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 43
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After acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools, David Mclaughlin completed a course of study in the Keota high school and later attended the academy at Washington for a few terms. He has since followed agricultural pursuits and has three elegant farms, one containing four hun- dred and seventy-five acres on sections 24 and 25, Franklin township, an- other embracing two hundred and sixteen acres in Franklin township, this one being known as the "Joseph Dawson" farm, and he also owns the old home place, containing two hundred and fifty-five acres, which lie in Seventy-Six township. All of these farms he keeps under a high state of cultivation, much of his land being in pastorage as his specialty is stock- feeding. He has large herds of cattle and hogs and is recognized as the most extensive stock-dealer in this county, this being the most remunerative department of his business.
In 1902 Mr. Mclaughlin was united in marriage to Miss Ferne Taylor, by whom he has two children: Mildred and Marian, both of whom reside with their parents. Politically Mr. McLaughlin is an independent republican
THE NL. PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
MRS. DAVID MCLAUGHLIN
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DAVID MCLAUGHLIN
HE NEW YORK LUBLIC LIBRARY
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A' OR, LENOX
WILLEN FOUNDATION
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in state and national affairs, in local politics standing on the side of prohibi- tion, for he believes firmly in the advisability of curtailing the sale of liquor, if not altogether prohibiting its manufacture, and he is a strong factor in the prohibition movement in this vicinity. A member of the United Presby- terian church, he is regular in his attendance upon its services and his life, which is in harmony with the principles of his faith, together with his enter- prise has won him the high regard of all with whom he has dealings and from a financial point of view he is one of the most substantial men in the county.
NICKOLAUS SUEPPEL, JR.
Among the German-American residents of Washington county who are meeting with success in agricultural pursuits is Nickolaus Sueppel, Jr., who owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres. He was born in Germany on the 25th of April, 1845, and is a son of Nickolaus and Mary A. Sueppel, also natives of the fatherland. The family removed to America in 1852, first locating in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1867. They then removed to Johnson county, Iowa, where the father passed away December 30, 1878, the mother's death occurring on the 8th of February of the following year. In their family were six children, the subject of this sketch being the only surviving child.
Coming to America when but seven years of age, Nickolaus Sueppel, Jr., acquired his education in the schools of this country, becoming a student of the German schools here, where he learned the English language and re- ceived good training. He also assisted in the work of his father's farm and remained at home until thirty years of age, when he purchased his present farm of two hundred acres of land. It is situated in Iowa township, Wash- ington county and Sharon township, Johnson county, and is an excellent property. When the place came into his possession it was in an unimproved condition, the only dwelling upon it being a little log cabin. This, however. has since given place to a fine residence, while Mr. Sueppel has also erected good substantial barns and outbuildings and furnished all of the necessary improvements and equipment that go to make up a model farm of the nine- teenth century. He has been most successful in the cultivation of his fields, and in addition to engaging in general farming he makes a specialty of rais- ing and feeding cattle and hogs, thus greatly adding to his yearly income.
In 1875 was celebrated the wedding of Mr. Sueppel and Miss Elizabeth Schnoebelen, who was born in Washington county, Iowa, April 26, 1852, a daughter of Francis J. and Mary Agatha (Weber) Schnoebelen, who were natives of Alsace, Germany. Mrs. Sueppel was one of twelve children and by her marriage became the mother of fourteen children, as follows: Matilda, deceased ; Rosalia A. and Mary E., at home ; Olivia, who was born January I, 1881, and died June 2, 1897 ; Philomania E., the wife of Charles Sherer, of Iowa township ; Helen M., at home ; Nickolaus I .; Antinetta C., the wife
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of Victor Schnoebelen, of this township; Frances W .; Emma E. ; Oliva C. and Leo T., twins; Hilda A. ; and Amelia C.
The parents are members of the Catholic church, while Mr. Sueppel gives his political support to the democracy, exerting his influence at all times toward the adoption of its principles. He served as a member of the school board for several years and was deeply interested in all efforts toward the advancement of the public school system in this community. He is well known in this section of the country, where a large portion of his life has been spent, and his many good qualities have gained for him the friendship and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
J. M. STEWART.
J. M. Stewart, who owns and operates a fine farm in Oregon township, Washington county, Iowa, also devotes much of his time and attention to stock raising, handling only the highest grades of blooded stock. He was born in Oregon township, November 3, 1858, a son of J. M. and Susanna (Mason) Stewart. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and removed to Dearborn county. Indiana, when it was but sparsely settled, clearing a farm for himself where he resided until 1848. In that year he removed to Oregon township, Washington county, Iowa, where he remained until about twelve years ago. His entire life was devoted to farming. His wife was born in Indiana, where she was reared and married, her death occuring in this county in 1903. In their family were ten children: Daniel, deceased ; Sarah, the wife of Thomas Marr, of Oregon township ; Archibald, who has passed away; Amos, a farmer and dairyman of Algona, lowa; Martin, residing in Ainsworth ; John, a farmer of Idaho; Mary, the wife of Amos Poland, of Avoca, Iowa: Frank, a resident of the state of Washington ; J. M., of this review ; and Isabel, the wife of W. T. Trotter, postmaster of Ainsworth. Although having passed the age limit, the father enlisted for service in the Civil war in 1862 and served for three years, winning a credit- able military record.
J. M. Stewart was reared under the parental roof and is indebted to the district schools of the neighborhood for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when he embarked in agricultural pursuits for himself on the farm which has since become his own. It consists of one hundred and eighty acres of fine land, all under a high state of cultivation, while all of the improvements about the place have been made by Mr. Stewart. Aside from general farming he is also engaged in raising shorthorn cattle, hogs and chickens, making a specialty of handling only blooded stock. He belongs to the American Poland China Association and is a member of its executive board. This association num- bers fourteen hundred members and Mr. Stewart was one of the thirteen chosen for expert judges, he being one of two from lowa. Ile is consid-
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ered one of the best judges in this line in the United States, and his word is taken as authority upon matters concerning Poland China hogs.
In 1882 occurred the marriage of J. M. Stewart and Miss Adel Cotthurst and in their family are the following children: Mary, the wife of William Lewis, a farmer of Crawford township, this county ; Howard and Maybell, twins, at home : Thomas. Myrtle, Katie and Everette, all at home.
In politics Mr. Stewart is a democrat but he has never sought nor desired public office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests, which, capably conducted, are returning to him a substantial annual income. Having spent his entire life in this vicinity, he has acquired an extensive acquaintance and the fact that he is most respected where best known is indicative of the fact that his salient characteristics have at all times been those of honorable and upright manhood.
G. G. GRIFFITH.
A life of intense and well directed activity has made G. G. Griffith the owner of three hundred and eighteen acres of excellent farm land in Lime Creek township, whereon he is engaged in general agricultural and stock- raising pursuits. A native of Washington county, Iowa, he was born Feb- ruary 10, 1874, a son of John W. and Priscilla ( Longwell ) Griffith, natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively. The parents came to Iowa in 1854, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming. He is still living and makes his home with his son, G. G. Griffith. The mother, however, was called to her final rest June 7, 1899. In their family were six children, three of whom still survive: Elizabeth, the wife of M. V. Wagerman, of this county ; Lucinda, the wife of Frank Guyer, also residing in this county ; and G. G., of this review.
G. G. Griffith spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his father's home, and he attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion. The seasons of vacation were spent in the work of the farm, becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, while the practical experience thus gained served him in good stead when. having attained his majority, he rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He was thus employed until 1901, when he purchased a farm in this township known as the Grand View farm. He has added to this property from time to time and the success which has attended him in his business career is indicated by the fact that he now owns three hundred and eighteen acres, comprising one of the finest stock farms in Washington county. Aside from the cultivation of the soil he has made a specialty of breeding and raising cattle and hogs, and this branch of his business activity is proving of substantial financial profit to him.
Happily situated in his home life, Mr. Griffith chose as a helpmate for life's journey Miss Mary Krueger, a native of Washington county, her birth there occurring October 6, 1874. She is a daughter of Ferdinand and Fred-
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ericka Krueger, both of whom are yet living and reside in this county. The wedding was celebrated in 1896, and as the years have come and gone two children have been added to the household, Walter F. and Calvin P.
In politics Mr. Griffith is a stalwart republican. He is a school director and in all matters of citizenship is loyal and active, giving his cooperation to all measures tending toward the material, intellectual, political and moral upbuilding and growth of the community. He early recognized the fact that there is no royal road to wealth and the success which he now enjoys is the logical result of a life of well directed energy and industry, while his sterling qualities have won for him the respect and good will of his fellowmen.
JAMES A. CARSON.
James A. Carson is a retired farmer residing on section 12, Oregon town- ship. For a long period he was actively engaged in general farming but when his labors had brought him sufficient capital he put aside the more arduous work of the fields and is now living in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is a native of eastern Tennessee, his birth having occurred in Blount county on the 16th of May, 1841. His parents were Alexander and Jane (Weir) Carson. The father was born in Indiana and when a boy went to Tennessee. He had not yet passed beyond the period of youth when he en- listed for service in the war of 1812. He became a resident of Washington county, Iowa, in 1855, at which time he located in Oregon township but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred on the 12th of May of the same year and his remains were interred in the Camp Ground cemetery. His entire life was devoted to general farming. His wife was born in Virginia and they were married in Tennessee. Following their re- moval to Iowa she continued a resident of this county until her demise in 1875, when her grave was made by the side of her husband's in the Camp Ground cemetery. Their family numbered eleven children: Thomas E., D. F. and Mary C., all now deceased ; Alexander, who has likewise passed away ; Emeline, the wife of John McCrory, of Illinois ; Phoebe Jane, who has departed this life: Sarah, the wife of William Robinson, of Ainsworth, Iowa; L. W., who died while serving in the Union army in the Civil war ; James A., of this review ; and Harriet Ann and Andrew V., both of whom are deceased.
James A. Carson pursued his early education in the schools of his native county and came to Washington county with his parents when a boy of fifteen years. His father dying soon afterward, he and his brother were left to care for the widowed mother and her children. Following the death of his mother in 1875 he began farming the old home place in connection with his brother Andrew and the business relation between them continued until about fifteen years ago, when the partnership was dissolved. James A. Carson still continues to manage his farm, although it is operated by a young man whom he reared. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and which in its well
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improved appearance indicates the careful management and progressive spirit of the owner. When he and his wife came to this farm there was not a sprout or anything growing upon the place. lle has put up all of the build- ings, which are of a substantial character and as the years pass he success- fully carries on general farming, annually harvesting fine crops and market- ing good stock. He has lived a life of well directed thrift, industry and per- severance and his labors have been fruitful, bringing him a substantial com- petence.
Mr. Carson was married on the 16th of April, 1878, to Miss Sarah Jane Hancher, who was born in New Athens, Harrison county, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Brokaw) Hancher. Her father was a native of Virginia, whence lie removed to Ohio and later to Indiana. Subsequently he returned to the Buckeye state and came from Ohio to lowa in 1876, locating in Louisa county. He was a lifelong farmer and he spent his last days in the home of his son-in-law, James A. Carson, where he passed away in June, 1908. For more than three decades he had survived his wife, who died on the 13th of March, 1877. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hancher were seven children: John, deceased; Mrs. Carson; Daniel, living in Browns- town, Illinois; Manda, the wife of Frank Clarke, of Meadville, Pennsyl- vania ; Martha Ann, who died in 1881 ; Robert F. C., a resident of Gladden, Iowa ; Mary B., the wife of Charles Lovlett, of Washington, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Carson have reared two children: Robert Carroll, who is now operating the farm; and Viola Hancher, now the wife of Howard McGatlin, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Carson had but one child of their own, a son, who was born February 6, 1879, and lived but one week.
Mr. Carson cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has voted for forty-five years at Ainsworth-the straight republican ticket. He has always been most loyal and patriotic in his citizenship and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. For twenty-two years he has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, while his wife has been a member thereof for fifty-four years. He gives liberally to the support of the church and holds strongly to what- ever he believes to be right and just in his relations with his fellowmen. In all of his business affairs he has been thoroughly reliable and honorable and his many good qualities have made his example one well worthy of emulation.
JOHN A. ROBINSON.
Macaulay has said that the history of a country is best told in the lives of its people and it is therefore a matter of interest when the record of such men as John A. Robinson is set down, for he has long been a resident of Washington county and for many years was numbered among the leading agriculturists. He is now, however, living retired at the venerable age of eighty-three years.
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He was born in Ontario county, New York, May 22, 1825, and is a son of Benjamin and Sarah ( Sanford) Robinson. He remained in the Empire state until twelve years of age and then went to Indiana, where he grew to manhood. There he resided until 1853, when he came to Iowa, settling in Des Moines, where he made his home for about three years. On the expira- tion of that period he removed to Lee county. Iowa, and in 1864 came to Washington county, locating on the farm where he now resides. He was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of rich land, one-half of which he has since sold to his son Harvey, who has made the improvements thereon. Mr. Robinson has placed all of the buildings upon his farm and has con- verted the wild prairie into richly productive fields, having made his property one of the valuable farms of the county. His life has been one of well directed energy and industry which, in the course of years, has brought him a sub- stantial measure of success that now enables him to live retired.
On the 8th of March, 1845, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Almira Sanger, a native of New York, and unto them were born six children: Sanford C., who is a mining promoter now living in Gunnison county, Colorado : Sarah Eliza, the twin sister of Sanford, now deceased ; Ellen, the wife of W. T. Plumb, a ranchman of El Paso county. Colorado ; Harvey S., an agriculturist of Washington county, Iowa ; Charles S., a min- ing promoter who is operating mining property in Mexico and makes his home in San Diego, California ; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Robinson and his wife thus reared a family who have been a credit and honor to their name. They have resided in Washington county for forty-five years and at all times he has been interested in those things pertaining to the country's substantial growth and improvement. In all business transactions he has been thoroughly reliable and is esteemed and honored wherever known and most of all where best known.
HARVEY S. ROBINSON.
Harvey S. Robinson, who successfully carries on general farming in Washington county, was born in Lake county, Indiana, on the 28th of March, 1851, and is a son of John A. Robinson. When a small boy he came to Washington county, Iowa, and acquired his early education in the district schools of Clay township. He later attended Oberlin College in Ohio but spent the greater part of his youth at home with his father, assisting in the work of the fields. He has been associated with him in partnership since he abandoned the profession of teaching, which he had followed in Ohio, while for two years he had also been a representative of that profession in Iowa. Since that time he has been with his father and together they own two hun- dred and ten acres of arable land on section 36, Clay township. They carry on general farming, raising the crops best adapted to soil and climate, and good grades of stock are also found upon their place.
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In 1872 Harvey S. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia E. Meachem and unto them have been born seven children: LeRoy, a farmer of Clay township; Arthur, a furniture dealer and undertaker in Rich- land, Iowa : Mary, the wife of E. L. Hamilton, a resident farmer of Aber- deen, South Dakota; Eugene, a minister of the Congregational church located in Chicago, Illinois ; Charles, who is paymaster in a mining company operated under the name of Littel Brothers at Gunnison, Colorado ; one who died in infancy ; and Carrie, who died at the age of six years.
Mr. Robinson formerly gave his political allegiance to the republican party but now votes with the prohibition party for he deems the question of temperance one of the most important issues before the people of the country today and gives his aid and his influence for the suppression of the liquor traffic. He has served as assessor of his township for four years, was also school treasurer and at all times has been progressive in his citizenship. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church, in which he is serving as deacon. Mrs. Robinson is very active in temperance work and is now district president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Their influence is always on the side of progress, truth and right, and their efforts have been a dominant force in promoting the moral development of the community.
J. M. CHITTUM, M. D.
The medical fraternity of Richmond, Iowa, finds a worthy representative in Dr. J. M. Chittum, who has here been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession since 1898. He was born in Virginia on the 21st of September, 1868, a son of John P. and Sarah E. (Saville) Chittum, also natives of the Old Dominion, who continue to make their home in that state. In their family were thirteen children, namely: Dinah J., the wife of H. O. Black, of Vir- ginia ; Benjamin F., residing in Dayton, Ohio; Nancy F., the wife of C. F. Nicely, of Virginia; J. D. and Newton F., both of Virginia; J. M. and Josephine M., twins, the former the subject of this sketch and the latter now deceased : Jacob, making his home in Virginia ; R. S., engaged in the work of ministry in Oklahoma ; Anna, the wife of J. Newcomer of Idaho ; Samuel D., residing in Virginia ; and two who died in infancy. The father, a wagon- maker by trade, has followed that occupation all his life.
Dr. Chittum, whose name introduces this review, acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of his native state and remained at home until twenty-three years of age. He then went to Blanchester, Ohio, where he attended school for eighteen months, and then in 1890 came to Iowa, where he attended the academy at Washington for three years. During this period he worked mornings and evenings for Dr. G. H. Iscamp to cover the expense of his schooling and at the same time read medicine with the Doctor. He later attended the State University at Iowa City for one year and was then matriculated in the Barnes Medical College of St. Louis, from which,
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after two years, he was graduated. After leaving college he returned to his home in Virginia, where he remained for three months, and then came to Washington county, Iowa, locating in Richmond in 1898. Here he engaged in the active practice of his profession, becoming very successful and promi- nent. From the outset of his career his patronage has been very good, gain- ing in importance continuously during the intervening years, until today he is ranked among the progressive, prosperous and well known representatives of the medical fraternity in this county. He has continued a close student of the science of medicine, keeping abreast of the progress made by the pro- fession, especially in the last quarter of a century, and anything that serves as a key to unlock that mystery which we call life is of deep interest to him. He has also become very deeply interested in real estate of the community. being the owner of a block of lots in Richmond, also three lots in Kalona, Iowa, and ten acres of timber land in English River township, and he has built himself a fine residence and office in this city.
On the 17th of June, 1903, Dr. Chittum was united in marriage to Miss Treasey Smith, who was born in this city and is a daughter of Michael Smith, who is still residing in Richmond, being now in his eighty-fifth year. Mrs. Smith passed away in 1889. In their family were six children. Mrs. Chittum was a graduate of St. Mary's Sisters' school at Richmond, and is a lady of culture and refinement. She is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church, while Dr. Chittum holds membership in the Baptist church. Politi- cally he is a republican but neither seeks nor desires office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business inter- ests. He has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of Richmond and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics, has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public.
L. J. BIDWELL.
Among the men who have assisted in making Brighton what it is today. commercially and financially, perhaps no one is more worthy of honorable mention than L. J. Bidwell, who in addition to having rendered the community invaluable service as a business man, has also from an executive standpoint rendered equally efficient and valuable service, having served as mayor of the municipality and also for a period of fifty years officiated in the office of justice of the peace. He is a stock-dealer whose business in that line has attained enormous proportions, his shipments being bound by no territorial limits for he has traded throughout several states of the Union, while at the same time he has also carried on a large business in grain. His career is not only one of gratification to himself by reason of the fact that it has sur- rounded him with prosperity but also to the entire county, inasmuch as it has benefited by his excellent commercial judgment and indefatigable energy.
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