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 39
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Brighton and now owns an attractive residence and two acres of land in the town.
In 1875 Mr. Frain was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Alkire, a resi- dent of Washington county, by whom he has three children: Sadie, the wife of Henry Gordon, a jeweler of Brighton : Joseph and Katie, both at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Frain has given his political allegiance to the democracy and has ever given his support and cooperation to those movements and measures instituted to advance the general welfare. His wife is a consistent member of the Christian church and they are both highly esteemed in this part of the county, where they have a very wide acquaintance, their many good qualities of heart and mind having endeared them to all who know them.
CHARLES MAYER.
Charles Mayer, who has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. is now living retired on his farm in Seventy-Six township. His en- tire life has been given to general agricultural pursuits and his continuous and well directed activity in that line has brought him a measure of success which is substantial and gratifying, enabling him now to live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Germany, March 16, 1836, a son of John and Dorothea (Dietrich) Mayer, who were likewise natives of Germany and spent their entire lives in that land, where they reared their family of ten children.
Charles Mayer remained a resident of his native country until eighteen years of age and during that time acquired his education in the public schools of Germany. Bidding goodby to friends and native land he sailed for the new world in 1854 and first settled in Ohio, where he remained for five years. In 1860 he arrived in Washington county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand by the month for one year. At the end of that time he put aside all business and personal considerations for it was the opening of the hostilities between the north and the south and his patriotic spirit was aroused. In July, 1861, he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union and was enrolled as a member of Company F. First Iowa Cav- alry, in which he served for more than three years. He participated in a number of hard skirmishes and for some time was in Missouri on the trail of the guerillas, having several encounters with them. In 1864 he was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, for his term of enlistment had expired.
Mr. Mayer then returned to Washington county and again worked for a short time as a farm hand. He then went to Ohio and was married there in 1865 to Miss Susan Wiler, who was born in Germany. With his bride he returned to Washington county and located on a rented farm although he then owned his present farm, which at that time was all wild and unimproved. Later he spent two years in Ohio, but in 1869 returned to this county and
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CHARLES MAYER AND FAMILY
HE NEW YORK : UBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOP, LENOX TILLSA PLAIDATION
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located permanently upon the farm which he now occupies. As the years passed he carefully cultivated his fields, displaying a most practical and pro- gressive spirit in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. Annually he gathered good crops as the reward of his labors and from time to time made substantial improvements upon his farm, purchasing the latest ma- chinery and otherwise facilitating the work necessary in making the farm a profitable property.
As the years passed four children were added to the household: Mary E., the wife of N. E. Romine, of Seventy-Six township ; William J., now operat- ing the home farm ; Charles F., at home; and Frank C., also at home. Mr. Mayer has always given his political support to the republican party since becoming a naturalized American citizen and is loyal in his advocacy of its principles. He has served as supervisor and also as school director for several years and manifests the same spirit of loyalty that he displayed when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields. He belongs to the Grand Army Post at Wellman and thus maintains pleasant relations with those who also wore the blue and defended the stars and stripes during the period of the Civil war. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and their splendid traits of character have gained for them a warm hold on the affections of those with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Mayer is now enjoying well earned rest, leaving the active management and work of the farm to others. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. for he here found the opportunities he sought, and as the years have gone by he has won a measure of prosperity that is most gratifying, his success being attributable entirely to his own labors.
LEWIS FREMONT WOODBURN.
This is a utilitarian age and the successful man is he who recognizes and seizes all of the advantages which surround him and who utilizes every opportunity so as to accomplish maximum results with minimum effort- that is without useless expenditure of time, energy or money. Lewis Fre- mont Woodburn is a typical representative of this spirit as manifest in farming life and as the result of his own labors he now owns and operates two hundred acres of rich and valuable land. Moreover, he has become well known as a large stock raiser and feeder and has also figured prominently in community affairs
A native of this county, he was born in Highland township on the 12th of August, 1857, a son of William Edwin and Elizabeth (Wattles) Wood- burn. The parents were both natives of Bradford county, Pennsylvania. where they were reared and married. In 1856 they came west to Iowa, locating on a farm in Highland township, Washington county, about a half mile east of the farm upon which our subject now resides. Their tract of land consisted of one hundred and sixty acres and upon this place they con- tinued to make their home until called to their final rest, the father passing
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away in 1889, at the age of sixty-two years, while the mother died June 17, 1877, when forty-four years of age. They were at one time members of the Church of God but later affiliated with the United Brethren church.
Amid the scenes and environments of rural life Lewis Fremont Wood- burn spent the early years of his life, attending the common schools in the acquirement of an education. He early learned the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and after laying aside his text-books wisely decided to follow as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared. Con- sequently, at the early age of sixteen, he began business on his own account, working as a farm hand for four years, and remaining in the employ of one man throughout that period. When twenty-one years of age, being desirous that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he rented the farm upon which he now resides and continued to operate it in the capacity of a renter for three years. In November. 1881. however, he purchased the place and has since made it his home. When it came into his possession the tract consisted of but seventy acres, but he bent his energies to the cul- tivation and extension of his property and. through indefatigable industry and untiring perseverance, he added to his holdings from time to time until his farm now comprises two hundred acres of well improved and valuable land. For some time the place has largely been sown to grass, while he devotes the greater portion of his time and attention to his stock interests. He has become widely known as a stockraiser, making a specialty of short- horn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, and for the past fifteen years has been feeding from one to two carloads of cattle yearly. His stock is all high grade and therefore commands ready sale upon the market. He is untiring in his energy, possesses keen business discernment and sound judgment, and his close application to business and his excellent management of his affairs have brought him to a high degree of prosperity.
Although his agricultural pursuits have occupied a large portion of his at- tention, yet Mr. Woodburn has nevertheless found time to devote to outside matters and for some time has been closely connected with public affairs in various capacities. He is a director in the Farmers & Merchants. Savings Bank of Haskins and has been greatly interested in educational affairs of the community, serving as school director and president of the school board for several years. He gives stalwart support to the republican party and served for one term as township assessor. Public-spirited and loyal in his citizen- ship, he is deeply interested in all matters that have for their object the per- manent upbuilding and development of the community, while the consensus of public opinion accords him high rank among the substantial and influen- tial citizens of this section of the county.
On the 14th of September, 1881, Mr. Woodburn was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie Mclaughlin and unto this union was born one son, Dr. Fred Leslie, a practicing physician of Castana, lowa. The wife and mother passed away on the 7th of December. 1885, and in 1888 Mr. Woodburn was again married, his second union being with Miss Susan C. Stewart. She is a daughter of John S. Stewart, of Highland township, this county, and by her marriage became the mother of six children. namely : Clark L., Clara,
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Esther, Florence, Blanche and Mildred. Of this number Florence has passed away, while the remaining members of the family all reside at home. Mr. and Mrs. Woodburn are consistent members of the United Brethren church, taking deep interest in all phases of the church work. He stands today as a high type of American manhood, who has won success in the busi- ness world and has gained the respect of his fellowmen by his public service and private life.
D. C. ROBERTSON.
A well improved farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, located on sections 15 and 28, Dutch Creek township, is the home of D. C. Robertson, and it was also the place of his nativity. He comes of Irish parentage and was born June 29, 1854. His great-great-grandfather, John Robertson, was born in Scotland but later went to County Tyrone, Ireland, where he died and where later generations of the family made their home. The great- grandfather, William Robertson, was born on the Emerald isle in 1753, and the grandfather, John Robertson, was there born in 1778. It was the lat- ter's son, John D. Robertson, born on Christmas day of 1815, who became the father of our subject. The first of the family to come to the United States was the grandfather, John Robertson, who located in Ohio and there spent his remaining days.
The father, John D. Robertson, was reared in the Buckeye state and in 1842 journeyed by boat and wagon to Keokuk county, Iowa, where he re- mained until October, 1844, at which time he made his way to Washington county, this state, making a settlement on the farm on which the son now resides. He developed and improved the then wild tract and converted it into a cultivable arm, carrying on general agricultural pursuits until the time of his death, which occurred September 30, 1899, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. It was while he was still a resident of Ohio that John D. Robertson was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Carson, who like her husband, was born on the Emerald isle in 1813, and emigrated to the new world when seventeen years of age. It was on the 6th of May, 1841, that she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Robertson and they became the parents of seven sons, William H., who served three years as a member of Company H, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war; Samuel; James C .; Samuel A .; John D .; George F .; and D. C. All are deceased with the exception of our subject and John D., who follows farming in Jefferson county, Illinois. The mother of this family passed away March 11, 1897.
D. C. Robertson was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting in the work of the home farm during the spring and summer months and attending the district schools during the winter months. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of thirty-one years, at which time he established a home of his own by his marriage on the 19th of March,
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1884, to Miss Margaret Reighard, a resident of Washington county. She is one of a family of eight children, having four brothers and two sisters still living, while one sister died at the age of five years. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Pennsylvania. It was in 1860 that they became residents of Washington county, Iowa, where Mr. Reighard followed the occupation of brickmaking and manufactured the brick for the house in which Mrs. Robertson now lives.
Following his marriage Mr. Robertson engaged in farming on his own account, operating land in Dutch Creek township. He eventually returned to the home farm and cared for his parents during the last years of their lives and here he has continued to live to the present time, now owning the place, consisting of one hundred and seventy-five acres, located on sections 15 and 28, Dutch Creek township.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robertson has been blessed with seven children : Robert R., who wedded Maggie Trier, by whom he has one child, Merle ; Nellie, at home ; Olive G., the wife of M. R. Sanders, a farmer of Dutch Creek township, by whom she has a son, Lee; Helen, William C., Margaret and Pearl Eliza, all at home. In politics Mr. Robertson is a republican. He has been successful in his farming operations and his suc- cess is well merited, for he is an enterprising, progressive citizen.
T. W. RICKEY.
T. W. Rickey is well known in Crawfordsville and throughout Washing- ton county, for though he is now living retired he was long associated with business affairs as a representative of both farming and banking interests. He ever manifested an intelligent appreciation of opportunities which he utilized to the best advantage and now his invested interests are sufficient to bring him a substantial annual revenue. Mr. Rickey was born in Harrison county, Ohio, November 2, 1840, and is a son of Benjamin and Susan (Wil- liams) Rickey. The father was born in Ohio and in 1852 arrived in Iowa, locating in Louisa county, where he made his home until his death in 1877, his remains being interred in the village cemetery at Crawfordsville. His entire life was given to general agricultural pursuits and his persistent labor constituted the basis of his success. In antebellum days he was a stanch abolitionist, being greatly opposed to the system of human slavery as prac- ticed in the south. When the republican party was formed to prevent its further extension in northern territory, he joined its ranks and continued one of its stalwart advocates until his death. He held membership in the United Presbyterian church which in former years was known as the Seceders church. His wife was a native of Ohio and they were married in that state. She survived her husband for about ten years and died in Louisa county in 1887. In their family were five sons: Samuel W., who now follows farming in Crawford township; William, a soldier of the Civil war, who formerly car- ried on general agricultural pursuits but is now living retired in Sheridan,
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Iowa ; T. W., of this review ; John, who was a soldier in the Union army and is now deceased; and Joseph, who likewise defended the old flag but has now passed away.
T. W. Rickey spent his youthful days in his parents' home, accompany- ing his father on their removal to Iowa when a youth of twelve years. He acquired his education in the district schools of his native county and in Washington county, Iowa, and gave his father the benefit of his services until twenty-one years of age, when he began farming on his own account in Louisa county. He continued to till the soil in Louisa county until 1894, when he put aside the work of the fields and removed to Crawfordsville, where he erected a building that has since been known as the Crawfordsville Savings Bank. He established a banking business which was the first in the town and he remained sole owner of the enterprise until 1908, when he organ- ized a stock company and withdrew from active connection with the bank. While he carried on farming he engaged extensively in feeding and ship- ping stock and this proved a profitable branch of his business. He is still the owner of valuable farm property, including one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in Louisa county and two hundred acres in Crawford township, together with two hundred and ninety-six acres in Arkansas. He likewise owns town property in Crawfordsville, also has realty holdings in Chicago, so that his extensive invested interests are amply adequate to his needs and also bring to him an income sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In 1861 Mr. Rickey was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Purbis, a resident of Louisa county, Iowa, and they have two sons: James R., now a banker of Crawfordsville : and John F., who follows farming in Henry county, Iowa. The wife and mother died in 1891 and was laid to rest in the Craw- fordsville cemetery. In 1897 Mr. Rickey was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Maggie Adams, nee Gordon. In his political views Mr. Rickey is a republican while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been well spent and without ostentation or display he has commanded the respect of his fellowmen by reason of his enterprise, the reliability of his methods in business affairs and the sub- stantial support which he has given to all matters of progressive citizenship.
A. E. SANDS.
The financial interests of Ainsworth find a worthy and valued repre- sentative in A. E. Sands, one of the stockholders and cashier of the Ains- worth bank. He is also interested in one of the leading mercantile enter- prises of the city and in the management of his affairs displays keen discern- ment combined with the ability to so utilize the means at hand that substan- tial success results. He is one of the county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Oregon township, December 7, 1879. His parents were John W. and Martha (Shaw) Sands. The father is now a retired farmer living
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in Ainsworth, but for many years was connected with the agricultural in- terests of this county. A native of Tennessee, he was born in Monroe county, March 22. 1839, and his parents were Benjamin R. and Rosanna (Henderson ) Sands. Benjamin R. Sands was born in Washington county, Tennessee, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. In the year 1835 he wedded Miss Rosanna Henderson of Monroe county, Tennessee, who was born, however, in Blount county, that state. She was of Irish lineage. Follow- ing their marriage they began their domestic life in the state of their nativity and resided there until 1851. when they removed to Washington county, Iowa. Mr. Sands entered one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land and at once began the development of a farm, upon which he re- sided until 1880. He then removed to Ainsworth, where he lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. His wife died June 20, 1887. and he survived until some years later. Unto Benjamin and Rosanna Sands were born a number of children, including John W., the father of our sub- ject ; Margaret, the wife of J. F. R. Leonard : Joseph P. : Samuel A. ; James ; and Nancy J. The last named is now deceased.
John W. Sands came to Washington county, lowa, with his parents in 1851, being then a lad of twelve years. He was educated in the common schools and through the periods of vacation worked on the farm, having devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career with the exception of three years spent as a soldier of the Civil war. It was in September, 1861, that he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company C. Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, in the first and second engagements at Corinth, in the battle of Vicksburg, in the Atlanta campaign and in vari- ous minor engagements and military movements and at length was mustered out at Galesville, Alabama, where he also received an honorable discharge.
On the expiration of his term of service John W. Sands returned to Iowa and began farming on his own account, in which work he won gratifying success. Year by year he carefully tilled the fields and as time went by he won a measure of prosperity which was the merited reward of his labors.
It was in Louisa county, Iowa, in 1864, that J. W. Sands was married to Miss Martha A. Shaw, a daughter of Samuel Shaw, who came to Iowa in 1854. Mrs. Sands was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, November 23, 1843. and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Eva J., Samuel B .; Francis G. and Alva E. The parents are members of the United Presbyterian church, to which their children also belong and Mr. Sands gives his political support to the republican party on which ticket he has been elected to several township offices, including that of trustee. His life has been an upright and honorable one characterized by the sterling qualities of manhood, which in every land and clime awaken respect and re- gard. Now at the age of seventy years he is living retired and his rest is well merited, for through a long period he was a most active representative of farming interests in this county.
A. E. Sands pursued his education in the schools of Ainsworth and after- ward worked for three years in a blacksmith shop. He then became iden-
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tified with mercantile interests, joining his brother, Francis G., in the con- duct of a store in which he still owns a half interest. Three years ago, however, he accepted the position of cashier in the Ainsworth Bank, in which he is a stockholder and is now the chief executive head of that insti- tution, managing its affairs with marked ability and with a thorough under- standing of banking interests in every department.
In June, 1901, Mr. Sands was married to Miss Maud Morrison, a resident of this county and they now have two children, Dorothy and Neal. Their home is justly celebrated for its warm-hearted hospitality and is a favorite resort with their many friends. In his political views Mr. Sands is a stal- wart republican and at the present writing, 1909, is filling the office of city treasurer. He is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and cooperates largely in measures for the public good. He belongs to the United Presbyterian church, of which his wife is also a mem- ber and in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested, Mr. Sands serving at the present time as one of the church trustees. His enter- prise in business and his activity in municipal affairs have made him a valued resident of the community.
WILLIAM H. CRESS.
William H. Cress, a retired merchant residing in Riverside, Iowa, was born on the 11th of December, 1841, in Virginia. He is a son of Henry and Rachel ( Elliott) Cress, natives also of that state, where the father passed away and was laid to rest. In 1864 the mother brought her children to Washington county, Iowa, locating in Oregon township, and this county continued to be her home until her demise, which occurred in 1896, when she had reached the age of eighty-one years. She was the mother of three children, of whom William H. is the eldest. The others were: Isaac N., who met his death in the Civil war ; and Abraham E., residing in Nebraska.
William H. Cress was reared upon the farm and, having lost his father when but a little lad, it fell to his lot to assist in the support of the family. He therefore enjoyed but limited educational advantages but at an early age became a student in the more difficult school of experience, where he learned lessons concerning the value of energy, diligence and perseverance. He remained at home until thirty-three years of age when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profitable, he became identified with mercantile interests at Pilotsburg, Washington county, where he remained for one year. He then sold his business at that place and came to Riverside, where he engaged in the same line of activity, being thus connected until 1902. In that year he retired from active labor, the success which attended his ef- forts bringing to him a handsome competence that makes it possible for him to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. In his career as a merchant he at all times followed plans and methods which neither sought nor required disguise. On the contrary he always was worthy the
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