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 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
OLIVER TRUEBLOOD.
Oliver Trueblood, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Belmont township and was numbered among its leading citizens. He was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 4th of December, 1831, and was a son of Caleb and Mary (Pyle) Trueblood, natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively. In early life they removed to Indiana, where they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond. In their family were the following children: John, Samuel, Mrs. Esther Pritchard, Cyrus, Harry, Abraham, Oliver, Abigail, Linley and Mary Ann. Of this number only Esther, Mary Ann and Abraham are now living.
In the state of his nativity Oliver Trueblood was reared and educated, and there he was married on the 9th of November, 1854, to Miss Mary Har- ned. Her parents were John S. and Ruth (Green) Harned, the former a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and the latter of North Carolina. They were pioneers of Washington county, Indiana, where they were still living at the time of their deaths, the father dying at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother at the age of seventy-two. By occupation Mr. Harned was a merchant, but was also interested in farming to some extent. There were nine children in his family, namely: William, Robert, Elizabeth, Jos- eph, Benjamin, Charles, Rebecca, Mary and John. Mrs. Trueblood has two brothers still living : Joseph, who resides near Flora, Illinois, and Benjamin. whose home is near Salem, Indiana. The parents were members of the So- eiety of Friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Trueblood became the parents of eight children : Ellen. born May 26, 1856, is the wife of Louis Turner of Marshall county, Iowa; Cydia Ann, born July 24. 1858, is the wife of Arthur Bailey, of Milo; Charles Elmer, born January 6, 1864. married Lillie Randolph, of Salem, Iowa, and is a Methodist minister of Winterset ; Samnel J., born March 3. 1865. married Effie Crew, and resides in Warren county; John Allen, born October 4, 1868. died in infancy ; Curtis H., born January 13. 1873. married Isora Smith, and lives in this county ; Clara Belle, born April 24. 1874. is the wife of Charles Lener, of Warren county; and Ernest, born February 10. 1881, married Ada MeClelland and is engaged in the hardware business in Milo.
Dionted by Google
764
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
After his marriage Mr. Trueblood continued to follow farming in Indiana until the spring of 1868, when he came to Warren county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Belmont township, making his home there until called from this life on the 24th of November, 1894. He was a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Society of Friends and his well spent life gained for him the confidence and respect of all with whom he was brought in contact either in business or social life. He was widely known throughout this county and the community mourned the death of a useful and valued citizen. Politically he was an ardent republican. In 1897 Mrs. Trueblood removed to Milo, where he built a comfortable residence, and has since sold the farm in Bel- mont township. She is a most estimable lady and like her husband has made many friends in Warren county.
WILLIAM T. SANDY.
William T. Sandy is connected with agricultural interests but manages his farm property from his home in Indianola. He is numbered not only among the pioneer settlers but also among the native sous of this county. his birth having occurred in Union township on the 15th of October, 1856. His father, Ephraim G. Sandy, was born in Owen county, Indiana, in 1832, and was a son of Jeremiah Sandy of that state, who in the early '50's came to lowa and entered a tract of land in Union township, Warren county, on which the town of Sandyville has since been built and thus named in his honor. He was one of the prosperous pioneer residents of the community. His son, Ephraim G. Sandy, inherited the father's business talents and enter- prise and remained actively engaged in the work of the farm until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when in 1862 he responded to the country's call for aid and joined the Union army with the boys in blue of Company D, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served for about two and a half years and was in the commissary department during a portion of that time. When the war was over he returned home and resumed his identifica- tion with general agricultural pursuits here. In his business affairs he ac- cumulated considerable property but died in 1868, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. Politically he was a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Jane Stitt, was born in Indiana in 1836 and survived him until 1875. She was a devoted member of the Christian church. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Stitt, both of whom died in Indiana. By her marriage Mrs. Sandy became the mother of five children: Elijah F., who died at the age of twenty-six years; William T .; Alice, who has departed this life; an infant son, deceased; and Inda, who has also passed away.
William T. Sandy, now the only surviving member of the family, was reared upon the home farm and attended the country schools. The occu- pation to which he gave his attention in his boyhood has since elaimed his
Doledby Google
765
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
energies during the greater part of the time. In 1884 he made a trip to Montana and upon a ranch which he there purchased he engaged in raising horses. Later he returned to his Union township farm whereon he resided until 1892, when he removed to Prairie City, in Jasper county, this state. There he filled the position of cashier of the State Bank for three years and in 1895 he came to Indianola, where he has since resided but gives his at- tention to the management of his farm. He is extensively engaged in feeding cattle and hogs and finds this a profitable source of income. His landed in- terests are valuable and comprise eighty acres in Loncoln township and two hundred acres in Union township, while his wife is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in the latter township.
In 1877 Mr. Sandy was married to Miss Isadore Brown, who was born . January 10, 1858, in Pleasantville, Marion county, Iowa, her parents being William J. and Margaret Brown, who removed to Sandyville in 1868. Her father is now deceased but her mother is living and makes her home in Indianola. Mr. and Mrs. Sandy have three children: Maggie M., the wife of Fred Peck. a farmer of Valley Junction, by whom she has a daughter, Lucile Marie; Clyde B., who is farming east of Indianola, is married and has a daughter, Dorothy; and Flossie I., at home. Mrs. Sandy is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Sandy belongs to the Mutual Benevolent Asso- ciation. They are both highly esteemed and he is well known as a citizen. who gives loyal support to the republican party and stands firm in his allegiance to every cause in which he believes. Great changes have come during the period of his residence in this county, for in his boyhood days it yet bore many evidences of the frontier but he has seen it transformed into one of the most progressive districts of the state, and has borne his full share in the work of general development and progress, His connection with any un- dertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of busi- ness and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable, methods. which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
ROBERT MCELROY.
Robert MeElroy, residing on one of the neatest and best improved farms in this locality, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32. Lincoln township, dates his residence in Iowa since 1850, and in Warren county since 1869. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 17. 1830, the son of John and Mary N. (Watt) MeElroy. His paternal grand- father, Mathew McElroy, was a native of Ireland, in which country he was reared and married. On coming to America he first settled in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, where John. the father of our subject, was born. He afterwards moved to Beaver county. Pennsylvania, and there his family
Digitized by Google
766
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
was reared. In early manhood John McElroy was married to Miss Mary N. Watt, a native of Ireland, and settled on a farm in Pennsylvania. There he lived for some years prior to his removal to Ohio, where he cleared land and opened up a farm, later disposing of this place and settling in Holmes county. In 1850 he removed to Iowa and settled in Marion county, after- ward removing to Warren county, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died here in 1891 at the advanced age of ninety-five years and twelve days. His wife survived him and died at the age of ninety-two.
Robert McElroy grew to manhood in Holmes county, Ohio, and came to Iowa with his parents in 1850. He aided his father in the preliminary work of getting his farm in shape for proper cultivation, also opened up a place of eighty acres for himself. He was married in Marion county in August, 1854, to Miss Sarah E. Smith, daughter of Elias Smith, a native of Virginia, in which state Mrs. McElroy was born. Her father removed from Virginia to near Lafayette, Indiana, about 1836 when she was but a child, and there she passed her girlhood days. The young couple began domestic life on the Marion county farm, but this they later sold and removed to Lucas county where they bought a place of about two hundred and forty acres. On this place they resided about ten years and sold it in 1869, at which time they removed to Warren county and bought the place where they now reside. In purchasing the farm Mr. MeElroy, with an eye to the future, took into consideration more the character of the soil and possibilities of its develop- ment than he did the improvements which were on it at that time, as the house consisted of a log and frame structure and the facilities for the handling of stock and properly carrying on the work of the farm were of a very erude nature. His harvests, however, soon yielded him bounteous returns and he began the work of improvement which has resulted in the present handsome appearance of the place, and the installation of the necessary modern ma- chinery for the profitable conduct of his business. He has built a substan- tial two-story residence, good barn, and the necessary outbuildings, has established a fine orchard, and has the place all under fenee. In connec- tion with general farming Mr. MeElroy raises good common stock, feeding for the market about a carload of cattle annually, and also a large number of hogs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McElroy have been born five children, three of whom are living. A son, George W., died at the age of about two years, and an- other son, Charles W:, grew to manhood and died here on the farm, November 3, 1904. Of those who are living, the oldest. William R., is married and lives on a farm near Hartford. A sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this volume. Mary Ann. the widow of L. F. Hoops, resides in Amarillo, Texas. Robert Watt, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this edition. is married and resides on a farm.
Mr. McElroy has been a lifelong republican. He cast his first ballot for president for Fremont in 1856, since which year he has not missed a vote for the republican presidential nominee. Ontside of home affairs Mr McElroy has not aspired to public office, though his personal interest in local improvement
Dlg zedby Google
767
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
prompted him to accept the office of township trustee, in which capacity he served for two terms. He has ever been identified with the school work here and has served as director for twenty-four years, and has acted secretary of the school board for the past ten or twelve years. He has also served as delegate to the county conventions. He and his estimable wife are both members of the United Presbyterian church, of Scotch Ridge, of which organ- ization he served as elder for a number of years.
S. A. RALSTON.
S. A. Ralston is numbered among the prominent business men of Lacona. where he has been engaged in the drug business for the past fifteen years. He is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Allamakee county, December 16, 1858, and is one of a family of three sons and four daughters, born of the marriage of John and Isabella (Archibald) Ralston. The father was born in Scotland, where he remained until he attained mature years, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York. He there spent the succeeding two years, when, atttracted by the opportunities of the new west, he made his way to Illinois where he remained one year, while in 1858 he continued on his journey to Iowa, locating in Allamakee county, where he purchased a farm. Mrs. Ralston was also born in Scotland and both par- ents are still living, having now reached the advanced age of more than eighty years.
S. A. Ralston, whose name introduces this review, was reared in his native county and remained with his father until he reached years of ma- turity. He then learned the photographic business and carried on an enter- prise of his own for eight years, of which period he spent four years in Albia, Iowa, and for four years in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He then re- turned to Iowa and located in Indianola, where he learned the drug business under the direction of a Mr. Husted with whom he remained for three years. Subsequently he came to Lacona and engaged in business on his own account and is still conducting this enterprise. He carries a complete line of drugs and druggist's sundries and has built up a large and extensive trade, owing to his reasonable prices and the courteous treatment which he extends to his patrons. He erected the structure in which his business. is located and he also owns a modern and commodious residence in which he and his fam- ily reside.
It was on the 20th of May, 1896, that Mr. Ralston was nited in mar- riage to Miss Grace Myers, a daughter of Isaac Myers, one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa. Mrs. Ralston was born and reared in Lacona and by her marriage has become the mother of one son. F. Paul.
Mr. Ralston gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party but has never been active as an office seeker. He has, however, been identified with the schools for several years and at the present
Dignized by Google
768
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
writing is acting as the efficient school treasurer. Having spent his entire life in Iowa, with the exception of two years, spent in South Dakota, and the two years in Wisconsin, he is well known in many sections and all who know him speak of him in terms of highest praise. His business, too, is ever conducted according to the strictest rules of integrity and fair dealing so that he is highly respected in business as well as social circles.
THOMAS T. ANDERSON
Thomas T. Anderson, senior editor of the Indianola Herald since 1886, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 25, 1844, and came to Iowa with his parents, Andrew and Mary (Findley) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. The father, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in 1812 and departed this life in March, 1878. He was a saddler by trade. In his boyhood days he removed with his mother to Ohio, the father having previously died, and there the family opened up a farm, cutting the timber from a tract of land preparatory to developing the fields. Andrew Anderson was thus identified with the agricultural interests of Ohio until 1854, when he removed westward to Iowa and settled in Davenport.
There he remained for a short time and was also for a brief period a resident of Mahaska county, but in the fall of 1857 he came to Warren county and took up his abode in the log cabin known as the Greenfield cabin. It had been built by Elisha Perkins and a picture of it is shown in this work. The family occupied that primitive dwelling for about a year and were closely associated with the pioneer improvement of the county. Andrew Anderson lived an industrious and frugal life, remaining a resident of Greenfield town- ship until within a year of his death. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church and was universally esteemed by his neighbors as a man of the strietest integrity and of unswerving honor.
His political allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife. who was born July 29, 1816, died in 1857 in the little eabin home previously alluded to. She. too, was of Scotch-Irish lineage and was the eldest daughter of the Rev. Samuel Findley, a well known divine of Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson were born nine sons : William M., who was a physician of St. Charles, Iowa, but is now deceased; Samuel Findley. who was a member of Company G, Third Iowa Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Shiloh; Hugh, who died at the age of fourteen years; Thomas T., of this review; James M., associated with his brother in the publication and ownership of the Indianola Herald; John T., a merchant of Seward, Nebraska; Andrew P., deceased; Ross P., an attorney of Seward, Nebraska; and an infant.
Thomas T. Anderson accompanied his parents to Iowa and in his boyhood acquired a country-school education. He afterward learned the harness- making trade, which he followed until 1882. when he was elected clerk of the court and served for four years. In 1886 he and his brother James purchased
Digitized by Google
-
ANDREW ANDERSON
Dijszej by Google
771
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
the Indianola Herald and since that time he has been senior editor of this popular paper. It is one of the most successful journals published in the state, most progressive methods being followed, while at all time the paper is kept abreast of the advancement that is being continually made in the journalistic profession.
At the time of the Civil war, Thomas Anderson loyally espoused the cause of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company D. second Towa Cavalry. at Des Moines. He was but seventeen years of age when he joined the arms and was made chief bugler, remaining at the front until the close of hostilities. He participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Farmington, Franklin, Nashville, and about forty other battles and skirmishes. When the war was over, he returned home in November. 1865. and resumed work at the harness-maker's trade. His life has always been one of intense and well directed activity and his success is attributed en- tirely to his own labors.
Mr. Anderson was married in 1866 to Miss Clara Liston. a daughter of Jesse and Rebecca Liston and a native of Gallia county. Ohio, who came to Warren county about 1849. Mrs. Anderson's parents were among the eight people who organized the Methodist church in 1850. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born four children : Nellie, deceased ; Edgar L., publisher of the Atlantic (Ia.) Telegraph, a daily and weekly paper; Eva R., the wife of Ed. T. Hatfield. a real-estate dealer of Chicago; and Thomas T., who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away January 29, 1890. at the age of forty-six years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her many excellent traits of heart and mind endeared her to those with whom she was associated. In 1895 Mr. Anderson was again married. his second union being with Lyde A. MeCool, who was born in Seott county, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. in which he is serving as an official.
He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to James Randolph Post, No. 116, G. A. R .. of which he is a past commander. He is likewise connected with the Southern Iowa Press Association. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he was postmaster of Indianola for four years under President Harrison. Both as a private citizen and through the columns of his paper he advocates needed reform and progress in municipal affairs and his labors in behalf of Indianola's welfare have been effective and far-reaching.
JAMES M. ANDERSON.
James M. Anderson, the junior partner of the firm of Anderson Brothers. owners and publishers of the Indianola Herald. was born in Guernsey county. Ohio, November 22. 1846. and, as stated. the family came to Iowa in 1854. he being then a youth of eight years. No event of special importance occurred to
Digiizedby Google
772
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. He worked in the fields, aiding in plowing, planting and harvesting the crops, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he learned the trade of saddlery and harnessmaking, and followed it continuously until 1882, when he again went upon the farm. Four years later he joined his brother, Thomas T. Anderson, in the purchase of the Indianola Herald from the firm of Baker & Knotts, and since that time they have continuously conducted this journal. They have a well appointed printing establishment and the Herald, neat and attrae- tive in appearance, bright and newsy in its condnet and thoroughly up-to-date in every particular, is now enjoying an extensive circulation and an excellent advertising patronage.
James M. Anderson was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah E. Harper, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Harper. Mrs. Anderson was born in Ohio and died on the 27th of August, 1897, at the age of fifty-three years. There were five children of that marriage, of whom three are living: Andrew C., the eldest, is the owner and publisher of the Fort Collins (Colo.) Courier, in partnership with Charles D. Miller, present foreman of the Indianola Herald. Maude E., is associated with her brother Andrew on the Courier, and Mary Pearl is now a teacher in the schools of Fort Collins. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Anderson afterward married Mrs. Viola Blodgett, nee Hoaglan, of Indianola, formerly of Clarke county, lowa Both Mr. and Mrs. James M. Anderson hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and upon its ticket he was elected to represent his district in the legislature in 1899 and again in 1901. He is the author of the famous road law of Iowa, which caused considerable comment throughout the state, and during his two terms as a member of the house he was connected with much important constructive legislation as accomplished in the committee rooms. In professional lines he is associated with the Southern Iowa Press Association. In his attitude everywhere is manifested the true spirit of altruism and although aggressive in every sense of the word. he has always avoided even the semblance of that popular tendency so detri- mental to humanity, namely the sacrifice of friendship or principle for the promulgation of selfish interests.
WILLIAM H. SCHOOLEY.
William H. Schooley figured for many years as one of the prominent and influential residents of Indianola and Warren county. In his attitude every- where was manifested the true spirit of altruism; and although aggressive in every sense of the word. he always avoided even the semblance of that popular tendency so detrimental to the common welfare of humanity, namely, the sacrifice of friendship or principle for the promulgation of selfish interests. He was born in Columbiana county. Ohio, in 1840. a son of Renben and Hannah
Digitized by Google
773
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
(McClum) Schooley, both of whom were natives of the same county and belonged to old families of the Society of Friends, the father being of Scotch and German descent, while the mother was of Irish extraction. Reuben Schooley was an old-line whig until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the recently organized republican party.
His son, William H. Schooley, was the third in order of birth in a family of five children. In his boyhood he attended public and private schools and in early manhood successfully engaged in teaching but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor. It was his desire to become a mem- ber of the bar and to this end he took up the study of law and in due course of time was admitted to the bar. He then located for practice in Indianola and won recognition as an able lawyer. He came to Iowa in 1864, at which time time he took up his abode on a farm in Belmont township, there living for three years. On the expiration of that period he became a resident of the county seat and pursued his law reading under the direction of Harry McNeil. After successfully passing the required examinations that made him a member of the Iowa bar he continued in active practice for twenty years, on the expira- tion of which period he turned his attention to newspaper publicatoin as editor of the Journal, a republican paper, with which he was connected for five years. On the expiration of that period he resumed the practice of law but in 1882 again entered the journalistic field as editor of the Advocate Tribune and so continued until 1902, or for a period of twenty years. He then sold ont to the present editor, Clint L. Price, and retired to private life, enjoy -. ing throughout his remaining days a well earned ease. He was a snecessful man in his undertakings and was a gentleman of broad scholarly attainments and general information. While in newspaper work he kept in touch with all topies of general interest and was abreast with the best thinking .men of the age in his research and investigations. In the practice of law he displayed an analytical mind and keen discernment that enabled him to readily under- stand the salient features of a case and to prepare for the defense as well as for the attack. At one time he was the owner of a piece of lumber land in Otter township, which is now known as Schooley's Park.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.