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 48
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In his political views Mr. Luithly is a stalwart republican, interested in the growth and success of his party, and for one term served as township clerk. In his fraternal relations he is connected with Richland Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M. He is also active in local affairs and assisted in organizing a band of seventeen pieces in which he plays E flat Alto. He is a popular young man with a large circle of friends in this locality.
R. A. STUART.
There is something suggestive of genuine friendliness in a nickname and that the subject of this review is widely known as "Todd" Stuart is a fact which speaks in unmistakable terms of some of his characteristics. It indicates that he is not reserved but on the contrary approachable and that his salient qualities are such as win ready and warm regard. He was born in Washington, Iowa, February 10, 1869, and is a son of Robert and Josephine (Neymaster) Stuart. In the paternal line he comes of Scotch ancestry, his great-grandfather, Joseph Stuart, having been a native of the land of hills and heatlier, whence lie crossed the briny deep to the new world, settling at Fincastle, Virginia. In Scotland he engaged in the manufacture of dental tools and in this country practiced dentistry. He married Adaline Blucher and among their children was David L. Stuart, who was born in Virginia and in early manhood studied dentistry which he followed as a life work. At the time of the Civil war he served as a deputy provost marshal. He became one of the early residents of Rush county, Indiana, and there died at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabethi
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Pullen and they became parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters.
Of this family Robert Stuart was born in Indiana and was there reared. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Josephine Neymaster, a native of Iowa and a daughter of William and Rachel Neymaster. Her father was a native of Germany and on coming to America settled in Wapello, Iowa. His attention was given to general agricultural pursuits and in fol- lowing that occupation he made provision for the needs of his family which numbered three sons and three daughters. In early life Robert Stuart, father of R. A. Stuart, learned the brick-mason's trade and eventually be- came a contractor, continuing the business for many years. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations in order to espouse the Union cause, enlisting in 1862 as a member of Com- pany H, Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, with which he served for three years. He entered the army as a private and when discharged was orderly sergeant. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Arkansas Post, the Red River expedition under General Banks and the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, where he was wounded. He made perma- nent location in Iowa in 1865, at which time he established his home in Washington where he followed contracting and building for several years. He afterward lived for thirteen years in Sigourney and then returned to Washington where he conducted a meat market for several years but is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. Unto him and his wife have been born ten children, four sons and six daughters, of whom seven are now living : David L., a resident of Washington ; Clara, the wife of Martin S. Neff, of Ottumwa, Iowa ; Robert A., of this review ; Arizona, the deceased wife of M. L. Gounder ; Venisha, the wife of Z. G. Halferty, of Ollie, Iowa; Colonel W., deceased; Josephine, the wife of Joseph Shehan, of Butte, Montana ; Nellie, who died at the age of seven years ; Charles O. ; and Alice, the wife of Fred Wilson, of Washington.
Mr. Stuart of this review acquired his education in Sigourney, Iowa, where he lived to the age of fifteen years. He then went to California and to Old Mexico, working on a ranch in both districts but in 1888 returned to Iowa and engaged in the conduct of a meat market at Richland in connection with his father. In 1892 he came to Washington and became his father's successor as proprietor of the meat market at this place in 1902. He now conducts a large and profitable business, having an extensive shop which is well equipped with a refrigerator and all of the accessories of the modern market. His trade is continually growing for he puts forth earnest effort to please his patrons and is thoroughly reliable in all of his dealings.
On the 30th of May, 1892, Mr. Stuart was united in marriage to Miss Florence D. Ryan, who was born in Lucas county, Iowa. They are now the parents of three sons : Robert Rollin, Harry Harold and David Wallace. Mr. Stuart belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge in Richland. Iowa, and became a member of the encampment in California. He also belongs to the Metho- dist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party which finds in him a stalwart champion, interested in its success but not desirous
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for office as a reward for party fealty. He is regarded as one of the wide- awake, enterprising business men of his native city and his capable manage- ment, close application and unfaltering industry well entitle him to the suc- cess which he now enjoys.
CLARENCE STANLEY COE.
Clarence Stanley Coe, civil and constructing engineer of the Florida East Coast Railroad, makes his home in Washington county, Iowa, although the duties of his profession render it imperative that he spend much of his time elsewhere. He is now on active duty in charge of all bridge and trestle building from Key West to Havana. He was born December 24, 1865, in Iowa township, Washington county, in the house built by his father in 1842. His grandfather, Joseph Coe, was one of the earliest settlers of the county, arriving in 1839 when Iowa was still under territorial rule. He acquired extensive tracts of land from the government and was closely associated with the early development of the state. He had removed from Ohio to Indiana in 1821 and was thus a factor in extending the frontier of that state, while in 1839 he took up his abode at Iowa City, becoming the proprietor of the first hotel in that place.
Sylvester Coe, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio or Indiana and accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He wedded Ann Row- land, who was a native of Wales and when eighteen years of age came to America and located in this state. Here the parents of our subject were married and in 1842 Sylvester Coe took up the present home farm from the government and in the same year built thereon the brick residence which is still standing on the place. His two brothers, Benjamin and Lee, also entered land, the three acquiring about one thousand acres. Joseph Coe, another brother, also settled here.
Clarence S. Coe was reared on the old homestead farm and supplemented his early education by a high-school course in Iowa City, after which he entered the University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis, and in due time was graduated on the completion of a course in civil engineering with the class of 1889. For sometime thereafter he was associated with the civil engineer- ing department of the Illinois Central Railroad and later with the Great Northern Railroad, during which time he was connected with Stevens, of Panama fame, and other noted engineers. Afterward he became mainte- nance of way man for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and, on the beginning of the construction of the Florida East Coast Railroad, Mr. Coe was engaged as one of the first engineers on the work. He has twice been promoted until today he has charge of all bridge and trestle building, a most important and responsible position in that district of low, sea-swept land, where much of the road has to be built on trestle work.
On the IIth of March, 1891, Mr. Coe was married to Miss Lulu Joy, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her father was Samuel Joy, a prominent lumber-
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man and one of the early settlers of Minnesota. He conducted the North Star planing mills for years but is now deceased. Both he and his wife were of New England birth, removing westward from the vicinity of Port- land, Maine. Mrs. Joy bore the maiden name of Clara A. Brown and was a graduate of Kentsel College of Lewiston, Maine. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been born four children: Miriam Wenatchee, now a junior in the Iowa City high school; Priscilla Elizabeth; Sylvester Joy: Catherine, who died and was buried in Minneapolis. Mrs. Coe, with her children, has spent the past three winters in the south with her husband, while the summer months have been spent on the farm which she manages. The place is comprised of more than three hundred acres of rich and valuable land in Iowa township and has never passed out of possession of the Coe family since it was entered from the government. The sojourns in other districts give to the children broad and practical knowledge of the country and conditions existing else- where, so that they realize, as few children do, that the world's horizon is not bounded by the limits of the community in which they chance to live. Mr. Coe has made for himself a prominent and honored name in professional circles and his business interests are now of a most important character. Time has proven the worth of his efforts, the breadth of his insight and dis- cernment and the substantial character of his labors.
J. H. HUSTON.
J. H. Huston is a retired farmer living in Crawfordsville. For many years he was closely associated with agricultural interests and the activity and careful management which he displayed brought to him a substantial competence. He was born in Crawford township, Washington county, Iowa, November 5, 1841, and is of Scotch lineage although the family was founded in America at an early day.
His father, William Huston, was a native of Kentucky and when a small boy removed to Ohio, locating in Clark county. Later he became a resi- dent of Attica, Indiana, there living at a time when there were no railroad facilities and when teaming was done from that point to Chicago. Mr. Huston hauled produce there when Chicago contained but one brick house. On the return trip he would take with him a load of merchandise. He was not only identified with the pioneer life of Indiana but also settled on the frontier of Iowa, journeying to this state by ox team and wagon in Septem- ber, 1839, when it was still under territorial rule. He first made his way to Henry county, Iowa, to visit a cousin and while there was interviewed by parties who wished to see whether he had a scoop bed or a straight bed in his wagon, as a straight bed was wanted for a coffin-there being no avail- able lumber from which to manufacture one on short notice. After a short visit in Henry county Mr. Huston and his family drove to Washington county, making the journey with an ox team. On reaching his destination he built a cabin in the timber, going on the theory that people could not
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live on the prairie in the winter. After but a year spent there, however, he removed to the rich farm lands of the broad prairie, taking up his abode thereon in 1841. Year after year he continued to work on the farm and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, for the rich soil responded with large crops. His place was on section 25, Crawford township, and he continuously and successfully cultivated it until his life's labors were ended in death in 1874, at which time his remains were interred in the Beachman cemetery in Crawford township. He had been a supporter of the abolition movement prior to the Civil war and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and remained one of its stalwart adherents until his demise. He had served as a teamster in the war of 1812. His wife was born in Ohio and they were married in that state, September 6. 1825. She survived her husband for about seven years and passed away in Washington county in 1881, her grave being then made by the side of her husband. In their family were eight children: Margery, who died in infancy : Mary, who is the widow of William Reed and lives in Winfield, Iowa; John M., a retired lumberman living in Van- couver ; William and Daniel F .. both deceased: J. H., of this review ; and Elza and James who have also passed away. The son, Daniel F. Huston, drove an ox team to the Pacific coast in 1852, remaining there for ten years, during which time he was engaged in mining and teaming.
J. H. Huston was reared upon the frontier and pursued his education in one of the old time log schoolhouses common in pioneer districts. His train- ing at farm labor was not meagre for with the spring thaws he took his . place in the fields, following the plow and the harrow, sowing the seed and aiding in the cultivation of the crops until the annual harvests were gathered and stored in barns and sheds. He continued on the old home place with his parents until thirty-two years of age with the exception of three years, which he spent in the army, enlisting in 1862 in response to the president's call for three hundred thousand men. He joined Company I of the Twenty- fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was discharged on the expiration of his term of service in 1865. He had participated in the siege of Vicksburg, in the Altanta campaign, the march to the sea, and many important battles which contributed to the success which eventually crowned the Union arms. At the close of the war he was with the troops that marched all the way from North Carolina to Washington city and there participated in the Grand Review, the most celebrated military parade ever seen in this country. Following this ceremony Mr. Huston returned to Davenport, Iowa, with his regiment and was there honorably discharged. He had been a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of any duty, his record at all times being most creditable.
He remained upon the home farm assisting in its cultivation and improve- ment until thirty-two years of age. Indeed he lived for sixty-one years on the same tract of land and still owns the property. Six years ago, however, he left that place and took up his abode in the village of Crawfordsville. He still owns his three hundred and five acres of valuable land in Crawford township and has recently sold eighty acres. From his farm property he
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derives a substantial income and he has other sources of revenue, for he is one of the stockholders and directors of the Crawfordsville Savings Bank and owns property in the town. In fact he has been closely associated with town progress here, was one of the builders of the opera house and was also on the building committee to erect the schoolhouse.
On the 3d of November, 1874, Mr. Huston was married to Miss Rebecca Holmes and unto them have been born five children: Samuel W., who is a member of the medical profession, now practicing in Crawfordsville; John Clyde, a farmer of Crawford township; Thomas H., who operates the old homestead which was entered by his grandfather, William Huston, in 1842 and deeded to Joseph Huston in 1872 : D. F., who is attending medical school in Iowa City ; and Joseph Howard, a school teacher.
In his political views Mr. Huston has ever been an earnest republican and for six years served on the board in Washington county. He was also trus- tee and justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He was likewise president of the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion whose labors have been efficient, effective and far-reaching. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a member of its building committee at the time of the erec- tion of its house of worship. He belongs to the Grand Army Post in Wash- ington and thus maintains pleasant relations with his comrades of the Civil war who aided in defending the stars and stripes. His is a creditable record, one characterized by the faithful performance of duty in every relation, by activity and capable management in business affairs and by cooperation in many movements for the general good.
R. G. CHERRY.
Robert Gilmer Cherry, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Lime Creek township, Washington county, was born in Cedar township, this county, November 5, 1861, the son of Robert and Mary (Layman) Cherry. The father was a native of Ohio, born in 1825, and there he was reared and married, but he hearkened to the call of the new west and came to Iowa to throw his lot in with the little group of first settlers of Washington county. He located four miles northwest of the county seat, and there made his home until three years before his death, when he turned his farm over to a son and removed to Washington, where he died in 1895 in his seventy-first year. His wife was born in 1830 and died in 1900. He had been a stanch republican, and with his wife had been in regular attendance at the services of the United Presbyterian church.
At home and in the common schools of the county Robert G. Cherry learned the first lessons of life and education, which with him have borne such bountiful fruit in the prosperity of his later years. When he reached manhood he started upon his career as a farmer, for the first year cultivating a portion of the home place. After this experience he bought a farm-a
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tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Jackson township-which was his home until 1904. In this year he purchased his present farm of three hundred and three acres, one of the most valuable pieces of arable land in Washington county. After a time Mr. Cherry became interested in the stock business and for several years has been a heavy feeder of cattle- during this spring alone he had one hundred and eighty head in pasture --- and has achieved a marked success in this branch of his business, winning an important place among the cattle men of the county.
On the IIth of February, 1890, Mr. Cherry was married to Miss Corinne Stewart, the daughter of John T. and Mary (Bradford) Stewart. Her father is a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Franklin township, Washington county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cherry: Stewart L., Mary R., Nellie Lucile and Viola Nancy.
Mr. Cherry casts his votes for the candidates of the republican party, which he invariably supports, and has evinced an active interest in local political affairs. He has filled with great credit the various offices of Jack- son township and was also a member of the school board. Since coming to Lime Creek township the people have shown their confidence in him, justi- fied by his previous record, by putting him upon the board of trustees of the township and on the school board, for his interest in the cause of education and the schools has always been active, and during a period of fifteen years he used his influence in advancing educational matters. For he is a man of broad interests ; a public-spirited man, who does not shirk laborious routine as a servant of the people whose confidence he has gained. In short, he is a man of sterling integrity, commendable industry, and other fine qualities of character, which have won for him an estimable position among the people of the county.
GEORGE L. FOSTER.
George L. Foster, now deceased, was actively and successfully connected with the agricultural interests of Jackson township for a number of years. He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1836, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Lashell) Foster, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. George L. Foster, who obtained his education in the com- mon schools, was but eight years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Washington county, Iowa. He purchased a tract of eighty acres on section 23, Jackson township, and as his financial resources increased he added to his holdings until at the time of his demise he was the owner of two hundred acres of rich and productive land, which he had placed under a high state of cultivation and improvement. As a farmer he was diligent and persevering and transformed his home place into a very valuable farm, from which he annually harvested good crops. He was
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always watchful of opportunities pointing to success and through legitimate business methods won his prosperity.
On the 25th of January, 1866, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Mckibben, whose birth occurred in Clinton county, Pennsyl- vania, December 31, 1838, her parents being James and Isabelle (Harbison) Mckibben. In 1850, when but twelve years of age, she accompanied her father and mother on their removal to Illinois, the journey being made by teams and consuming four weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Mckibben, both of whom passed away in Illinois, had a family of ten children. Four of the sons, Joseph N., James H., Roland and Foster D., were soldiers of the Civil war and all served their full term of enlistment with exception of James, who enlisted at the last call and was serving when peace was declared. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Foster were born seven children, the record of whom is as follows: Harry and Hattie, who were twins, were born on the 5th of Janu- ary, 1870. Harry died on the 31st of August, 1870, and Hattie, who became the wife of W. D. McConnell passed away on the Ist of January, 1890, leav- ing a little daughter, Hattie, eight days old, who now makes her home with her grandmother, Mrs. Foster. Charles J., whose birth occurred March 5, 1868, is a resident of Jackson township. George F. and John F., twins, were born on the 18th of September, 1873, and live in Washington county. Maggie B. and Boyd T., twins, were born on the 7th of June, 1876, and both are still at home with their mother. Mrs. Foster also has three grand- children.
In his political views Mr. Foster was a stalwart democrat and at different times served in the positions of township clerk, trustee, school director and assessor, discharging his various official duties in a prompt and capable manner. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder and in the faith of which he passed away on the 7th of March, 1909, his remains being interred in Elm Grove cemetery. His demise came not only as a deep blow to his sorrowing widow and children but also to many who had come to esteem and love him for his sterling traits of character and honorable, upright manhood. Mrs. Foster belongs to the Presbyterian church and is widely and favorably known throughout this county, where she has now made her home for more than a third of a cen- tury.
J. A. MARSH.
The invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, industry and ability a successful career. This fact finds verification in the life record of J. A. Marsh, engaged in the hardware and implement business in Ainsworth, Iowa, who has also been closely identified with the upbuilding and develop- ment of this city. A native of Iowa, he was born in Appanoose county on the Ist of July, 1867. He was a son of J. M. and Sophia ( Hazen) Marsh, the former a farmer by occupation, who died in 1870. The mother is still
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J. A. MARSH AND FAMILY
THE NEW Y 1
PUBLIC LIBRARY ..
ÅSTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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living and resides with our subject in Ainsworth. In their family were three children but the two eldest died in infancy.
J. A. Marsh, the only surviving member, when but a small child removed with his parents to a farin west of Ainsworth and there he was reared, ac- quiring his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood and subsequently pursuing a commercial course at Burlington, Iowa. Having lost his father at the age of three years, he was early compelled to take up the tasks of farm life and as soon as his strength and experience permitted he took charge of the home farm and operated it successfully until the year 1895. In that year he removed to Ainsworth and here with the capital he had accumulated through his labor and industry while on the farm, he en- tered into a partnership with H. M. Mize in the implement business. This relation continued for three years, and during that period the growth of the concern was remarkable. After the first year they added a hardware depart- ment to their business and their trade expanded so rapidly that during the last year of their connection the firm's sales amounted to eight thousand dollars. The partnership was then dissolved, since which time Mr. Marsh has been alone in the business. He now conducts a general hardware, imple- ment, heating and plumbing enterprise and through his capable business management and executive control, the business has tripled itself, the sales for one day only, the 15th of May, amounting to five hundred dollars. As he has prospered he has extended his interests and in company with Mr. Miller he organized and established the Ainsworth Telephone Exchange, but after six years he sold his interest therein and severed his connection with that enterprise. He is the owner of a fine residence in Ainsworth and also owns one hundred and twenty acres of farm land in Oregon township. He has been notably successful in his various business activities and the position to which he has now attained is due directly and entirely to his own indefatigable energy and untiring perseverance, while at all times the up- right and honorable methods which he has practiced have gained for him the confidence and trust of his fellowmen.
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