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 28
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On the 29th of December, 1871, Mr. Pearson was married to Miss Nancy Ellen Utterback. Her mother bore the maiden name of Bryan and was a relative of W. J. Bryan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have been born seven children : Charles, who has passed away; Mary, the wife of J. S. Hartwick, of Davenport, lowa, who is head bookkeeper for the Rothschild Grain Company ; William and Emma, who have passed away ; John Harry, who married Miss Quince Hartwick and is living on the home farin : Madge, who is with her parents ; and one who died in infancy.
In his political affiliation Mr. Pearson is a democrat and in 1887 was ap- pointed under President Cleveland to the office of postmaster but was re- lieved when President Mckinley was elected. He is now mayor of Ains- worth and to the discharge of his duties brings the same spirit of enterprise which characterizes his private business affairs. He seeks the good of the community through restrictive and constructive legislation and favors every movement that tends to benefit the community. He is a member of Orient
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Lodge, No. 365, A. F. & A. M., and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In every relation of life he has put forth persistent effort that has resulted in the attainment of his purpose and he stands today among those whose successful leadership in business affairs well entitles him to be numbered among the captains of industry.
FINLEY E. RICKEY.
A little log cabin on section 33. Lime Creek township-one of the pioneer homes of the county-was the birthplace of Finley E. Rickey. Today he looks abroad over two hundred and ten acres of rich land on the same section that is now his own property, for in the passing years he has become one of the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of this part of the state. widely known in connection with his live-stock interests as well as through his development of the fields. His natal day was March 2, 1864. his parents being William and Mary (Parker) Rickey. The father's birth occurred in Pick- away county, Ohio, in 1835, while the mother was born in the state of Iowa. Removing westward he took up his abode in Washington county and lived here until his death, purchasing and improving the farm upon which Finley E. Rickey now makes his home. He served as a soldier in the Civil war and was a loyal advocate of the Union cause, doing everything in his power to uphold the old flag as the standard of a united nation. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he always took an active interest in politics, but did not seek or desire office. He preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and his careful management brought him a gratifying measure of success so that at the time of his death he owned three hundred and sixty and one-half acres in Lime Creek township. He departed this life March 14. 1888, and for about two years his widow sur- vived, her death occurring October 23, 1890. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Rickey there were eight children : Finley E., of this review : M. L., now deceased ; Irva D., the wife of J. E. Adams, of this county : Charles, also living in this county; Rose M., the wife of D. A. Maloney, of Colorado; lda ()., living in Denver, Colorado : Winfield S., of this county ; and one who died in infancy.
Reared as a farm boy, Finley E. Rickey remained at home up to the time of his marriage. The lady of his choice was Miss Sadie E. Hampsher, who was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1870. and was a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Thompson) Hampsher, who were also natives of the Keystone state, the father's birth occurring April 20. 1844, while the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 12th of May, 1850. She passed away June 9, 1905, and the death of Mr. Hampsher occurred on the Ist of June, 1907. Their family numbered six children : John L., living in Kalona, this county; Mrs. Rickey; Alta C. R., who is engaged in teaching school and makes her home with her sister : and three who are now deceased.
MR. AND MRS. F. E. RICKEY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rickey began their domestic life upon a rented farm which they occupied for a year, at the end of which time he purchased the old homestead, where he had first opened his eyes to the light of day. His landed possessions now cover two hundred and ten and one-half acres on section 33, Lime Creek township, and he is numbered among the leading and progressive agriculturists, making a specialty of the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs. His work in this connection is of an important character and his business is constantly growing, bringing to him well merited and substantial success. As the years have passed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rickey has been blessed with four children, but the first and the third died in infancy. Vesa Ruth, born February 12, 1892, is now a student in the academy at Washington, Iowa. Thomas E., the young- est, was born July 10, 1905.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and shape their lives in accordance with its teachings. Mr. Rickey votes with the repub- lican party and, while not a politician in the sense of office seeking nor has he ever desired political preferment, he has served as school director for about twenty years. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Well- man and has the warm regard of his brethren of that fraternity. He has lived to see many changes in the county for in this day the log cabins are few, most of the farm homes being commodious and at times even palatial residences. No longer is the countryside covered with the native prairie grasses, but in rich fields responds to the care and cultivation of the farmer, who annually harvests good crops of corn, wheat and other cereals or meets with equal success in the raising of stock. Through the wise use of his opportunities Mr. Rickey has made steady progress and is now the owner of a valuable property, which forty-five years ago surrounded a little pioneer cabin in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day.
MRS. RACHEL FRITS.
Mrs. Rachel Frits is widely known in Lime Creek township, where she has long resided. She is the widow of Frank Frits, who for a considerable period was actively and successfully connected with agricultural interests here. He was born near Dubuque. Iowa, September 19. 1853. and was a son of George and Esther (Merchant) Frits, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Attracted by the broadening opportunities of the middle west, they came to Iowa in the early '40s and after living for some time in Dubnque removed to Washington county, in 1858. at which time they located upon a farm in Cedar township. There they resided until called to their final rest, Mr. Frits giving his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits. His business interests were well conducted and he was numbered among the representative men of the county. In their family were nine children.
This number included Frank Frits, who spent his entire life in Iowa. He pursued his education in the common schools, living throughout the days of
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his boyhood and youth with his parents. After attaining his majority he started out in life on his own account, choosing the occupation to which he had been reared as his life work. His diligence and energy constituted the foundation upon which he builded his success and at the time of his death he owned eighty-four acres of rich land on section 30, Lime Creek town- ship, known as the Sunnyside Fruit farm. He gave considerable attention to the cultivation of fruit and he was also known as the most extensive raiser of hogs in this county, always keeping stock of high grades. The various branches of his business all proved sources of profit, making him one of the substantial farmers of the county as the years passed by.
Mr. Frits was united in marriage in 1801 to Miss Rachel Curl, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, August 21, 1863, a daughter of R. H. and Emeline (Anderson) Curl, both of whom were natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania. On coming to the middle west they first settled in Illinois, purchasing a farm in Peoria county. There they resided until 1880, when they sold that property and removed to Washington county, Iowa. Here Mr. Curl purchased land and with characteristic energy began its further development, continuing its cultivation until 1891. In that year he again sold out and removed to Clarke county, Jowa, where he died August 3. 1900. His widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty-nine years and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Frits, who is the youngest in a family of eleven children. By her marriage she became the mother of three children : Charles R., who was born December 2, 1891 ; Francis M., born May 13, 1900 ; and John Franklin, born December 16, 1903. All are at home with the mother.
The husband and father, however, was called to his final rest on the 26th of December, 1908, and his remains were interred in the Taylor cemetery. In his political views he had been an earnest republican, never faltering in his allegiance to the party. He served as trustee of his township and as a member of the school board for several years, discharging his public duties in a most prompt and capable manner. His life was at all times honorable and upright and gained for him the sincere and continued regard of those with whom he was associated. Mrs. Frits still runs the farm which was left to her by her husband and gives to it her personal supervision, manifesting excellent business ability in its control. She is, moreover, possessed of many of those sterling womanly qualities which everywhere command respect and win regard, and she has an extensive circle of warm friends in this part of the county.
SAMUEL ADDISON WHITE.
Samuel Addison White, president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, of Washington, has for forty-two years been a resident of this county and an interested witness of the changes which time and man have wrought. His own labors have been no inessential element in the work of general
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improvement and advancement. Pennsylvania numbers him among its native sons, his birth having occurred in Lawrence county, March 14, 1840.
His parents were Allen and Martha (Aiken) White, also natives of the Keystone state. The former was a son of Samnel White, who was likewise born in Pennsylvania, where he gave his early life to the stone inason's trade and later devoted his energies to general farming. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and died on the old home farm in Pennsylvania in 1844. He had wedded Sarah Harvey in carly manhood and they became the parents of nine sons and one daughter, which number in- cluded Allen White, whose youthful days were passed on the farm on which his grandfather had settled many years before. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Martha Aiken, a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Henry) Aiken, both of whom lived to an advanced age. They, too, were natives of Pennsylvania and Alexander Aiken followed farming as a source of livelihood, the only interruption to his agricultural efforts coming when he served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age, Mrs. Aiken surviving her husband for a time. They had several sons and daughters, including William, Alexander, Robert. Albert, James, Sarah, Jane, Martha and Mary.
Of that family Martha Aiken became the wife of Allen White and their marriage was blessed with the following children : Mrs. Sarah McClymonds, deceased ; Mary Jane, widow of J. C. Weller : Emma, the wife of Robert Mahard, of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania ; Samuel A .; Martha, the de- ceased wife of T. J. Hyde ; Myra, a resident of Elwood City, Pennsylvania ; Annie, the widow of J. V. McClymonds ; Zerelda, the wife of John Magee, of Pleasant Hill, Pennsylvania ; and Dorothy, the wife of James Hyde. The father devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and reared his children on the old White farm which was the ancestral home of the family and still owned by some of them. He died in Lawrence county, Penn- sylvania, in 1883 at the age of seventy-three years, while his wife passed away in 1890 at the age of seventy-seven years. Their lives were in con- sistent harmony with their professions as members of the United Presbyterian church.
Samuel A. White spent his youthful days on the farm in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and in 1861 when twenty-one years of age responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company C. One Hundreth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry-an organization originally called the "Roundheads." He served for nearly four years as a private and non-com- missioned officer. He was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864, and in addition to that engagement he participated in the second hattle of Bull Run and in the battles of South Mountain, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg and Jackson. He was also in the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee. His regiment belonged to the Ninth Army Corps under General Burnside. In December, 1863, Mr. White reenlisted and his regiment was again attached to the Army of the Potomac. His military ex- perience was a varied one, his first service being with the Sherman and Du- pont expedition to South Carolina in 1861, at which time Fort Walker was
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captured. An effort was also made to capture Charleston by way of James Island, but after much hard fighting and heavy loss was abandoned and the island evacuated. Mr. White also participated in many skirmishes and was a brave and loyal soldier, always found at his post of duty. After being discharged from the hospital he was placed on detached duty in Washington, D. C., as clerk for the general court marshal, and was near when President Lincoln was assassinated. He saw the body as it lay in state in the White House and was present at the funeral. He was also present at the grand review in the capital city and was discharged from the service on the 25th of July. 1865.
When the war was over Mr. White returned home and supplemented his early education by a course in the Iron City Commercial College at Pitts- burg, from which he graduated in February. 1866. He then remained upon the home farm for a time and was also employed in the oil works of that section of the state. but the opportunities of the growing west attracted him and in 1867 he made his way to Iowa, locating at Ainsworth, Washington county. where he engaged in merchandising for fourteen years in partner- ship with Absalom Anderson. They also handled stock and grain and their business interests constantly increased in volume and importance.
Mr. White's well known capabilities led to his selection for official services, he being elected clerk of the district and circuit courts in 1880, fill- ing the position for four years. Later he hecame cashier of the First National Bank, in which capacity he served for seventeen years. He next helped to organize the Farmers & Merchants State Bank in 1902 and was its cashier until 1907. when he was elected to the presidency and remained as the chief officer of the institution, bending his energies to administrative direction and executive control.
On the 3d of November, 1870, Mr. White was married to Miss Elizabeth A. McClelland. a daughter of Dr. William and Clarissa (Christy ) McClel- land. Mrs. White was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and her parents were likewise natives of that state. Her father came to Iowa in 1846 and for three years practiced medicine here, after which he returned to Pennsyl- vania in 1849 and continued a resident of that state until 1855. In the latter year he again came to Iowa. settling in Washington county, where he passed away in his eighty-ninth year. After losing his first wife he married Susan Spence. of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who survives him and lives in Washington.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. White have been born three children : William Allen, Martha Clarissa and Maggie Pearl. The first named, who is assistant cash- jer of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, was graduated from the law department of the Iowa City University and practiced his profession for a time. He was a member of Company D, Fiftieth Regiment Iowa Volun- teers, Spanish-American war. He married Miss Etta B. Stouffer. Martha C. is the wife of Owen G. Wilson, a resident of Des Moines, and they have two sons, Owen G. and Addison White Wilson. The younger daughter, Maggie Pearl, died at the age of one year and a half.
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The parents are members of the First United Presbyterian church and are prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended them. Mr. White belongs to I. G. White Post, No. 108, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander. He also served about seven years as lieutenant and captain of Company D. Second Regiment lowa National Guard. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he was school treasurer for a number of terms, but otherwise has never held nor desired public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of the important business affairs which have claimed his time and attention. Throughout his business career he has made steady progress. The mass of men seem content to remain in the position in which they are placed by birth, experience or environment. Laudable ambition, ready adaptability and a capacity for hard work are essential elements of success, and in none of these requirements is Mr. White lacking. It is not a matter of marvel, therefore, that he occupies a leading position among the business men of Washington who have been the promoters of her progress and development. The position and the success to which he has attained are due also to the fact that he has the ability to correctly appraise the value of a situation and determine its possible outcome.
AARON HUBER.
Aaron Huber, owning and operating a well improved and highly cul- tivated farm of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 15 and 16, Cedar township, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 2. 1850, his parents being Abraham and Prudence ( Snavely) Huber, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. In 1854 they came to Washington county, Iowa, first locating south of Washington, while in 1856 the father purchased the farm which is now the home of our subject, there continuing to reside until called to his final rest in 1899. His wife, surviving him for four years, passed away in 1903. Unto this worthy couple were born three children, namely : Frank, a resident of Washington county ; Aaron, of this review ; and one who died in infancy.
In his youthful days Aaron Huber obtained such education as the com- mon schools afforded and remained under the parental roof until he reached his majority. He was then engaged in the operation of a rented farm for two years, at the end of which time he purchased forty acres of the old home- stead place. As time passed and his financial resources increased he grad- ually added to his landed holdings until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres on sections 15 and 16, Cedar township, which farm has con- tinued his place of residence to the present time. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and in both branches of his business has won a measure of success that entitles him to recognition among the prosperous, enterpris- ing and up-to-date agriculturists of the county.
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In 1873 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Huber and Miss Mary Logue, who was a native of Pennsylvania and is now deceased. She was a daughter of John and Susanna Logue, who reared a family of eight children and are both deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Huber were born seven children, as follows : Clara B., at home; Jessie P., the wife of Harry Crone, of Wash- ington county ; John A., who is a resident of Cedar township ; H. L., also at home : Martha, who has passed away ; one who died in infancy ; and D. A .. also yet at home.
Politically Mr. Huber is a stanch republican and has capably served his fellow townsmen in the position of township trustee, while for thirty years he was a member of the school board. The spirit of enterprise which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west is manifest in his life and has made him a substantial and representative citizen of Wash- ington county, where he has now made his home for more than a half century. His name is honored by reason of the straightforward methods he has fol- lowed, while his personal characteristics-geniality, cordiality and good will -have made him popular with those who know him.
C. L. ROMINE.
The farmning interests of Seventy-Six township find a worthy representa- tive in C. L. Romine, who now owns, occupies and operates a farm of two hundred and sixty-two acres on sections 23 and 24. In its neat and thrifty appearance the farm indicates the careful management and enterprising spirit of the owner. A native of Illinois, Mr. Romine was born in Fulton county on the 16th of June, 1850, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth Romine. His youthful days were spent in his father's home, and under his direction he was trained to the work of the fields. His education was received in the common schools, and lessons of industry, perseverance and integrity were early impressed upon his mind. He continued to assist his father until he attained his majority, after which he started out in life on his own account, working as a farm hand for five years.
Desiring, however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself Mr. Romine then began renting land and thus farmed for a few years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase property. He first bought a farm in Seventy-Six township, which he later sold, and subse- quently he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising two hundred and sixty-two acres of rich and productive land on sections 23 and 24, Seventy-Six township. Here he tills the soil in the production of crops best adapted to the conditions here found and not only raises profitable crops but is also meeting with prosperity as a dealer in hogs and cattle. His work is ever intelligently directed and his unfaltering industry constitutes a splen- did basis upon which to build success.
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On the 8th of May, 1877, Mr. Romine was married to Miss Hortense Cullumber, who was born in Ohio in 1857 and is a daughter of William and Louise (Fleming) Cullumber. Her parents are both now deceased. Mrs. Romine, who was one of a family of five children, has become the mother of two daughters and one son, Cora May, now the wife of Clark Bell, a resident of Seventy-Six township; Elsic, the wife of John Powell, of the same township; and Arthur, who also makes his home in Seventy-Six town- ship.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Romine has given stalwart support to the republican party and its principles. He has served as township trustee and has been school director and treasurer, serv- ing in that capacity until the new law came into effect. He has done good work for the cause of public education, for he believes in the employment of competent teachers and the maintenance of thorough schools. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and because of their many sterling qualities the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Romine belongs to that class of citizens who are termed self-made men, as his own labors have constituted the foundation of his success. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have gone by, recognizing the fact that there is no royal road to success and also fully understanding that persistency of purpose and unfaltering diligence will win out in the end.
W. F. FLEMING.
Among the citizens whom the Keystone state has furnished to Iowa is W. F. Fleming, who was born in Allegheny county. Pennsylvania, and who is now successfully pursuing farming and stock raising in Washington town- ship, this county. His parents were Samuel and Nancy ( Fulton) Fleming, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. The family came to this state in 1864, settling upon land in Washington county, where the father devoted his energies to cultivating the soil until he departed this life in 1880, being laid to rest in Elm Grove cemetery. In his native state he won the reputation of being an efficient educator, having taught school there for a number of years but, upon coming to this state, he gave up the vocation and turned his time and talents to farming. He was a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party, to which he had given much study and in which he was thoroughly conversant and few men in his day were able to cope with him in debate upon political and economical questions. A man of lofty religious ideals, he was a member of the United Presbyterian church, of which body he was an elder and, his daily life being in close touch with the teachings of Christianity, he well deserved the high measure of respect in which he was held by his neighbors. The mother of our subject still resides in this county at the age of seventy-eight years. She reared a family of five children : R. J., an undertaker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sarah J., wife of J. W. McClellan, an attorney-at-law or Ver-
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