USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 40
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In September, 1900, E. D. Tompkins was united in marriage to May Thompson, daughter of Jasper and Clara ( King) Thompson, and to them
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his been born one child, Winslow. In connection with his private practice, Doctor Tompkins has served in the capacity of county coroner, and at present is employed as surgeon for the Chicago & Great Western railway, at Clarion, Iowa. He is a Mason and a member of the commandery, and is president of the Clarion school board. Politically, he is an enthusiastic adherent of the Republican party, and his influence is keenly felt in all campaigns and elections of all nominees of that political organization. In the pursuit of his duties as a physician he has not forgotten his obligation as a citizen and keeps fully abreast of the times on all issues. The fine discrimination which he uses in everything pertaining to important decisions makes his opinion much sought for, and his deep sympathy and wisdom in dealing with all forms of human suffering has made his patronage both large and appreciative.
JOHN D. DENNISON.
Few men of Wright county and vicinity were as generally honored and respected as was John D. Dennison, the subject of this sketch. A man of unselfish nature, genial in manner, hospitable and cordial in his dealings with men, his memory is today revered by the community at large, among whom he lived for so long a period.
John D. Dennison was born in the state of New York, on August 26, 1848, the son of John D. and Abagol ( Love) Dennison, both of whom were natives of New York state. John D. Dennison, Sr., was a farmer and a shoemaker, a trade which he followed for some years in the Empire state, and then went to the state of Wisconsin, where he lived for fourteen years. after which he went to Dallas county, Iowa, living there for one year and then came to Wright county, bought three hundred and sixty acres of land in Lake township, where he lived for one year and died in 1872. John D. and Abagol Dennison were the parents of five boys and one girl, Mary, John D., Alonzo. Samuel, Edwin and George, all of whom are dead with the exception of John D. and Edwin, who lives in the state of Kansas.
John D. Dennison, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the state of Wisconsin, where he attended classes until eighteen years of age, after which he helped his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he was married, during the year of 1868, to Junia Gorton, daughter of Joseph and Margretta ( Casporus) Gorton. Jos-
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eph Gorton was born in the state of Pennsylvania, where he farmed, and then went to the state of Wisconsin, engaged as a farmer for a few years, and then went to Fayette county, lowa, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, afterwards moving to Wright county, where he lived for seven years. Margretta Casporus was born in Holland and came to America at an early age, where she was married to Joseph Gorton. Junia (Gorton) Dennison was born in New York state, where she lived until going to Wisconsin with her parents, in which state she received her edn- cation, leaving school at the age of fifteen years and living at home until her marriage, when seventeen years of age. Joseph and Margretta Gorton were the parents of the following children: William, Arsonay, Anna, Amastachia, Junia, Eugene, Hugh, Mary and Israel.
After his marriage, John D. Dennison bought a farm of eighty acres in the state of Wisconsin, where he farmed for one year and then sold his land and went to Dallas county, lowa, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land twelve miles south of the town of Perry, lowa. He lived at this place for one year and then came to Wright county, during the year of 1871, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lin- coln township, a place without improvement and with only five acres of broken ground. This land John D. Dennison improved and cultivated and after five years sold it and bought the heirs' part of his father's farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which was located four miles from Clar- ion, now known as the John Meecham farm. For this land Mr. Dennison paid the sum of five dollars per acre, land which he proceeded to improve, eventually expending the sum of twelve thousand dollars for necessary farm buildings, the lumber for which was hauled from the town of Webster City, thirty-two miles distant. On this farm four hundred apple trees were set out, and a large grove planted, making a comfortable and convenient farm, a place where John D. Dennison lived for nine years.
Mr. Dennison bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clarion, where he farmed until the Great Western railroad came to Clarion, when he sold his land to that corporation. Following this sale Mr. Dennison bought one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles south of Clarion and from there went to the state of Idaho, where he took up a claim and where he lived for fifteen months, after which time he returned to Clarion, where, on April 12, 1912, he died. John D. Dennison, during the year of 1861. enlisted with the Forty-eighth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days' service ; but while engaged in his duties contracted typhoid
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fever, as a result of which he was mustered out of the service eighty days from the time of his enlistment.
To John D. and Junia Dennison were born the following children : Laura, who married E. J. Cameron, foreman of the factory of the Moline Plow Company, at Moline, Illinois, at which city they live; John, an attor- ney at Des Moines, Iowa, who married Lula Clark, to whom have been born two children, John and one who died in infancy. Joseph, a physician, who is deceased; Daisy, who married J. F. Auner, a physician of Waverly. Iowa, to whom have been born one child, Joseph. Louisa, who married Robert O'Connor, and lives at Fargo, North Dakota; and Robert E., who married Elizabeth Burns, to whom have been born one child. June.
John D. Dennison was probably best known as a public man, one who was willing to give some of the best years of his life to the alleviation of hardship and suffering among those less fortunate than he, and a man who amid his busy affairs did not neglect his duty to the community in matters of public interest. For a number of years this commendable citizen served as commissioner for the poor and as a result of his tenderness and sympathy he won the hearts of those whom he served, as well as the admiration of his co-workers. As school director, Mr. Dennison displayed his ability in another field of endeavor and showed his kindly interest in those things which aid in the betterment of living conditions. In politics, John D. Den- nison was a Republican, one who as a good citizen aligned himself with the party which he thought would serve best and one who did his part in bring- ing about those things most desired. Mrs. Dennison is a member of the Congregational church.
OSMAN J. LEWIS.
Among the well-known and successful farmers of Wright county, one who has taken an important part in the affairs of the township, both in public office and as a private citizen, is. Osman J. Lewis, the subject of this sketch. One who from a busy life has found time to devote to the interests of others and one who has demonstrated himself to be a man of no ordinary ability in the management of those things to which he has been entrusted. he is entitled to a place among the records of leading citizens of this county.
Osman J. Lewis was born in Story county, Iowa, June 25, 1869, the son of Jonas and Caroline ( Sheldale ) Lewis, the father a native of Norway
MR. AND MRS. OSMAN J. LEWIS.
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and the mother a native of Illinois. Jonas Lewis received his early educa- tion in Norway, was trained as a farmer, and when twenty years of age came to America. After landing in New York, he went to the state of Ohio, and worked as a day laborer on a farm for a few years and then went to Story county, lowa, about the year 1860, and worked for a few years as a farm hand. Later he purchased eighty acres of land in Story county and from time to time added to his holdings until he now has three hundred and thirty-three acres of land, where he makes his home. To Jonas and Caroline Lewis were born eight children, Levy, Osman, Anna, Carrie, Maggie, Oscar, John and David. Of these children, Osman Lewis, the subject of this sketch, is the only one living in Wright county.
Osman Lewis received his early education in the country schools of Story county, where he attended classes until eighteen years of age and then until he was twenty years of age he aided his father on the farm, after which he rented a part of the home place for three years. In the fall of 1892 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wright county, and in the spring of the year 1893 moved to his farm. For his land Mr. Lewis had paid twenty dollars an acre, the land having no improvements. He immediately proceeded to improve his place, in all expending about seven thousand dollars for such things as were necessary to make the farm mod- ern and convenient for agricultural purposes.
Mr. Lewis has his land well tiled, has set out a two-acre grove and has made his land among the most productive of the county. Each year this progressive farmer plants large quantities of corn and small grain, the corn averaging fifty bushels to the acre and the small grain averaging some forty bushels to the acre. From his crops. Osman J. Lewis sells some of his produce and some he feeds to his live stock, about forty head of hogs each year being sent to the market at Clarion from this farni.
On December 15, 1892, Osman J. Lewis was married to Mary Shefv- land, the daughter of O. O. and Lizzie Shefyland, and one of a family of seven children. To Osman and Mary Lewis were born no children, but at the home are two adopted children. Edward and Regina.
Osman J. Lewis, in politics, is a Republican, and as a member of the party he has represented his fellow citizens as the occupant of the office of school director, an office which he filled with efficiency for three years. Mr. Lewis and his family are members of St. Olaf Norwegian Lutheran church and have taken a conscientious part in the work of that congregation.
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JOHN L. MCALPINE.
Citizens of the present generation living in Wright county, lowa, can never repay its pioneers for the hardships they suffered and the sacrifices they made in the early history of the county when there were no railroads, no improved highways and the land was practically all uncultivated. John L. McAlpine, postmaster at Belmond, and a retired farmer of Wright county, has seen this portion of the state transformed from a wild and desolate prairie into beautiful and fertile farms. Coming here with his parents at an early date, he has had a large part not only in the development of the agricultural resources of the county but in the public life as well, having served in many important positions of trust and responsibility.
John L. McAlpine is a native of Winchester Center, Connecticut, born on January 19, 1861. He is the son of John J. and Hulda L. ( Evans) McAlpine, the former of whom was the son of Samuel A. and Katie (Lukes ) McAAlpine. They were natives of Scotland and Germany, respec- tively. Hulda L. Evans was the daughter of John and Hulda ( DeWolf) Evans, who were natives of Wales, and France, respectively.
John J. McAlpine was born in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, and his mother in Litchfield county, Connecticut. John J. McAlpine, the great- grandfather of John L., was one of the first members of the McAlpine family to come to America. He settled with his brothers, Samuel and Herbert, and his sister, Xenia, in Connecticut, some time before the Revolu- tionary War. There the family has lived for many generations, John L. McAlpine's father being the first member of the family who is not buried in the family cemetery in Connecticut.
During the War of the Rebellion, John J. Mc. Alpine, father of John L., organized a company which was a part of the Third Regiment, Con- nectient Volunteer Infantry. After being in the field for six months, he was taken ill and returned home. He was relieved temporarily and while away his company was engaged in the battle of Bul! Run. All the mem- bers of the company except three were killed. John J. McAlpine was retired after the battle and never returned to the service. In September, 1869. the family came west to lowa, shipping a stock of merchandise to Alden, which was then the end of the Illinois Central railroad. From Alden the merchandise was hauled by teams to Belmond. The family first rented an old building and the father bought out the only grocery and drug- store in the county, combining the stock with the stock which he had shipped
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through from the East. For a brief period the McAlpine store was the only one of its kind in Wright county.
In 1870 Mr. McAlpine built a business block on what is now known as Main street, in Belmond, and there he continued in business for thirteen years. The building was one square east of the river, on the south side of the street and on the northwest corner of the block. John J. Mc. Alpine then sold out and engaged in farming with his son, John L., the subject of this sketch. He died on the farm four miles south of Belmond, after hay- ing reared a family of three boys and one daughter, who had died in infancy. All of the sons are still living, namely: W. E. McAlpine, who is the present marshal of Belmond; George, who is the agent for the Chi- cago Great Western railroad at Council Bluffs; and John L., the subject of this sketch.
John L. McAlpine lived at home until he attained his majority. He attended school in the winter and worked at home on the farm during the summer months. He also hunted and trapped during his spare hours. In 1881 Mr. McAlpine purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from Captain Terrell. Before purchasing the farm, however, he had operated a slaughter house and a meat market. This was before there were any rail- roads in Clarion. Mr. McAlpine made four trips every week to supply the settlers with meat. The farm comprised one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land, for which he paid eight dollars an acre. He set to work to improve the farm and it is now considered one of the most highly improved farms in Wright county. In the meantime he has added ninety acres to the original one hundred and sixty acres. All the land lies in sec- tions 12 and 13, of Grant township. Mr. McAlpine lived on the farm until 1912, when he removed to Belmont. On February 2, 1914, he was appointed postmaster of Belmond, which at the time was a third-class post office.
On August 15, 1886, John L. Mc. Alpine was married, in Wright county, Jowa, to Catherine Quigley, a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, the daughter of Frank and Mary ( Sherry ) Quigley, both of whom were also born in County Monaghan, Ireland. Mrs. McAlpine accompanied her brother, Patrick Quigley, to America in 1880 and located with him first at Decorah, Iowa, but they had relatives living in Wright county and it was here that Mr. Me. Alpine met his future wife. Mrs. Mc. Alpine's father died in Ireland and after his death the mother came to America with four of her children in 1893. The children were Mary, Peter, James and Mrs. Bridget Gaffeney.
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Mr. and Mrs. John 1. Mc. Alpine have had four children, two sons and two daughters. John J. was born on July 16, 1887, and married Anna Olsen, of lowa township. They have two children, Francis and Malvin. llewellyn, born on March 17, 1888, married Barbara Sagger, of Waverly. They have two children. Ina, born on January 5. 1890, married Sylvester Cota, of Mason City, where they now live. She was a student at the St. Francis Academy at Mason City at the time it burned and it was she who discovered the fire and aroused the Sisters and the students, probably saving the lives of a great number of people. Ava, born on November 6, 1893, is the deputy postmaster. She was a clerk in the office before her father was appointed. Mr. Me Alpine's two sons cultivate the home farm.
A stanch Democrat, John 1 .. Mc. Alpine served as school director for three years and was president of the school board for twelve years in both Belmond and Grant townships. Ile also served as township trustee for nine years in Grant' township. Mr. Mc. Alpine and family are members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters and was one of the organizers of the latter lodge.
U. B. TRACY.
Prominent among the respected citizens of Wright county, Iowa, is U. B. Tracy, who has for thirty-five years been identified with the business and political circles of this locality, and has in every way established himself as a man of high ideals and honest purpose. No community can thrive for long without its men of high moral and intellectual standards, for they are the very foundation of a solid, social or commercial structure.
U B. Tracy is the eldest of five children born to the union of Albert Tracy and Lucretia Jewett, and his birth occurred on October 22, 1860, in Warren county, Pennsylvania. Albert Tracy was a native of New York, but removed to Pennsylvania, where he received his education, after which he became an employee in the local saw-mills and followed this occupation until he became head sawyer in one of the first steam saw-mills erected in that part of the country. Tiring of the routine connected with the manu- facture of lumber, he purchased a farm, which he cultivated for a short time, finally selling it to the oil interests of that locality and returned to New York, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1885. Enthused with the reports of prosperity to be gained in
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the pursuit of agriculture in the state of lowa, he removed there and located near Belmond. Wright county, lowa, where he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was engaged in general farming and was so successful that his holdings were increased until he became the owner of land in Minnesota and South Dakota as well as in Iowa. After a successful career in his chosen vocation he retired to Belmond, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1910. Lucretia (Jewett) Tracy was a native of Pennsylvania, and after a long life of service to her family she passed away in 1887. Of the five children born to their umion all are living except one.
U. B. Tracy is indebted to the schools of New York state for his education and for his experience received while teaching school in that state. In 1880, at the age of twenty years, he removed to lowa and located at Belmond, where he became engaged in the operation of a private bank known as the Bank of Belmond, in which capacity he served for five years. In 1885 he removed to Clarion, Iowa, where he was appointed deputy county treasurer and served in that office for five years. Owing to his ability and knowledge he was induced, in 1891, to serve in the capacity of assistant cashier in the First National Bank of Clarion, and after two years of service he was promoted to the position of cashier.
U. B. Tracy was united in marriage to Alida Simmons, daughter of Hiram Simmons, in April, 1800. They are the parents of one child, Albert H. Politically, his interest is for the Republican party. Religiously. U. B. Tracy follows the dictates of no creed, but is deeply impressed with all manifestations of practical Christianity and applies in his own life the creed of justice, tolerance and morality.
JESSE SMITH.
His life o'ershadowed by the tragic death of his father, which occurred when he was but a child of nine years. Jesse Smith, furniture dealer and undertaker of Clarion, Wright county, Iowa, has overcome many obstacles in life and has achieved a most unusual success in his chosen line of endeav- or. Life has been kind to him in many ways, and his ability to take cognizance of his blessings, instead of his trials, has been the means of establishing a comfortable competency and an independent business.
Jesse Smith was born on April 26, 1856, in Pennsylvania, and is the son of John and Caroline ( Rummel) Smith, both natives of Germany.
1
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WRIGIIT COUNTY, IOWA.
John Smith received his education in his native land and emigrated to America when a young man, locating in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the grist-mill business, which vocation he followed until his death. In 1864 he removed to Iowa, traveling as far as Boone by rail and thence to It. Dodge by stage. For two years he operated a mill at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, where his death occurred by drowning. While trying to cross the Jowa river at It. Dodge, near the mill dam, his row boat was overturned by the swiftness of the current, and before help could be obtained he was drowned. Jesse Smith was then a child of nine years and was playing on the bank where he was a helpless witness to this tragic occurrence. Of the seven children born to John and Caroline ( Rummel ) Smith, Jesse Smith is the only remaining child. Caroline ( Rummel) Smith passed away on May 15, 1890.
Jesse Smith is indebted to the schools of Pennsylvania and Ft. Dodge, lowa, for his education, following which he became engaged in the cabinet- making trade for a number of years. Later he removed to Marshalltown, where he continued as cabinet-maker until his removal to Ackley, Iowa, where he worked at his trade until 1883. He then removed to the town of Clarion, Wright county, fowa, and engaged in the furniture and under- taking business in a very limited way, but has continued to increase his stock until at the present time he has one of the largest and finest lines in the county and his patronage is a large and appreciative one.
Jesse Smith was united in marriage to Lula Abrams, daughter of John Abrams, and to this union five children have been born, Granville, Minnie, Maude, and two children who died in infancy. Granville married Mildred Sturgeon, and they are the parents of one child. Maude became the wife of J. C. Carman, and they became the parents of two children, Jesse W. and Lenna. Maude ( Smith ) Carman is deceased. Lula ( Abrams ) Smith, the first wife of Jesse Smith, passed to her eternal rest, and he then married Lena Leininger, daughter of John Leininger.
Jesse Smith is very active in fraternal circles and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. He is independent in his political faith, believ- ing that the best man should be elected to office regardless of party affilia- tions.
To be successful in any business venture, one must please the public, and Jesse Smith has surely devoted his time and attention to satisfying the
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demands of his many patrons. His prosperity can easily be measured by the regard in which he is held. He has built for himself treasures of friend- ship that are both loyal and lasting, and one and all speak of him in terms vi highest praise.
JAMES M. JONES.
Among the prominent farmers and citizens of Wright county, Iowa, who became well-to-do during a past generation in this county, was the late James M. Jones, who was born in Ohio, October 2, 1835, and who was the son of James and Barbara Jones. Mr. Jones' parents were of Welsh descent. The father was married in Ohio and lived in that state the greater part of his life. He was a school teacher by occupation. In 1855 he immigrated to Benton county, Iowa, and taught school for a number of years in Benton county. He was also county superintendent for some time. There were fourteen children in the family of James and Barbara Jones, besides one adopted child. The family consisted of ten daughters and four sons.
James M. Jones was. educated in Ohio, and when he was twenty-one years old he purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he cultivated until the breaking out of the Civil War.
Early in the Civil War, Mr. Jones enlisted in Company A, Twenty- eighth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Union army three years and ten months. Ile took part in thirteen important battles, among which were Fort Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, Black River and the siege of Vicksburg. At the siege of Vicksburg he was under fire for fifty days, but in the latter part of this siege was detached as a hospital steward on account of sickness. After having been detailed as a hospital steward for ten months, he rejoined his regiment at New Orleans, which proceeded from New Orleans to Washington, D. C., by water. After marching through the Shenandoah valley, the regiment joined Sherman at Bolivar Heights and Cedar Creek. Mr. Jones remained with his regiment until mustered out of service.
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