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 67
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"T have been the father of twelve children. six sons and six daughters. four dying in infaney and the other eight having married. One son and one daughter died leaving families, and three sons and three danghters are still living. My children were all trained from early youth and they never got so old that they did not attend Sabbath school as long as they stayed with me. While they are not and have not always been saints. I want to now say that I do not believe that any parents ever raised a family of children that have so eared for them more than my children have always done. I honestly believe they would divide their last penny.
"Although I came to the state of Towa in extreme poverty. being willing to work, God has so prospered me that at one time in life I owned five hundred and three acres of good land. and having settled my children in homes of their own, I still have a good home with my children around me. I thank God that every dollar has been honestly earned. I have never taken a dishonest penny to my knowledge from any man. Some four years age knowing that life was uncertain. I made a will, which will be found at the office of Judge Henderson after my death. dividing what I then and now retain in my posses- sion. This will will show that each child will receive the same amount in value according to my best judgment.
"In the year 1870 I made application for admittance into the Masonic order and was accepted and initiated, being now a Master Mason in good standing. my dues fully paid up. This society I now hold near and dear, but
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subordinate to the Methodist Episcopal church. I now say that no man if he be a good Master Mason and lives up to his obligations. but what is or will be a genuine Christian. I believe from my present information that there is no organization that has poured out their life's blood and done more to uphold the cross of Christ and to search out the scriptures and spread them to the ends of the earth than the society known as A. F. & A. M. because it is the oldest organization and has had more time to work.
"I am so glad that in my early manhood I came to the state of Iowa and settled in old Warren county, and I helped to organize Squaw township. acting as clerk at the first election, and I also put the first ballot in the ballot box. I have attended every general election from that time up to the present and have lived in the old homestead for fifty-four years, it being known as Sunny Side farm because it is the sunny spot of old Iowa to me."
Mr. Keller has always been a democrat but at local elections votes independently. He served two years on the board of county supervisors, was justice of the peace several years and township clerk many years, and has discharged every duty that has devolved upon him in a most creditable and acceptable manner.
THEOPHILUS VINCENT.
A well improved farm comprising one hundred and thirty-four acres, situated on section 30. White Breast township, is the home of Theophilus Vineent, who has acquired this property entirely through his own well directed labors. He is a native of the state of Missouri, born in Monroe county, July 29. 1852. a son of William and Julia A. (Cornelius) Vincent. the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. The father was reared in the Blue Grass state but later removed to Indiana, where he was engaged in farming for several years, while later he took up his abode in Monroe county. Missouri, where he followed the same pursuit. In the course of time he dis- posed of that property and removed to Cedar county, Iowa, and in 1877 took up his abode in Warren county, where he improved and developed a farm but later disposed of that property and spent his last days with his daughter in Lucas county, this state, passing away there January 20, 1905. His wife, however. passed away in 1892. Their family numbered seven sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to mature years but only four sons and three daughters still survive.
Theophilus Vincent was a little lad of ten years at the time of his par- ents' removal from Monroe county, Missouri, to Cedar county. this state. He was early trained to the duties of the home farm. assisting his father from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn and during the winter seasons he acquired his education in the distriet schools near his father's home. He remained under the parental roof until he reached mature years, when he came to Warren county and
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operated a rented farm for several years. During this time he accumulated a competeney that enabled him to eventually invest in property and he accordingly in 1883 became the owner of forty acres of raw land, which he broke and improved. He also erected a fine country residence and added other buildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. He later added to his original holdings and now has one hundred and thirty-four acres. situated on section 30 and 31. White Breast township. He now has one of the best improved farms in this section of Warren county. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also feeds stock, mak- ing a specialty of cattle and hogs.
It was on the 11th of January, 1877, that Mr. Vincent was united in mar- riage to Miss Eliza J. Walters, who was born and reared in Cedar county, this state, a daughter of William Walters, one of the pioneers of that county. They became the parents of three children but the eldest. Mary Ettie, died when about eighteen months old. Those living are: Clara May. the wife of N. R. Mills, a farmer of White Breast township. by whom she has three daughters, Minnie E., Flossie M. and Gracie L .; and Clarence, who is married and follows farming in Liberty towuship and also operates a part of his father's farm. He has one son. Merl.
Politically Mr. Vincent is a republican and has served as a school direc- tor for ten years. He has also served on the petit jury and as a delegate to county conventions. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. His snecess is well merited. for he has ever followed the most honorable methods in carrying on his business affairs, never being known to take ad- vantage of another in a trade transaction and he is well entitled to the proud American title of a self-made man.
ARTHUR W. RICHARDS.
Although there were many who met death and others who were wounded in the great Civil strife which perpetuated the Union when rebellion attempted its overthrow. there are few who have made the great personal sacrifice that Mr. Richards did, for through years he has been a sufferer as the result of his military experience. He was born near Fairfield. Columbiana county. Ohio, September 14. 1832, and his parents, Eli and Eleanor ( Wherry) Richards, were also natives of the same county. The father, of English lineage, was a minister of the Society of Friends or Quakers and in his business life devoted his energies to farming with good success. He voted with the whig part; which he continued to support until his demise, which occurred when his so, Arthur was but twelve years of age. The mother represented an old Pennsylvania family connected with the Baptist church. By her marriage to Eli Richards she became the mother of nine children, of whom Arthur W. was the eldest. After losing her first husband she married Russell Van Tassel and both died in Indianola.
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ARTHUR W. RICHARDS
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Arthur W. Richards resided upon the home farm in Ohio until fifteen years of age and during that period attended the rural schools. He then started out in life on his own account, learning the cabinetmaker's trade, at which he worked for three years. Desirous of enjoying better educational opportunities however, he then again entered school, spending a year in study in Albany, Ohio. In 1854 he arrived in Indianola, where he began business as a carpenter and contractor, being thus identified with the building interests of the city until 1861. He watched with interest the progress of events in the south, noted the threatening attitude concerning secession and resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally in its defense. Accord- ingly in May following the attack made on Fort Sumter, he offered his services to the government, enlisting at Keokuk, Iowa, as a member of Company E. Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three months. He was discharged December 3, 1861, at Shelbina, Missouri, and took the ague after a hundred- mile march. "He was much overheated while taking part in a skirmish, the rain fell and then he marched for five miles in the cold and rain. His clothes were wet and in this condition he lay down and slept until morning. With dawn, however, he awoke stiff and sore and had to be helped on to the train. The train had proceeded only about six miles when car in which he was seated was riddled with bullets. At a point in the forest when his car was fifteen feet above the ground he was compelled to jump in order to save his life. In so doing he broke his back and since that day he has been an invalid, confined to his bed, and is moved about by pulley arrangements over the bed. He also suffers greatly from sciatic rheumatism. When mustered into the army he was a man of goodly proportions and of excellent health. For forty-five years he has suffered from injuries sustained as the result of his military experience.
On the 6th of December, 1856, Mr. Richards was married to Miss Margaret A. MeCowan, who was born in New Jersey in 1839, a daughter of Joseph and Mary J. (Siebers) MeCowan. Her father died in Florida when Mrs. Richards was but two years of age and Mrs. McCowan is now living with Mrs. Richards at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been born ten children : Preston A., who passed away when seven years of age ; Frank A., who is agent for the Register-Leader; Mary E., the wife of C. C. Cherryhomes, a dentist of Columbus, Ohio; John M., a traveling salesman of Kansas City; Stella C., whe was born November 10, 1868, and became the wife of A. Bryson, who conducts an oat meal mill at Fort Dodge; Sim B., born November 1, 1870, who is the editor of the Webster City Herald; Sterling H., who was born December 30, 1872, and follows merchandising in Montana; Lottie M., who was born April 15, 1875, and became the wife of Homer L. Ross, a gold miner and attorney at law of Manhattan, Nevada; Cora B., who was born July 3, 1877, and is living at home; and Roscoe A., born November 7, 1879, who is foreman of a fresco establishment in Chicago. There are also three grandehildren.
Mrs. Richards belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Richards holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as justice of the
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peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. While an invalid he has not been a helpless one in that he has given his thought and attention to invention and has produced some machinery of valne, including a perambu- lating cot, a corn husker and a shredder. Few men sitnated as Mr. Richards is would have made the attempt to accomplish anything. but he is not alone known in inventive lines but is also the author of some interesting works, including Progress and Life, Old Soldiers Ethics and Character Evolution. He has read broadly. thinks deeply and has come to conclusions which are truly philosophical. He certainly deserves and receives the full honor and respect of his fellow citizens.
LOUIS J. KLEMM.
One of the most prosperous farmers and successful business men of Linn township is Louis J. Klemm, who has spent his entire life in Warren county, his birth occurring in Jefferson township, September 13, 1863. His paternal grandfather, John Klemm, is still living in Des Moines, Iowa, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. He was born in Baden Baden, Germany, February 19, 1813, and came to the United States in 1843, locating first in Pike county, Ohio. In 1857 he came to Iowa, his destination being Churchville. Warren county. He made the trip by boat and after deciding on a location returned to Ohio for his family. which he brought by wagon to his new home. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Jefferson township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his time and attention mutil 1869, when he sold that place and bought the farm now owned and occupied by our subject in Lin township. Here he lived for twenty-five years and then removed to Des Moines, where he is now living retired. In his farming operations he met with most excellent success, becoming a well-to-do and prosperous citizen of this county.
During his boyhood Louis J. Klemm attended the public schools of the connty and for three months pursued his studies in a private school at Ot- tumwa. Iowa. For the same length of time he was also a student at Bowen's Business College in Des Moines, and later conducted a store in Norwalk for three months, but has made farming his principal occupation. For thirty- nine years he has resided upon his present farm, where he owns two hun- dred and forty aeres of land under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings, and besides this he has one hundred and sixty aeres in Adair county. In connection with general farming he is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, and is also interested in the banking business, being a director of the German Savings Bank at Des Moines; a director of the Farmers Saving Bank at Carlisle; and vice president of the Bevington Bank in Madison county, Iowa. He has one of the nicest home: in this part of the county and everything about the place shows the owner
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to be a man of progressive ideas and thoroughly familiar with his chosen occupation.
On February 27, 1887, Mr. Klemm was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine A. Cain, who was born in Linn township, June 6, 1860. Her father, James Cain, was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the successful agricul- turists of this county, owning two hundred and fifty-nine acres of land. He died at the age of sixty-one years, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. MeNeil, died at the age of sixty-nine years. In their family were nine children who are still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Klemm have also been born nine children but Sarah is now deceased. The others are John A., Mary Catherine, Rose B., Ignatius F., Barbara T., Louis J., Margaret E. and Joseph A.
In religious faith Mr. Klemm is a Catholic and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party but takes no active part in political affairs, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He is a financier of more than ordinary ability and in all his business affairs has been found upright, reliable and energetic.
E. E. JOHNSON.
E. E. Johnson, who owns and operates a well improved farm of one hun- dred and fourteen acres, situated on section 18. White Breast township, is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of this section of Warren county. He is a native son of the county. his birth having occurred on a farm in Liberty township. October 13. 1861, a son of JJesse Johnson, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume.
E. E. Johnson was reared on the home farm, carly becoming familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of a farmer lad. He began his education in the district schools near his father's home and later attended school in Milo and Indianola, this being supplemented by a business course in Simpson College. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained mature years and then established a home of his own by his marriage in May. 1885, to Miss May Hall, who was born in Tama county. Iowa. a daughter of Josiah Hall, one of the early settlers of Warren county who later removed to Tama county, where his daughter was born and reared. In 1877, however, he onee more returned to this county.
Following his marriage Mr. Johnson located on a farm in Otter township. where he made his home for two years, after which he went to Liberty township and operated rented land for five years. During this time through his thrift. energy and economy he managed to save a sum that enabled him to eventually invest in property of his own and in 1893 he became the possessor of the tract of land which has since been his home. This place comprises one hundred and fourteen acres, situated on section 18. White Breast township. After locating
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here he built a neat country residence, supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories, built a good barn, feneed the land, set out an orchard and now has one of the best improved farms in White Breast township. In addition to carrying on general farming. he also raises stock, making a specialty of hogs. He is also engaged in the sheep industry, raising only pure-blooded Shropshire sheep. He makes a close study of this branch of business and is meeting with excellent success in his undertakings.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson has been blessed with one son, Clarence Carl, who is now a young man and assists in the operation of the home farm and in the raising of stock.
Mr. Johnson is a republican in principle and practice and at the present writing is serving as the efficient assessor of White Breast township but is in no sense an office seeker. He has been identified with the schools for several years and has also served as a delegate to county conventions. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Friends church. His success has been by no means the result of fortunate circumstances. It has come to him through energy. labor and perseverance. directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles. In manner he is quiet and straightforward, saying exactly what he means and his word has become a synonym for business integrity.
JESSE JOHNSON.
Jesse Johnson, who is now living retired on his farm on section 21. Liberty township, was born in Wayne county. Indiana. July 17. 1833, a son of Charles and Nancy (Beeson) Johnson. The father was a native of North Carolina. where his birth occurred July 8. 1797. and when twelve years of age he accom- panied his parents, James and Ruth (Mills) JJohnson, on their removal to Wayne county. Indiana. The grandparents of our subject were farming people and settled in what is now Richmond. Indiana, where their son Charles assisted in clearing a part of the site of that city. James and Ruth (Mills) Johnson were Quakers in religious faith and both passed away in Wayne county. Indiana. The grandfather of Mrs. Nancy (Beeson) Johnson was a Scotchman and served as a British soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Charles Johnson, the father of our subject, was one of nine children. all of whom were agriculturists by occupation and are now deceased. He attended school in North Carolina and in Indiana and after acquiring a good education he taught school in the Hoosier state for several terms, being also engaged in farming. He removed to Warren county. Iowa, in 1857. and lived retired until his death, which occurred at Earlham. Dallas county, Iowa. August 8. 1872. He had returned to Indiana in 1860 but once more came to Towa and resided with a son near Earlham until called to his final rest. His political allegiance was given to the whig party. while in religious faith he was a Quaker. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Beeson and whom he wedded in
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Indiana, was born in Ohio. December 14, 1804, a daughter of Amaziah and Isabella (Burcham) Beeson. She was reared in the Buckeye state, her parents being representatives of old families there, and of Quaker stock. Mr. and Mrs. Amaziah Beeson made their final home in Wayne county, Indiana, and their daughter, Mrs. Nancy Johnson, also passed away in that state, her demise occurring May 13, 1849. Like her husband, she was a member of the Friends church. Unto Charles and Nancy (Beeson) Johnson were born nine children, namely : Charles Alexander, whose demise occurred at Earlham, Iowa, Febru- ary 6, 1907; Isaac K., residing in California; Sarah J., who is the widow of C. P. Kennedy and makes her home at Liberty Center; Jesse. of this review; Abijah, living at Montrose, Colorado; Eliza, the wife of Nathan Hollingsworth, of Ohio; Eli, living in Madison county, Iowa ; Henry, who died in infancy ; and Rhoda M., who became the wife of Wesley Mendenhall and makes her home at West Newton, Indiana.
Jesse Johnson was reared in the state of his nativity and there also acquired his education. On putting aside his textbooks he served a three years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. In December, 1853, he came to Warren county, Iowa, locating first in Otter township, while subsequently he followed the carpenter's trade at Indianola. On taking up his abode in Liberty township in 1855 he followed carpentering and in the past twenty years has erected many of the best houses and barns in this township, but in 1859 he located on his farm on section 21, ereeting his present home in the following year. The property comprises one hundred and ninety-five acres of highly cultivated land and he has placed thereon all of the excellent im- provements with which it is now adorned, but for the past twelve or thirteen years has leased the farm, having had the same tenant throughout this entire period. He also owns some timber land and is well known as one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of the community, having met with a gratifying measure of success in the conduet of his general farming interests.
On the 25th of December, 1858, in Liberty township. Warren county, Iowa, occurred the marriage of Jesse Johnson and Miss Sarah Angeline Mosher, who was born June 18, 1840, a daughter of Asa Mosher, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of five children : Elmer E., whose birth occurred October 13, 1861. and who resides in White Breast township. married May Hall, by whom he has one son. Carl. Flora Eva, born February 4, 1864, is the wife of Z. T. Kemper, of Alma, Nebraska. She has three daughters, namely: Faith Lucile, Zana Leota and Zelma Theola. Mr. Kemper is railroad agent for the Burlington & Missouri Com- pany at Alma. Jessie Bethiah, whose natal day was October 2, 1870. became the wife of J. R. Bledsoe and resides in White Breast township. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Audrey Estalene, Jesse Edwin and Inez Angeline. Nannie Pearl, born December 3. 1873, passed away January 1, 1877. Clara, whose birth occurred November 25, 1878. is at home.
Mr. Johnson has been a stanch republican since the organization of the party. He voted once before, at a state election, but cast his first national
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vote for John C. Fremont. Recognizing his worth, his fellow townsmen have ealled him to various positions of public trust and he has held practically all of the township offices, while for one term he served as county supervisor. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Liberty Center, and both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Friends church at that place. He has passed the seventy-fifth mile- stone on life's journey and by reason of his well direeted labors and capable management in former years, is now enabled to spend his remaining days in well earned ease, surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. During the long period of his residence in this county, covering fifty-five years, he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends, who esteem him for his genuine personal worth and upright, honorable career.
JOSEPH P. SMITH.
In the history of the farming interests of Warren county, it is imperative that mention should be made of Joseph P. Smith who lives on section 27, Lincoln township, for he has long been closely associated with the farming interests of the community and the methods which he employs, shows that he is in touch with the most advanced ideas concerning progressive agriculture. His home farm comprises one hundred and eighty-eight acres of rich land that responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it and in another place he owns eighty acres. He has lived in Warren county since 1873, or for a period of thirty-five years, so that he is well known here and has an intimate knowledge of the history of the county and its development.
Mr. Smith started on life's journey June 6, 1845, in Morgan county, Ohio. His father, Henry Smith, was a native of Mindus, Prussia, and in that country he was reared and educated. He began work in Germany at three cents per day and was thus employed for four years. It was in 1838 that he came to the United States and he drove across the country from Baltimore to Ohio. He was a self-made man, having no capital with which to embark in business on his emigration to the new world.
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