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 88
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Mr. Ackors chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Julia Ruble, whom he wedded November 10, 1887. their marriage being celebrated in Warren county. Mrs. Ackors was born and reared in Lucas county. this state, a daughter of George Ruble, one of the early settlers of the state, coming here from the Buckeye state. They have an adopted daughter, Lou, who became a member of their houschold at the age of six years. She was given good educational advantages and is a graduate of the Lacona high school of the class of 1906.
Mr. Ackors supports the men and measures of the republican party but has never aspired to public office. He was, however, elected mayor of Lacona but refused to serve. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and Mr. Ackors is a Master Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Liberty Center. He is also identified wth Lacona Lodge, I. O. O. F .. and with the Yeomen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Ackors made a trip to the west in 1906, visiting the Lewis-Clarke Exposition at Portland, Oregon, and they also visited Los Angeles. San Francisco and other points of interest on the Pacific coast. They occupy a beautiful home in Lacona, which was erected hy
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Mr. Ackors, and it is the scene of many social funetions. His enterprising spirit has made him a typical American in every sense of the word. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent place he now occupies in business circles, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
JACOB M. DILLARD.
Jacob M. Dillard, an active and progressive farmer and stock-raiser residing on seetion 17, Lincoln township, has spent his entire life in this county, where he was born on the 27th of January, 1857. His father, Jacob Dillard, was a native of Indiana, his birth occurring in Union county, in 1818, and in that state he grew to manhood and married Miss Mary Markes, who was born in Virginia bnt was reared in Indiana. After farming in that state for some years Mr. Dillard came to lowa about 1855 and purchased a tract of wild land in Greenfield township, Warren county, where he developed and cultivated a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, making his home thereon until his death in 1898. His wife had passed away about 1893.
In the family of this worthy couple were five sons and three daughters but our subject is now the only survivor. He passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm and received good common-school advantages. In Decem- ber, 1880, he was married to Miss Lucinda A. Grether, a native of Ohio, and they began their domestic life upon a farm in Greenfield township, which he operated several years. There his wife died January 27, 1890. Of the children born of that union, Dora is now a well educated young lady and is engaged in teaching school; and Mary May died March 1, 1905.
Mr. Dillard was again married in Norwalk, May 14, 1892. his second union being with Miss Mary J. Black, a daughter of Peter Black, one of the pioneers from Ohio. Unto them have been born three children, namely : Beulah, Homer E. and Clyde.
In 1900 Mr. Dillard sold his farm in Greenfield township and purchased his present place on section 17. Lincoln township, where he has eighty acres under a high state of cultivation and well improved. It is feneed with woven wire, has a windpump and good buildings, including a new barn erected by Mr. Dillard. In connection with farming he is engaged in the raising and feeding of cattle, and also keeps a good grade of horses and eattle upon his płace.
The republican party has always found in Mr. Dillard a stanch supporter of its principles and he has been honored with a number of local offices, serving as justice of the peace for six consecutive years in Greenfield town- ship and as road supervisor, and now president of the school board, with which he has been identified for several years. He has served as a delegate to the county conventions of his party and has always faithfully discharged any duty that has devolved upon him, whether public or private. He is a
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member of Spring Hill Lodge, I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are con- nected with the Yeomen and are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Dillard is one of the stewards.
CHARLES W. ZARLEY.
Charles W. Zarley, who was well known in Indianola as a leading pho- tographer. representative business man and good citizen, was born in lowa City. lowa, in 1861, and departed this life in September. 1906. His parents were Robert and Eliza (Lake) Zarley, both of whom were natives of Ohio. At an early age the father came to lowa and settled upon a farm at Liberty Center. He worked diligently and perseveringly to improve and develop his property, which became a profitable one in the course of years. He was also superintendent of the county farm for a time and afterward removed to Indianola, where he took up his abode about 1882. Both he and his wife were numbered among the members of the Methodist Episcopal church and politically Mr. Zarley was a republican. He died in the year 1904. while his wife survived until August, 1907. Their family numbered four children. The youngest were twins, one of whom died in infancy.
The other. Charles W. Zarley, at the usual age entered the public schools and passed through consecutive grades in the acquirement of a practical English education. When his school days were over he took up the study of photography under the direction of Mrs. Schooley and afterward worked in a gallery for three years. In 1889 he established a gallery on his own account and it is still conducted by his widow. He was quite successful in his chosen profession, doing excellent work, realizing fully the value of light, shade and pose. He kept abreast with the latest improved methods known to the photographic art and won very desirable success in his under- taking.
Like his father. Charles W. Zarley was a republican but though interested in the success of the party he never sought nor desired office. In 1890 he married Miss Eliza Lmnnamaker, who was born in Warren county. Illinois in 1867, a daughter of Lewis and Martha (Hereford) Lumnamaker. The father was a farmer by occupation and on coming to Iowa settled upon a farm in Lincoln township, Warren county. in 1868. There Mrs. Zarley spent her girlhood days and reached adult age, her educational privileges being those afforded by the country schools. The father removed with his family from the farm to Indianola in 1883 and in the city she attended the graded schools. After her marriage she learned photography and as- sisted her husband in his work and since that time she has conducted the business with marked success.
Mr. Zarley was a progressive citizen, interested in all that pertained to the welfare of the community. was a reliable business man and a courteous. genial gentleman, who won many friends. His best traits of character.
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however, were reserved for his own fireside and in his family he was a devoted husband and father. Mrs. Zarley has displayed excellent business ability in conducting the photographic gallery and finds in this calling a eongenial pursuit. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has a wide and favorable acquaintance in Indianola.
E. S. BEARDEN.
E. S. Bearden, who is now living retired in a comfortable home in Lacona, was for many years identified with agricultural interests and is still the owner of a well improved and valuable traet of land, comprising one hundred and sixty-two acres situated on the line of Lucas and Warren counties. He was born in Lineoln county, Tennessee, June 10, 1836, a son of John W. and Mary (Cunningham) Bearden, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. The father was taken by his parents to the latter state when but a small lad and was there reared and married. He farmed in that .state for several years but in 1850 removed to Wapello county, Iowa, where he opened up a new farm, while later he lived for a time both in Decatur and Jasper counties of this state. Both the parents are now deceased.
E. S. Bearden, whose name introduces this review, was reared in Wapello county, Iowa, where he also received the advantages of a common-school education, as well as an academic course. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted at Ottumwa on the 12th of July. 1861, becoming a member of Company F, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He participated in many of the memorable battles of the war, including the engagements at Belmont, Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing. Shiloh and the two days' engagement at Corinth, Mississippi, and he was also in the Atlanta campaign. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he was detained for a month to help General Sherman after which he was mustered out at Chattanooga and honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky.
Following his return from the war, Mr. Bearden was married in Wapello county, in September, 1864, to Miss E. A. Newell, who was born in Indiana but was reared in Wapello county. Iowa. Following that important event in his life he engaged in farming in Decatur county, owning a tract there comprising one hundred and sixty-six acres. He later sold that farm, taking up his abode in Marion county, in the fall of 1871, where he purchased a tract of fifty-three acres, which he brought under a good state of cultiva- tion. He later added to his landed possessions and eventually became owner of eighty-seven and a half aeres, which he improved and cultivated until 1892. He disposed of that property and bought the farm which he still owns. this constituting one hundred and sixty-two aeres situated on the line of Lucas and Marion counties. He placed many improvements thereon, built fenees and brought the land under a good condition, farming the same until 1907. when he leased the farm and removed to Lacona, where he now
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occupies a comfortable home, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bearden has been blessed with two sons and two daughters, namely : Virgil M., who is married and carries on farming in Davis county; Edgar, who is married and operates the homestead property ; Alice, who was educated in the Shenandoah schools and has been engaged in teaching for twenty years, being now engaged in Holton (Kansas) College; and Annie M., who follows dressmaking and is at home.
Politically Mr. Bearden is a republican, having east his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has supported every candidate of the party since that time. He was elected and served as justice of the peace and also filled the office of assessor for one term. He also served as a dele- gate to the republican national convention. He and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his fraternal relations are with the Grand Army Post, No. 309, at Lacona. He is justly accorded a place among the representative citizens of Warren county, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit but for the advancement of the general good and the promotion of general prosperity.
JOSEPH LOCKRIDGE.
Joseph Lockridge is now living in Spring Hill, but for many years was one of the prosperous and energetic farmers of Warren county, who owned and enltivated land in Jefferson township, having about one hundred acres in the home place, while in Greenfield township he also owned forty acres. He is numbered among the old settlers of the county, dating his residence here from August, 1858. He was born in Miami county, Indiana, November 9, 1841. His father, James A. Lockridge, was born in Virginia, and went to Indiana at an early date and settled in Miami county, where he there married Mary Hall, who was a native of that city and there died in 1845. Her husband survived until 1856.
Joseph Lockridge was reared to the age of seventeen years in Miami county, Indiana, when he came west to Warren county, Iowa, joining an uncle, Samuel Lockridge. For about two years he worked in a sawmill cutting lum- ber. He was also employed at farm labor for several years, receiving eight dollars per month for his services in Indiana, and eleven dollars per month in Iowa. While he started out in life empty-handed, he possessed a good foundation for success in his unfaltering energy and firm purpose. and gradually he has worked his way upward until as the owner of a valuable farm property. he derives therefrom a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Lockridge was married in Jefferson township, June 23, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Perkins, who was born in Illinois and came to Iowa when a little maiden of eleven years. After their marriage the young couple settled on a
MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH LOCKRIDGE
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farm, but the following year Mr. Lockridge bade adieu to his young wife and went to the front in defense of the Union, having enlisted on the 19th of August. 1862, as a member of Company HI. Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infan- try. He served as a private, went south to Mississippi and Arkansas, and was first under fire at the battle of Vicksburg. while later he participated in the en- gagement at Arkansas Post and subsequently in the siege of Vieksburg. He was also in the battles of Chickasaw Bluff. Fort Morgan and Fort Blakeley and served until the elose of the war, being mustered out in August, 1865, at Hous- ton, Texas, and honorably discharged at Davenport. He had been a brave and faithful soldier, never faltering in the performance of his duty. He ar- rived home September 7. 1865, and the following year he purchased a farm comprising ninety aeres. This he began to cultivate and improve. Later he erected a good residence, barns and outbuildings, also set out an orehard and fenced his fields. He likewise bought more land from time to time, secured the latest improved machinery to carry on the work of the fields and continued to engage in farming there until the fall of 1907, when he rented his property to his son. He then purchased a lot and built a residence at Spring Hill where he now resides.
In 1906 Mr. Lockridge was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who died on the 12th of February. They were the parents of five children : W. O., who is married and resides at Spring Hill; D. R., who is living on the home farm; Delana, the wife of Elmer Crowe, a farmer of Jefferson township; Ursula E., the wife of William Kepley, a farmer of Greenfield township, and Nannie, the wife of L. Alexander, a resident farmer of Jefferson township. Mr. Lock- ridge was again married at Winterset, lowa, January 9, 1908, his second union being with Mrs. M. E. Wallace, who was born in Dewitt, Illinois, and came to Iowa in 1853, being reared in Lucas county in the home of her father, A. B. Danner. She was first married in that county to George Ham, and after his death became the wife of T. D. Wallace. She resided in Lucas county for three years and in 1893 removed to Carlyle, Iowa, where Mr. Wallace died. She had four children : Otis Ham, who is married and resides at Independenee, Iowa, is a pharmacist conducting a drug store at the insane hospital; Ora, is the wife of Edward Holton, a liveryman of Humeston, Iowa; Raymond, who is living at Coon Rapids, Iowa, and Allen, a business man of Kansas City. By her seeond marriage Mrs. Loekridge had no children.
Politically Mr. Lockridge is a stanch democrat. While living on the farm he was elected to serve as township trustee for six years. He was also identified with the schools and was secretary for eleven years. In Spring Hill he has served as a member of the village council and also as a member of the school board. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Christian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and they are both active and earnest in church work. Mrs. Loekridge belonging to the Missionary society and the Ladies' Aid society. She is also a member of the Auxiliary Circle of the Grand Army of the Re- public. Mr. Lockridge belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. becoming a charter member of the Spring Hill lodge in which he has filled all of the offices and is a past grand. He is one of the few remaining veterans
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of the civil war and also one of the pioneer settlers of Warren county. In days of peace he has been as loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields. He has worked diligently and persist- ently year after year in the conduct of his business affairs and has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transac- tion. He has not gained success by leaps and bounds, but by the faithful per- formance of each day's duties and by the use of the opportunities which have come to him. Now in possession of a comfortable competence, he is living retired, being pleasantly situated in Spring Hill.
S. P. SPEAR.
S. P. Spear is the owner of the Prairie View stock farm, on which he has lived since 1902, although he has been a resident of the county since 1873. His place, situated on section 23, White Oak township, comprises four hun- dred and eighty acres and the natural productiveness of the soil has been greatly enhanced through the methods which he has followed in its develop- ment and cultivation. He started on life's journey in Allegheny county. Pennsylvania, August 22, 1843. His father, Alexander Spear, was also a native of the Keystone state and a farmer by occupation. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Hannah Phillips and unto them were born nine children.
S. P. Spear, the eldest of the family, spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the old home farm and in the winter seasons attended the public schools, while in the summer months he worked in the fields. He gave his father the benefit of his service until he had attained his majority. when' he began farming on his own account in Pennsylvania. Following his start in the business world, he made preparation for having a home of his own by his marriage on the Ist of December. 1871. to Miss Susan Craig, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. They began their domestic life in the Keystone state and after two years removed westward to Monroe county. Iowa, where they lived for three months. and then came to Warren county. Mr. Spear here purchased land near Milo, investing in three hundred and twenty acres in White Breast township, where he began to till the soil in the cultivation of the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here. He built the first house on the prairie and began to break the sod and make a home. He afterward replaced his original dwelling by a more commodious and modern house and he has also erected barns and outbuildings. In fact. he has added to the place all modern equipments and accessories, using the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields as he plows the land and harvests the grain. He is engaged in the raising of graded stock and also fine cattle. He remained upon the original farin until 1901, when he purchased his present home place, comprising four hundred and eighty acres, known as the Prairie View stock farm. Here he is engaged in feeding
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from five to six carloads of feed to his stock each year. He makes a specialty of raising cattle and is meeting with success in his undertaking. He is an excellent judge of stock and has carefully and closely studied the best methods of raising cattle in this part of the country. He is sound in judgment, practical in his methods and far-sighted in formulatng his plans, and year after year he is winning gratifying success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spear have been born five children, but they lost one in infancy. The others are: A. Ehner, who is living on the home place; Byron, who married Maggie Kellar and is a farmer of Belmont township; Clara E., the wife of H. H. Walton, a farmer of White Breast township; and C. C., who married Clydeua McGuire and is living on the home farm. Mr. Spear was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1903. She passed away at the age of sixty years and her death was deeply regretted by many friends, as well as her immediate family. His mother, however, survived until 1907 and passed away in Indianola at the age of eighty-seven years. The father's death had occurred in Pennsylvania, when he was fifty-five years of age.
Mr. Spear is a member of the United Presbyterian church at Indianola and is serving as one of its trustees. Sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has supported the republican party at state and national elections and has been a delegate to county and state conventions. He was township trustee in White Oak township for two years and a trustee in White Breast township for three years. While he has never failed in the perform- ance of his duties of citizenship, he has, nevertheless, preferred to devote his time and energies to his business affairs rather than to holding office and that he is a man of unabating energy and one whose industry never flags is indicated by the fact that he is now classed with the substantial and repre- sentative agriculturists and stock-raisers of the locality. His business has ever been conducted along lines that neither seek nor require disguise and knowing that success depends upon individual effort and not upon fortunate circumstances or influential friends, he has labored persistently and earnestly to win the place which he now oeeupies and which he well deserves.
JOSEPH A. BURGESS.
Joseph A. Burgess, successfully condueting a general mercantile store at Medora, Warren county, was born in Aekworth. Warren county, Iowa, October 10, 1859. His father, Samuel Burgess, born in Ohio. September 18, 1819, was married in that state, and in 1857 came to Iowa, locating at Palmyra, Warren county. He was a gunsmith by trade but in 1869 or 1870 engaged in merehan- dising at Sandyville, removing the store to Ackworth in 1873. In 1886 he became connected with the mercantile interests of Medora and thus continued as an active factor in business circles until the time of his death. which there occurred on the 2d of December. 1902. Owing to his straightforward deal- ing, reasonable prices and well selected line of goods he met with a gratify- ing measure of success and was recognized as a man of good business ability
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and keen discrimination. He was originally a Quaker but later became identified with the Methodist church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Irion, was born in Ohio, September 24. 1837. and still makes her home in Medora. but at present is on a visit to Oregon. She became the mother of seven children, six of whom still survive: Frances, who resides with her mother in Medora; Joseph A., of this review; J. P .. of Medora; Arthur, a graduate of the Iowa City Medical College, who is now practicing medicine at Iowa Falls; C. E., the wife of E. C. Armstrong, of Salem. Oregon; T. F., also of Medora; and one who died in childhood.
Joseph A. Burgess has spent his entire life in Warren county and since 1890 has conducted his present mercantile enterprise, being a partner of his father until the latter's death, since which time he has been alone in business. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception. forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the prosperity which he now enjoys.
At Ackworth occurred the marriage of Mr. Burgess and Miss H. E. Hayworth, a native of that place and a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Ginder) Hayworth, both deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burgess were born two children who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Burgess is a stanch republican and for two terms has served as township clerk. He was likewise postmaster of Medora until four years ago, when the rural free delivery caused the office to be discon- tinued. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and during his residence here of almost a half century he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends, who esteem him for his commendable personal traits of character as well as for his success as a business man.
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JOSEPHI V. EDGERTON.
Joseph V. Edgerton, residing on his farm on section 30, Liberty town- ship, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, February 29, 1840, his parents being Abijah and Rhoda (Vernon) Edgerton. In both the parental and maternal lines he is descended from English ancestors, who probably came to this country about the time of William Penn. They were Quakers in religious belief. Abijah Edgerton was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and was there reared but after attaining man's estate accompanied his parents on their removal to Morgan eonnty, Ohio. where he eleared the timber from a small farm, being an agriculturist and nurseryman by occupation. He passed away when only about thirty-five years of age, leaving four children : Tilman.
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