USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 37
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brother, the Emperor, who forced him to set aside the marriage, as he had in view for him an alliance with royalty, and the American marriage was in the way. Jerome Bonaparte returned to France with the hope of reconciling his brother to the marriage, but was disap- pointed. Elizabeth remained in America with her two sons, but when Lucien grew to man- hood he joined his father in France, taking his rightful position in the Bonaparte family. Jerome remained loyal to his mother and to his country until the time of his death, which occurred in Washington, District of Columbia.
Isabella J. Patterson, the mother of Mrs. Pumroy, was born February 11, 1822. In 1852 she married William Moore. To this unien were born two children .- James P., born September 1, 1853: and Mrs. Pumroy. Mr. Moore died in 1864. and in 1871 his widow married William Richardson. This gentle- man went west, where he prospected in the mountains beyond Leadville, Colorado. He was never heard from after that time, and is supposed to have been killed by robbers or by the Indians who infested the mountains at that time.
Mrs. Pumroy was first married to Thomas R. Buckley, orderly sergeant to General But- ler, with whom he served during his celebrated campaign at New Orleans, where the General gained the cognomen of "Silver Spoon But- ler." Mr. Buckley was killed by the cars De- cember 22, 1881. On February 27. 1883. the subject of this sketch married Martin S. Pum- roy, who was born in Wapello county, and raised on the farm which is now conducted by
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Mrs. Pumroy. He comes of a family of farmers, his father, Grimes Pumroy, hav- ing followed that occupation all his life. Grimes Pumroy was born April 2, 1822. and his death took place in 1897. Martin S. Pumroy was for many years one of the leading farmers of Wapello county, and his death, which occurred January 25. 1901, was sincerely mourned by all in the community. lle was a man of much intelligence, and always kept thoroughly abreast with the improve- ments which tended to advance his chosen oc- cupation. He was an energetic, hard worker. and his place in the community cannot be filled by any man more alive to the interests of his community.
Mrs. Pumroy, an estimable lady of many splendid qualities, has since conducted the farm of 25 acres, which is in section 34. township 72. range 14. She is widely known in Center township. Mr. and Mrs. Pumroy had no children, but raised a boy, from New York, who has taken the family name, and is now known as John E. Pumroy. He lives in Chi- cago, Illinois.
OHN FRANKLIN WELLMAN. one of the representative farmers of Center township, Wapello county, Iowa, is located in section 32, township 72. range 14, and also owns land in section 6 of the same township. He was born in Wapello county, fowa. April 8, 1865, and is a son of J. W. Wellman.
J. W. Wellman was born in Kentucky in November, 1822, and was a son of Michael Wellman, who was born in Virginia, and was of English descent. This family was estab- lished in this country at an early day by three brothers, who came from England. J. W. Wellman was a farmer by occupation, and came to Wapello county, lowa, in 1851. He established, in 1885, the postoffice called Ama- dor, of which he was postmaster until his death, October 21, 1899. He also conducted a grocery store there during the last eighteen years of his life. He married Mary Hendrix- son, who was born in Shenandoah, Pennsyl- vania, her grandfather having come to this country from England. Seven children blessed this unien, all of whom are now living and mainly follow farming.
Frank Wellman attended the common schools of Wapello county, and at an early age began working on the farm, an occupation he has followed ever since. In 1891 he acquired of Tillie Parks his present farm, she having purchased it of the David Burton estate, and the latter being grantee of Mr. Lawrence, who entered the land. Mr. Wellman is a progress- ive farmer, and has made many improvements upon his land. He has a good house and sub- stantial outbuildings, and engages in diversi- fied farming. He is possessed of many high qualities, and has numerous friends through- out this county, where he has spent his entire life.
Frank Wellman was united in marriage, April 18. 1886, with Libbie Brock, who was born in Wapello county, Iowa, January 11.
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1866, and is a daughter of Shelby I. and Louisa E. Brock. The former was born near Nashville, Tennessee, while the latter was born at Terre Haute, Indiana. Her father was born February 6, 1836, and is still living. He is a farmer by occupation, and was four years of age when brought to Wapello county, where he remained until 1873, when he went to Pottanatomic county, Kansas, where he now lives. His father. James Brock, was a farmer in the South, where he was born, and his grandfather, Thomas Brock, came to America from England at an early day and followed the trade of a carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Wellman have two children: George B. who was born October 21, 1889; and Julia May, born July 6, 1892.
OIN THEUNISSON (children spell the name Tennyson), a highly re- spected farmer of Center township, Wapello county, lowa, is living on section 32, township 72. range 14. lle is a native of Holland, and was born in 1835. lle was put to work on his father's farm very carly in life, and, therefore, his education was much neglected, although he learned to read and write. He was ambitious to better his condition, and at the age of eighteen years came to America. He spent some time in Chi- cago before coming to lowa. He first settled in Keokuk, Iowa, where he worked at teaming. After saving some money he removed to Eddy- ville. Wapello county, where he remained five
years, then moved to his present neighborhood and rented for five years, and then bought his present home farm. He first bought 52 acres in Center township for $450, paying $250 down. The land was in a wild state, and there was nothing on the place but a very rude log cabin, not fit to live in. He managed to spend the following winter in this cabin, and carly in the spring which followed fixed up the house. In 1878 he erceted his present large frame house. The land is in an excellent con- dition, and everything about the place is sug- gestive of Mr. Theunisson's thrifty and ener- getic management. His farm consists of 131 acres of valuable land.
In 1859 Mr. Theunisson married Dora Vandaloo, whose parents came from Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Thennisson have eight children, namely: Mary Ann, born in 1861; John H., born in 1863; Cornelius, born in 1865: Will- iam 11., born in 1867: Nellie, born in 1869: Anna Mary, born in 1871: Elizabeth, born in 1873: and Thomas, born December 21, 1882. The children spell the family name Tennyson.
Mr. and Mrs. Theunisson are members of the Catholic church, and their children were baptized in that faith.
HELTON HALE, deceased, who was a prominent farmer of Center town- ship. Wapello county. Iowa, died Oc- tober 21, 1901. He was born in Jefferson county, lowa, in 1844, and was a son of Peter and Mary Hale.
LEE A. OCKERT.
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Peter Hale and his wife came from Ken- tucky to Jefferson county, lowa, and in 1844 located in Wapello county, lowa, where Mrs. Hale entered the land where Shelton Hale re- sided, on section 12, township 72, range 14. The Hale family is a prominent one in this country, and the ancestry is traceable back to Sir Mathew Ilale, of England.
Shelton Hale was but an infant when he was brought by his parents to Wapello county, and his boyhood was passed in assisting his father clear the old home farm. At that early day the public school system had not made much progress, and his educational advantages were very limited, his services being required by his father in the work about the farm. . At the age of twenty-one he went into the auction business, of which he made a grand success. He traveled over many states and territories making sales, going as far as California and New Mexico. He met with many interesting experiences and saw many grand sights, one of which in particular made a deep impression on him .- a mountain of fire seemingly in the center of a lake in Nicaragua, one of the great- est sights in the world. Hle finally settled in permanent business at Ottumwa, lowa, and continued there for six years, when he located on the old farm, where he lived until his death. The land, of which there are 130 acres, is under a high state of cultivation, nicely im- proved and equipped with good, substantial buildings. He followed general farming with success.
Mr. Hale was united in marriage, in 1895. with .Anna Jones, who was born in Tennessee
and comes of a prominent line of ancestors, who have been located in this country for many generations. Mr. Hale was a strong Demo- crat in National politics, but in local elections voted for the men he thought best for the office.
EE A. OCKERT. Among the L many well known and highly re- spected citizens of Wapello county, is the gentleman whose name ap- pears at the opening of these lines, and whose portrait is herewith shown. He is at present living on the farm known as the J. L. Mc- : Cormick farm, on section 12, Dahlonega town- ship. Mr. Ockert was born in Warren county, Illinois, in 1867. and is a son of John and Elizabeth Ockert.
John Ockert was born in Germany and came to the United States when twenty-two years old. He followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, and his death occurred in 1809. Ile married Elizabeth Reiboll, who was a native of Germany, and their children were as follows : Frank; Mary: Henry; George: Lizzie: Lee \. : Katie; and William.
Lee A. Ockert, the subject of this sketch. lived in his native county until he became of age. He attended the Dixon Normal School for one year, and later spent some time in traveling. He came to Wapello county in 1892, and after spending three years in Dahl- onega township, he returned to his home in Illinois. In the spring of 1900, he returned to Wapello county, where he bought his present
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farm in Dahlonega township. It is in the southeast quarter of section 12. Mr. Ockert carries on general farming and stock-raising and is considered one of the rising young farm- ers of Wapello county
Politically Mr. Ockert is a Republican and is serving at present as clerk of the township. He is also a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the M. W. of . 1 .. of Agency, lowa. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Ockert occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow citi- zens, and is a man of more than ordinary intelli- gence and ability.
AMUEL H. BURTON, who has been a resident of Wapello county, lowa. since 1862, is a native of Waterloo. Seneca county, New York. He has had a varied business career and at different times was engaged in the practice of law, in sur- veying and in the mercantile business, but since 1886 he has been located on a farm, purchased in 1868, in section 21, township 13, range 72. one mile east of the city of Ottumwa, in Cen- ter township, where he conducts a truck and fruit farm with much success. He was born January 20, 1841, and is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Hooper ) Burton.
John Burton was a captain in the War of 1812, and was in the battles of Lundy's Lane. Ilis father was an Episcopal minister and came to this country with his family from Man- chester, England. in 1798. John accompanied
his father to this country and took up the legal profession, becoming a lawyer of considerable prominence. He married Elizabeth Hooper, who was a lineal descendent of General Clark, a prominent figure during the Revolutionary period. The Clark family of this branch has long been a very prominent one, and was first established in this country by Samuel Clark, who located in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1630, possibly having come from Devon, Eng- land. He moved to Rippowams, now Stam- ford, Connecticut, in 1640. and died at Bed- ford, in 1690. Ilis son, William Clark, was born in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1645. and died in Bedford in 1712: he was the father of Nathan Clark, who was born in 1676 and died in 1738. The latter was father of Jehiel Clark, born at Bedford. New York, in 1710 and died near Newbury, Ulster county, in 1743. Sam- uel Clark. a son of Jehiel Clark, was born Feb- ruary 17. 1741. and was commissioned lieu- tenant by General Washington at White Plains, captain at Poughkeepsie. June 16, 1778, and major May 6, 1779. lieutenant colonel at East Line. Saratoga county, New York, in 1786. colonel at East Line. May 10. 1792, brigadier general of the Ninth Brigade at Saratoga, July 3, 1804, and major general on March 8, 1814. Lydia Clark, second daugh- ter of Samuel Clark, married Pontius Hooper, and lived the latter years of her life to miles west of Clinton, Michigan. This union re- sulted in the birth of Elizabeth Hooper, mother of our subject. September 25. 1799. The lat- ter died in 1875 at Waterloo, New York.
Sammel H. Burton attended and was grad-
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uated from the Waterloo Academy, and be- came a teacher at the early age of eighteen years. He subsequently took up the profes- sion of land surveying, and at the age of twenty years came to Wapello county, Iowa, where he studied law with Judge Burton and 11. B. Hen- dershott. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1862, and soon after purchased a share in the Democratic weekly paper called the Mercury, which was shortly changed, in 1865. to a daily and weekly, published by Samuel H. Burton and S. B. Evans. During those stirring times in this Republican State it required great cour- age to advocate the principles of the Douglas platform, but. having the courage of his con- victions, he accomplished great good for his party. He conducted this paper until 1869, and then taught school during the winter months and engaged in surveying throughout the summer. He later embarked in the gro- cery business, but his faith in mankind was too great. He gave credit for goods, and as pay- ment was not forthcoming, he was obliged to relinquish the business, a poorer but much wiser man. Ile then opened an office as county surveyor and civil engineer in 1873. and was elected city engineer and county sur- veyor a number of years until 1893.
In 1886 he turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, moving upon his present farm and attended to his office in the city as civil engineer, which business he now follows when not detained by his farm work. This farm was almost wholly unimproved, there being only a log house upon it when he purchased it. in 1868. He lived in this log house during
1870 and 1871, and then lived in his city home, on Elin street, until 1886, when he erected his present commodious home on the farm. He has been successfully engaged in gardening and fruit-raising, and has his farm under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Burton was united in marriage, in 1861, with Julia Day, and they were parents of four children: Mabel, born November 11. 1863: Grace, born July 22, 1865; Mary D., born December 18, 1869 ; and Edward B., born in 1871. Mrs. Burton died in 1875, and he formed a second marital union in 1885 with; Rhoda E. Garbry, by whom he has two sons, Frånk 11., born March 30, 1886; and Claude Cleveland. born July 11, 1888. He is liberal in his religious views and believes in the Golden Rule more than in creeds.
EORGE W. KITTERMAN, a well-to- do farmer residing in section 20, township 72. range 13, is a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served with bravery, bearing a record of which his family may justly feel proud. He was born November 5. 1843, and is now the oldest living white person born in Wapello county, Iowa. His family came from Virginia, and one of its most prominent characteristics is longevity. his maternal grandfather having lived to reach the wonderful age of one hundred and four years. Elias Kitterman, father of George W., held a commission as ensign in the 12th Regi- ment, granted in April, 1829, and signed by
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James Morrison, secretary, and Governor James R. Ray. This commission is still a val- ned possession of the family.
George W. Kitterman lived in Wapello county during his early boyhood, and attended the public schools. Hle took up the trade of an engineer, but in January, 1863, enlisted in Company 11. 30th Reg., lowa Vol. Inf. as a private. Ile went with his regiment to Lit- tle Rock, where he was in the thickest of the fight, and then remained there after the battle. and did garrison duty until the spring of 1864. Ile went on the Red River expedition, and was captured at Mark's Mills. Mr. Kitterman next went with his regiment to Camden. Ar- kansas, where they were victorious, and thence to Duvall's Bluff, about eight miles south of the Saline River, where they encountered four regiments of cavalry and were literally cut to pieces. Only two men in Company 11 made their escape, the remainder being killed. wounded or captured. There remained but 260 men in the regiment, and, with Battery K. 2d Artillery, they stood their ground. Battery K had every horse killed, and every man was killed or wounded. Mr. Kitterman was wounded in the right shoulder, was carried to the Confederate field hospital, and remained there until paroled about six weeks later. The report reached home that he had been killed. and his parents had prepared a funeral service at home. Mr. Kitterman had been exchanged and got a furlough to come home, a day or two only, before the services were to be held. He arrived home about twelve o'clock one dark night. rapped on the door, and was admitted
by his mother. So certain was she that her boy had been killed that she was greatly over- come, believing she was laboring under a de- lusion. With difficulty she was convinced that it was her son, in the flesh, and great was the rejoicing. He remained at home about thirty days, and then went to Keokuk and waited 10 be exchanged. Getting impatient for active service, he got transportation and joined his regiment at Little Rock, taking the chance of again being captured. Ile was put on de- tached duty, going to Brownsville, Duvall's Bluff, St. Charles and, finally, to the mouth of the White River, where all remained during the winter of 1804-1865. He became commis- sary clerk there and remained as such until all were mustered out at Brownsville, finally re- ceiving his discharge at Davenport, lowa. in September, 1865. He returned home and lived with his parents about one year, when he was united in marriage with Barbara L. King. lle has since lived in Wapello county, and at the present time is an engineer in the employ of I. B. Ostdick. He owns five acres of land. on which he built a fine home, and has devoted his land to fruit-raising with much success.
Mrs. Kitterman is a daughter of Enos and Barbara ( Wymen) King. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, of German parents, and came to this county in 1846, being a local preacher. He died at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Kitterman and his wife had nine children: Rowena Parker, born in June. 1867 : Clara, who was born June 19. 1869, and died July 13, 1871 : William C., born September 10, 1872; Lillian L., born September 22, 1876;
ALBERT G. HARROW.
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Sarah Jane ( Parker), born July 23. 1878: Hattie E., born August 27, 1880; Lydia, born September 11, 1882; Edna, born April 14, 1886; and Norris W., who was born January 26, 1888, and died October 14, 1880. Lillian L .. a graduate of the high school, is a teacher at the Lincoln school, of Ottumwa, and has a State certificate. Lydia, also a graduate of the high school, of Ottumwa, is a teacher in the district school of her neighborhood. Mr. Kitterman takes an intelligent interest in all matters of public importance, and is a highly respected member of his community. In poli- tics Mr. Kitterman is a Republican. Relig- iously, a member of the First Baptist church, of Ottumwa.
A LBERT G. HARROW, secretary of the Ottumwa lrem Works, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born in Ottumwa in 1852. 11e is a son of Francis M. Harrow, and grand-on of Charles F. Harrow.
Charles F. Harrow was an early pioneer of Wapello county. He was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, in September. 1800. Ile grew to manhood in his native state and was married in Fleming county, Kentucky, to Gracie Frame, in 1821. They located in Montgomery county, Kentucky, and remained there for twelve years, then moved to noth- ern Indiana where they lived ten years. Con- cluding to move beyond the Mississippi, in 1843. they settled in Wapello county, lowa: a tract of land was purchased in the immediate
vicinity of the site of the present city of Ot- tumwa, and the Ottumwa High School on West Fourth street is situated on a part of the original Harrow farm. Charles F. Harrow was one of the original commissioners of Wa- pello county, being elected to that office May 1, 1844.
Francis M. Harrow, son of Charles F. and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kentucky in 1826. He came to Wapello county, lowa, with his parents in 1843, and : was married in Ottumwa, February 18, 1852, to llarriet F. Humphreys. Three children resulted from this union, two of whom are now living: AAlbert G. ; and Frances M., wife of F. F. Hanger, of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Harrow died October 31, 1855, and his widow died on February 2, 1864.
Albert G. Harrow received his primary education in his native town, took academic work at the lowa State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, and a business course in Bry- ant & Stratton's Business College at Chicago, Illinois. He was one of the promoters of the Johnston Kuffer Company, which was or- ganized in 1876, and has been identified with the business of that firm throughout its manu- facturing period. The Ottumwa Iron Works was promoted by the same men who so sue- cessfully carried on the affairs of the Johnston Ruffler Company, and Mr. Harrow has been secretary of the company since its organiza- tion. Ile was one of the original stockholders of the Ottumwa National Bank and has been a director in that institution since 1887. Hc helped organize the Ottumwa Savings Bank
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in 1888, and has been one of its directors since 1805 : he was interested in the establishing of the Wapello County Savings Bank, and has served as director in the same since its incep- tion. He is a stockholder in the Batavia Sav- ing Bank, the Blakesburg Savings Bank, and in both of the banks at Hedrick, lowa. He is also a stockholder and secretary and treasurer of the Courier Printing Company of Ottumwa. and stockholder in the Davenport Times, of Davenport, lowa. He has done his share as a public spirited citizen, assisted in establish- ing the city water works, and was one of the 20 men who brought to Ottumwa the Dain Manufacturing Company, in which he is now a stockholder. He was also a supporter of the Janney Manufacturing Company, in the sale of their lots in the East End of the city. Mr. Harrow was united in marriage in 1877 with Mary C. Carpenter of Ottumwa, daughter of Col. S. D. and Sarah .A. Car- penter. They have reared one daughter, Mary Grace, who is a graduate of Kenwood Insti- tute, Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of the Wapello Club, and was president of that organization in tyco and 1901.
A LEXANDER COLEMAN. a gentle- man who served with bravery in the Union army during the Civil War. is a prominent farmer of Center township. Wapello county, lowa, residing on, secti m 20, township 72, range 13.
Mr. Coleman was born in Scotland. in
1833, and with his parents embarked for this country in 1837, but his parents died while at sca. Hle landed in Philadelphia, where he was. taken to be raised by a Quaker family named Jones. He was reared on a farm near Phila- delphia until he was twenty-three years old, and then came west to Illinois, and located in Ma- son county, where he worked upon a farm un- til the outbreak of the Civil War. Ile en- listed from Illinois in Company F. 8th Reg .. III. Vol. Inf .. and remained in winter quarters and did picket duty and drilled until the carly spring of 1863. The regiment then went to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, thence to Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland River, which the Union soldiers took, after which the regiment went to Corinth, where they had two days of hard fighting. At Fort Donelson 11 of Mr. Coleman's company were killed and 22 wounded. They retired from the fight, re- formed the company and regiment, and then advanced, took the position and held it. They next moved to Coffeeville, Mississippi, scat- tering the Confederates, and engaged in fre- quent skirmishes, after which they returned to Memphis and went in camp for two months. They next went on the Mississippi River to Vicksburg, and held a position on the extreme right of the Union lines during the siege of that city. They then campaigned around Jackson, Mississippi, and carried the positions of the Confederates as they came to them. They fought General Pemberton's forces and drove them into Vicksburg, where they held them until the surrender. Mr. Coleman ac- companied General Sherman's army to Ala-
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