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 22
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the knowledge that he had acquired. He afterward took up farming on his own account, cultivating rented land for three years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to. purchase forty-eight and a half acres on section 27. Lime Creek township. Taking up his abode upon that property, he has since made it his home and by additional purchase he has extended the boundaries of his farm to in- clude another twenty-acre tract. His life has been one of diligence, of activity and usefulness and the success that he has gained has come as the logical and direct result of his own labors.
On the oth of January, 1909. Mr. Whetstine was married to Miss Anna Steiner, who was born in Lime Creek township, a daughter of William Steiner, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Whetstine is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a lady of many admirable qualities, who presides with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home In his political views Mr. Whetstine is a democrat, in thorough sympathy with the principles of the party but is not an office seeker. He enjoys the warm regard of his brethren of the Masonic fraternity. his membership being in Dayton Lodge, No. 149, A. F. & A. M. Ile has filled some of the chairs in this lodge and is most loyal to its teachings.
S. S. MILLER.
S. S. Miller, who is engaged in the cultivation of a farm of eighty acres on section 28, Lime Creek township, was born in Virginia, April 12. 1863. a son of Benjamin and Lydia ( Sanger ) Miller, who were likewise natives of the Old Dominion. They continued residents of that state until 1880 when they removed westward to Washington county, Iowa, living here for several years. On the expiration of that period they removed to Kansas, where the father still makes his home but the mother passed away in 1906. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are yet living, namely: Daniel P., a resident of Keokuk county, Iowa ; S. S., of this review ; John A., now living in Greenwood county, Kansas; William E., who makes his home in Lyon county, Kansas ; Benjamin S., also a resident of the Sunflower state : and Lida V., the wife of E. L. Crumbacker, now of Uniontown, Kansas. Six children of that family have passed away.
S. S. Miller remained at home until he had attained his majority and acquired a common-school education that fitted him for the practical duties of life. When he had reached adult age he began farming on his own account by cultivating a tract of rented land on which he lived for three years. He then bought the farm upon which he now resides, comprising eighty acres of land on section 28, Lime Creek township. His farm work has been care- fully conducted and his enterprise, energy and determination have been the salient features in his success, making him one of the representative farmers of the community.
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In 1884 Mr. Miller was married to Miss Etta B. Miller, who though of the same name was not a relative. She was born in Keokuk county, lowa, October 16, 1863, and is a daughter of Michael and Sarah C. (Stoner) Miller, who were natives of Virginia but came to lowa in early life. Her father is still living, being now a resident of Michigan, but her mother passed away in 1897. They were the parents of ten children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Miller has also been blessed with ten children: Arthur M., Mary M., Bertha E., John W., Lottie A., Esther C., Sylvia B., and Charles S., all at home : and Evelyn P. and Edna M., both of whom are now deceased.
Mr. Miller belongs to the Anti Horsethief Society. His political support is unfalteringly given to the republican party and he is now serving as a school director. He is ever interested in matters relative to the general welfare and progress and his cooperation is given to various measures for the public good.
DAVID A. BOYER.
David A. Boyer is a farmer and stock-raiser of Washington, Iowa, whose well conducted business interests are bringing him substantial returns. Wide- ly and favorably known, the record of his life cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. His birth occurred in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1842, and in both the paternal and maternal lines he is of German descent.
His great-grandfather Boyer was born and reared near Boyertown, Mont gomery county, Pennsylvania, and later in life lived near Bromsfieldville, Berks county, that state. By occupation he was a farmer. During the Revolutionary war he was a soldier during the entire seven years, serving under General Washington the greater part of the time, and he was sometimes home long enough to help put in and raise crops. In his family were three sons and one daughter: Peter, who removed to Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, where he reared a large family and became quite wealthy ; John, who spent his life in and around Bromsfieldville; Jacob, the grandfather of our subject : and Susan, who married a Mr. Geigher in Oley township, Berks county.
Jacob Boyer, the grandfather, was a life-long resident of the Keystone state and was a well educated man, being the author of a number of German poems. Learning the stone-mason's trade when quite young, he went to Richmond, Virginia, and took contracts for building locks on the James river canal. He made money in that venture and returned to his home with several negro slaves whom he afterward freed. The greater part of his life, however, was devoted to agricultural pursuits and for many years he served as justice of the peace, rendering equitable decisions which were sel- dom, if ever, reversed when appealed to the higher courts. He enlisted in the war of 1812, as did also the maternal grandfather of our subject, but neither
D. A. BOYER
E NEW YORK LUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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were called out of the state and the former never left Berks county. He married Miss Catherine Deeder and to them were born fourteen children, of whom the oldest daughter died at the age of nineteen years, and Sarah and Margaret died in infancy. Philip, the oldest son, married Catherine Moser ; Frederick married Susan Shirery ; Solomon married Catherine Bortz ; Gideon married Mary Yerkey: Jacob married Mazzie Van Horn: Jesse marriad Elizabeth Budman ; Chestenia became the wife of Jacob Mose : Hetty was the wife of Samuel Moser ; Susan was the wife of Sanmel Manger : Cather- ine was the wife of William Bower.
Solomon Boyer, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania and made farming his life work, following that pursuit near Danville in Montour county until he left his native state in 1858 and came to lowa. He first located in Keokuk county, but after six months came to Washington county and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Washington township. Subsequently, however, he sold that property and. returned to Keokuk county, bought two hundred and forty acres, which he finally lost. He then removed to Red Willow county, Nebraska, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres. which he proved up, making that place his home until his death, which oc- curred March 14, 1884, when he was more than seventy years of age, for he was born on the 13th of June, 1813 .: His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Bortz and was born in Pennsylvania, March 19, 1813. She was a daughter of David Bortz, a native of Germany, who in early boyhood came to America and was reared in the Keystone state. He married Hannah Ker- lin and their children were : Daniel, who married Harriet Grumblic ; Benjamin, who married Harriet Loraugh : David, who married Hannah Rimby : Isaac. who married Leah Francis ; William, who married Sarah Bordman ; Cather- ine, the mother of our subject : Sarah, the wife of Solomon Erbe : Hannah, the wife of Abraham H. Vanderslice; Mary, the wife of William Williams ; Harriet, the wife of William Mathews ; and Rebecca, who died at the age of nine years. Of this family, Mrs. Isaac Bortz. her grandson, Dr. Francis, his wife and eighteen year old granddaughter were lost in the Boyertown fire a few years ago. Mrs. Solomon Boyer died January 17, 1896. While living in Pennsylvania both she and her husband were members of the German Re- formed church and in Nebraska they joined the Christian church, but during the last years of their lives were connected with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Boyer held a number of township offices, to the duties of which he was always loyal. Both were held in high esteem wherever they were known. Their family numbered six sons and six daughters: Joseph A., of Chicago; Sarah E., deceased, who was the wife of William Edwards; Jacob F., who has passed away ; Hannah, the deceased wife of Dr. John Wertz : David A .; Mary A., the wife of T. F. McCarty, of Richland, lowa : Andrew S., living in Oklahoma ; Allen F., who has departed this life ; Susan C., who became the wife of John Adams and both are now deceased ; Amanda Henrietta, who died in early childhood : Rebecca, the deceased wife of W. S. Shawhan ; and Stephen C., of Denver, Colorado.
On taking up the personal history of David A. Boyer we find that at the age of four years he accompanied his parents on their removal from Berks
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county, Pennsylvania, to Montour county, where he lived for twelve years and at the age of sixteen came to Iowa, where he was reared to manhood. In both states his youthful days were passed on a farm, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He lived at home until twenty years of age, and then, in 1862, offered his services to his country, becoming a member of Company A, Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the end of the war. He was wounded at the battle of Ringgold, and in addition to that engagement he participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the battle of Lookout Mountain, the engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and was with Sherman on the march to the sea. Subsequently he participated in the grand review in Washington, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. He was promoted from fifth to first ser- geant and later to second lieutenant and throughout the war remained a valorous and loyal defender of the old flag.
When hostilities had ceased Mr. Boyer returned to Washington county, where he engaged in dealing in cattle and later began handling horses. He was also connected with railroad interests for awhile, working at grading on the old Iowa Northern Central Railroad. Afterward he formed a partner- ship with his brother-in-law, T. F. McCarty, and did contract railroad grading. He next purchased ninety-six acres of land in Dutch Creek township, this county, and as he prospered in his undertakings and his financial resources increased he added to the property until he had three hundred and seventy- fout acres, which he continuously cultivated and improved until the fall of 1892, when he was elected a clerk of the district court, and removed to Washington for four years. He faithfully performed the duties of that posi- tion and then returned to the farm, where he remained for ten years. For the past two years, however, he has again resided in Washington, owning and occupying a good home at No. 733 South lowa avenue.
On the 20th of October, 1869, Mr. Boyer was married to Miss Eliza J. Harris, a daughter of Robert J. and Minerva J. ( Henderson ) Harris. Mrs. Boyer was born in Wapello county, lowa, near Middletown. Her paternal grandfather, Moses Harris, was a native of Virginia and married Miss Susanna Johnston, who died when past middle life. Their children were : Robert : James : Rebecca, who became the wife of William Abraham ; Nancy, the wife of J. L. Henderson ; John B. ; Henderson : Electa Ann, the wife of Oliver E. Reed ; and William. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Boyer was Thomas Henderson, a native of Ohio, who came to lowa in 1843 and in 1853 went to California in search of gold, his death occurring in that state in 1884, when he was well advanced in years. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth llenderson, was born December 3. 1807, and died in 1886. They were mar- ried May 10, 1825, and reared a large family. Their children were Caro- line, the wife of James Colwell ; Mrs. Minerva Harris ; Merilla, the wife of William C. Johnston ; George S .; Rachel A., the wife of H. C. Gillingham ; Priscilla E., the wife of O. J. Lundy ; John Manly ; Almira L., the wife of A. C. Rutledge ; James K. Polk ; and David W.
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As previously stated, the parents of Mrs. Boyer were Robert Johnson and Minerva J. (Henderson) Harris. They were natives of Ohio and became early settlers in Iowa, taking up their abode in Middletown in 1847. They died, however, of cholera, in 1850. Mrs. Boyer, their only child, was reared by her grandfather, Moses Harris, and his daughter Rebecca. She attended the public and select schools and the academy in Washington, and prior to her marriage engaged in teaching school for three terms. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have been born eight children: Walter S., who married Abbie English, is a farmer of Franklin township and is now serving as township assessor. Howard C., a practicing physician of New Albin, Iowa, married Alice I. Fulton and has one son, William Monroe. Emma R. is the wife of R. S. Warfel, of Washington, and they have one son, David Walker. Frank P. died at the age of seven and one-half years. Harry L. is at home. Mary F. is the wife of F. V. Kerr and they live at Caldwell. Kansas. William G. died at the age of nine years, and Ray C. was graduated from Washington Academy in 1909.
Mr. Boyer is still engaged in farming and stock-raising, handling both horses and cattle, but making a specialty of the latter. He is regarded as an excellent judge of stock and thus makes judicious purchases and profitable sales. He also writes insurance and was the promoter and has been presi- dent of the West Chester Savings Bank since its organization, and he is like- wise a director of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Washington, and for ten years has been treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. His business interests are thus extensive and varied, bringing him a substantial revenue, for his investments are carefully made and his affairs are wisely con- ducted. In all matters of citizenship, too, Mr. Boyer is intensely interested and his influence is ever on the side of progress, justice and improvement. He is a stalwart republican, actively interested in his party's success. but has never been an aspirant for office. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and for many years he served as school director. He belongs to I. G. White Post, No. 108, G. A. R., of which he is a past com- mander, and his wife is a member of the Second United Presbyterian church. For more than a half century he has lived in Washington county and has witnessed its growth and development, participating actively in its transforma- tion and at all times rejoicing in what has been accomplished. He is a man of genuine personal worth whose good qualities make him popular with his many friends.
REV. ULYSSES SIMPSON SMITH.
Rev. Ulysses Simpson Smith, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church at Washington, was born in Davis county, Iowa, February 2, 1869. The family of which he is a representative was established in New England at an early day. His grandfather, Jonathan Smith, was a native of New Hampshire and in early life removed to Maine, where he was married. Sub-
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sequently he became a resident of Pennsylvania, afterward went to West Virginia and about 1864 came to Iowa, settling in Davis county, where his life's labors were ended in death in 1866, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His widow, Mrs. Eliza Smith, survived him for some months.
They were the parents of thirteen children including Samuel Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania and was reared in West Virginia, having been taken by his parents to that state in his boyhood days. He was nineteen years of age when he enlisted as a member of Company D, Sixth Virginia Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private for four years. After the war he came to Iowa in 1865, locating in Davis county, where he purchased a farm. Following his father's death he bought the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead of two hundred and forty acres and upon that place reared his family. In 1882 he went to Oregon but after a period of five years spent on the coast returned and again resumed farming here. In 1902, however, he disposed of his property in Davis county and removed to Lane county, Oregon, where both he and his wife are now living. They, too, are members of the Methodist church and are worthy Christian people, interested in the growth and promotion of the denomination. The mother of the Rev. Smith bore the maiden name of Mary K. Smith and was a native of Kentucky. Her parents were James W. and Margaret (Orr) Smith, who came to Iowa in 1859. Her father, a native of Kentucky, died in 1885 at the age of sixty- five years, but the mother is now living in Bloomfield, Jowa. Their daughter, Mrs. Mary K. Smith, was one of a family of eight children and by her mar- riage has become the mother of fourteen children, ten sons and four daugh- ters: Charles W. : Ulysses S. ; James W. ; Jonathan A., who died at the age of three years; Daisy MI., the wife of Arthur G. Pirtle ; Robert A. : Frances J., the wife of Thomas Small ; Martha, the wife of Rufus Hopkins ; Samuel W .; Retta : Paul ; Leon and Loren, twins ; and George, who died at the age of eighteen months.
In the county of his nativity the Rev. U. S. Smith spent the first thirteen years of his life and after attending the district schools was for two years a student in the Southern Jowa Normal. Later he attended the Wesleyan · University at Mount Pleasant, lowa, from which he was graduated in the year 1900. Having qualified for the ministry he began preaching in 1892, joining the Iowa conference, after which he was assigned to the pastorate of the church of his denomination at Montrose, Iowa. Later he labored successively at Batavia, West Burlington, Eddyville, Pulaski, What Cheer, Montezuma and then came to Washington in the fall of 1907. The church here has a membership of nine hundred and fifty and Rev. Smith is a pro- gressive minister of wide study and strong intellectuality who is leaving his impress upon the various lines of church work through his enthusiastic, zealous and consecrated devotion to the cause.
On the 17th of August, 1892, occurred the marriage of the Rev. Mr. Smith and Miss Eva M. Patterson who was born in Davis county, Iowa, November 2, 1871. and is a daughter of Zachary and Miranda (McKee) Patterson, the former a native of Lee county, Iowa, and the latter of De-
.
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catur county, Indiana. They are now residing near Bloomfield in Davis county, Iowa, where Mr. Patterson follows the occupation of farming. He was a son of Jeliu and Frances (Taylor) Patterson, while his wife is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Wallace) McKee. Mrs. Patterson was a cousin of General Lew Wallace and a descendant of David Wallace, who came to this country from Scotland, which was also the early home of the McKee family. Mrs. Smith's paternal grandfather was from Tennessee, while the Taylor family to which his wife belonged, was from Virginia. The maternal grandfather was born in Ripley county, Indiana, and the grand- mother in Miami county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had four sons and one daughter: Eva M., now Mrs. Smith ; Lewis T. : Hugh H. ; Ernest H .; and Roy D. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children: Hazel, born October 11, 1900: and Pauline, born November 8, 1907.
Mrs. Smith is of much assistance to her husband in the church work and both are bending every energy for the upbuilding of the cause and the exten- sion of Christian influences in the community. Of studious habits he reads widely and thinks broadly. recognizes the influences which are bearing upon the world's work and strives untiringly to make Christianity the foremost factor in civilization and progress.
C. F. SHAFFER.
C. F. Shaffer, the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Lime Creek township, largely devotes his attention to the raising and breeding of registered shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He was born in Ohio on the 19th of February, 1867, his parents being Nicholas and Minnie (Weiss) Shaffer, natives of New York city and Ohio respectively. The year 1877 witnessed the arrival of the family in Lime Creek township. Washington county. The father purchased several farms and became an extensive landowner, at one time having more than five hundred acres. During the Civil war he loyally fought for the interests of the Union as a member of Company E, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, returning home with a most creditable military record. He continued a resident of this county until the time of his demise in September, 1891, having long been numbered among the most prosperous, representative and respected citizens of his community. His wife, who still survives, now makes her home in Wellman, Iowa. Unto this worthy couple were born three children, namely : J. P., who is engaged in the real estate business in Des Moines, lowa ; Allie, the wife of M. C. Struble, who is the cashier of the Security Savings Bank at Wellman, Iowa : and C. F., of this review.
The last named supplemented his primary education by a high school course and subsequently took a course in a commercial college, thus being well equipped by thorough mental training for the practical and responsible duties of life. He remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, at the age of twenty-three years, and then purchased the old home-
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stead place of two hundred and eighty acres in Lime Creek township-one of the most attractive and highly improved farms in the entire township. His time and energies are now largely devoted to the raising and breeding of registered shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, which he sells and ships all over the United States, Canada and Mexico. A year ago hè fed two carloads of fat steers which were shipped to England and is widely recognized as one of the most prominent and successful agriculturists and stockmen of the county.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Shaffer chose Miss Katie Scheib, whose birth occurred in Washington county. lowa, in June, 1871, her parents being Charles and Mary Scheib, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Shaffer was one of a family of eight children and by her marriage has become the mother of two daughters, Clementine and Helen. who are attending school in Iowa City.
Mr. Shaffer gives stalwart allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party but has no aspiration for the honors nor emoluments of office. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Wellman, being a worthy exemplar of the craft. Tireless energy, keen per- ception, honesty of purpose, a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to every-day common sense, guided by resistless will power, are the chief characteristics of the man. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the county in which he has now made his home for almost a third of a century and wherever known is held in the highest esteem.
FRANK G. MARTIN.
The record of Frank G. Martin constitutes an important chapter in the commercial history of Washington county. He is numbered among her en- terprising merchants, conducting a successful business which, in its substan- tial growth, indicates the spirit of enterprise without which no substantial success is ever secured. Gradually he has worked his way upward and is now in control of a large trade. He was born in Madison county, Ohio, July 9, 1849, a son of James W. and Mary A. (Gardner ) Martin. The father was a native of West Virginia, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio, but both are now deceased, having spent their last days in Peoria, Illinois. They were the parents of six children: L. B., who is now a resident of Peoria ; E. C., living in Tacoma, Washington : Frank G., of this review ; W. C .. also of Peoria ; and J. W. and J. V., both of whom have passed away.
Frank G. Martin remained in his father's home through the period of his boyhood and youth and on attaining his majority he started out in life on his own account, securing a clerkship in the store of Frank Field & Com- pany, of Peoria, Illinois, where he remained for eight years. He was am- bitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and carefully saving his earnings he was at length enabled to enter upon an independent venture. He turned his attention to the wholesale leather trade, in which he
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