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 4
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At the close of hostilities he gladly returned to his family. He had been married on the 4th of October, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth A. Runyan, a daugh- ter of Micajah D. and Elizabeth (Argo) Runyan, who were early settlers of Jefferson county, Ohio, where the birth of Mrs. Young occurred. By her marriage she became the mother of three children. Ella Annette became the wife of A. W. Hall, of Colfax, Iowa, and the mother of five children, Fred Y., James N .. Harvey W., Dorothy E. and Marjorie. John Wilbur, the first born son, died in infancy. Harvey S., now cashier of the Winfield State Bank at Winfield, Iowa, married Louise E. Parmalee, and they have three children, Hoyt R., Helen and Ruth.
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Captain and Mrs. Young hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and occupy a prominent position in social circles where intelligence and true worth are regarded as essential attributes to congeniality. Mr. Young belongs to I. G. White Post, No. 108, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. In his political views he has always been a republican since the organization of the party, never failing to support its candidates at the polls. He served as mayor of Washington in 1879 and 1880. In a review of his life it will be seen that his salient charac- teristics which have led him to prominence are such as any might cultivate, consisting of activity and reliability in business, loyalty in military and polit- ical service and the just recognition at all times of the rights of others. Such a man cannot fail to enjoy the confidence, good will and honor of his fellowmen.
R. H. CARR.
R. H. Carr, successfully conducting a livery stable in Wellman, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Lime Creek township on the 17th of February, 1868. His father, I. N. Carr, a native of New York, is a veteran of the Civil war and is now living retired after many years of active connection with the business interests of Iowa. At the early age of fourteen years he was thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood, but through unfaltering energy and indefatigable preseverance he worked his way upward in the business world to a place of distinction among the repre- sentative citizens of Washington county. He first became connected with a nail factory, where he was employed for two years, and then, at the age of sixteen, he came to Iowa where he secured employment as a farm hand, continuing thus until twenty years of age. He then purchased a farm in Lime Creek township, where he continued to reside until 1898, in which year he retired from active business life and removed to Wellman, where he now resides. He owns two hundred and eighty-three acres of land in Lime Creek township and also five residences in the village of Wellman, while he is well known in financial circles of this city as a director of the Wellman Savings Bank, and a stockholder in the Bank of Keota, Iowa. In 1865 he married Miss Margaret Taylor, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Henry and Eleanor (Squires) Taylor, and in their family were eleven children, namely : David A., a resident of Manitoba, Canada ; R. H., of this review; Nora I., the wife of Rev. W. A. Schwimley, pastor of a church at Sibley, Iowa ; Sylvia E., the wife of Dr. J. E. Green, of Grand Junction, Colorado; Ezra D., deceased ; Harriet E., the wife of Rev. W. De Yoe, the pastor of a church in Chicago, Illinois; Mary Isabelle, the wife of Ralph B. Hull, of Washington county: Maud B., the wife of Otto Klockenteger, a blacksmith of Wellman, Iowa; Nellie G., who wedded W. Palmer, a resi- dent of Oklahoma; Victor C., employed in the Wellman Savings Bank ; and Leslie L., now attending the State University at Iowa City. Mr. and Mrs.
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I. N. Carr both survive and are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly respected throughout the community.
R. H. Carr, whose name introduces this review, was reared upon his father's farm and attended the district schools of the neighborhood in the acquirement of his education. After laying aside his text-books he entered the broader school of experience where he learned practical lessons concern- ing the value of diligence, preservance and industry. In 1894 he purchased eighty acres of farm land on section 27, Lime Creek township, which he operated continuously until 1907 in connection with his father's farm, which he cultivated from 1899 until 1907. In the latter year he came to Wellman, where he purchased the stock and livery business of G. I. King, to the con- duct of which he is now directing his time and energies. He has already attained a gratifying measure of success, while he is constantly seeking to en- large the scope of his business. His equipment of horses and vehicles is both extensive and of a high order and his number of satisfied patrons is con- stantly increasing. He also owns considerable farming property, being the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land in Stevens county, Kansas, together with his original farm of eighty acres in Lime Creek township.
On the 4th of February, 1893, Mr. Carr was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Cora England, who was born on the 25th of January, 1873, and is a daughter of Joel and Katherine England. Her father passed away in 1908. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carr has been blessed with two children : Lillian Hazel, born November 5, 1897 ; and Joel Arden, born March 6. 1902. In his fraternal relations Mr. Carr is a member of Dayton Lodge, No. 128, A. F. & A. M .; Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., of Washington ; and Bethlehem Com- mandery, K. T., of Washington, while he and his wife both hold membership in the Eastern Star. Politically he is independent, preferring to give his support at the polls to the men and measures which in his opinion are best adapted to conserve the general welfare and promote prosperity. He is interested in all matters of general moment. readily lending his influence to all measures which have for their object the upbuilding and progress of the community. A man of sterling integrity and high moral worth, his salient characteristics are such as have gained for him the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he has been associated.
MISS ALMA G. OTT.
Miss Alma G. Ott, who since 1899 has capably served in the office of post- mistress at Riverside, was born in Washington county, Iowa, her parents being Dr. William and Rhoda (Glasgow) Ott, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The year 1854 witnessed their arrival in this state and for thirty-five years the father was a successful medical practitioner of Riverside. Prior to his gradnation as a physician he followed the profession of civil engineer- ing. He passed away in 1899, having for a number of years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1886. Unto this worthy 'couple
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were born three children, namely: Alma G., of this review ; William D., a civil engineer by profession, who lives at the family home with his sister Alma ; and Mildred J., the wife of John L. Stevens, of Iowa City.
Miss Alma G. Ott completed her education by a course of study in Mount Vernon, Iowa. In 1899, under the administration of William McKin- ley. she was appointed postmistress of the office at Riverside and has since been the capable incumbent in the position, receiving a salary of twelve hundred dollars a year. Her brother now resides with her in a handsome and attractive residence which they own in Riverside, and with the excep- tion of five years which she spent with friends at San Diego, California, she has always made her home in that town. She is a valued member of Floral Lodge, No. 197, O. E. S., and has filled some of its chairs. Her many excellent traits of heart and mind have endeared her to many with whom she has come in contact and she has an extensive circle of friends throughout the community.
W. E. BROWN.
W. E. Brown, owning and operating a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Jackson township, was born in New Jersey on the 24th of August, 1847, his parents being Jesse B. and Matilda (Cooper) Brown, likewise natives of New Jersey. In 1854 they re- moved to Marshall county, Illinois, where they remained for thirteen years, on the expiration of which period they came to Washington county, Iowa, in 1867. Here they resided until called to their final rest, the father passing away in 1877, while the mother of our subject died on the 23d of February, 1893. Their family numbered twelve children, namely: Isabelle, the wife of Elijah Camery, of Henry, Illinois ; Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Clyde, of Washington, Iowa ; W. E., of this review : and nine who are deceased.
W. E. Brown acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. During the next five years he rented the farm on which he now resides and then purchased eighty acres of the old homestead place, to which he subsequently added another tract of eighty acres, his holdings now embracing one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Jackson township. Here he has erected an at- tractive and commodious residence and all necessary outbuildings and in his farming operations has met with a commendable and gratifying measure of success, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the 13th of February, 1868, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Booth, whose birth occurred in Bureau county. Illinois, December II. 1846, her parents being Joseph and Hannah (Cooper ) Booth. Both her father and mother were natives of England, emigrating to the United States in 1843 and taking up their abode in Bureau county, Illinois, where they resided until death claimed them. Joseph Booth passed away
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on the 6th of May, 1883, while the demise of his wife occurred February 3, 1892. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, as follows : Susan, the wife of G. F. Walbridge, of Los Angeles, California; Elizabeth, born May 20, 1835, who is now the widow of C. J. Rhodes and makes her home in Bureau county, Illinois ; Squire, who was born October 19, 1838, and is now a resident of Oberlin, Ohio; Collin N., who was born October 11, 1841, and resides in Henry county, Illinois ; Walter, whose birth occurred September 24, 1844, and who is now living in Princeton, Illinois ; Mrs. Brown ; Hannah M., born November 25. 1849, who is deceased; Melissa T., who has also passed away ; and David, who was born October 28. 1855, and is a resident of Bureau county, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born three children : Effie May, whose birth occurred November 30, 1868, and who is now the wife of J. E. Wright, of Jackson township ; Charles E .. born August 24. 1871, who is also a resident of Jackson township; and Walter Scott, who was born July 22, 1878, and lives on the home farm. He wedded Miss Maud E. Chaffee, whose birth occurred in Greene county, Ohio, in 1881, and who came to Washington county, Iowa, with her parents when a maiden of thirteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Brown have a daughter, Cora B., born March 10, 1907.
In his political affiliation Mr. Brown is a stanch democrat and has been an active worker in the local ranks of the party, serving both as trustee and clerk, while for twelve years he was school director and for twenty-two years capably discharged his official duties in the position of treasurer. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. They are highly esteemed in the community, their good qualities of heart and mind bringing to them the warm friendship of many with whom they have come in contact.
L. M. DOWNING, M. D.
Dr. L. M. Downing, who for the past six years has been a successful medical practitioner of Wellman, was born in Daytonsville, Iowa, on the 2Ist of February, 1879, his parents being J. R. and Martha ( Long) Down- ing. He continued to reside at home until he became enrolled as a student at the State University, from which institution he was graduated in 1903. Subsequently he located for practice in Wellman, where he has remained to the present time and that he has attained proficiency and skill is indicated by the large patronage which is accorded him and which has made him one of the representative members of the medical fraternity of his native county.
In 1904, Dr. Downing was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Stewart, whose birth occurred at Keota, Iowa, in 1879, her father being Archibald Stewart, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. Mrs. Downing, who is a high school graduate, has become the mother of one daughter, Helen, born October 15, 1906.
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Dr. Downing exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, while fraternally he is connected with Daytonville Lodge, No. 149. A. F. & A. M., at Wellman. His wife is a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOSIAH MORROW.
Josiah Morrow had the distinction of having been the first white man to settle on Deer creek. He was also during his life one of the most influential men in this part of the county and the memory of his life remains as one of the most notable monuments of the best use of many years of which the com- munity can boast. He was born in Parke county, Indiana. May 28, 1819, the son of John and Jane (Garvin ) Morrow. The parents after their mar- riage in South Carolina, their native state, went to Parke county. Indiana, and later to Peoria, Illinois. There John Morrow died. and the mother made her home with a daughter, Mrs. Daniel Prince, in Fort Scott, Kansas, where she died.
Josiah Morrow came to Iowa in 1840 and was the first white man to seek to make a home on Deer creek in Johnson county. Travelers and strangers came but infrequently to the region, and women almost not at all. for it is said that Mrs. Morrow had been three months at their place before she saw another white woman. It was a difficult life in the new country, with very little alleviation of any kind. The Indians were the only other humans, and of necessity a bond of friendship sprang up between them and the white settlers. Mr. Morrow seemed to know how to get on with them : he learned to speak their language and won their confidence. In October. 1848. Mr. Morrow forsook that section for Washington county, still in the first stages of development but closer to the world of men than was the little home on Deer creek. In Washingon county he took up a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Wellman, upon which his son Edwin still lives. Among the treasured possessions of the family are two deeds, one signed by Franklin Pierce. the other by Zachary Taylor. confirming Mr. Morrow's ownership of this piece of land. Both the farm and the deeds have remained in the family and form the nucleus about which a healthy tradition has already begun to gather.
Mr. Morrow was three times married. His first wife was Miss Sarah Ann Bouton, who bore him seven children. When he married the second time he chose Miss Sarah Ann Blandin for his helpmeet, who became the mother of four children. Her sister, Miss Susan M. Blandin, became Mr. Mor- row's third wife and is the mother of the two sons, Dewitt T. and Vaughn G .. who cultivate the home farm of one hundred and forty acres. Mrs. Morrow, the widow, was born in Steuben county, New York, the daughter of John and Parthenia ( Fisher) Blandin. The parents came to Iowa in 1860. locating in Lime Creek township. Washington county, where they made their home until their death. Mrs. Morrow is a high-school graduate and for some
Yessinh . Herren
.HE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
years before her marriage devoted her talents to instructing the young. She is an accomplished woman, endowed with a nature that in its cheerful sunni- ness is like a tonic to her friends.
During his life Mr. Morrow was an active member of the Methodist Epis- copa! church and was most diligent in furthering its work and interests. The local Masonic lodge also included him upon their roll-call, and his brothers in the society found him a staunch friend upon whom they might depend in time of need. When occasion required he gave his support to the re- publican candidate as the representative of the political party whose platforni most nearly coincided with his views. But his influence was ever thrown on the side of right and justice, and the weight of his opinion was not incon- siderable, for his was a strong personality, and he was a man of breadth and depth beyond the ordinary. The community was the better for his having lived in its midst, and the friends to whom his cheerfulness, courage and general lovableness endeared him were often refreshed and given new heart for the life that was before them by his sunny smile or his laugh of good comradeship.
WILLIAM S. PARKS, M. D.
Dr. William S. Parks is a practicing physician and surgeon of Brighton. Iowa, whose career thus far in his profession has been one of eminent use- fulness and the means of acquiring him a liberal patronage, inasmuch as his knowledge of materia medica and his skill in surgery have won him an ex- cellent reputation throughout the city and adjoining country.
His birth occurred in Sigourney, Keokuk county, this state, January 9, 1859, and he is a son of Arad and Emeline Parks. His father, a native of Vermont, came to this state about the year 1856 and located in Sigourney, where, with the exception of the time he spent in the army, he lived until he departed this life. He was a physician and surgeon who followed his profession with great success and was known throughout the county as one of the most efficient practitioners of the medical fraternity. His wife is a native of Maryland, but they were married in Brownsville, Indiana. She still survives and resides in Brighton, Iowa. In their family were two chil- dren : Emerson A., who passed away in 1908; and William S.
Dr. William S. Parks early developed the desire to enter the medical profession and every advantage was given to him by his mother to gratify his longing. His preliminary education was acquired in the common and high schools of his native county, and after his graduation from the latter, desiring to see some of the world, he spent two years in Wyoming and New Mexico as a government surveyor, at the expiration of which time, in the fall of 1881, he entered upon the study of medicine under Drs. Cook and McWilliams, of Sigourney. After spending a year or more under their instruction, he became a student at the State University of Iowa, from which institution he was graduated March 4, 1885. He immediately began the
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practice of his profession in Sigourney but in 1886 came to Brighton, where he has since built up an excellent practice.
On September 19, 1889, occurred the marriage of Dr. Parks and Miss Emma Nora Peterson, and to them have been born three children : Estella, whose birth occurred September 29, 1890, and who is a student at the State University ; Eugene William, who was born February 20, 1894 ; and Arthur. whose birth occurred October 14, 1899.
Politically, the Doctor is a republican, and while he does not desire public office he keeps abreast of the times regarding the paramount issues of the day and is a loyal supporter of the candidates of his favorite party during campaigns. Among the fraternal organizations with which he is affiliated are the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been a member for twenty years, during which time he has filled all the chairs, and the Modern Woodmen of America, meeting in Brighton. He belongs to that denomination of Christians known as the Disciples of Christ, being a strong supporter of the organization, and is a member of the state and county medical associations, being at the present writing the president of the latter. Dr. Parks has made an excellent career in his chosen profession, his practice throughout the community gradually growing on account of the studious attention he gives to all the sciences pertaining to the work of the physician and surgeon, and he may justly be numbered among the finest and foremost medical practitioners in the county.
CHARLES K. NEEDHAM.
Charles K. Needham, whose success is due to ready adaptability and thorough understanding of the business in which he embarked as a young tradesman, is now editor and proprietor of the Washington County Press, published in the city of Washington. His birth occurred in Oskaloosa; Iowa, January 13, 1868, his parents being William H. and Olive Ann (Knowlton) Needham, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, David Needham, was a native of Pennsylvania and became an early settler of Guernsey county, Ohio. Subsequently he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and built the first hotel there, while with the work of general progress and improvement he was closely associated for many years. While in Ohio he at one time served as sheriff of Guernsey county. He lived to be eighty-eight years of age, while his wife died at the age of fifty-five years. They were the parents of seven or eight children, including William H. Needham, well known throughout Iowa as a prominent representative of journalism. He has been a printer and newspaper man for over a half century. Coming from Ohio to Iowa in 1852 he located in Oskaloosa, where he lived for several years and pub- lished the Oskaloosa Herald. He was also postmaster there for seven years under the administration of President Grant. In 1878 he came to Sigourney, where he still makes his home and he and his sons now publish the Keokuk
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County News at that place. He has also been postmaster there for the past ten years, giving a prompt and efficient administration, but whether in office or out of it he is always loyal to the best interests of the community at large, local progress and national advancement both being causes dear to his heart. At the time of the Civil war he gave substantial proof of his patriotism in active service at the front, becoming first lieutenant of Company D, Twenty- second Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served for four and a half years, took part in the entire siege of Vicksburg and was the first man to plant the Union flag on the fort there. He likewise participated in the battle of Cedar Creek and in other important engagements which contributed to the final victory, which crowned the Union arms. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist church. In early manhood he wedded Olive Ann Knowlton, a daughter of Samuel Knowlton, a native of Maine, who lived for many years in Cincinnati. He devoted much of his life to farming and on leaving Ohio became one of the early settlers of Mahaska county, Iowa, where he owned an extensive tract of land of six hundred acres. He died in New Sharon, Iowa, at the age of seventy-eight years while his first wife, Mrs. Julia (Hadley ) Knowlton, the grandmother of our subject, passed away at the age of fifty-five years. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Har- riet Ellis. By the first marriage there were twelve children including Mrs. Olive A. Needham, who by her marriage became the mother of nine children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Charles K .; John R., publisher of the Centerville Iowegian ; Edna P., the wife of J. M. Beck, of Centerville, Iowa : Emma J., the wife of William Minteer, of Sigourney, Iowa; Sherman W., editor of the News of Sigourney; Anna Belle, and William H., also resi- dents of Sigourney.
Charles K. Needham remained in his native city to the age of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sigourney, where they remained for twenty-six years. He attended the public schools there until he became a high-school student and was afterward a pupil in Penn College, a Quaker institution at Oskaloosa. When sixteen years of age he began learning the printer's trade and has followed it practically throughout his entire life. In July, 1906, he arrived in Washington and purchased the Washington County Press, the oldest paper of the county and the only one published in magazine form in the state. It is republican in politics and is a well edited journal devoted to the dissemination of local and general news and at all times championing those measures and movements which are calcu- lated to promote the best interests of the city and of the county at large. He also conducts a profitable job printing business, and both departments are meeting with a gratifying patronage. He is also interested in the Sigourney News, Montezuma Republican and the Centerville Iowegian.
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