. succeeding Charles hold him still, but he dispensed with these, and calinly watched the removal of his left limb near the hip. After the operation he rode in a lumber wagon with a Confederate soklier, and was taken to an improvised hospital. En route they encountered Union sharpshooters, who fired upon them. Mr. Godley implored the driver, who had put the horses to their fastest speed. to go slower, but he would not, , Brown. After hokling that office nearly three
so Mr. Godley crawled to a corner of the wagon box and managed to hold his limb in such a manner as to prevent bleeding to death. The building in which they were finally located was shelled by the Union troops and all were forced to vacate. Mr. Godley, being the only: Union soldier there, was paroled and reached the Union lines. He was placed on a marine hospital boat and taken to Memphis, where he arrived July 3. 1863. July 6, 1863, he started for St. Louis, where he was placed in Lawson Hospital, and remained there until September 4. 1863, when he was discharged. His wife joined him and cared for him until they re- turned to their home at Ashland, Iowa, on September 7. His service in the army was one of heroism, and for meritorious conduct, during the assault on Vicksburg, Congress voted him a medal of honor. He has many relics of the war, which form a most interest- ing collection. His limb healed in four weeks, and he gets around well with a crutch and a cane. Losing a leg in fighting for so great and just a cause is not a matter of regret to one of his patriotism. He receives a just pen- sion from the United States government.
JOHN P. ANDERSON.
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years he became deputy postmaster at Ot- timwa, under Postmaster Tilton. He re- signed one year later, and has not been active in business since.
Mr. Godley was united in marriage in 1859 with Julia Walker, who was born in Ken- tucky and reared in Missouri; she is now fifty-four years of age. They became parents of to children, five of whom died in infancy. Those who grew up are as follows: William L., who died in 1888, at the age of twenty-one years; Terasita; Martha; Charles L., who is at home and in the employ of John Morrell & Company, Limited; and Harry, a stenog- rapher, residing in Chicago. Mr. Godley was reared a Democrat, and continued so until the Charleston convention, since which time he has been a strong Republican. lle is a member of Cloutman Post. No. 69. G. A. R. In re- ligious views he is a Methodist.
1 OHN P. ANDERSON, one of the best known tailors of Ottumwa, whose por- trait is presented on the opposite page, has been located in the city since Feb- ruary, 1878. lle was born in Sweden in 1844. and is a son of AAndrew Anderson.
Andrew Anderson always lived in Sweden and followed farming until his death in the "fif- ties." His wife was born in 1821, and still resides on the old homestead in Sweden. Both had children by previous marriages ; John P. was the youngest child born to them.
and was confirmed at the age of fifteen years. Ile immediately after served an apprenticeship to the trade of a tailor, which lasted until he came to America in the spring of 1873. Ow- ing to years of hard night work by poor light, he had trouble with his eyes, and upon lo- cating at Joliet, Illinois, soon after his arrival in this country, he engaged in out-door work. He came to Ottumwa, lowa, in 1878, and was employed as a tailor by Mr. Swenson, until 1883. when he embarked in the tailoring busi- Hess for himself. For about eleven years he was located in the Peterson Block, and then he and Mr. Calhoun rented the Pallister Build- ing, where he conducted a tailoring shop and Mr. Calhoun engaged in the manufacture of shirts. In 1897, Mr. AAnderson formed a partnership with Mr. Swenson, who had come to Ottumwa in 1877, and the partnership con- tinued until February, 1901. when the latter purchased the interest of the former. Mr. Anderson remained with Mr. Swenson until .August. 1901, when he again engaged in busi- ness for himself at No. 223 Main street. where he has a fine tailoring establishment and em- ploys eight hands
John P. AAnderson was united in marriage in Ottumwa. in 1879. to Hannah Gunnerson, then a resident of Princeton. Illinois, but a native of Sweden. Five children were born to them, as follows: Mabel, aged twenty years; Loraine, aged eighteen years: Carl, aged seventeen years, who is in the senior class in the high school and will graduate in 1902; Annie, aged fifteen years, who is in the second
John P. Anderson was reared in Sweden year in the high school; and Adolph, aged
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
eleven years ; who is also in school. In poli- tics, Mr. Anderson is a strong supporter of Democratic principles and candidates. Fra- ternally, he was made a Mason in 1878, and is a Knight Templar. Ile took his first degrees under Master Charles Sax, and was knighted in Ottumwa in 1882. Religiously, he is a member of the Episcopal church.
HARLES E. BOUDE, who has been located in Ottumwa, Wapello county, lowa, since 1866, is extensively en- gaged in the insurance and loan busi- ness,-representing some of the best com- panies in this country.
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