USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 34
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There was nothing of advantage to be done during the winter, and being left alone. without a relative and but few acquaintances, Mr. Ford concluded to go down to the "Old Purchase." and therefore sold his things. The corn, raised on the ground which he had cleared and fenced, was estimated at 89 bush- cls, and was sold to Mr. Cuppy, of Keokuk Prairie. The remainder of the property was sold to Mr. Vassar, to be paid for in cattle that were to be wintered by him. Mr. Ford went to Van Buren county, and, falling in with some acquaintances who were going down the Mis- sissippi River to chop wood, accompanied 19
them. Ile went 25 miles below the mouth of the Arkansas River, chopped 100 cords of wood at 65 cents per cord, and paid $1.50 per week for board. He came up to St. Louis in February, and boarded two weeks at the Old Dominion House for 371/2 cents per day, in- cluding three meals and lodging. He returned to his claim in March, 1844. farmed it that I summer and fed some cattle and hogs through " the winter. He became tired of living alone, and in the spring of 1845 rented the place and started in April on horseback for Michigan, where his four sisters resided. His three broth- ers lived in Cattaraugus county. New York, and after a visit with his sisters, he left his herse in pasture and proceeded to visit his brothers. Ile went as far as Buffalo by boat, and visited in that state until September. Ilis married brother disposed of his farm in order to remove to lowa, also, and they took a steam- er at Buffalo, and had one horse and wagon with them. The horse of John Ford completed the team, and they started for Iowa, acom- panied by a sister, Mrs. Bishop, her husband, and another sister, Juliet. Harley, the youngest brother, having remained in Michigan. It was a light-hearted and happy party that made their way to the new home, where they arrived with- « uit accident. The only reception they get was from a large Hock of wild turkeys which had possession of the corn field around the cabin. Mr. Ford's brother and brother-in-law pro- cured claims, on which they built during the winter, and in the spring moved into their houses. The youngest sister kept house for him and his youngest brother. In the spring
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of 1846 Paul C. Jeffries got a contract frem the government to sectionalize five townships in the eastern part of Wapello county, and his assistants were Judge Uriah Biggs, surveyor : C. F. Blake and John Ford, chainmen : James La Force, cook; and B. W. Jeffries, camp me ver and roustabout. They worked together without a hitch, and the season was well ad- vanced when they got through. Mr. Ford mar- ried Hannah Leonard, daughter of Charles Leonard, on November 8, 1840, and his sister Juliet married Sylvester Warner, on the day following. His wife was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, her father having moved to Indi- ana when she was but two years old. Charles Leonard located eight miles south of Lafayette, where he afterward acquired a large farm, and was quite wealthy for those days. He reared a numerous family, and several of his children also came to the "New Purchase" and estab- lished homes.
In the spring of 1850, John Ford built a hentse on the river bottom, 32x30 feet in size, and one and one-half stories high, and this was nearly destroyed by the flood of 1851. The river everrunning its banks, crossed the fields. and when it reached the door Mr. Ford and his family get out in a cance. The water was run- ning like a mill tide, and the cance was at any me ment liable to strike a stump and upset. So he get out and waded, or swam, backing the boat down to eddy-water. He was unable to do any work on his farm until July 10. In building, he had left an eight-foot roadway and an So-foot front yard, and when the water went down he could step from the front yard . for mill purposes, and learning that the Wa-
into the river, the house being jammed on the cellar wall. The chimney was knocked down, and the cabin and smoke-house were carried off and landed in the bottom. It was a 24- foot rise, and the river has never been within three feet of that point since. There was a high ridge about a quarter of a mile back from the river, and, while his family was living with neighbors, he cleared this ridge and planted a garden. He then hewed out a set of house- logs, built a house, and moved his family into it before the water left the bottom. AAbout July 10. he dug rails enough out of the mud and drift to make three strings of fence, planted to acres of corn, and sowed buckwheat and tur- nips. Ile raised a fine lot of fodder with nub- bin corn, 36 bushels of buckwheat, and 100 bushels of turnips. He found enough lead bullets, etc., to start a junk shop, and also many trinkets and curios. The carpenters took the frame house in the bottom apart and rebuilt it on the ridge. In the fall of 1859, Mr. Ford bought a 36-horse power stationary sawmill and commenced sawing early in 1860. He got a road located on the north side of the river. following the stream to the mouth of Cald- well Branch, and connecting with Second street at the Caldwell place. He built a cable ferry boat and conducted it during the summer of 1860; he then sold it, and it was operated until the water dams were built, thus destroying the current and foreing the water over the bottom road. Ile operated the mill in connection with the farm until 1860, and had a house built in the city. The timber here became too scarce
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bash Railroad Company was going to build ma- dent of the board of school directors for eight chine shops at Moberly, Missouri, he went there, bought a portable mill, and began saw- ing in January, 1870. He operated the mill about four years, and built and owned five dwelling houses in Moberly. Hle sold the mill in the spring of 1875 and returned to Ottumwa. In the meantime his farm had been rented, and in 1875 he traded it for city property. He purchased a small stock of groceries in order to set his son, Charles E., up in business. He subscribed $250 to the North Missouri Rail- road Company, and then was voted out of an- other $100. Ile gave the water company $100. The company commenced operations in the spring of 1875, and board houses sprang up. and many men came on with single and double teams. Rain commenced and continued all summer. The boarding-house proprietors and others began to get provisions at the grocery store, agreeing to pay as soon as the rain stopped and they could get to work. As it did not stop, Mr. Ford lost very heavily, being obliged to take orders on the water company in the extent of $600, which were worthless. To make matters worse, two of his houses in Moberly were burned five days after the insur- ance had run out, entailing a loss of over $2,000.
John Ford cast his first political vote for Van Buren, in 1840, and has since been a Democrat. Ile was a justice of the peace for sixteen years, and has held a number of posi- tions of trust, such as road supervisor and ad- ministrator, and has officiated in locating roads and valuing and settling estates. He was presi-
or nine years, while the sub-districts were build- ing their schools. After moving to the city, he was made township assessor in 1879. and held that office five years. He was then elected city assessor, in which capacity he served three years. Ile began to be afflicted with rheuma- tism, was compelled to quit work, and has done little labor since then, except chores, being en- gaged in looking after his property. His son, Walter B., is living with his parents, and at- tending to their wants in their declining years. Longevity characterizes the family. The grand- mother on his mother's side lived to reach the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. John Ford has enjoyed wonderfully good health, having required the attendance of a physician but once in his life, which was forty- two years ago. His hearing is good, and his reading and writing are done without the aid of glasses. John Ford and his wife became parents of six children. as follows: Leonard C., who was born September 29. 1847, and died November 7. 1857: Hattie L., bern December 7. 1848: Charles E., born November 19. 1850: Tellitha, born September 25. 1852: Ellen M .. born October 12. 1854: and Walter B., born March 15, 1858.
Charles E. Ford, subject of this biographi- cal record, at an early age worked in his fa- ther's sawmill, one of the first in the county, and acted as sawyer a number of years. He quit that business when about twenty-five years old. and subsequently engaged in the grocery, livery and real estate business in Ottumwa, at different times. In 1899, he began his connec-
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tion with the harness business as a partner of WV. 11. Boston, who has been in the harness business in Ottumwa for the past twenty years, and is the practical man of the firm. Mr. Ford attends to the bills, keeps books, and cares for the general business of the firm. They carry a complete line of harness and horse furnish- ings, and employ from four to six men. They do an extensive mail order business in the job- bing line, and the affairs of the firm are in a thriving condition.
Mr. Ford was united in the bonds of wed- lock with Arabella Blair, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and they have three children: Edith, wife of Edwin flaw, of Martinsburg, Lowa : Lena ; and Vera. In politics, he is a Democrat. Ile is a Mason, and is a member of the Chapter at Ottumwa. Religiously, Mrs. Ford is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.
B. MeCARROLL, who has always been engaged in the hardware and tinware business, is a member of the firm of MeCarroll Brothers, dealers in hardware, their store being located at No. 322 East Main street, Ottumwa. He was born in Ohio, and is a son of W. F. MeCarroll.
was in partnership with his son, C. T. McCar- roll, under the firm name of W. F. MeCarroll & Son. He died in 1891, and J. B. McCarroll then took charge of his interests in the business. Ile had previously been in the employ of the firm for a period of twenty-three years. The jobbing business was disposed of to the Har- per & MeIntire Company, in February. 1899. and Mr. MeCarroll was then occupied with settling old accounts of the firm until June 1, 1900. The firm of MeCarroll Brothers was then established, at No. 322 East Main street, dealing in general hardware, stoves, tinware, etc., and has been a success from the start. They occupy a building 100 feet deep, and have a very complete stock of goods, employ- ing from four to six men. They also have a. well-equipped tin shop in the rear of the store. J. B. McCarroll acts as manager and buyer. and both partners sell goods. W. F. McCar- roll, brother of J. B., is a practical tinner, and resides at No. 309 Fourth street. Ile married C'arita B. Hedrick, a daughter of General Hed- rick, of Ottumwa, and they have four chil- dren: Catherine: Carita; John: and Mary. The home place of their father, at No. 736 West Second street, is still in the possession of the family.
J. B. McCarroll was united in marriage with Ida Amos, of Lima, Ohio, she being the only one of her family to locate in this sec- tien. Mr. and Mrs. MeCarroll have one daughter, Frances E., born July 21, 1901. 11 politics Mr. MeCarroll is a Republican. His
W. F. MeCarroll came to Wapello county. lowa, in 1854, and located with his family on a farm near Kirkville. He came to Ottumwa in 1871, and opened a stove and tinware store. which he conducted until 1884; he then en- graged in jobbing hardware, stoves, tinware, father served as alderman from the Fourth cte., locating at 105 East Main street. He ' Ward at one time, and was always interested
MARTIN HARDSOCG.
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in the general welfare of the city. Fraternally the subject of this record is a Mason and Knight Templar. He has been master of the Ottumwa blue lodge, and filled all the chairs of the Commandery. He also belongs to the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Re- ligiously the family are mainly Spiritualists.'
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head of the extensive concern known as the Hardsocg Manufac- turing Company, is a very promi- nent business man of the city of Ottumwa. Wapello county, Iowa. He owns about five hundred acres of land in sections 7 and 18, just out of the city limits, and on this he has one of the imposing residences to be found in this sec- tion of the state.
Martin Hardsoeg was born in Germany and in very carly life was brought to this country by his parents. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to a blacksmith to learn that trade, and the knowledge then gained was the foundation of the great industry which he now controls. He served three years as an appren- tice and learned the business thoroughly, so that when eighteen years old he felt himself com- petent to work for himself. As a result he es- tablished a shop at this early age at Smoky Hollow. in Wapello county, and did such work as the new country demanded. Considerable work came to him in the way of sharpening miners' tools, and soon he was offered a posi- tion by a mining company which he accepted.
He remained with them but one year, during which time he faithfully put forth every effort to please them and performed his work to their satisfaction. Because, however, a member of the firm wished to place a friend in the position, he was discharged to make room. This experi- ence taught him that when working for others, one's position is never safe, although every re- quirement is being fulfilled. As a result he re- turned to his little shop, although there was not
ARTIN HARDSOCG, who is at the work enough to make more than 50 or 75 cents a day. He continued in this shop for some time, always trying to devise some manner in which he could enlarge his business and make leth ends meet. He conceived the idea of go- ing personally to the different mining camps, to solicit and deliver work. This plan was most successful, and occupied his entire time. lle alse began to make improvements on the old- fashioned tools, and soll them to his customers. A ready sale prompted him to manufacture and sell them on a more extensive scale, his highest ambition at that time being to give two men steady employment, and reap benefits from their labor. When he had a force of two men, however, he was just as eager to increase it to four, and so on until his plant grew to its pres- ent enormous proportions. The business at Avery, where he had removed. outgrew its sur- roundings, and as a result was transferred to Ottumwa, where a capital of $75,000 became necessary for the operation of the plant to its limit. He met with great success and was at the zenith of his prosperity when his entire es- tablishment was destroyed by fire. It com- pletely ruined him financially, as the amount of
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insurance carried was no more than sufficient to pay off his indebtedness. He still command- ed the trade for a like business, but was without money to establish it. He rose to the emer- gency and organized a stock company, of which he held the controlling interest, and soon it was in as flourishing a condition as before. Mr. Simmons, a partner in the business, is general superintendent, and has for a number of years had the entire management of the plant. He has displayed great ability in that capacity, has added largely to the efficiency of the working departments, and sustained the reputation and prestige the firm has always enjoyed. A mora detailed account of his work can be found in a sketch of his life, in another part of this work.
.A few years ago Mr. Hardsocg purchased of the estate of Charles F. Blake, 500 acres of land in sections 7 and 18, just out of the city limits of Ottumwa, his intention being to make a home thereon, as it is but a short drive to the center of the city, and to his place of business. There he caused to be built a palatial residence. surrounding which is a large and well kept lawn, through which walks and drives run in an artistic manner. Mr. Hardsocg takes great pride in his residence plat, and when at home may be seen out in the grounds trimming the trees and giving directions as to the work. He set out many trees of different varieties, and cared for them and watched their growth with a feeling akin to that of a parent observing a son's development into manhood. Mr. Hard- socg is also the principal owner of the Martin Hardsocg Manufacturing Company, of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania. This company also man-
ufactures the same line of goods as is made at Ottumwa. He is also the principal owner of an infant industry known as the Nichols Manufac- turing Company, of Ottumwa. This company makes the Nichols patent carpenter square, and promises to be one of Ottumwa's leading indus- tries. Mr. Hardsocg owns about 400 acres of land in Richland township, Wapello county; fowa. He is also interested in a mining prop- erty in Arkansas.
Mr. Hardsocg was united in marriage at the early age of nineteen years to a widow with a family of two children, and, in bringing up and educating these, he has bestowed the same care as upon his own. William Murl, the eld- est, was given a commercial education, and now holds a position as bookkeeper with the firm of which Mr. Hardsocg is the head. Dalsy, the eldest child of Mr. Hardsocg, lives at home. She is a graduate of a commercial school. Jennie, the widow of a Mr. Wotsler, is at home. Lester takes after his father, is of a mechanical turn of mind, and holds a position of that char- acter with the Hardsocg Manufacturing Com- pany. Fred and Bain are now attending school. Our subject is a man of pleasing per- sonality, and has many friends throughout the county, in which he has spent nearly his entire life. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
RANK NORMAN CLINE, a popular conductor running out of Ottumwa. on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, has been located in this city since February 26. 1882. Ile was born in
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Gladstone, Illinois, in 1860, and is a son of Chapman C. Cline.
Chapman C. Cline was born in West Vir- ginia, went to Illinois in 1852 or 1853, and in 1857 was united in marriage with Harriet Frint. Mrs. Cline was born in Ohio and was a child when she was brought to Illinois. She died at Ottumwa, July 28, 1900, at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. Cline followed the oc- cupation of a farmer throughout his life. He enlisted in Company 1. 148th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf .. in 1864, and served until the close of the Civil war. He died at Tullahoma, Tennessee. near Chattanooga, in 1865. at the age of about thirty-five years, leaving a widow and four children, as follows: Emily M. ( Barkhuff ) . of Humiston, lowa: Frank Norman: George Mitchell, of Eldon, lowa : and Ida Elnora, wife of Charles Bahl, a roadmaster on the Mexican Central Railroad, who lives in Old Mexico. The mother and children moved to lowa and located at Garden Grove. in 1850.
Frank Norman Cline was reared at Garder Grove, Iowa, and at an early age engaged in farming. He continued thus until he reached his sixteenth year, when he began section work on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. which he followed for three years Ile was then engaged in farming until 1882, when he moved to Ottumwa and began braking on the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad, his brother holding a similar position. He was a brake- man, for a time, on the old Middle Division, for different conductors, and in 1885 was pro- moted to be a freight conductor. He received a regular run two years later, and has been
on his present run since September 17. 1900, going west on the general merchandise train and east on the meat train. Ile has been very fortunate, and has never had any serious acci- dents.
Mr. Cline was united in marriage with Anna Chenoweth, who was born in Garden Grove, lowa, in 1865, and is a daughter of Lemuel and Eveline Chenoweth, who now re- side at Albia, Iowa. She was one of MI chil- dren, and has five brothers and sisters living. namely: Walter, of Ottumwa: John. of .Al- bia: Mrs. Daisy Wright, of .Albia : Charles, of Texas: and Pearl, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Cline became the parents of three chil- dren. as follows: George Arthur, aged fifteen years: Harriet Mary, who died in 1893. at the age of two and a half years : and John Lloyd, who is five years of age. Mr. Cline has erected a comfortable home on East Main street, (t- tumwa. In politics, he is a Republican. Ile is a member of Division No. 216. O. R. C .. of Ottumwa : Ottumwa Lodge, No. 259. Court of Honor, and Lodge No. 16. A. F. & .A. M. Mrs. Cline is also a member of the Court of Honer. Religiously, they are Episcopalians.
D ANIEL EATON, who first began busi- ness operations in Ottumwa in 1857. was for many years engaged in the manufacture of furniture, and con- ducted a large establishment in this city until it was destroyed by fire in 1801. Since that time he has lived. practically, a retired life.
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Mr. Eaton was born at Templeton, Massa- chusetts, May 2. 1831. and is a son of Joseph Eaton. He is descended from a family of five brothers, one of whom came to this country in the "Mayflower." His grandfather was a Rev- olutionary soldier, and carried a gun brought to this country by the Marquis de Lafayette. which is now in the possession of Daniel Eaton. The latter learned the trade of a carpenter at an early age in Worcester, Massachusetts, and worked for five years in Fitchburg. for Hallett & Davis in a piano-case factory. He then went to Worcester, and was employed as a journey- man carpenter. He then took charge of a fur- niture factory workshop for George R. Ford. of Jamestown. New York. He came west 10 Ottumwa, lowa. in June. 1857. from James- town, where he had spent a year. He was ac- companied by his wife and eldest daughter. then three weeks old. He began the manufac- ture of furniture in a small way, by hand, but gradually added to his plant until he had a very extensive business. His first building was on the lot now occupied by the Globe Tea Com- pany, and he subsequently built a factory in the rear of his present buikling on Green and Main streets. He afterward bought the lot where the electric power house now stands. Ile erected the Union Block of three stores in 1867. one of which he occupied. The block was de- stroved by fire on Sunday morning. January 19. 1873, together with seven steres. He built at once his present block on the corner of Green and Main streets, a brick building. The store is occupied by Dr. Hansell, an oculist. and the upper rooms are rented to individuals
for offices and families for dwelling purposes. Ilis furniture factory was destroyed a second time in 1891. just one year after he had sold out to his son, A. L. Eaton, and it was not re- built. Ile had an extensive trade over Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas, and employed from 25 to 30 people.
Mr. Eaton was united in marriage in 1855. at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, 10 Jane West. who was born at Templeton, Massachusetts, in 1831. just ten days after the birth of her husband. Five children have blessed this union. as follows: Ida: Edwin C .: Hattie J. : AAndrew Lincoln : and Etta. Ida, who married AAttorney W. E. Chambers, died in July. 1884. leaving three sons,-AArthur. Walter, and James,-two of whom live in Chicago, and the other resides in Ottumwa. Edwin C., a tele- graph operator at Grinnell, lowa, married Ella Allen, and has three children .- Etta. Grace, and Daniel. Hattie J., wife of Fred W. Wilson, assistant postmaster of Ottumwa, and formerly bookkeeper for John Morrell & Company. Ltd .. has two children living .- Louise and Fred. Jr ..- and one deceased, Grace. Andrew Lincoln. of New York City, invented and is manufacturing the Crescent belt fastener, which has an extensive sale throughout the country .- it fastens without weakening the belt. and is manufactured at Newark. New Jersey : he has traveling repre- sentatives on the road, and has the trade of all the large manufacturing firms in the east. which have belting in their plants. Etta, the youngest child. died in May, 1874. at the age of six years and eighteen days. Politically.
I. H. HAMMOND.
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Mr. Eaton was an Abolitionist, and is now a Republican. He attends the Congregational church.
A DOLPHI W. HOLZHAUSER. en- gaged in general farming and stock raising in Competine township. Wa- pello county, lowa, on a farm of 167 acres of well-improved land in section 7. town- ship 73. range 12. He was born in Havre. France, March 25, 1849, and is a son of George P. and Mary Phoebe ( Denser ) Holzhauser.
ville, Kentucky, where he remained two years, , has a host of warm friends in Wapello county,
George 1. Holzhauser, the father of our subject, was born in Germany, cmigrating to the United States in 1849. Hle settled in Louis- after which he removed to lowa, where his death occurred, at the age of fifty-four years. He married Mary Phoebe Denser. a native of Germany, and they reared four children, name- ly : Christian, who died on shipboard while en route to America : Adolph W., the subject of this sketch: Phoebe, born in 1848, married Frederick Ritter, and is living in Keokuk coun- ty : John P., born in 1856, married Eliza Miller, and is living in Competine township.
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