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 37
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
thus becoming identified with the early upbuilding and improvement of the county. He continued a respected and worthy resident here until called to his final rest in March, 1904, having for more than two decades survived his wife, who passed away February 14, 1882. In their family were seven children, namely: H. H., of this review; Lewis, who is a twin brother of our subject and is also a landowner of Jackson township; Henry, a resi- dent of Cedar township; Christ, who is deceased; John, of Washington county ; Mary, the wife of Henry Horning, of Jackson township; and Katherine, the wife of Adam Horning, of Keokuk, Iowa.
H. H. Brinning obtained his education in the common schools and re- mained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage at the age of twenty-seven years. Subsequently he was engaged in the operation of a rented farm for two years, at the end of which time he purchased a tract of land and in 1892 bought the farm of eighty acres on which he now re- sides, afterward extending its boundaries by an additional purchase of eighty acres. His property is located on sections 29 and 31, Jackson town- ship, and he has placed many substantial and modern improvements thereon, including a commodious and attractive residence. He has also tiled the land and his farm is well developed, indicating in its neat and thrifty appearance the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Brinning chose Miss Mary Horning, a native of Keokuk county, Iowa, whose mother is de- ceased but her father is living. She was one of a family of seven children and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Clarence M., Lillie and Mildred.
In his political views Mr. Brinning is independent, casting his ballot in support of the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for office. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Lutheran church and are prominent socially, having an extensive circle of friends throughout the community. Mr. Brinning has spent his entire life in this county and is therefore familiar with its development from pioneer times down to the present, having aided in the arduous toil which brought about the wonderful transformation that is everywhere apparent in this part of the state.
GEORGE W. GRIFFITH.
A century and a half ago George Washington said: "Agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man." There is in farming none of that intense competition that brings strife or underhand methods in industrial or commercial pursuits. Above all it is the basis of activity and prosperity in every other line of business. George W. Griffith has had much to do with advancing agricultural interests in southeastern Iowa and at one time was the owner of thirteen hundred and eighty acres in Cedar, Jackson and Franklin townships. While he has disposed of much of this land he is now interested in twenty thousand acres in Canada and is the
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENCX TILDEN FOUNDATION
G W. GRIFFITH
MRS. G W GRIFFITH
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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owner of three sections in Texas. He derives his income from farm proper- ties, giving his time and energies to the management of his invested in- terests.
He was born in Crawford county, Ohio, January 22, 1844, and is a son of Robert W. and Eleanor (Long) Griffith, natives of Delaware and Penn- sylvania, respectively. The former was a son of Paris Griffith, also a native of Delaware as was his wife, Mrs. Sarah (Warren) Griffith, a lady of Eng- lish descent. Their ancesters were Quakers who came to this country from England with William Penn in 1680. In 1805 they removed from Delaware to Pickaway county, Ohio, where Paris Griffith purchased wild land and developed a farm. He died in that county, April 20, 1828, at the age of fifty-one years and eleven months, his remains being interred in the Salem churchyard in that county. His widow survived him for about fifteen years and died in Crawford county, Ohio, at the age of sixty years.
They were the parents of seven children, including Robert W. Griffith, who was born in Sussex county, Delaware, September 22, 1804, and was reared to manhood in Pickaway county, Ohio. He acquired a limited educa- tion in the common schools but, owing to the pioneer conditions which existed in that locality and the fact that his services were needed on the home farm, his educational opportunities were limited. After leaving the parental roof he worked as a farm hand for eight dollars per month but carefully saved his wages and in due course of time was able to purchase land and engaged in farming on his own account. On the 27th of December, 1832, he wedded Miss Eleanor Long, who was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, near the Delaware river April 3, 1813, and was a daughter of William and Sophia (Drake) Long, the former of German and the latter of English descent. In 1834 Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Griffith removed from Pickaway to Crawford county, Ohio, settling on what was known as the Sandusky plain, where Mr. Griffith purchased two hundred acres of land and improved a farm. In 1846 he went west to Macon county, Illinois, where he pur- chased nine hundred and forty acres of land, much of which he leased to other parties. In 1848 he came to Washington county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Clay township and from time to time added to this property until he had seven hundred acres in the township. Continu- ing he made various purchases in Franklin township until his landed posses- sions aggregated twenty-five hundred acres, which he afterward divided among his children. Starting out as a farm hand on a meager salary his close application, keen business discernment and careful investment brought him to a place among the extensive landowners and wealthy residents of this part of the state and his life record proves that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously. He died on the old home place on section 13, Clay township, in 1888 at the age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away May 13, 1894, at the age of eighty-one years.
They were the parents of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters and all reached adult age, namely: Elias, who has passed away; Eliza, the deceased wife of Thomas Bain; Samuel, who was killed by a horse in Okla- homa : Mary, the wife of William Hart, of Leon, Iowa : Isabel, the widow of
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Thomas Whittaker, of Brighton, Iowa; Jane, the widow of Jacob Engel, of Oklahoma; George W .; Martha, the widow of Wellington Har- baugh; Sarah, a resident of Seattle, Washington ; John Q., who died in 1874 at the age of twenty-four years ; Harriet, who died April 11, 1895 ; Robert, living in Brighton, Iowa ; and Nellie, the widow of Al Rehkopf, of Seattle, Washington.
George W. Griffith was reared on his father's farm in this county and remained at home until twenty-two years of age. In the meantime he had pursued his early education in the log schoolhouse which his father had built, and later he spent three years as a student in the Brighton high school. In 1867 he went to California by way of the isthmus route, being twenty-two days on the trip from New York to San Francisco. He engaged in the grain business on the Pacific coast and in 1871 returned to Washington county by rail. His father gave him a farm of eighty acres in Franklin township and sold him another of one hundred and sixty acres. There he resided until 1891, when he took up his abode in the city of Washington. In the meantime his capable business management was manifest in the success which attended his efforts and in the extensive investments which he had made. He extended the boundaries of his home farm until it comprised six hundred and forty acres and he also had two hundred and eighty acres to the north of that prop- erty; one hundred and twenty acres southeast of Washington ; two hundred and twenty acres northeast of the town; and two hundred and forty acres in Cedar and Jackson townships, making thirteen hundred and eighty acres in all. He has since disposed of much of this land and is now interested in twenty thousand acres in Canada. He also bought ten sections in Texas, of which he still owns three sections, so that his landed possessions are yet very extensive. As the work of colonization goes on in the southwest and in the Dominion his land is increasing in value and its sale brings to him a sub- stantial profit.
On the 24th of February, 1874, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Juliette A. Humphrey, a daughter of Eli and Lucia (Snow ) Humphrey. Mrs. Griffith was born in Wellington, Ohio, near Oberlin. Her father was a native of New Marlboro, Massachusetts, and her mother of Mantua, Portage county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather was Elijah Humphrey. a native of Massachusetts, and his father was one of the soldiers of the Revolu- tionary war. Elijah Humphrey learned and followed the blacksmith's trade as a life work. He married Hannah Bartholomew and died when more than sixty years of age, while his wife was nearly seventy-five years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of twelve children. six sons and six daughters : Harry, Sanford, Norman, Eli, Alfred. Horatio, Esther, Maria, Pamelia, Elizaheth, Harriet and Cordelia. The last named died at the age of thirteen years. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Griffith was Franklin Snow, a son of Oliver Snow, who espoused the cause of the colonists at the time of the Revolutionary war and fought for American liberty. Franklin Snow was a native of Massachusetts and made farming his life work. He served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812 as did his eldest son. He lived and died in Avon, Lorain county, Ohio. He married Lydia Alcott and
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they were the parents of Mrs. Lucia Humphrey. Benjamin, Lura, Edwin, Rebecca, Lucia, Salmon, Orpheia and Hannah. For his second wife Mr. Snow married Ann Conant and by that union had one daughter, Mrs. Ilan- nah Lewis.
Mr. and Mrs. Eli Humphrey, the parents of Mrs. Griffith, came to lowa at an early day, settling in Fairfield, where they remained for two years and then returned to Ohio. In 1855. however, they became residents of Wash- ington county, Iowa, locating in Dutch Creek township, where they made their home upon a farm until 1891, when they removed to the city of Wash- ington, where Mr. Humphrey died in 1895 at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife passed away July 10, 1904, when almost ninety years of age, her birth having occurred September 5, 1814. She was remarkably well preserved for one of her years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey were three children: Henrietta, who became the wife of Elias Griffith and is now deceased : Mrs. George W. Griffith ; and Edwin S. Humphrey.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are widely known in this county and enjoy the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact. They have always displayed many characteristics of genuine worth, hold friendship inviolable and belong to that class of citizens of whom the county has every reason to be proud. Mr. Griffith certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and in all of his business transactions has manifested sound judgment and keen sagacity. He has labored for his success along honorable lines and his prosperity is the direct outcome of unwearied industry and care- ful investment.
E. S. WOLCOTT.
E. S. Wolcott, numbered among the enterprising, practical and progres- sive farmers of Washington county, was born on the farm in Clay town- ship where he now resides, June 21. 1862. The Wolcotts came from Eng- land to the new world during the colonial epoch in the history of this country and Oliver Wolcott was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence.
Julius E. Wolcott. the father of our subject, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and came to lowa in 1854. Here he entered the employ of Marquis Roberts, whose daughter Orla he afterward married. In course of years Julius E. Wolcott became the owner of the property upon which his son E. S. Wolcott now resides. Ile purchased this farm at about the time of his marriage from his former employer and father-in-law, Mr. Roberts, and thereon he made his home until his death, save for the period of about a year. At that time he sold the farm but the purchaser was unable to pay for it and Mr. Wolcott had to take it back. He then continued to make his home there until his demise, which occurred in 1905, his remains being in- terred in Clay cemetery. He was a self-made man who started out in life empty-handed but he realized that industry, diligence and perseverance will eventually win success and by his well directed labors he became one of the substantial farmers of the community, possessing a valuable and productive
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property, from which he annually derived a substantial income. At an early day his wife engaged in teaching school in Brighton. She was a representa- tive of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of the county and like her husband was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. She, too, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and their marriage was celebrated in Clay township, Washington county, Iowa. She passed away some years prior to her husband's death, her demise occurring in 1896. They were the parents of two children, the younger being Emma, now the widow of Richard Linn and a resident of Chicago.
The elder, E. S. Wolcott, was reared on the old home place and at the usual age entered the public schools, where he mastered the branches of learning therein taught. His training at farm labor was not meager for his father instructed him in the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He has always remained upon the old homestead with the excep- tion of about nine years, which he devoted to farming and stock-raising in Arkansas. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in the home place and also has other land in Clay township, known as the Alter farm, his possessions aggregating altogether three hundred and twenty-six acres. The soil is rich, responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it, and the entire farm is well improved. He makes dairying a special feature of his place and is now the sole owner of the local cheese factory, of which his father was at one time president and manager. The son assumed the management of the enterprise at his death and is now proprietor of the business, which is proving one of the profitable industries of the locality.
In 1884 Mr. Wolcott was married to Miss Emily Alter, a resident of Clay township, and they now have one son, Clarence, who is at home. Mrs. Wol- cott's parents, J. R. and Elizabeth Alter, came to Iowa from Ohio in 1860. In their family were twelve children, of whom two died in infancy and one son died in 1904. The family were residents of Pella until 1866, when they came to this county. The mother died in 1906 and was laid to rest in Clay cemetery.
In his political views Mr. Wolcott is a republican and he belongs to the Congregational church, in which he is serving as treasurer. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles, his substantial qualities of man- hood gaining him a firm hold on the affection, trust and good will of those with whom he comes in contact.
C. C. GARDNER.
C. C. Gardner, who for ten years has been engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Wellman, Iowa, is a native of Washington county, this state, his entire life, with the exception of about four years, having been spent within its borders. A son of A. M. and Susan Gardner, his birth occurred Novem- ber 19, 1854. His parents were both natives of Franklin county, Ohio, and
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the father, coming to Washington county, Iowa, in 1851, bought a piece of land in Seventy-Six township. Two years later he removed his family to this farm and continued to improve the land for several years, bringing the fields under a good state of cultivation. Later he sold the place and pur- chased another farm in Cedar township, this county, where he resided until 1892, in which year he removed to Washington, Iowa, where he passed away April 30, 1903. His wife still survives and makes her home with her sons, Dr. W. P. and C. C., both of Wellman, and F. P., of Newton, Iowa. In the family were five children but Mary E. and John are both deceased.
C. C. Gardner is indebted to the common schools for his preliminary edu- cation and later attended the academy at Washington, Iowa. He then en- gaged in teaching school during the winter months, continuing in this pro- fession for about six years. In the meantime he had made his home under the parental roof and here remained until he had attained his majority. He then took up agricultural pursuits, renting a farm in Cedar township, where he resided for one year, after which he removed to Smith county, Kansas, where he purchased a farm and resided for four years. At the expiration of this period, however, he sold his place and returned to Washington county, Iowa, where he invested in a farm in Cedar township, which he operated until 1894. Throughout the years of his connection with agricultural pur- suits he had met with a creditable degree of success, but thinking that other lines of activity might be more congenial, he sold his farm and in 1894 re- moved to Wellman, Iowa, where he established himself in the hardware and implement business. He built up a good trade in this connection and was thus successfully engaged until 1899, when he sold out his business and became identified with the lumber trade, conducting a lumberyard in Well- man. He has since devoted his time and energies to this branch of activity and his trade, which has already reached gratifying proportions, is constant- ly increasing in volume and importance.
On September 17, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gardner and Miss Florence Tipton, a daughter of B. F. and Lucinda Tipton, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. They were both natives of Ohio and shortly after their marriage removed to Cedar township, Wash- ington county, Iowa, where the father still resides, the mother having passed away March 21, 1900. An extensive landowner and stockraiser, Mr. Tiptom acquired a very handsome competence and is today numbered among the wealthy and representative citizens of the county. Moreover, he has been actively identified with political interests here and has represented his district in the state legislature, being the first man of Washington county to be elected for a second term up to that time. He also served on the school board for several years and has ever been found a hearty sympathizer and ready cooperant in all matters pertaining to the material, intellectual, political and moral development of the community.
No child came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, and so they took into their care the niece of Mr. Gardner, Miss Florence Kirkendall. Coming to them when but thirteen months of age, she became the light and life of the household and has since received all the attention and advantages
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that an own child could have. She has had excellent educational opportun- ities, being now a student at the University of Iowa City.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a deep interest in all phases of church work, while the former has been superintendent of the Sunday school for twelve years. Well known in fraternal circles, he is a member of blue lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Wellman and also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias of Wellman. Although stalwart in his support of the republican party and desirous at all times for the extension of its influence, he has never aspired to public office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to devote his undivided time and attention to the duties of his business inter- ests. His devotion to the public welfare has, however, remained unques- tioned, for in his citizenship he is true and loyal, withholding his support from no measure which has for its object the growth and upbuilding of the city. In all business dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and straight- forward, while his personal worth and sterling characteristics have won for him a large number of warm friends during his residence in Wellman.
SYLVESTER BAUER.
Sylvester Bauer, a retired farmer who is now the proprietor of a pool and billiard hall in Riverside, Iowa, was born in Marion county, this state, on the 2d of June, 1858. He is a son of Joseph and Apalona (Miller) Bauer, both natives of Germany. The father, who was born about 1812, came to the United States when twenty years of age, locating in Indiana. He had learned the blacksmith and stone-cutter's business ere leaving the fatherland and during his residence in Indiana, which covered a period of fifteen years, followed those trades. In 1848, however, he removed to Iowa, and located in Newburn, Dallas township, Marion county. where he purchased a Mexi- can soldiers land warrant of one hundred and sixty acres of land. Upon this farm he continued to reside until his demise, which occurred in February, 1878, conducting a general merchandise store at Newburn in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He had been a lifelong democrat and for several years held the office of justice of the peace, while he and his wife were consistent members of the Roman Catholic church.
Slyvester Bauer was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools of his native county. The educational advantages which he enjoyed, however, were but meager, being limited to three months' study during the winter seasons, the remaining nine months of the year being de- voted to the work of the farm. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields, becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil, planting the seed and harvesting the crops, and remained at home until his twenty- fourth year. He was then married, on the 19th of September, 1882, to Miss Mary Wieland, of Riverside, Washington county, after which he rented a farm in Iowa township, this county, which he operated for nine years. In
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the spring of 1892 he removed to Warren county, purchasing a farm of one hundred acres in White Breast township, where he remained for ten years, when, in 1902, he returned to Washington county and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres four miles southeast of Riverside in Iowa town- ship. He carried on agricultural pursuits on this place for seven years, raising the grains and cereals best adapted to climate and soil, employing up-to-date methods in the cultivation of the fields and installing modern equipment and accessories necessary to facilitate the work of the farm. He became very successful in his enterprise, and in the spring of 1909, feeling that his many years of hard labor justified a rest from further active work, he sold his property and removed to Riverside, where he purchased a resi- dence and has since continued to live comparatively retired. Since coming to this city, however, he has opened up a modern and well appointed billiard and pool room and in connection therewith is conducting a very gratifying and growing business.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bauer has been blessed with six children, namely: Catherine, the wife of Joseph Knebel, of Washington county ; Nellie, the wife of W. M. Knebel, of Johnson county ; Hubert, a traveling man ; Frederick, engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county ; and Bertha and Agatha, still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the Catholic church, while the former gives stalwart support to the democratic party. Since making his home in Riverside he has made a wide circle of friends, who hold him in high regard and esteem.
IRA C. ADAMS.
Ira C. Adams, engaged in the manufacture of brick, tile and building blocks in Wellman, is a native of Washington county, Iowa, his birth having occurred January 7, 1870. His parents were Joseph and Sarah (White) Adams, natives of Ohio, who came to this county in 1853, locating in Lime Creek township, where Joseph Adams purchased a farm and engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Here the father spent his active life, but in 1893 retired from farming and removed to Wellman. The mother passed away in 1895, while the father survived until 1905. In their family were nine children, namely: John D., deceased; Laura, the wife of Louis For- dice, of Washington county ; Jane, also deceased ; Ella, the wife of H. P. Carter, a resident of Oklahoma ; Electa, the wife of C. W. Carter, residing in Keokuk county, this state; Dora, the wife of C. Mahaffa, of Des Moines. Iowa: Ira C., of this review : Harrison, residing in Oklahoma ; and Lucy, the wife of C. E. McArtor, of this county.
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