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 66
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No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for William MeDole in his boyhood and youth. As soon as old enough to take his place in the fields, he began assisting in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting and gave his father the benefit of his services until after his marriage. That important event in his life occurred March 2, 1848. He wedded Caroline E. Fisher, who was born and educated in Indiana and was a daughter of John Fisher, one of the early settlers of the state, who arrived there about 1830. After his marriage Mr. MeDole engaged in farming for two years in Indiana, and in 1850 moved westward to Iowa, settling first in Polk county, where he lived for a number of years. In 1867 he removed to Warren county, where he lived for a number of years. In 1867 he removed to Warren county where he bought raw land which he cleared and cultivated.
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM McDOLE
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It was necessary to take away the brush so he could plow the fields. He commeneed with eighty acres and later bought more from time to time, until he now holds two hundred aeres, in the midst of which stands a comfortable and substantial residence that he erected. In the rear of the dwelling is a good barn and other outbuildings which shelter the stock and the grain from the inclement weather. A good orchard is one of the attractive features of his place and everything about his farm presents a well kept appearance. He now has two sets of buildings upon his land and in connection to the rais- ing of cereals, stock-raising and feeding are also carried on here. The success which Mr. MeDole has enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own efforts and the assistance of his wife who has indeed been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McDole were born four sons, one of whom died in infaney, and two daughters: A. J., a resident farmer of Lincoln township; John H., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Albert L., who is farming on the home place; Jennie, the wife of' Joseph Dunean, of Illinois; and Julia, the wife of W. G. Brown of Indianola. They have sixteen living grand- children and three great-grandchildren.
Politically Mr. MeDole was reared a democrat, but throughout the greater part of his life has given stalwart support to the republican party for he believes that its principles will best conserve the public welfare. He has never sought nor desired office but has been anxious that the best interests of the community be promoted. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Farmers Chapel. On the 2d of March, 1908. this worthy couple celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary, an occasion which will long be remembered by all who were present. Their children. grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered on that day to celebrate the event and it was a most happy time in the lives of all who were present. Mr. and Mrs. MeDole are among the most honored and respected residents of th. county and no history of this locality would be complete without mention of them. The life of Mr. MeDole has at all times been honorable and upright and both in its sterling characteristics and in its success may well serve as an example and as an inspiration to the young.
JOHNSON T. WRIGHT.
After many years of active labor Johnson T. Wright is now living retired in Carlisle, where he owns a pleasant home and is surrounded by all the comforts which go to make life worth the living. A native of New Jersey, he was born near Trenton, February 7. 1825. and is a son of George Wright. On leaving that state he removed to Miami county, Ohio, and later to Mont- gomery county. Indiana, where he made his home for several years. He was married near Crawfordsville, Indiana, on the 5th of October, 1848. to Miss Emeline Simpson, who was born in 1826 in Franklin county, that state, of
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which her father, Allen Simpson, was one of the first settlers, loeating there when the Indians were still numerous in that region. He was a native of Kentucky.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of five children who are still liv- ing: Margaret E., the wife of David Callahan, of Carlisle; Alice, the wife of Samuel P. Chevalier, of Des Moines; Amelia E., the wife of Clinton P. Chevalier, of the same city; George A., now postmaster of Carlisle, and Charles D., a carpenter living in Des Moines. They also lost two children : Nannie May, who died at the age of three months, and Elizabeth, who died at the age of six years.
For some years after his marriage Mr. Wright continued to engage in farming in Montgomery county, Indiana, where he owned one hundred acres of land, but in 1860 he sold that property and removed to Indianola, Iowa. opening the first grocery store in that eity. There he carried on business for three years, at the end of which time he disposed of his stock and ri- moved to Polk county, this state, buying a farm just over the line but near Carlisle, where he owned six hundred and forty acres of very valuable and productive land. Upon his place he erected a good brick residenee and sub- stantial outbuildings, and was successfully engaged in farming and stock- raising for some time. Later he sold that property and bought another farm in Allen township. Warren county, but now makes his home in Carlisle, where he purchased a lot and built a nice home.
Originally Mr. Wright was an old line whig in politics, and since the dissolution of that party has been a stanch republican, but never a politician in the sense of office seeking. He was initiated into the Masonic order at Indianola and is now a Knight Templar, holding membership with the chapter and commandery at Des Moines. Both he and his wife are active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he joined in 1848, while she has been connected therewith since the age of sixteen years. In 1898 they celebrated their golden wedding at their home in Carlisle, where children, grandchildren and friends to the number of sixty were gathered to wish them joy, some coming from as far as Boston and Texas, and they left many substantial tokens of their regard. For sixty years Mr. and Mrs. Wright . have now traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, adversity and prosperity. and their love and confidence increas- ing as the years have rolled by.
JOHN R. HOWARD.
John R. Howard was born in Indianola in 1877 and is a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Warren county. His father. John W. Howard. long numbered among the leading citizens here. was born in Preston county, West Virginia, and his death, which occurred in March, 1908, at the age of seventy-five years, was the occasion of deep and
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widespread regret. He was of English ancestry and in early life learned and followed the carpenter's trade, while later he turned his attention to merchan- dising in Indianola and was quite successful in his undertakings. He ar- rived in this city in 1854 and embarked in business here as a carpenter and contractor. In the fall of that year he returned to Preston county, West Virginia, and was married to Miss Fernandez E. Fortney. With his bride he returned to Indianola in the spring of 1855 and from that time until his death was a factor in the business interests of the city. He became a partner of E. W. Fortney and Samuel Martin under the firm style of Fortney, Martin & Company, and they conducted a planing mill and lumberyard from 1870 until 1884. In the latter year the partnership was dissolved and the lum- beryard and mill were removed to Des Moines, while Mr. Howard retained the paint and glass department of the business. He was closely identified with the growth and development of Indianola for a half century, contribut- ing to its success through the establishment and conduct of several pros- perous business enterprises and also by his activity in municipal affairs and public life. He served as assessor of the city and in 1879-80 filled the office of mayor, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. He was a supporter of the republican party which ever found in him a stalwart champion.
Fraternally he was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. By his first marriage Mr. Howard had four children: Ida G., who married R. J. Graham, who is conducting a laundry in Fort Morgan, Colorado; Silas E., a jeweler of Hastings, Nebraska; Ella, the wife of W. K. Crabb, who deals in paints and glass in Indianola; and Minta, the wife of W. M. Ogg, a baker of Indianola. The wife and mother died in 1868 and in 1870 Mr Howard mar- ried Mrs. Daniel Lyons, whose husband, Captain Lyons, was killed at the bat- tle of Arkansas Post. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Mel- vina Clark, and was born in Bloomington, Indiana, came of English-Irish ancestry and died in Indianola in 1887, at the age of fifty-six years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church.
John R. Howard, the only child of this second marriage, began his educa- tion in the public schools of his native city, passed through consecutive grades and eventually entered the business department of Simpson College, from which he was graduated in 1895. He then entered the State University and completed the courses of law and collegiate departments in 1900. He at once located for practice in his native city, where he is meeting with success and in this connection his life record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country. He is careful in the preparation of his cases, keen in his analysis and logical in his deductions and has been connected with considerable important litigation tried in the courts of his district.
Mr. Howard's religious views are indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church and the Masonic fraternity claims him as an exemplary member, while of the Knights of Pythias lodge he is also a representative. In politics, an earnest republican, his fellow townsmen elected him to the office
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of city treasurer, in which he continued for four years, while for the past four years he has been justice of the peace. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case.
FRANKLIN KELLER.
Franklin Keller is not only the oldest settler now living in Squaw township but he is also one of its most highly esteemed citizens and a man honored and respected wherever known. He was born on the 21st of March, 1831, in what is now Barbour county, West Virginia, but at that time formed a part of Harrison county, Virginia, for the two states had not yet been divided. His parents, John and Lucinda (Mitchell) Keller, were also natives of the Old Dominion. The mother was born in 1810 and died in 1852, being long survived by her husband, who was born on the 3d of January, 1808, and passed away in West Virginia at the age of seventy-nine years. He was twice married, having nine children by the first union, including our subject, and five by the second.
On reaching manhood Franklin Keller was married January 16, 1851, to Miss Ellen Jane Melntosh, who was also born in Virginia, December 15, 1828, and departed this life February 20, 1907. in Squaw township, this county. She was a sister of A. B. MeIntosh, of New Virginia, who is represented on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Keller became the parents of twelve children, namely : Lucinda and A. I., who died in Van Buren county, Iowa. while the family were en route for Warren county; John, who married Sarah Phillips and lived on a farm in Squaw township but was killed in Missouri, December 17, 1887, by a tree falling on him while working in the timber. His wife being now deceased; Rebecca, who married E. P. Steckle, a farmer of Squaw township and died January 6, 1888; Belovia, whose sketch is given else- where in this work; Harriet and MeClellan, both of whom died in childhood; Rosa Jane, wife of Alexander Sanders, also represented in this volume; Charles B., who married Margaret Lantz and lives Monona county, Iowa; Lee, who married Celesta Lower and is a farmer of Squaw township; Cyrena, wife of Neil Morrison, who is living on the old homestead with our subject ; and Ida, wife of Ira A. Taylor, of Squaw township.
Mr. Keller has himself written an interesting account of many of the experiences of his life and we give it in his own words:
"When I wrote the following sketch of my life I intended it only for my children and not for publication or it would have been written differently."
May, 26, 1908, State of Iowa.
"I, Franklin Keller, was born on the 21st day of March, 1831, in Harrison county. Virginia, on the middle fork of Mitchell's Run, at the head spring of the same, and in the spring of 1833 my parents moved and settled at the head waters of the north fork of Mitchell's Run in the woods and there made for
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MR. AND MRS. FRANKLIN KELLER
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themselves a home. My mother was a good Christian woman and tried to raise me right. My father was a very wicked man but would often go with my mother and myself to church. From my earliest recollection to the present I have been a faithful Sabbath school scholar, but was trained by my father to ve a very wicked boy, doing everything bad but lying and stealing. Some time in my twelfth year the Lord powerfully convicted and converted my father, knocking all the fighting, horse-racing and drunkenness out of him. Oh! What a happy home we then had. It appears to me now that I can hear father's prayers for his family to this day.
"In my eleveth year I was taken down with what was called white swelling. It was driven back twice but the third winter, after I was drawn all out of shape and everybody gave me up to die, for some purpose to me unknown, the Lord mercifully restored me to health, but notwithstanding all the prayers of father, mother and other Christian people, I could not, until my sixteenth year, get the consent of my mind to give God my heart. At last all my sins loomed up before me and I saw my undone condition and prayed and agonized with God for the pardon of my sins. Oh ! Glory to God! Light, peace and joy came to my soul in the old log church at Pleasant creek. My soul was full of joy and peace but on my way home that old sneak and adversary of the soul pre sented himself and convinced me that I had made a fool of myself and was nothing but a hyprocrit. Oh! The agony of soul that I had! Whilst father was going into the house to tell my sick mother what the Lord had done for me I slipped off in the darkness by myself and commenced in prayer to tell Almighty God my awful condition, telling Him if He would restore me to my former joy I would never, never doubt him again. Then peace and joy came to my soul and I went to the house and told my mother what a precious Savior I had found. Although I have lived sixty-one years and ever since that time, the adversary of my soul has never tried to tempt me, that my sins were not all washed away by the precious blood of Jesus, but has always admitted that the Christian religion was a reality any time. I lived a happy and peaceful life for about six months but when the frivolities of youth and later the cares and training of a large family and the poverty of early life, I often became care- less and overburdened, I did not lean on the strong arm of Jesus as I should have done, then Satan would say to me . I know that you are no Christian, you have backslid,' which always drove me to Christ. I always would acknowl- edge my faults and Jesus would own me and give me the witness within my soul that he loved and owned me as his child. Up to the present day I have never been in any crowd at any time or place if I was asked the question : 'Are you a Christian' my answer has always been 'I am trying.' Though I have often made mistakes Jesus by His Almighty power has always sustained and has and does this day own me for his child. The Lord has laid his afflicting hand upon me. I know my days are short and my daily prayer is to bear with patience my afflictions. I would rather go to Heaven today to be with loved ones than any other day. I know that the majority of my friends are over there. Oh! How I long to be with them in glory but my prayer is Lord Jesus. Thy will not mine be done, give me patience to abide Thy time.
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"About my tenth year a new county was struck off of Harrison and Randolph counties, West Virginia, called Barbour county. Therefore most of what I have written occurred in Barbour county, which is my native home. I grew to manhood as all boys do. The discipline of the church at that time required its members to marry wives of the own church, which was the Methodist Episcopal church, and it so pleased the Lord that He directed me to marry Ellen Jane MeIntosh, of Taylor county, West Virginia, we being raised together as children and classmates of the same society. We were married on the 16th of January, 1851, and a few days after our marriage we settled on Rock Camp run in Barbour county and united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Ebenezer, which at that time was a very weak society. While living there we had two dear babies born to us. In the spring of 1854 we concluded to move to the state of Iowa and get rid of slavery. On the 21st day of March, 1854, we landed in Keokuk, Iowa. We hired a man with teams to haul the household goods and three families to Eddyville, Iowa. The first night spent in Iowa was at the little town of Farmington on the Des Moines river in Van Buren county. Some dissatisfaction as to where we wanted to go arising among the crowd as some wanted to go to Missouri, the driver complained of his hard job and we paid him off and sent him home. In a few moments the crowd decided to start and went down on the porch of the hotel to get in the wagon to go on to Eddyville. Here the crowd divided. I and my brother- in-law, Abraham Felton, purchased an ox-team and started for Warren county. Iowa, driving the first day a distance of twelve miles. Where we called to stay all night an old gray headed man came out and carried the children into his house. Bedtime coming on the old gentleman asked us if we were Christians, three of us replying that we were. There I offered up my first vocal prayer in the state of lowa. Next morning he asked us many questions concerning our future plans, and seeing we were very ignorant concerning the country, he advised us to leave our families there in a house until we found a suitable location. So we rented a house in Van Buren county for six months, this being about the first of April. By the first of May we had buried our two little babies in the town of Bonaparte. In this time I had taken the measles. When the funeral expenses and doctor's bills were paid my last penny was spent. Though thrown among entire strangers I never found better friends in time of trouble, willing to do anything for us. Then indeed did we realize . our condition-among entire strangers, without children or money, but thank the Lord not without the Lord and his comforting presence and his blessed promises to sustain us.
"About the 12th of June, Mr. Felton, taking his family by ox-team. proceeded on his way to Warren county, but my wife and I remained in Van Buren county, While I commenced work in a brickyard in the little ville of Vernon. By working at any and everything I saved some money and on the 24th day of September I started on foot for Warren county, leaving my wife in Vernon. I arrived at White Oak Point. September 28. where I found some of my old acquaintances. Ab Sayre and Hugh Sidwell. On the 29th I went to my brother-in-law. Mr. Felton, and on the 30th I was in what is now called
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New Virginia, where the grass was four feet high. On the 31st I took a compass and with the assistance of William Foreman, Sr .. and others com- menced surveying to find a location. After surveying for abont a week I decided to locate on my present farm. About the 7th of October I took my ox-team and started back to Van Buren county. At Chariton I stopped and entered forty acres of timber land and made the preemption claim on the one hundred and sixty acres where I now live. I then proceeded to Van Buren county and after settling up my affairs, my wife and I started for Warren county, arriving on the 20th at the farm now known as the Carrier farm. In my wagon I had two chairs, one bedstead, one set of plates, cups and saueers. a skillet. potts, an oven for cooking in the fireplace, one gallon of black Orleans molasses, one dollar's worth of sugar, one hundred pounds of flour. and twenty- five cents in silver to build my house and buy my winter's food and clothing.
"Now was the time it tried our nerve and souls, but by the 20th of November we got our little cabin under a clapboard roof and moved into the same without door or window. chinking or daubing. We hung a quilt in the place that had been made for the door. I commenced chinking the cracks and cutting and laying sod for a chimney, my wife carrying the water from down below, where Lee Keller now lives. When she would get a batch of mud mixed then I would daub the cracks. By Saturday night we had the west side and north end daubed and the sod chimney complete to the mantle piece. We rested and observed the Sabbath day, the chimney drawing well, but lo! the wrong way. for the smoke came into the cabin. For our window we had paper but we eventually got the cabin completed with exception of the door and floor. We could hear the wolves howling all around us at night. Food giving out, I had to leave my wife in this condition and go to work for a man living where Andy McKnight now lives.
"Late one evening while I was working there a stranger called to stay all night. He said he was a preacher and was sick. I gave out an appointment for him to preach the next night where Hugh Rhoades now lives. I bought a half bushel of corn, put it in a sack and handed it to the preacher. telling him I lived across the creek and if he would follow me he could stay all night as Mr. Campbell had refused to keep him. Matilda Felton was at my house with my wife when the preacher and I arrived there. The next morning I returned to my work, leaving the preacher to be entertained and doctored in my home with herbs and teas given him by my wife and guest. who so far restored him to health that I met them at the service that night. On arriving at the place of service we found an old home-made loom standing in the middle of the cabin with a flock of geese under it. The preacher commenced the service with prayer and song. I never could sing myself but the crowd sang fairly well, the geese joining in the chorus. At the close of the service the preacher called on me to pray and there among that small crowd. among the geese in that little cabin, I prayed my first vocal prayer in Warren county, and Oh! with what fear and trembling I prayed. but having promised Almighty God if he would take away all doubt from my mind and give me the witness that my sins were forgiven I would own him on all occasions. I never went back there to
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service again. By poverty and want I was driven to work all over the country. wherever I could get work, my wife holding the fort for some four or five years, but by hard work and economy the Lord so prospered me that I finally did not have to leave home to find work. I have always worked hard up to the present time.
"A few settlers having come in during the winter and early spring. we got at the Indianola circuit rider to come out to William Forman, Sr., and organize a Methodist Episcopal society. which was organized about the 18th day of March, 1855, with twenty-eight charter members, whose names are given else- where in this volume. We held services from house to house until the spring of 1857, when a new school house having been built we held our services in the same and worshiped there until 1874. when the church was built. The class had been named from its organization the Mt. Tabor class. All of the charter members have passed on to their reward except Frank Keller. Luey Forman, N. E. Stickle and Charlie Proudfoot. My home has always been a home for Methodist preachers until the present day, and from the organization I have never failed to pay my full amount of quarterage and church expenses.
"While I have not lived as faithful a member as I might have done, I have been honored with all the offices of the church. My wife was a faithful help- mate and co-laborer in both the home and church. both being members of the Mount Tabor class from its organization. At that place her funeral services were conducted and her body was tenderly laid to rest in the Mount Tabor cemetery on a part of the old homestead, and there my body will also rest when God calls me home.
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