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 23
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continued for six years, and in 1886 he came to Washington county, Iowa, where he established a general mercantile business. His labors have since been directed in that line of trade and he is now proprietor of a good store in Lexington. He carries a well selected line of goods such as meets the varied requirements of the public, and his straightforward dealing, his earnest desire to please his patrons and his progressive business methods have secured to him a constantly growing trade.
In 1888 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Cora M. Dicken, a native of this county and a daughter of A. B. and Esther W. (Ashby) Dicken. Her father was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1825, and went to Ohio with his parents in his childhood days. In 1841 he arrived in lowa, settling in Washington county. Here he entered land in Oregon township and at once began its improvement and development, continuing his residence here up to the time of his death. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit until his removal to this place. He also engaged in teaching school for several years, but after coming to Iowa gave his atten- tion in large measure to general agricultural pursuits. His political support was given to the republican party and in all matters of citizenship he was progressive, cooperating in various measures that were of benefit to the public.
On the 26th of December. 1851, Mr. Dicken was united in marriage to Miss Esther W. Ashby, who was born in West Virginia, April 12, 1820, and was a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Ashby, who were natives of Maryland and came to Washington county, lowa, in 1839, traveling westward with teams and covered wagons. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dicken were born four children : Julie E., who is the widow of M. C. Cavenden and is now living at home with her mother; Milton E., a resident of Washington ; Priscilla A., who is the widow of J. I. Junkin and has one son, Ralph M., who is married and resides in Washington ; and Cora M., now the wife of F. G. Martin. The death of Mr. Dicken occurred March 16, 1887, when he was sixty-two years of age, and he was laid to rest in the city cemetery. Hc was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and took a very active and helpful interest in its work, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. As the years have passed he prospered in his un- dertaking's and at his death owned three hundred and sixty acres of land in this county, three hundred and twenty acres near Hastings, Nebraska, and four hundred and eighty acres in Barbara county, Kansas, For a year he resided on his Kansas property and engaged in raising cattle. He built a resi- dence in Washington which is now occupied by his widow and which was erected in 1853.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two daughters, Mary E., at home, and Lora C .. who is now attending high school in Washington. The parents attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Martin gives his political allegiance to the republican party, for he deems its principles most conducive to good government. He and his family occupy a prominent position in the social circles in which they move and the hospital- ity of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Martin
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is recognized as one of the leading business men of the city in which he resides and as the years have gone by he has prospered, becoming the owner of two business blocks in Lexington, in addition to his mercantile interests. He is a man of resolute purpose, accomplishing whatever he undertakes and allowing no obstacles to brook his path if they can be overcome by persistent and carnest effort. His name is recognized as a synonym for business integrity for in all of his dealings he is thoroughly reliable, valuing his own self-respect and the merited regard of his fellowmen as infinitely preferable to wealth, fame or position.
ISAAC JONES.
Many important chapters of American history have been written since Isaac Jones started upon the journey of life. He has been an interested witness of public events through many decades, for his birth occurred in Trumbull county, Ohio. November 1, 1823. His parents were William and Margaret (Weatherspoon) Jones, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania and, removing from that state, cast in their lot with the pioneer resi- dents of Ohio and aided in reclaiming what was then a wild western region for the purposes of civilization and development. They located in Trumbull county where they spent the remainder of their lives and reared their family of eight children. Of this number, however, Isaac Jones is the only one now living.
In retrospect Isaac Jones goes back to the time not only when lowa was a frontier state but when Ohio was largely considered the boundary of western civilization, for through the period of his youth in Trumbull county, Ohio, the forests were largely uncut and many of the homes were log cabins. He lived to see many changes there and in the fall of 1854 he came to Iowa to become closely associated with the agricultural development of this part of the state. He first located in Keokuk county where he rented land, con- tinning its cultivation until 1863, when he removed to Washington county and invested the capital that he had saved from his earnings in forty acres of land. With characteristic energy he took up the task of developing it and made his home thereon until 1870 when he sold that property and invested in his present farm, becoming the owner of one hundred and two acres of good land on which he has since made many improvements. Indolence and idleness have ever been utterly foreign to his nature but on the contrary his has been a busy, useful life, bringing good results in the attainment of a comfortable competence.
On the 9th of March, 1848, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Elizabeth Bomer, who was born in England and came to America with her parents when but twelve years of age. She was one of a family of six children and by her marriage she became the mother of eight children: Minerva, now deceased ; Newton, living in Oklahoma ; Martin, at home ; Louis, a resident of this county : Jane, the wife of Fin Birchfield, a resident of Dallas county,
ISAAC JONES
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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Iowa; Franklin, at home; Alice, deceased ; and Etta, who is now in Ohio. The wife and mother passed away in 1896, and was laid to rest in the Bunker Hill cemetery. She not only left a husband and six children to mourn her loss, but also many friends who entertained for her high regard and warm friendship. She was possessed of many good traits of character and her salient qualities of heart and mind endeared her to those who knew her. Mr. Jones has always given his political allegiance to the republican party since its organization, but has never been an office seeker. He has lived the quiet and uneventful life of the farm and in this calling his worth has become known for through his own labor he has wrought out his success. Now at the venerable age of eighty-five years he can look back over the past without regret for he has made good use of his time and talents and has treated all men in a fair. just and honorable manner.
CASEY BROTHERS.
M. T. & J. W. Casey constitute a popular and successful livery firm of Washington. They were born in .this city, the former on the 18th of July, 1868. and the latter on the 28th. of June, 1870. They were sons of James and Delia (Burk) Casey, both of whom were inatives of Ireland, the former born in County Tipperary and, the latter in County Mayo. They came to the United States in childhood days. James Casey going to Ohio where he joined an tincle, with whom he remained for a short time. Mrs. James Casey, having read of the greatness of the new world and attracted by the opportunities which were here offered, and in order to see for herself this wonderful country, made her way to the home of a relative in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, where she remained for a brief period. She then came to Washi- ington, Iowa, to live with an aunt, with whom she remained until she had reached womanhood. After a brief time spent in Ohio James Casey came to Iowa and as a stage driver made his start on his regular trips from the loca- tion now occupied by the livery barn which is conducted by his sons. The stage business was then owned and operated by the Western Stage Com- pany. James Casey continued in active business until after the outbreak of the Civil war when he enlisted and served throughout the period of hos- tilities, becoming a member of Company K, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry. during which period he was color bearer of his regiment. Two of his brothers enlisted at the same time and they were in the battle of Shiloh, his brother Patrick being killed in that engagement. James Casey served throughout the entire war and was with Sherman on the march to the sea. while his brother Martin was killed at the battle of Vicksburg. After the restoration of peace James Casey returned to Washington where he learned the stone-mason's trade and later he became one of the leading stone-mason contractors of the city. In later years he was connected with various buisi- ness enterprises, many of which profited largely by his keen discernment and undaunted perseverance. In 1894 the Casey brothers with their father
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bought out the livery business of James Stevenson and up to the father's death, which occurred on the 18th of April. 1891, the business was con- ducted as Caseys' Livery. Since that time the style of the firm has been Casey Brothers and through reliable dealing they have built up the largest livery business in Washington county. They are both genial gentlemen, accommodating, courteous and reliable and these qualities have done much for the establishment of their trade. Their mother survived her husband for some time, passing away October 15. 1907, at the age of sixty-two years. James Casey was also of the same age when he was called to his final rest and both were members of the Catholic church. The only daughter of the family, Mary, became the wife of H. L. Whittaker. a farmer of Jack- son township, and they have five children: Martin, Irene. Marguerite Mabel and Henrietta.
Their sons were reared in this city, pursued their educations in the Catholic school and have always remained here. M. T. Casey was married April 23. 1900, to Miss Bessie Singmaster, of Washington, Iowa, and unto them have been born three children: Ernest, Bernetta and Bernard. J. W. Casey was married on the 13th of July, 1904, to Miss Margaret Sampson, of Washington, Iowa, and their two children are Francis and Lucy.
The Casey brothers are stanch advocates of the democratic party and . are members of the Catholic church, while M. T. Casey is connected with the Knights of Columbus. They have a wide and valuable acquaintance in Washington, where they have always lived, and in the capable conduct of their business they have found that success is ambition's answer.
ALBERT PIMME.
Albert Pimme is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres in Seventy-Six township. He has lived a life of well directed activity and his thrift and enterprise have found expression in the success which has crowned his efforts making him one of the substantial farmers of the community. He is, moreover, one of the respected citizens who in the evening of life receives the esteem and regard which should ever be ac- corded to one who passes the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. Mr. Pimme was born in Prussia, August 17. 1830, and his parents, J. H. and Adaline Pimme were also natives of that country. They resided there until 1854 and then sought a home in the western world, settling in Keokuk county, Iowa. They were among the carly residents of that district and Mr. Pimme entered land from the government and began the develop- ment of a new farm, performing all of the arduous labor incident to con- verting wild prairie into rich and productive fields. Both he and his wife spent their remaining days upon that place, his death occurring in 1889, while his wife died in 1891. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living : Albert, of this review : Mary, the wife of Louis Jones, a resident of Washington county : and Lucy and Elizabeth, both at home.
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Albert Pimme was reared on the old home farm in the land of his nativity and from his youth was associated with his father in his farming enterprises until his twenty-ninth year. He accompanied his parents on the emigration to the new world in his twenty-fourth year and settled with them in Iowa, where he remained until about 1859, when he went to California. In that state he was engaged in mining and farming for seven years, but thinking the advantages of the middle west were superior to those offered on the coast he returned to lowa in 1867. Settling in Keokuk county he engaged in farming on the old homestead until 1893, in the meantime acquiring the title to the property. In the year mentioned, however, he sold that place and purchased his present farm of two hundred acres in Seventy-Six township, Washington county. With characteristic energy he began its further devel- opment and now has a well improved farm equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm property of the twentieth century. He has always made a specialty of raising stock, feeding all of his grain, and his shipments are extensive and his sales profitable.
In the year 1869 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pimme and Miss Regina Baumert, of Keokuk county, Iowa, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1841 and was a daughter of John and Magdalena Baumert, who came to Iowa at an early day. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pimme were born nine children : Andrew, living in this county; Mary, at home; Emma, deceased ; Lucy, Albert and Elizabeth, who are yet under the parental roof ; and three who died in infancy. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and their Christian faith is the motive spirit which guides their lives. Their home is a hospitable one, always open for the reception of their friends, who are many. In his political views Mr. Pimme is a republican, fearless in support of the party, and in fact his position on any vital question is never an equivocal one. He has served as school director, and as supervisor for several years and his public duties have ever been discharged in a most prompt and creditable manner.
JOHN WHITE LOGUE.
Honorable and gratifying success has crowned the efforts and rewarded the industry of John White Logue, now well known as a retired farmer and respected citizen of Washington. All who know him-and he has a wide acquaintance-speak of him in terms of high regard. A native of Pennsyl- vania, he was born in Montgomery county, March 20, 1836, a son of John and Susannah ( Davis) Logue. The father was a son of James Logue who came from Ireland to the new world and spent his last days in Norristown, Pennsylvania. his grave being made at Skippack Hills, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was married twice and his family included four sons and three daughters. The maternal grandfather of John W. Logue was a resident of Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farming. Both he and his wife died there after rearing a large family.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
John Logue, father of Jolm White Logue, came from Ireland to the new world at the age of eight years and in early life engaged in draying in Philadelphia. He was married in the east to Miss Susannah Davis, a native of Pennsylvania, and subsequently they removed to Carroll county, Illinois. where they lived for ten years. Arriving in Washington county, Jowa, in 1867 the father purchased a farm near Lexington and devoted his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of that place until his life's labors were ended in death when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife survived him and died four or five years later at the age of seventy. They were both consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Lutheran church. While the family numbered seven sons and a daughter only two are now living, the younger being Nathaniel L., of Morrison. Illinois.
John W. Logue was reared near Norristown, Pennsylvania, and is in- debted to the district and public schools for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He spent his youth in the usual manner of farm lads of the period. working in the fields to the age of eighteen years when he began learning the carpenter's trade. He resided in Illinois from 1855 until 1865 and in the latter year came to Washington county where he purchased eighty acres lying in Washington township. To that tract he added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres in the township and the place is one of the well developed farms of the community, the fields having been brought under a high state of cultivation owing to the continuous care and labor Mr. Logue bestowed upon them. In addition to his Iowa property he owns a quarter section near Minot. Ford county, North Dakota. He lived upon his farm in this county for forty-four years and in 1900 removed to Washington, owning and occupying a beautiful home at No. 1038 North Second avenue. He had also erected substantial buildings on his farm in- cluding an attractive residence and ample barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact all of the equipments of his place were in keeping with the modern spirit of progressive agriculture.
On the 3d of February. 1865. in Illinois, Mr. Logue was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah Araminta Austin, who was born in Sharpsburg. Mary- land, in 1838 and was one of the seven children of Joseph and Ann ( Nourse ) Austin. The former was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Austin, natives of Delaware and the latter was a daughter of Dowdel and Sarah Nourse. her father being a native of Kentucky and the owner of a large plantation there. Joseph Austin was born in Maryland and his wife in West Virginia. They were the parents of two sons and five daughters but only two are now living, the younger being Mrs. Susan Rinedollar, the wife of Dr. Rinedollar, of Mount Carroll, Illinois. The elder is Mrs. Logue who by her marriage has become the mother of seven children : Charles, who married Emma Crumb and has four children, Bernice. Flavius, Wayne and Zelta, follows farming near Esterville, Iowa, where he owns a half section of land. Maude is the wife of Eugene Snyder, a resident of Seattle, Washington, and they have two children. Earl and Donald. Frank is a resident of San Francisco. Mary is the wife of Harvey Wilson, a farmer of Highland township, this
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county, and they have three children, Ressa, Glenn and Donald. George died in North Dakota in 1906. Louella is at home. Ida is the wife of John Burgland, of Echo, Minnesota. Mrs. Logue holds membership in the Bap- tist church and is a lady of attractive social qualities. Mr. Logue gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has held some local offices, serving as supervisor, school director and overseer of the poor, being the incumbent in the last named at the present time. His residence in this county covers a period of forty-four years and he has, therefore, witnessed much of its growth and development. Throughout the greater part of this period he has been an active factor in the agricultural progress of the county and that his labors have been practical, enterprising and progressive, is manifest in the handsome competence which he is now enjoying.
JOSEPH REINER.
Joseph Reiner, who since 1901 has lived retired in Washington, was formerly for many years actively identified with the agricultural interests of this county. He was born in Austria, October 3, 1842, his parents being Joseph .\. and Anna M. (Arker) Reiner, who were also natives of that country. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1851, they pur- chased land in Washington county, lowa, and here continued to reside until called to their final rest, the father passing away January 5, 1878, while the mother's death occurred in 1865. Joseph A. Reiner improved his farm and became widely recognized as a substantial, enterprising and progressive citi- zen of the community. His family numbered nine children. of whom the subject of this review is the only survivor.
Joseph Reiner acquired a good practical education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company K, Thir- tieth lowa Infantry. He participated in the engagements at Haines Bluff. Arkansas Post, Black River and Vicksburg and started on the march to the sea with Sherman. At Cherokec, Alabama, he was wounded in the thigh and then taken to the hospital at Memphis, where he remained for two months, when he was transferred to the St. Louis Marine Hospital, there continuing for nine months. Subsequently he was placed in the Veteran Reserve Corps and was honorably discharged at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1865, returning to Washington county with a most creditable and commend- able record as a soldier. On once more taking up the pursuits of civil life he was engaged in the operation of a rented farm for two years, on the expiration of which period he purchased forty acres in English River town- ship. Washington county. where he lived for fifteen years. After disposing of that property he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Jack- son township, in the cultivation and improvement of which he was success- fully engaged for twenty years. His holdings now comprise two hundred and fifty-five acres of rich and productive land in Jackson township but
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since 1901 he has lived retired in his handsome residence in Washington, Iowa, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well carned ease, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries that go to make life worth the living.
On the 21st of April, 1867, Mr. Reiner was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ann Matron, whose birth occurred in Ohio, May 10, 1847, her parents being John and Emeline ( Creeber ) Matron, the former a native of Germany but of French descent. John Matron went to Ohio in 1842 and in 1857 took up his abode in Tama county, lowa, where he made his home until he passed away on the 20th of January, 1881. His wife, surviving him for a number of years, was called to her final rest on the 24th of February, 1888. Unto this worthy couple were born twelve children, seven of whom still survive
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reiner have been born eleven children, namely : Elizabeth, whose birth occurred June 6, 1868, and who is now the wife of Joseph Casper, of Jackson township ; Rachel A., who was born August 29. 1860, and died July 22, 1870; Charles V., born January 6, 1871, who passed away May 13, 1871 : Joseph S., born October 5, 1872, who is now a resident of Jackson township: Rosilla, whose natal day was August 30, 1874, and who is now the wife of Dennis Brennan, of Johnson county, Iowa ; Anton and Antoinette, twins, who were born August 19, 1876, and are both mar- ried, the latter being the wife of William Conning of Washington county ; John A .. born August 16, 1880, who is now living in Canada ; Margaret C., born October 18. 1883, who has completed courses in both vocal and instru- mental music and is at home ; Bertha A., whose birth occurred June 29, 1885, and who is now the wife of Hugh Dugle, of Washington : and Anna M .. born January 7, 1800, who is a graduate of the Washington Academy and is at home.
Politically Mr. Reiner is an unfaltering republican and has served his fellow townsmen in the position of supervisor, while for seventeen years he was a member of the school board, ever discharging his official duties in a prompt and capable manner. Both he and his wife are faithful communi- cants of the Catholic church and have the warm regard and esteem of many friends throughout the community. Having been a resident of Washington county for fifty-eight years, he is largely familiar with its annals from pio- neer times down to the present and that his career has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that the associates of his youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.
HION. SAMUEL M. MCCLEERY.
Ilon. Samuel M. MeCleery, whose position in the public regard is indicated by the fact that he is now representing his district in the lowa assembly, is also well known as an enterprising and successful business man, being extensively engaged in dealing in live stock. His entire life has been passed in the middle west, his birth having occurred in Sandwich, De Kalb county,
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