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 68
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Joseph P. Smith was reared to manhood in his native county, early becoming familiar with the life and experiences of the farmer. His educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools and from carly boyhood he aided in the farm work, taking his place in the fields almost as soon as old enough to reach the plow handles. He remained with his father until twenty- three years of age, after which he started in life on his own account, cleared a small tract of land and raised a crop. He then went to Lewis county. Missouri, where for a year he rented land and also worked to some extent in a sawmill. During the two succeeding years he rented land in connection with his brother Fred, who afterward came to Towa, settling on section 12, Belmont township. Warren county, where he secured eighty acres of raw land. This he broke, turning the sod for the first time, clearing away the brush, fencing the
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J. P. SMITH AND FAMILY
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fields and carrying forward the work of farming along all lines of modern progress. He later erected a good frame dwelling and substantial out- buildings. His labors have always been of a practical nature and have been attended with a measure of success that is well merited.
On the 29th of April, 1875, Mr. Smith was married in Warren county to Miss Malima Owen, who was born in Indiana, but was reared in Warren county, Iowa, and was a daughter of Samuel and Ruth Owen, who came to this county from the Hoosier state. The father bought a land warrant, the first sold in the county, and he cast in his lot with the early settlers who were reclaiming the wild region for the purposes of civilization. Mrs. Smith spent her girlhood days under the parental roof, was well educated and for some years engaged in teaching. After their marriage Mr. Smith engaged in farming for several years and about 1884 he purchased his present property, upon which he now resides. He became owner of eighty acres here and at once took up the task of developing and cultivating this. As he prospered in his undertakings he bought more land, becoming owner of a part of the old Owen's farm and he today owns two hundred and sixty-eight acres of this traet, all of which is well improved, bringing forth rich and abundant harvests, while the annual sale of his crops return to him a gratifying income. With his other work he raises and feeds stoek, making a specialty of high grade cattle, fattening a number each year for the market. He also raises some fine horses and the excellent stock which he keeps upon this place is indicative of his progressive spirit. There is no better indication of the character of a farmer than the stock which he has about him. He and his wife have by their united efforts accumulated a large body of land, becoming owners of a good home, and have made for themselves an enviable place in the community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three daughters: Edith E., who was well educated, attending the distriet schools and afterward becoming a student at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She also pursued a course at the Quaker college in Oskaloosa and later engaged in teaching for a number of years. She was at one time a teacher in Warren county and for three years was principal of Hesper Academy in Kansas. Luda E., the second member of the family, is the wife of Professor J. Emery Hollingsworth. She completed a course in Penn College at Oskaloosa, engaged in teaching for a few years and then married. She now has one son. Joseph Keith Hollingsworth. Ethel L., was educated at Penn College, won the Master's degree at the State university and has taught in the high school at Stoekton, Kansas, but is now at home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith also reared an orphan child. George Lee Powell, who is now a young man.
In polities Mr. Smith was a republican for some years, but has always been a stanch advocate of the temperance cause and now votes with the prohibition party. He east his first ballot for General U. S. Grant in 1868. He held several local offices. was identified with the schools for a number of years and was president of the school board at Ackworth for several years. He and his wife and daughters are members of the Friends church at Aekworth and his entire life has been in harmony with the teaching of that society, which
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inculcates a kindly spirit and a generous recognition of the rights of others. He served a great many years on the board of the Ackworth academy and he and his wife did much to assist in its maintenance. They have taken a deep and active interest in the work of the Friends at Waveland, now Motor, and at Ackworth. They were married at the latter place according to the Friend's custom, Mrs. Smith having been a member of that society since childhood.
As a business man Mr. Smith has been persistent and energetic, always straightforward and honorable, and his success is due to the fact that he has worked persistently and untiringly along well defined lines of labor.
WINTON H. CHUMBLEY.
Winton H. Chumbley was born in Pulaski county, Virginia, August 16, 1853, the son of William A. and Nancy P. (Glasgow) Chumbley. The father, being left an orphan at an early age, was bound out to a Mr. Rankin and became a member of his family. He was treated as a son and on his death Mr. Rankin willed to him some twelve slaves, which he owned. On attaining his majority Mr. Chumbley freed them, allotting to each a tract of sixty acres of land. He received no remuneration for these and came to Iowa practically with no money or resources, his death occurring less than two years later, in 1862.
Winton H. Chumbley was but seven years of age when brought by his par- ents from Virginia to Iowa. He was one of a family of ten children and was blessed with a mother whose force of character and deep religions principles rose to the occasion of guiding aright the young souls left to her charge. All received a common-school education and contributed of their youthful ener- gies to the common welfare of the family. Of the three daughters, one died in infancy, while the other two eventually married and became the mistresses of their own homes. The sons remained with their mother until the youngest of them was twenty-three years of age, after which they gradually withdrew from the parental roof and founded homes of their own.
In conjunction with his brothers, Joseph G. and James W., Winton H. Chumbley purchased a traet of four hundred acres of land in sections 30. 31 and 32, Otter township, and here they conducted farming operations together until in 1905, at which time a division of property was made and Winton H. is now the sole owner of a finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, Otter township. He combines with general farming the business of stock-raising and the breeding of shorthorn cattle. through this source con- verting the output of his farm into available cash with the least possible expenditure.
In 1876 occurred the marriage of Winton H. Chumbley and Miss Sarah E. Crumerine, a native of Towa, and a daughter of Enos and Susan (Mosher) Crumerine. They were among the first settlers of Liberty township, where the father engaged in farming. Both are now living in Jewell county, Kansas,
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both being past seventy years of age. They were the parents of ten children. all of whom excepting Mrs. Chumbley live in Kansas. She was reared and educated in Warren county, where she taught school prior to her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chumbley have been born thirteen children, namely : Rosa May, who is residing at home; Charles B.,a farmer of Custer county. Nebraska, who married Miss Jennie Slack, of that state; Artemus C., who is married to Miss Ada Williams, a daughter of Clark Williams, of Otter township, by whom he has one son, William ; Clayborn C., a farmer of Liberty township. who mar- ried Miss Allie Zarley, a daughter of John Zarley, of Liberty township, by whom he has one son, Ivyl; Nancy Susan and Martha Alice, both teachers in Jewell county, Kansas; George G., May E., Myrtle E., Noah D. and Lawrence E., all residing at home with their parents; Thomas Lester, who died in in- fancy and a daughter who also died in infancy unnamed.
Mr. Chumbley gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. So- cially he is a member of the Yeoman lodge, of Indianola. Mrs. Chumbley is a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Chumbley is recognized as one of the reliable. substantial citizens of the community. whose cooperation can be relied upon in matters pertaining to the public wel- fare, in which he has ever taken an active, helpful interest.
R. W. MCELROY.
R. W. McElroy, who successfully follows farming and stock-raising on section 5, Palmyra township, where he owns a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, is a native of Iowa, his birth occurring in Lucas county, on the 5th of December, 1865. His father, Robert McElroy, was born in Pennsyl- vania, April 17, 1830, and in childhood removed with his parents to Ohio, where he made his home until reaching man's estate. About 1850 the family came to Iowa and settled in Marion county, where Robert MeElroy married Miss Elizabeth Smith, who is a native of Virginia but was reared in Indiana. For a time he engaged in farming in Marion county and then removed to Lueas county, where he resided until coming to Warren county in 1869. He pur- ยท chased land in Lincoln township, where he now resides, and has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which was originally the county farm.
Upon that place R. W. McElroy grew to manhood, assisting in the labors of the fields and pursuing his studies in the country schools of the neighbor- hood. He was married in Lincoln township on the 29th of February, 1888. to Miss Dora Peck, who is a native of this county, her father. Isaac Peck. being an early settler of 1848. He is now living retired in Indianola. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McElroy have been born three children. namely: Edith L .. Homer C. and Charles Ralph.
After his marriage, Mr. MeElroy purchased a farm in Lincoln township. on which he lived for twelve years, but in 1900 he sold that place and bought his present fine farm on section 5, Palmyra township, to the improvement and
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cultivation of which he has since devoted his energies. In connection with general farming, he is engaged in raising a high grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and in his chosen occupation he is meeting with excellent success. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian church of Hartford. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal insurance society, and he has the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BURGESS.
The history of Milo would be incomplete without mention of George Wash- ington Burgess, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, October 5, 1836, his parents being Thornton and Sarah (Tauner) Burgess. The paternal grand- parents, William and Susan (Redmond) Burgess, were natives of West Virginia and made their home at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains but at an early day in the development of Ohio removed to Muskingum county, that state and entered land from the government. The founder of the Burgess family in America came from Switzerland and successive generations have manifested those sterling traits of character which have always marked the Swiss people.
The maternal grandfather of our subjeet was Edward Tanner, who, when about seventeen years of age, was captured by the Indians and held as a prisoner by them for three and a half years, after which he was exchanged. It was the intention of the savages to kill the youth and he was forced to "rnn the gauntlet." At the commencement of this, he was knocked down and while he was lying on the ground a squaw rushed in, picked him up and carried him away. The squaw then claimed him as her own and thus saved his life. It was his daughter Sarah who became the wife of Thornton Burgess and nnto this marriage were born ten children : Harriet, who married John Baker, of Indianola; William, who died at the age of sixteen years; Edward, who wedded Elizabeth Brundage; Mary Jane, the wife of Phillip Essex ; John, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who died at the age of eight years; James and Sammel; and another who died in infancy. Samuel and George Washington are the only surviving members of this family. The father died in Ohio in 1852 and the mother, with her children, came to Warren county, Towa, in 1854, arriving in Indianola in the autumn of that year. Here she purchased a house, which is still standing, having for more than half a century been a witness of the changes which have ocenrred in the county.
George Washington Burgess was now the main support of the family. He was only fourteen years of age when his father died and it was at this time that he commenced his battle with the world. In 1857 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Warren county. under Luke Bryan, and continued to fill the same position under the sneceeding sheriff. John D. Ingalls. John J. Cozad was the third sheriff and Mr. Burgess again served as deputy, but in 1864 resigned that
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GEORGE W. BURGESS
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position and made a trip to the Colorado gold fields. Not meeting with the success that he had anticipated, however, he soon left and went to Bourbon county, Kansas, in the fall of 1864. In 1869 he was elected sheriff of Bourbon county and there remained until the autumn of 1872, when he received word that his mother was growing quite feeble and needed his assistance and atten- tion, so he resigned the office of sheriff and returned to Indianola, remaining there for about two years. During that time he was elected city marshal, which position he filled until 1875, when he traded for a stock of goods at Hammondsburg, his mother having passed away in 1874.
In 1879, when the new town of Milo was just springing into existence, G. W. Burgess was the first man on the ground and removed his business house from Hammondsburg, with the stock of goods in the buildings. He chose a location on the south side of the main street and began business there Jime 27. 1879. He afterward turned his store around to face the north and put a temporary foundation under it. The entire field which constituted the eity of Milo had been sown to flax, which was then in full bloom, making the store building of Mr. Burgess appear rather lonely in its remoteness from other commercial undertakings. The railroad had just been completed and the first invoice of goods was unloaded in the flax field, as up to that time no depor
had been erected. Mr. Burgess believed in the old saying regarding the "early bird," so he bent every energy to be the first one to locate on the new town site, that he might gain the trade of the surrounding community. He enjoyed a good patronage as long as he remained in merchandising and was always an active citizen for the advancement of the interests of the town. As the years have passed, he has done much effective work for the upbuilding of Milo and has performed many public duties here. He was the first postmaster of the town, receiving the appointment in October, 1879. He filled that offi. until March, 1892, when Grover Cleveland was elected, and although he was offered the position, he refused to serve under a democratie administration and so resigned. When the republicans came into power, under President MeKinley, he was once more appointed postmaster and continued to serve until 1907, when he resigned.
In 1885, having sold his stock of general merchandise, Mr. Burgess engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business under the firm name of Burgess & Son. In this connection he condneted an enterprise which brought him a goodly measure of prosperity. It is only during the past year or so that Mr. Burgess has been retired from active business and is now enjoying well earned ease in a comfortable home, surrounded by kind friends and neighbors who entertain for him the warmest regard. During the past three years he and his wife have spent the winter months at Long Beach, California, where Mr. Burgess has acquired quite a reputation as a skillful fisherman, holding the record of having landed the biggest Jew fish which has been caught there in years. He secured one fish weighing two hundred and forty pounds and another of one hundred and eighty-five pounds.
Mr. Burgess was married June 19, 1862. to Miss Abbie J. Jewell. a daughter of Judge and Mrs. Eli Jewell, natives of Vermont and Illinois respectively.
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and now residents of Kansas. The children of this marriage were Jennie, now the wife of P. O. Bussell. of Kansas; Edward J., who married Lena Clebenger and is a member of the firm of Burgess & Son, real-estate, loan and insurance agents, at Milo; Carrie, George, Lena and Abbie, all of whom died in infancy; and Harry, yet at home. The mother of these children died February, 1886. and on the 2d of March, 1887, Mr. Burgess was again married, his second union being with Mary Etta Dennis, a daughter of William Robert and Lydia Ann (Nelson) Dennis, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively and located in Ringgold county, Iowa, at an early day, before the county seat had been established there. The mother died in 1887 but the father still survives and now lives in Missouri.
Mr. Burgess is a charter member of Milo Lodge, No. 409, A. F. & A. M .. and also belongs to Milo Lodge, No. 413. I. O. O F. He has been a Mason for more than forty years. In politics he is a stanch republican, supporting the party sinee Fremont became its presidential candidate. Beside being post- master for many years, he was the second mayor of Milo, serving for five consecutive years and has filled the office of justice of the peace and other local positions. Mr. Burgess is justly accounted one of the prominent and worthy representatives of Warren county and though he has passed the allotted Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime and is enjoying life and the opportunities which are afforded him for pleasure by reason of the fact that his former activity and success in business now enable him to live retired.
ISAAC K. STORY.
In the record of the settlers who have long resided within its borders of Warren county, mention should be made of Isaac K. Story, who for forty years has made his home here. Throughout this period he has been connected with farming and stock-raising interests and is now dealing in live stock, making large purchases and sales annually. His birth occurred in Greene county, Ohio, November 25. 1841, his parents being Thomas and Annie (Humble) Story.
Thomas Story, the father. was born in Ireland and in his boyhod days was brought to the United States by his parents who located in Ohio. He there became a farmer and resided in that state until 1853, when he removed to Ind- iana. After a residence of three years in the Hoosier state he came to Iowa in 1856 and settled on a tract of land in Louisa county. Subsequently he removed to Missouri where his last days were passed, death claiming him in 1892, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-three years. At the time of the Civil war he esponsed the cause of his adopted country and joined the boys in blue of Company C. Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry. The date of his enlistment was August, 1862, and he remained with his command for two and a half years, or until the close of hostilities, when victory perched upon the Union banners. Like the great majority of those who defended the Union he was a republican
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in his political views, for it was the party which stood for the supremacy of the federal government during the dark days of the Civil war. His wife was a native of Urbana, Ohio, and died October 16, 1867, at the age of forty-three years. She came of English lineage and her life was actuated by her belief as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Story were born thirteen children, of whom Isaac K. Story is the eldest. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in the days of his boyhood and youth. He at- tended the country schools when not busy with the work of the fields and when he put aside his text-books he concentrated his attention entirely upon farm work, in which he continued until a few years ago. He arrived in Warren county in 1868, although he had been a resident of Iowa from 1856, coming with his parents when they took up their abode in Louisa county. In 1861 he put aside the plow and like his father joined the army, enlisting in Louisa county as a member of Company K, Eighth Iowa Infantry. Three years had passed and he then reenlisted on the 1st of January, 1864, in the same company and regiment with which he remained until mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, in 1866. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh and was captured on the field that night but was recaptured the following day. He also took part 1. the battles of Corinth and Vicksburg, Mississippi, Mobile and Spanish Fort and others of lesser importance. He went upon many of the long hard marches and stood valiantly in defense of the old flag on the firing line or as faithfully did his duty on the lonely picket line.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Story returned to his home in Louisa county, where he was identified with farming interests until his re- moval to Warren county in 1868. Here he located in Squaw township, where he began the cultivation of a rented farm. He afterward lived in White Oak and Liberty townships and was connected with farming interests here until 1881. when he removed to Indianola, where he has since engaged in dealing in live stock.
It was after his arrival in Warren county but in the same year that Mr. Story was married to Miss Rebecca Ramey, whose birth occurred in Greene county. Ohio, October 20, 1844, her parents being John and Lydia Ramey, who came to Iowa in 1845 and settled in Louisa county. In 1867 they removed to Warren county and took up their abode in Squaw township. Mr. and Mrs. Story have six children and three grandsons. Their children are: Anna. the wife of W. J. Hewitt; Linnie Agnes, who departed this life in 1875; Jane, the wife of William Brewer, of Indianola, where he is engaged in merchandising ; John R., a elerk of Indianola ; William H .. a practicing dentist of this city ; and Alice Belle, who is a teacher in the Indianola high school.
Mr. Story belongs to the Odd Fellows society and the Grand Army of the Republic. He votes with the republican party and has filled the office of deputy sheriff but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. A long residence in Iowa has made him largely familiar with the history of the state as it has emerged from pioneer conditions to take on all of the evidences of a modern civilization. He has lived in this county for forty years, is well
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known to many of its citizens and his salient traits of character are such as have gained for him the esteem and friendship of many with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
JAMES A. GREENFIELD).
James A. Greenfield, a successful farmer and stock-raiser residing on see- tion 1, Liberty township, was born in Wabash county, Indiana, July 22, 1859. his parents being Silas and Elizabeth (Cline) Greenfield. The father is also a native of Wabash county, Indiana, residing there until 1866, when he removed to Logan county, Illinois, where he made his home until the fall of 1870. At that time he came to Warren county, Iowa, and for a number of years carried on agricultural pursuits here, but is now living retired in Milo, having attained the age of seventy years. He is a democrat in his political affiliations and has served as a trustee of White Breast township. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. The mother of our subject is a native of Ohio but was largely reared in Indiana and was married in that state. She now resides in Milo at the age of about seventy years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Silas Greenfield were born six children, namely: James A., of this review; Mrs. Maggie B. Cleveland, of Liberty township; E. C., who is a dairyman of Lincoln township; Charles, who died when only five months old; Mrs. Lola May Silcott, of Belmont township; and Mrs. Josie J. Crabb, who also makes her home in Belmont township.
James A. Greenfield was reared in Illinois and Iowa, and supplemented his common-school education by one term's attendance at Ackworth Academy. He had no financial assistance on starting out in life on his own account and the success which he now enjoys is therefore entirely the result of his own well directed labor and capable management. For the first two years after his marriage he operated a rented farm and eventually had eighty acres given to him by his father-in-law, to which he has since added at different times until his holdings have assumed extensive proportions. He now owns and success- fully operates his home place, comprising one hundred and seventy acres on . section 1. Liberty township, and likewise has eighty-two acres on section 2. Liberty township, and thirty-five acres on section 34. Otter township. His property is all finely improved and in addition to the work of general farming he is also engaged in stock-raising, breeding Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle.
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