USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 44
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Went to Missouri, participated in the Black Hawk War, while there, and then moved with his father to Van Buren county, lowa. in 1837. He remained there until 1843, when he came to Ottumwa, lowa, staked his claim under the homestead act, and finally received his patent three years later, August 8, 1846. He built the first wagon made in Ottumwa, and with a team of oxen made a trip to Des Moines, which constived mrmy days. Supplies which could not be raised at home and such necessaries as hardware had to be obtained at Keokuk. The country at that time was thickly populated by Indians, and Mr. Warner often declared that the Lest meal he ever ate was prepared by a squaw. lle was very sucessful in farming for one of that day, and was well known and highly respected throughout the county. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Juliette Ford, who was born in Clay, Onondaga county, New York, and they became the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom the following are deceased : Charles, born February 20, 1846, died October 3. 1849 : Anna, born June 27. 1849. died Sep- tember 18, 1851 : Sarah, born August 18, 1851. died September 18. 1852: and Jacob L., born March 10, 1855, died November 19. 1850.
Ella. Juliet and J. L. were all born on the old homestead in Center township, which they now own. George E. resides at Agency City. and Guy N. lives in Ottumwa, lowa.
The Warner family is of German descent and became established in this country at an early day, because of religious persecution in the mother country. George Warucr, great-grandfather of Sylvester Warner, was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War under Gen- cral Gates. lle built a house in the latter part of the eighteenth century, which is still stand- ing. Ilis son. Jacob Warner, grandfather of Sylvester, was born in a fort during the pro- gress of the Revolutionary War. His wife was also of Revolutionary stock, and came of the Canada family, of Irish origin, which was established in this country during the seven- teenth century.
RTHUR AREINGDALE, a pros- perous young farmer of Wapello county, lowa, operates a farm of 480 acres in Center township. He is a son of Richard Areingdale, and was born on his present farm. in 1876.
Richard Areingdale, one of the carly pion- eers of Wapello county, began working for himself at the early age of sixteen years, hav- ing learned the trade of a carpenter, which has stood him in good stead on the farm, as he has built many of his own buildings. Ile came to Wapello county, Iowa, at an early day, and aided in opening it up to civilization. He came into possession of the farm on which his sen is now located, in 1855. when only a few acres were under cultivation. He built a house, barn and other outbuildlings necessary to house his stock and grain, and placed nearly all the land under cultivation. He fed his grain to his stock, and dealt very extensively in live stock. In recent years he has been located at Ottumwa, where he is living a re-
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tired life. Ile is a man who stands high in business circles, and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact, both in business and private relations. Richard Areingdale was married to Mary Cisne, by whom he had four children: Edward; Charles; Nora, de- ceased ; and Arthur.
Arthur Areingdale attended the district schools in his early days, and supplemented this with two terms in Penn College at Oska- loosa, Iowa. He concluded that farming was the most independent life to live, and he has never had cause to regret following that occu- pation. He is an industrious worker and an excellent business manager, and has made a success of it from the start. On August 3. 1899. he was married to Maggie Rowland, and has one son, who was born November 16. 1900, and named Richard, after his grand- father. In religious views, Mr. Areingdale is inclined to be liberal. IIe is a Democrat in politics.
A W. MELCHER, a resident of South Ottumwa. Iowa, located on a tract of seven acres of land in sec- tion 12, township 72, range 14, Cen- ter township, Wapello county, Iowa, where he began the business of tile making, in 1882, and has found it a very profitable undertaking. He commands the best patronage of any tile man- ufacturers in this section of the State, his business having grown to large proportions from a very small beginning. He was born in Germany December 2, 1842.
Mr. Melcher received his mental training in Germany, and there learned the trade of making fine pottery, having served an appren- ticeship in one of the best factories in that country. He came to America in 1866, and finally settled in Des Moines county, Iowa, where he worked at his trade until 1870. In that year he moved to Ottumwa, Wapello coun- ty, Iowa, and went into the business of making stoneware, as a member of a firm. His rela- tions with his partners were not harmonious, and as a result the partnership was dissolved. In 1882 he purchased his present tract of land and began the manufacture of tiling, the land being especially adapted for this purpose. He began operations with a horse-power machine, and continued thus until 1887, by which time his business had multiplied in volume, making it necessary for him to purchase an 18-horse- power engine. He also bought a 30-horse- power boiler, and one of the most improved brick and tile making machines, and made other desirable improvements. He has a capacity for making 5,000 tiles per day, and virtually has all the tile trade of this section of the state. He is a man of high moral character, and en- joys the esteem and friendship of all with whom he comes in contact.
Mr. Melcher was united in marriage, in 1872, with Caroline Dummler, who was born in Galena, Illinois, and came to Ottumwa withi her parents in 1859. Her father was born in Germany, and at the age of nineteen years came to America. He lived here until his death, in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Melcher are the parents of seven children, namely: Frank, who died in
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
infancy : Joseph H., born April 20, 1874: Mary E., born October 25, 1876; John R., born Sep- tember 22, 1878: Amy T., born July 20, 1881 : William A., born AAngust 28, 1885: and Carl N., born November 4. 1889. Politically, Mr. Melcher is a Democrat, but is liberal in his views and supports the man he deems best fitted for the office.
€ MANUEL GOTLIEB HAARSCH, a farmer of Green township, Wapello county, Iowa, living on section 10, township 71, range 14, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, December 28, 1861. He is a son of Gotlieb Harsch, who was born in Germany and came to America at the age of fourteen years, settling in Morgan county, Ohio, and later in Iowa, where he reached the age of eighty years. Gotlieb Harsch served three years in the Civil war, and while he fought in many important battles, he was never wounded.
When our subject, Emanuel Gotlieb Harsch, was six years old his parents settled in Wa- pello county, where they purchased a tract of land in Green township. They lived there two years and then bought another farm in Center township, where they settled permanently. Mr. Harsch attended the public schools of Wapello county and remained at home until he reached his twenty-third year. After his marriage he rented a farm for two seasons and then bought from his father his present farm in Green township. He did not then locate on the farm, but moved to Ottumwa, where for many sea-
sons he followed the trade of a painter and pa- per hanger, and accumulated enough money to put his farm in good condition. . At the time of purchasing the land it was in a wild state; by much energy and perseverance he has made it one of the most attractive farms in Green township. A comfortable modern house, barns and outbuildings have been erected, adding greatly to the general appearance of the place, and about 2,000 trees have been set out. When the fruit trees are in bloom the picture is in- deed a beautiful one. They bear each year a goodly amount of apples, cherries, pears and plums. Mr. Harsch is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Mary L. Hill. March 27. 1884. She is a daughter of J. F. Hill. of Wapello county, and was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 24, 1861. Two children have blessed this union, namely: Eva, born June 21, 1886, and Earl, born August 13, 1888.
Religiously Mr. Harsch and his family are members of the Congregational church. In politics he is a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party. He is a public-spirited man and is highly respected in the community.
H. ABERNATHY, one of the best known business men of Blakesburg, Wapello county, lowa, has been engaged in the mercantile business there since 1879, and is very success- ful. He is enterprising and progressive, and
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tired life. He is a man who stands high in business circles, and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact, both in business and private relations. Richard Areingdale was married to Mary Cisne, by whom he had four children: Edward: Charles: Nora. de- ceased ; and Arthur.
Arthur Areingdale attended the district schools in his early days, and supplemented this with two terms in Penn College at Oska- loosa, lowa. He concluded that farming was the most independent life to live, and he has never had cause to regret following that occu- pation. fle is an industrious worker and an excellent business manager, and has made a success of it from the start. On August 3. 1899. he was married to Maggie Rowland, and has one son, who was born November 16. 1900, and named Richard, after his grand- father. In religious views, Mr. Areingdale is inclined to be liberal. He is a Democrat in politics.
A W. MELCHER, a resident of Senth Ottumwa, Iowa, located on a tract of seven acres of land in sec- tion 12, township 72, range 14, Cen- ter township, Wapello county, Iowa, where he began the business of tile making. in 1882, and has found it a very profitable undertaking. He commands the best patronage of any tile man- nfacturers in this section of the State, his business having grown to large proportions frem a very small beginning. He was born in Germany December 2, 1842.
Mr. Melcher received his mental training in Germany, and there learned the trade of making fine pottery, having served an appren- ticeship in one of the best factories in that country. He came to America in 1866, and finally settled in Des Moines county, lowa. where he worked at his trade until 1870. In that year he moved to Ottumwa, Wapello coun- ty, lowa, and went into the business of making stoneware, as a member of a firm. llis rela- tions with his partners were not harmonious, and as a result the partnership was dissolved. In 1882, he purchased his present tract of land and began the manufacture of tiling. the land leing especially adapted for this purpose. Ile began operations with a horse-power machine, and continued thus until 1887, by which time his business had multiplied in volume, making it necessary for him to purchase an 18-horse- power engine. He also bought a 30-horse- . power beiler. and one of the most improved brick and tile making machines, and made other desirable improvements. He has a capacity for making 5,000 tiles per day, and virtually has all the tile trade of this section of the state. Ile is a man of high moral character. and en- joys the esteem and friendship of all with whom he comes in contact.
Mr. Melcher was united in marriage, in 1872, with Caroline Dummler, who was born in Galena. Illinois, and came to Ottumwa with her parents in 1859. Her father was born in Germany, and at the age of nineteen years came to America. He lived here until his death, in 180g. Mr. and Mrs. Melcher are the parents of seven children, namely: Frank, who died in
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IHISTORY OF WHITMAN COUNTY.
infancy : Joseph 11., born . April 20. 1871 : Mary E., bern October 25, 1876; John K. born Sep- tember 22, 1878: Amy T., born July 20. 1881: William A., born August 28. 1885; and Carl N. born November 4. 1880. Politically, Mr. Melcher is a Democrat, but is liberal in his views and supports the man he deems best fitted for the office.
€ MANUEL GOTLIEB HARSCH, a farmer of Green township, Wapello " county, lowa, living on section 10. township 71. range 14. was born in Morgan county, Ohio. December 28, 1801. Hle is a son of Gotlieb Harsch, who was born in Germany and came to America at the age of fourteen years, settling in Morgan county. Ohio, and later in lowa. where he reached the age of eighty years. Gotlieb Harsch served three years in the Civil war, and while he fought in many important batles, he was never wounded.
When our subject, Emanuel Gotlieb Harsch. was six years old his parents settled in Wa pello county, where they purchased a tract of land in Green township. They lived there two years and then bought another farm in Center township, where they settled permanently. Mr. Harsch attended the public schools of Wapello county and remained at home until he reached his twenty-third year. After his marriage he rented a farm for two seasons and then bought from his father his present farm in Green township. He did not then locate on the farm. but moved to Ottumwa, where for many sea-
sons he followed the trade of a painter and pa- per hanger, and accumulated enough money to put his farm in good condition. At the time of purchasing the land it was in a wikl state; by much energy and perseverance he has made it one of the most attractive farms in Green township. A comfortable modern house, barns and outbuildings have been erected, adding greatly to the general appearance of the place, and about 2,000 trees have been set out. When the fruit trees are in bloom the picture is in- deed a beautiful one. They bear each year a goodly amount of apples. cherries, pears and plums. Mr. Harsch is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Mary L. Hill, March 27, 1884. She is a daughter of J. F. Hill, of Wapello county, and was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 24. 1801. Two children have blessed this union, namely: Eva. born June 21. 1885, and Karl, horn AAugust 13. 1888.
Religiously Mr. Harsch and his family are members of the Congregational church. In politics he is a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party. He is a public-spirited man and is highly respected in the community.
m 11. ABERNATHY, one of the best known business men of Blakesburg, Wapello county, lowa. has been engaged in the mercantile business there since 1879, and is very success- ft:l. lle is enterprising and progressive. and
JAMES M. ELDER.
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has always had the best interests of the town . became the parents of four children, as fol- at heart.
M. 11. Abernathy was born at Agency, Wa- pello county, Jowa, in 1850, and received only such mental training as could be obtained in the district schools. By the time he reached the age of twenty years he had decided to engage in some line of business, and as a result moved to Blakesburg, where he embarked in the stock business, buying and shipping extensively for a period of four years. He conceived the idea of entering the mercantile business, and in 1979 established a store in Blakesburg, which he has since conducted in a most successful manner. He built a large store in 1893, and
a larger city. He was appointed postmaster 1s President MeKinley, and erected a buikl- ing which he fitted up especially for use as a postoffice. It is conveniently located for the public, and his daughter acts in the capacity of assistant postmaster. In 1898 a bank was established at Blakesburg, and he became one of the stockholders and directors, and has since continued as such.
In 1879 Mr. Abernathy was united in mar- riage with Louisa Fritz, a daughter of Bene- dict Fritz. The latter was born in Germany. and was a young man when he came to this country. The first few years of his stay here were spent in mining in California, which proved very successful. He came to Blakes- birg. purchased land and conducted a general store, becoming one of the town's most pros- perous merchants. Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy
lows: Achsa, born June 7, 1880: Clara C., born December 26, 1882; an infant who died at birth ; and Moses W. F., born August 4, 1898. Politically, the subject of this sketch was a Democrat until Horace Greeley became a candidate for president. He then became a Republican, and is still affiliated with that party.
AMES M. ELDER, for many years a prominent farmer of Highland town- ship, Wapello county, fowa, has been a general merchant and lumber dealer has it well stocked with a complete line of of Highland Center since 1892. Ile is a very goods, such as one would expect to find only in successful business man and has made friends wherever known. He was born in Decatur county, Indiana. June 30, 1845, and is a son of William M. Elder.
William M. Elder was born near Stanford, Kentucky, in 1812, and died at Greensburg, Indiana, in 1876. He married Sarah Sellers, who died in 1854. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom grew to ma- turity, as follows: America, Mary, Sarah, George W .. Henry 11., Oliver Clay and James 31.
James M. Elder was reared in Decatur county, Indiana, and in November, 18 13. en- listed at Greensburg. in Company H. 5th Reg .. Indiana Vol. Cav .. in Sherman's army. He went with his regiment into Kentucky and Tennessee. In eastern Tennessee they partici- pated in numerous skirmishes and engage- ments in the spring of 1864. and fought at
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HISTORY OF WAAPELLO COUNTY
Resaca, Lost Mountain and Cartersville. Ilis regiment was captured while on the Stoneman raid near Macon, Georgia, its captors being Wheeler's cavalry. The privates were taken to Andersonville prison and there remained from August I until the following October. when they were transferred to Charleston. South Carolina, and from there to Florence. With his compatriots imprisoned in the south- orn stockades, Mr. Elder suffered the pangs of hunger, cold, neglect and disease, and at one time almost despaired of his life. In December he finally obtained his parole, was exchanged with a sick contingent and sent to Annapolis. He was mustered out of the service Septem- bur 15, 1805. and received his discharge and pay at Indimapolis. For two years after the war he was unable to apply himself to any- thing that called for physical exertion. At the end of that period he was sufficiently recovered to attend to his duties on the farm. In 1870 he moved to Highland township. Wapello county, lowa, locating on section 4. later on section 13. township 73, range 13, and there successfully followed farming until 1892. In that year President Harrison appointed him postivister of Highland Center, and this re- spon ille position he filled worthily and faith- fully until removed under the Cleveland ad- ministration. When Mckinley was elected president Mr. Eller was again the favorite of his neighbors and was commissioned post- master for the second time in 1807. He still remains in that office, to the entire satisfaction of the community. Hle is a stanch Republican and has received the support of his neighbors
in being elected to office on several occasions. Ile has been clerk and assessor of his town- ship and also school director of the district in which he resides. Ile is now rounding out his second term of three years as a member of the board of supervisors, and now finds himself chairman of that body.
James M. Eldler was united in marriage December 12, 18 7. with Lydia .A. Pratt, a daughter of Vactor and Valeria (Baldwin) Pratt, and they are parents of two children : Louis 11., who married Mabel Francis and lives in Los Angeles, California; and Valeria L., widow of J. W. Ilull .- Mr. Hull dicd March 25. 1800. leaving her with one child, Leona. Fraternally Mr. Elder is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Modern Weodamen of America and a member of J. M. Helrick Post, G. ... R., No. 424. of Hedrick, lowa. Ilis wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church A portrait of the subject of this sketch is pre- Userted on a foregoing page.
m RS. PHERRYBA PARKER, a well known.resident of Green township. Wapello county, Iowa, has a fine farm of 127 acres in section 7. township 71. range 14. She is the widow of J. A. Parker, and a daughter of Madison Well-
Madison Wellman came to Wapello county. Jowa, in 1843. first settling in Center township. and .hen in . Adams township, where he owned a farm between Kirkville and Fremont. on Big
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Cedar Creek. The country was then full of wild game and often wild turkeys were shot from the door. The Indians were troublesome at times, especially after receiving their pay. at .Agency from the government. On such oc- casions they always managed to procure whis- kcy in some way, and when on their way home were in bad condition, by the time they reached the Wellman farm. It required great bravery on the part of the women in those days. espe- cially during the absence of the men, their only resource being to get down the gun and threaten to shoot if the Indians did not pro- ceed about their business. They were also at times troubled with wild animals, the wolves sometimes being exceedingly dangerous, and the womer needed to be as skilled in the use of fire-arms as were the men. In 1852 Madi- son Wellman owned a mill in Ottumwa, sawed lumber, ground feed, and ran a carding ma- chine and turning lathe. While there Pherry- ba Wellman often went out in a skiff when the river was high, and rowed on what is now the main street of Ottumwa. Mr. Wellman sold his mill in 1852, and moved onto his farm. where he died at the age of thirty-two years.
Pherryba Wellman was united in marriage with J. A. Parker, who was born in Worces- ter. Maryland, in 1811. His early education was very good, as his father was a wealthy man, owning a large plantation and many slaves. His father, William Parker, operated a sawmill, and with the help of his slaves had it running day and night. He shipped his lumber to Baltimore, then the best market for it. The father of William Parker came to
this country carly in the eighteenth century from England. J. A. Parker lived in his native state until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he moved to the vicinity of Cin- cinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio. He was en- gaged in farming there for about ten years, and then moved to lowa and purchased the farm on which his widow now resides. As his health was not good he started for California with ox teams. While en route he strayed So far from his team that he could not find his way back, and was left entirely without pro- visions. He wandered for many miles and finally got to the mountains. He staked out a claim and made a good strike, but soon soll his claim and started for home. He deposited his gold in a bank at Sacramento and received a deposit check therefor, retaining in his pos- session only a sufficient amount for passage home. He returned home by boat and met with exceedingly rough weather on the voyage. which consumed over a month. When he ar- rived he went to cash his deposit check and was informed that the bank had failed. which meant that he had lost all he had made. He had been gone for two years, and after the excitement of the trip was not content to settle down to farming. lle moved to Ottumwa and was engaged in teaming for a year, when he concluded to move back on his farm in Green township. He remained on this farm the re- mainder of his life, with the exception of a short period when he went as far as Omaha, on his way to Pike's Peak, but changed his plans and returned home after due considera- tion. Ile died on his farm in 1899, and his
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
death was a serious loss to the community in which he had lived for so many years. He was a Republican in politics, and. religiously, a member of the Christian church.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker became the parents of 12 children, of whom five survive, as fol- lous: James Madison, born October 8, 1851 ; Charles, born October 30, 1853 : Sherman, born April 7, 1865: Mamie, born September 11. 1873: and Lily Wave. born July 23. 1878. By a former marriage Mr. Parker had two children .- William, deceased: and Caroline. the wife of Zephaniah Wood.
OHN SCHWARTZ, a highly respected farmer residing in Adams township, Wapello county, on section 11, town- ship ;t. range 15. is a native of Ger- many : before coming to this county he fought with honor in the German army.
Mr. Schwartz was born in 1845, and re- mained at home, went to school and helped his father until he was twenty years of age. He then was drafted, placed in the 4th Regiment. Augusta Guards (named after the Queen ). for a period of three years, and saw much hard service in the Austrian-Prussian War. during which he participated in the three greatest bat- tles of that struggle. An instance of the dan- gers incident to his three years of service is here given. Upon one occasion he. with others, was sent out to spy the enemy's posi- tion. When they approached the lines of the (niemy they divided into parties of four. each
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