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 26
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At the close of the war Mr. Keating returned to this county, where he purchased forty acres of land, upon which he engaged in general farming, becoming quite prosperous and accumulating from year to year until at his death he owned an excellent farm of one hundred and forty-six acres. Upon his death his wife assumed the management of the farm and with the assist- ance of her children her efforts were attended with success, adding one hundred and two acres of land to the tract. The farm at present is one of the best kept and finest in that part of the county.
On the 7th of April. 1864, Mr. Keating wedded Miss Isabella Kennedy, a native of County Down, Ireland, born October 10, 1840, and a daughter of John and Margaret ( Wilson) Kennedy. After coming to America her father located in Herkimer county, New York, where he remained for six years. He then came to this county, where he lived until his death. August 7. 1862. his remains being interred in the old cemetery of Washington. Mrs. Keating's mother was also a native of the Emerald isle, where she was mar- ried, and she entered into rest here April 26, 1869, after rearing five chil- dren, namely: John, who passed away April 24. 1883: James, who was d member of Company F. Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry who lost his life November 12, 1863. at the siege of Vicksburg : Mary .A., who passed away March 4, 1908: Margaret, whose death occurred June 3. 1894; and Isabella. To Mr. and Mrs. Keating were born: Margaret J .. March
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20, 1866; Mary A., born January 1. 1868. died in Syracuse, New York, 1889, and was interred in the Ehm Grove cemetery, this county ; Alice B., born February 26, 1870, died December 19. 1895, her remains also being interred in the Elm Grove cemetery : Walter F., born February 12, 1872. wedded Clara Jensen November 29, 1900, and now resides in Cresbard, South Dakota; John E., whose birth occurred September 25, 1874, resides at home ; Jennie R. was born December 7, 1876; Charles S., born January 29, 1879, resides with his wife, formerly Miss Georgie E. Swift, in Washington township ; and Howard E. was born May 19, 1881.
Politically Mr. Keating was always loyal to the republican party, taking quite an interest in local affairs, and during his career served as trustee of his township and as well in a number of other minor offices. He belonged to I. G. White Post, No. 108, G. A. R. ; was a member of the Baptist church, in the affairs of which he was active ; and, being a man whose daily life was in keeping with the tenets of his faith, he was highly respected by the citizens of the township and in his death the community lost a substantial and worthy man.
J. N. ANDERSON.
J. N. Anderson is a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Washington county, owning a tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Crawford township. He was born in Pawnee county, Nebraska, July 14. 1861. a son of Milton and Mary Ellen (Cochran) Anderson. The father was a native of Kentucky, and on removing westward first settled in Nebraska, where he spent several years. He subsequently came to Wash- ington county, lowa. and later he took up his abode in Page county, this state, making his home near College Springs. He eventually went to Jewell county, Kansas, where he now makes his home. He has made farming his life work. The mother, who was born in Indiana, is deceased. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Anderson numbered eleven children, namely : Belle. the wife of Thomas Jachrist, a resident of Norton county, Kansas ; J. N., of this review : James, a farmer of Jefferson county, Kansas; Charles, who makes his home near Burr Oak, that state; Samuel, David, George and Rufus, all of whom live near Esbon, Kansas ; Lillie, the wife of Walter Wat- son ; and Hattie and Daisy, at home.
J. N. Anderson, the second in order of birth and the eldest son, was educated in the common schools of College Springs, Page county, Iowa. lle remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of eighteen years and then began life on his own account by working as a farm hand by the month. For four years he was thus employed on farms near College Springs and at the end of that time. having acquired a sum that enabled him to engage in farming independently, he operated rented land for several years and when twenty-eight years of age went to McDonough county. Illinois, where he purchased one hundred acres, which he operated six years. After having in that time fully tested the productiveness of Illinois land and
J. N. ANDERSON AND FAMILY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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believing that lowa offered better opportunities to the agriculturist, he re- turned to this state and seven years ago took up his abode ou his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Crawford township. He las erected all the buildings, including a comfortable residence, good barn and other outbuildings and altogether has a well improved property. Al- though Mr. Anderson gives much of his time to general farming, he also raises and feeds cattle on quite an extensive scale and at the present time has one of the finest herds in the county.
In 1890 Mr. Anderson wedded Miss Belle Ehrheart, a resident of Macomb, Illinois. They have a daughter. Bertha, who is an accomplished musician. In politics Mr. Anderson is a republican, giving stalwart sup- port to the party although never seeking public office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his fraternal relations connect him with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen at Crawfordsville. With the in- centive of some day owning land, he worked his way upward from a farm hand and eventually his hopes were realized in the fine tract which is the reward of his efforts.
O. F. LAUBACH.
O. F. Laubach is engaged in the cultivation of a farm of two hundred and twenty acres of Iowa's rich and productive soil. The place is located in Seventy-Six township and here in addition to tilling the land he makes a specialty of raising and feeding full blooded Poland China hogs and also in raising and breeding horses. His business interests are carefully managed and well conducted and have brought to him a substantial measure of pros- perity. Mr. Laubach is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having there occurred on the 18th of March, 1865. His parents, Conrad and Rebecca (Seem) Laubach, were both natives of southern Pennsylvania and in the year 1890 sought a home in the middle west, settling first near Muscatine, but later came to Washington county, Iowa. The following year the father purchased the farm upon which O. F. Laubach now resides and was there- after continuously connected with agricultural interests until his demise, which occurred on the Ist of April, 1907. His widow still survives and is now living in West Chester, Iowa, at the age of seventy-one years.
O. F. Laubach, the only child, remained at home until he had attained his majority and in the meantime pursued his education in the public schools, while the periods of vacation were spent in the work of the fields. When he had reached man's estate he spent a year in travel through the west and then returned to Washington county, since which time he has engaged in general farming, taking charge of the old home place which comprises two hundred and twenty acres. The soil is very arable and productive and responds readily in substantial harvests. His business interests are attended with success for he is discriminating in his judgment and careful in his man- agement. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding full blooded Poland
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China hogs and has some fine stock of that variety. He also raises and breeds horses and each year his sale of stock brings him in very substantial returns.
In 1902 Mr. Laubach was married to Miss Hattie Seem, who was born in Illinois in 1875. Her father is now deceased and her mother is living in Missouri. Mrs. Laubach is a high-school graduate and a lady of culture and refinement. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, Daniel and Lester.
Mr. and Mrs. Laubach are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, interested and active in its work and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Laubach gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests, in the careful control of which lies the secret of his success.
W. T. HAMILTON.
One of the leading men of this section, a most prosperous farmer and a man of affairs, is W. T. Hamilton, of Lime Creek township, Washington county, Iowa. He was born in English River township, this county, May 13, 1846. the son of Dr. Joseph and Caroline ( Piper) Hamilton. The father was a native of West Virginia, the mother of Maine, but both went to Ohio as young people-the mother with her parents-and there they became acquainted and were married. In 1843 the couple came to Iowa, and after a year spent in Iowa county, they located in English River township, Wash- ington county, where the father took up four hundred and eighty acres of government land. Upon this he made his home until his death, which oc- curred August 12, 1890, his wife surviving him nearly two years, dying February 1, 1892. Joseph Hamilton had read medicine and had been gradu- ated as a physician when a young man. He practiced somewhat in Ohio and after coming to Iowa, but the hardships of farming in a new country and his constantly increasing interests in the new life occupied more and more of his time until he was compelled to give up his profession.
W. T. Hamilton received his early training for life under the guidance of his parents and in the district schools. He led a useful life at home until he was twenty-three years of age, when he started to make his own way in the world. His first position was as a herder of cattle, and for some seven years he was connected with the cattle business, herding stock for others at so much per head. In 1872 he married, and the following year bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Johnson county, upon which he made his home until 1881 two years after his wife's death. At that time he removed to Kalona, where he devoted his energies to buying and shipping cattle for some five years. In 1892 he came to Wellman, where he has since made his home. He owns a fine farm of four hundred and eighty-six acres near town, which he had purchased prior to coming to Wellman.
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Mr. Hamilton chose as the bride of his first marriage Miss Maggie Coch- ran, of Iowa county, by whom he had three children : Franklin P., who owns a portion of his father's farm and cultivates the remainder ; Albert P., a resi- dent of Iowa City, Jowa; and the youngest now deceased. In 1896 Mr. Hamilton married Miss Ettie Ross, of Washington county, and to this union there were born two children : Rosalind and Jeannette, deceased.
Mr. Hamilton is a prominent and influential citizen, well known both in Wellman and throughout the county. He assisted in the organization of the Security Savings Bank there, and was made president of the institution. But he has many interests of a broader character. Though now he holds a withdrawal card from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he was for many years an active member of the local lodge, and also belonged to the Wellman lodge of the Knights of Pythias until this society died out in the town. In politics as well Mr. Hamilton plays an important part and his views are of weight in the councils of the republican party, for he is one of the progressive spirits of the body in his section of the county and is vigorous in working for its interests. In short Mr. Hamilton is a man, who, endowed by nature with many fine qualities, has so developed them and employed to his best advantage the opportunities that presented themselves to him, that he has attained an estimable position among the people that know him. His name stands for healthy progress and at the same time for stability.
CHARLES KREBS.
Charles Krebs, an energetic, alert and enterprising agriculturist of Iowa township, where he owns a well improved farm of one hundred and fifty- three acres, was born in that township on the 7th of July, 1871, his parents being Frederick and Rachel ( Hagan) Krebs, who were natives of Ger- many. In the '50s they crossed the Atlantic to the new world, locating in the state of New York, where the father secured employment as a farm hand. Subsequently he removed to Massachusetts and later came to Washington county, lowa, here purchasing a tract of land of forty acres. As the years passed and his financial resources increased through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests, he extended the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of land and continued to reside on that place until called to his final rest on the 27th of March, 1904. His wife still survives at the age of seventy-three years and now makes her home in Riverside, Iowa. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, namely: Mary, who is deceased; Louise, the wife of Jacob Franks, of Iowa township, Jane, who is the wife of Jacob Lawser and resides in Kalona, lowa; Rachel, the wife of Charles Gerot, of Riverside, Iowa; Henry, whose sketch appears on an- other page of this work; Frederick and John, living in Iowa township ; Wil- liam : Charles, of this review : and Gottlieb, who is likewise a resident of Jowa township.
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Charles Krebs remained at home until the time of his marriage and then located on his present farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres, which he had acquired from his father. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has also been extensively engaged in the raising of black-faced sheep. this branch of activity adding not a little to his yearly income. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner and in all of his undertak- ings Mr. Krebs has gained that measure of success which is ever the reward of earnest, persistent and untiring labor when guided by sound judgment and keen discrimination.
On the 22d of October, 1901, Mr. Krebs was united in marriage to Miss Christie Reha, of Riverside, Washington county. Unto them were born four children, three of whom survive: Herman G .. Merle R. and Gottlieb R. Mr. Krebs casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party and keeps well informed on the political questions and issues of the day. Having spent his entire life in this county, he has a wide acquaint- ance within its borders, while his many sterling characteristics have gained him kindly regard and warm friendships.
T. Y. WICKHAM.
The extent and importance of the business interests which have claimed the time and attention of T. Y. Wickham have made him one of the promi- nent men of Washington county, his labors proving a factor in its commer- cial development. He has now retired from mercantile life and lives in Ainsworth but still has investments in business affairs which are bringing him a substantial financial return. A native of Minisink, New York, he was born February 19. 1836. his parents being Ilalsey and Rebecca (Young) Wickham. The father was likewise a native of the Empire state, where he lived and died, devoting his entire life to the occupation of farming. The family is of Scotch extraction but was founded in America at an early day. The mother was born in the state of New York and came to this county a few months prior to her death. The children of the household were three in number: Emeline, now deceased: T. Y., of this review : and Emmet, who resides in Rockland county, New York.
T. Y. Wickham pursued his education in the public school of his native village and remained at home until his marriage, working on the farm through the period of his boyhood and youth. Entering mercantile life at Mount Salen, New Jersey, he continued in business there until he came to Iowa in November, 1871. At that date he came west. settling at Vinsworth, where he has since resided. Here he entered merchandising, carrying a general stock, and in the conduct of his business he met with gratifying suc- cess. He continued in that line for thirteen years, or until 1884, when he ceased to deal in general merchandise and concentrated his attention upon the hardware business. Some years later he took up the grain and lumber
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business, in which he continued until six years ago, when he disposed of his lumber interests. lle is still, however, connected with the grain business, which is operated under the name of the Wickham Grain Company, the partners being T. Y. Wickham and his two sons. The firm has conducted an extensive grain trade, being advantageously situated in the midst of a very rich farming country. They have two elevators and their shipments are very large. T. Y. Wickham was also one of the stockholders in the Bank of Ainsworth at one time, is the owner of considerable real estate in the village, including a number of fine buildings, and likewise owns twenty-nine acres adjoining the corporation limits. He is a man of firm purpose and unfalter- ing determination who has ever carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. In all of his business interests, too, he is thor- oughly reliable, his name being an honored one on commercial paper.
In 1865 Mr. Wickham was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Corwin, and unto them were born four children: Grace, now deceased ; Emmett T., who is engaged in the general practice of medicine at Washington, Iowa : Harry H., who is a member of the Board of Trade at Chicago ; and T. Y .. a Philadelphia broker. The sons have met with creditable success since start- ing out in the business world and are widely known in business circles of the cities in which they reside.
In his political views Mr. Wickham has long been a stalwart advocate of the republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church and enjoy the warm regard of all who know them because of their genuine personal worth, their generous hospitality and the kindly spirit which they manifest in all life's relations. Dependent upon his own resources from an early age Mr. Wickham has steadily worked his way upward and the secret of his success is found in close application, indefatigable energy and unfaltering diligence. Such a record may well serve to inspire and en- courage others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
FRANK S. McGEE.
Frank S. McGee, who is now living retired on his farm of three hundred acres in Iowa township, was born in Colerain, Massachusetts, on the 29th of September, 1838, his parents being Deacon William B. and Orinda (Allen ) McGee, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The father was of Scotch-Irish parentage, while the mother came of Puritan stock. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, Deacon Thomas McGee, came to this country from Ulster, Ireland, settling in Colerain, Massachusetts, in 1742, when a young man of twenty-eight years. The family is a long-lived one, Deacon Thomas McGee attaining the age of seventy-nine years, while the paternal grandfather, Jonathan McGee, was ninety-eight years of age at the time of his demise. William B. McGee, the father of Frank S. McGee was most modest and retiring in disposition and when at one time he was
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nominated for the legislature even his own family were not aware of the honor that had been conferred upon him. He lost the election by only one vote. He was ninety-four years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in the same house where he was born and where his entire life had been spent. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. His wife had attained the age of ninety-two years when called to her final rest, and Mrs. Jane McGee, the grandmother of Frank S. McGee, lived to be ninety-seven years of age.
Frank S. McGee was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the public schools, by a course at Shelburne Falls Academy. In 1864 he made his way to Davenport, Iowa, and was there engaged in the mercantile business until 1868, when he trans- ferred his operations to Rock Island, Illinois. Later, though still maintain- ing his residence in Rock Island, he was engaged in the wholesale notion business in Chicago for six or seven years. In 1879, at the time of the Leadville boom. he went to Colorado, where he conducted a wholesale busi- ness and forwarded goods from Canon City to Leadville. At the end of two years, however, he removed to Iowa City, Iowa, with the interests of which town he has since been prominently identified. He is the vice president of the Hummer Mercantile Company at that place, was stockholder in and manager of a glove factory there for a year and was also connected with the business interests of Cedar Rapids as a partner in the firm of McGee & Kaupke, now Frick & Kaupke, wholesale dealers in coffee and spices. He was a director of the Iowa City National Bank for some years and served as councilman of lowa City for one term. He also conducted an extensive cattle ranch in Kansas for two years, but is now living retired on his fine farm of three hundred acres in Iowa township, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. A man of excellent executive ability and keen discrimination, he won a creditable and gratifying measure of prosperity in his various undertakings and is widely recognized as one of the substantial, progressive and representative citizens of this section of the state.
On the 15th of March, 1866, Mr. McGee was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eames, a daughter of Charles Eames, who was a native of New Hampshire. The father made the journey westward by lake and river to the Galena lead mines in 1828, walking from Fort Dearborn to Galena. where he followed merchandising. He likewise served as justice of the peace and as the second sheriff of Rock Island county, Illinois. He and his brother George were active participants in the Black Hawk war, his brother being shot while going to the defense of a blockhouse near Galena in Jo Daviess county. In 1836 Charles Eames wedded Miss Letitia McConnell and they established their home in Rock Island county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McGee have been born the following children: Grace, who was graduated from the Iowa State University in 1890, is now the wife of Preston C. Coast, of Iowa City. Alice, who completed the course in the Iowa State University with the class of 1901, was also a student at Oberlin, Ohio, for two years. She is now the wife of the Rev. D. W. Wylie, a Presbyterian minister of Iowa City. John William Bolton McGee, who pursued the law course in the lowa
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State University, served as city clerk for some years and practiced law as a member of the firm of Letts & McGee, of Davenport, Iowa. At the present time, however, he is operating his father's farm in Iowa township, Washing- ton county. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Edith McComber, of Carroll, Iowa, who was also graduated from the State University at Iowa City. Miss Marjorie Eames Coast, a grand- daughter of Mr. McGee, has a Carnegie silver medal, awarded her for saving a life from drowning when she was but a little maiden of eleven years. She is now thirteen and a half years old. The members of the McGee family belong to the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. Mr. McGee has led an active, useful and honorable life, and as one of the most venerable and most respected citizens of his com- munity he well deserves mention in this volume.
SAMUEL CONNER.
On a Pennsylvania farm Samuel Conner was born and in a log school- house was educated, while in 1844 he became a pioneer resident of Iowa. His history more in detail brings to light the following facts. His birthplace was in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and his natal day, August 16, 1824. His parents were Peter and Amanda Maria (Wickup) Conner, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. After coming to America Peter Conner followed teaming in Pennsylvania, hauling iron ore to the furnaces of that state. He died in 1833, while his wife, who was a consistent member of the Methodist church, passed away in 1842. Their family numbered four sons and two daughters: Martin ; Samuel ; William; John and Sarah Jane, twins ; and Mary Ann. Of these Samuel is the only one now living. Wil- liam, who was a resident of Grove city, Pennsylvania, died May 26, 1909.
Samuel Conner was reared in the Keystone state upon a farm amid con- ditions such as are unknown at the present time. He conned his lessons while seated on a slab bench in a little log schoolhouse and when not busy with his text-books his time was largely given to the work of the fields, his training at farm labor being by no means meager. In the fall of 1844 he came to Iowa and settled in Washington, where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He also did contract work for many years and in the summer of 1853 he devoted his attention to farming but in the autumn returned to the city and again took up work at his trade.
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