USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 35
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Adolph W. Holzhauser, the subject of this sketch, came to the United States with his par- ents, and removed with them from Louisville to Wapello county, lowa. He has lived on his present farm for a number of years, and in addition to farming has been engaged in stock raising. He has met with good success in all his undertakings, and is one of the progressive farmers of the county. He married, October
5. 1871, Theresa Ritter, a daughter of John Philip and Catherine Ritter. Nine children have resulted from this union, namely : Mary C., born July 17, 1872, who married Adam Greenig, of Hancock county, Illinois: Emma, born February 25, 1874, married Amos Crile, of Jefferson county, Iowa; Lizzie, born Febru- ary 4, 1875; Clara, born July 8, 1876, who died in infancy: George P., born May 25, 1877: John P., born September 29, 1878; and Joseph A., born January 11, 1880, died June 20, 1899; Charles W., born August 4, 1883 : William D., born July 6, 1886; and Margaretta F., born July 8, 1889.
Mr. Holzhauser is a member of the Luther- an church. Politicaliy, he is a Democrat. Ile and the township in which he resides.
11. HAMMOND, one of Ottumwa's progressive citizens and business men. whose portrait is herewith shown, is a prominent Republican in politics, and is serving in the capacity of county auditor of Wapello county. He was born in Boonville. Warrick county, Indiana, in 1865, and is a son of T. W. Hammond.
T. W. Hammond was born in Warrick county, Indiana, and was a son of William and Mary ( Boone) Hammond, who reared several children. T. W. Hammond was in the mercantile business in Indiana for many years, and came to Ottumwa, where he died when about eighty-three years old. \ brother, W.
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H. Hammond, came to Ottumwa in 1843 or 1844, but left for Kansas about 1870, and died there in October, 1900. Another brother. J. A. Hammond, came to Ottumwa in 1847, and first engaged in the dry-goods business, then in the milling business where the plow factory is now located, and continued in the latter line until 1875. Hle then sold out and engaged in the furniture business, as a member of the firm of Cooper & Hammond, on Main street. He is a son-in-law of J. G. Baker, who erected the large building known as the Baker block, in which J. A. Hammond was located for some years, and engaged in the furniture busi- hess. In 1892, the latter remodeled the build- ing at a cost of $10,000, and made it over into a fine office building. He has superintended it since, and has made monthly trips here from Des Moines, to which city he moved in .Aut- gust. 1900. Hle has other large interests here which also require his attention. Hle served for some years as an alderman in Ottumwa.
1. 11. Hammond first engaged in the gent's furnishing business in Ottumwa, as proprietor of the Hammond Furnishing Company, and continued as such until he became active in politics. In 1896, he was elected deputy com- ty auditor and served as such four years, after which, in the fall of 1950, he was elected coun- ty auditor. He is thoroughly acquainted with the duties of his office, and discharges them in a highly satisfactory manner. In politics, he is a strong supporter of Republican prin- ciples.
Mr. Hammond was united in marriage in October, 1890, with Edna Casey, who was
born at Ottumwa, and is a daughter of John Casey, who died in 1880. Hler mother is now Mrs. Francis Shafer, and lives in Illinois, where all of her children live but Mrs. Ham- mond and Mrs. J. A. Platts, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond have two children .- Law- rence and Helen. Mr. Hammond has a fine new home in course of construction in the city of Ottumwa. He is a Methodist. in religious views, and his wife is a member of the Con- gregational church.
ARRY SCHMIDT, a well-known mer- chant of Ottumwa, Wapello county, Jowa, was born in Ottumwa. March 2, 1870. Ile is a son of Bernard and Katrina ( Stuckleman) Schmidt.
Bernard Schmidt, the father of Garry, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 27. 1844. He came to the United States in 1867, and lo- cated in Ottumwa, where he at once com- menced work at his trade, that of a brick- maker. He is still engaged at that occupation. He married Katrina Stuckleman, in 1866, and they had four children, namely: Josephine. de- ceased: Garry; John B .; and Henry. Mr. Schmidt married, secondly, Elizabeth Dunne- brink, August 11, 1876, and to them were born 12 children, namely: Frank : Herman : Mary, deceased : Katrina ; Ellen : Dorothy : Elizabeth ; Bernard: Theresa and Amelia, deceased: Jo- seph : and Paulus.
Garry Schmidt was reared and educated in Ottumwa. He married, November 6, 1899,
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Cecilia Curran, a daughter of James and Jane ( Doherty ) Curran. She was born March 12. 1878. Her father was a native of Ireland, came to this country in 1854, and settled in Ottumwa in 1872. He is still a resident of the city, and has reached the age of fifty-seven years. He married Jane Doherty, who was born in Canada. November 7. 1852, and they had four children, namely: Della, deceased. who was born in Ottumwa, in 1874, and was the wife of Charles Hartman; John and Charles, deceased; and Cecilia, the wife of Garry Schmidt.
Garry Schmidt is engaged in mercantile business in Ottumwa, and is a prominent citi- zen of the city. He is a member of the Eagles lodge. He and his wife belong to the Roman Catholic church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
EORGE L. NYE, postmaster of Agen- cy City, Wapello county, Iowa, has bern engaged in agricultural pursuits in Agency township for many years. Hle is a son of W. A. and Rebecca ( Wicker) Nye, and was born in Cass township. Wapello county, Iowa. in 1845. But two native-born residents of the county older than he are now living.
W. . 1. Nye was born in Germany in 1825. and came to the United States with his parents when cight years of age, locating in Waverly. Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1845, and settled in Cass township, Wapello county, where he farmed for some years. lie then lived in ()t- tumwa for two years, and during that time
served in the capacity of county treasurer, hold- ing that office four years., He was a Republi- can in politics, and filled various offices in his township. He married Rebecca Wicker, who was born in Ohio, and they reared the follow- ing five children : George L .; John W. : Will- iam A. : Samuel .\. ; and Mary.
George L. Nye was born in a log cabin, and lived in Cass township until he enlisted in the Civil War. in 1863, becoming a private in Com- pany B. 7th Reg., lowa Vol. Inf. He remained in the army until the close of the war, and did service in the Indian country in Kansas and Nebraska, where he saw thousands of buffaloes. After the war. he returned to Cass township. and made his home there until 1869, when he removed to Agency township, where he has since lived and mainly followed farming. His farm is located in sections 30 and 36, and is under a high state of cultivation. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Agency City on Novem- ber 15. 1897, and has since served efficiently in that capacity, giving universal satisfaction.
In 1868, Mr. Nye was joined in matrimony with Sarah J. Dudley, who was born in . Agency township. Wapello county. in 1847. They have reared six children, as follows: Charles MI .. a farmer in Center township: Minnie L. : . 1. M .: Fannie: William D .: and Russell G. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as trustee and clerk of his township, and as a member of the school board, for a number of years. Hle is a member of the soldiers' relief committee, and belongs to Post No. 107. G. .A. R. His family are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church.
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AVID SAUTBINE, a prosperous farmer of Agency township, Wapello county, lowa, has been located here since 1849, and has many friends throughout the county. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1820, and is a son of Charles T. and Elizabeth ( Brady ) Sautbine.
Charles T. Sautbine was born in France. ! and came to the United States when twenty years of age. He followed the occupation of a farmer. He was joined in matrimony with Elizabeth Brady, who was born in Ireland, and David is their only living child.
David Sautbine was ten years old when he was taken by his parents to Indiana, where he live until the Mexican War was in progress. He then returned to Ohio, and in April. 1847. enlisted for service in Company 1, 15th Reg .. Ohio Vol. Inf. He went to Mexico on the ship "Russia," landed at Vera Cruz, and then marched to Pueblo, where they overtock Gen- eral Scott. They then marched to the City of Mexico, and assisted in the taking of the capi- tal. and participated in much hard fighting throughout the war. He was discharged at Cincinnati, Ohio, August 1. 1848. He came to lowa in December, 1849, and located east of the town of Agency, in Agency township, Wapello county, where he purchased a farm and resided until 1862. He settled on his present farm in 1863, and in 1870 built a two-story. eight- room house, in which he now lives. He has 250 acres of fine farming land in Agency town- ship, and is engaged in general farming. He has been a thrifty, industrious man, and has laid by a handsome competency.
Mr. Sautbine was united in marriage with Lauretta Mace, who was born in Ohio in 1829. and they have reared the following children : Ernestine, wife of L. K. Cramer: Nettie, wife of Thomas Miller ; Mary A .. wife of William Ruck: and Lorentine, who is a ranchman in Oklahoma Territory. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Democrat, and has served on the school board of his district a number of years.
F. KERFOOT, a worthy representa- tive of the younger generation of business men of Wapello county. lowa. is secretary, treasurer and man- ager of the Kerfoot Clothing Company, one of the largest firms of Ottumwa. He began hustling for himself at the early age of twelve years, and the great success attained is due solely to his own energy and ability. He was born in Ottumwa. in 1870. and is a son of John R. and Caroline ( Crandall) Kerfoot.
John R. Kerfoot came to Ottumwa from Maryland, about 1845, and owned a farm north of the city, but in 1880 he sold out and re- turned to Maryland, where he now lives. He married Caroline Crandall, who died in 1878. leaving three children: J. F., the subject of this sketch: Fred W., a farmer, located south of Ottumwa: and Mrs. J. N. Githens, whose husband is a farmer, living north of Ottumwa.
J. F. Kerfoot was reared and schooled in Ottumwa, and left home at the age of eleven years. About twelve years ago he began clerking for Mr. Paddock, and later worked
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in the office of J. H. Merrill & Company, with whom he remained for two years. Hle next entered the employ of Mr. Doty, who had bought the business of Mr. Paddock, and re- mained with him until 1900. In that year he engaged in business for himself under the firm name of the Kerfoot Clothing Company, lo- cating at Nos. 103-105 East Main street, where he has a double building, 100 feet deep. He carries a complete stock and the heaviest line of gentlemen's furnishings and clothing in the city, and employs from seven to 10 men all the time. Hle met with success from the start, and the results of his efforts have exceeded his fondest expectations.
Mr. Kerfoot was united in marriage with Daisy L. Ferree, a daughter of J. D. Ferrec. on September 15, 1897.
A NSELUM B. PHELPS, one of Wa- pello county's most prominent and in- fluential farmers, was born in Gallia county, Ohio. August 27, 1839. and came to Competine, Wapello county, with his parents in 1852. He now lives in Competine township, en section 29. township 73, range 12, and owns 400 acres of fine farming land.
Benjamin B. Phelps, his father. was a na- tive of Hamilton county, Ohio, having been born in Cincinnati in 1811, when the city was in its infancy. lle died while on a visit to a son in Franklin county, Iowa, January 5. 1875. lle married Jane McCall, who was a daughter of James and Mary McCall. and died December
27, 1871. They reared the following children : John B., who was born March 27, 1834, and lives in Franklin county, Iowa ; James IL., who was born March 8, 1836, and died January 1, 1891, at Hedrick: Martha J., who was born January 5. 1838, and died January 5, 1873: Anselum B. ; Abigail B., who was born April 13. 1841. married Lafayette Eller, and lives in Competine township: Josiah B., born Janu- ary 27, 1843. who lives in Franklin county, Iowa, and was sheriff for two terms ; Sally .\., born in October, 1844, who married W. 11. H. Williams, and is a widow, living in Osborne county, Kansas : Benjamin F., who was born October 12. 1845, and died January 5. 1852, in Gallia county, Ohio; one who died in in- fancy: Menzo, who was born June 6. 1848. and died June 24. 1848: Harriet E., who was born AApril 23. 1849, and died January 23, 1853: Stephen V., who was born August 5. 1851, and lives in Omaha: William R., who was born January 2. 1854, has taught scheel many years, and now lives in Competine town- ship : Mary, born February 18, 1856, who mar- ried B. F. Stevens, and lives in Hedrick : Leoni- das M .. born February 28, 1858, who lives in Clay county, Nebraska : and Leora, born Sep- tember 24. 1860, who married Henry MeCor- mick, and lives at Highland Center. Josiah B. was a member of Company D. 17th Reg .. Iowa Vol. Inf .. spent nine months in Anderson- ville Prisen, and caught the scurvy, which took away a part of his jaw-bone.
Anselum B. Phelps enlisted at Ottumwa. Iowa. August 1, 1861. as a soldier in Company I. Ist Reg .. Iowa Vol. Cav., and served four
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years and seven months, by virtue of reenlist- ing in 1864. Hlis regiment first went into camp at Burlington, lowa, and thence went to Ben- ton Barracks. Missouri. lis first engagement was at Blackwater, Missouri, in an attempt to drive the Confederate general, Hindman, out of the state. The officer retired to Wilson Creek battle-ground. Mr. Phelps' regiment went on a forced march of 100 miles and again struck General Hindman, completely routing his forces. The subject of this sketch returned home after the close of the war, and with $400 saved from the pay received during the war bought 40 acres of Wapello county land. By constant and energetic effort, he has added land to his first purchase, until he now owns 480 acres in Competine township, in sections 20, 28 and 29; and every acre is worth double what it was when he purchased it in an uncul- tivated state. Ile has presented one of his sons, O. O. Phelps, with a farm worth $3,200, and the latter is doing well. He has given the rest of his children equal shares of land amounting to $2,800 each, and retains 80 acres with the homestead. Thirty-four years ago Mrs. Phelps planted the maple seed from which has sprung up the beautiful grove that shades their home and grounds. The farm is well supplied with everything necessary, an artesian well being of especial value. There are generally maintained about 300 head of stock, as this branch of the industry receives the principal share of atten- tion.
October 18, 1866, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage with Elizabeth Dickins, who was born July 9, 1841, and is a daughter of Thomas
Martin and Elizabeth Dickins, and they have six children, as follows: Mary E., who was born August 31, 1867, and was married March 27. 1800. to .A. L. Howell, of Competine town- ship: Otis O., who was born March 29, 1869. and married Esther Forest, March 15, 1894: Thomas M., who was born June 6, 1871, and married Nellie B. Tade, March 25, 1896; Elza E., who was born in 1873, and married Effie Roopc, of Hedrick : Ella E., a twin of Elza E., who was married October 19, 1894, to MI. G. Whittington, of Competine township ; and Mat- tie J., born March 29, 1880. ' Mr. Phelps is a member of the Republican party. With his family, he attends the Baptist church, to which all of them belong.
RANK MINTIRE is a member of the Harper & McIntire Company, whole- sale dealers in hardware, of Ottum- wa, łowa. He is a native of Iowa, having been born and raised on a farm in Wa- pello county.
Mr. Meintire attended the public schools and completed his education in the Iowa .Agri- cultural College at Ames, lowa, after which he taught school for three terms. He began his business life as a clerk in the hardware store of Egan, Harper & Company, on April 15. 1880. In January. 1881, he was admitted into the firm, and the firm name was changed to Harper, Chambers & Company. At once, upon becoming a member of the firm, he took to the road as traveling salesman, and followed this
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branch of the work for ten years, when, in 1891, it was found necessary for him to take a place in the office. At that time, Mr. Chambers withdrew from the company, and the name was changed to the Harper & Melntire Company.
Mr. Melntire is interested in several enter- prises, and is now vice-president of the Ottum- wa Savings Bank. At the present time he is also president of the Iowa Hardware Jobbers' Association. He is a thorough-going business man, and takes an interest in all public enter- prises, contributing liberally of his means to public and private charities. Mr. MeIntire pos- sesses such social qualities as to attach to him warm personal friends, and enjoys a high repu- tation among the citizens of Ottumwa for in- tegrity and honor.
JAMES D. GRAY, proprietor of the (t- tumwa Mineral Springs & Bottling Company, is one of the progressive business men of Ottumwa, Iowa. He was born in the Wapello county jail, in Ot- tumwa. November 6, 1800. when his father was serving as sheriff. He is a son of L. E. and Annie ( Carpenter ) Gray.
1. E. Gray was born in Indiana, and died at Ottumwa, in June, 1895, at the age of sixty- six years. He came to Ottumwa in 1852. and was here married to Miss Carpenter. He followed farming for some years, and was elected sheriff in 1859 .- serving one term. He later served as aklerman from the Fourth Ward in Ottumwa, being about the only Dem- ocratie alderman ever elected from that ward.
His wife died in 1876, aged forty-five years, leaving three children: Mrs. W. A. Carnes. of Ottumwa; John W. Gray, now chief of police of Ottumwa; and James D. He formed a second marital union by wedding Eleanor Bedwell, who died in 1894. Mr. Gray started a grocery store near the Ballingall Hotel. in 1878, and conducted it under the firm name of 1 .. E. Gray & Sons for two years. During thi : time he had formed a stock company and pros- pected for mineral water, and in 1880 bored an artesian well in East Ottumwa, which sup- lies an abundance of water. He had formerly been at Colfax and built the first large hotel there. In 1880, at a cost of $30,000. he erect- ed a hotel on the site of James D. Gray's pres- ent bottlery works at Ottumwa, and conducted i as a sanitarium. The water is very strongly impregnated with sulphates of magnesia and iron, and is fine as a remedy for rheumatism and stomach trouble. L. E. Gray sold out this establishment about 1890, to E. K. Shelton, who conducted it until it was destroyed by fire in 1802. James D. Gray, who had worked as clerk in the hotel, then purchased the land and springs.
James D. Gray was reared in Ottumwa. and his first work was as partner in the grocery firm of 1 .. E. Gray & Sons He went west to Kansas, and was united in marriage in 1885. at Council Bluffs, Iowa, with Nellie Bedwell. They immediately thereafter went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he engaged in the livery business for about one year. After living in various towns in New Mexico and Arizona, he returned to Ottumwa, and engaged in the
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bottling business. Ile purchased the hotel site after the destruction of the hotel by fire in 1802, and cleared up the debris and built a house. Hle erected his present building in 1894. 34 by 40 feet in dimensions, the upper part being used for a residence, and the lower portion as a bottling works. It is located on Vernon avenue, one block from Main street, and the artesian well water flows into the build- ing. During the season a large amount of pop is manufactured .- about 2.500 bottles per day .- and three wagons are kept busy in deliv- ering the goods. He has also built a good barn and other outbuildings. He does his own traveling in the interest of the firm, and has a very large business.
Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one daughter. Irene S. In politics, Mr. Gray is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the B. P. O. E .. and served as esquire two years. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias; Modern Woodmen of America : Woodmen of the Workl; Forest- ers of America ; and is worthy president of the Eagles. Religiously, he favors the Congrega- tional church. Mr. Gray was nominated on August 17, 1901. in the Democratic conven- tion held in Ottumwa, for sheriff of Wapello county, and his friends predict his election to that office.
Rebellion, and enlisted in the army when the subject of this sketch was fourteen years old, leaving him with his mother and five younger children to care for themselves on the farm. Before leaving home, the father called the chil- dren together and told them that as Ebenezer was the oldest he should take his place, and they must obey him the same as they would their father. To the fourteen-year-oldl boy, he said: "There will be many things that will le ther you. Questions will come up about whether it is best to break certain fields ; wheth- er the wheat has stood the winter, so that it will be worth harvesting: whether the stock is fat enough to sell : what kind of crops should be put in certain fields, etc. If such things bother you, it would be well for you to talk with your Uncle Hugh, or Mr. Smith, about them, but when you hear what they say, I want you to do as you please." Throwing this responsibility on the boy at an early age probably had much influence on his character and prepared him for greater responsibilities.
The subject of this biography attended country schools until he was fifteen years old : then he studied for two winters in the high school of Greenfield, Ohio, then for three years in the South Salem Academy, and then finished his course of three years at Cornell University, in June, 1872, receiving the degree of B. S. He took up the study of law at the State Uni- versity of lowa, and graduated from that insti- tution with the class of 1873.
BENEZER ERSKINE MCELROY. counselor-at-law, of Ottumwa, lowa. was born near Greenfield, Ohio. Feb- In August, 1873, Mr. McElroy located in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he has since lived. It ruary 16, 18449. His father, Thomas G. MeElroy, was a soldier in the war of the 1875, he formed a partnership with W. E.
HENRY PHILLIPS.
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Chambers, and this association continued until the death of that gentleman, in 1890. MI. A. Roberts was taken into the firm in 1887. and continued with it until he was elected to the office of district judge, in 1895.
Mr. MeElroy was married July 2, 1873, to Belle Hamilton, of Greenfield, Ohio. She was a native of that state, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hamilton. She de- parted this life May 10, 1883. She was the mother of five children: Thomas Clifford ; Carl E .; Walter 11 .; Ralph T .; and Evalyn. In 1884. he was married to Elizabeth Millner, and they have two children,-Edna and Edith.
Mr. MeElroy is an ardent Republican, but has never taken an active part in political work. Ile has served as alderman of the city, and has been a member of the school board for over eighteen years, and for the last ten years its president. Ile is a member of the lowa State Bar Association.
ENRY PHILLIPS, who ranks prom- inently among the foremost business men of Ottumwa, lowa, is manager of the Ottumwa Box Car Loader Company, and manager, secretary and treas- urer of the Phillips Fuel Company, of which his father is president. He was born in Van Buren county, lowa, in 1858, and is a son of Ira and Emily ( Henry ) Phillips.
The Phillips family descends from Caleb Phillips and many of its members are now lo- cated about Boston. The first of the family 20
to come to this country were nine brothers, who emigrated from England sometime between 1624 and 1630. Wendell Phillips was a de- scendant from this family. The first mayor of Boston. John Phillips, came from the same an- cestry. Ira Phillips, father of Henry, was born in Madison county, Ohio, May 28, 1830, and is a son of Asa and Elizabeth ( Nichols ) Phillips, his father being a native of New York and his mother, of Connecticut. He was one of seven sons and six daughters, and lived in Ohio until he reached the age of thirteen years, and then came to Van Buren county, lowa, where his family located and farmed successfully. In 1854, he was united in marriage with Emily Henry, who was born in Vermont, and thence- forth worked for himself. Hle farmed in Van Buren county until he came to Ottumwa in 1875. and was then engaged in mining, and also, for some years, in the retail and whole- sale fruit business. He bought four acres in West Ottumwa, which he still owns. Ile opened and operated the first coal mines on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, northwest of Ottumwa. Hle and his wife be- came parents of two children : Henry ; and Orra, who died in Van Buren county after ar- riving at young womanhood.
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