USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 49
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In 1902 Edward A. Simpson was united in marriage to Lucy Martin, the daughter of Henry and Ella Martin, residents of Boone township. Her education included the course at the Renwick high school, and after com- pleting her studies in that school she made her home with her parents on the farm There were five children in the Martin family. To Mr. and Mrs. Simpson the following children have been born: Arnold, Rex, Cleon. Edward. Norma and Ruby. The children are all living at home.
Mr. Simpson has always expressed a deep interest in the affairs of education in his community and his ability to solve problems pertaining to school administration was proved when he served in the office of president of the school board in his township for a period of two years. At the present time he holds the position of township clerk. In his religious views he gives his support to the Methodist church of which he is a member. The political interests of Mr. Simpson have always centered around the Republican party and he continues to work untiringly for its eanse. Ilis efforts along political lines have been amply rewarded with offices of public trust which he has held with honor.
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
E. N. ERICKSON.
Among those who have sought to carve their fortunes from American soil and have surpassed all expectations, the name of E. N. Erickson deserves a large measure of praise, alike for the powers of endurance and systematic and earnest perseverance he has shown.
E. N. Erickson was born on January 11, 1857, near Stavenger, Nor- way, and is the son of Nels and Bertha Erickson, both of whom were natives of that land of hardy Norsemen. Nels Erickson was a carpenter by trade, although he followed farming as well. In 1874 he decided to take advantage of the many opportunities in America for the man of thrift and courage, and with his family came to this country, settling in Kendall county, Illinois, where they resided for several years. Nels and Bertha Erickson were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living in Illinois, one in North Dakota, and E. N., who is living in Iowa. At the age of eighty-eight years Nels Erickson is still enjoying the best of health and finds life a place of pleasant memories and earnest efforts, and in his home, in Ford county, Illinois, he finds many things yet to do.
E. N. Erickson arrived in Clarion, Wright county, lowa, on March 4, 1891, and immediately began the examination of the surrounding country, as a permanent place of residence, finally renting a farm of Ole H. Benson, in section 12, of Norway township. Wright county, Iowa, which place he cultivated for one year, thence removing to his present location, in section 1, of Norway township. This farm he rented of N. B. Tracy, of Clarion, for a period of seven years and then became its purchaser. At the time he first rented it it stood in the midst of wild and unimproved land, without roads or fences and had little resemblance to the present beauty, which is exhibited over the entire farm. It is now well fenced and tiled and a new house, barn, granaries and wind-mill have taken the place of the old buildings. The fencing is of hog-tight wire and the shade is from large maple trees, which have been set out and add to the comfort and beauty of this well-appointed farm.
On February 15, 1883. E. N. Erickson was united in marriage to Anna J. Nelson, daughter of John and Anna Nelson, both natives of Norway, and the parents of ten children, three of whom were born in America, namely : Mrs. Bertha Tegland, J. J. and S. O., now deceased. The children born in Norway are also deceased, with the exception of Anna, whose parents came to the United States when she was only a few weeks of age. They settled
S. N. ERICKSON AND FAMILY.
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOW.A.
in Kendall county, Illinois, where they lived until their deaths. One of their children lies sleeping in their native country, while the rest are sleeping beneath American soil. Anna Nelson was born on December 3, 1858.
E. N. Erickson and his wife, Anna ( Nelson) Erickson, are the parents of five children: Nettie, born on February 7, 1884, is now the wife of Cryder Wicks, and they are the parents of two children, Orval Jennings and Arnold Everitt; Alvin B., February 15, 1888, married Pearl Thompson; Joseph S., August 11, 1891 ; Arthur M., July 27, 1894; and Alma E., March 7, 1897. Joseph and Arthur have each attended one term in college; Joseph in Forest City, and Arthur in Humboldt, Iowa.
E. N. Erickson has been very systematic in his management of the two hundred and thirty-nine-acre farm which he owns and cultivates, and the principal crops of beets, corn and oats, are among the best products of the county. An engine is used for pumping and other purposes, removing much of the drudgery of necessary labor. All buildings are well painted, giving an air of neatness and prosperity to the entire place. E. N. Erickson and his family are members of the St. Olaf Norwegian Lutheran church, and are regular in their attendance as well as in the support of the same. His political influence is used for the benefit of the Republican party, but he is far too busy a man to hold office and lends his energies to the selection of men whom he considers able to fill sneh offices.
S. I. GILLESPIE.
S. I. Gillespie is one of the highly-respected citizens of Boone town- ship. Wright county, Iowa, who has devoted his time and energies toward the accumulation of an honorable competency, and has accomplished the desired result by diligent effort and a courageous perseverance deserving of the highest praise. With little schooling to his credit, but with a fund of ambition, he has conquered many difficulties and is now reaping the benefit.
S. 1. Gillespie is one of eleven children born to the union of James Gillespie and Hannah McDowell, and his birth occurred on November 5. 1842, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. James Gillespie was a native of Pennsylvania and received his education in that state. Ile followed the vocation of farming in his native state and continued in that line after removing to Illinois, in 1854, where he purchased one hundred and sixty (3)
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acres of land which he cultivated until 1869. He then located in Boone township. Wright county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cultivated until the failure of his health, when he removed to California, dying there a short time afterward. Hannah ( McDowell ) Gillespie was also a native of Pennsylvania. Of their eleven children, the only survivor is the subject of this sketch.
S. I. Gillespie received his education in the country schools of his native state, discontinuing at the age of eighteen for the purpose of becoming a soldier in the Civil War. He served in the Eighty-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battle of Ft. Donelson and many other battles. During the entire war he was under General Thomas in active service and missed only three weeks because of sickness, at which time he was confined to the field hospital. He was discharged with his company at the close of the war and went to the home of his parents in Illinois, where they had removed just previous to his enlistment. After having charge of the home place for four years, he removed, in 1869, to Boone township, Wright county, Iowa, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, on time, sharing the ownership with his father. A few years later, one hundred and sixty acres more was added to the original property and was then equally divided between father and son.
Some time later S. 1. Gillespie purchased the property belonging to the other heirs and has increased his holdings until he now owns an entire sec- tion of land, all adjoining with the exception of forty acres. About twenty thousand dollars worth of improvements have been made on the property, which contains three houses with the other necessary buildings. Much of the land is tiled and the home is equipped with hot-water heating system, electric lights and water to every part of the house. There is one-half acre of grove and one acre of orchard, both receiving the best of attention. This large farm is tenanted by his own sons, making a family community. The location of the farm is four miles from the town of Renwick and is on the main road. The principal products of the farm are grain, cattle and hogs. Most of the grain is fed to their own stock of which two and one- half carloads each year are shipped, one being of cattle and the balance of hogs.
On October 4, 1871. S. 1. Gillespie was united in marriage to Alice Martin, a daughter of Ellis and Lorenda ( Irish ) Martin, the former of whom was a farmer of Humboldt county, Iowa. She was born in the state of New York and removed with her parents to lowa in 1855. She was
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WRIGIIT COUNTY, IOWA.
one of seven children born to her parents. To the union of S. I. Gillespie and his wife four children were born: Gay, Archie, Roy and Ray. Gay died when a child of seven years and Archie at the age of three. Ray mar- ried Myrtle Haas, and they are the parents of four children. Roy mar- ried Edna Long, and they are the parents of three children.
S. I. Gillespie was county supervisor at the time the Clarion court house was constructed and he held this office for nine years. He was also school director and was instrumental in establishing the first school house in Nor- way township, Wright county, Iowa. He held the office of township trustee for six years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has held the offices of commander and senior vice-commander in the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a member of the Republican party. Always firm in the belief that a good education is the first requisite in one's struggle for financial success and commercial responsibility, Mr. Gillespie has been active in his efforts for better methods of education for the children. Ile is respected by all and his tine qualities as a man and a citizen have won him a host of friends.
HENRY W. SHOEN.
A record of prominent and successful men of Liberty township and Wright county would not be complete without reference to the life and works of Henry W. Shoen, the subject of this sketch. A man well and favorably known as one of achievement and one whose esteem and high standing has been proven by his election to important office, he takes rank today as a man without whom the locality would be poorer.
Henry W. Shoen was born in New York state, January 11, 1860. He is the son of William and Martha ( Osmer ) Shoen, who were also born in the Empire state, living there until, at the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, William Shoen felt it his duty to enlist with the Federal forces, which he did, being assigned to the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. With this regiment he served as an officer until he contracted a fever which caused his death. after a term of service cover- ing about two years. To William and Martha Shoen were born seven children : Submit, deceased; Jennie, Dulcy, Henry, the subject of this sketch; Minnie, Richard and one baby who died in infancy.
Mr. Shoen received his early education in the country schools of New
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York. At the age of fifteen years he determined to leave school, and until his twenty-first year worked as a farm hand. About that time he went to Wisconsin where he was employed as a teamster .in the woods for two years, from that place coming to Wright county and with his brother-in-law, I. G. Dewel, working as a carpenter, for the next two years, at Goldfield. He then rented a farm of eighty acres in Liberty township for two years, afterwards one hundred and sixty acres of land in Boone township for two years and then a farm in Liberty township for a period of four years. Mr. Shoen then purchased a farm of eighty acres, in Liberty township, in section 8, for twenty-seven dollars per acre. The farm when taken was raw prairie but with the efforts of Mr. Shoen the land was greatly improved and at the end of two years an adjoining forty acres purchased brought the price of thirty-five dollars per acre. One year later eighty additional acres adjoining were purchased for fifty dollars per acre. Today this farm is well tiled and under cultivation with the exception of six acres of timber land. The principal crops are corn and small grain, corn being on seventy- five acres and bringing an average of fifty bushels to the acre, and about seventy-five acres of oats bringing about forty bushels to the acre. These grain products are both marketed and fed to stock, each year there being sold from this farm about one carload of hogs. Being a progressive farmer. Mr. Shoen has placed on his farm nearly ten thousand dollars worth of improvements. Two acres of grove which he has planted makes an attrac- tive spot on the farm, and a small orchard is an appreciated convenience. This modern place is located about five miles from Goldfield on the main traveled road.
Henry W. Shoen, in the year 1882, married Nellie McCurry, daugh- ter of James and Ruth ( Dewel ) MeCurry, prominent and highly respected people of the county. Mrs. Shoen was born in Wright county, where she received her education. She was the only girl in the family, marrying at the age of nineteen. To this marriage were born four children, only one of whom is living. Ernest, the eldest child, is at home farming with his father. He married Gussie Pinder, of Wright county. Of the other children, two died in infancy and William was drowned at the age of twenty, by falling into the Boone river, while fishing.
Mr. Shoen has been honored by election to the office of school director for two years and is a man of recognized ability, one who at all times has been willing to give a portion of his time to affairs for the good of the com- munity. In politics he is a Republican.
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
CHARLES H. GRIFFITH.
The late Charles H. Griffith, who was a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Eagle Grove township, Wright county, Iowa, was born in New York state on February 3, 1833, the son of Samuel and Hannah Griffith, both of whom were natives of New York. Samuel Griffith was a farmer of his native state, where he lived until he came to the state of Iowa and located on a farm, a place which was his home for some time, after which he moved to the town of Goldfield and retired.
Charles H. Griffith was educated and grew to maturity in New York state, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his native state until 1860, when he came to Wright county, Iowa, locating in Liberty township. Here. in partnership with Amos McIntyre, Charles Griffith bought a farm, which he helped cultivate, at the same time following his trade as a carpenter, until, at the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-second Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served nearly three years and then was discharged on account of disabilities. After his military service, Charles H. Griffith returned to Wright county and followed his trade until 1870, when he moved to his farm in Eagle Grove township and became a farmer, a vocation which he pursued until 1903, and he then retired to Eagle Grove, where he died on May 4, 1908.
On August 21, 1870, Charles H. Griffith was married to Sallie Clark- son Entrikin, daughter of Dr. Smith and Hannah ( Parker) Entrikin, and to this marriage were born two children: Ethelyn, who married Grant L. Trask, and to whom have been born six children, Pearl, Grace, Marion, Charles, Lorenzo and Wayne; and Eugene C., who died in infancy.
Charles 11. Griffith was a prominent man in public and official life of Eagle Grove township, taking a great interest in the development of the community and its resources, as well as being a citizen who served with notable efficiency for some years as school director.
Sallie Griffith, widow of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1845, the daughter of Dr. Smith and Hannah ( Parker) Entrikin, who were natives of Chester county, Pennsyl- vania. Dr. Smith Entrikin grew to manhood in his native county, after which he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, as a Doctor of Medicine. and then returned to Chester county, where he practiced his profession until the year 1850, at that time going to Green county, Wiscon-
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOW.A.
sin, practicing there for a number of years and then moved to Argyle, Wisconsin At Argyle, Dr. Entrikin was not only successfully engaged as a practicing physician, but he served as postmaster, receiving his appoint- ment from President Buchanan, who was a personal friend of Dr. Smith Entrikin. While a resident of Argyle, Elizabeth ( Dyer ) Entrikin, the see- ond wife of Doctor Entrikin, died, and then the doctor moved to Webster county, lowa, where he made his home with a son. Dr. Smith and Hannah Entrikin were the parents of five children, four of whom are now living.
Hannah Griffith, mother of Charles H. Griffith, was one of the early school teachers of Wright county, and came to Iowa with her brother, who afterwards became principal of the Goldfield schools, and aided in the establishment of and the conducting of classes in the first schools of the community.
WILLIAM H. PASKIN.
A man experienced in the various activities of life, one who from the ranks of common industry has risen to the position of a successful farmer. an extensive dealer in live stock and a man who is respected and esteemed among his own people, William H. Paskin has a rightful place in the record of representative citizens of Wright county. Industrious by nature, thorough in his duties and resourceful in his efforts to realize his ambitions, his position today is an evidence of the rewards and possibilities of earnest endeavor.
William H. Paskin is a native of England, born on September 9, 1851. He is the son of William and Jane ( Whittingham) Paskin, both of whom were born in England. The father was an errand boy, in his early life, for a watch manufacturing company at Birmingham, which position he held until engaging in the iron industry, which work he followed for thirty years. He came to America in 1867 on the "City of Antwerp," a boat which, on its initial journey was afire three times during its voyage across the Atlantic. After he landed in New York, William Paskin went to Cleveland, Ohio, where for one year and a half, he was employed in the iron works of that place. Later he went to Boone county, lowa, where he worked in the coal mines for fifteen years and then came to Wright county, where he retired. He died on January 20, 1897. William and Jane Paskin were the parents of five children: Thomas, who was killed in a coal mine at Boone, lowa ; William, the subject of this sketch ; Sarah, who is the wife of John Cameron,
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WRIGIIT COUNTY, IOWA.
of Goldfield: Jane, now Mrs. Urbino; and Benjamin, a farmer of Boone township.
William H. Paskin received his education in England, leaving school at the age of nine years and coming with his father and family to America. Until he was twenty-one years of age he worked with his father in the coal mines of Boone, Iowa, and then with a brother came to Wright county, in 1881, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Boone town- ship, a partner with his brother; paying for his investment the sum of eight dollars per acre. During the year of 1884 Mr. Paskin moved to his farm and proceeded to improve it, expending in the course of time, about seven thousand dollars in order that the farm might be modern and productive. The land has all been well tiled, a grove of two acres has been set out and the land cultivated in the production of corn and oats. In the year 1894, Mr. Paskin added to his land forty acres adjoining and continued to add to his holdings until he and his brother each have one hundred and eighty acres. This farm is now cultivated with eighty acres of corn, averaging forty bushels to the acre, and forty acres of oats, averaging thirty bushels to the acre, most of which is fed to hogs and cattle, about two carloads of cattle and one hundred head of hogs being sent to the trading point, at Ren- wick, each year. Mr. Paskin is located about four and one-half miles from Renwick, on the main traveled road.
During the year of 1889, William H. Paskin married Anna Day, a daughter of Robert and Anna ( Bruce) Day, the father and mother heing natives of Scotland. Mrs. Day was born in Scotland, on August 15, 1860, and after spending her early years in her native land, at the age of twenty- eight came to America, landed at New York and went directly to Minne- sota where she lived for six months with a brother, and then came to Wright county in 1888. After about one years residence in Wright county she was married to Mr. Paskin. To William H. and Anna Paskin have been born the following children. all of whom live at home: Robert, William, Ethel, who graduated from the Renwick high school and is now teaching school; Susan, who attended Humboldt College for nine months and who was a student at Cedar Falls for three months ; Lilian, Ruth and Virgil.
William H. Paskin has taken an important part in the public life of Boone township. He has been elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which he served for two or three years. For a number of years he was constable in the township. Mr. Paskin is a veteran member of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows of Renwick, he having been an honored member
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WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA.
of this organization for a quarter of a century. . As a voter, William 1 Paskin is independent of party affiliation. Whether in public office ( private life Mr. Paskin has been a citizen interested in the general welfar and ready at all times to do his part.
WILLIE BELL.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest opinion of himself, but rather to leave upon the public record the opinion of his neighbors and his fellow citizens. Fulsome encomium may be avoided alto- gether in setting forth the life career of Willie Bell, a retired farmer of Dayton township, Wright county. lowa. He has performed well his part as a man and a citizen and is entitled to honorable mention in a work of this character.
Mr. Bell, who owns one hundred and thirty-two acres of land in Day- ton township, was born in Mahaska county, lowa, January 26, 1866, and is the son of James and Eliza ( Lester ) Bell. Mr. Bell's father and mother were both natives of Ireland, the former of whom was educated in Ireland and who came to America after he had reached young manhood with his parents. They located in Michigan and after remaining with his father until thirty-one years old, James Bell moved to Mahaska county, lowa, and purchased eighty acres. Later he purchased two hundred acres and lived on the second farm until 1804, when he moved to Wright county, purchasing seventy-two acres in Grant township. Subsequently, he retired from active farming and moved to Clarion, where he died in 1905. There were eleven children in the family of James and Eliza Bell, namely: Jennie. Betty 1., Betty II., Carrie, Susa, Willie, James, David, Bella, Joe and Lillie.
Willie Bell was educated principally in Mahaska county, Iowa. He quit school when he was eighteen years old, and from the time he was eighteen until he was twenty-one, worked on his father's farm. After reaching his majority, Mr. Bell purchased eighty acres of land in Mahaska county and owned it for one year, when he sold out and engaged in the mercantile business at Gibson, Iowa, for three years. Afterward he moved to Osceola county, lowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he farmed for four years. From Osceola, he removed to Wright county, in 1895, and purchased seventy-two acres of land on the outskirts of Clarion. A little later he purchased thirty-seven acres, and in 1906 added
DEC 2 - 10F1 HE KANNW
Early History Wright County
Belmond Herald-Press :. Prob- ably the first person to make a temporary settlement in what is now Wright county was a. My. Beebe, who with his sons, began the erection of a large log house in the westend of Franklin 7 Grove. If was intended to be used as a hotel the main build - ing was to be 8x24 feet in. size, and two stofies high, while there was to be a one story kit- chen 12x14 in size, all to be .hewn, square logs and it had a puncheon floor. A puncheoni was log split in the center and laid with the flat surface . np. This house had been built about breast high when fear of the Indians caused Mr. B-ebe and 1 his family to leave. it. He met Anthony Overacker, brother-in. law of Henry Imnick, told bim of the partly completed house, of the beautiful location, and sold 'him the claim for $50. Mr. Overacker, Henry Luick. V. R. Gray, with their families and David Luick, came to this sec- 'tion in the summer of 1854 and were the first permanent sett- flers. They had been in the northern part of what is now [Wright connty in 1853, having imade claims there, which were later abandoned. Mr. Overak- er and his sons finally complet- ed the log house begun by Mr. Beebe, and lived there many years. Later this house was bought by Fred Luick, who, with his family, lived there! prior to 1876. This was the first house built in what is now Wright county.
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WRIGHIT COUNTY, IOWA.
twenty acres. Mr. Bell has made all of the improvements upon his farm at an expenditure of approximately eight thousand dollars. His farm is all well tiled and is highly productive. Mr. Bell feeds a carload and a half of hogs every year and most of the grain raised on the farm is fed to live stock.
In 1888 Willie Bell was married to Ella Lewis, the daughter of Albert and Mary ( Hatcher ) Lewis, who came to lowa from the state of Ohio. Mrs. Bell was born in Mahaska county and received her education in the country schools of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been born nine children, Blanche, Louis, Lydia, Daisy, Mice, William, Margaret, Lavonne and one who died in infancy. Blanche married S. Bjland, of Dayton town- ship. Louis married Mabel Thompson, of Lake township, and they have one child, Max. The remainder of the family live at home with their parents.
Mr. Bell has long been prominent in the agricultural life of Wright county. He is vice-president of the Wright County Fair Association and a director of the Farmer's Elevator Company, of Clarion, and also a director of the Mutual Insurance Agency, at Clarion. The Bell family all belong to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bell is identified in local, state and national politics with the Republican party and is especially prominent in its local councils.
PETER THIELEN.
Peter Thielen, a well-known retired farmer of Woolstock township, Wright county, lowa, was born in Germany, January 10, 1834, the son of Anthony and Katherine Thielen, both of whom were natives of Germany. Anthony Thielen was a general worker and a man who cultivated his small farm in his native country until 1857, when he came to America and located in the state of Illinois, where he lived with a daughter until 1876, when he died. Anthony and Katherine Thielen were the parents of four children, John, l'eter. Theodore and Susan.
Peter Thielen received his education in the public schools of Germany, after which he worked as a farm helper until he was eighteen years of age and then he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for five years. In 1867 Peter Thielen came to America and located at Chicago, Illinois. where he engaged in general work for two years and then secured employ- ment on the farms of Cook county, until the year 1881. when he moved to Towa, and made his home at Webster City, for three years. About 1885
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