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 38
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Devoting his early years to the acquirement of an education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood, Ira C. Adams remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when his father gave him a tract of eighty acres of land. He also purchased eighty acres on section 18, Lime Creek township, and this property is still in his possession. He operated this place
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for ten years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Oklahoma, where he purchased another farin. Here he resided for three years, but thinking that he might find more congenial labor outside of agricultural pursuits, he sold his farm and returned to Washington county, Iowa, locating in Well- man, where he established a factory for the manufacture of tile, brick and building blocks. He has since been engaged in this branch of activity and his business has now reached gratifying proportions, while the excellence of the manufactured article insures a continued growth in trade. The success which the enterprise is now enjoying is attributable entirely to the ability, capable business management and executive control of Mr. Adamis, who now ranks among the prosperous and progressive citizens of the community.
Mr. Adams was married in 1891 to Miss Ida McArtor, a native of Iowa county, Iowa, her birth occurring in 1870. She was a daughter of Frank and Sarah (Barto) McArtor, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively and were married after coming to Iowa. Here the father passed away in 1891, but the mother still survives and makes her home with her children, seven having been born to them. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born five children: Olive C., who was born July 19, 1892, and died October, 1904 ; Jessie May, born September 9, 1893 ; one who died in infancy ; Cloyd E., born November 29, 1899; and Maynard L., born November 17. 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Adams is serving as a trustee, while in his fraternal relations he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Wellman. He served as a school director for several years in the Fairview district, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county and his record is therefore largely familiar to the great majority of our readers. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public light but in business has proven capable and reliable, and his well directed activity is now bringing to him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
J. W. HARPER.
Among the citizens of Washington county who have contributed to it- industrial development and in the capable management of business affairs have attained prosperity that now enables them to rest from further labor, J. W. Harper is numbered. He resides in Crawfordsville and his real estate and other sources of income supply him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He has now reached the age of seventy-six years, his birth having occurred in Harrison county, Ohio, August 10, 1833.
His parents were Samuel and Cassandra (Cox) Harper. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and in his boyhood days, about 1800, went to Ohio, where he resided until 1849, when death claimed him. He had always followed the occupation of farming and was a substantial agriculturist. His
J. W. HARPER
THE NEW YORK LUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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grave was made in the cemetery at Cadiz. Ohio. His wife was a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and they were married in Harrison county, that state. She passed away in 1852 and was laid to rest in the Cadiz cemetery. In their family were eleven children : Mary Ann, now deceased ; Nancy, the widow of A. Ross, of Cadiz ; Margaret Ann, J. T. and Martha J., all of whom have passed away ; J. W .; S. E., who was a member of Company H, Second Iowa Cavalry in the Civil war and is now living retired in Victor, this state ; J. T., who was also a member of the same company and regiment and is now proprietor of a hotel in Victor, Iowa ; Christopher, who served as a Union soldier in Company C of the Eighth Iowa Infantry and is a harnessmaker at Crawfordsville ; and Mary and Ruth, both deceased.
Spending his youthful days in his parents' home. J. W. Harper acquired his education in the district schools of Ohio and remained in that state until 1852, when, attracted by the broader business opportunities of the growing west, he came to lowa, locating in Crawfordsville. Here he has since resided with the exception of the period spent in the army. He commenced business as a carpenter and contractor and for a long period was closely identified with building interests and erected more structures in Crawfordsville and vicinity than any other man, thus contributing in large measure to the sub- stantial growth and progress of this part of the county. He erected his own home which is a fine residence, standing in the midst of four lots. He like- wise has one hundred acres of land in Crawford township and from this property derives a substantial annual income.
On the 15th of April, 1861, Mr. Harper enlisted for service in the Civil war and for three years was with the army, experiencing all the hardships and privations meted out to the soldier. The exposure and rigors of war, however, undermined his health and brought about his honorable discharge in November, 1861. When he had recovered, however, he again joined the boys in blue, enlisting in August, 1862, as a member of Company I, Twenty- fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years. He was then honorably discharged on the 6th of June, 1865, in Washington, D. C. He took part in many important battles, among them being the engagements at Vicksburg and all through the Atlanta campaign. He was a man of valor, fearless when on the battle line and making the long marches without com- plaint. He never missed a step while in the army. His ability won him promotion until he became captain of Company I, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in that organization has held all of the offices.
In 1868 Captain Harper was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Russel, a resident of Washington, who died May 22, 1886. She was a faithful and consistent member of the United Presbyterian church. Unto the Captain and his wife were born four children: S. R., a contractor and builder of Crawfordsville, Iowa ; Cassandra Lorinda, deceased; Susy C., the wife of R. A. Bennet, a farmer of Keokuk county ; and Frank R., who has passed away.
In his political views Captain Harper was a Douglas democrat before the war and then became a republican, since which time he has served the
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
grand old party. He filled the office of assessor but has never been an as- pirant for political preferment, yet he is never remiss in the duties of citizen- ship nor fails to give aid to public movements which he deems beneficial to the community. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity in Crawfordsville, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and his brethren of the fraternity en- tertain for him warm regard because of his fidelity to the teachings and pur- pose of the order.
J. W. HUFF.
Among Washington county's honored dead is numbered J. W. Huff, who spent his entire life in English River township. He belonged to one of the old pioneer families here and his record was at all times that of a progressive citizen and reliable business man who enjoyed and deserved the respect, confidence and good will of those who knew him. He was born in English River township, May 22, 1854. His parents, J. A. and Emma (Moore) Huff, were both natives of West Virginia and established their home in Washington county, Iowa, during an early epoch in its history. They shared in the hardships and privations of pioneer life when this region was a frontier district and as the years went by assisted in the work of promoting public progress and in planting the seeds of civilization on the frontier. The father died in October, 1887. The family numbered six children, of whom the second died in infancy. J. W. Huff was the eldest of the family and the others were: Priscilla A., the wife of F. W. Kessler, of Kansas; Ellen, the wife of W. R. Adams, of Wyoming; J. H., living in that state : and Enzy, now deceased.
A picture of boyhood experiences amid rural surroundings on the fron- tier would give a faithful representation of the life which J. W. Huff lived through the period of his minority. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the public schools and, after attaining his majority, he took up farming on his own account and to that occupation devoted his energies most assiduously for some time but for the last twenty years of his life conducted a restaurant.
It was on the 7th of August, 1877, that he wedded Miss Mary E. Bun- ker, who was born in English River township on the 23d of July, 1856. She is a daughter of David and Julia Ann (Hartzell) Bunker. The father was born in North Carolina, October 23, 1810, and was only three years of age when his parents removed from that state to the territory of Indiana, set- tling in Wayne county. There he resided for about twenty-six years, when in 1839 he came to Washington county, Iowa, settling in Dutch Creek town- ship. The same fall he removed to English River township, establishing his home near Kalona, where he purchased a tract of land. Many years passed by ere all of the land in the county had been entered from the government and at the time of his arrival here the district was but sparsely settled and presented every evidence of frontier life. Mr. Bunker at once took up the task
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of tilling the soil and bringing his fields under cultivation. In 1842 he built a mill on the English river and continuously and successfully operated it until his death, which occurred June 26, 1886. Following his demise the mill was operated under the direction of his widow for five or six years. He was numbered among the most prominent and influential residents of the county, took an active part in public affairs and left the impress of his indi- viduality for good upon the community. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and upon that ticket he was elected county commis- sioner, in which position he served for two terms. His faithfulness and capability in that office led to his selection for higher political honors and he was the candidate on the whig ticket for the state legislature. Chosen by popular suffrage at the regular election he became one of the prominent and influential members of the general assembly, where he served during the third and fourth sessions, taking an active and helpful part in framing the early legislation of the state and establishing the commonwealth upon a safe and enduring basis. He was also elected as a delegate to the last constitu- tional convention which met in Iowa City in 1857. When the republican party was formed he took an active interest in promoting the organization and thereafter voted the republican ticket until his death. He was a stanch advocate of the Union cause during the dark days of the Civil war and was ever loyal to the best interests of citizenship. His religious belief was that of the Spiritualist society.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Huff were born three children, of whom one passed away in infancy and another, Viva J., is also deceased. The surviving son, P. J .. is at home with his mother. Mr. Huff was a member of Richmond Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M., at Kalona and took an active part in this work, believing firmly in its principles. His life was ever an upright and honorable one and when it was terminated in death the community mourned the loss of a valued and representative citizen. Mrs. Huff now makes her home in Kalona, where she owns a fine residence, and she also has an excel- lent farm of eighty acres in Johnson county. She is a Spiritualist in religious faith and a firm believer in a Supreme Being, while her creed may be summed up in the Golden Rule, for she ever earnestly attempts to do unto others as she would have them do unto her. She has been a lifelong resident of Eng- lish River township and the circle of her friends is almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintance.
W. W. SIGLER.
Prominent among the agriculturists of Washington county, Iowa, whose industry, diligence and perseverance in former years now make it possible for them to enjoy in well earned rest and retirement the fruits of honest toil, is numbered W. W. Sigler, a substantial and well known resident of Seventy- Six township. He was born in West Virginia, his natal day being March II, 1848, and is a son of John J. and Goldie E. (Fazenbaker) Sigler. In both
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the maternal and paternal lines he comes from old and prominent Virginia families. His grandfather, Godfrey Fazenbaker, about the year 1856 pur- chased the old Mount Washington farm located in Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, where he resided for many years. This farm is historic ground, for it was upon this place that Washington, being surprised by the Indians, hastily threw up breastworks which became known in history as Fort Neces- sity. This interesting property is still in the possession of the family, being owned by Louis Fazenbaker, an uncle of W. W. Sigler.
In the year 1853 John J. Sigler and his wife removed westward to Iowa and after spending a few months in Henry county, this state, they located on the farm in Lime Creek township, Washington county, where Mrs. Sigler, the mother of our subject, still resides. Here the father purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land and entered forty acres adjoining this farm, and upon this place his remaining days were spent, engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits. He had been, throughout the active years of his life, a local Methodist preacher. and it is probable that, during his residence here, he preached more funeral sermons than any other minister in Washington county. He was a man widely known throughout the county and was dearly beloved wherever known, so that when he was called to his final rest. Octo- ber 7, 1882, the news of his demise brought a sense of personal loss to his many friends and acquaintances, and through his passing the county lost one of its worthy and honored citizens.
W. W. Sigler was reared under the parental roof and attended the district schools of the neighborhood in the acquirement of his education. He re- mained on his father's farm until he attained his majority and then for two summers he was identified with breaking the wild prairie. During the second year of his connection with this line of activity he took up ditching and for three years was engaged in operating a ditching machine. In Janu- ary. 1873, however, desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he, in connection with his brother, George D. Sigler, and his brother- in-law, W. P. Stephens, purchased a farm of one hundred and ninety acres. The following year the brothers bought the interest of Mr. Stephens and together continued to operate the farm until 1880, in which year a division of the land was made, W. W. Sigler retaining seventy acres upon which stood the home buildings. During the intervening years he directed his ener- gies toward the tilling of the soil and soon brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. Success always crowns persistent, unfaltering effort, and in due course of time he extended the boundaries of his farm by addi- tional purchase until it now comprises two hundred and seventy acres in one body. It is a well improved farm, with good buildings and annually yields rich harvests in return for the care and labor expended upon it. For the past fourteen years, however, Mr. Sigler has rented the place and has been living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He has not con- fined his attentions, however, entirely to his agricultural pursuits for he is today a stockholder in the Wellman Savings Bank and also one of the directors of that institution, while his connection therewith is a source of additional financial profit to him.
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On October 3, 1881. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sigler and Miss Henrietta Keye, of Nebraska, and unto them have been born three children, of whom but two still survive: Vernon U. and Alma L., both of whom are yet at home. For nine years Mr. and Mrs. Sigler traveled life's journey together and then, in 1890, the wife and mother was called to her final rest, leaving the grief stricken husband and children to mourn her loss.
Mr. Sigler gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and, although never an aspirant for public office, he is a stalwart supporter of the party principles and exerts his influence at the polls in behalf of its men and measures. He is also known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the craft. He indeed deserves mention among the substantial agriculturists and worthy citizens of Washington county, yet his prosperity is not the outcome of propitious circumstances, but the honest reward of labor, good management, ambition and energy, without which no man can win prosperity.
A. D. CRAIG.
A. D. Craig, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Iowa town- ship. Washington county, now resides upon the farm upon which he was born March 12, 1861. He is a son of Robert and Sarah ( Godlove) Craig, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. The parents came to Iowa in 1854, locating in Iowa township, Washington county, where the father entered the farm now in the possession of A. D. Craig. He built a log cabin which had a clapboard roof, puncheon floor and door and a stick chimney, and in this pioneer dwelling the family resided for about thirty- five years. The cabin was then replaced by a substantial frame house in which Mr. and Mrs. Robert Craig lived until their death, the former passing away November 14, 1902, and the latter on the 20th of April, 1900. In their family were ten children, seven of whom survive. namely: Rachel, the wife of William P. Tansy, of Oklahoma : Josiah, residing in Hastings, Nebraska ; William, living in Decatur county, Iowa ; Evaline. the wife of Joseph Allen, of this county ; Carolina, the wife of Willard Tatman ; A. D., of this review ; and George H., residing in this county.
Reared upon his father's farm, A. D. Craig attended the country schools of the neighborhood in the acquirement of his early education and remained at home until he reached his majority, when he entered a school at Iowa City, where he remained one year. Then becoming imbued with a desire to see something of life in the far western states, he put aside his text- books and went west, where he remained for ten years. Upon returning to Washington county, Iowa. he purchased one hundred acres of the old home- stead farm, which was situated on section 16, Iowa township, where he has since made his home. He has added many improvements to the place and year by year has carried on the work of the farm, bringing it under a high
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state of cultivation and annually gathering golden harvests as the result of the care and labor he bestows upon the land.
In August, 1886, Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Eliza A. Porter, who was born in Davenport, Iowa, March 6, 1867, a daughter of John C. and Scotty S. ( Kelso) Porter. Her parents, who are now both deceased, were natives of Ohio and came to Iowa at an early date. Their family consisted of eleven children, of whom seven survive. As the years passed five children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Craig, namely : Robert C., at home ; Saralı S., also at home, who is a member of the Eastern Star and of the Relief Corps ; Mary E. and Earnest, both at home ; and Ber- nice Josephine, an infant.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which faith they were reared, and both hold membership in the Eastern Star Lodge of Riverside, while Mrs. Craig is also connected with the Relief Corps. Mr. Craig is a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 516, A. F. & A. M., while in politics he gives stanch support to the republican party. He is at present serving as township assessor, but otherwise does not seek nor desire public office as a reward for party fealty. He displays keen discernment and sound judgment in the control of his business affairs and his life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor. Having spent almost his entire life in Washington county, he is widely and favorably known and his salient characteristics are such as to inspire confi- dence, trust and good will in all with whom he is associated.
JOHN F. FRAIN.
John F. Frain, a retired agriculturist residing in Brighton, was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 24th of March, 1853. his parents being James and Lucy (Tinder) Frain. The father, whose birth occurred in Kentucky, removed to Indiana about the year 1848 and came to Washington county, Iowa, in the fall of 1854. He was first employed in the McMartin mills for a year and then located near Dublin, Iowa, where he bought eighty acres of land and made his home thereon for about nine years. On the ex- piration of that period he purchased one hundred and thirty-six acres near West Chester, Iowa, in Franklin township, residing on that farm until about 1882. Subsequently he lived in Dutch Creek township for several years and then located in Clay township, where he made his home with his son, John F., until the death of his wife in the spring of 1895. His remaining days were spent in the home of his son Anthony, and he was called to his final rest on the Toth of November, 1898. being buried in the New Haven Baptist ceme- tery. He had long been identified with the agricultural interests of this county and was well known and highly esteemed as a most substantial, enter- prising and public-spirited citizen. His wife, who was also a native of Ken- tucky, was married in that state and, as previously stated, passed away in Washington county, Iowa, in the spring of 1895. Unto this worthy couple
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were born seven children, namely: William and Catherine, both of whom died in Indiana; Anthony, a retired agriculturist of Brighton, Iowa; one who died in infancy ; John F., of this review ; Charles, who follows farming near Keota, Keokuk county, Iowa ; and George W., an agriculturist of Dutch Creek township.
John F. Frain attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, when he started out for himself in this county. At the end of a year, however, he removed to Adair county and afterward to Guthrie county but in the fall of 1883 returned to Washington county and has since remained a respected and worthy resident here. In the conduct of his agricultural inter- ests he has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity and is now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. His holdings include eighty acres of land in Clay township, a substantial and commodious residence and two lots, and for more than a half century he has been numbered among the progressive and well-to-do citizens of the county.
Mr. Frain has been married twice. In 1879 he wedded Miss Mary Jones, by whom he had two children: James Lyman, who is now a railroad agent ; and Lucy, the wife of Charles Armstrong, a farmer of Clay township. The mother of these children passed away in 1883, her remains being interred in the New Haven cemetery in Dutch Creek township. In 1886 Mr. Frain was again married, his second union being with Miss Josephine McCamp- bell, a resident of Washington, whose birth occurred in Union county, Ohio, and who was reared in Keokuk county.
In his political affiliation Mr. Frain is a democrat, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Brighton. He is like- wise a trustee of the Baptist church, of which both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members.
A. M. T. FRAIN.
A. M. T. Frain, a brother of John F. Frain, has likewise put aside the active work of the fields and is now living retired in Brighton. His birth occurred in Jackson county, Indiana, on the 27th of January, 1850, and he obtained his education in the district schools of Washington county, this state. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age, when he pur- chased land in Audubon county, Iowa, where he made his home for a short period and then returned to this county, being engaged in the operation of rented land for a time. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Franklin town- ship, this county, and was successfully engaged in its cultivation and develop- ment until his well directed labors and untiring energy had brought him the competence that now enables him to live retired. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with agricultural interests and assisted in break- ing prairie at an early day. It was in 1906 that he took up his abode in
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