USA > Iowa > Washington County > History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 17
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William G. Stewart, the father, was born in Virginia, was reared to farm life and took up that pursuit as a means of providing for his own sup- port after he attained his majority. A mental review of the natural resources of the country and the opportunities afforded in different sections led him to the belief that he would have better advantages in Iowa than elsewhere and, coming to this county, he purchased land in Washington township. With characteristic energy he began the development of a farm and in course of time placed three hundred acres of land under a high state of improvement. The fields were richly cultivated and in due course of time brought forth abundant harvests. He married Hannah Patterson, a native of Maryland and the daughter of Charles Patterson, who was born in Scotland and on crossing the Atlantic took up his abode in Maryland. On ariving in Iowa during the pioneer epoch of the history of this state he lived for a time in Burlington, after which he removed to Washington and subsequently to Keokuk county. There he died when nearly ninety years of age His fam- ily numbered a son and two daughters: John; Jane, the wife of William Thomas ; and Hannah, who became Mrs. Stewart. Mrs. Patterson long sur- vived her husband. William G. Stewart died on the home farm in Wash- ington township in 1864 at the age of forty-four years. Four decades had passed ere his wife passed away, her death occurring in 1905. In early life she was a member of the Methodist church and later she and her husband became members of the United Brethren church. Their good qualities of heart and mind drew to them the friendly regard of all with whom they were associated and they are yet remembered among the valued pioneer residents of this part of the state. Their family included six sons and two daughters: John G .; Charles N. ; William S .; Lovina E., the wife of Fred Giesler, of Muscatine, lowa ; Frank : Lloyd, deceased : Hannah M., the wife of J. A. Guest, of Washington : and George W.
Frank Stewart was reared in Washington county on the old home farm until he had attained his majority. He early became familiar with the work of the fields and aided more and more largely in the cultivation thereof as his years and strength increased. He was a pupil in the district schools and also in the Washington select school conducted by Professor Wilson, while later he pursued a course in a commercial college at Muscatine, lowa. He then went into business in that city as a dealer in hats and men's furnishing goods, in which line he continued for eight or nine years. after which he re- turned to Washington and joined his brother George W. in the conduct of a hardware and implement business which they carried on for twelve or thir- teen years. In 1896, however, Mr. Stewart sold his interest to his brother and about 1900 entered the manufacturing lines, making wagon boxes and shoveling boards. He is still the treasurer of the Washington Manufactur. ing Company which turns out those products. In 1902 he extended his efforts into other fields, establishing a button manufacturing business at Muscatine.
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at the same time maintaining his wagon box manufacturing plant in Wash- ington. In 1908 he established the headquarters of his button manufacturing plant in Washington and moved his principal works here. Eighty to one hundred operators are employed in the home factory. They sell their goods to jobbers and manufacturers and the enterprise is today one of the most im- portant productive concerns of the city, its trade constantly increasing be- cause of the excellence of the output and the reliability of the house.
For fifteen years Mr. Stewart has been vice president of the Citizens Savings Bank of Washington; is a stockholder of the Wayland Savings Bank of Wayland, Iowa; and a member of the firm of Giesler & Company, manufacturers of wagon hardware at Muscatine.
In October, 1877, Mr. Stewart was married in Muscatine, Iowa, to Miss Nettie Washburne, a native of that city and the daughter of David and Anna (Holmes) Washburne, who were natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart now have a daugther, Marian V. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Presbyterian church and presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home.
Mr. Stewart belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His fellow towsnmen, recogniz- ing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office and he has been most loyal to the trust reposed in him. He was a member of the city council for several years and takes a most active interest in matters of public progress. For about six years he served as a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is justly accounted one of the representative business men of this part of the state, recognizing and improving his opportunities and carefully executing well defined and carefully formulated plans. In the legitimate lines of commerce he has won his success and has reached a creditable position in commercial and manufacturing circles.
MARTIN ESSLEY.
The state of Iowa has afforded large opportunities along agricultural lines to thousands who have devoted their energies to tilling the soil, from which they have derived such harvests as have placed them in comfortable · circumstances, and among those who are prospering in the pursuit of farm- ing is Martin Essley, who owns and cultivates a large and excellent tract of land in Washington township, Washington county. His birth occurred in Marion township, this county, October 15, 1853, and his parents were John and Jane ( Mickey) Essley. His father was twice married, his first wife bearing him four children, all of whom are deceased. The elder Mr. Essley was one of the early settlers of this county, where he pursued general agriculture until he departed this life. His wife, who was a native of Penn- sylvania but was married in this county, still survives. After the death of her first husband she wedded Alamander Harmon, by whom she had three
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children: Ida, who resides here: Henry, a retired agriculturist of Cedar Falls ; and Ada, who lives with her mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Essley were born: Oliver, who engages in farming in Adams county, this state : Sarah, wife of Collin Nickley, a retired agriculturist ; Martin : and Samantha Ellen, a resident of this county.
In the common schools of Marion township Martin Essley acquired his education, remaining at home until he was twelve years of age, at which period of life he sought employment on neighboring farms, following hus- bandry as a wage earner until he was twenty-two. He was then married and settled on a farm in Cedar township. With the exception of twelve years spent in Johnson county, this state, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits from 1889 until 1901, he has resided in this county, following general farming and stock-raising. He owns one hundred and forty-four acres of excellent land, for which he paid one hundred and forty-five dollars an acre, and the improvements which he has put upon his property and the attention which he has given the soil has made his farm one of the most productive of this region.
In 1875 Mr. Essley wedded Miss Emma Rose, a native of Ohio, by whom he has had four children: Stella, wife of Lester Rank. an agriculturist of Oklahoma ; Ray, a resident of Dallas City, Illinois : Esther, who lives with her parents ; and Oliver.
Politically, Mr. Essley supports the republican party, firmly believing in the fundamental character of the policies it advocates, and he has always been loyal to its candidates, during campaigns doing all he can to secure their election. He is a zealous church worker in the Methodist Episcopal denomination, of which his wife is also an adherent, and his excellent quali- ties of character, together with his industry and enterprise, merit him high standing in the community as a worthy and substantial citizen.
SAMUEL J. COCKLIN.
In this age of vast business enterprises and of intense activity. it is a notable fact that the young men are rapidly forging to the front and con- trolling the trade interests of the country. As secretary of the George H. Paul Company, Samuel J. Cocklin occupies a prominent position in business circles. This company is today controlling extensive land interests and proving a most important factor in the colonization and upbuilding of various sections of the southwest. Of marked energy and keen insight. Mr. Cocklin is capably managing the affairs of the company which come in his special department and is thereby contributing to its success.
He is one of the native sons of Washington county, his birth having occur- red in Marion township, April 16, 1874. His grandfather, Samuel Cocklin, was a native of Pennsylvania, devoting his life to auctioneering and farm- ing. He came to Washington county in 1854, and here secured a good tract of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. In addition he
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Samuel & Cochlin.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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also cried many sales, being the first and only auctioneer here at the time. His first wife died very suddenly when in middle life. They had reared a large family, including : Jacob ; David E .; Levi; Kate, the wife of Robert McCalman; A. L .; Nannie, the wife of Robert Taylor; John S .; and Samuel, who died in his youth. After losing his first wife Samuel Cocklin married her sister, but there were no children of that union.
David E. Cocklin, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio and came with his parents to Iowa in his boyhood days. Here he assisted in the devel- opment of a new farm, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he responded to the country's call, enlisting as a member of Company I, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, with which he served for four years. He entered the army as a private, but his valor and meritorious conduct won him successive promotion until he became captain of his company. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg. Corinth, Atlanta and Sherman's march to the sea, being in every battle and skirmish in which his regiment took part. He never faltered in the performance of any military duty and his own courage and loyalty often inspired his men to deeds of valor. When the war was over he returned to Washington county and was here married, the lady of his choice being Miss Hester: A .: Powell, who was also born in the Buckeye state and was a daughter of Joseph Powell, who came to Iowa from Ohio, in 1847, casting in his lot with the pioneer residents of Washington county. He settled in Marion township, where he purchased and improved a large tract of land and dealt largely in stock .. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Martha Powell, lived to old age. They reared a large family, but all have passed away with the exception of Mrs. Cocklin. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cocklin took up their abode on a farm in Marion township. There he made his home until a few years ago, when he removed to Washington, where he and his wife now reside with their son. They are members of the Methodist church and prominent in the community. Mr. Cocklin has held various township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. In early life he engaged in teaching in the public schools and also taught singing school, but made farming his principal occupation after attaining his majority. Unto him and his wife have been born three chil- dren : Wilber Howard, who died at the age of three years: Charles, who passed away at the age of eighteen ; and Samuel J., of this review.
Samuel J. Cocklin was reared on his father's farm in Marion township and after attending the district schools prepared for the onerous duties that come in the business world by a course of study in Elliott's Business College at Burlington. Later he engaged in teaching for a few years, and when twenty-six years of age was elected to the office of county recorder, in which he capably served for four years, giving a businesslike administration. Re- tiring from that office, he conducted an abstract husiness under the name of the Pollard Abstract Company, which was an incorporated concern. After a short time, however, he severed his connections therewith and became cashier of the Ainsworth Savings Bank and later again became associated with the Pollard Abstract Company. About a year later, however, he took his present
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position as secretary of the George H. Paul Company, one of the largest land companies operating in the United States.
On the 8th of January, 1896, Mr. Cocklin was married to Miss Adda May Adams, a daughter of Joseph and Maggie (Gordon) Adams, a popular young lady and accomplished musician. Mrs. Cocklin's father died in her infancy, and her mother was later united in marriage with T. W. Rickey, of Crawfordsville, Iowa, at which place they now reside. Mr. Rickey is a large landowner and a successful business man, public-spirited and enter- prising.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Cocklin are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward and she as pipe-organist. He belongs to Orion Lodge, K. P., and to other lodges and organizations. He is recognized as a young man of enterprise, carrying forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes and manifesting an initiative and pro- gressive spirit in all that he does.
P. J. BOOTH
On a farm of eighty acres on section 23, Cedar township. resides P. J. Booth, whose capable management in agricultural interests is widely recog- nized. He was born in the state of New York on the 30th of January, 1839, his parents being Joseph and Abigail ( Holdridge) Booth, who were also natives of the Empire state. The year 1870 witnessed their arrival in Washington county, Iowa, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest, the father passing away September 24, 1888, while the mother's death occurred January 30, 1901. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, namely: P. J., of this review ; Alonzo, who is a resident of New York ; M. E., deceased ; Alford J., of this county ; Roy E., who has also passed away ; Lydia A., the wife of J. W. Baker, of Washington, lowa ; and Joseph E., who likewise makes his home in this county.
P. J. Booth obtained a good practical education in the common schools and when but fourteen years of age started out in life for himself as a clerk in a general store, being employed in that way for seven years. On the expiration of that period he established himself in business as a grocery mer- chant, continuing in that line of activity for nine years, and at the same time also conducted a lumberyard. Disposing of his interests, he came to Wash- ington county, Iowa, in 1867 and for a short time was engaged in the gro- cery business in the city of Washington. After once more disposing of his mercantile interests he followed farming as a renter for six years, at the end of which time he purchased the farm of eighty acres on section 23, Cedar township, where he has since resided. In addition to cultivating various cereals he has also won success as a feeder of stock, buying and shipping stock of all kinds. In all of his undertakings he has displayed sound judg- ment and keen discrimination and at the same time has ever been straight-
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forward and honorable, basing his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity.
On the 4th of July, 1865, Mr. Booth was united in marriage to Miss Nancy J. McKee, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, June 22, 1843, hier parents being Andrew and Rose Ann ( Weir) McKee, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Andrew McKee came to Wash- ington county, Iowa, in 1857. He and his wife, who reared a family of four children, are both now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Booth have been born eight children, as follows: Ellen, born in the Keystone state in 1866, who is at home: O. D., born in October, 1868, who is a resident of this county : J. A., who was born in 1870 and is living in Washington county ; WV. D .. born in 1872, who is likewise a resident of this county ; Bertha, who was born in 1876 and passed away November 15, 1892; Eva N., born in 1879, who is now the wife of O. B. Mouser, of this county ; Maizie, whose birth occurred February 17. 1882, and who died on the 12th of June of the same year ; and Lila A., born March 29, 1883, whose demise occurred August 30, 1885.
By his ballot Mr. Booth supports the men and measures of the democracy and has acted as assessor and school director for thirty-five years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. Both he and his wife belong to the United Presbyterian church and are held in high regard and esteem throughout the county in which they have so long made their home. He is one of the venerable citizens of the county and receives the respect and good will which should ever be accorded to one who has advanced thus far on life's journey and whose career has at all times been upright and honorable.
ARTHUR THERION.
Arthur Therion is one of the younger representatives of farming in- terests in Washington county, being the owner of one hundred acres of well improved land in Marion township. He was born in Washington, Iowa, March 3. 1871, and is the only child of John and Theresa ( Heiniman) Therion, both of whom were natives of France, the latter born in Alsace. The father emigrated to the United States about 1860 and soon after his arrival in the new world took up his abode in Washington, Iowa, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1874. He was a wagonmaker by trade and conducted business along this line in Washington. The mother, who emigrated to this country in her girlhood, was married in this county to Mr. Therion. She still survives and now makes her home with her son Arthur.
Arthur Therion was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the common schools. With the exception of three years spent in Kansas City and Chicago, he has always lived in Washington county. where he is now operating a farm of one hundred acres, which he owns. This tract is located on section 5. Marion township, and is devoted to gen- eral farming. He has made many improvements on the place since taking
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possession and now has a comfortable residence and substantial outbuildings which furnish shelter for grain and stock. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Therion has operated a threshing machine for the past nine years and in this connection has become well known in various sections of the county.
Mr. Therion chose as a companion for the journey of life Miss Mollie Putman, whom he wedded in 1899, and this union has been blessed with two daughters and a son, but the eldest, Bertha, is now deceased, the other mem- bers being John and Mildred, both under the parental roof.
Mr. Therion supports the men and measures of the democratic party and served as assessor of Marion township eight years. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen at Washington. Gradually advancing year by year, Mr. Therion has gained a place among the sub- stantial farmers of his section of the county. and, having spent almost his entire life here, he has become widely and favorably known, meriting the esteem in which he is universally held.
WILBER L. MILLER.
Wilber L. Miller, formerly engaged in the furniture and undertaking business and now devoting his energies entirely to the latter line in Wash- ington, was born in this city April 5, 1868. His parents, Charles S. and Eliza A. (Worthen) Miller, are numbered among the early residents of Iowa, having first come to the city in 1854 while in 1858 they took up their permanent abode in Washington. The Millers are of an old New England family. The great-grandfather. Jacob Miller, was born in 1760 and removed from Chesterfield, New Hampshire, to Northfield, Massachusetts. He served his country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding in the struggle for independence and again was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Phebe Grover. The paternal grandfather, Cyrus Miller, was a native of Massachusetts, born on the 22d of October, 1794, and his life record covered the intervening years until the 8th of April, 1882, when he was called to his final rest. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812, manifesting the spirit of loyalty for which the family has always been noted. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza M. Leach, was also a native of the old Bay state.
Charles S. Miller, father of Wilber L. Miller, was born in Northfield, Massachusetts, April 12, 1830, and having arrived at years of maturity was married at Enfield, Connecticut, on the 23d of September, 1849, to Miss Eliza A. Worthen, who was born October 17, 1830, at Chicopee Falls, Massa- chusetts, and was a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Wason) Worthen. Fol- lowing their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Miller came to Iowa in 1854 and entered land near Keota. Two years later, however, they removed to St. Louis and Mr. Miller secured employment in the car shops at St. Charles, having previously been engaged in car building in the east. In the spring
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of 1858 they arrived in Washington, Iowa, and Mr. Miller entered commer- cial circles here in the wagon-making business while later he turned his attention to the sale of sewing machines. Gradually he made progress in a financial way and in 1875 embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, which he conducted successfully for twenty-eight years, enjoying not only a large trade but also the confidence and good will of the general public. In fact he was well known and highly esteemed throughout the county, being a man of sterling business integrity and of genuine personal worth. He was outspoken and positive in his convictions yet he believed in giving others the right of their opinions. Honesty was one of his most salient characteristics and moreover he endeavored throughout his entire life to follow the Golden Rule, doing unto others as he would have them do unto him. In politics he was a silver democrat and a strong admirer of William Jennings Bryan. He died July 1, 1903, at the age of seventy-three years, two months and nineteen days, while his wife passed away March 28, 1904, at the age of seventy-three years, five months and eleven days. On the 23d of September. 1899, they celebrated their golden wedding, having completed a half century of happy married life. Mr. Miller was reared a Unitarian and his wife held membership in the Methodist church. They were the parents of five children: Frank, who died at the age of twenty-one years from injuries sustained in a tornado at Burlington, Iowa, in 1873; Theresa, the wife of William Gentzler, of Waterloo, Iowa; G. Edgar, who died in in- fancy ; Fred, living in Webster City, Iowa; and Wilber L., of this review.
The last named has spent his entire life in Washington and in retrospec- tion one can see him in his boyhood days, attending the public schools where he mastered the common branches of English learning. He lived at home throughout the period of his minority and after completing his education worked for his father in the store until the Ist of August, 1889, when he was admitted to a partnership in the furniture and undertaking business. Thus throughout his entire career he has been connected with commercial interests in Washington. On the Ist of January, 1903, however, he sold out but on the Ist of September, 1904, reentered trade circles as proprietor of an undertaking establishment which he still successfully conducts. He has a large share of the public patronage in his line for he carries a fine line of undertaking goods and moreover is known to be thoroughly reliable and trustworthy in all of his dealings.
On the 10th of July, 1895, Mr. Miller was married in Fort Madison, Iowa, to Miss Emma Arnold, a daughter of Emerson and Eliza (Cramner ) Arnold. Mrs. Miller was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, near Danville, September 16, 1873. Her maternal grandmother still survives at the age of nearly ninety years. She is Mrs. Sophia Woodmansee, having married again since the death of her first husband, Mr. Cramner. All of the other grandparents of Mrs. Miller have passed away. Her parents, however, now reside in Denmark, Lee county, Iowa. Her father was born in Indiana and her mother in Des Moines county, Iowa, and he was a soldier of the Civil war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born three children: Murrel Arnold, Mande Vaile and Charles Emerson.
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Mr. Miller is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Washington Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M .; Cyrus Chapter. No. 13. R. A. MI .; Bethlehem Commandery, No. 45, K. T. and Kaaba Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In his political views he is an earnest democrat, his study of the questions and issues of the day leading him to the opinion that the principles of the party are best calculated to conserve the public good. He was a member of the city council for two terms and exercised his official prerogatives in support of various movements and measures which he be- lieved would prove beneficial to the community. In fact his cooperation can always be counted upon to further progressive public measures and his labors are an element in the general improvement of city and county. He has a wide acquaintance and his uniform courtesy and genial spirit have made him popular with a large circle of friends.
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