USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 32
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is now on West Fourth street, Ottumwa. lle built a house and other buildings on the farm, made many improvements, and has one of the most valuable pieces of farm land in his part of the county. He has been engaged in the real estate business more or less for the past twenty years, and has built numerous houses in the city. Ile has offices in the Hoffman Block, and deals in city and farm property,- also making loans. He has worked up a well- paying patronage, and his business is in a thriving condition.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Wycoff was united in marriage with Sarah E. Martin, who was born in Indiana. in 1840, and was brought to lowa in 1843. The following chil- dren have blessed their union: Laura J. and Flora J., twins, who died within two weeks of each other, aged two and a half years : Mrs. Mary E. Bedwell, of Enid, Oklahoma; Mrs. Cora M. Shewey, whose husband is a traveling man of this city; Mrs. Anna M. Conroy, of Masen City, lowa, where her husband is editor of the Globe-Gazette; and J. C., who lives just north of Ottumwa on his farm.
€ MIL FECHT, who has been located in Ottumwa, lowa, since April. 1892. is the well-known proprietor of the extensive manufacturing establish- ment of the Wapello Cigar Company.
William B. Wycoff was about five years old when he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1846, and in 1853 he located in Wapello county, about four miles north of Ottumwa. lle followed farming for some years, and now Mr. Fecht was born in the Upper Penin- sula of Michigan in 1853, and received his owns a farm one mile north of Ottumwa, where he resided much of the time, although his home "education in the German-American Seminary
DAVID COBLER.
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of Detroit. He learned the tobacco business with John J. Bagley & Company, of Detroit, Michigan, obtaining a complete understanding of its details. He moved to Ottumwa, Wa- pello county, Iowa, to associate in the manu- facture of cigars with his brother, Julius Fecht, and the partnership continued until 1895. He then organized the Wapello Cigar Company and located at No. 106 East Main street, where the concern occupies two stories and a base- ment. Under capable management the busi- ness has increased wonderfully, and the capac- ity for 1901 is about 1,000,000 cigars. Mr. Fecht is an advocate of consistent and sys- tematic advertising, and his business has in- creased about 30 per cent in 1901, without an additional outlay of money. The basement of the building is used for storage of raw ma- terials, about 60 cases of leaf tobacco being kept on hand. On the first floor, 60 by 26 feet in dimensions, are the shipping room and office. The second floor, 80 by 26 feet in di- mensions, is where the cigars are manufac- tured. About 24 men are employed in the work altogether, under the superintendence of Frank Lewis. They produce many grades of cigars, the leading brands being "Gold Seal." "Twist Head" and "Little Yara," in the five- cent goods. and "Corona del Rey," in ten-cent goods. The Wapello Cigar Company is also the heaviest pipe jobber in the state of Iowa. Three men represent the house on the road, the territory being divided into north and southi halves of Iowa and the north half of Missouri.
Mr. Fecht is married and has two children : Alfred E., who is in business with his father ;
and Mrs. C. A. Braun, whose husband is a jeweler in Ottumwa. In politics Mr. Fecht is a Republican, and, especially, a protectionist. He has always taken an earnest interest in party affairs, and in Michigan took the stump in behalf of the party. At Ottumwa he has always favored municipal ownership of the water works, and is deeply interested in secur- ing a public park, the lack of which is one of the most prominent deficiencies of the city. The fine natural waterway afforded by the Des Moines River offers some excellent sites for a public park, and Mr. Fecht is putting forth his best efforts to have a park established west of the city and within easy. access. Fraternally he is a member of the B. P. O. E. ; Knights of the Maccabees; and Court of Honor. He is also a member of Lodge No. 69, A. F. & A. M., of Ottumwa.
D AVID COBLER, a prosperous farmer of Highland township, Wapello coun- ty, Iowa, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is living in section 20. range 13. He was born in Tippecanoe county. Indiana, October 28. 1837. and is a son of Lewis and grandson of David Cobler.
Lewis Cobler was a son of David and Nancy (Travis) Cobler, and was born in .Adams county, Ohio, in 1810. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1828 Lewis Cobler went to Indiana, where he located on a farm on the Wabash River. near Lafayette. and remained there about
18
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fifteen years. In 1833 he married, and in 1843. and her death occurred September 24. 1872. with his wife and family, removed to Wapello | Five children were born to this couple, as fol- lows : Elmer, who married Mrs. Elwood Buckner: Marion, who married Maggie Young, and lives in Oklahoma: Charles, who married Rosie MeChen, and lives near New- kirk, Oklahoma; and Lewis, who died July 2, 1900. in his twenty-ninth year. The other child died in infancy.
county, where, at the opening of the "New Pur- chase," he entered a quarter section of land, which was situated in Dahlonega and Highland townships. Lewis Cobler and his wife had six children, who lived to maturity, as follows: Mary Ann. the wife of Jacob Goudy, now liv- ing in Nebraska: Eady, the wife of William Ilenry Miller ; David; Sarepta, deceased, the wife of Jackson Harmon, who lived in Pleas- ant township; Minerva, who married James Work, and died in 1899. her husband dying in 1896; and Rhoda Jane, who married Thomas Rhiner, of Dahlonega township. The mother of these childreen was born in 1813. and her death occurred January 6, 1873.
David Cobler, whose name heads this sketch, received but a limited education. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer and for many years engaged in the raising and selling of mules. He is a self-made man, and is held in high esteem by all his fellow citizens. A man of robust physique, gentle in manner and voice, one is readily attracted to him by his kindliness. He has been very successful, and has now reached a stage of prosperity where he can enjoy in ease the fruits of his years of toil. Ilis farm is one of the most beautiful in High- land township, and its general appearance speaks well for its owner's thrift and prosperity. In addition to farming in a general way, he took great interest for a number of years in the breeding of fine Hereford cattle.
Mr. Cobler was married to Guelma Hoover, January 19, 1861. She was a native of Indiana,
Mr. Cobler married, secondly, Sarah Bell Hedrick, a daughter of Wesley and Mary Hed- rick. They were married in 1873, and are the parents of five children, namely : Mary, the wife of Lawrence MeCuen, who lives near Newkirk, Oklahoma: Katie, who married Philip Ackerman, and lives in Keokuk county. lowa: Frederick : Elizabeth ; and David.
Mr. Cobler is a Republican, in politics. He has many friends in Wapello county, where he is held in high esteem.
LAUDE W. THORNTON, a business man of recognized ability, is secre- tary and manager of the La Crosse Lumber Company, which has had headquarters in Ottumwa only since January 2, 1901, but whose future success here is as- sured. Ile was born, in 1867, at Louisiana. ! Pike county, Missouri, a place well known as "the home of Joe Bowers."
Mr. Thornton is a son of Daniel and Lizzie (Hostetter) Thornton, who reared three chil- dren: J. C .: Claude W .; and Mrs. F. T. Car- roll. J. C., of Louisiana, Missouri, is superin-
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tendent of the Louisiana Telephone Company, which is owned by the La Crosse Lumber Com- pany. It has 400 miles of toll line, with cen- tral exchange at Louisiana, connecting the 23 towns in Missouri where their lumber yards are located. Mrs. F. T. Carroll's husband lives at Des Moines, and is identified with a steel range company, as its representative for the state of Iowa.
Claude W. Thornton resided on the farm until 1886, when he was elected deputy col- lecter of Pike county, which office he ably filled about three years. He engaged in the lumber business with the La Crosse Lumber Company on March 1. 1890. This concern has been doing business in a large number of towns in Missouri, with headquarters at Louisiana, Mis- souri, since 1876. Charles G. Buffum is presi- dent of the company; Frank W. Buffum, vice- president and treasurer ; and Claude W. Thorn- ton, secretary and manager. Frank W. Buff- um has charge of the company interests in Mis- souri ; the firm also has three retail yards in Illinois. There were many reasons for the company selecting Ottumwa as headquarters. The city is centrally located, is a railroad cen- ter, is surrounded by a rich and prosperous farming country, and is in a coal region,-all of which goes to make Ottumwa the best man- t:facturing town in the State of Iowa. It is the aim of the company to later establish yards at different points in Iowa, with Mr. Thorn- ton in charge. having his headquarters at Ot- tumwa. Extensive improvements are in prog- ress on the company's grounds, at No. 623 West Second street, which, when completed,
will be an improvement to the city. The plot of land is 168 by 200 feet in extent, and on this, ten feet back from the sidewalk, will be erected three sheds extending the full length of the lots, with front constructed of pressed brick. Two sheds will be 34 feet wide and one shed 20 feet wide. The ten-foot space in front will be nicely fitted up with grass plots, giving thep lace a very attractive appearance. The three men at the head of this important concern have had many years of experience in the lumber business. and their efforts in Ot- tumwa will certainly be crowned with success.
Mr. Thornton was united in marriage with Nannie Burnett, who was born at Burlington, Iowa, and is a daughter of T. L. Burnett. They have two children, Harry and Mabel, both of whom are attending school. Frater- nally Mr. Thornton is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias; he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Lodge. In religious views he is a Baptist. His residence is located at No. 158 East Court street.
AMES BURBAGE, a retired and pros- perous farmer of Agency township. Wapello county, Iowa, has been one of the leading men of the county since 1844. He was born in the central part of England in 1816, and that country was his home until he grew to manhood. In 1840 Mr. Burbage came to the United States, landing at New Orleans. Ile settled in Morgan county, Illinois, where he lived four years. There he
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carried on the occupation which he has followed all his life, that of tilling the soil. Mr. Bur- bage located in Wapello county, Iowa, in 1844. buying a farm on the county line eight miles east of Agency City. There he carried on gen- eral farming for a period of twenty-three years. In 1867 he bought his present home farm, west of Agency City, and since that time has lived there. There are but 12 acres in the place, but as Mr. Burbage has been retired for a number of years, this has proved to be quite enough. There is no more prosperous or better known man in the county than Mr. Burbage. He has been very successful. He is a kind and chari- table neighbor, lending support wherever it is needed.
Mr. Burbage married Elizabeth Pattridge, who died in 1894. Ile married for his second wife Mrs. Mattie Dawson, who died October 4, 1809. aged sixty-five years. Politically he is a Republican. Religiously he is an attend- ant of the Methodist church.
K. DYSART is proprietor and man- ager of the J. K. Dysart Clothing Company, one of the best establish- ments of its kind in the city, and has been located here since May, 1889. He was born in Tennessee, and is a son of J. L. Dysart, coming of a prominent old family of his na- tive State.
J. L. Dysart is a blacksmith and wagon- maker by trade, and now lives in Ottumwa. While most of the family were naturally Con-
federates, not so with J. L. Dysart, who en- listed in the Union army and served with an lowa regiment during the war. His wife is now dead. They had three children : Mrs. F. P. Baer, whose husband is employed in the Model clothing store of J. B. Sax, of Ottumwa ; M. B., who is in the flour and feed business at Appleton City, Missouri; and J. K., the sub- ject of this personal history.
J. K. Dysart was reared mainly in Southern Iowa, to which section he came with his fa- ther's family when young. He spent some years in the South Iowa Normal School, but passed most of his youth in hustling to earn lis living. He began by learning telegraphy at Brooklyn, Iowa, but engaged in the clothing business at the age of eighteen years. He was located for about three years at David City, Nebraska, and then at Grand Island, Ne- braska. where he was engaged in the clothing business for some years. He came to Ot- tumwa in May, 1889, and became identified with the Golden Eagle clothing store as a salesman: it was owned by Samuel Stern, of Chicago. He embarked in his present busi- ness in Ottumwa seven years ago, under the firm name of the J. K. Dysart Clothing Com- pany. He was first located at No. 229 East Main street two years, was afterward in the Baker Building for some time, and then he moved to his present location, fronting on Main and Market streets-No. 203 Main street and No. 118 South Market street. He has increased his stock to twice its original size, and the business has grown far beyond expec- tations. The store is 130 feet deep, and is
DR. A. O. WILLIAMS.
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stocked with everything in the clothing line. also with hats, caps, trunks, valises and other lines. He employs from four to six clerks. and they are kept exceedingly busy handling the trade. Mr. Dysart has traveled quite ex- tensively, making several trips to New York City and also going west to Montana and Idaho, where he spent a summer.
Mr. Dysart was united in marriage at Bloomfield, Iowa, with Miss Corner, of Mis- souri, who was also reared in Southern Iowa. and they have three children: Zella, aged twelve years : Helen ; and James Julian. Hle has a fine residence at No. 416 North Green street. In politics, though reared a Democrat, he now supports the Republican party. Ile is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and is now a captain. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In religious views he and his fam- ily are Methodists.
D R. A. O. WILLIAMS, whose portrait appears on the foregoing page, is one of the leading physicians and sur- geons of Ottumwa. Wapello county, Iowa. He was born in Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1850, and is a son of A. O. and Minerva (Townsend) Williams.
A. O. Williams, Sr., was born in Portage county. Ohio, in 1826. and was there reared and educated. The family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1849, and he followed the trade of a
druggist during his active career. For the last twenty years of his life he lived in retirement at Belvidere, Illinois, where he died in 1896. His widow, who was born in 1835. is now residing at Marion, Iowa. They were parents of two children: \. O .; and George T., who resides at Ida Grove, Jowa.
Dr. A. O. Williams attended the State Uni- versity of Iowa, and was graduated with the class of 1873, with the degree of A. B. : during a part of his course he taught German to some extent. He then attended lectures in the med- ical department of the same institution, and. after graduating, in 1875. entered upon the practice of medicine. at Eldon, lowa. He con- tinued there for one year, and then moved to Ottumwa, where he has since been located. His success was assured from the start, and he now has a large and profitable practice. He has been surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company since 1885. for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Com- pany since 1875, and is surgeon for the Ottum- wa Electric Street Railway Company. He is a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, the National Association of Railway Sur- geons, and the American Academy of Medi- cine.
In 1880. Dr. Williams was united in mar- riage with Nettie C. Warden, of Ottumwa. and they have three children : Bessie, Jeanette and Virginia. Fraternally. the Doctor is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Modern Wood- men of America.
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m MICHAEL SCHWARZ, one of the progressive business men of Ot- tumwa, Jowa. is wholesale distrib- utor for the Leisy Brewing Com- pany, of Peoria, and runs a retail liquor store in connection with that work, being located at No. 336 North Main street.
Mr. Schwarz was born in Lorenz, Ger- many, in 1857, and was reared there. He came to America in 1883, and located at Ot- tumwa. Iowa, where for some years he worked in the Hoffman Brewery. When the brew- eries were closed through the prohibition acts. he engaged in business for himself, and has since been alone. For several years he has had the wholesale agency for the Leisy Brewing Company, of Peoria, having also handled Lemp's beer for a time. He employs from four to six people in the establishment, and handles from 10 to 15 carloads per month. He has given the business a personal superin- tendence, and his affairs are in a thriving con- dition. He handles both bottled and keg beer and does a very large case business. Froni 1892 to 1897 he was assisted in his business by Fred Fenner, who died in 1897, since which: time Mrs. Fenner has occupied the position of secretary, and has ably assisted in the business.
Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage with Barbara Rainewald, who was reared at Keo- kuk, Iowa, and they have six children: Liz- zie: Annie: Clara : Nellie ; Mamie; and Paul- ine. His home is on the corner of Fourth and College streets. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Eagles.
J. MADER, a well-known resident of Ottumwa, Iowa, holds a very important position as an official of the United States government, being an inspector of live stock and meats at the great packing establishment of John Morrell & Company, Limited. He was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1840, and is a son of Jacob Mader.
Jacob Mader, who was a native of Ger- many, came to this country at an early age, and located in Indiana when he was twenty-seven years old. He engaged in farming there, and, being a miller by trade, operated a mill. He moved to Wapello county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until 1859, and then re- moved to Mahaska county, lowa, where he died in 1875. at the age of sixty-six years. His wife died in Kansas in 1887, at the age of seventy-eight years. They had one son and two daughters, as follows: A. J .; Lucinda (Wray), of Mahaska county, lowa: and Ro- quett, who resides in Kansas.
.A. J. Mader was reared in Indiana until he was thirteen years of age, and had very lim- ited school advantages. He has cared for himself almost since childhood, and has worked himself up to a high station in the city in which he lives. He first engaged in farming on his father's farm, and during his twentieth and twenty-first years worked out for other farmers at a salary of $9 per month. fle engaged in this line of work until 1864, when he embarked in the live stock business. Ile made his headquarters in Ottumwa and
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bought and shipped stock to Chicago, con- tinuing in this business for a period of eleven years. In 1875 he commenced work as mil- ler in the starch factory when it was first estab- lished, and acted as such for four years. In 1879 he became assistant miller in the plant oi Keiser & Pierson, continuing with that firm until 1891, in which year he was appointed chief of police of Ottumwa. He served one term in that capacity and then accepted his present position as inspector of live stock and meats at the packing house of Jolin Morrell & Company, Limited. He is associated in the office with Dr. Miller and John Payton. It is a very important position, as all stock killed must first be inspected by thiem, and they then judge as to the quality of the meat sent out from the great establishment.
Mr. Mader was united in marriage in Wa- pello county, to Marion McCarthy ; she was born in Ohio, a daughter of William McCar- thy, and came here with her father when twelve years of age. Her mother now lives in South Ottumwa, and her brothers and sisters, with one exception, reside in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Mader have seven children: Fan- nie (Andrews), of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; John A., a shipping clerk in the packing house at Ottumwa: Norman, who is in the employ of Charles Graves, of Ottumwa; Lulu May : Alice; Mabel; and Worth. In politics, Mr. Mader is a Democrat. Fraternally, he was made a Mason at Fremont, Iowa, and now belongs to the blue lodge at Ottumwa. In religious views, he is liberal. A peculiarity of the Mader family is that only one son of
each generation has raised a family, as far back as can be traced. Mr. Mader resided on Court Hill a good many years, and now resides at No. 553 North Green street.
WV. CUMMINGS, one of the sub- stantial business men of Ottumwa, Iowa, first located in this city in 1869, and is at the present time en- gaged in supplying ice to the citizens of Ot- tumwa, having the leading business of the kind. He was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1860, and is a son of John F. and Sarah (Welsh) Cummings.
John F. Cummings, who is now seventy years of age, and lives in the west. followed farming in New York state for many years: upon coming to Ottumwa he engaged in team- ing, and engaged in the coal and wood busi- ness.
W. W. Cummings was one and a half years old when his parents removed to Virginia. He was brought by them to Ottumwa, Iowa, July 5, 1869, and here he spent his early years. He evinced a liking for railroad grade-work and began contracting in 1876, his first work being at Beckwith, Iowa, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, where he turned the first furrows. He later did contract grade-work on several different roads, and helped on the Denver cut-off, between Holdredge and Ox- ford, Nebraska. He handled large gangs of men. and followed that line of business until 1890, in different states. He then entered the
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ice business, and has since made his home at Ottumwa. Hle started in this business with one team; he has built up a custom which requires the use of five teams, and has the principal trade of the city. In the winter, he employs from 60 to 75 men and 10 teams, in putting up ice, and in the summer, II men and five teams. Ile built a fine ice house with a capacity of 5,000 to 6,000 tons, and has it well arranged and equipped. He has put in a 16-horse power en- gine for hoisting ice from the river by means of endless chains,-thus saving expense and time. He has also built an excellent barn for his teams. Mr. Cummings owns four dwelling houses in South Ottumwa, which he rents, and also a large block on Church street. In 1901. Mr. Cummings purchased the Paul Emelang residence, on the corner of Ward and Division streets, which he has greatly improved, and it will be his home after November 1, 1901. Mr. Cummings does considerable farming, and raises corn and grain for feed. He is wholly self made, and has always been an excellent business manager. He is a man of pleasing personality, and has many friends throughout this vicinity.
Mr. Cummings was united in marriage, at Ottumwa, with Molly Jeffries, a daughter of B. W. Jeffries, an early resident of this city. She was born in the home where her husband now lives, and was one of five sisters, namely : Mrs. Luella Finley ; Mrs. S. P. Crips ; Mrs. W. S. Crips; Mrs. G. W. Hatch ; and Mrs. Cum- mings. Three children blessed this union, as follows: Halla W., aged thirteen years ; Bir- cena F., aged seven years ; and Anna L., aged
two years. In politics, Mr. Cummings is a strong Republican. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has served through all the chairs. He is a Methodist in religious views.
HOMAS JEFFERSON HAMERS- LEY, a well known resident of Ot- tumwa, Iowa, was born January 12. 1847, at Terre Haute, Indiana, and is a son of J. J. and Eliza (Arnold) Hamers- ley.
J. J. Hamersley, who was born at Zanes- ville, Ohio, went as a young man to Ken- tucky, and was married at Louisville. He had seven brothers, all of whom served in the army during the Civil war. He followed milling as a business during his entire life, building several mills in Iowa, one of which was in Ringgold county. He came to Wapello county in 1847. when the subject hereof was an in- fant. and afterward moved to Agency City, where he died January 20, 1861, at the age of sixty-five years. Politically, he was a strong Republican. His wife's family, the Arnolds, located in Missouri during the early days, and three-quarters of them participated in the Civil war, on the side of the South. She died June 22, 1896. at Oklahoma City. Oklahoma, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Hamersley were the parents of the follow- ing children: Thomas Jefferson; Cynthia. wife of M. M. Albertson, residing in Central Addition, Ottumwa: Jane, who was the wife of
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