USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 50
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William A. Wangaman received a common school education in Armstrong county, l'enn- sylvania, and remained at home until he was cighteen years of age. He then learned the trade of a blacksmith, serving an apprentice- ship of three years, and then moved to lowa. where he was engaged in repairing county bridges in Washington, Jefferson, Lee, Henry and Louisa counties for a period of four years. He followed the trade of a carpenter at Eddy- ville for one year, having moved to that town in 1883. He then spent two years on the lowa Central Railroad as bridge builder. He pur- chased a house and five lots, which he later sold, and bought his present farm of 53 acres in: Columbia township, a mile and a half from Feldyville, in 1887. He has since devoted his attention to raising small fruit, sweet potatoes, melons, etc., in which he has met with good results, having found a ready market for his produce in Ottumwa and vicinity.
In 18;8 Mr. Wangaman was united in wedlock with Ella Bickford, a daughter of Cornelius and Eliza ( Rierdon ) Bickford, both ratives of Ohio. This union was blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Jessie, de- ceased: John B .: Anna; Frank: Bertha; and
Hazel L. In religious belief the family is Congregational. Fraternally Mr. Waugaman is a member of Day Lodge, No. 26, 1. O. (). F., and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is a stanch supporter of Republican prin- ciples.
OHIN DIBLE, who is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Columbia town- ship, Wapello county, lowa, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1860, and is a son of Zephaniah and Catherine ( Moore ) Dible.
Zephaniah Dille was born and reared in the Keystone State, where he was variously employed until the Civil War began. He then became an engineer on one of the boats run- ning on the Ohio River. Ile followed this line of work for a number of years, and in 1890 removed to Iowa. He settled in Monroe county, near Albia, where he remained until he moved to Wapello county, where he en- gaged in farming. In 1880 he moved to Sedgwick county, Kansas, where he purchased a farm, which he operated until 1896. In that year he sold it, moved to Missouri and en- Saged in prospecting and mining. Hle mar- red Catherine Moore, and to them were born three children, as follows: John; Mary : and llarry. After the death of his wife he was again married, this time to Clarinda Stodghill. Their marriage took place in 1870. Three children were born to them, namely: James : Blanche : and Frank.
John Dible, the subject of this sketch, re-
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ceived limited instruction in the common schools of Monroe county, Iowa. When a young boy he worked at farming for some time by the month. In 1875 he settled in Wapello county, lowa, where he farmed until 1800. He then purchased 120 acres of land. which he has devoted to general farming and grazing purposes. He owns 240 acres of fine land in Thomas county, Kansas. He is at present living with his wife's parents, on their farm in Columbia township.
In 1885 Mr. Dible married Laura E. Stu- ber, a daughter of Abraham Stuber. Two children have blessed this union, namely : Min- nie 31. ; and Leola R. Mr. and Mrs. Dible are members of the Baptist church, in which Mr. Dible is a deacon. Politically he is a strong Republican, and is at present serving as presi- dent of the school board. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dible is well known and highly respected' in the community, and his friends are many.
HOMAS STODGHILL, ex-sheriff of Wapello county, Iowa, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Columbia township. He was born on the place 1. here he now lives, August 21, 1863, and is a son of Christopher and Martha ( Crook) Stodghill, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio.
Christopher Stodghill moved from Vir- ginia to Ohio in 1855, and settled on the prop- erty now owned by his son, Thomas, which he
purchased of R. M. Gibbs. It originally con- sisted of 160 acres, but as he continued to pros- per in his business he added to it, until at the time of his death he owned 640 acres of fine farming land. He engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, and kept a fine grade of cattle, hogy and sheep. He died June 20, 1876, at the age of fifty-seven years. llis union with Martha Crook resulted in the birth of the following children: Andrew; Thomas: Henry: George; and Emma, who became the wife of llenry Lammes. Mrs. Stodghill died December 16, 1897, at the age of seventy years. Religiously they were members of the Metho- (list Episcopal church. By his first wife. Rachel Swope. Mr. Stodghill had six children. four of whom are living, namely: Nancy J .; Charles : Alice ; and James. Those deceased are Clara and Isabelle.
Thomas Stodghill attended the common schools of Wapello county, and at an early age applied himself to farming. He then engaged in railroad construction on the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad, after which he went to Marshalltown, lowa, and worked in a canning factory. He subsequently returned home, and for two years was engaged in a stone quarry at Dudley. He then conducted the affairs of the home farm for his mother, and in addition to farming bought and sold cattle and hogs until 1803. In that year he was elected sheriff of Wapello county on the Republican ticket, having been an active worker in that party. He assumed the duties of his office on January 1. 1894, and served two terms in that capacity. In 1899. upon the
W. E. WILLIAMS.
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death of his mother, he returned to the farm and purchased the interests of the other heirs. He is now sole owner of the old homestead, consisting of 240 acres of choice farming land. Hle deals extensively in cattle, horses and hogs, and feeds on an average 150 head of cattle. He is a very prominent business man, and in addition to the property above men- tioned owns an interest in the telephone com- pany at Salida. Colorado. Fraternally he is a Mason and a Sir Knight of Malta Command- ery ; and a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
E. WILLIAMS, a resident of Keb. Richland township, Wapello county, lowa, whose portrait is herewith shown, is superintendent of the Keb coal mine, a position he has filled in a most efficient manner for a period of eight years. He was born in South Wales in 1844. and is a son of W. E. Williams, Sr., who was born in South Wales, and was a coal miner.
W. E. Williams, the subject of this sketch, came to the United States in September, 1869. landing at New York City. He went to St. Louis, and for two years was located in New Pittsburg. St. Clair county, Missouri, engaged in the mining business. He moved to Sand Creek. Indiana, where he was occupied in coal mining for seven years, and during that time was promoted to be inside boss. He later mined five years in Fountain county, Indiana, then moved to Grape Creek, Vermilion county, Illi-
nois, where he remained one year, and sank a shaft for a Chicago company. He then came to Kirkville, lowa, and worked in the mines seven years. In 1892 he moved to Keb, where he worked two months as a miner, and was then promoted to be outside boss. He was still later promoted to the position of superintendent of the mine, in which he is displaying great abil- ity, being an expert in all the details of bitu- minous coal mining. The output of the mine is about 600 tons per day, and an average of 225 men is employed. The coal is of a high grade and sold to different railroads. The mine is what is known as a dry mine, the main shait being 63 feet deep, and the vein from four to five and a half feet thick.
In 1872, Mr. Williams was united in mar- riage with Phoebe A. Nowling, who was born in Indiana, and died in 1886. In 1889 he mar- ried Margaret Loyd, who was born in South Wales. Ile is a Democrat, in politics. Frater- nally, he belongs to the I. O. O. F .. K. of P .. and B. P. O. E .. of Ottumwa, Iowa.
B ENJAMIN F. OGDEN, deceased, who was a prominent pioneer settler of Wapello county, lowa, and a promi- nent educator of his day, was living on a farm of 349 acres in Columbia township. at the time of his death. He was born in Maryland, in 1811, and was a son of David and Mary ( Deems) Ogden. both natives of Pennsylvania.
David Ogden left his native state at an
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early age, and located in Maryland. He was a cabinetmaker by trade, which he followed in Maryland, and later moved to Leesburg. Vir- ginia, where he followed his trade for several years. He then moved to Ohio, and afterward to Keokuk, lowa, where he died November 29. 1863. His wife died in 1811, at the age of twenty-nine years, when Benjamin F. was an infant. Mr. Ogden married a second time, wedding Elizabeth Crow, by whom he had ser- eral children. He was a member of the Meth- cdist Episcopal church.
Benjamin F. Ogden, the only child born to his parents, received his early mental training in the public schools of Virginia, and then took a complete course in Leesburg College, at Lees- burg. Virginia, , from which institution he graduated with honors. He then began teach- ing school in Virginia, and subsequently fol- lewed that vocation in several states in the South. Previous to the war he taught school on a large plantation in Louisiana, on which several hundred slaves were employed. This did not prove to his liking, as he was a strong Abolitionist, and as a result he returned north and taught school in Pennsylvania. It was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that he met and married Mrs. Hannah ( Supplee ) Frame. In 1865 they came west to Wapello county, Iowa, where he was already the owner of a farm of 349 acres, in Columbia township. He died July 30, 1874, and his farm was divided among his heirs, Mrs. Ogden receiving 185 acres of the land and a fine old-fashioned brick house. The tract is the finest grade of bottom land, and makes one of the best pieces for farming in
the county. In his political belief, Mr. Ogden was a stanch Republican.
Mrs. Ogden was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of William and Louisa Supplee. both natives of Pennsylvania. Her first mar- riage was to Thomas Frame, in 1852, by whom there was one child. Mary Frame, wife of Ed- gar Ogden, of Mahaska county, lowa. As a result of her union with Mr. Ogden four chil- dren were born. as follows: George D., de- ceased, who left two children, Stella and Blanche: David, deceased: Charles S., who married Nellie B. Young, and resides with his mother : and Rebecca, wife of Charles W. Sulli- van, of Ottumwa, lowa, who has two children, Edith and Ruth. Mrs. Ogden is a woman of many estimable traits of character, and has nu- merons warm friends in the community. Mr. Ogden was not a member of any church, and was not liberal in his belief, as that term is generally applied, but was a man who loved to be geed and to do good, from a high sense of justice to his fellow beings, rather than front fear of a hereafter. He had, however. an abid- ing faith in a supreme being.
L A. WEBBER, a gentleman well known in Wapello county, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Columbia township. He was born in Ottumwa. Iowa, September 8, 1860, and is a son of Jacob 11. and Anna N. (McGinley ) Webber, the for- mor a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Butler county, Pennsylvania.
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Jacob H. Webber at an early age learned the trade of a bricklayer, and was engaged in contracting for many years. In 1858 he came west to Burlington, lowa, and one year later to Ottumwa, lowa, where he engaged in the bricklaying and contracting business. Ile erect- ed many of the substantial brick buildings of the city, which now stand as momments to his memory. He is remembered by many of the older residents of Ottumwa as an upright and honest citizen, and a man who always did as he agreed to do, even at the penalty of losing on his contracts. In 1870 he moved to Eddy- ville, where he purchased a farm, the work on which was superintended by his wife, as he still continued at his trade in Ottumwa. He died in 1892, at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Webber were the parents of 10 chil- dren, as follows: Alice C .: Elmora Z .: John: William ; Florence, the inventor of Mrs. Potts' Cold Handle Sad Irons, who married J. H. Potts, for many years a member of the firm of Potts Brothers, dry goods merchants of Ot- tumwa: George: Frank; Linnie, deceased, the wife cf H. G. True, of Eddyville : and Lorena and Loren .A., twins. In religious belief, Mr. Webber was a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Webber died in 1804. at the age of sev- enty-five years.
1 .. A. Webber attended the common schools of Wapello county. Iowa, and at an early age turned his attention to farming. Thinking to better his condition in life. he worked as a brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad for a period of three years, when he became disgusted with the work and returned
to the old homestead. He applied himself to farming with such a good will and energy that he soon paid off the indebtedness on the prop- erty. His parents lived with him until Death called them to their Heavenly reward. Ile still owns the old homestead, and has added 266 acres to it, making a total of 366 acres of good bettem land. He is engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, devotes much of his time to the latter industry, and makes a special- ty of Poland-China hogs.
July 11. 1888, Mr. Webber was united in marriage with Lyda Nichols, of Eddyville, a daughter of Mrs. Mary Leper, and two chil- dren have been born to them .- Lorena M. and George W. Fraternally, Mr. Webber is a men- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America. In political attachments, he is a Republican, and takes a deep interest in public affairs.
HOMAS J. NEWELL, deccased. for many years was one of the foremost agriculturists and land owners of Wapello county, Iowa. He was born in AAshland county, Ohio, near Columbus, in 1830.
Thomas J. Newell received his early mental training in his native state, where he remained 1:ntil 1849. In that year his parents located in Wapello county, lowa, where the eller Newell entered 39 acres of land in the northwest quar- ter oi section 15, in Columbia township. On this land Thomas J. Newell lived for forty-six years, his father having died one year after his
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
removal to lowa. His mother departed this life in 1875. Mr. Newell inherited 15 acres of the land on which his father settled. and it was but a short time until he had accumulated enough money to purchase the interests of the other heirs. Being a very industrious man. he made rapid progress in his chosen occupation. and frem 1875 until the time of his death, Au- gust 10, 1900. he acquired o70 acres of land, besides paying a debt of 500. Ile gave 93 acres of this land to his sen Samuel, who always re- mained at home with his parents.
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Mr. Newell married. in 18544. Margaret . 1. Arrington, a native of Springfield, Illinois, and to them were born 13 children, of whom the following reached maturity: Columbia .\. ; Lennie : Rhoda : Belle : Lydia: Arminda: Flora and Laura, twins : Samuel ; and Ruie. In po- litical belief, Mr. Newell was a Democrat until his last vote, when he voted the Republican ticket. He held several township offices, and was honored and respected wherever known.
KNOLD E. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer of Columbia township. Wa- pello county, lowa, lives on govern- ment lets 2 and 3. section 7. He was born on his present farm August 27. 1862, and is a son of Arnold and Mary ( Arans) John- son, both natives of Holland.
Arnold Johnson came to America in 1847. landing at New Orleans. He immediately thereafter located in Wapello county, lowa, and settled upon the land in Columbia township
which is now owned by his son. The tract contained 10112 acres, and to this he added 40 acres of wholly unimproved land. He set to work improving the land and fenced it in. lle built a log house, which he later replaced by a frame dwelling, which was destroyed by fire in 1879. The following year he erected the present substantial nine-room house. He also built a barn and other outbuildings, and made the property one of the best improved farms in the township. He was one of the mest prosperous farmers of the community. and had a large number of friends. He sold his farm to his son, Arnold E., April 23. 1892, and died on May 16 of the same year, at the age of seventy-two years. He was three times married, his first union being with Mary Arans, by whom he had the following children : Mary : George : Nellie : Louisa : Dora ; AAdrian : Annie ; Elizabeth; Lizzie; and Frank. Mrs. Johnson died on March 15. 1873, and Mr. Johnson was married to Jennie Nixon, who died six weeks later. He was later married to Annie Cramer. whe died in 1802. In religious belief, he was a Roman Catholic. Politically, he was a Dem- crat, and served on the school board.
Arnold E. Johnson attended the common schools of Wapello county, and at an early age applied himself to farming, which he has followed all his life. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and prefers Short- horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. His farm is well watered and under a high state of · cultivation.
In 1800 Mr. Johnson was united in mar- riage with Martha J. Brown, who was born
MR. AND MRS. ALBERT J. WARREN.
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October 23, 1868, and is a daughter of David Brown, a record of whose life may be found in this work, under the title of W. A. Brown. This union resulted in the birth of two children, Helen, born June 19. 1892; and Wilbur E .. børn October 20, 1896. In politics, Mr. John- son is a Democrat, while in religious attach- ments he is a member of the Catholic church. lle is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and holds a policy in the Des Moines Life Insurance Company.
LBERT J. WARREN, one of the lead- ing agriculturists of Pleasant town- ship. Wapello county, lowa, resid- ing on section 21, has a farm of 233 1-3 acres, and is engaged in general farm- ing. Ile was born in Washington township. Wapello county, May 21, 1839, and is a son of Washington J. and Belinda ( New house ) War- ren.
Washington J. Warren was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 11. 1828, and has been located in Wapello county, lowa, since 1850,-living in Washington township. He answered the call of his country for troops in 1863. and enlisted in Company E. Twenty-sec- ond Regiment, lowa Volunteer Infantry. He went with his regiment from Ashland to Kowa City, v 'here they remained a short time at Camp Pope. From there the regiment went to St. Louis Barracks, and thence to the front, at Rolla, Missouri. He was in a number of en- gagements, the principal ones being those of
Mississippi Springs, Port Gibson, Black River, and Winchester. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg. At the battle of Winchester he was shot through the left knee, and was sent to the hospital. After recovering from his severe wound, he again joined the regiment and re- mained with it until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Davenport, Towa, in Feb- ruary, 1865. On November 15, 1849, he was joined in wedlock with Belinda Newhouse, who was born February 21. 1828, and was a daugh- ter of William and AAnnie ( Ritchie ) Newhouse. They had eight children, as follows: Anna. Sarah, Emma, Eva, Albert J., John R., George W., and Nellie. Mrs. Warren died March 4, 1894, in her sixty-seventh year, and was buried at AAshland.
Albert J. Warren was reared and schooled in Wapello county, Iowa, and at an early age began farming. On June 5. 1800, he married Etta MeGuire, who was born January 30. 1859. and died August 10. 1891, leaving one child. Lela M., who died when six months and four- teen days old. On May 9. 1897. he was united in marriage with Mary Dennis, a daughter of Alexander and Miriam ( Reed) Dennis, and they reared two children, Isal B., and Marietta. On May 17, 1950, Mrs. Warren died, at the age of thirty-six years, and is buried at Martins- burg, lowa. Mr. Warren is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a strong supporter of the Republican party, but, being a very busy man, has had little time to devote to political affairs. He has, how- ever, served faithfully and well in the capacity of school director.
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
D AVID NEWELL. deceased. was for many years one of the influential farmers of Columbia township, Wa- pello county, lowa. He was born in Ashland county, Ohio. June 24, 1842. and is a son of Zachariah and Lydia ( Sheler ) Newell, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania.
David Newell received his education in the common schools of lowa, his parents having located in this state when he was a small boy. Ilis father settled on the home place in 1849. and remained there all his life. David Newell inherited 53 acres of the land, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile soon added 40 acres to this farm,-making a total of 93 acres of land. Mr. Newell was one of the most enter- prising citizens of Columbia township, and his death was keenly felt in his vicinity. To him- self and wife were born the following children : Thomas T .: Benjamin R .: Lydia T .; Cassie Melinda : and Mary L. In his religious views, Mr. Newell preferred the Methodist creed. He died July 9. 1900.
Mrs. Newell still lives in . Columbia town -. ship, in a neat little cottage adjoining the old homestead. Her son, Benjamin R. Newell, in- herited this property, and there he carries on diversified farming. He was born March 5. 1865, and attended the district schools of Co- lumbia township. Being the youngest son, the care of his parents devolved upon him, and thus, upon the death of his father, he inherited the home farm. There is an abundance of good water on the place, and everything is kept in excellent condition.
September 1. 1895. Benjamin R. Newell married Florence Newboll, a daughter of W. F. Newbokh, who was a native of Indiana. Three children have blessed this union, namely : Blanche L., aged eight months at the time of her demise: Albert E., aged three years; and Neva M., aged one year. Benjamin R. Newell is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F., Lodge No. 47. of Kirkville; and of the M. W. of A .. Kirkville Camp. No. 4186.
HARLES A. HOWELL. Among the well-known farmers of Columbia township. Wapello county, lowa, is the gentleman whose name heads these lines. Ile was born in Madison county. lowa. November 8, 1854, and is a son of Benoni C. and Jane A. ( Williams ) Howell, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter a native of Kentucky.
Benoni C. Howell, a veteran of the Mexi- can and Civil Wars, received his early mental training in the common schools of Indiana. Ile learned the trade of a carriagemaker, which he followed in that state for a number of years. In 1852 he moved to Madison county, lowa. where he worked at his trade until he entered the Union army. Mr. Howell enlisted in May. 1862. in Company H. 23d Reg .. lowa Vol. Inf., and took part in the siege of Vicksburg. the battle of Missionary Ridge, and in several other engagements. He was discharged from the army on account of disability, after which
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he returned to Madison county, where he re- mained until 1866. He removed to Mexico, Missouri, and engaged in the sawmill and ma- chine business. He remained in that town until 1869, when he returned to lowa and lo- cated in Mahaska county, near Fremont. where he purchased a farm. He lived there until the time of his death, which occurred November 3. 1896. To him and his wife were born the following children: Aaron; John F .; Charles .A., the subject of this sketch; Benoni C .; and Emma J. Mr. and Mrs. Howell were members of the Methodist church of Fremont, and were influential in helping to build its place of wor- ship. Mr. Howell held the office of sheriff of Madison county for a number of years. In po- litical opinion, he was a Republican. His wife died at the age of forty-four years.
Charles A. Howell attended the common schools of Madison and Mahaska counties. lowa, and of Mexico, Missouri. He engaged in farming after his school days were over. and moved later to Macedonia, lowa, where he went into the livery business. He then returned to Mahaska county, and farmed on the okl homestead. He continued this until 1898, when he sold out and purchased 80 acres of land in Columbia township. There he has de- voted his time to general farming and stock raising. He has 75 head of Poland-China hogs and is especially interested in Hereford cattle. Mr. Howell is a man of much energy and abil- ity, and his success is well earned.
In 1879 the subject of this sketch married Amelia Stevens, a daughter of Carlos and Be- linda ( Eldridge) Stevens. Carlos Stevens was
a native of Vermont, and his wife was a native of New York. She died September 19, 1898. aged sixty-six years. Mr. Stevens, who made his home with Mr. Howell during the last years of his life, died September 10, 1901, aged sev- enty-six years. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Howell, namely: Walter C .; Jesse R .: Benoni C .: Stevens C .: Leah A. ; Emma J .. deceased ; and a child who died in infancy.
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