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 53
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In Virginia township occurred the marriage of J. W. Harsh and Miss Mary Margaret Stroek, a native of Pennsylvania and a sister of W. C. Strock, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. She has now attained the age of seventy-nine years and carefully reared five of her family of chil- dren. C. W., was born in New Virginia, obtained a public school education and learned the carpenter's trade under his father, with whom he has now been connected in business for many years. He wedded Miss Mary Kent, by whom he has one son, and they reside in a home which he erected and which is considered one of the finest dwellings in the village. Ida May, the wife of Jerry Brittan, makes her home in Minnesota. Daisy is the wife of John Stanchel, a real-estate dealer of New Virginia. Effie became the wife of J. C. Haekelby and lives in New Virginia. Winifred is the wife of G. W. Frazier, a blacksmith of New Virginia. Three children of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Harsh died in infancy.
Mr. Harsh was originally a whig in his political affiliation but on the dissolution of that party became a republican and has always been an active worker in its local ranks. He was postmaster of New Virginia during the Civil war, serving under the administrations of Buchanan, Lincoln and John- son. He has likewise acted as township clerk, township trustee and as a member of the school board, being recognized by his fellow townsmen as an efficient public official. Both he and his wife have been lifelong and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they have been actively and helpfully interested. Though now past seventy-five years of age, he is still hale and hearty and is daily to be found attending to his busi- ness duties, displaying the enterprise and activity of a man of much younger years.
JAMES A. HYDE.
The farming and stock-raising interests of Warren county are well repre- sented by James A. Hyde, who is living on section 28. Lincoln township, where he owns and cultivates eighty acres of land. This constitutes a neat and well improved farm and the work which Mr. Hyde does year after year is manifest in the excellent appearance of the place, the fields being under
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a high state of cultivation, while substantial improvements have been made ยท that indicate his careful supervision and progressive spirit. He is numbered among the honored pioneers, having lived here continuously since 1852. His birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 12, 1839.
His father, John A. Hyde, was born in Ireland and was one of the pio- neers of Ohio, where he married Miss Martha Ann Adair, who was born at Gettysburg. Pennsylvania. He was a farmer in Ohio for some years and in 1852 came to Iowa, making the trip down the Ohio river on the boat, Golden Era and thence up the Mississippi to Davenport. He located first in Seott county, where he farmed for four years, and then removed to Clinton county, settling near Dewitt. He entered a tract of land from the government in 1853 and began the arduous task of developing a new farm. He had no neighbors nearer than two or three miles. It is a work of much difficulty to break the sod and prepare the land for the first planting, but with char- acteristic energy Mr. Hyde continued his work and as a result his fields soon brought forth rich and abundant harvests. He became one of the influential residents of the community, served on the first board of supervisors and was justice of the peace. He died in 1861, while his wife survived him for a num- ber of years.
James A. Hyde was reared to manhood in Clinton county, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boy- hood and youth. He was married in that county on Thanksgiving day of 1866 to Miss Mary J. Irwin, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, February 12. 1839, but was reared in Monmouth, Illinois. After their marriage they located on a farm near Dewitt and Mr. Hyde continued to cultivate the fields there for several years. Eventually, however, he sold out and bought where he now resides, coming to Warren county, in 1873, and becoming owner of eight acres. It was an old farm and the buildings were dilapidated, but he at once began the work of improvement and the original house was replaced by a substantial and neat residence. He also put up a good barn, planted an orchard, fenced the fields and in fact made many modern improvements and in connection with the tilling of the soil began the raising of stock. He has made a specialty of raising heavy draft horses and in fact has carried on an extensive business in this line, some of his animals selling as high as two hundred and fifty dollars. He has also raised high-grade cattle and hogs and is an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyde have three daughters and one son: Joseph E., who is married and now follows farming in Lincoln township; Martha E., at home : Della. the wife of Zade Wheeler, of this county; and Minnie M., the wife of Albert Wheeler, a farmer of this connty. They also lost a son. John Edwin. who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Hyde is a republican, but without desire for office as a reward for party fealty. He has for years been identified with the schools and served as president of the board for a long period. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart friend and he is. moreover, a man of high purpose whose life has been actuated by the most honorable principles.
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Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church- of Indianola and in the work of church and Sunday school take an active and helpful part. The integrity of his purpose and the reliability of his business methods have never been called into question. Men who know him trust him and he has a wide acquaintance among the best citizens of the county, whose respect he merits and receives.
O. J. SMITH.
Success is not a matter of genius as held by some, or of good luck as others contend. It is the result of clear judgment, experience and indefatiga- ble energy. This statement is verified by investigation into the lives of the greatest majority of men who have gained prosperity and are known in their respective communities as men of force and ability. The life of O. J. Smith is proof of this statement for he has gained a place among the substantial residents of Lincoln township. although when he started upon his business career his capital was quite small. General farming and stock-raising now claim his attention and he lives on section 23, Lincoln township. where he owns and cultivates a farm of two hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Smith was born in Poweshiek county, Iowa, May 17, 1859. His father is now one of the most venerable citizens of Indianola and mention is made of him on another page of this work. The son was reared to manhood in Powesheik county and excellent school privileges were afforded him so that he was able to supplement the advantages of the ditsrict schools by a more advanced course. He engaged in teaching school for one term and then took np the work of railroad construction. His entire life has been one of persistent activity, guided by sound judgment. On the 28th of December, 1881, Mr. Smith was married in Powesheik county to Miss Laura Higgins. a native of Johnson county, Iowa. After their marriage they removed to Audubon county, where Mr. Smith began farming. sixteen years being devoted to general agricultural pursuits in that locality. As he had no money with which to purchase a farm he rented land for eight years. during which time his energy and diligence, supplemented by the aid of his wife. brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. This he did and for eight years longer continued in Audubon county. He then sold out there and removed to Green county. where he owned a farm of two hundred and forty acres which he cultivated for two years. He then sold and bought where he now lives, becoming owner of this property in 1902. He repaired the build- ings. fenced the fields and now has a good house upon his place with a sub- stantial barn and other ontbuildings. He has cleared for the first time some of the land here and as the years have passed his labors have brought the fields under a high state of enltivation. so that the work of early spring plant- ing is followed by the garnering of rich crops in the late autumn. He also raises and feeds stock. fattening hogs for the market and this aids quite materially to his yearly income.
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. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three sons and three daughters, the eldest, Professor Roy A. Smith, is a graduate of the Simpson Business College and is now teacher in Charleroi Commercial College; Cella, is the wife of Roy Williams who is farming on land belonging to his father, Hugh Williams. Harrison is a student in Simpson College; Carrie B., Corda C., and Leota F., are all at home.
The parents indicate their religious faith in their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and their close adherence to its teachings. Mr. Smith was superintendent of the Sunday school in Audubon county for eight years and has been an active worker in the church and a generous contribu- tor for the support of the cause. Politically he is an unfaltering advocate of the republican party and served as township assessor of Audubon county for six years. He has been township trustee here for five years and has been identified with the schools in an official capacity for a number of years. He has been a delegate to the county conventions and for two years was a dele- gate to the republican state convention. He is a worthy representative of a well known family and like others of the family has lived a life of intense and well directed activity, characterized by faithfulness in the performance of every duty.
ROBERT B. MCCLELLAND.
Robert B. McClelland, whose well formulated plans are leading him to the goal of success. is numbered among the enterprising and successful merchants of Milo. In his veins are the mingled streams of Scotch, Irish and German blood. His grandfather. Jack McClelland, was long a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and Robert B. McClelland was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1849. His parents, James and Phoebe (Bottomfield) MeClelland, were both natives of Pennsylvania and at an early day went to Ohio. settling in Iowa in the spring of 1853. The father was born in 1821 and died in 1881, while the mother passed away at the age of eighty-two. Their family numbered eight children, of whom Robert B., was the third in order of birth. The others are: John W., who resided in Lebanon, Kansas, but is now in Breckenridge, Colorado; Clarinda, the wife of William R. Williams, now living in Brecken- ridge. Colorado; Sarah E., the wife of James M. Barnes, who resides at Hot Springs, South Dakota; Emma J., the wife of Joseph L. Stites, living in Holdridge, Nebraska; James L., who died at Greeley, Colorado; Barbara, the wife of Charles Wood, also living in Greeley. and Mary E., who married John M. Allen and resides at Lebanon, Kansas.
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Robert B. McClelland attended the common schools and remained at home until 1872. after which he spent some time in Kansas, where he secured a government land elaim. In the fall of 1876 he secured a clerkship in a general store at Hammondsburg, Iowa, owned by John A. Overday, and con- tinued in his employ there and at Milo until February, 1888, as a most trusted
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employe. He gained, too, broad business experience which well qualified him to engage in merchandizing on his own account, which he did in 1388 as senior partner of the firm of MeClelland & De Vore. About six months later Mr. De Vore sold out to Frank P. Runyan and after a few months Mr. Runyan disposed of his interest to Silas Westerfield. The firm of McClelland & Westerfield then continued business until 1900, when Mr. Westerfield was succeeded by L. B. Bloom. Two months later Mr. McClelland became sole proprietor, purchasing the interest of his partner and not long after the firm name was changed to McClelland & Sons and so continued to the first of Angust, 1908, when he sold to A. S. White, of Grinnell, Iowa, who has con- tinued the business. This store has been longer established than any other mercantile enterprise and their stock is also the largest.
Mr. MeClelland was married April 21, 1878, to Miss Martha J. Coulter. a daughter of James N. and Louisa (Gill) Coulter, who were natives of Ohio but came to Iowa at an early epoch in the development of this state and here lived until called to their final rest. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McClelland are: Edward C., who married Molly Pebler and was in business with his father; James, who was also a partner in the firm of MeClelland & Sons; Ada M., the wife of Earnest Trueblood, a resident of Milo; Grace. Carl, Robert B., Jr., and Paul Roger, all at home; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. McClelland is a member of Milo Lodge, No. 409, A. F. & A. M .; Milo Lodge, No. 413. I. O. O. F .; Milo Lodge, No. 160, K. P. ; Milo Camp. No. 617, M. W. A., and the Yeoman Lodge, No. 476, of Milo. He has been a representative of the craft for a quarter of a century and at one time he was treasurer of all these different fraternal organizations. He has likewise served as treasurer of the school district and has been a member of the city council. No trust reposed in him is ever betrayed in the slightest degree and his devotion to the public interests of the community is proverbial. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is a most loyal and helpful member of the Presbyterian church. His entire career has been marked by steady progress. He has always made good use of his opportunities and thus has advanced from year to year. while at the same time he has maintained an unassailable reputation for the integrity of his business methods.
JOHN F. MARTENS.
John F. Martens' excellent farming property of seven hundred and fifty acres pays tribute to the care and labor of J. F. Martens, who since 1883 has occupied this farm, his home being situated on section 15, Jefferson town- ship. His residence in the county, however, dates from 1861. He was at that time but a very small child. for his birth occurred in Will county, Illi- nois, May 1, 1860.
His father. Fred Martens, was a native of Holstein. Germany, and a farmer by occupation. When a young man he came to the new world settling
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STICKIN MARTENS
WIEAND MRS I. F. MARTENS
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in Will county, Illinois, where he followed farming and developed and im- proved a good tract of land. He had served in the Revolutionary war in Germany in 1848, and as this movement was unsuccessful he determined to seek a home in the new world where he might enjoy the fruits of liberty and independence. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Will county, Illinois, where he married Miss Margaret Huss, a native of Germany. In 1861 they came to Warren county, Iowa, where the father broke the sod and opened up a farm. He hecame one of the most prominent and prosperous agriculturists of Jefferson township, where he accumulated sixteen hundred acres of land. This he developed until his last years and in July, 1905, he was called to his final rest at the age of seventy-eight years. He had for several years survived his wife, who died in 1893, at the age of sixty-three years. They are the parents of six children, four of whom reached adult age.
John F. Martens was reared on the old home farm in Jefferson township, acquired his education in the common schools and in the summer seasons worked in the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops. Before his marriage he purchased two hundred and sixty-five acres of land and was thus well qualified to care for a wife, when on the 13th of March, 1883, he wedded Miss Barbara M. Huglin. a native of Germany and a resident of Madison county from the age of six years.
With characteristic energy Mr. Martens began to cultivate and improve his farm and has been numbered among the most progressive agriculturists of this part of the state. He has erected a good two-story dwelling in modern style of architecture, has also built three large barns, hog sheds, cribs and other buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. To his original holdings he has added by subsequent purchase, until he now owns seven hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land. He also has a set of tenant buildings on the place, his farm and fields are surrounded by woven wire fence, and in fact his is one of the best improved properties in the county. indicating in its well kept appearance the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner. For years Mr. Martens has been engaged in raising shorthorn cattle, has been an extensive feeder for fifteen years, and his sale of stoek annually brings to him between four and five thousand dollars. He has likewise been engaged in raising high grade Norman Percheron horses for nine years and is not unknown in connection with the dairy busi- ness. He has a cream separator and does a good dairy business. amounting to from five to seven hundred dollars annually. He spares no expense, is keeping everything about his place in good condition. and since 1890 he has largely enhanced the productiveness of his land by the use of tile. having laid fully eight carloads upon his farm.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martens have been born eleven children, but Katherine died at the age of twenty years and one died in infancy. Nine of the family still survive. viz .: Carl. who is assisting in the operation of the home farm: Matilda, Earnest, who is a graduate of the Iowa Business College. and is
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holding a position in a banking house in Des Moines; Oscar, Frank, George, Roy, Raymond and Johu, all yet at home.
Mr. Martens has been a lifelong republican where national issues and questions are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. He has served as township trustee for several terms, has been a member of the school board for a quarter of a century and has acted as secretary of the board. He has been a delegate to the county and state conventions of his party and greatly desires the success of the party, through the adoption of its prin- ciples. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Wick, where he has served as consul for several years. He is also connected with the Yeoman of Indianola and with the Modern Brotherhood of that place. He belongs to the Lutheran church at Churchville, of which both he and his wife are charter members. It was the first organization of this denomination in the county, and aside from aiding in its establishment he has been one of its official members for several years. His life has been honorable and upright in its purposes and its conduct and no man of the community enjoys or receives any fuller measure of respect than does John F. Martens who has spent almost his entire life here.
JOHN McLAIN.
John MeLain, the proprietor of Pioneer Farm. on section 4. Linn town- ship, is a native of this county, having been born on the farm which he now owns and purchased from the other heirs of his father's estate. This consists of eighty acres, with improvements, and to the old homestead he has added thirty acres additional. so that he now owns one hundred and ten acres in all. He is the son of James and Caroline (Van Hyning) Mclain.
His father was a native of Uniontown. Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1826, and was left an orphan when but five or six weeks old. He was reared by an unele and aunt, Ebenezer Herring and wife, both of whom are now dead. They removed to Lee county. Iowa, when he was a young man and here he grew up to manhood and married Caroline Van Hyning, who was born in Ohio in 1832. In 1853 or 1854 they started on an overland trip for Cali- fornia, but after going a long way towards their destination they turned around and came back as far as Warren county. Iowa. where they purchased eighty acres of wild land. This Mr. MeLain improved and made his home until the time of his death. which occurred in 1890. His widow survived him for about five years and passed away in 1895. Mr. MeLain was a success- ful farmer and a publie-spirited citizen, giving freely of his support. both moral and financial. to any movement that was calculated to advance the interests of the community. He was a member and active worker in the Presbyterian church. In polities he was a republican and held minor township offices. Unto Mr. and Mrs. MeLain were born twelve children, namely: Thomas J .. living at San Jose, California ; Tearsey Jane, wife of R. W. Dickey, of Linn
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RESIDENCE OF J. F. MARTENS
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township; Nancy, the wife of J. B. McClane, who lives in California; Eldora, wife of D. J. Knouf, a farmer of Linn township; Atha, wife of W. H. White. of Kansas City; Jessie, wife of W. A. Thompson, of Des Moines; Alice, who lives at home with her brother, John, of this review; Arthur, a farmer of Polk county ; Kate, the wife of F. L. True, of Los Angeles, California; Albert and Bertha, both of whom died in childhood.
John MeLain and his sister. Alice, continue to reside on the old home place. Both are members of the Pleasant Ridge Methodist church which is just across the road from their residence. In this church Mr. McLain holds the office of steward. In politics he is a republican, on which ticket he has served as township elerk, although he is in no sense of the word an office seeker. Mr. McLain is an energetic, progressive farmer who has the satisfaction of seeing his efforts rewarded with a generous return from the products of his place, and while of an unassuming, retiring disposition, yet the community has a feeling of security in the knowledge that he is ever to be relied upon in times of trial, or of need.
CHARLES HICKMAN.
Charles Hickman, a practical, enterprising and progressive farmer living on section 19, Lincoln township, owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty aeres of land, constituting a neat and well improved farm. It adjoins the corporation limits of Indianola and its well kept appearance is proof of the careful supervision and untiring energy of the owner. He has made his home in Warren county since 1865. His birth occurred in London, England, August 18, 1839. He came to the new world with his father, Edward Hick- man, in 1848, and settled first in Philadelphia. He was a jeweler by trade, and after being thus employed in Philadelphia for a time he removed to New Jersey. He then located on the farm in Burlington county, where he carried on the work of tilling the soil for a number of years.
Charles Hickman was reared on a farm and early became familiar with the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. During the Civil war he served on the construction corps in Virginia, and drove a team while in the army of the Potomac. In 1865 he came west to Iowa and'as his financial condition rendered immediate employment a necessity, he secured work as a farm hand. and was thus employed for several years. He was married in Indianola by the Rev. Clammer, in 1866, to Miss Anna A. Rogers, a daughter of Joseph Rogers. and a native of New Jersey. The family removed to Iowa during her early girlhood, so that she was reared in Warren county. After their marriage the young couple located on a farm in Lincoln township, which Mr. Hiekman rented, cultivating it for several years. He brought it under a high state of cultivation and when his work had secured for him a substantial competence he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides, and at
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once began to improve and farm this property. He has since built a neat resi- dence, has set out evergreen trees, which greatly enhance the attractive ap- pearance and promote the value of the place. He also planted an orchard. has fenced the fields and has made a valuable property. For nine years he has now rented the farm, but gives to it his personal supervision and has two sets of farm buildings on the place.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hickman have been born the following children: Ed- ward, who carried on farming in this county; Charles, who is cultivating the home farm; George, who is a business man of Indianola ; Furman, who lives at home, and Mary, the wife of James Wear, a farmer of St. Marys. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman also lost one child in infancy.
The parents are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr Hickman is a republican, but has no desire for office although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is well known in Indianola as a man of sterling character and worth who has long been identified with the development of this county and has ever borne his share in the work of publie progress and improvement .. At the same time he has carefully managed his business interests so that in the course of years he has gained a place among the men of influence of the community.
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