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 30
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wealth. Back of him the ancestry is traced until the record covers a thousand years. Joshua Tracy, the grandfather of Mrs. Lewis, was a native of Vir- ginia and married Nancy Vaughn, by whom he had eleven sons and one daughter. He lost his life in a snowstorm in the Allegheny mountains while making a trip eastward for salt, when about forty-six years of age. His wife reared their family and lived to be quite old, making her home in Bel- mont county, Ohio, on land which her husband had entered from the govern- ment. She died at the extreme old age of ninety-two years. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Lewis was Robert Moore, who came from Ireland with his wife and settled in Belmont county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. He died, however, when about eighty-seven years of age, and his wife died when about seventy-eight years of age. They were the parents of two daughters: Sarah, who became Mrs. Tracy; and Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel Casey.
Mrs. Lewis was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 2, 1839, and was therefore about seven years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa, in which state she gave her hand in marriage to Robert P. Lewis. They became the parents of three daughters and two sons : Mary Adella, who died at the age of three years; Mide C., who is a milliner and lives at home; Harry Tracy, who died at the age of two years; Helen Beatrice. the wife of James H. Baird, of Rockford, Illinois, and the mother of one daughter, Mary Olivia Beatrice Baird ; and Earl Ashton, a success- ful business man, well known as a jeweler and as the owner of a large manu- facturing establishment in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He married Vera Van Sickle.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Second United Presbyterian church and are well known in Washington and throughout the county, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Lewis belongs to I. G. White Post, No. 108, G. A. R .; his political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party ; and he is always progressive in his citizenship, but without desire for office. His life has been a busy and useful one and his business affairs have ever been characterized by unfaltering integrity and reliability. He has borne his full share in developing the county, which during the period of his residence here has been converted from a wild western district into one of the populous and prosperous counties of this great state. He has seen the building of the railroads, the introduction of the telegraph and the telephone and of many interests which contribute to the comfort and convenience of modern life and which are strong contrasts to the mode of living of the pioneers.
GEORGE G. VINCENT.
George G. Vincent is one of the prominent and prosperous representatives of live-stock interests in this county, having extensively engaged in the breeding of registered shorthorn cattle, while for several years he has fed from one to two car loads of fat cattle for the market. He is today widely known because of his extensive interests as a stock-dealer and his judgment is sel-
MR. AND MRS. C. G. VINCENT
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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dom, if ever, at fault, in matters relative to this field of business. His home is in Seventy-Six township, where he owns three hundred and forty-four acres of as fine land as can be found in the state of Iowa. His record is one which reflects credit and honor upon his native county. His birth occurred in Wash- ington township about two miles west of the county seat on the 9th of August, 1848, his parents, John and Jane J. (McCully) Vincent, having been pioneer settlers of Washington county. The father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1796, and was a son of James and Charity Vincent. In the month of April, 1842, he arrived in Iowa, settling on a farm in Washing- ton township, Washington county, upon which he resided to the time of his death. For two years he rented the land and then entered his homestead claim of two hundred acres. In later years, when success had made him one of the prosperous farmers of the community, he used to say that on his arrival in Iowa he was forty-eight dollars worse off than nothing and that he would have returned to the east if he had possessed the means to get away. How- ever, fate compelled him to remain and he lived to rear a family of eleven children to manhood and womanhood, while in his business affairs he so prospered that he was able to give to each of them an eighty-acre farm while at the time of his death the old home place of two hundred acres was divided among them. All of this land was entered from the government by him, he paying for it the usual price of a dollar and a quarter an acre. His life was one of untiring industry and of indefatigable effort and it was thus that he gained the success which crowned his efforts as the years passed by. He was never an office seeker, but he gave stalwart support to the republican party, feeling that the best interests of state and nation would be conserved thereby. In early manhood he wedded Miss Jane J. McCully, who was born in Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, March 4, 1810. They were consistent and faithful members of the United Presbyterian church and both were killed by a train in October, 1876, while returning home from a visit among their children, the wagon in which they were driving being struck by a passing train. They were accompanied by John Gilmore, who was also killed.
The quiet and uneventful life of the farm boy gives a favorable picture of George G. Vincent in his youthful days. He was reared under the pa- rental roof and began his education in the common schools, while later he had the benefit of instruction in a select school in Washington. At twenty years of age he began cultivating his present homestead, then compromising eighty acres which he received from his father During the first season he operated his land with six yoke of oxen and the following fall fattened the cattle and sold them, purchasing horses with the proceeds of the sale. For the past twenty-three years he has been extensively engaged in the breeding of short- horn cattle and has for years fed from one to two carloads of fat cattle for the market. He has built up an enviable reputation as a breeder of fine stock, shipping his cattle extensively throughout the western states. His name seems to be a guarantee for high grades and it is well known that his stock are ever just what they are represented to be. He is known as one of the best judges of fine stock in Iowa and his business interests of this char- acter have always been conducted in such a manner as to win him substantial
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and well merited prosperity. As his financial resources have increased he has extended the boundaries of his property until it now comprises three hundred and forty-four acres of as fine land as the state produces. Every improvement upon it has been placed there by him, and it is now one of the splendidly developed farms of the community.
In February, 1879, Mr. Vincent was married to Miss Mary Terressa Wright, of Dutch Creek township, and they have become parents of seven children : Jennie Belle, the wife of Isaac Pulver, a resident of Seventy-Six township ; Charity May, a milliner in South Haven, Michigan ; Nellie Anna, a teacher in the high school of Rockford, Iowa; Earl W., who is a graduate of the United Presbyterian College of Monmouth, Illinois ; Martha Grace, a teacher of this county ; Robert Elmer and George Everett, both at home.
The parents and children are all members of the United Presbyterian church and Mr. Vincent has served as a member of the church session for twelve or fifteen years. He contributes generously to its support and co- operates in many of its activities. In politics he is independent, yet rather more strongly in sympathy with the republican than democratic party. He served for several years as justice of the peace and also as a member of the school board and whether in office or out of it has put forth effective effort toward advancing the best interests of the community. He is today num- bered among the wealthy farmers of Seventy-Six township and the activity and integrity that have characterized his life have made him a man whom to know is to respect and honor.
CYRUS F. TIMMINS.
Cyrus F. Timmins, the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Cedar township, is widely recognized as a most progressive and successful agriculturist of his community. He was born in Washington county, Iowa, August 2, 1853, his father being George A. Timmins, whose birth occurred near Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1824. In 1852, George A. Timmins came to Iowa and entered the land which now constitutes the home farm of our subject, giving his time and energies to its development and improvement until his demise in 1885. On his arrival here he found the district still largely wild and unsettled and in order to secure the necessary lumber for the construction of a house, he cut down some trees and hauled the logs to Washington to be sawed. The dwelling is still standing and is in a good state of repair. The widow of George A. Timmins still survives at the age of eighty-two years, making her home with her son, Cyrus F. Her family numbers five children, namely : Milton, who is a resi- dent of Kansas: Cyrus F., of this review; T. A., also of Kansas : Clara, the wife of C. S. Sargent, of Kansas ; and Frank E., who likewise lives in the Sunflower state.
Cyrus F. Timmins attended the common schools in pursuit of an educa- tion and has always continued to reside on the farm which his father entered
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from the government in 1852. His time and attention have been given to the work of the fields throughout his active business career and he now owns two hundred and forty acres of rich farming property and five acres of timber land in Cedar township. In addition to the cultivation of grain he also raises and feeds hogs and sheep, and in his undertakings has gained that measure of success which is ever the reward of earnest and untiring labor when guided by sound judgment.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Timmins chose Miss Josephine Logue, who was born in Carroll county, Illinois, her parents being now deceased. By this union there were born five children, as follows : George C., of this county ; Floyd L. and Mary M., both at home ; and Fred and Eunice, both of whom have passed away. In 1902 Mr. Timmins was called upon the mourn the loss of his wife, her death being deeply deplored by her many friends.
In his political affiliation Mr. Timmins is a stalwart republican and has served as township trustee and school director, discharging his official duties in a most satisfactory and efficient manner. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been a resident of the county from his birth to the present time and has progressed with its develop- ment and growth, while in agricultural circles he now occupies a prominent place.
D. K. SHAVER.
D. K. Shaver is yet connected with farming interests although now in his eighty-eighth year. He is a remarkably well preserved man, especially supple and vigorous, which fact is due to the life that he has led, never abus- ing nature's laws. His birth occurred in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. January 3, 1822. His parents, George and Rosanna (Ankeny ) Shaver, were natives of Frederick county, Maryland, and of Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, respectively. On seeking a home in the middle west they settled in Johnson county, Iowa, where Mr. Shaver took up a claim in 1844. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on that tract of land, but with characteristic energy he began the cultivation of his claim, building a little log cabin, covered with a clapboard roof and supplied with a stick chimney, puncheon floor and clapboard door. On the latter was a wooden latch which was raised with a string as was customary in the olden times, giving rise to the familiar saying concerning hospitality that "the latch string is always out." They met all of the experiences common to pioneer life and aided in extending the frontier, their work being a valuable element in reclaiming the wild district. The father died in 1845, while the mother passed away in 1844. In their family were twelve children, three of whom are yet living : D. K., of this review ; Eleanor, who is the wife of Rein King, of Des Moines, Iowa : and Mrs. Henrietta Hull, living in Muscatine, Iowa.
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D. K. Shaver spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity and when twelve years of age learned the printing trade, at which he worked for more than three decades. At one time he worked as a journey- man on the Standard at Iowa City and he also set the type, making the boundary line of the State of Iowa. He was employed by Judge Bates on a newspaper when that gentleman was a candidate for the governorship of Iowa and he also issued the supreme court reports for Judge Green at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During his early manhood he became widely known in con- nection with the journalistic interests of the state, being a prominent repre- sentative of newspaper circles here. In 1852 he secured a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land in Johnson county, Iowa, in exchange for eight weeks' work he had done for Judge Green. In 1854 he removed to his claim and there remained until 1857, when he took a trip south to Jackson, Mississippi. In that place he worked on a paper but staid there only four weeks, as he was a stalwart whig and the political feeling in the community was so strongly opposed to him that it was necessary for him to leave. Therefore one night he quietly left the town and made his way northward to a more congenial political atmosphere. Landing in St. Louis, he there found employment, working on the St. Louis Republic for three months. Returning to Johnson county, Iowa, he accepted the position of foreman on the Iowa City Republican and engaged in that capacity for two years, while later he established the American Union at Iowa City, conduct- ing the paper for a short period. He next removed to his farm in Johnson county and gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits until 1900, when he sold that tract of land and bought the farm whereon he now resides in Washington county, near the old town of Dayton in Lime Creek township. He has since made his home here and the farm is a well improved property which is conducted under his personal supervision. Few men of his years manifest so active and intense interest in business affairs as Mr. Shaver, but he seems many years younger than the records indicate and has the vigor, physical endurance and enterprise of a man twenty years his junior. He started out in life with few advantages, his education being only such as was afforded in the little log school house of pioneer times. He taught school for a few terms and all through his life he has been a student, learning many valuable lessons in the school of experience.
In 1857 Mr. Shaver was united in marriage to Miss Adaline Donahey, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in October. 1840, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Picken) Donahey, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Of their family of eleven children only three are now living. Mrs. Shaver came with her parents to Washington county, Iowa, when she was only six years of age. Her father entered land from the government in this county and made his home thereon until his death, which occurred in 1854. His wife survived him for eighteen years, passing away in 1876. Two of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Shaver. Bonetta and George D., have passed away. Those who survive are: Birney, living in Mitchell, South Dakota; and E. A., who is operating a cement block factory at Dayton in Lime Creek township. The sons are now building a tile and cement block
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factory, in which they have invested two thousand dollars, it being one of the best equipped plants of its kind now in operation.
In his political views Mr. Shaver is a stalwart republican, having given loyal support to the party since its organization. He has held a number of minor positions and is always progressive and loyal in his citizenship. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Independent Order of Good Templars. He holds very radical views on the temperance question and has never used intoxicants nor tobacco in any form. He is now in his eighty-eighth year and prides himself on being the most supple man in the county of his age, being able to stand and kick the door jam of the house. He attributes his physical strength and endurance to the fact that he has always lived a temperate life, never abusing nature's laws. His is a splendid record of the man whose feelings have ever found expression in prompt action, rather than in plans and theories, who has accomplished what he has undertaken and has left the record of his individuality for good upon various parts of the state where he has put forth a progressive effort along journalistic and agricultural lines.
W. A. STOUTNER.
W. A. Stoutner is the owner of a splendidly improved farm of two hundred and seventy acres on section 7, Seventy-Six township. His place is one of the attractive features of the landscape and gives visible evidence of the spirit of thrift and enterprise on the part of the owner in its highly cultivated fields and in its good buildings. Washington county may well be proud to number Mr. Stoutner among her native sons, for his life record has at all times been a creditable one. His birth occurred here, June 13, 1862, his parents being John and Mary (Keith) Stoutner. The father was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Richland county, Ohio, and in the early '50s they arrived in Washington county, Iowa. becom- ing early residents of this part of the state and recognized throughout the intervening years as prominent and valued citizens of the community. Dr. Stoutner, the father, is still living in Keota but has retired from active busi- ness life. The mother passed away in 1906. They were the parents of six children: Margaret. now deceased: Oliver, who is a resident of Keota; Naomi, the wife of J. W. Stewart, of Seventy-Six township; Edward, de- ceased ; W. A., of this review ; and Nettie, who is a widow and lives in Keota.
W. A. Stoutner, whose name introduces this record, lived at home until he had attained his majority and his youthful days were spent in the usual manner of most farm boys who work in the fields when not occupied with the duties of the school room. On reaching adult age he determined to make the occupation of farming his life work and bought a part of the farm on which he now resides. He has today two hundred and seventy acres on this tract. which is situated on section 7. Seventy-Six township, and is finely im- proved land. The soil is naturally rich and productive and the methods
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of farming which Mr. Stoutner follows are such as make the soil produce its maximum yield. Good machinery is used in carrying on the work of the fields and it is along modern lines of agricultural progress that Mr. Stoutner has directed his efforts with the result that his labors have been attended with gratifying success. In addition to his home property he has three hundred and twenty acres of land in Texas.
In 1884 Mr. Stoutner was married to Miss Martha McCaleb, who was born in Washington county, Iowa, a daughter of R. and Phoebe McCaleb. Her father is now deceased but the mother still lives in this county. In their family were twelve children. Mrs. Stoutner by her marriage became the mother of four children : George E., who resides'in this county ; and Edward J., Arthur W. and Walter R., all at home. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on February 2, 1903, and her death was deeply regretted by all who knew her because of her many estimable traits of character. Her grave was made in the Keota cemetery. On the Ist of June, 1905, Mr. Stoutner was again married, his second union being with Miss Edna Jones, who was born in Keota and was one of the five children of O. B. and Laura Jones, who are yet residents of Keota. By the second marriage there has been one son. William A.
Mr. and Mrs. Stoutner hold membership in the Christian church and his political support is given to the democracy. His life has been quietly passed in the work of the farm and yet he has displayed many sterling qualities which have gained for him the esteem and warm regard of those with whom he has come in contact. He has always lived within the boundaries of Washington county, and therefore for forty-seven years has witnessed its growth and improvement, at all times giving his cooperation to the measures which are of public benefit.
HENRY L. FOSTER.
Henry L. Foster is the owner of one of the extensive farms of Lime Creek township, having three hundred and sixty-one acres of rich and valuable land on section 34. In its operation he displays a practical and progressive spirit, manifesting keen discernment in judging between the essential and the non-essential in all of his business affairs. He is one of the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Washington county, his birth having oc- curred in the Buckeye state, August 19, 1858. He is the youngest of the surviving children of A. D. and Martha (Lucas) Foster, natives of Vermont and Connecticut, respectively. Becoming a resident of Ohio, the father purchased a tract of timber land and after building a log cabin began clearing away the trees and preparing the fields for the plow. He lived upon that place until 1860, when, with his family, he removed to Washington county, Iowa, and bought a farm in Lime Creek township. Both he and his wife remained residents of that township until called to their final rest and were respected as worthy and representative citizens of the community. The father
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died in 1889, and the mother survived until February 8, 1897. Six of their children have passed away, while those who are still living are: E. N., now a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; William A., a prominent farmer of Lime Creek township : Marian, who is living in Cedar Rapids, lowa ; and Henry L.
The last named was just two years of age when the parents brought their family to Washington county, so that practically his entire life has been spent in this locality. He was trained to the work of the fields on his father's farm, alternating his time between the tasks that were assigned him through parental authority and the duties of the schoolroom, his edu- cation being acquired in the common schools. He remained at hiome until he had attained adult age and then started out in life on his own account by renting a farm which he cultivated for three years, but lived on the home farm. On the expiration of that period he purchased a part of the old home- stead and he also inherited a portion of it. Today his landed possessions aggregate three hundred and sixty-one acres on section 34, Lime Creek township. He has improved this by building a fine house and all the out- buildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. Everything about the place is kept in good repair and the farm presents a most pleasing appear- ance, constituting one of the attractive features of the landscape. Annually Mr. Foster garners good crops and he also raises and feeds cattle and hogs. which business he successfully conducts.
While his private interests make large demand upon his time and energies Mr. Foster also finds opportunity for cooperation in public affairs and has done effective work in the interests of public education through several terms' service as a member of the school board. He is also a valued representa- tive of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Dayton Lodge, No. 149, A. F. & A. M., while in Washington he has taken the degrees of the chapter and comandery. His life exemplifies the beneficient spirit of the order for he is in thorough sympathy with its principles, which are based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness.
On the 17th of September, 1885, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Hila A. Jones, who was born in Washington county, Iowa, May 25, 1861, and is a daughter of J. C. and Maria (Cassis) Jones. Her father was born in Licking county, Ohio, while her mother's birth occurred in Orange county, New York. They arrived in this county on the 7th of June, 1854, and set- tled in Lime Creek township. Mrs. Foster was one of a family of five children, but only two are now living. Her father died February 2, 1902, but the mother still survives and is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Foster, at the age of eighty-two years.
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