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 71
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
In 1861 Mr. Schooley was married to Miss Lydia A. Gochmaur, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1839, and was a daughter of Elkeny and Elizabeth (Crumbacker) Gochnaur, the former of German descent and the latter of English and German ancestry. Her father was an architect and died in Ohio, after which his widow came to Towa in 1867 and passed away in Winterset. They had two children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schooley were born six children : Leila May. the wife of John T. MeNaught, a blacksmith of Indianola ; Mignonette, who became the wife of Charles N. Hurd, a mechanical engineer of California ; Frank H .. who is editor of a newspaper in Canada; Magnolia, the wife of Edward MeCleary, a mechanical engineer and electrician of California; Charles M., deceased; and Emma V., a trained nurse residing at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Schooley were members of the United Presbyterian church, were interested in its development and in all that pertained to the
Digiized by Google
774
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
moral progress of the community. In politics Mr. Schooley took an active interest and was originally a stalwart republican but afterward became a democrat and an enthusiastic supporter of William Jennings Bryan. He was an orator of considerable ability, who was frequently called upon to address the publie on political and other questions and he was also a fluent, forceful writer. Both as a private citizen and through the columns of his paper he was closely associated with the upbuilding and progress of Indianola in many ways. He served as mayor of the city for three terms, being first chosen to office in 1881, and then after a lapse of years was again elected in 1901. His administration was characterized by a businesslike dispatch in the duties of the office, by a thorough understanding of the needs of the city and by practical efforts to secure those interests and measures which are a matter of vivie virtue and eivie pride. During his first administration the fire department was organized and he beeame one of its charter members, continuing his connection therewith throughout the remainder of his life. The department specially decorated his grave. He was one of the chief promoters of the city library and was chairman of the board of control. He was a man of action rather than theory and while others planned he performed. He was never hasty in his judgments but his well defined plans were carried forward with determination to a successful issue. His life was one of continuous activity. of unmistakable honor and of stalwart purpose, and when, in 1906, he passed away the news of his death brought a feeling of the deepest regret and sincere sorrow to those who knew him.
A. 1. COCHRAN, M. D.
Dr. A. L. Cochran. a prominent physician of Warren county, who is successfully engaged in practice at Cumming, was born on the 21st of November. 1875. in White Breast township. this county, and is a worthy representative of one of the old and honored families of this section of the state, his parents being William G. and Ellen ( Warnock) Cochran, both natives of Ohio. On leaving that state the father removed to Indiana, and about 1845 came to Iowa, locating in Warren county. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in White Breast township and carried on farming quite successfully. becoming one of the prosperous residents of his community. He took a very active and prominent part in public affairs, and his fellow citizens. recognizing his worth and ability, called upon him to fill many offices of honor and trust. the duties of which he most capably performed. For three terms he served as supervisor of his township, one term under the township organiza- tion and two terms under the county organization. He was justice of the peace many years and also represented his distriet in the state legislature for one term. being a member of the eighteenth general assembly. He was a recognized leader in the republican party in this county and was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church. He died on the 14th of August, 1901. at the age of
Dig zedby Google
DR. A. L .. COCHRAN
Dig zeo by Google_
RESIDENCE OF W. G. COCHRAN
£
Digtced by Google
779
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
seventy-two years and eleven months, and his loss was deeply felt. In his family were nine children.
Dr. Cochran, of his review, passed his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and he began his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. Later he attended the high school at Lacona and, deciding to enter the medical profession, he matriculated at the Keokuk Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1902, with the degree of M. D. He has since engaged in practice at Cumming and also conducted a drug store for a time. He was not long in building up a good practice as his ability became known, and he is today an honored member of the Warren County and the Iowa State Medical Societies. He is also connected with the Yeoman and the Modern Woodmen of America and holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Poli- tically he follows in the footsteps of his father and supports the republican party.
HENRY BROTHERS.
Among the representative citizens of Indianola are numbered O. H. and .J. A. Henry, who constitute the firm of Henry Brothers. They have re- sided in the city since 1905 and they own and conduct a large stock and grain farm three miles east of Indianola, on which they resided for forty years. They are therefore numbered among the early settlers of the county and have been interested witnesses of its development and progress while in many ways they have cooperated in movements that have resulted beneficially to the county.
Both are natives of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, the former having been born there February 4, 1842. while J. A. Henry was born on the 12th of January, 1838. They are sons of Richard Henry, who was likewise a native of that county, born in 1811. his life record covering the intervening years to 1887. He always followed the occupation of farming as a means of livelihood in support of his family. He was married in the Keystone state to Miss Jane Culbertson, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1813 and died in 1892. They became the parents of six children. all of whom reached adult age. The father followed farming in Pennsylvania until 1866. when he came to Warren county, Iowa, with his family. Here he purchased land and made a home near the farm which is now the property of Henry Brothers. Upon that place he and his wife spent their remaining days.
Their sons were trained to habits of industry, economy and perseverance and early became familiar with the work of the farm in its various phases. After the outbreak of the Civil war. J. A. Henry offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company H. of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Infantry. He remained at the front for three years and was wounded in the sanguinary conflict at Gettysburg. where he lay on the battlefield for nine days. For several years he carried
Digitized by Google
780
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
the ball in his limb but at last it was extracted. He proved a faithful and valorous soldier, never hesitating in the performance of his duty, although he was frequently in the thickest of the fight and participated in many of the long hard marches.
About the close of the war the family came to lowa and J. A. and O. H. Henry purchased one hundred acres of land near their father's farm and here established their home and began work in agricultural lines. In January, 1867. J. A. Henry was united in marriage to Miss Carrie MeGranahan. a native of Pennsylvania and a sister of the renowned hymn writer of that name, who is deceased. In 1869 O. H. Henry made a visit to his old home in Pennsylvania and was there married on the 18th of February to Miss Sarah M. MeMasters, a native of Pennsylvania and a school teacher for several years. Her husband also taught school for two terms and they enjoyed an academic education in Pennsylvania.
Following their marriage the brothers built a house on their farm and they continued to live together under one roof for over forty years-both on the farm and also since coming to Indianola. They have also been asso- ciated in their business interests. They began by buying one hundred acres of land and from time to time they made other purchases, extending the boundaries of their property until they now have over four hundred acres in one body. The land is arable, the soil very productive and the entire tract is well improved. They erected thereon good houses and barns, and in faet the barn is among the largest in the county, being sixty by eighty feet. They have also di- vided the farm into fields of convenient sizes by well kept fences. They drained the land by the judicious use of tile, put out an orchard and in fact have added all the equipments which indicate progressive farming. While they have always cultivated the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate. they have likewise made a specialty of raising draft horses and other stock for a number of years. They started with imported stock and they kept up this high standard from the beginning. They were among the pioneer horse breeders and dealers of the county and for years they have been exhibitors at the county and state fairs, where they have won many premiums, carrying off several blue ribbons. and also won first prize in the International show at Chicago, Illinois. They have likewise been raising and feeding cattle. shipping about two carloads annually on an average for many years. In 1905 they removed to Indianola, from which point they direet their farm interests which are about three miles away. They have a model town property. their home being surrounded by many beautiful shade trees while there is much fruit also upon the place.
Unto J. A. Henry and his wife were born three children, but two of the number died in infancy. The surviving son, Fred Henry, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. is married and lives in Indianola. He like his father and uncle has a large farm and extensive stock interests.
The brothers are both democratic in political faith, but at local elections where there is no political issue before the people, they east an independent ballot regardless of party ties. They have never sought office although their
Pianoo by Google.
781
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
fellow townsmen have frequently called them to serve in local positions and they have been delegates to the state and county conventions. Both are members of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Indianola and they and their wives are members of the United Presbyterian church. Their in- terests have always been of the most harmonious character and for forty-two years they have lived in this county, witnessing its transformation as the pioneer conditions have been replaced by those of modern civilization. In their business affairs they have followed methods which none have questioned, but which have brought to them splendid success and gained them a place with the prosperous farmers of the county.
B. L. CUMMINGS.
Coming to Warren county in 1850, B. L. Cummings has witnessed almost its entire growth and development and as an agriculturist has taken an active and prominent part in its upbuilding. He now makes his home on section 17, Allen township, and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, owning and operating a well improved place of two hun- dred and fifty-nine acres.
Mr. Cummings was born in Putnam county, Indiana, on the 23d of Sep- tember, 1848, and is a son of D. D. Cummings, a native of Indiana, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Priscella Mugg. also a native of the Hoosier state. His paternal grandfather was Lloyd Cummings, one of the first settlers of Owen county, Indiana. There D. D. Cummings engaged in farming for several years after his marriage, but in 1850, accompanied by his wife and three children he came to Warren county. Iowa. where he bought a claim and entered land, which he converted into a good farm, eventually becoming the owner of six hundred acres. He died here and his wife passed away in 1905 at the age of seventy-four years. In the family of this worthy couple were four sons and five daughters. all of whom reached years of maturity and became heads of families.
B. L. Cummings is indebted to the public schools of this county for the educational privileges he enjoyed during his boyhood and he remained with his father, working upon the home farm nntil reaching man's estate. He was afterward employed by the month on a farm for two years. On the 11th of March, 1870, in Madison county, Iowa, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Lucretia Cummings, a native of Indiana and a daughter of C. P. Cum- mings, who was an early settler of Madison county. Two children blessed this union, namely: Hattie, who is now the wife of George Stumbo, a farmer of Polk county and by whom she has five children. and Homer V .. at home.
After his marriage Mr. Cummings removed to Nebraska, where he en- gaged in farming one year and then returned to Madison county, Iowa, where the following three years were passed. At the end of that time we again find him a resident of Warren county, where he operated rented land for
Digiized by Google
782
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
several years, and for five years rented the farm where he now resides. He then purchased one hundred and seventy-nine acres, which he at once began to improve, and has since added to his property until he now has two hun- dred and fifty-nine acres, on which is a large two-story residence, two good barns, a granary, cribs and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has placed the land under a high state of cultivation and in con- nection with general farming is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of hogs.
By his ballot Mr. Cummings supports the men and measures of the republican party, and he has held school offices and has also served as highway commissioner but has never sought political honors. preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business affairs. His success in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, sound judgment and good management, and he well merits the prosperity that has come to him. His estimable wife is a member of the United Presbyterian church of Scotch Ridge, and both are held in high regard by all who know them.
HON. BENJAMIN F. CLAYTON.
Mr. Clayton has been a person of activity from boyhood and it is diffi- eult to crowd into a limited biographical sketch the large experience of a man that has been active for so many years. His is a history running from the bare-footed orphan boy in the day of slavery and before Warren county was dreamed of, on down through the progressive years that have made Iowa a great state and our nation the greatest world factor.
Born and reared under unfavorable environment, his span of life covers the best age under which man has ever lived. His father, William M. Clay- ton, was born in Paris, Kentucky, in 1788, of Virginian extraction. In 1812 he was a soldier on the battlefield of Lundy's Lane as a private in the company of Captain Metealf, afterward governor of Kentucky. Ninety years later the subject of this sketch stood upon the same ground amazed at the wondrous progress. His third wife was Mary Adair, of German extraction and the mother of our sketch.
Mr. Clayton was born near Carlisle, Kentucky. January 10, 1839, and it is not strange that his life should be active when we consider the blood cours- ing through his veins is a cross of the Virginia cavalier and the sturdy Ger- man and Anglo-Saxon. When a lad Mr. Clayton was left practically alone in the world as an orphan boy. Thrown upon his own resources, he went to work beside the slave on the farm at meager wages, becoming disgusted with slavery and with slave aristocracy he left his native state for the glad free north, stopping in Decatur county, Indiana, where he commenced the real battle of life among entire strangers.
In 1862 Mr. Clayton was married to Miss Priscilla Martin, who died in 1868, and in 1869 he was again married, his second union being with Miss
Diend by Google
783
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Nannie M. Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton have reared two children, Wil- liam N., who was graduated from Simpson College, Iowa, in 1890 and shortly afterward lost his life through an accident, and Mona V., who was graduated from the same institution and became the wife of Harry B. Stewart, of Chari- ton, Iowa.
Becoming infatuated with the reports from the west, Mr. Clayton went to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, in 1873, and settled upon what is known as the "Sunny Side Farm," near Macedonia. Success marked his efforts in a degree until he became the owner of fourteen hundred acres of the rich soil of western Iowa. He also eventually became identified with the Macedonia State Bank and one of its directors. Turning his attention to real estate, he dealt largely in land in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and elsewhere, becoming so busy that he had to leave the farm.
Mr. Clayton has taken great interest in politics sinee before he became a voter. For three years he served as the youngest member ever elected to the board of county supervisors of Decatur county, Indiana, and while in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, he was elected a member of the seventeenth, eighteenth and twentieth general assembles; twice served as chairman of the committee on agriculture and one term as speaker pro tem of the Iowa house of representatives. In the twentieth general assembly he had charge of the bill to permanently locate the State Agricultrual Society, for which he secured an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars, and so framed the bill as to make it necessary for the city where it was located to give fifty thousand more, which price was paid by Des Moines when it became permanently located. He served three years as chairman of the board of trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Council Bluffs, and came nearly getting the nomination for governor at the republican state convention at Cedar Rapids in place of Mr. Wheeler, who was defeated at the polls by Hon. Horace Boies. Mr. Clayton is a republican in politics. For several years he stumped the state of Iowa, during the first and second Mckinley campaigns,-the most remark- able campaigns in the history of the government,-for two months during each campaign. Mr. Clayton was under the direction of the national com- mittee with headquarters at Chicago, during which he canvassed all the northern and western states from Kentucky to Utah. In 1884 the governor of Iowa commissioned him as a delegate to the third annual session of the Farmers' National Congress at Nashville, Tennessee. At that meeting he was made secretary, which office he held for eight consecutive years, when he was elected president for a term of four years and chairman of the execu- tive committee for nine years, never missing a meeting for more than twenty years. During this time he became acquainted with the agricultural depart- ment at Washington, D. C., and with prominent agriculturists in every con- gressional district in the United States. The congress has been the guest, while Mr. Clayton was identified with it, of Chicago, Illinois; St. Paul. Minne- sota; Indianapolis. Indiana; Boston, Massachusetts; Fort Worth, Texas; Savannah, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; Macon, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisi- ana; Colorado Springs, Colorado, and other cities.
Dig zedby Google
784
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
For ten years Mr. Clayton was a contributor to Appleton's Annual En- cyclopedia, also to the North American Review, the Midland Monthly and other periodicals. He is president of the Commercial State Bank, of Grand Island; the Farmers Bank, of Big Springs, and the Commercial Bank of Chappell, in Nebraska; also president of the Citizens Bank, of Julesburg, Colorado; a director in the Sedgwick Banking Company, at Sedgwick, Col- orado, and a stockholder in all these institutions located along the Union Pacific Railway. Aside from this he is a large owner of other properties in Nebraska, Colorado, California, South Dakota and British Columbia.
In 1891 Mr. Clayton came to Indianola, Warren county, from which place he has handled his business. For four years he was mayor of the city and an active supporter of conservative city improvement; is a warm friend of education and of Simpson College, and for nearly a quarter of a century a member of its board of trustees and for the last fifteen years has been chairman of that board. He organized the Indianola Chautauqua Associa- tion ; has lectured in most of the western and southern states; has traveled throughout the United States, in Canada and Mexico and has toured most of the nations of continental Europe. At a ripe age Mr. Clayton is still active in business, delighted in his social atmosphere, progressive in public thought ; is a Mason, a Methodist and enjoys his friends.
EDWIN R. BLATTENBURG.
Edwin R. Blattenburg, who is successfully engaged in general farming on section 9, Liberty township, where he owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of well improved land, was born in Lee county, Iowa, October 13, 1855, his parents being George and Caroline (Tope) Blattenburg. The father was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1816, being a son of Daniel and Mary Blattenburg, both of whom lived and died in the Key- stone state. The family is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent and nearly all of its representatives were agriculturists.
George Blattenburg was one of three children, his two sisters being Mary and Eliza, both of whom married and resided in Pennsylvania but are now deceased. He also had two step-brothers, his mother having married a second time. George Blattenburg was reared in the state of his nativity and acquired his education in the common schools. Owing to the early death of his father, he was reared by an uncle and when he started out in life on his own account his only assets were his willing hands and determined spirit. In Pennsylvania he first wedded Miss Susanna Hunselman, who passed away in that state, leaving three small children, namely: Sarah, who is now deceased; George, Jr .. who has likewise passed away, and David who makes his home near Gage, Woodward county, Oklahoma. The father of these children was again married. in West Virginia, choosing for his second wife Miss Caroline Tope, whose birth occurred in Hancock county,
Digitized by Google
785
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
West Virginia, January 21, 1821. Her parents were Jacob and Lucretia Tope. Her father, who was engaged in flat-boating, died in New Orleans. His wife removed to lowa in 1855 and resided for some years in Lee county, but passed away at the home of her daughter Caroline in 1872, having at- tained the age of eighty-four years. Her family numbered three children, as follows: Jefferson, living near Wheeling, West Virginia; Mrs. Caroline Blattenburg; and William, whose death occurred in Lee county, Iowa, in 1869. Caroline was reared in West Virginia and taught school in that state for some years prior to her marriage. She became the mother of five chil- dren, namely: Lucretia, the wife of J. W. Leeper, of Omaha, Nebraska; Mary E., residing at Omaha; Edwin R., of this review; Virginia, the wife of W. E. Lyon, who lives near Liberty Center, and J. F., of Denver, Colorado, who is train dispatcher for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The last named commenced at Ackworth and subsequently went to Indianola, Des Moines and other points in the west. He wedded Miss Mollie McGee, of Knox- ville. Both Mr. and Mrs. George Blattenburg are deceased.
Edwin R. Blattenburg accompanied his parents on their removal to War- ren county in 1861, his father purchasing a farm on section 10, Liberty township. He was reared in this county and for a time attended Simpson College, subsequently entering Ackworth Seminary, where he prepared for teaching. His principal preceptor and the one he remembers most kindly was Professor Eli W. Beard. Mr. Blattenburg's first certificate was issued in November, 1878, during Mrs. Elizabeth S. Martin's term as county superin- tendent, and for eighteen years he followed his profession in the public schools of Warren county, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In later years he also engaged in farming and since 1887 has been located on his farm on section 9, Liberty township, which has been in his possession for the past thirty years. The property comprises one hun- dred and thirty-six acres and he has placed thereon many substantial im- provements, including a comfortable home and good ontbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In addition to the work of general farming he has devoted considerable attention to breeding and raising Shropshire sheep. but only for his own use. He is widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of the community and as one whose success is the merited reward of his well directed labor and capable management.
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.