USA > Iowa > Warren County > History of Warren County, Iowa : from its earliest settlement to 1908; with biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 38
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James MeCleary was a farmer by occupation and in 1817 left Ohio for Illinois. He was Int a boy at the time and accompanied his father, who en-
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tered laud from the government in Wabash county. There James MeCleary resided until 1849, when he became a resident of Fulton county, Illinois, where he remained until 1866. In that year he removed to Wayne county in the ยท same state, where his last days were passed, his death occurring February 12, 1875, when he was in his seventy-fourth year. His widow was born in Ken- tucky and passed away in 1887, in her eighty-first year. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church while James McCleary was connected with the United Brethren church. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom reached adult age, John D. MeCleary being the second in order of birth. His brother, Ralph B. MeCleary, is now engaged in the practice of medicine at Monmouth, Illinois, and during the civil war was connected with the surgical department of the Union army.
Dr. MeCleary of this review was reared to farm life and attended the country schools. He afterward engaged in teaching in Illinois for several terms and later for two terms in Iowa, the first one being two and one-half miles from Mount Pleasant and the last one at Indianola in 1859. It was in the year 1854 that he arrived in this state, settling in Indianola, where he se- enred a clerkship in the general store of E. G. and H. W. Crosthwait. He there continued for a year, after which he elerked for others until the spring of 1861. when he made out the tax list for the county. In the meantime, however, he became imbued with a desire to practice medicine as a life work and to this end he entered the Rush Medical college at Chicago in the fall of 1861, remain- ing there for one year. In the fall of 1862 he went to Missouri as commissary clerk and in March, 1863, he became assistant surgeon of the Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, remaining with the command until the fall of Vicksburg. He had been stationed at that place and after the surrender of the city he resigned on account of disability. His professional service gave him rank as first lieutenant. It was several months after his return to Indianola before he fully recuperated. In the spring of 1864 he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry under Colonel David B. Hen- derson and remained at the front during the term of his enlistment-one linn- dred days. He then returned to Indianola but had received another commis- sion as assistant surgeon of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry. This he did not accept, however, as the war was drawing to a close.
Dr. MeCleary resumed the private practice of medicine and in 1867. in order to still further perfect himself in his chosen calling. he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, receiving a diploma the same year. He then again came to Indianola, where he has since been in continnous practice and is today the oldest physician in active connection with the pro- fession not alone in Warren county but probably throughout the state. He is well known in Iowa and has long ranked with its ablest physicians and sur- geons, being particularly successful in his surgical work. He understands thoroughly the anatomy and the component parts of the human body. the onslaughts made upon it by disease and the difficulties to be encountered by reason of inherited tendeney. While many years have passed since he en- tered. upon active practice, he has yet continued a student of the profession
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and constant reading and study have kept him in touch with its onward march.
In 1852 Dr. MeCleary was married to Miss Sarah A. Crosthwait, a daugh- ter of Joseph P. and Roberta Crosthwait, who came from Tennessee about 1830 and settled in Fulton, Illinois. They afterward removed to Cass county. . Iowa, in 1856, and the father engaged in farming. Unto Dr: and Mrs. Me- Cleary were born seven children. Irene, now the widow of Joseph Cook. is a teacher in the public schools at Villisea. Horace is located in Indianola. Josephine is a teacher in Simpson College. The others have now passed away.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Dr. MeCleary is serving as a trustee, while in the church work he is deeply interested. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and a comrade of James Randolph Post. G. A. R. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and in 1856 he was assessor of Washington township. He has also been a member of the city council and has always been a stalwart champion of the cause of education. He has served as school director. was the first secretary of of Simpson College and was regent of the State University from 1892 until 1900. His associations in more specifically professional lines are with the Warren County Medical Society. the State and Medical Associations and the American Association of Railway Surgeons. He is entitled to membership in the last named by reason of the fact that he has been local surgeon for the Rock Island Railroad for over thirty years. The career of Dr. MeCleary has been one of signal usefulness and his fellowmen honor him for what he has accomplished. ITis life, viewed from both a professional and financial stand- point. has been snecessful and. moreover, the sterling qualities of manhood which he has displayed have won for him the unqualified confidence and esteem of all who know him.
.J. E. CLAYTON.
J. E. Clayton, filling the position of cashier in the Bank of Milo, is classed with the representative residents of Warren county, possessing a spirit of de- termination and enterprise that enables him to push his way upward in spite of the obstacles and difficulties that are continually arising in the business world. He was born May 15, 1867. in Rush county. Indiana, his parents being Thomas B. and Rebecca (Berry) Clayton, natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively. In 1868 they removed to JJasper county, Illinois, where both died in the fall of 1882. within a few months of each other.
J. E. Clayton there pursued his education in the common schools, while later he attended the Highland Park College at Des Moines, pursuing a course in the business department. which he completed by graduation with the class of 1892. Coming to Milo, he was employed by Eickenberry & Company, lum- ber and grain merchants, being associated with that firm until he accepted the
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position of bookkeeper with the Citizens Bank of Milo, where he continued until 1899, when he was made cashier of the Bank of Milo and has since served in that capacity. This bank was organized in 1883 by Schee Brothers & Com- pany and has had a prosperous existence, the efforts of Mr. Clayton con- tributing to the substantial reputation which it has always borne. He is thoroughly conversant with the banking business in every department, is watchful of the interests of the institution and is always courteous aud oblig- ing in his treatment of the patrons of the bank.
Mr. Clayton was married March 4, 1897, to Miss Lily Farlow, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Farlow, who was a pioneer minister of southwestern Iowa. He devoted his entire life to the work of the gospel and died in October, 1906, leaving the impress of his individuality and his teachings for good upon the lives of many with whom he was brought in contact. His widow still sur- vives and now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Clayton, who are the par- ents of two children, Blythe and Margaret.
Mr. Clayton is a member of Milo Camp, No. 617. M. W. A., and for ten years has been clerk of that order. He also belongs to Milo Lodge, No. 413, I. O. O. F., and to Milo Lodge, No. 160, K. of P. He is loyal to the teachings of all these organizations and to the beneficent spirit upon which they are founded. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party, which numbers him among its stalwart supporters He has served as township com- mitteeman for three years and was secretary of the school board for over ten years. In all matters relating to Milo and its upbuilding he takes an active and helpful interest. He is a most progressive man, forming his plans readily and carrying them forward to successful completion.
PROFESSOR S. M. CART.
Professor S. M. Cart, who is now engaged in agricultural pursuits, owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres, constituting a neat and well improved property on section 21, Lincoln township. He is numbered among the old settlers of Iowa, dating his residence here from 1854, so that for more than a half century he has witnessed the changes which have occurred and the transformation that has been wrought. Professor Cart is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Elkhart county, February 25, 1849. His father, William Cart, was born in Greenbrier county, West Vir- ginia, September 12, 1808, and was of German ancestry. His father. George Cart, was a son of William Cart, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, while George Cart served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. The Cart family was numbered among the early settlers of Virginia and took an active part in the development of that section of the country.
William Cart. Jr., was reared to manhood in the Old Dominion and was married in 1837 to Naney Cart, who was born in Greenbrier county, West
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Virginia, and was a distant relative. In 1835 he had removed to Indiana, settling in Elkhart county, where he opened up a tract of land and carried on farming for a number of years. In 1854 he came to Iowa, establishing his home in Marion county, where he opened up a farm of three hundred and forty acres. There he reared his family and while living upon that place he lost his wife who passed away in 1890 at the age of nearly seventy-six years. Mr. Cart still survives her and is now a centenarian, having reached the one hundreth milestone on life's journey.
Professor S. M. Cart was reared upon the home farm in Marion county and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the erops. He acquired his primary education in the country schools and in 1871 entered the Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa, his attendance at college being alternated with teaching in the district school. However, he completed his college course and was graduated with the class of 1875. The following year he taught school at Carlisle, lowa, and for three years was a teacher in the public schools at Goshen, Indiana.
Professor Cart was married at that place on the 24th of June, 1879, to Miss Belle Mercer, who was born, reared and educated at Goshen and was also a teacher prior to her marriage. After leaving Goshen, Professor Cart had charge of the schools at Knoxville, lowa, for two years. He lost his wife there, her death ocenrring May 4. 1881. Subsequently Professor Cart had charge of the schools at Tama, Iowa, for two years, and during that period he was again married on the 6th of September, 1882, his second union being with Miss Minnie Poyner, a native of Iowa, who was born in Tama county, and was a niece of Ex-Lieutenant Governor Poyner. Professor Cart in 1890 received a government appointment through the influence of General Morgan and Major Conger, and went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he established the Indian Industrial school. He opened up the school there and was its superintendent for three and one-half years, doing excellent work at that point in the civilization of the red race through the forces of industrial train- ing. In 1893 Professor Cart returned to Iowa and took charge of one of the public schools of Des Moines. While there he made application for the posi- tion of principal of the Chariton schools, being one of the sixty-eight who sought the position. He received the appointment, however, and took charge, remaining as principal there for five years. He was recognized during his active connection with the profession as one of the leading educators of Iowa. proving an excellent disciplinarian as well as instructor, while all of the schools under his guidance made substantial progress along commendable lines. During his residence in Chariton, Professor Cart made a trade whereby he became owner of his present farm, and in 1899 took up his abode upon this place, since which time he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has made many changes in the appearance of the farm, has erected a good residence and has otherwise greatly improved the property, displaying in its management the same progressive spirit and successful accomplishment which marked him in his school work. The home has been blessed with five children: Ralph, who is well educated and is now doing for himself; Wilma, at home;
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Herbert P., who has completed a commercial course at Simpson College; Kate, who completed the course in the Indianola high school, and Edward, a student in the home school.
Politieally, Mr. Cart is identified with the republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Indianola and are active workers for its upbuilding and advancement. Professor Cart was a delegate to the general assembly held at Winona Lake, Indiana, in 1898. He has served as an elder in the church at Indianola and also at Chariton and does everything in his power to further the upbuilding of the church in this com- munity. He is well known is Masonic circles, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter at Indianola and Des Moines commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Professor Cart is well known in Warren and adjoining counties. He has been particularly active and helpful in the advancement of educational interests and is now a worthy representa- tive of farm life, bringing to bear keen discrimination and unfaltering energy in the control of his agricultural interests.
C. B. KERN.
One of the most prominent yonng farmers of Linn township is C. B. Kern. who is successfully engaged in general agriculture and stock-feeding on section 24. where he has an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He was born in the house where he now lives, it being built by his father, John Kern, who was familiarly known by the title of Major, having served with distinction as an officer in the civil war.
Major Kern was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 11, 1833, and was a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Kern. He spent his boyhood and youth in his native state, and his early education, acquired in the district schools, was sup- plemented by a course at Wesleyan college. Delaware, Ohio. At the age of twenty years he came to Warren county. Iowa, where he taught school and also engaged in farming, locating on an undeveloped traet of land west of Norwalk. To the improvement and cultivation of that farm he devoted his energies till after the war and the remainder of his life was spent on the farm where his son now lives, erecting thereon good and substantial buildings. In connection with general farming he engaged in stoek-raising and in his undertakings met with marked snecess.
In 1855 Major Kern was mited in marriage to Miss Miriam Black, who was also a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born November 24, 1837, and was a daughter of Benoni and Mary Black, early settlers of Linn township, this county. Nine children blessed this union, namely: George A., who died at the age of twenty-five years; Clara Ellen, who died in infancy; Mary, who died in childhood ; Joseph Edward. now a resident of Los Angeles, California ; Har- riet A., deceased wife of C. W. Fisk, of Kingfisher, Oklahoma; C. B .. of this
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review ; Lillian Louise, deceased; Herman B., a resident of St. Paul; and Blanche, who lives with our subject.
When the country became involved in civil war. Major Kern resolved to aid in the defense of the Union and in 1862 assisted in organizing Company H. Thirty-fourth lowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made captain. For meritorious conduet he was promoted to the rank of major and as such was mnstered out of service. He was a good officer, loved by those under him and respected by his fellow officers. . He was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Norwalk and one of its early class leaders. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The democratic party found in him a strong advocate of its principles and he took quite an active and influential part in political affairs. serving as treasurer of the county for two terms and completed a term by ap- pointment as representative at Des Moines. After a useful and well spent life. he passed away June 17. 1889, and his estimable wife died on the 6th of Jan- mary, 1908.
C. B. Kern acquired his early education in the district schools near his boyhood home and the public schools of Indianola, in which city the family lived while the father was serving as county treasurer. Since starting out in life for himself he has always followed farming and he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, on which were all the farm buildings from the heirs of his father's estate. To this he has since added another quarter section and also owns a forty-nere traet of timber land. His fields are under a high state of enltivation and in his pastures are found good stock. for he makes a specialty of feeding cattle for market and usually ships from six to ten carloads per year. He is one of the leading farmers of his community and a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family.
On the 15th of August, 1892, Mr. Kern wedded Miss Mary Spring. a native of Warren county and a daughter of Samuel and Amanda Spring. now living retired in Norwalk. Three children have been born to them, namely: Herman John, Mary Louise and Margaret Ellen.
JOHN HANCOCK HENDERSON.
John Hancock Henderson, whose life record constitutes an important chapter in the history of the bench and bar of Warren county, is now practicing at Indianola with an extensive and distinctively representative clientage. He was born September 16. 1848. at Ackworth. this county, the place being then known as the South River Monthly Meeting. His father. Paris P. Henderson. was a native of U'nion county. Indiana, his birth there oreurring on the 3d of Jannary, 1825, while his life record covered the intervening years to the 4th of January, 1908, He was of Scotch-Irish lineage, his father being Thomas Hen- derson, who removed from North Carolina to Kentucky and thence to Indiana. Paris P. Henderson in early life bergine a tanner and shoemaker and in October.
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1847, he removed to Iowa, settling in Ackworth, Warren county, where he entered a tract of land. He continued to work at the bench as a shoemaker, however, until 1848, when he was appointed organizing sheriff of the county by Judge Olney and assisted in establishing the county, laying its boundaries and formulating its policy. On the first of January, 1849, he was elected the first sheriff of the county and served until 1851. During the same period he was commissioned as elerk until the office was abolished. On the 11th of June, 1850, he removed to Indianola and the following year was elected county judge, occupying the beneh until 1859, when he was chosen to represent his district in the state senate. He served in the regular session of 1860 and during part of the special session of 1861, but ere its close he resigned and raised a company of volunteers for service in the Union army, being mustered in as eaptain of Company G, Tenth lowa Infantry, at Iowa City in August, 1861. In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and in July of that year was commissioned colonel. His military service was of a varied character and entailed many hard experiences. He was with Sherman on the cele- brated march to the sea and when he arrived at Savannah, Georgia, his term of enlistment having expired, he was honorably discharged on the 23d of December, 1864.
Colonel Henderson then returned to his home in Iowa and in 1865 was elected treasurer of Warren county, which position he continued to fill until January, 1874. He was afterward mayor of Indianola for twelve years, has been justice of the peace and has frequently done service on the educational board, while in early years he was a member of the board of trustees of Simpson College. His public service was characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty, arising from a comprehensive understanding of the public needs and unfalter- ing loyalty in citizenship. He left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of Warren county and the state. In faet, its annals would be incomplete without extended mention of him whose record was alike a eredit and honor to the state which honored him. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance was given to the free soil democrats but when the extension of slavery became the dominant issue before the people and the republican party was formed to prevent carrying slavery into the northern states, he joined its ranks and remained ever afterward one of its stalwart champions. His position on any question of importance was never an equivoeal one. He stood fearlessly in defense of what he believed to be right and nothing could swerve him from a course which his judgment sanctioned as the correct one.
In early manhood Judge Paris P. Henderson wedded Martha P. Haworth, who was born at Todds Fork. Clinton county, Ohio, in 1839 and died in 1866. She was of English lineage. her ancestors coming to this country with William Penn. The founder of the family in America was George Haworth. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henderson were born six children. four of whom passed away in infancy. The surviving brother of John Hancock Henderson and his junior
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is Alfred M. Henderson, who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Marengo, Iowa, and is mayor of that city.
Warren county was largely a pioneer distriet during the early boyhood days of John Hancock Henderson, who in his youth attended the public schools but later enjoyed the advantage that came through instruction in the old seminary and in Simpson College of Indianola. After putting aside his text-books, he entered the real-estate business when nineteen years of age and his leisure hours during that period were given to the study of law. He was admitted to the bar January 12, 1870, and located for practice in Indianola, where he has since remained. In November, 1885, he was elected circuit judge to fill a vacaney and served until the first of January, 1887, when the circuit courts were abolished. In the previous year, 1886, he was elected judge of the fifth judicial distriet for a term of four years and was elected in January, 1890, and again in 1894. During his third term he resigned and retired from the bench on the first of January, 1897. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. Of a family conspicuous for strong intellects, indomitable courage and energy, he entered upon his professional career, and such as has been the force of his character and his natural qualifications that he has over- come all obstaeles and written his name upon the keystone of the legal arch of lowa. Voluntarily relinquishing his place upon the bench to enter upon the more remunerative field of private practice, he is now numbered among the distinguished lawyers of the Indianola bar. He formed a partnership with Ex-Senator W. H. Barry early in his professional career, the relation continuing from the first of September. 1873, until Judge Henderson's elevation to the beneh. On the resumption of private practice, he again became a partner of Mr. Barry and the association was maintained until the first of August, 1901. Judge Henderson then admitted his son, Frank P'. Henderson, to a partnership, and the firm of Henderson & Henderson ranks today as one of the most distinguished in this section of the state.
On the 8th of October. 1868, occurred the marriage of Judge Henderson and Miss Namie J. Spray, of Indianola, a danghter of John and Margaret Spray, who lived at Spray's Mills. They became the parents of five children, but one is now deceased. The others are : Edgar Brenton, a practicing physi- eian at Marengo, Iowa; Frank P., associated in practice with his father; Inez S., the wife of Clyde D. Proudfoot, assistant cashier of the Worth Savings Bank; and Dwight F., an electrical engineer at Spokane, Washington. The wife and mother died February 10. 1902. at the age of fifty-one years, and on the 20th of June. 1905. Judge Henderson wedded Hattie E. Spray. a sister of his first wife. He now has three grandchildren : Brenton B., Harriett and John H.
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