USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 42
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Besides practicing law, after his removal to Clarion, Mr. Ilumphrey also made a set of abstract books of the county. In 1889 he sold the busi- ness and located in Des Moines, lowa, where he became connected with the Des Moines Loan and Trust Company. For one year he served in this capacity and then sold his interest and engaged in the real-estate and insur- ance business. In 1894 he returned to Clarion, Iowa, and formed a part-
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nership with C. F. Peterson in the law and abstract profession and continued together until 1905 at which time the partnership was dissolved. C. F. Peter- son retaining the law practice and W. T. R. Humphrey the abstract books. which business he has continued to the present time. While he was practic- ing law at Clarion, lowa, he was elected to serve the district as its repre- sentative, and in 1884 began his duties in that office and served for one term. In 1887 he was elected to act as county attorney, in which office he made many friends. Mr. Humphrey enlisted in the Civil War at Davenport. lowa, and served in Company 1, Forty-fourth Regiment, lowa Volunteer Infantry.
On October 6, 1878. W. T. R. Humphrey was united in marriage to Emma Simmons, daughter of Hiram and Charlotte ( Bradt ) Simmons, and they became the parents of two children, Mildred and Robert L. Mildred is now county recorder. Robert L. married Mae Priestly. Emma ( Sim- mons ) Humphrey was born in 1859. in Montgomery county, New York, but removed from there with her parents in 1876 to Clarion, lowa. Hiram and Charlotte Simmons located in Clarion after their removal from New York. Hiram Simmons was a blacksmith by trade and during his residence in New York followed that vocation, but after his arrival in lowa he engaged in the hotel business which he conducted for some time, finally returning to his trade as blacksmith. His death occurred in 1900, and was followed one year later by his wife.
W. T. R. Humphrey is a member of the Masonic order and also of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Republican and a stanch supporter of the party principles.
MARVIN G. FOBES.
As a man whose entire life has been given to agricultural work, and this successfully, and also as one whose life and character are such as to command respect, Marvin G. Fobes merits a place among those whose lives are worthy of recording in the present publication. The family name became identified with the annals of this vicinity twenty-three years ago and from that time there has been nothing to mar its honor. Mr. Fobes, a retired farmer of Lake township, was born in Washington county, Iowa, on September 17, 1861.
The father of Marvin G. Fobes, Elisha T. Fobes, was born in Ohio. where he was educated and grew to manhood and from there he moved to
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Wisconsin, where he combined the blacksmith's trade with farming until about 1858, when he moved to Washington county, lowa, and bought a farm, upon which he worked until 1868, the year that he moved to the eastern part of Keokuk county, where he lived for three years, until the time of his death, which occurred in 1870. His wife, who before her mar- riage, was Julia Eggleston, a native of England, died six years previously. Of their four children, Marvin G. is the only one living.
The early educational advantages of Marvin G. Fobes were only such as were then afforded by the pioneer schools. He attended school and worked on the farm until he became of age and then inheriting his father's farm and continued to cultivate it until 1892. Moving to this county in that year, he located in Lake township on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he bought and on which he worked until 1912, the year which marked his retirement from active farm work. In that year he moved to Clarion, where he is now enjoying the fruits of his industry during carly and middle life.
Emma Crawford, daughter of Matthew and Margaret E. Crawford, became the wife of Marvin G. Fobes, August 27. 1800. Although born in Washington county, Iowa, her parents were natives of other states, the father coming from Pennsylvania and the mother from Ohio. Her father migrated to lowa when still a young man, coming west from Pennsylvania with a drove of sheep. Being attracted to the West he decided to remain and obtained a position as school teacher, which position he filled in winters and farmed during the summer vacations. After his marriage, however, he gave up teaching and devoted his entire time and attention to the busi- ness of farming, and later engaged in the furniture business for several years. He passed away in 1909, leaving his widow, who is still living in Clarion. Of their five children, four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Fobes have adopted twin girls.
Mr. Fobes is a strong organization man. Ile is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Republican party. His interest in church work has been deep and sincere and both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Congregational church. He was honored with the offices of township trustee and clerk of the school board and filled both positions with satisfaction. By his determination to be considerate in all of his dealings with his fellow men, Mr. Fobes has endeared himself to the com- munity which has been his home for so many years. In all of life's rela- tionships he has been honorable and upright and has won the esteem of all who know him because he has merited it.
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JAMES O. SHAW.
James O. Shaw, farmer and stockman of Norway township, Wright county, lowa, is a striking example of the progressive type of agriculturist seen throughout the state, and his having risen from a lowly birth to a position of trust and affluence demonstrates what can be accomplished by diligent effort and a desire to achieve.
James O. Shaw was born on April 26, 1851, in Norway, near the town of Bergen, and is the son of Ole and Marie Landel; the name having been changed by James O. Shaw upon his arrival in America. Ole Landel was a laborer in Norway, in which country he lived and died, his death occurring when James was a mere baby, and his wife later remarried.
James O. Shaw received his education in the common schools of his native land, until his confirmation, at the age of fifteen years. In 1882 he immigrated to the United States, locating in Story county, lowa, near the home of H. C. Holm, the minister. He was married in Norway and three of his children were born there, ten having been born in America. In 1892 James O. Shaw removed to Wright county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of practically unimproved land in section 3, of Norway township, later purchasing one hundred and twenty acres more in section 10, of the same township. Having learned the trade of carpenter while in his native land and having followed the same for some time, it became comparatively easy to plan and construct a house, barn and other necessary buildings, which were begun almost immediately. Today the farm is well drained with proper tiling, has adequate fencing and is one of the best improved farms in Wright county, Iowa.
James O. Shaw was united in marriage to Carrie Tweten, daughter of Thorgor and Martha E. Tweten, both natives of Norway, and it was in that country that their daughter. Carrie, first saw the light of day. Mr. and Mrs. Tweten came to America with James O. Shaw, and also settled in Story county, lowa, where they lived until their deaths.
Twelve of the thirteen children born to James O. and Carrie ( Tweten) Shaw are living, namely : Mary, born on July 30, 1878, in Norway, now the wife of Anfin Slatte, lives in Story county, lowa, and they are the parents of seven children, Mabel, James, Henrietta, Alma, Orie, Opal and Sanford; Thomas, January 7, 1880, in Norway; Ole, January 28. 1882, married Belle Hillstead, and they are the parents of three children. Lyra, Jerome and Eugene, and are living in North Dakota; Henry, June 5. 1884, is
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deceased; Martin, August 7, 1886, married Lena Anderson, lives in North Dakota, and they are the parents of two children, Leola and Sybil; Anna 11., September 17, 1888, and now the wife of J. Oliver Fosen, living at Kanawha, lowa; James, November 4, 1800: Abraham. August 23, 1892; Joseph, June 23, 1894; Hilda, June 24, 1896; Clara, December 27, 1897; Elida, Angust 23. 1899; and Martha, January 17, 1901. Abraham and Elida were born on August 23, Abraham being seven years, to the day, the eldest. The mother of these children died on July 13, 1906.
James O. Shaw has been a Republican ever since his arrival in the United States. His entire family, himself included, are members of St. John's Lutheran church, of Norway township.
James O. Shaw is a man who finds much pleasure and profit in travel- ing, and his habit of reading is fostered by his desire to keep abreast of the great issues of the day. He has a broad vision and his clear perceptions and clean moral life have made him a host of warm friendships, which are lasting and sincere.
ALFRED PINION.
Among the successful farmers of other days in Wright county is Alfred Pinion, who has now retired to Clarion, in which place he is leading a quiet life. A man who as a farmer saw his land grow in value as a result of his efforts and become in productiveness second to none and a man who has been of nse to his community in many ways, never shirking but applying his principle of an industrions and resourceful life to the conduct of every- day affair, he has won a prominent and honorable place among his neigh- bors and his fellow citizens.
Alfred Pinion was born in Bureau county, Illinois, March 16, 1860, the son of Peter and Elizabeth Pinion, both of whom were natives of Eng- land. Peter Pinion lived in his native land until he was twenty-six years of age and then came, with his wife, to America, and after landing at New York, he went to the state of Indiana and settled in the southern part of that commonwealth, where he remained in the pursuit of his vocation as a farmer for some few years and then moved to Burean county, in the state of Illinois, at which place he invested in a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of land. On this land Peter Pinion engaged as a general farmer for forty years and then removed to lowa, where he invested in six
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hundred and forty acres of land in Wall Lake township, for which land he paid the sum of five dollars per acre, in the year 1880. Following this deal, Peter Pinion lived for two years at Webster City, Iowa, and then moved to Des Moines, lowa, and remained there until his death, in the year 1903, his wife having died during the year 1901. Peter and Elizabeth Pinion were the parents of four children, of whom Alfred Pinion, the sub- ject of this sketch, is the only child living in Wright county.
Alfred Pinion received his early education in the country schools of Bureau county, Illinois, and after leaving his classes he farmed with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, and then moved to Wright county, lowa, and located in Wall Lake township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and engaged. in the pursuit of general farming. When he took possession of his farm, Alfred Pinion found few improvements, but with a determination that his land and its buildings and conveniences should be modern and of a nature to insure the greatest of productiveness, he proceeded to erect new structures, tile his soil and to add grove land and fruit trees, in all expending the sum of five thousand dollars, until today the farm is among the best equipped and supplied of the county. The principal crops of this farm are corn and small grain, the corn averag- ing fifty bushels to the acre and the small grain about forty bushels to the acre. Much of the grain produced on his farm, Alfred Pinion fed to his stock, of which he had a good supply, and the remainder of his produce he sold at the market. Alfred Pinion followed the life of a successful farmer until the year 1903, when he retired and moved to Clarion, where he now lives.
During the year of 1801 Alfred Pinion was married to Emma Christina, daughter of Peter and Julia Christina. To this union one child, Viola, a student at the Clarion high school, was born.
Alfred Pinion is one of the respected and honored citizens of Clarion. He is a man who has taken no small part in' the development of Wright county, from the days when the land was prairie and partly cultivated. until the present time, when some of the best farms of the state are found in this section, due to the efforts of the early citizens whose hard work and the application of intelligence resulted in such satisfactory returns. In public life, Mr. Pinion has served well, and while the occupant of the important office of school director the work of this board was never better or more splendidly handled. In politics, Alfred Pinion is a Republican, one who maintains the respect and esteem of his fellow workers. In church circles
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the name of Alfred Pinion takes important rank, and as a worker for the advancement of good in the community he is at all times interested and active.
HAROLD F. LUICK.
It is a conceded fact, that, if every farm in the United States were under scientific cultivation, the wealth of this nation would be increased many fold. Comparatively few American farms produce what they might in the way of foodstuff and the great majority fail to conserve, advantag- eously, the resources at hand.
Harold F. Luick, of Belmond, Wright county, lowa, is a scientific farmer, and has ably demonstrated what returns can be obtained by a deep study of agricultural problems. He is the son of Frederick J. Luick, who has made a specialty of agriculture and met with wonderful success in that line. Frederick J. and Alice ( Packard ) Luick were the parents of four children : Albert, deceased; Edith, wife of Samuel Limbaugh, of West Bend, lowa, and the mother of six children; Chester P. and Harold F., now in charge of the home farm, where he resides.
Harold F. Luick obtained his early education in the Belmond public schools, graduating from the high school at Belmond, with the class of 1904. For one year he worked on the home farm, where he was inspired with a desire to attend the lowa College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, at Ames, lowa, and in September, 1905, he became a student in that great school, where he specialized in animal husbandry, graduating with the class of 1909. . After graduating he was engaged in the work of the college exten- sion department until the spring of 1911, during which time he visited prac- tically every county in lowa, spreading the gospel of scientific agriculture among the farmers of the state. He then returned to Belmond, Iowa, and assumed charge of the home place, where he specializes in the raising of Holstein cattle.
Harold F. Lnick was united in marriage to Ella Furuseth, daughter of Christian and Minnie ( Nelson) Furuseth, of Belmond, lowa, on October 20, 1909, and they are the parents of one child, Muriel A.
Harold F. Luick and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Belmond, in which church he is superintendent of the Sunday school. He was one of the first organizers of the Wright County Farm Improvement Association, which employs a county agent or advisor, whose
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duty it is to assist the farmers of the county in the solution of their many farm problems, regardless of whether they are members of the association or not. Ile was the first secretary of this association and an active worker for its advancement. While the bulk of this organization is borne by the farmers, it is now aided, to a limited extent, by the government.
Harold F. Luick is a very enterprising young man and bids fair to become one of the leading men of the county in which he resides. He is of exemplary character, and his many lovable traits have endeared him to his fellow citizens. He has chosen wisely in his vocation and his present suc- cesses augur well for his future.
JAMES R. THAYER.
A pioneer of the township, a successful farmer, a good citizen with the interest of the community at heart, and one who has served his district well in public office, James R. Thayer is entitled to a place in the records of prominent men in this county.
James R. Thayer was born on August 29, 1851. in Jefferson county, New York. He is the son of Zurial C. and Lucy ( Baker ) Thayer, the father being a farmer, and who was born in Otsego county, New York, October 15, 1822. The grandfather was James Thayer, his wife being Fannie ( Main ) Thayer, both natives of New York.
Zurial Thayer with his family moved to Belmond township, this county, in 1865. arriving with but five dollars in his pocket and with four children to support. Securing eighty acres of land in section 11, he immediately pro- ceeded to improve his purchase, adding thereto from time to time until he was the owner of more than two hundred acres of land. James Thayer then purchased from his father all but forty acres of the farm, that acreage being the home of the elder Thayer, where he lived until his death, at which time the remainder of the land was acquired by the son.
To Zurial and Lucy Thayer were born four children, all but one of whom are living: Helen, who married Jeremiah Dack and lives in the state of New York; James, the subject of this sketch; and Lavina, of Hancock county, the widow of George Christe.
James R. Thayer received the greater part of his education in the schools of New York state, but attended classes for a time after reaching Belmond township. He lived at home until the time of his marriage, February II, 1888, to Mary E. Frederick. who was the daughter of John and Dora (Staga)
MR. AND MRS. JAMES R. THAYER.
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Frederick, natives of Germany, who came to this country in 1866, later com- ing to Wright county.
Having previously purchased some land, after his marriage, James R. Thayer added thereto until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of well-improved land.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thayer have been born seven children, six boys and one girl, namely : John, who married Lida Mason, and they have one child; Ralph who married Ardilla Dippell and they have one child; Claude, Amy Floyd, Oscar and Harley, all of whom live at home.
Mr. Thayer is a leading member of Belmond Lodge No. 265, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Mrs. Thayer takes an active part in the affairs of the Rebekahs. The three eldest sons are also prominent mem- bers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
James R. Thayer is a Democrat in politics and has represented his party and constituents well in the office of school director, but he does not aspire to the holding of public office, preferring to serve in the ranks, a thing which he has done conscientiously and intelligently. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer are not members of any church, but they lend their active support to all Christian denominations.
During February of 1915, Mr. Thayer retired from his farm and is now living in Belmond.
JOHN L. NICKLES.
Modern agriculture, no less than other fields of interest, is demanding a superior type of men in order to keep step with the modern march of civilization. Progressive methods are as necessary to scientific farming as they are in business or in professional life. Therefore it is not surprising that Jolm L. Nickles, who has always kept abreast with the times, is in the vanguard of the farming industry as pursued in this county. He is the possessor of a well-equipped and splendidly-improved farm located seven miles east of Woolstock. John L. Nickles, who was born on June 27, 1870. is the son of John L., Sr., and Mary ( Didio) Nickles.
The senior Nickles, as well as his son, was born in Vosges, France, the birth date of the former being 1846. He died at the home of his son, John. in 1896. being fifty years of age. He was one of a large family consisting of nine children, of whom three were boys and six girls. Of these, two, John L., Sr., and a sister came to America. John L., Sr., was a sawyer by (30)
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trade, and this he followed during all of his life in France. There he was educated, grew up and was married, and died at his home in Wall Lake township in 1896. Their only child was John L., who was named for his father.
It was in the year 1875 when Mr. and Mrs. Nickles left their home in France for America, and their boy was then four years of age. They first settled on a rented farm in La Salle county, Illinois, and after three years' residence there removed to this county, renting one hundred and sixty acres in Wall Lake township, this land belonging to Mrs. Nickles's father. With courage and hope these good people made their home in the wilderness, a place of beauty and profit. Mr. Nickles, later, purchased forty acres of this farm and John L., Jr., has since bought the other one hundred and twenty acres. One hundred and sixty acres north of this land is also owned by John L. Nickles, Jr.
When his parents brought him to this county, John L. Nickles was a lad of seven summers. He attended the old Waterman district school and later took a business course at Highland Park and Shenandoah. Until his twenty-second year he was a valuable assistant to his father. He was at that time married to Sadie Frakes, a native of Woolstock, being born there in 1875. The wedding took place on March 19, 1892. The bride is the daughter of John and Ida ( Doolittle ) Frakes, who were among the early settlers who came to this county. Sadie was the second born of this family. Her elder sister, whose name was Elizabeth, is deceased, as is also her next younger sister, Lottie, the youngest being Ilo. Since their marriage they have resided on the old homestead, which now consists of three hundred and twenty acres of well-improved land in sections 20 and 29, of Wall Lake township.
An attractive eight-room house, well situated, a large and commodious barn, forty-eight by sixty-four feet, a double corn-crib, granary and other buildings, complete the structural equipment of this estate. Mr. Nickles raises from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty acres of corn, averaging fifty bushels to the acre, and from one hundred to one hun- dred and twenty-five acres of small grain. He feeds about one hundred and twenty-five head of hogs and keeps about fifty head of dairy and beef stock.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nickles have been born a family of seven children, these being Rayner, Lula (now Mrs. Alfred Mourlan and residing on a part of the parental farm), Ilo, Mary, Myrtle, Louis and Lottie.
Mr. Nickles is a member of Camp No. 9. and Canton No. 23, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, at Webster City: he is also a member of Woolstock Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Modern Brother-
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hood of America. He votes with the Republican pary and has been a trus- tee for the past ten years, and previous to that time was for six years town- ship assessor. The long time of office with which Mr. Nickles was honored, both as trustee and assessor, speaks volumes regarding his trustworthiness as a public official and as a man. Public duty is to him a sacred obligation, and in payment for the confidence of his fellow men he has rendered efficient and honorable service. His geniality and ability to keep the friends he has made has given him a large acquaintance in the county which is proud to claim him as one of its representative agriculturists.
WILBUR H. TALLMAN.
Daniel Webster once said that "farmers are the founders of civiliza- tion." Certain it is that the higher forms of civilization can be built up only upon a solid material basis. In supplying this basis, the farmer is the great- est factor, and it is for this reason that his vocation should be considered one of honor. In the life of Wilbur Tallman is found those conditions cal- culated to develop the strongest traits of manhood, nor is the student sur- prised to find that in conquering the difficulties, the man whose name appears above has become one of the representative farmers of the district. Wilbur HI. Tallman was born in Belmont county, Ohio, April 6, 1853, his parents being Peter and Anna Tallman, both natives of Belmont county, Ohio.
The father of Mr. Tallman farmed in his native county until his twenty- fifth or thirtieth year, when he moved to Pontiac, Illinois, and continued in his vocation until his death, in 1865. His wife died in 1901, while she was living in Valparaiso, Indiana. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tallman, all of whom are deceased except Wilbur H.
Wilbur H. Tallman attended the public schools of Pontiac, and upon leaving school became a wagon maker, a trade which he followed until his thirtieth year. when he began railroading. For about twelve years had charge of the Lake Erie and Western railroad shops at Dixon, Illinois. He then located at Mckeesport. Pennsylvania, where he followed the trade of carpenter and contractor for three years. In 1901 he came to this county, locating in Dayton township, where he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he improved and upon which he built a modern home and barn, placing altogether about ten thousand dollars' worth of improvements on the property. Since that time he has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, having only the best grade of stock on his well-equipped, modern farm. In 1911 Mr. Tallman moved to Clarion, Iowa, built the
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