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 63
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disposing of his business in Des Moines he returned to his farm in Warren county with a greater feeling of satisfaction than he had ever known in the work hitherto. He has learned through actual experience that scientific farming and stock-raising is worthy of a man's best intellectual efforts, in recognition of which fact the United States government is today establishing experiment stations in every state of the Union, while the universities have added to their curriculum a special course of study along this line.
In 1888 Mr. Lisby was united in marriage to Miss Alice Gose, a sister of S. A. Gose, a sketch of whose life apears elsewhere in this issue. Mrs. Lisby was reared in Marion county and after finishing the course of instruction in Ackworth Academy engaged in teaching, an occupation which she followed for about ten years prior to her marriage. They have become the parents of two children. of whom Jennie, the first-born, died at the age of nine months; Clara attends school at Sandyville.
Politically, Mr. Lisby is identified with the republican party and has been honored with various township offices of trust and responsibility. the duties of which he has most capably discharged. He served two terms as township assessor, and for four years was township clerk. He has also served as delegate to the county conventions of his party and at different times to the state conventions. He has ever taken an active interest in educational matters and for a number of years has been secretary of the school board. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, belonging to the Sandyville lodge, of which he is at present the worthy master. He is also a member of the Yeomen, a fraternal insurance organization. His estimable wife is a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the United Brethren church of Des Moines.
LEWIS IGO.
Lewis Igo is now practically living retired in Indianola, although he still gives personal supervision to his property and business interests. He has been eminently successful in an active and honorable business career and is today one of the most extensive landowners in this part of the state, having ten hundred and forty acres in Warren county. He was born in Ross county. Ohio, December 14, 1832.
His father, Silas Igo, was also a native of that county and was descended from French and Dutch ancestry. He had a brother, Daniel Igo, who served as a soldier of the war of 1812. Their father, Lewis Igo, removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early period in its development and his son Paul was the first white child born in Ross county. Silas Igo was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life in a district where the work of civilization seemed scarcely begun. The forests stood in their primeval strength and the Indians still infested the neighborhood. while game of all kinds was to be had in abundance. In 1832 he settled in Hamilton county. Indiana, removing thence to Henry county. Indiana. in 1850. In 1854 he
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purchased land in Iowa, and in 1855 brought his family to Warren county. As the years passed Silas Igo aided more and more largely as his years and strength increased in the work of clearing and developing the home farm and throughout his entire life he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He was a hard working and industrious man and his life was always in harmony with his professions as a believer in the Christian religion. When a young man he was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal church. His political endorsement was given to the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He wedded Miss Mary Meyer, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1806 and was therefore about five years his junior, for his birth occurred in 1801. Mrs. Igo was of English and Irish lineage and had an uncle, Daniel Hare, who was a captain of the war of 1812. She, too, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The death of Silas Igo oceurred in February, 1878, at Palmyra, and his wife, surviving him for twenty years passed away November 14, 1898, at the remarkable old age of ninety-two years.
Lewis Igo was the eldest son and the only son now living in a family of seven children. He was reared upon the homestead farm in Indiana and attended the country schools. When a young man he worked by the year selling lightning rods but later began farming on his own account. On the 20th of May. 1855, he arrived in Iowa. taking up his abode in the village of Palmyra, where he engaged in merchandising. conducting his store for about twelve years. He was afterward in a packing house in Des Moines for four years with General James Tuttle. All of this time his family were upon the farm, to which he returned about 1871. and then engaged heavily in buying and shipping stock, becoming one of the best live-stock dealers in this part of the state. He continued the business with constantly growing success until 1897. when he removed to Indianola. where he has practically lived retired. although still watching over his large landed interests. As the years have passed he has made judicious investments in property from time to time and his judgment has been most sound as displayed in the choice of the land which he purchased. He is today the owner of ten hundred and forty aeres in Warren county and from the property derives a handsome annual income. He now lives in a pleasant home in Indianola and is enabled as the result of his seemingly inex- haustible energy in former years. his capable business management and his correct judgment to now enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
On the 17th of March. 1859. Mr. Igo was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Varner, who was born in Parke county. Indiana. October 27. 1843. and is a daughter of Isaac and Ruth (Whipple) Varner, who were natives of Ohio and of German descent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Igo were born fourteen children. namely: Ida, the wife of N. Bartholomew. a real-estate dealer of Des Moines, Iowa, by whom she has one child ; Reese L., who is deceased; Grant S., who is engaged in the stock business near Indianola ; William S .. who has also departed this life; Silas, who is on the homestead farm, is married and has four children ; John. deceased; Estella, the wife of H. H. Bassler, judge of the county court
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and a resident of Tekamah, Nebraska, by whom she has four children; Ernest B., who resides in Jackson township. Warren county, is married and has two children; Ulda W., who is the wife of William T. Sinnard. conducting the Ehn Grove farm near Palmyra, and who is the mother of two children; Ruby N., who gradnated from the high school and Simpson College and is now engaged in teaching in the Indianola schools; Ruth M., the wife of Jerry Shuler, a farmer of Lincoln township. Warren county; Roy L., who is engaged in farming in Greenfield township, this county; Hall W., deceased ; and Philip A., who is a graduate of the high school of the class of 1908 and is at home.
The following letter is self explanatory :
"White House, Washington.
November 14. 1904.
My Dear Mr. Igo:
Congressman Hall has given me the photograph you sent me of your family. I wish to thank you for it and to congratulate Mrs. Igo and you on having such a family. I send to you and her my photograph. With best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
Theodore Roosevelt.
Mr. Lewis Igo, Indianola, Iowa
Enclosure."
Mrs. Igo is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. which she joined when fourteen years of age. In politics Mr. Igo has been a stalwart republi- can from the organization of the party and has been prominent in its local ranks. He has been a delegate to the district and state conventions and was made an alternate delegate to the national convention. He has done every- thing in his power to promote its growth and insure its success, and his interest is that of a public-spirited citizen and not one who is seeking for office. His residence in the county covers fifty-three years and he has been active in its progress and development along many lines. He assisted in organizing the Old Settlers Association and is now its president. His life record clearly indieates what can be accomplished by firm determination and unfaltering perseverance for from early manhood he has been dependent on his own resources and unaided has worked his way upward until he stands today as one of the most prosperous residents of his adopted county.
W. R. DICKSON.
W. R .Dickson, residing within half a mile of the village of Norwalk. is one of the prominent farmers, stock-raisers and public men of Greenfield town- ship, having resided in this county since 1864 and on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres since 1897. He was born in Scotland on the 11th of August, 1851, the son of Robert and Isabelle (Robertson) Dickson, both of
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MR. AND MRS. W. R. DICKSON
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W. R. DICKSON'S RESIDENCE
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whom were natives of Scotland. where they lived for some years after their marriage. They came to America in 1857, or 1858. and the father sought work on a farm near Toronto, Canada. There they remained for seven years, but, ever ambitious of owning a home of their own in 1864. they removed to Warren county, Iowa, where Robert Dickson bought fifty acres of land, which he converted into a good farm and here he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1898. at the age of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject died in 1894, aged sixty-eight years. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom reached the years of maturity.
W. R. Dickson spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof up to the time when he was eighteen years of age. when he branched out for himself. For four years he worked on farms by the month. He then went to eastern California, where he engaged in eutting cordwood, remaining there for about three and a half years. Not satisfied, however, to make that his permanent home he returned to Warren county, where he bought eighty acres of land in Linn township.
On March 1, 1877. he was married to Miss Margaret Pilmer, daughter of David Pilmer and a native of this county. The young couple made their home on the above eighty. residing there continuously for eleven years. At the expiration of this period they sold their home place, and Mr. Dickson took charge of a farm of four hundred and twenty acres in Greenfield township, belonging to his wife's father. He operated this farm for eight years and then bought his present home, consisting of one hundred acres at first, but since he has bought sixty acres additional, so that he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land, on which he has erected a new house, two good barns and all the necessary buildings for the shelter of his grain and stock. The place is well fenced and well tiled. Mr. Dickson being among the first to put in tile. which very much enhanced the value of his farm. In addition to general farming he feeds and raises cattle. shipping four or five carloads a year. He also raises some hogs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dickson have been born two children. Margie, the first born, is the wife of J. A. Wright, a contractor residing at Odessa, Washington. They have one child. Alice M. John Pilmer, the second child. died at the age of four years.
Mr. Dickson takes quite an active and prominent part in public affairs and has served as trustee of Greenfield township for four terms and is now serving his second term as township committeeman. In national politics he votes the republican ticket, but in the affairs of local government he is independent, supporting the men and measures which he deems most worthy of support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Norwalk, in which lodge he holds the office of noble grand. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has held various offices in that order. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of Summerset, Scotch Ridge. It will be seen from the foregoing sketch that Mr. Dickson has spent nearly his whole life in this county, where he has watched with keen interest the improvements going on about him and has had the satisfaction of
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knowing that he has contributed in no small degree to the growth and prosperity of the community. He enjoys an extensive acquaintanceship throughout the county, as well as in Indianola, Norwalk and Des Moines.
C. W. STANLEY.
C. W. Stanley, who is one of the prosperons and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Warren county, owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land just outside the corporation limits of Lacona, has also been en- gaged in the dairy business for the past five years. Mr. Stanley is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Crawford county, April 12, 1839, a son of Corydon and Eliza (Van Winkle) Stanley, the latter a native of New Jersey. The father was born in New York but was reared in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he was also engaged in farming. He later removed to Decatur county, lowa, where he engaged in farming and spent his remaining days, passing away at the very advanced age of ninety-three years. His wife preceded him to her final rest, and both lie buried in Decatur county. Their family numbered five sons and four daughters but two sons and one daughter are now deceased.
C. W. Stanley was reared and educated in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. and was there united in marriage to Miss Nancy B. Miller, the wedding ceremony being celebrated on the 28th of August. 1858. She was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where she was reared and educated.
Following their marriage Mr. Stanley brought his young bride to Iowa, first locating in Decatur county, where his brothers-in-law had entered a thousand acres of government land. Mr. Stanley located on a portion of this and improved a tract, there making his home for a few years. He later purchased a farm of his own and subsequently engaged in the drug business in Decatur county, so continuing for eight years. At the end of that period he disposed of his stock of drugs and once more engaged in farming, while later he was engaged in the implement business in Leon for two years. He then traded his implement business for a farm in Madison county, which he con- ducted for one year, trading that property for a stock of merchandise in Grand River. He then engaged in commercial pursuits for four years but once more engaged in farming, trading his stock of merchandise for the farm which he to- day owns, this comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land, sitnated just outside the corporation limits of Lacona. Here he located in 1890 and has since remodeled the house, ereeted a barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and has fenced the place, so that altogether it is now one of the best improved farms of this section of the county. In addi- tion to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is engaged qnite extensively in raising stock, this including Percheron and French draft horses, Poland China hogs and Red polled cattle. He has also been engaged
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in the dairy business for the past five years, and this branch of his business is bringing him a good financial return.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley has been blessed with eight children but six of the number are now deceased.' Those living are: Ethel, the wife of Sanford Shields, a farmer of White Breast township, by whom she has two daughters, Amy and Esther, the former a graduate of the Lacona high school; and Julia, the wife of Charles Shupe, a business man of Lacona, by whom she has three sons, Stanley, Chauncey Leroy and Eldredge.
Politically Mr. Stanley is independent, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He was elected and served as mayor of Decatur city and served as mayor of Lacona for two terms. He has been identified with the school board both of Decatur and Warren counties, and at the present time is acting as president of the Lacona school board. In religious faith Mr. Stanley is a Spiritualist, while his fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows, belonging to Lacona lodge, in which he has served through all of the chairs and is now a past grand. He and his wife are also identified with the Rebekah lodge, in which his wife has filled all of the chairs and is now a past grand.
For almost a half century Mr. Stanley has made his home in this state and during that time has helped to improve several farms, so that he is numbered among the oldest settlers of Iowa. He is very prominent in Warren county, where he has many friends who hold him in high esteem.
L. SCOTT NOBLE.
Numbered among the worthy and respected citizens who have been called from this life, L. Seott Noble leaves behind a memory that is cherished by many who were his friends. He was for a considerable period connected with the hardware trade here and enjoyed in large measure the estem and confi- dence of those with whom he was associated. He was born in Hardin county, Iowa, in 1860, and is of Scotch descent.
His father, William Noble, having been born in Scotland, came to the United States when a young man and settled in Ohio, where he engaged in business as a farmer and stock-raiser. He was one of the first importers of stock in Warren county, handling the polled Angus cattle, and his farming operations were quite successful. He came to Warren county in the '60's and for a considerable period was a well known representative of its agri- cultural interests. He belonged to the Presbyterian church and his political views were in harmony with the platform of the republican party. He died in February, 1892. and was survived by his wife until January, 1898. She bore the maiden name of Jane Ross, was a native of Ohio and, like her husband, held membership in the Presbyterian denomination. Their family numbered four children : Anna B., who is the wife of Andrew McPherson, of Lincoln
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township; Ross, a farmer and stockman of Lincoln township; L. Scott, of this review, and William M., who likewise makes his home in Lincoln township.
L. Seott Noble was reared on the home farm. In his boyhood he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he tills the soil and cares for the crops. He first attended the country schools and later became a student in Simpson College. For a short time he was in Kansas, where he went for the benefit of his health, and while there he learned the jewelry trade. devoting three years to the business. Upon his return to Warren county he began farming in Lincoln township and so continued until 1892. He purchased the Coventry farm and as the years passed carefully and capably developed its fields, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gathering good erops. 'In 1892 he left the farm and came to Indianola, where he purchased a half interest in the hardware business of J. H. Law, forming the partnership of Law & Noble. In February, 1895, he purchased his partner's interest and was alone in busi- ness until his life's labors were ended. In all of his commercial pursuits, as in agricultural life, he displayed keen discernment and unflagging perse- verance. He knew that these constituted the basis of success and he worked diligently to provide a good living for his family.
In June, 1892, Mr. Noble was married to Miss Lizzie Parr, a native of In- dianola, born in 1870. Her parents were Thomas S. and Margaret E. (Pinker- ton) Parr. Her father, who was of Scotch-Irish lineage, was a native of Illinois and was a graduate of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He became a prominent physician and, locating in Indianola in 1869, he here continued in the aetive practice of medicine until his demise, which occurred January 2, 1907, at the age of sixty-five years. His professional and personal worth were widely acknowledged and in every relation of life he held to high ideals, thus exemplifying his allegiance to the teachings of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a devoted member. His political belief was that of the republican party. He married Miss Margaret E. Pinkerton, who was of Irish extraction, and she. too. was a member of the Presbyterian church. In their family were seven children. of whom four reached adult age, namely : Ida M., who is living in Indianola; Frank E., a traveling salesman who makes his home in Topeka, Kansas ; Mrs. Noble. and Cora A .. who is a very successful teacher in Des Moines, being now principal of one of the schools of that city. Mrs. Parr is still living at the age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Noble is a grad- uate of the Indianola high school of the class of 1888 and for two years was a teacher in the grammar school of this city. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children: Howard Scott. born June 21. 1893; Ernest Ross, whose birth occurred February 13. 1895: William Merle, born October 27, 1897; Thomas Elwood. August 13, 1899. and Loyd S., August 27, 1901.
The death of the husband and father occurred April 22. 1901, and was the occasion of deep and wide-spread regret. He belonged to the Knights of Pyth- ias. the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mrs. Noble still belongs, and he gave his political endorsement to the republican
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party. He stood loyally for all that he believed to be right in his relations between himself and his fellowmen and while others might differ from him in opinion, they never questioned the sincerity of his motives or his honest intent. His life in its business activity and integrity is well worthy of emula- tion and in his passing he left to his family not only a comfortable competenee but also the prieeless heritage of an untarnished name.
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN FOWLER.
Among the representative citizens of Warren county are many who were numbered among the valiant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. Prominent among these is Captain Benjamin Fowler, who is familiarly known as Uncle Ben by his many friends throughout this section of the state. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, on the 7th of October, 1834, and is a son of John Fowler and grandson of Richard Fowler. The father was a native of Maryland, where he continued to make his home until reaching man's estate and then went to Ohio about 1810, where in the midst of the unbroken forest he opened up a farm. In that state he married Miss Sarah Brown and they continued residents of Ohio throughout the remainder of their lives. The mother of our subject died in 1863. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812. In their family were five children who reached manhood and were numbered among the boys in blue during the Civil war: D. C., who was a captain in the one hundred day service; C. Isaac, who died in the army; John W., who was also captain and served for three years in an Ohio regiment; Benjamin, of this review, and William H., who was in the service for three years. Our subject has one sister living, Mrs. Maria Davi .. now a widow and a resident of Ohio.
Captain Benjamin Fowler grew to manhood upon a farm in the county of his nativity and received a good common school education. Responding to the call of his country for aid when the sonth attempted to secede, he en- listed October 26, 1861, as a private of Company D, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in numerous important engagements, including the battle of Antietam, the siege of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi; the battles of Missionary Ridge and Kenesaw Mountain, and the Atlanta campaign. He was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea and was wounded at Bentonville, North Carolina, being confined in the hospital for a time and then sent home (n a furlough. After being off duty for two months, he rejoined the army at Alexandria, Virginia, and proceeded to Washington. D. C., where he took part in the grand review. He was later sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was mustered out August 13, 1865, and honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio. Although he entered the service as a private he soon won promotion, becoming a sergeant. then second lieu- tenant, later first lieutenant and was finally made captain of his company, with
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which rank he served until the close of the war. He returned home with an army record of which he may be justly proud.
In 1866 Captain Fowler came to Warren county, lowa, and purchased the farm in Lincoln township where he now resides, it being conveniently located near Indianola. He added to his property from time to time but has since sold a part of his land, now owning one hundred and thirty acres, which is well improved and highly cultivated. He has erected a large neat residence and convenient outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and for a number of years he was actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising but he now rents the place though he continues to supervise its management.
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