USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 49
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Samuel A. Shawver attended the common schools of Columbia township, Wapello county, and remained at home until he was thirty-eight years old. Upon his father's death he inherited a part of the home farm, which he cultivated a short time. He then went to California and engaged in the wheat- growing industry, in which he was very suc- cessful. He remained west about five and a half years, and in 1877 returned to Eddyville. Iowa, and accepted a position as clerk with F. W. Fais, the grocer. He subsequently bought out his employer's business, including a first-class bakery, which has proved a paying investment. lle employs four people the year through, and finds a ready sale for nearly all of the output of his bakery in Eddyville and the vicinity. He is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of the place, and has made many friends throughout this section of the county.
In 1881 Mr. Shawver was united in mar- riage with Belle Totman, a daughter of Simeon and Christina ( Oldham) Totman, pioneer set- tlers of Mahaska county. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children,-Fred and Geneva. In political belief Mr. Shawver is a Democrat, and is serving as school direc-
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tor. He has served as assessor in a most ac- ceptable manner. In 1885 he was made a member of Eddyville Lodge, No. 74. A. F. & 1. M., and is a member of Oskaloosa Chapter. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Religiously he is inclined to be liberal in his ideas.
P ETER FRANCIS, a prominent citizen of Eddyville, Wapello county, lowa. who is engaged in the wheelwright business, is one of the pioneer set- tlers of this thriving town. He was born in Marshall county, West Virginia, 10 miles south of Wheeling. March 30, 1828, and is a son of Emanuel and Sabra (Crow) Francis.
Emanuel Francis was born in Maryland, while his wife was a native of Pennsylvania. They lived in West Virginia most of their lives, and there Mr. Francis followed black- smithing during his early manhood: but the latter years of his life were devoted to farm- ing. He served in the 12th Reg., West Vir- ginia Vol. Inf .. during the Civil War. He chied in 1899. aged ninety-nine years. His wife died in 1864, aged sixty-two years. Four- teen children were born to this couple, 11 of whom reached maturity, and nine of whom are now living, as follows: Peter, the subject of this sketch: Edward: Samuel: Smith : Joseph T .: Eliza: Ellen: Martha; and John Knox. Emanuel Francis and his wife were Presby- terians. Mr. Francis was an old-time Whig. and later joined the ranks of the Republican party.
Peter Francis attended the common schools of West Virginia, and when a youth learned the trade of a wagon-maker. This he fol- lowed in his native state for some time, and in 1855 he left home. He reached Eddyville April 10, 1855, and there he has since lived. With the exception of fourteen years spent in railroad work and in a sawmill, he has always worked at the trade of a wheelwright. lle is a very fine workman, and before wagon-mak- ing machinery was introduced he made many wheels by hand. He now devotes most of his time to general repair work.
Mr. Francis married Mary Raymond, in 1848, and to them have been born eight chil- dren, two of whom are now living .- William, of Ottumwa: and Edward M., of Albia. Mr. Francis is a Democrat in political belief. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Masonic order.
W. DE LONG, a gentleman prominently known as postmaster of Eddyville, is proprietor of the Eddyville Weekly Tribune, a pub- lication that has a large circulation throughout Wapello county. Hle was born in Wilming- ton, Will county, Illinois, and is a son of C. .. and Sarah Ml. ( Fletcher ) De Long, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
C. A. De Long was a portrait artist and followed that profession all his life. He moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he lived for a period of thirty years, and then moved to Canton, Dakota, where he died, in
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1882. Mr. and Mrs. De Long became the parents of five children, of whom three are non living, as follows: F. K. and L. S. of Minneapolis: and W. W., the subject of this biography. Fraternally C. A. De Long was a Mason. Mrs. De Long died in 1873, at the age of forty-nine years.
W. W. De Long was a pupil in the grade and high schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and early in life developed an ambition to be- come a scenic artist. He studied the art of scenic painting in several of the best schools of this country. He spent four years in study, mastered the art and followed this vocation in different parts of lowa with much success. Ile located in Eddyville in 1881, and was its mayor from 1803 to 1894. In 1897 he pur- chased of Jacob Kussart, Jr., the Weekly Tribune, which he has since edited and pub- lished. Hle is a clever, versatile and well-in- formed writer, and makes his paper attractive from every point of view. He has much in- fluence in the community, and through the medium of his paper does what he can to fur- ther the best interests of the county. llis paper not only has a large circulation in Wa- pello county, but in Monroe and Mahaska counties as well. In July, 1807. he was ap- pointed postmaster of Eddyville, and re-ap- pointed in January, 1901, having served in a most creditable manner. He is a Republica ?? in politics, and an earnest worker for party success.
W. W. De Long was united in marriage, ia 1883, with Laura J. Watkins, a daughter oi John and Emma Watkins, of Eddyville, and
they have three children: Gene; Gladys; and Marjorie. Religiously Mr. De Long is liberal in his views. Fraternally he is a member of the .A. F. & .A. M. and Knights of Pythias.
ILAN BOLIBAUGHI, one of the leading, influential farmers of m Columbia township, Wapello conn- ty, lowa, was born February 7, 1853, in this county. Ile is a son of Aaron and Perneda ( Whitehead ) Bolibaugh.
Aaron Bolibaugh was born, reared and schooled in Indiana. He left his native state 111 1851, and settled in Wapello county, Iowa, where, three years previously, he had entered 134 acres of land. Ile has since purchased 80 acres more in Wapello county and 240 acres in Mahaska county,-making a total of 454 acres of highly cultivated land. He is recog- nized as one of the principal farmers in the county. He married Perneda Whitehead, a native of Indiana, and to them were born the following children, namely: Isabel: Milan ; Willis: Emma; Clara; Aurilla; Ollie: Della; Grant ; and Charles. Mrs. Bolibaugh died in 1801, aged fifty-eight years. Mr. Bolibaugh still resides on the old homestead.
Milan Bolibaugh attended the common schools of Wapello county, Iowa, and after his school days were over engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He remained under the par- ental roof forty-four years, and in 1896 settled on his present farm, which then consisted of 74 acres of finely improved land. Mr. Boli-
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM S. PELHAM.
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baugh has added to this until now he owns 134 "parents. He lived at home until he was of age acres. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he is very successful. He has hosts of friends in the vicinity, and is a public-spirited man.
ILLIAM S. PELHAM, who con- ducts the largest general merchan- dise store in Kirkville, Wapello county, lowa, has been located in the county since the opening of the "New Pur- chase." and has been the proprietor of his present store for the past twenty-two years. He was born in Springfield, Illinois, in 1838. and is a son of B. C. Pelham.
B. C. Pelham was born in Ohio and reared in Illinois, near the city of Springfield. Ile was a cooper by trade, and was engaged in farming the latter part of his life. In 1843 he came to lowa with his family and stayed at the home of General Street, at Agency. The family was among the very first to make a settlement in Wapello county, and later stayed with Mr. Eddy. B. C. Pelham was united in matranony with Miss B. Sinnard, and after coming to lowa they located in the southwest part of Mahaska county. Mr. Pelham moved to Richland township, Wapello county, in 1849. and remained there until his death. He and his wife reared the following offspring: Will- iam S. : Abraham, deceased : Amanda : Asbury L .. and Charles W.
and after the death of his father assisted his mother by managing the farm. He started in the mercantile line in Kirkville twenty-two years ago, and prospered from the first. Hle carries the largest line of general merchandise in the town, including dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries and hardware, and well merits the large patronage he receives. He is an ex- cellent and wide-awake business man, and is one of the most public spirited citizens of the town. He owns several gold mines in the Black Hills, South Dakota.
In 1862 Mr. Pelham was united in mar- riage with Miranda Ruble, who was born in Lee county, lowa. in 1845, and they have four children : Lottie A. (Johnson), "' > lives in Oklahoma: John L., who is at home; Minnie; and Barton O. Politically the subject of this sketch is independent, and has served as trus- tee and as a member of the school board of his township a number of term -. A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Pelham accompanies this sketch.
OHN M. FISH, who is one of the pio- neer settlers of Eddyville, Wapello county, lowa, was born in Underhill. Vermont, May 24. 1815, and is a son of Dr. Samuel and Eunice ( Elliott ) Fish.
Samuel Fish was born in Sandwich. Massa- chusetts, in 1782, and was a young child when taken by his parents to Barnard, Vermont. Ile was educated in the subscription schools of that
William S. Pelham lived in his native state until 1843. when he moved to lowa with his state. Upon arriving at manhood he took a
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course of study in the Hanover Medical Col- lege, of Hanover, New Hampshire, and then practiced at his profession in the vicinity of Barnard. Later he moved to Underhill. Ver- mont, then to Thornton, New Hampshire, and practiced, and then went to Boston, Massa- chusetts. In 1842 he moved to Missouri, and in 1844 to Van Buren county. lowa, where he practiced about two years. He next moved to Eddyville, where he spent the remainder of his life in practical retirement. He was a scholar and an exceptionally well-educated man. lle married Eunice Elliott, who was born in Thornton. New Hampshire, and they became the parents of six children, two of whom died young. Those who grew up were: Erasmus D., born January 13, 1813, who helped to lay « ut the town of Eddyville, with Dr. Ross and Mr. Eddy, of Eddy's Trading Post fame : John M. : Benjamin F., born March 21, 1817. who is a member of the Fish Wagon Manufac- turing Company, in Michigan: and Mary .... born February 22, 1829, who married William 11. Dunlap and now resides in Keokuk, lowa. ; out to Mr. Dunlap, and purchased the land Religiously they were members of the Congre- gational church. Dr. Fish died in 1849. and his wife in 1878.
John M. Fish attended the common schools of Vermont and New Hampshire, and was a pupil in the New Hampshire Academy. After he left school he clerked in a store at Goffs- town. New Hampshire, for about two years. and then moved to Aton, Illinois, which was , considered very far west. The trip was made in 1836, from Goffstown to Nashua by stage.
to Lowell via the Boston & Providence Rail- read, to New York City by railroad and thence to Albany by boat. He then took the railroad to Shenectady, the Erie Canal to Buffalo and made the trip to Cleveland by boat. The trip from Cleveland to Cineinnati was made by stage, and from the latter city to St. Louis by boat. He then crossed the river to Alton. The whole trip consumed twenty-seven days, and cost him $78. Hle was engaged as a elerk for one year at Alton, and then embarked in the hotel business, conducting for one year what is now known as the Alton House. Ho went from there to Sand Hill, Missouri, and six months later to Tippecanoe, Missouri, where he was engaged in mercantile business for a period of ten years. In the meantime hi ; brother, Erasmus D. Fish, had moved to Ed- dyville, in 1843, and opened up a store, which John M. purchased in 1846. He did not. however, locate there until 1852, when he went into partnership with Mr. Dunlap. This part- nership continued until 1856, when he soldl at what is now known as Fishville, situated about 17 miles from Eddyville. This property he leased to outside parties for a royalty of (ne cent per bushel for coal, and thus received ¿ handsome income. He later leased success- ively to the Dudley Coal Company, of Ot- tumwa, for one year, the Leighton Coal Com- pany, the Mahaska Coal Company, H. B. Fos- ter. Mrs. H. B. Foster. and, in August, 1901. to the Garfield Coal Company, for a period of fifteen years. For the past twenty-five years
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he has devoted his attention to looking after his interests, and at one time owned consider- able farming property.
In 1843 Mr. Fish married Mary Ann For- sha, a native of Missouri, and the following children were born to them : Mary E. ( Horner ) of St. Louis: Elizabeth; Henrietta, deceased; William, of Union county, lowa: Lottie, de- ceased: and William, who died in infancy. Politically Mr. Fish was first a Democrat, then a Whig, and finally a Republican. While in Missouri he served in the capacity of post- master.
DAM W. BELL, a pioneer settler of Wapello county, Iowa, who was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits, is now living a retired life in the town of Eddyville. He was born in 1831. in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a son of Nathaniel and Celia ( Wright ) Bell, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of North Caro- lina.
Nathaniel Bell followed farming for many years in Indiana, where he was a pioneer set- tler of Putnam county. He moved west to Wapello county, lowa, in 1846, and settled in Center township, four miles northwest of Ot- tumwa. There he remained until he died, in 1877. at the age of seventy-two years. He and his wife became the parents of the following children : Martha : Elizabeth : Lucy . \ .: \dam W .: Sarah M .: Benjamin F .: Thomas J. : Cerissa; and Ellen. They were members of the Christian church. Mrs. Bell died in the
early "seventies," at the age of about sixty- seven years.
Adam W. Bell received his mental training in the common schools of Indiana and Wapello county. Iowa, but is practically a self-educated man. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-three years, and then started in life for himself. He rented land the first year, and then purchased a piece of raw prairie land in Appanoose county, on which he lived for eighteen months. He sold out, moved back to Wapello county, and bought a farm of 160 acres, a mile southeast of Chillicothe. This he improved and cultivated until Febru- ary, 1900, when he moved to Eddyville, where he is now spending his declining years in the peace and comfort of retired life. At one time he owned 420 acres, and this, with the excep- tion of the original 160 acres, he divided among his children. He contends that his wife was a large factor in helping to make and save the means with which this land was purchased, and the children should benefit by the fruit of her industry. He has always been a hard- werking man, and has been honored as an up- right citizen by those who best know him. His advice has been sought in matters of public interest, and he has always added his influence and support to enterprises tending to benefit the community.
In 1854 Mr. Bell was united in marriage with Nancy E. Goodwin, a daughter of Rolla and Hannah Goodwin, who settled in Wapello county, lowa. as early as 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Bell became the parents of two children: Catherine, who married John Jordan, of Cass
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township, Wapello county, by whom she has three children,-Minnie, Ethel and Bessie ; and one who died young. Some time after the death of his wife Mr. Bell married Mary I. MeGlothlen, of Wapello county, to whom four children were born, as follows: Adda : Lucy: Buckley: and Nellie V. Adda married Har- vey Shahan, of Ottumwa, and has four chil- dren: Erville : Alma and Elma (twins) : and Gladys. Lucy married Dudley Fagerstrom, of Page county, lowa, and has four children : Frank : Paul: Grace; and Fay. Buckley mar- ried Dilla MeFadden, and has three children : Floyd; Audrey ; and Harold. Nellie V. mar- ried A. W. Oxander, of Oskaloosa, and has two children,-Marguerite and Gertrude. Mr. Bell wedded for his third wife Mary E. Sha- han, of Monroe county, lowa. In religious belief they are members of the Christian church. Politically Mr. Bell is a stanch Dem- ocrat, and held the office of justice of the peace in Cass township for a number of years. He is strongly opposed to the liquor traffic, and is not in favor of placing a license on anything tending to destroy souls.
L EVI LORE, a prominent agriculturist of Wapello county, lowa, owns and operates a fine farm in Columbia township. He was born in Cumber- land county, Pennsylvania, in 1857. and is a son of Michael and Barbara (Landis) Lore, both natives of Pennsylvania.
Michael Lore was reared to agricultural
pursuits, which he followed in his native state "for several years. Upon coming to Wapello county, Jowa, he rented land, which he culti- vated for some years. After his return from the war he purchased 6272 acres of land, which he subsequently traded for 160 acres in Appanoose county, Iowa. This farm he lived upon for four years, and then soll it and moved to Lincoln county, Kansas, where he purchased a farm of 160 acres. After cultivating this tract for a period of five years he sold it and moved to Missouri, where he is now located. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D. 36th Reg., lowa Vol. Inf., and served with credit until the close of the Civil war. His union with Barbara Landis resulted in the birth of seven children, as follows : Elizabeth: Henry : George: Levi; Mary: Ella: and Lillie. Mrs. Lore died in 1869, at the age of about forty- four years, and Mr. Lore afterward married Elizabeth Williams, of Columbia township, Wapello county, lowa. After her death he was married to a Miss Crispen, by whom he had two children. Religiously he and his family are Methodists.
Levi Lore received a common school edu- cation, and then moved to Appanoose county, lowa, with his parents. He remained there for seven years and then left home and worked in Wayne county, lowa, for two years. He returned to Wapello county, lowa, and worked ( n a farm, by the month, until after his mar- riage, and then purchased a farm of S4 acres, in 1889. Ile has since been located on this farm, and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a good
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MR. AND MRS. CHARLES H. STUBER AND FAMILY.
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manager and has made many improvements on his farm, which is neat and attractive in ap- pearance. Ile has a good farm house, barn and other outbuildings so necessary to suc- cessful farming.
In 1888 Mr. Lore was united in marriage with Delila Dotts, a daughter of Philip Dotts. The latter was born in Carroll county, Ohio, February 5. 1834, and was a son of Thomas and Delila ( Kindle) Dotts, the former of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. Ilis parents were pioneer settlers of Carroll county, Ohio. Philip Dotts came to Wapello county. lowa, in 1855, where he engaged in farming. and still owns a valuable farm in Colombia township. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Margaret Shawver, a daughter of Sam- tel Shawver, and they reared the following children : Gideon; Jane; John H .: Etha M .; Delila: Alice: Thomas B .; and Nellie MI. Mr. and Mrs. Lore are parents of two chil- dren,-Philip and Lillie. Politically Mr. Lore is a Democrat, and has held several township offices. Fraternally he is a member of Kirkville Lodge, 1. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs; and of the Brother- houd of American Yeoman.
HARLES IL. STUBER, a prominent farmer of Columbia township. Wa- pello county, lowa, was born in Wa- Dello county. December 3. 1855. and is a son of Abraham and Mary ( Bowen ) Stuber, the former a native of Germany, and the latter a native of Missouri.
Abraham Stuber was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Wapello county, lowa. He was born on the River Rhine, in Germany, January 1, 1831, and is a son of Peter and Catherine ( Gelires) Stuber. Peter Stuber was a wagon- maker by trade, in addition to which he fol- lowed farming in his native country. He came to the United States in 1837, landing in New York City, and thence went to Wayne county, Ohio, where he lived between two and three years. Ile next located in Pike county, Ohio, where he settled on a farm and remained until October, 1846. Then he moved to Wapello county, lowa, where he purchased a claim of 160 acres two miles southwest of Chillicothe. This tract he cultivated until 1849. when he died at the age of forty-six years. Peter and Catherine Stuber were parents of the follow- ing children: AAbraham: Peter, who died in the army: Catherine: Philip: Charlotte: Fred ; William; and two who died in infancy. In religious attachments, they were Lutherans. Mrs. Stuber died in 1882, at the age of seventy- six years.
Abraham Stuber attended the common schools, and lived at home until he was twenty- two years ohl. Upon the death of his father, he took charge of the homestead property and kept the remainder of the family together. He started in business for himself by purchasing 40 acres in 1853. and later sold out and moved to Chillicothe, where he resided some time. He then rented a farm for five years. In 1802, he purchased 150 acres of his present farm, and added to this until he owned about 500 acres ; at the present time, however, he owns but 283
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acres. In 1853. he married Mary Bowen, a daughter of l'eter Bowen, a native of New York, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Amanda E .: Charles H .: Abraham F., deceased: George P .: Laura E .; and Emma and Ella, twins-Emma died when a few months oldl. In religious belief, Abra- ham Stuber is a Baptist. Politically, he is affiliated with the Republican party, and has held a number of township offices.
Charles HI. Stuber, the subject of this rec- ord, received but a common-school education. and remained at home until he reached his ma- jority, when he started in business for him- self. Ilis first purchase was a tract of 85 acres,-a part of his present farm,-and he has added to this from time to time, until he now owns 200 acres of valuable farming land. This he devotes to general farming and stock rais- ing, in which branches he has made a success. Ile resides in a modern dwelling, erected in 1895, which adds greatly to the general ap- pearance of the place. The main part of the house is two stories high, and 16 by 28 feet, in dimensions, with an ell. 18 by 18 feet in size: there is also a wing of one story, meas- vring 10 by 17 feet. It is a model house in every way, and is supplied with all the con- veniences.
In 1877. Mr. Stuber was united in mar- riage with Phoebe 1. Blackman, a daughter of George Blackman; she was born in Vinton county. Ohio, and died February 21, 1900, aged forty years. Three children blessed this union: Clara, who was born in September. 1878, and died the same year : Estella, who was
born in July, 1882, and died in February. 1900: and Charles E., who lives at home. Mr. Stuber also reared Fred Stuber Bowen, who was left an orphan at the age of eleven years. Fred was born .April 4, 1875. at Chillicothe, Iowa, and is a son of William and Catherine ( Stuber ) Bowen ; he graduated from the Eddy- ville High School. He taught school three , terms, and then studied in the office of Dr. F. E. Vance. He graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago. January 21, 1921, and is practicing medicine at Eddyville, lowa. Mr. Stuber is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is steward; he is also cir- cuit steward. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In poli- tics, Mr. Stuber is a Republican, and has been school treasurer of Columbia township since 1886.
A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Stuber and fam- ily is shown on a preceding page.
ILLIAM A. WAUGAMAN, who is the owner of a truck farm and is engaged in raising small fruit in Columbia township, Wapello coun- ty. Jowa, was born in AArmstrong county, Pennsylvania. January 26, 1854, and is a son of Andrew and Rebecca ( Truby ) Wangaman. Ix th natives of Pennsylvania.
Andrew Wangaman was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, followed that line of work in his native state all his life, and died in the vicin- ity of Kittanning, in 1894, at the age of eighty
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years. His wife died on the old homestead in 1883. at the age of sixty-three years. They were parents of the following children : Michael T., George W., Philip H., William A., Sarah J., Samuel E., Amanda and one who died in infancy. They were members of the German Reformed church. In political belief the husband was a Republican, and held numerous township offices.
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