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 86
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This was a well improved property and Mr. Funk there spent his last days, passing away February 27, 1894. His wife still survives and resides on the old home place.
W. H. Funk, the immediate subject of this review, was reared in his native county and there began his education in the common schools, completing his studies in the Iowa State Normal at Bloomfield. He remained with his father until he had reached the age of twenty-three, during which time he assisted in the operation of the home farm. He was then married to Miss Carrie Edgar, the ceremony being performed in Wapello county, February 27, 1876. Mrs. Funk was reared in the latter county, a daughter of R. C. Edgar, one of the early settlers of that section, going thence from the Buckeye state.
Following his marriage Mr. Funk located on a farm in Wapello county, operating the same for six years. In 1882, however, he took up his abode in Warren county, locating on the farm which has since been his home. He, however, began here with a tract of forty acres, on which there were no build- ings. He erected a house and outbuildings and brought his fields under a good state of cultivation. As time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings, purchasing an additional forty acre tract in Liberty township, this being located on section 25, while he bought eighty acres adjoining, in White Breast township. He has divided his farm into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, has set ont fruit and shade trees, built a good country residence and now has a valuable property. He is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and also raises stock, feeding about two carloads of cattle and the same amount of hogs annually and he also raises some horses. He is methodical in carrying on his business affairs and is therefore suc- cessful.
The marriage of Mr and Mrs. Funk has been blessed with one son, Claud E., who wedded Essie Oxenreider, a daughter of Samuel Oxenreider, of Laeona, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. They have two chil- dren, Herman H. and Vurryl M. Mr. and Mrs. Funk also reared a nephew of the latter, Robert MeGee, who became a member of their household when a lad of ten years. He was reared and educated by them and given all the ad- vantages that could be bestowed through parental affection.
Mr. Funk has been a lifelong republican and has served in various pub- lie offices. He was elected and served for twelve years as justice of the peace in Warren county and later filled the office of supervisor and for six con- secutive years through reelection he served on the county board, being chair- man for two years. Since filling the office of supervisor he has been again elected to the office of justice of the peace and is now serving in that capacity, his decisions ever being made with a sense of justice and impartiality. He has served as a delegate to numerous judicial and congressional conventions. Ilis fraternal relations are with the Masonic Lodge, No. 152, at Lacona, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now past master. He has also acted as a delegate to the grand lodge several times. He and his estimable wife are identified with the Eastern Star lodge, in which she is serving as worthy matron. They are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church at La-
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cona, in which Mr. Funk has served as steward and leader of the choir. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday school for the past sixteen years and has served as president of the County Sunday School Association for some six years, while for many years his wife has been a teacher in the Sunday school. They are well known in Lacona and in various other sections of the county and Mr. Funk has been identified with the development and improve- ment of this seetion throughout a long period and is still numbered among its active farmers, while socially both he and his wife stand high in the eom- munity.
ROBERT DYER.
Robert Dver. a representative of an old and well known family of this county, was born on the home farm where he now resides. July 31. 1858, the son of Robert and Mary H. (Sherriff) Dyer. Both of his parents were natives of Scotland. the father born in 1825, and the mother in 1827. There they were married and. seeking the better advantages which the new world afforded, they came to America in 1851 and settled in Columbiana county. Ohio. There the father engaged in railroad work for two years, but he had been born and reared on a farm in Scotland, and to this occupation his inclinations ever turned. Hearing of the rich Towa lands which were at that time to be oh- tained very cheaply. Robert Dyer came to this state in 1853. where he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of land. Mr. Dyer then returned to Ohio, where he had left his family. and remained there three years. He returned to Towa in 1856 and started in to improve his place with all the force and vigor that is so characteristic of his nationality. He constrneted the necessary buildings for the profitable conduet of his business, divided the land into tracts for various purposes. and soon had the farm yielding him good returns. His profits he invested in more land. until he owned altogether some five hundred acres. He was an eminently successful man. He died in 1902 at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. His wife still lives on the home place, and is now eighty-one years of age.
Unto them were born eleven children, five of whom are deceased and six are living. as follows. Elizabeth and Robert reside at home with their mother ; James is a farmer of Greenfield township; Isabelle is the wife of Thomas Miller, a farmer of Greenfield township: Sarah is the wife of Frank Wilson. also a farmer of Greenfield township; A. S .. is a farmer of White Oak town- ship. In 1907 the family were called upon to mourn the loss of a beloved sis- ter. Mary. the wife of John H. Schooler. She was but two years older than Robert. of this review. having been born in 1856. She left two children living in Indianola : Minnie E. and Eva M. Schooler.
Robert Dyer received his education in the public schools of his home dis- triet. Throughout his boyhood and youth he aided his father in his farm . work. When he became of age he went to farming for himself. He spent
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ten years in Cass county, where he and J. H. Schooler operated a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres belonging to them. He was successful. as was his father before him, and eventually purchased a farm of two hundred and forty aeres in White Oak township, on which he put up good fences and con- structed a comfortable residence, together with other necessary buildings. He lived on this farm for fifteen years, but is now renting it and resides on the old home place with his mother and sister.
In politics Mr. Dyer is a republican, as was his father, who held various township offiees for nine consecutive years. Mr. Dyer is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of Indianola. as is also A. S. Dyer. while the other members of the family are members of the United Persbyterian church of Summerset, Iowa.
JAMES HENRY OSBORN.
Among the commercial enterprises which contribute to Indianola's busi- ness activity is the establishment of James Henry Osborn, who is carrying a line of dry goods and groceries, his store being located on the west side of the public square. He is an energetic merchant, constantly watchful of opportunities pointing to success and his methods at all times have been in harmony with a high standard of commercial ethics.
A native of Winchester, Virginia, Mr. Osborn was born in 1859. a son of James W. and Margaret (Easter) Osborn, the former a native of Virginia. while the latter was born in Baltimore, Maryland. The father was of English lineage. while the mother was of Irish and Scotch ancestry. A farmer by occupation, he followed that pursuit in the Old Dominion until the 14th of April. 1865, on which day he arrived in Iowa. Locating near Council Bluffs. he again resumed agricultural pursuits and continued to reside there through- out his remaining days. He was a prosperons man. his well directed energy and activity enabling him to leave an estate valued at fifty thousand dollars. In his farming and stock-raising pursuits he was intensely practical as well as energetic and his business record is one worthy of emulation. His life. too, was at all times honorable and upright, being in harmony with his profes- sions as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He took an active part in the church work and served as class leader for many years. His carly politieal allegiance was given to the democracy but later in life he became a republican and held a number of township offices. He died in 1903 at the age of seventy-four years, having for a brief period survived his wife. who passed away in September. 1901. at the age of sixty-five years. She. too. was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children and all reached years of maturity.
James H. Osborn. who was the third in order of birth. attended the conn- try schools near Conneil Bluffs. He was but six years of age when bronght . by his parents to Iowa and he worked npon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-eight years. when he began elerking in a dry goods store in
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Council Bluffs. He then went into business for himself at Griswold, Iowa, in 1891. there remaining until 1905, when he came to Indianola and here pur- chased an interest in the McCoy-Riggs Company. The firm name of Riggs & Osborn was then assumed and later Mr. Osborn purchased Mr. Riggs' interest and is now alone in business. He has a well appointed store and carries a good line of dry goods and groceries. His establishment is conveniently located on the west side of the square and the business is growing, for the public recognizes that his methods are reliable, his purposes honorable and his goods are all that he represents them to be. In addition to his store he owns a valuable farming property of eight hundred aeres in South Dakota.
On the 23d of March, 1884, Mr. Osborn was married to Miss Lavina Roosa, who was born near Kingston, New York, in 1861. They have four children : Frederick H., Walter E., Edith Mary and Clarence Robert. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Osborn is serving as steward. He exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success.
L. S. McVAY.
L. S. McVay. one of the progressive farmers of Virginia township. War- ren county. was born in Knox county. Ohio, March 7, 1843. a son of William Blatchley and Sarah (Love) MeVay. His father was a native of Pennsylvania. but removed to Ohio in early manhood and here he met and married Sarah Love. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McVay were born ten children. eight of whom be- came school teachers. one brother. Professor B. B. MeVay having been con- nected with the schools of Mansfield, Ohio, for a number of years. The father was a carpenter by trade, which occupation he followed both in Ohio and Illinois. On his removal to Iowa he settled at Garden Grove. Decatur county, shortly after the Mormons left that section for Salt Lake City. He died at Weldon, Decatur county. while the mother passed away at Le Roy, Iowa.
L. S. MeVay's educational advantages were somewhat limited. and at the age of seventeen years he was thrown upon his own resources and. adapt- ing himself to the circumstances which his surroundings afforded. he en- gaged in farming. buying and enltivating a forty-acre traet of land in Decatur county. This he traded for his present farm on section 10. Virginia township. Warren county, which he secured for three dollars and a half per acre. It. was then an unimproved traet of land, but he courageously undertook its development and improvement until today he has one of the finest farms in the county, for which he has refused an offer of one hundred dollars per acre. The buildings upon the place may be said to be among the best in the town-
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ship. Here Mr. MeVay has resided sinee 1883, and has come to be recognized as one of the most reliable, progressive citizens of the community.
On the 29th of September, 1867. at Van Wert. Iowa, was celebrated the marriage of L. S. MeVay and Miss Martha Hensley, the ceremony being per- formed by Rev. Seth Sampson. Mrs. McVay was born in Kentucky and accom- panied her parents into the states of Virginia, Indiana and Iowa, in which latter state Mr. McVay met her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McVay have been born five chil- dren, namely: John Franklin, who died at the age of seventeen ; William B .. who went to Texas a few years ago and from whom they have not since heard; L. P., a farmer of Virginia township, who married Minnie Scott ; Roy, who died at the age of seventeen ; and Mary, who lives at home with her parents.
Mr. MeVay's politieal support is given to the republican party, on which ticket he was elected township trustee. He is now, and has been for eight years. the treasurer of the school board.
CAPTAIN JOHN M. COCHRAN.
While Captain John M. Cochran is now living retired, for he has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. he was for a number of years well known as a contractor and builder of Lacona. Moreover. he is entitled to mention in this volume from the fact that he was a loyal defender of the Union during the darkest hour in our country's history and has ever been a citizen whose support of patriotic and progressive movements has been of marked benefit to the community in which he has lived. He was born Sep- tember 6. 1827. in Highland county. Ohio, and in 1845 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Benton county. Indiana. His life has largely been passed on the frontier, for in 1855 he removed to Iowa, taking up his abode in White Breast township. Warren county.
At the time of the Civil war Captain Cochran put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his services to the government. enlisting on the 7th of August, 1861. as a private of Company G. Tenth Iowa Infantry. His valiant services led to promotion to the rank of sergeant major September 8. 1861, and he was successively promoted to second lieutenant of Company G. July 14. 1862; to first lieutenant. February 9. 1863; to captain, February 8. 1864. and major. August 7. 1865. He continued at the front for four years or until honorably discharged September 5. 1865. when he returned home with a most creditable military record. He had participated in the hattles of Champion's Hill. Vicksburg. Corinth. Mission Ridge, Tuka and various others in which the Tenth Iowa participated. He never faltered in the per- formance of any duty whether it called him to the lonely picket line or sta- tioned him in the place of danger on the firing line.
On the 12th of September. 1848. Captain Cochran was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Johnson. a daughter of Charles Johnson. of Benton county. Indiana. They became the parents of the following children : Elizabeth E., the
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JOHN M. COCHRAN
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wife of Samuel Oxenrider, of Lacona ; Martha, Sarah J., the wife of Z. H. Mum- ford, of Vona, Colorado; Nancy E., the wife of J. M. Shupe, of Lacona ; Lealine I .. , who was the wife of J. M. Bradford, of Nebraska, but is now deceased; William J .; Mary H., the wife of A. P. Ross, of Des Moines, Iowa; John F., of Indianola, Iowa; and Martha and William J., who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away February 9, 1891, and in September, 1893, Cap- tain Cochran was again married. his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Baldwin, with whom he is now living in Des Moines, Iowa.
For a number of years after the war, Captain Cochran followed the oecu- pation of contracting and building and led a busy, useful life, but at present writing he is living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. He is well known in Lacona, where several of his children still reside, and it is with pleasure that we present his record to the readers of this volume.
R. L. HODSON.
R. L. Hodson is a well known and prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 17, Union township. He dates his residence in this county from 1858, being only two years old when brought here, for he was born in Henry county, Indiana, May 30, 1856. His father, Solomon Hodson, was a native of Ohio and from that state removed to Henry county, Indiana, where he married Miss Hannah Ogle, a native of the Hoosier state. As a nursery- man he carried on business there for several years, and being a well educated man he also engaged in teaching school for thirty-two winter terms. At an early day he and his father entered four hundred acres of land in White Breast township, Warren county, Iowa, and upon this place he located in 1858, opening up a good farm. He also started a nursery, which he con- ducted for twenty years, and as one of the leading and influential citizens of his community he was called upon to serve as county auditor of this county for two terms. After a useful and well spent life, he died here in 1895, at the age of sixty-five years, and his widow still resides on the old home place.
Upon the homestead farm R. L. Hodson grew to manhood, and his early education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course at Ackworth Academy. He then engaged in teaching for a time. He was married in White Breast township. December 7, 1879, to Miss Ella Reynolds, who was born in Indiana, but was reared in this county, of which her father, William Reynolds, now of Oklahoma, was an early settler.
After his marriage Mr. Hodson removed to Mitchell county. Kansas, where he engaged in farming for one year, and from 1881 until 1888 made his home in Adams connty. Iowa, where he also engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the end of that time he returned to Warren county and purchased a farm in Belmont township but after raising one erop he sold that place and bought eighty acres of land in Union township, where he now resides. He has since
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extended the boundaries of his farm until he now has two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land, which he has surrounded by good fences and improved with neat and substantial buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He raises a large amount of stock, feeding one or more carloads of cattle each year and also a large number of hogs. In connection with his farming and stock-raising interests he is also engaged in the real-estate business and has handled a large amount of farm property.
Mr. and Mrs. Hodson are the parents of six children, namely : Myrtle M., now the wife of James A. Hicks, a farmer of Union township; C. L., who is married and owns a farm adjoining his father's place; Harry S., who is also married and follows farming in Union township; Grace E., the wife of Clayton Williams, of Belmont township; Alta F., the wife of Pearl Adamson, of Bel- mont township, and Cash, who is now eleven years of age and is still at home.
By his ballot Mr. Hodson supports the men and measures of the republican party but has never cared for official honors, though he has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Sandyville. Their well spent lives have won for them the respect of the entire community in which they live and they have many friends throughout this county.
SAMUEL L. LOPER.
Samuel L. Loper. a farmer residing on section 9. Otter township, is a native of this county, having been born here on January 15, 1859, the son of William and Eliza (Graham) Loper. His parents were originally from Indiana. His father settled in Warren county in the early '50s and the Gra- ham family were among the first settlers of the county. They now live re- tired in Indianola, aged about seventy-five and seventy years respectively. They are the parents of eight children, namely: Sarah. Samuel. Frank. Louisa. Mary. Helen. Ray and Mabel. Sarah died in childhood. Samuel is the subject of this review. Frank passed away at the age of four years. Louisa is the wife of W. A. Hastie, a farmer living northwest of Summerset, and they have three children. Mary is the wife of Fred Eno, who conducts a printing es- tablishment in Des Moines, Iowa, and they are the parents of five daughters. Helen is the wife of Sylvester Scott, a farmer residing northeast of Ack- worth, and they have two daughters. Ray. a fruit-grower living near Fresno. California, married Miss Mabel Matthews. Mabel is a stenographer, residing in Des Moines.
Samuel L. Loper received his education in the district schools of his home community. and to the knowledge gained therein he has added the practical experience gained through his contact with various enterprises. He carly devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and the success he has attained in this direction has encouraged him to follow up the occupation continuously.
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He began with very little capital, but with the help of his wite and with a wealth of industry and ambition, which fortunately has been well directed, they have gradually increased their holdings in real estate until they are now the owner of over three hundred acres of Warren county land, much of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. On this he has erected the necessary buildings and added such further improvements as were essen- tial for the profitable conduct of his farm. When he first located here there was no road nor schoolhouse at all convenient to his home, and one of his first efforts was to secure these needed improvements. The general appearance of the surrounding country is an eloquent testimonial to the success with which he and his neighbors have met in this regard.
In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of Samuel L. Loper and Miss Clara Lincoln, a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and daughter of B. A. and Harriet (Wright) Lincoln. Her parents located in Warren county, Iowa, in 1864 or 1865. Her mother died in Otter township in 1876. The father later removed to Nebraska, where he died in 1900. They were the parents of six children, Mrs. Loper being the only one who resides in Iowa, she having been reared in this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Loper have been born eight children, five of whom, Alice, Edith, Lincoln, Juanita and Ardis reside at home. W. Cary is in the west. Mary Ethel is the wife of C. R. Clark, residing in Colorado. They have two children, Leverett and Royal M. R. D. has leased a part of his father's farm and is conducting it in his own interests.
In national affairs Mr. Loper gives his political support to the democracy, but in affairs of local government he votes for men and measures rather than for party, giving his support to those whom he deems most worthy of it.
ALONZO PUDERBAUGH.
Alonzo Puderbaugh, who has met with a well deserved and gratifying measure of success in his farming and stock-raising interests, was born on the old homestead farm on section 26, Liberty township. August 12, 1873. His father, Andrew Puderbaugh, is mentioned at length on another page of this work. Alonzo was reared and educated in the place of his nativity and still resides on the home farm. being successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising and making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, of which he has a fine herd. He is also a copartner of R. O. Miller. of Norwood, Iowa, in the ownership of thoroughbred Norman and Clydesdale stallions, of which they have some fine specimens. For the past six years Mr. Puderbaugh has been one of the largest feeders of draft horses in Liberty township. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and well improved land and he is recognized throughout the community as a progressive and enterpris- ing young agriculturist.
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In 1895, in Warren county, occurred the marriage of Mr. Puderbaugh and Miss Effie Smith, a native of this county and a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Crumrine) Smith. By this union there have been born five children : Merl, Vivian, Estaline, Marvin and Alton, all of whom were born in this county and are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Puderbaugh gives stalwart allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and has served for four years as township clerk. He is identified with the Yeomen of Liberty Center, and is a public-spirited citi- zen, giving his eooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community.
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