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 8
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ALBERT HUNTER.
Albert Hunter is now living retired in Washington in the enjoyment of well earned rest but for many years was closely associated with farming interests and contributed in large measure to the agricultural development of this county. He started upon life's journey in Knox county, Ohio, Septem- ber 5, 1845, being one of the eight children of John and Elizabeth Ann (Paul) Hunter, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The paternal grandfather, George Hunter, was a native of Scotland but the opportunities of the new world attracted him and he became one of the early settlers of Ohio, where he was long associated with farming. He married Martha Conner and they reared several children. George Hunter died when past middle life while his wife reached an advanced age. Their son, John Hunter, also chose agricultural pursuits as his life work and, feeling that the new and growing state of Iowa offered attractive opportunities, he ar- rived within its borders about 1850, locating at Danville, where he remained for a number of years. His last days, however, were passed in New London. For several years he survived his wife who died at the age of thirty-nine years. She was a daughter of William and Jane (Locke) Paul, both of whom lived to a ripe old age. Her father was a native of Virginia, served as a soldier of the war of 1812 and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. Both Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter were consistent members of the Methodist church and their many good qualities won for them the esteem and high regard of all with whom they came in contact. Their children were as follows: Martha, the deceased wife of David McDonald : William, who has also passed away ; Mary, who died unmarried: Albert, of this review ; Adeline. the deceased wife of Absalom Hite; Margaret, the wife of A. C. White, of Battle Creek, Michigan; Maria, the wife of Hiram Kinkle, of Woodland, California ; and Harriet, deceased.
Albert Hunter was a little lad of five years when he came with his parents to Iowa, being reared on the home farm in Des Moines county, during which time he attended the district schools after arriving at the usual age. He was
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but nine years of age at the time of his mother's death and he then went to live with his grandfather with whom he continued until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company E, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years and nine months. He was a youthful patriot of but sixteen years at the time of his enlistment. On one accasion he was struck by a spent ball hut was not seriously injured. He served with the rank of sergeant and par- ticipated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Vicksburg, the entire Atlanta campaign, the memorable march to the sea under Sherman and many skir- mishes. He was in the grand review in Washington, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. Though young in years no veteran of twice his age was more loyal to the interests of the Union.
When the war was over Mr. Hunter returned to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, but later resided for a short time in Page county, Iowa, and then removed to New London, Henry county. He continued his residence there for a few years and subsequently removed to Louisa county, where he purchased eight acres of land. That place was his home for about twenty-two years, during which time he added eighty acres to the original tract while in his farming operations he met with grati- fying success, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation. In 1896 he removed to Keokuk county, and in 1899 came to Washington county, living near Ainsworth, where he owned a farm of one hundred and sixty. acres. Since 1901, however, he has maintained his residence in the city of Washington, for his activity in former years brought to him a substantial competence releasing him from the necessity of former business activity save the care which he gives his investments.
In October. 1869, Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Josephine Kling- man, a daughter of Cyrus and Emma (West) Klingman. They became parents of a son and a daughter : Tennis W .. a resident farmer of Washing- ton township, who married Ella Glaze and has four children: Geneva, Clif- ford, Willard and Mary ; and Jessie E., the wife of Samuel Baird, living on a farm near Ainsworth, by whom she has one son, Homer. The wife and mother. Mrs. Josephine Hunter, passed away in the '70s, and on the 19th of April, 1879. Mr. Hunter was again married, his second nion being with Miss Sarah E. Ingersoll, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, a daugh- ter of William and Nancy (Cooper) Ingersoll, who were also natives of the Buckeye state and came to Iowa in 1847, settling near Burlington, where her father died in 1880 at the age of seventy-one years, while her mother passed away in 1876 at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of eleven children, who reached adult age: Mary, the deceased wife of Isaiah Groves ; Keziah, the wife of William Blair; Louisa, the' deceased wife of William Sharp: Edward: William : Sarah E .: Clara, the wife of Jasper Matlock; Philena, the wife of Augustus Eggleston; Ella, the wife of Ransom Gore: Eugenia, the deceased wife of Frank Smith ; and Peter. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Sarah E. Hunter were John and Christina ( Hill) Ingersoll, the former a native of Ohio and a farmer by occupation. The maternal grandfather, John Cooper, was also born in
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Ohio and followed agricultural pursuits. He married a Miss Symmes, who died in early womanhood.
The marriage of Albert Hunter and Sarah E. Ingersoll has been blessed with three children. Eva, the eldest, is the wife of George H. Paul, of Wash- ington and they have two sons, Maurice and Dwight. Mary is a teacher in the Kalona public schools, and Grace is a stenographer. In his political views Mr. Hunter is a stalwart republican and has served as road super- visor and was township trustee and township clerk in Louisa county, Iowa. He has always been loyal in his citizenship, proving as faithful to his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag on southern battle fields. He belongs to I. G. White Post, G. A. R. and thus maintains pleasant rela- tions with his old army comrades. He is a member of the church board and a class leader in the Methodist church, of which both he and his wife are mem- bers. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are both widely known in this county and have an extensive circle of warm friends while the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
HENRY FRANCIS GRIFFIN.
Henry Francis Griffin, cashier of the Riverside Savings Bank, although a young man, is recognized as a forceful and valued factor in the business life of the community. He was born in Wright county, Iowa, April 27, 1886, and is a son of John R. and Sarah M. (Crosby) Griffin, both of whom were natives of the state of New York where they were reared and married. In 1883 they came to Iowa, settling in Wright county. Henry Griffin, the paternal grandfather of our subject, had acquired extensive land in Wright county in an early day, having purchased it from the government at a dollar and a quarter per acre. For sometime after coming to the middle west, John R. Griffin taught school but later located on the farm where he resided for twelve years. He then removed to Goldfield, where he has in later years been engaged in the grain business. Both he and his wife now reside in Goldfield at the ages of fifty-one and fifty years respectively. MI1. Griffin is a democrat in politics, active in the local ranks of the party, and has cap- ably served as mayor of Goldfield for some years. He has always taken an active interest in educational work and for years served as a member of the school board, his labors in that direction being very effective in furthering the interests of public instruction. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and is one of Goldfield's most prominent, valued and honored citizens. He has two other children besides our subject, namely : Harold W., who is engaged in the lumber business ; and Edna L., attending high school.
Henry Francis Griffin was reared at home and was educated in the public schools and at Capital City College in Des Moines. In 1904, when eighteen years of age, he went to Milford, Iowa, where he entered the Milford Sav- ings Bank, but three months later the bank changed hands and Mr. Griffin returned to Goldfield, there accepting a position in the Citizens State Bank.
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He remained in that capacity until September 21, 1908, when he resigned to become cashier of the Riverside Savings Bank, in which important position he has since served. He is thoroughly acquainted with the banking business in principle and detail, and his progressive and enterprising spirit are con- stituting an important element in the successful conduct of the institution with which he is connected.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Griffin is a Mason and in his political views is a democrat. He was holding the office of town treasurer of Goldfield at the time he decided to remove to Riverside, resigning his position in order to carry out his contract with the Riverside bank. He is a representative of the younger generation of financiers in Washington county, imbued with the spirit of modern progress and activity, and it requires no prophetic vision to see that the future holds in store for him still wider opportunities.
CHARLES A. TRUMBAUER.
Charles A. Trumbauer, junior partner of the firm of Smith & Trumbauer, hardware merchants, who are conducting business at Keota and at Wellman, Iowa, Mr. Trumbauer being in charge of the store at the latter place, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1870. His parents were A. F. and Mary E. (Romig) Trumbauer, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they resided continuously until 1884, and then came to Iowa, locating first in Buchanan county, where the father purchased, culti- vated and improved a tract of land. He is now living in Waterloo, this state, but his wife died on the 28th of October, 1896. They were the parents of ten children, namely : Joseph O., of Waterloo, Iowa ; Ellen R., the wife of L. A. Megow, a resident of Oelwein, this state; Magdaline, of Lisbon, North Dakota; Charles A., of this review; Clara V., the wife of John P. Clue, of this state; Anna L., the wife of R. Nesbit, making their home in Blackhawk county, Iowa: Katie, the wife of J. D. Martin, residing in Lisbon, North Dakota ; James E., also of Waterloo, Iowa, and two died in infancy.
Charles A. Trumbauer was reared under the parental roof, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, when, desirous of providing for his own support, he secured a position at the insane asylum in Independence, Iowa. He worked there as kitchen boy for six months when, realizing the need of further education as a preparation for the practical and responsible duties of life, he entered Central University at Pella, Iowa, and spent three years in study. Thus with broad literary knowledge to serve as the foundation for professional learning, he took up the study of medicine at Keokuk, Iowa, and was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College of that city with the class of 1897.
Mr. Trumbauer located for practice in Harper, Iowa, where he remained for four 'and a half years and then removed to Keota, where he continued in practice for six and a half years. He then disposed of his practice and
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
turned his attention to the hardware and implement business in partnership with L. H. Smith, under the firm style of Smith & Trumbauer. They are owners of one large and well appointed store at Keota, also possessing another more extensive store at Wellman. The business is carefully con- ducted along legitimate lines of trade and their patronage is constantly in- creasing. Mr. Trumbauer has ever based his principles upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving industry and integrity and by reason thereof he has won substantial and gratifying success. He is not only interested in the two commercial establishments but is also the owner of a large farm of three hundred and fifty-five acres on sections 5 and 6. Lime Creek township. from which he derives a substantial annual income.
On the 25th of March. 1897. Mr. Trumbauer was married to Miss Laura L. Bryson, who was born in this county. December 8, 1870. and is a daughter of John K. and Harriet ( Bonner) Bryson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The parents are now living in Keota, Iowa. Their family numbered six children, including Mrs. Trumbauer, who by her marriage has become the mother of two daughters and one son: Esther L., Oliver M. and Louellen M. The parents are members of the Baptist church and are held in high esteem here by all who know them by reason of their sterling personal worth. Mr. Trumbauer votes with the democracy to which he has given his support since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but is not an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with Keota Lodge, No. 353. A. F. & A. M. He is a man of energetic and persistent action, swift in his decisions, quick in perception and stable in purpose.
TRUMAN D. BOOTH.
Truman D. Booth, who is remembered for the strong traits of his char- acter as well as by the fact that he lived continuously for thirty odd years on the old Booth homestead, was born in Fredonia, Licking county, Ohio. December 13, 1839. the son of Isaac and Mary Booth. He was still an infant when his mother died and his father removed to Springfield, Illinois, and was but twelve years old when his remaining parent was taken from him, leaving him to the care of his older brother Jacob. About 1852 the two brothers re- moved to Iowa county, Iowa, where they made a valiant struggle against the obstacles opposing them, which were the greater partly because of their own youth and partly because of the newness of the country, for it was still in the first stages of its development.
In that county Truman Booth was married. May 19, 1863. to Miss Lucy A. Piersal, who bore him four children. The first two died in infancy, but two daughters, Mrs. Daniel Scalf and Mrs. John Ronan, still survive. Mrs. Booth died in March, 1870, leaving her husband with the two daughters who were little more than babes, and on the 17th of the following November he married Miss Emma \. Hartsock. She was born in Johnson county, Towa, the daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Nelson) Hartsock. The father was a native
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J. D. YBooth
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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of Pennsylvania, the mother of Virginia ; they were married about 1840 and came to Iowa, where in Johnson county Mr. Hartsock took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land. On this he lived for some thirty odd years and contributed his share to the transformation of the conditions and manner of life that has taken place in the interval between that time and this. About 1872 he removed to Washington county, where he bought a small place near Wellman, on which he lived in retirement the remaining years of his life. Seventy-six was the span of years allotted to him.
Of Mr. Booth's second marriage eight children were born. The two old- est boys died before they had compassed the period of youth, but six sons and daughters are still living useful lives. They are: Nettie, the wife of Wesley Lane, of South English, Keokuk county, Iowa ; Jasper C., of Dayton, lowa; Fred, who lives in Chicago; Vernon, who works the home farm ; Warren, a carpenter, living at home ; and Erma, a graduate of the Wellman high school, who is preparing herself for teaching. Mrs. Booth is a member of the Baptist church and is active in its work. She lives on the home farm of two hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Booth was in his usttal health up to October 7, 1901, when he had the misfortune to be kicked in the head by a horse, his face being fright- fully crushed. For three months the most intelligent medical and surgical care and the devoted nursing of loving hands did all in their power to relieve his severe pain and save him to many years of usefulness, but it was not so ordered by Divine Providence and on the 23d of January, 1902, he was re- leased from his bed of pain.
At the time of his death Mr. Booth was one of the oldest residents of Lime Creek township, for he had settled on the present Booth homestead in 1869 and had made it his fireside until his death. He was a careful, con- servative man, a man who looked life squarely in the face, meeting its prob- lems unfalteringly and honorably, and never turning aside from a duty. He had been a devout Christian for more than thirty years, having been united at first with the Christian church, and affiliated later with the Baptists. In politics he was a staunch republican, but though he never evinced any desire to hold office, he always demonstrated a keen interest in matters of public concern and in good government. In short he was a man whose influence, extended as it was, over a broad period of years, can only have been the very best, and must have left its impress upon the community and the age in the midst of which he lived.
CHARLES E. BROWN.
Charles E. Brown, who is successfully and energetically carrying on farming and stock-raising on his well improved and attractive farm of eighty acres on section 24, Jackson township, was born in Washington county, Iowa, on the 24th of August, 1871, his parents being W. E. and Martha Brown. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education
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and remained at home with his parents until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he operated a rented farm for six years, at the end of which time, by careful expenditure and close economy, he had accumulated suffi- cient capital to enable him to purchase his present place of eighty acres on section 24, Jackson township. As the years have gone by he has brought the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement and in addition to growing the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, both branches of his business proving a good source of remuneration to him.
On the 25th of March, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Anna B. Pearson, whose birth occurred in Washington county, December 25, 1869, her parents being Abram and Julia Pearson. \ sketch of her father is given on another page of this volume. Mrs. Brown is a graduate of Washington Academy and prior to her marriage taught school for several years. She is now the mother of three children, namely : Lloyd P., who was born December 21, 1897: Donald E., whose birth occurred October 27, 1901 ; and Lois Hazel, whose natal day was March 10, 1903.
Mr. Brown gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now serving as school treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with lodge No. 868, M. W. A., at Washington, Iowa. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Washington, with which his wife is also identified. They are widely and favorably known through- out the county in which they have spent their entire lives and are numbered among its substantial, representative and worthy residents.
HON. B. F. TIPTON.
No history of Washington county would be complete without extended reference to Hon. B. F. Tipton, one of the venerable citizens of Cedar town- ship who has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. He has lived in this county for almost six decades, during which period he has not only been a witness to the changes which have ocurred and events which have shaped its history. but has borne his full share in the work of general im- provement and upbuilding. Loyalty to duty has ever been one of his marked characteristics and as the years have gone by he has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the material, intellectual and political progress of this part of the state. He was born in Franklin county, Ohio, June 27. 1828, a son of Jonathan and Malinda ( Denison) Tipton, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. In the year 1838 Jonathan Tipton removed to Fulton county. Illinois, where he resided until 1851, and then came to Washington county, Iowa. He entered land from the government in Cedar township and for seven years made his home thereon, giving his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement. In 1858 he bought another farm and made it his place of residence up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1883 when he was seventy-nine years of age. His wife long survived him, passing
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away in 1901 at the very venerable age of ninety-five years. They were worthy and respected pioneer residents of the county and the efforts of Mr. Tipton constituted a valuable force in promoting the agricultural progress of the community. Unto him and his wife five children were born: Jane, who is now the wife of C. A. Timmons and is living in Cedar township ; B. F .; John, now residing in Oklahoma ; Mary, the wife of R. C. R. Young, a resi- dent of Idaho; and Martha, the wife of William Mason, of Ottumwa, Iowa.
B. F. Tipton accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois when a lad of ten years and there continued with his parents until after he attained his majority, and the public schools of Illinois afforded him his educational privileges. He was twenty-one years of age when he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Jackson, who was born in Ohio in 1827, a daughter of John and Asenath Jackson. Both of her parents died in Illinois and were laid to rest at Knoxville.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tipton began their domestic life in Illinois where they lived for a year and then came to this county where Mr. Tipton has since made his home. At one time he owned four hundred and fifty-seven and a half acres of land and was extensively engaged in farming, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and carrying on agricultural pursuits in a most progressive. systematic and prosperous manner. However he has since sold some of his property and has given some of it to his children, so that his holdings now comprise one hundred and thirty acres on section 17, Cedar township. He also made a specialty of rais- ing and feeding stock and found this a profitable source of income, for he handled good breeds of horses, cattle and hogs, and therefore found a ready market when he desired to make a sale. The rich soil of Iowa responded readily to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it as he tilled his fields in the cultivation of his crops. Year by year he gathered abundant harvests and his labor eventually brought to him substantial financial returns. His present condition of prosperity is in marked contrast to his condition at the time of his arrival here. When he entered his land from the government his financial resources were very limited and his first home in the county was a log cabin, covered with a clapboard roof. Years passed and his success enabled him to provide an attractive home for his family supplied with all the comforts that go to make life worth living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tipton were born seven children: Israel, now living in Oklahoma; John and Alfonso, who are likewise residents of that state ; Florence, the wife of C. C. Gardner, of Wellman ; David, living in Wapello, Iowa ; Myrtle, the wife of Joseph A. Simerman, a resident farmer of Cedar township ; and Hazard, deceased. The wife and mother departed this life March 21, 1900, and was laid to rest in the Lexington cemetery, leaving her husband and six children to mourn her loss. She was a consistent and faith- ful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her earnest. Christian life gained for her the love and admiration of all who knew her.
Mr. Tipton is also a member of the same church to which he has long been most faithful. He was one of the trustees and at all times he has con- tributed generously to its support and done all in his power to promote its
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growth and extend its influence. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Wellman, Iowa, being entitled to membership through his three years' service as a soldier in the Civil war. In the early days of the long conflict between the north and the south in the attempt on the one hand to overthrow the Union and on the other to preserve it intact, he joined the boys in blue of Company A, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry. He participated in several hard fought battles, was with Sherman on the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea and yet was never wounded. He delights in meeting with his old army comrades and thus maintains his membership in Wellman Post. In politics he has ever been a stalwart republican from the organization of the party which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery and which has ever been recognized as the party of progress. He has taken an active interest in its work as a local leader and was honored with election to the state legislature, in which he served during the twenty-first and twenty-second assemblies, being the first man in Washington county that was elected for a second term up to that time. He took an active interest in promoting legislation for the benefit of the general public, supporting various measures which are now found on the statute books of the state. He also served on the school board for several years and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion. He has made a splendid record in his military and political service and in his business career. In fact, in every re- lation of life he has displayed the traits of honorable and upright manhood and now, when he has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, he receives the veneration and respect which are ever accorded those who have lived worthily and well.
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