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 36
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
sixty-six years. They attended the Methodist church of which Mrs. Bovee was a member and they were highly respected throughout the community.
John Edwin Bovee was only six years of age when brought by his parents to Washington and in the public schools he pursued his education, passing through consecutive grades until he entered the Washington Academy. On putting aside his text-books he secured a clerkship in a dry-goods store where he remained for seven years and later he spent two years in California before his marriage. He afterward engaged in the dry-goods business on his own account at Columbus Junction for a year and a half. While in busi- ness there Mr. Bovee was married on the 12th of June, 1890, to Miss Bessie Babcock, a daughter of Nathan L. and Ophelia (Smith) Babcock. Mrs. Bovee was born in Washington county and her father was a native of the state of New York. He became one of the early settlers of southeastern Iowa and engaged in farming in Jackson township, but for a number of years past he and his wife have lived in Washington, from which point he superintends his farming interests. They became the parents of seven children, of whom three are living : Ola, wife of A. R. Miller ; John A., of the Union Stockyards of Chicago : and Josephine. Mr. and Mrs. Bovee became the parents of four children : Charlotte, who died in infancy ; Edith : Nathan Henry : and Bessie. The wife and mother died January 16, 1906, at the age of thirty-eight years, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was a devoted member. Mr. Bovee belongs to Orion Lodge, No. 118, K. P .. and to the Modern Woodmen of America. For four years he has represented the second ward in the city council and is loyal to the best interests of the city, giving his aid and influence to promote its welfare along many lines. He now resides at No. 714 North Second avenue, where he erected a good residence in 1897 and he also owns two other houses in Washington. His life has been that of a busy, active man who realizes that in his individual labor lies the source of all genuine and worthy success.
F. W. HAGIST.
Among the representative citizens of Seventy-Six township who are de- voting their lives to the tilling of the soil and in their efforts are meeting with substantial success, is F. W. Hagist. A native of Bureau county, Illinois, he was born October 24, 1861, a son of George and Wilhelmina ( Mahlin ) Hagist, both natives of Germany. The parents were reared in the fatherland and after their marriage came to the new world, settling in Bureau county. Illinois. In 1867 they removed to Keokuk county, lowa, where the father secured a section of land, for which he paid nine hundred dollars. He de- voted his remaining days to the cultivation and improvement of this property, and here passed away in 1908 at the age of eighty-two years, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1906 when seventy-six years old.
The early years of F. W. Hagist were passed in his parents' home and in the acquirement of an education in the common schools of the neighbor-
MR. AND MRS. F. W. HAGIST
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
hood, while the periods of vacation were devoted to the work of the fields. He remained on his father's farm until he attained his majority and assisted in the work of cultivation and improvement, becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, so that he was well able to take charge of a place for himself when, having reached his twenty-first year, he rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own ac- count. He remained on this place for three years and then, in March, 1889, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It consists of one hun- dred and seventy-six acres of land in Seventy-Six township and when the property came into his possession he had not a dollar to pay down on it. With characteristic energy and determination, however, he applied himself to the task of tilling the soil and year by year he prospered in his undertaking until, at the present time, the farm is not only entirely paid for but the owner is classed among the substantial and influential farmers of his community. He has given his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits, and aside from his home farm he rents considerable land, being one of the most extensive operators in this section of the county.
In 1888 Mr. Hagist was united in marriage to Miss Maggie B. Smith, a native of Keokuk county, this state, and unto them were born eleven chil- dren : Florence Ethel, Amy R., Everett E., Virgil W., Flavious F., Flossie P., Vera G., Lela M., Merle C., Mable L. and Donald G. All of the children are at home with the exception of the eldest, Florence Ethel, who is now the wife of George Stoutner and resides in Seventy-Six township.
Mr. Hagist is staunch in his advocacy of the principles of the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, preferring as he does to devote his entire time and energies to his private interests which, under his capable management and careful direction, are returning to him substantial annual profits. The salient characteristics in his business career have been indefatigable industry and unfaltering de- termination, and the success which he today enjoys ranks him among the prosperous and progressive representatives of Washington county.
MRS. M. E. KIBURZ.
Mrs. M. E. Kiburz is a representative of one of the old families of Iowa. She was born in Canton Graubuerden, Switzerland, in 1861, her parents being John A. and Catherine Ambuehl. Her father is a retired farmer of Jones county, Iowa, and has now attained the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Am- buehl, however, died in 1897 at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of eight children : Ursula, now deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Rev. Janette, of Wisconsin; Catherine, the wife of Nicholas Baer ; George, a resident of Jones county, Iowa; Mrs. Kiburz; Andrew, living in Jones county, Iowa ; Dorothy, the wife of Jacob Ardueser ; and one who died in in fancy.
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Mrs. Kiburz spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to John Rauche, who was born in Chi- cago, Illinois, and with his parents came to Iowa at an early date. He devoted his time and energies to teaching school until his health failed him and he then went abroad, hoping that he might be benefited thereby. He made a trip to Switzerland, where his death occurred. He left his widow and two daughters, Laura K. and Elizabeth D. The former is now the wife of Alford Moore, a resident of Jones county, Iowa, and is a graduate of the Monti- cello, Iowa, high school, while for six years after her graduation she engaged in teaching. Elizabeth is the wife of S. E. Johnston, now a resident of St. Paul.
Following the death of her first husband Mrs. Rauche gave her hand in marriage to Edward Kiburz, a son of Samuel and Hannah Kiburz, both of whom are now deceased. Edward Kiburz is employed by the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, having for more than twenty years been foreman of a number of bridge workers. He is an industrious, energetic man and holds a responsible position. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kiburz have been born five children, but they lost three, John. Catherine and one not named. The surviving children are Onward and Maud L. Mrs. Kiburz owns an interest in a farm in Jones county, Iowa, and also a fine residence in Wash- ington. Mr. Kiburz belongs to the Masonic fraternity in Monticello, Iowa, and attends services at the First Presbyterian church, of which his wife is a member and takes an active and helpful interest in its work. They are well known in the city in which they reside, having here a large circle of warm friends who entertain for them kindly regard and good will.
WV. A. WALKER.
No history of Ainsworth would be complete without extended mention of W. A. Walker, who for more than forty years has been closely identified with the commercial, financial and political development of this city. He is the pioneer merchant of Ainsworth and is well known in financial circles as the president of the Ainsworth Bank, while he has long been actively inter- ested in the public affairs of the community.
A native of Tennessee, he was born in Blount county on the 23d of March, 1841, a son of John and Esther ( Henderson ) Walker. The father was also born in Tennessee and here his entire life was spent. He was a farmer by occupation and an active politician in his day. He gave his allegiance to the democracy until the Fremont campaign, and from that time until his demise was identified with the republican party. A member of the United Presbyterian church, his life was in harmony with its teachings. He cante of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his grandfather, in company with two or three of his brothers having arrived in America during early colonial days, presumably taking part in the war for independence. His wife was also a native of Tennessee, where she was reared and married and spent her entire
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life. In their family were nine children, namely : D. C., a farmer of Blount county, Tennessee : Malinda E., deceased ; Nancy Jane, also deceased; W. A. of this review ; F. P., a farmer of Blount county ; Anna, the widow of a Mr. Blankenship : Lucinda, the wife of J. W. Keiser : John A., a farmer ; and Hester, who has also passed away. The surviving members of the family, with the exception of our subject, all reside in Blount county, Tennessee.
The early life of W. A. Walker was passed in the home of his parents in the acquirement of an education. He attended the common schools of his native state and supplemented his early training by a course of study at the old Washington College, while in 1862 he removed to Louisa county, Iowa, where he spent one year in study. He then engaged in teaching school for one term, but in 1863 he heeded his country's call for aid and enlisted for three years' service as a member of Company F, Twenty-fifth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. He took part in many hotly contested engagements, among them being the battle of Atlanta and Savannah, and he was with Sherman on his march to the sea and participated in the campaign immediately following, stopping at Raleigh, North Carolina, for a time, and then proceeding onward to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review held at that place. He received an honorable discharge in Kentucky and with a most creditable military record returned to his home in Tennessee.
After the close of the war Mr. Walker remained in Tennessee for about a year and a half, this period being spent in further study and in teaching. The fall of 1867, however, witnessed his arrival in Washington county, Iowa, where the winter of 1867-8 was spent in teaching. In the spring of the latter year he came to Ainsworth where, thinking to enjoy better opportunities along commercial lines, he established himself in the drug business in partnership with Dr. Tustisan. This relation existed for about five years, when the latter sold his interest to Mr. Walker, who conducted the enterprise alone until 1881, in which year he admitted Mr. Maxwell to a partnership. After a period of five years, however, he bought Mr. Maxwell out and has since remained alone. In 1904 hc sold his drug stock and purchased a supply of general merchandise and in the intervening years his trade has grown to large proportions, his establishment being recognized as the leading general store in Ainsworth, its owner being the oldest merchant in the city. The main building of the store is twenty-two by seventy-six feet and is owned by Mr. Walker. He is up-to-date and progressive in his business methods, while all transactions have been conducted according to the strictest rules of honor and integrity. As he has prospered he has not confined his attention to mercantile interests alone, but has been active along other lines, being one of the organizers of the Ainsworth Bank, of which he is now the president and a stockholder. He has also invested largely in real estate, being the owner of a house and lot in Ainsworth, place of his residence, and he has made other substantial investments.
Happily situated in his home life, Mr. Walker was united in marriage in 1871 to Miss Mary C. Stretch, and unto this union were born four chil- dren : May, the wife of E. P. Jeffries, of Washington county ; Martha, a resident of Colorado; Malinda; and Grace, who assists her father in the
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store. The mother of these children died in 1886 and in 1895 Mr. Walker married Mrs. N. J. (Maxwell) Crawford, the widow of Dr. William Craw- ford, by whom she had a son, H. G. Crawford, now of Arizona. The Walker family is prominent in the community where they reside and their home is the seat of cordial hospitality that is enjoyed by a large number of warm friends.
Mr. Walker's religious faith is indicated in the fact that he holds mem- bership in the United Presbyterian church, while in his political allegiance he is a republican. He has been called to public office by his fellow citizens and is now acting as township clerk, while for twenty years he served as post- master of the city. He has always taken a deep interest in all inatters per- taining to the general welfare of the community and does all in his power to further the upbuilding and development of the city in which he resides. Without especial advantages at the outset of his career, he has put due valua- tion upon life's opportunities and utilized his advantages to the best of his ability, and he is now numbered among the worthy and valued citizens of Ainsworth.
HENDERSON MANNERS.
The enterprising little town of Crawfordsville finds in Henderson Man- ners a prominent and worthy representative of its business interests. He is here conducting a furniture and undertaking establishment, carrying a care- fully selected line of goods for which he finds ready sale. He was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, a son of G. W. Manners, who was born in Allegheny county, that state, where he resided until 1854. when he removed westward to Iowa, locating in Louisa county. There the father made his home until after the Civil war, when he came to Washington county. He had previously devoted his energies and time to general agricultural pur- suits but in this county he put aside business cares and lived retired until his death, which occurred May 15, 1890. He was ever an honest and con- scientious man, careful and painstaking in all that he did and was respected by all who knew him. He possessed a jovial and genial disposition and dis- played those traits of heart and mind which shed around him much of the sunshine of life. When he passed away his remains were laid to rest in a cemetery near Wyman. His wife, Jane Gray, was also a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where they were married on the 11th of May, 1826. Her death occurred in Louisa county, Iowa, on the Ist of March, 1865, and her remains were interred in the cemetery near Wyman.
The family of this worthy couple numbered nine children: Joseph, who was born April 11, 1827, enlisted in 1861 and served for three years as a member of Company C, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, after which he returned to this state and here resided until his death on the 13th of November, 1903 : James G., born August 6, 1828, died on the 17th of July, 1849: Sarah, born April 9. 1830. passed away May 4. 1852: Margaret T., born August 29.
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1831, died on the 14th of April, 1857 ; Hannah M., born December 18, 1838, died June 16, 1845: John, a twin brother of Hannah, passed away June 25. 1903 : Henderson, the subject of this review ; Isabel, born April 1, 1842, died October 19, 1861 ; and William A., born November 11, 1845, enlisted as a member of Company C. Eleventh Iowa Infantry and served until the close of hostilities, after which he became a resident of this state and departed this life October 7, 1904. Having lost his first wife the father married again on the 21st of December, 1869, his second union being with Mrs. Margaret N. Cowden.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of the un- eventful life of the farm boy in his youth, and while spending his minority in his father's home, llenderson Manners attended the common schools, although his privileges in that direction were somewhat limited. as the school system had by no means reached its present state of perfection in Iowa. He engaged in teaching school for a short time, devoting most of his attention to the work of the farm, until after the outbreak of the Civil war. About that time he obtained a position as clerk in a general store in Davenport, Iowa, but soon offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Com- pany I, Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry, in 1864 in response to the call for troops to serve for one hundred days. On the expiration of this term he again took up his abode in Davenport and resumed his old position, there remaining until 1866. He afterward spent a short time as a clerk in a store in Craw- fordsville but later ill health forced him to abandon the business and he then entered the employ of an insurance company. In the spring of 1867 he went west but in the fall of that year returned to Crawfordsville and secured a clerkship in a grocery store. A year later he purchased the business from his employer and conducted it successfully for two years, after which he sold out. He then clerked in a general store for two years and subsequently entered the grocery business in connection with his brother. Afterward they added a stock of general goods and carried on a business in that line until 1890 or 1891, when Mr. Manners turned his attention to the furniture busi- ness. He had already established an undertaking business in 1877, and he added his stock of furniture while acting as postmaster of Crawfordsville, which position he filled for ten years. He is now senior partner of H. Man- ners & Son, and they carry a large and well selected line of furniture adequate to meet the varied tastes of the public. Mr. Manners is also a licensed em- balmer and has been engaged in the undertaking business for thirty-two years, being the oldest in this line in the county.
On the 19th of October, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Manners and Miss Josephine Cowden. They hecame the parents of five children : William G., who was born October 9, 1870, and is now living in Hubbard, Iowa, where he is well known as the editor of the Monitor ; Mary, at home ; Alice, the wife of W. P. Davidson, a hardware merchant of Crawfordsville : Harry A., who died July 14, 1893; and Nellie J., at home. The wife and mother departed this life May 19, 1899, and her death was deeply regretted by many friends who entertained for her a warm regard because of her many excellent traits of character.
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In his political views Mr. Manners has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, always supporting the organi- zation which has been the party of reform, progress and improvement. For sixteen years he filled the office of township clerk, for fifteen years was sec- retary of the school board and for two years was justice of the peace. He served as the first mayor of Crawfordsville, filling that position for three consecutive years. He discharged the duties of these positions in a most prompt and conscientious and painstaking manner and his reelection was proof of the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He is a member of the Grand Army Post of Crawfordsville and since 1886 has been an elder in the United Presbyterian church in which he holds membership. His has been a useful, active and well spent life and his success is the visible evidence of his business thrift and enterprise.
S. G. WOOD.
S. G. Wood, a well known and substantial citizen of Brighton, is now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former well directed labor and capable management as an agriculturist. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 17th of November. 1842, his parents being Stephen and Eliza (Mount) Wood. The father, a native of New York city, there resided until he had attained man's estate, when he went to Ohio, where he was married and made his home until 1845. In that year he removed westward, locating in Jefferson county, Iowa, where he resided until called to his final rest in 1851, his remains being interred in the Brighton cemetery. While living in his native city he had followed the carpenter's trade but in Ohio and Iowa gave his attention to general farming and was widely recognized as a pro- gressive and enterprising agriculturist. Politically he was a whig, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, passed away in couple were born nine children, as follows: Helen, Charles, Jeremiah, Susan, 1866 and was also laid to rest in the Brighton cemetery. Unto this worthy all of whom are deceased; John, who defended the interests of the Union as a member of Company K, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, and after one year's service died at Jackson, Tennessee, as the result of exposure : E. W. and Jeremiah (the second of that name), both deceased ; Martha Jane ; and S. G.
In the acquirement of an education S. G. Wood attended the common schools of Jefferson county and of Brighton. He was a pupil in the first schoolhouse that was established in his district, the little "temple of learn- ing" being a log structure with slab seats and other primitive furnishings. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age and then began farming on his own account in Jefferson county, where he continued as a representative of agricultural interests until three years ago. In addi- tion to the work of tilling the soil he was also engaged in stock raising, mak- ing a specialty of hogs, and owing to his untiring industry and excellent busi-
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ness ability he prospered in his undertakings as the years went by, at length gaining a competency which obviated the necessity of further toil. His prop- erty holdings now include five hundred and ninety acres of rich and produc- tive land in Jefferson county and three hundred and ninety-five acres in Washington county, and his success is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it has been attained entirely through his own efforts, for at the outset of his career his only assets were a stout heart and willing hands. Three years ago he removed to Brighton, erected a commodious and attrac- tive residence and has since been numbered among the substantial and public- spirited citizens here.
In 1866 Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Jane Townsley, whose birth occurred in Miami county, Ohio, September 24, 1844, her parents being Jackson and Margaret (Rodgers) Townsley, natives of Greene and Miami counties, Ohio, respectively. In 1849, the father took up his abode in Wash- ington county, Iowa, and here carried on general farming until called to his final rest in November, 1908, his remains being interred in Brighton ceme- tery. By his first wife, who passed away in 1851, he had four children, namely: Mrs. Wood ; John W., an agriculturist of Ringgold county, Iowa ; and two who are deceased. For his second wife Mr. Townsley chose Miss Harriet Lyon, by whom he had two children: Minerva, the wife of Alex Clark, a farmer of Brighton township; and Laura, the wife of Harry F. Smith. who is engaged in the hardware business in Amarillo, Texas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wood have been born two children, namely: Margaret, born December 28, 1867, who is now the wife of A. J. Johnson, a farmer of Jef- ferson county, and has four children, Edgar. Oscar, and Dean and Dan, twins ; and E. W .. born October 15, 1872. who married Osa Smith, an agri- culturist of this county, and has two children, Helen and Charles.
In his political views Mr. Wood is a stalwart republican, believing that the principles of the party are most conducive to good government. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. They have a wide acquaintance in this section of the state and nearly all who know them entertain for them warm friendship and kindly regard.
H. H. BRINNING.
H. H. Brinning, a prosperous and well known agriculturist of Jackson township, was born in Dutch Creek township. Washington county, Iowa, on the 17th of May, 1858, his parents being Henry and Dorothy (Duensing) Brinning. both natives of Germany. In 1842 the father accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being es- tablished in Dutch Creek township. Here he built a little log cabin with clapboard roof and lived in the same for several years. At the time of his arrival this part of the state was still largely unsettled and undeveloped and he entered a tract of land from the government for farming purposes.
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