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 55
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Basil D. Butler, father of our subject, was a physician in early life but afterward abandoned the profession and took up the milling business in which he was quite prosperous. His name was on the membership rolls of the Masonic fraternity and the whig party always counted upon his allegiance in his early manhood but later he joined the ranks of the democratic party. He died in 1886 at the venerable age of eighty years, while his wife died in 1863, at the age of fifty years. She was a member of the Universalist church.
Oliver K. Butler was the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine chil- dren. He attended the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for about nine years. He then turned his attention to the jewelry business and watchmaking, becoming quite an expert in those lines and since 1877 he has been continuously connected with these departments of trade. As stated, he has made his home in Iowa since 1857, in which year he came with his parents to Warren county. The family home was es- tablished in Union township, where his father erected a mill and Oliver K. Butler became an assistant in the mill. His youth was largely a period of earnest and unremitting toil and following his early mill experiences he learned the carpenter's trade and was busily engaged in that line for a nu:n- ber of years. It was in 1868 that he came to Indianola, being connected with
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building operations here until 1877. since which time he has conducted a jew- elry store. He is now one of the oldest merchants in the city, having for more than three decades been a representative of its commercial pursuits. He has a large and well appointed establishment and is accorded a liberal patron- age.
In 1865 Mr. Butler was married to Miss Jane Hook, who was born in Ohio and is a representative of an old Pennsylvania family. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Tidball) Hook, who came to Iowa in 1853, settling in Marion county, whence they afterward removed to Warren county. The father cast his lot with the pioneer families, aiding in reelaiming new land and converting the raw prairie into productive fields. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Butler have been born two children. Alice B., now the widow of Frank Miller. a merchant, who died in 1906. leaving two children : Leo B., who is a graduate of the Indianola high school of the class of 1908, and Adeline, a high school student. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Butler was Etta E., who died when but one year of age. The Presbyterian church of Indianola finds in Mr. and Mrs. Butler consistent and helpful members and active workers. They have been identified with the church since 1868 and Mr. Butler has long served as one of its elders. He contributes generously to its support and does all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He is also a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, the Workmen lodge and the Yeomen, and is in sympathy with all those organizations which have for their object mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. At the polls he manifests loyalty to the democracy but is not an active political worker, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his private business affairs. Start- ing out in life for himself at an early age he has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources and as an architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well.
ALEXANDER JENNER.
Alexander Jenner is a retired farmer now living in Indianola. For a long period he was closely associated with the work of the fields and found in that pursuit opportunity for the attainment of success. His business methods have ever been honorable and upright and the policy that he has pursued has won for him the respect of those who know him. While he now leaves the active work of the farm to others. he is still the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of productive land in Warren county.
Mr. Jenner claims Germany as the land of his birth. his natal year being 1842, while the place of his nativity is Wittenberg. It was there that his father, George Jacob Jenner. was born on the 30th of January, 1798. He served as a soldier in the German army and made farming his life occupation. Having reached years of maturity he was wedded to Miss Eliza Baldrich, who was born in Germany in 1801. In the year 1852 Mr. Jenner brought his
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family to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in the month of June. They made their way from New York City to Cincinnai, Ohio, where Mrs. Jenner died just three weeks after their arrival in the new world. Nor was Mr. Jeuner long permitted to enjoy his new home, for he passed away August 15, 1855. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Their family unmbered seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the youngest.
Alexander Jenner was a lad of ten years when the family came to the new world and was left an orphan at the age of thirteen. He attended school in Germany until the emigration to the United States but his educational op- portunities were very meager. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age he took up farm work as a means of livelihood and was thus employed by the month until the time of the Civil war. During the first year he received only a dollar and a half per month, while during the second year he was paid thirty dollars for ten month's labor. His employers found him diligent, per- severing and faithful and though his lot was one of earnest and unremitting toil he soon learned the value of industry and perseverance and became self- reliant and energetic. On the 14th of July, 1863. with patriotic ardor he responded to the country's call and enlisted in Adams county, Ohio, as a member of Company G. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. He served until March 8. 1864. and was then mustered out at Cleve- land, Ohio. He was captured at Tasso. Tennessee, but was recaptured within twenty minutes as the battle surged back and forth. He took part in the engagements at Cumberland Gap, and at Finch River and was also in numer- ons skirmishes.
When his military service was ended Mr. Jenner became a resident of Dayton, Ohio, and in 1866 removed to Monmouth, Illinois. in the vicinity of which city he engaged in farming for two yers. In 1868 he arrived in Indianola and through the succeeding twenty-eight years was closely. actively and honorably associated with the farming interests of White Oak township. Year by year he carried on the work of the fields, cultivating large erops and keeping his land in good condition by the judicious use of fertilizers and the rotation of crops. He also placed substantial improvements upon his farm and transformed a tract of two hundred and twenty acres into a valuable property. He has also raised considerable stock. for which he finds a ready sale on the market, but during the past seven years he has lived retired. his former activity bringing him capital sufficient to enable him to put aside further business cares and yet enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
In 1869 Mr. Jenner was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Sehimel- pfenig, who was born in Germany in 1849. She came to the United States in 1863 when a maiden of fourteen years, with her mother. She is a sister of Adam and Jacob Schimelpfenig of Indianola. As the years passed children were added to the Jenner household to the number of eight, as follows: Edwin. a teacher in Simpson College: Frank M .. a resident farmer of White Oak township. Warren county; Lillie, who became the wife of James Nichols. a farmer and stockman, and died in August. 1904, leaving a daughter. Eloise.
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who is living with Mr. and Mrs. Jenner; Anna, the wife of E. T. White, a farmer of Colorado; Oscar, who has departed this life; Clarence, who is a student in Simpson College, at Indianola; Leslie, who is a high school student ; and Laura, also in school.
Mr. Jenner maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in James Randolph Post, G. A. R., where around the campfires are recalled the scenes and events which occurred upon the southern battlefields. In politics he is a republican, has served as school director, has also been justice of the peace and was supervisor of White Oak township. His official duties have been promptly and capably performed and in fact in every relation of life his salient qualities have won him high regard and good will. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are much esteemed in the county, where for forty years they have made their home.
S. A. SHETTERLY.
S. A. Shetterly, the well known proprietor of Hill Crest farm on section 21, Richland township, is one of Warren county's native sons, his birth occurring in that township on the 8th of May, 1854. His father, Samuel Shetterly, was born and reared in Ohio and was a son of Rev. Henry Shetterly, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and a veteran of the war of 1812, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was of German descent. In early life Samuel Shetterly removed to Indiana, where he married Miss Jane Freel, a native of that state, and in 1843 he brought his family to Iowa, locating in Richland township, Warren county, where he purchased land and opened up a farm. He spent his last days in this county and died near Carlisle. His wife passed away in February, 1903.
In the family of this worthy couple was S. A. Shetterly, who attended the common schools during his boyhood and youth and remained with his mother until his marriage. It was on the 19th of April, 1877, in Hartford. that he wedded Miss Margaret J. Tidball, who is a native of Ohio and a danghter of William B. Tidball. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and removed from Ohio to this state at an early day in its development.
Mr. and Mrs. Shetterly have become the parents of nine children, of whom eight are living: Bessie is now the wife of F. G. Cutlip, who is a grad- nate of Ames College and is now engaged in the creamery business in the state of Washington; Johanna is the wife of C. K. Campbell, living in Sas- katchewan, Canada; Edith is the wife of C. C. Switzer. of Palmyra township. this county; Ed Roy, Otis W., H. R., Lolo Katie and Everett C., are all at home. Charles died at the age of fifteen months.
For some time after his marriage Mr. Shetterly operated the Tidball farm and then bought a place, which he cultivated for twenty years and in the meantime made many improvements thereon. On disposing of that place in
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1899, he purchased a farm in Palmyra township, which he operated for five years, and on selling that he purchased his present farm in Richland town- ship, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres just outside the corporation limits of Hartford, whereon he located in 1903. There is a good orchard upon the place, a large barn and pleasant residence, in fact all of the improve- ments are such as are usually found upon the farm of a progressive and en- terprising agriculturist who thoroughly understands his chosen occupation. He raises and feeds considerable stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs, and usually sells over one thousand dollars worth of these animals each year. He also keeps a good grade of cattle and horses. He raises the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate of this region and has made an exhibit of various grains at the state and county fairs, winning over one hundred and fifty dollars worth of premiums in 1907. His specialty is Reed's yellow dent seed corn, which has carried off a number of prizes, but he has also had grasses and other grains on exhibition at the county fairs for the past ten or twelve years. He is an up-to-date farmer, keeping well posted on every- thing that will advance the interests of the agriculturist, and this is one reason of his success.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Mr. Shetterly has always supported the republican party and he has been a delegate to county and state conventions, assisting in the nomination of General Drake for gov- ernor. He has served as assessor, clerk and trustee of Richland township and he has always been found true to any trust reposed in him. Both he and his wife are active and prominent members of the Presbyterian church of Hartford, of which he is now a trustee and treasurer. and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
REUBEN DUNN BLOOM.
Reuben Dunn Bloom, who is now living retired on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Belmont township, was born near Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, July 27, 1820. The family was an old one of that state, coming originally from New York. Our subject was reared in the Buckeye state and, though he received but limited educational advantages, has become a well informed man through experience. observation and reading. As his father was a tailor by trade, the work of the home farm largely devolved upon the son, who took charge of the place when only about twelve years of age. The young lad was possessed of a strong constitution and good business ability and early displayed the determination and industry which have proven the salient features in his successful career as an agriculturist. In 1854, believing that better opportunities and advantages might be enjoyed in the west. he removed to Muscatine county. Iowa, and thence came to Warren county in 1856. Throughout almost his entire business career he has followed general farming but in his younger years was employed on the rivers during the winter season.
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R. D. BLOOM
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MRS. R. D. BLOOM
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He had but little capital when he arrived in this county and the success which has since attended his efforts is therefore the result of his well directed labor and capable management. Purchasing a tract of raw land, he resolutely set to work and gradually transformed it into a highly cultivated and valuable farm. The place comprised three hundred and sixty acres in Belmont town- ship, but since putting aside the active work of the fields he has lived retired on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7. Belmont township.
Mr. Bloom has been twice married. He was first wedded in Ohio, to Miss Viola Dixon, who passed away in the fall of 1853 in Peoria county, Illinois, leaving five children, of whom only one, G. D., still survives, making his home at Milo, Iowa. In Brown county, Ohio, Mr. Bloom was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Hannah Reynolds, whose demise occurred here about twenty years ago. The record of her six children, one of whom was born by her former marriage, is as follows : B. S. Reynolds, residing on section 8, Belmont township; Mrs. Esther Westerfield, of Des Moines; Emma, at home; Luke, who makes his home in Oklahoma and is familiarly known as "Dug;" Mack who is operating the home farm; and Oliver, of Otter township.
In his political views Mr. Bloom is a stanch democrat, and in the latter '50s served as justice of the peace in White Oak township. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having joined the order at Pleasantville, and he is a charter member of the lodges at Sandyville and at Milo. In religious belief he was formerly a Freewill Baptist but is now identified with the Christian Union church. Coming to this county more than half a century ago. he was for a long period successfully and prominently connected with its agricul- tural interests and won the competence that now enables him to spend his remaining days in well earned ease.
GEORGE K. REED.
In the history of the representative citizens of Warren county, it is with pleasure that we present the life record of George K. Reed for he came to the county in pioneer times and has since been closely associated with its de- velopment. He stands at all times for improvement and progress, and while promoting his individual success has always found opportunity to cooperate in many movements for the public good. He was born in Indiana. November 22. 1830. His father, W. C. Reed, was. a native of South Carolina but was taken to Indiana by his parents while that state was yet under territorial rule. There he was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, aided in the arduous task of opening up a new farm and eventually engaged in farming on his own account. He was married in that state to Miss Mary Keffer, a native of Indiana, and in 1843 they removed westward to Mercer county, Illinois. The death of Mr. Reed occurred in Rock Island county, Illinois. in 1866. when he was sixty-five years of age. while his wife passed away in Osceola, Towa. George K. Reed was one of a family of eleven ehil-
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dren. He spent his boyhood days in Indiana to the age of thirteen years and then removed with his parents to Mercer county, Illinois, where he was employed at farm labor, his persisteney of purpose and his unfaltering dili- genee giving him a start in life. He further made arrangements for hav- ing a home of his own by his marriage in Rock Island county, Illinois, to Miss Mary Foster, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (MeKee) Foster, who were natives of England and emigrated from that country to the new world.
Following his marriage Mr. Reed resided in Rock Island county, Illinois. until the 4th of March, 1865, when he joined the Union army, becoming a member of Company I. Twenty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which rendezvoused at Camp Butler. He joined the regiment which was stationed at Mobile, Alabama, and there remained until the 1st of July, when the troops were ordered to San Diego, Texas, and thence up the Rio Grande to Browns- ville, Texas. On the 4th of March, 1866. Mr. Reed was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Rock Island county, Illinois.
He then again engaged in farming until April. 1868, when with a two-horse team and wagon, a few household goods. his wife and six children, he came to Warren county. Iowa. Here he has since made his home and is numbered among the early residents of the county for few settlements had been made within its borders at the time of his arrival. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land on section 31. Virginia township, and lived for one summer on what is now the A. E. Erwin farm. He also bought thirty-five acres of timber land on South river and from this he got out lumber to build a residence on the tract of land which he had previously purchased. The finishing lumber. however, was hauled from Des Moines and he removed into his new home on the day that U. S. Grant was elected president. He has been a hard and diligent worker and has been very successful. To his original farm he has added another tract of one hundred and twenty acres. which he has improved and there is no better land to be found in the town- ship. Everything about the place indicates his careful supervision, his prac- tical ideas and his progressive methods.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been born twelve children: William Wes- ley, who was born and died in Mercer county, Illinois; Herbert B., who also spent his entire life in that connty; Artemesia, the wife of A. J. Miller, now living at Clarence, Missouri; Belmont. the wife of Elias Touet. a farmer of Clarke county; Brooks H., who died in 1895. leaving a widow and seven children who are now living in California: Desdemona, the wife of H. C. Hardinger, of Clarke county ; O. J., who is also living in Clarke county : Fred Sherman, who is living in Osceola, Iowa; Lee, who died in infancy; Dora Alice. the deceased wife of H. H. Holmes. of Des Moines; Dean and Dell. twins- the former married Anna Lake and lives on the home farm, while the latter married Mande Fonsche and is also living on a part of his father's farm.
About thirteen years ago Mr. Reed was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who had indeed been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Reed voted for Lincoln. but has since given his political support to the democratic party. He has
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filled the office of supervisor, has also been school director for many years and is interested in the cause of education and in all that pertains to general progress and improvement. He was formerly a member of the Grand Army Post at New Virginia, but the organization has been disbanded. Mr. Reed has now reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey. His has been an active, useful and honorable career and while he has never sought to figure prominently in public life, he has always been true to the duties that have devolved upon him and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in the business world.
EDWIN C. GREENFIELD.
The unfaltering diligence and intelligently directed labor which consti- tutes the basis of all success are characteristic in the life of Edwin C. Green- field, a wide-awake and energetic farmer and dairyman living on section 28. Lincoln township. He owns two good farms in this county, having eighty acres on the home place, which is a neat and well improved property within two miles of Indianola. He also has another well improved tract of about eighty acres, and his farms return to him a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Greenfield is well known in this county, where he has lived since 1870. He was only four years of age at the time of his arrival, for his birth occurred in Wabash county, Indiana. August 28, 1866. His father, Silas Greenfield, was reared in Indiana and was married in Wabash county to Miss Elizabeth Cline. In 1870 he came to Warren county and settled upon a farm. He now resides in Milo, where he is living retired.
Edwin C. Greenfield, brought to Iowa at the age of four years, was edu- cated in the common schools and remained with his father through the period of his boyhood and youth, early being trained to habits of thrift and industry which have brought forth rich fruits in his later life. After attaining his majority he began farming on his father's land in Lincoln township. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Effie Hodson, whom he married in Des Moines, December 30. 1891. She was born. reared and educated in this state and was a student in the Indianola high school. where prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching. She is a sister of I. C. Hodson, of Indianola, who was formerly sheriff of Warren county. Her father was a farmer and served as county auditor of Warren county. He was one of the prominent and influential residents of this part of the state, reared his family here and continued to reside in Indianola until his death. His widow still survives him and now makes her home with her daughter. Mrs. Greenfield.
After their marriage Mr. Greenfield took charge of the Hodson farm. and with characteristic energy began its development and improvement. He re- built the house, also put up two good barns and has added other outbuildings
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for the shelter of grain and stock. He likewise planted an orchard, has estab- lished a feedmill on his place, and in fact added many modern improvements.
In March, 1896, he took possession of his other farm and now cultivates both places. He has been engaged in the dairy business for three years, com- mencing with six head of cows and with but three customers the first day. He now milks from thirty to thirty-five cows and supplies about one hundred and fifty families with milk and cream. He devotes most of his time to the dairy business and is well known in this connection.
Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield have one son, Gerald A. In his political views Mr. Greenfield is a republican. but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies to his business affairs in which he has made signal success. He attends the Friends' church of Ackworth and is a member of the Maccabees. a fraternal insurance order. He is well known in Indianola as a successful and progressive farmer and dairyman and a man of good business ability who has capably used his oppor- tunities and the chances which have come to him for business advancement and growth.
ALFRED CLARK.
Alfred Clark has the honor of being the oldest resident of Otter township. having made his home here since the 14th of May, 1847, and with pioneer conditions in this section of the state he is thoroughly familiar. He performed the arduous task of converting wild land into a good farm and today is he owner of one hundred and eighty-six acres under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good and substantial buildings. Here he is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil.
Mr. Clark was born in Randolph county. Indiana. January 9. 1827. the only child of James and Alice (Hackett) Clark. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in the Hoosier state. The mother was born in Ohio, Febru- ary 2, 1808. but was reared near Richmond, Indiana, and came with our sub- jeet to this state in 1847. making her home with him until her death. She passed away on the 17th of August. 1893. at the age of eighty-five years.
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