USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
155
BIOGRAPHICAL
CHARLES H. SHIRCLIFF
"Once a postmaster, always a postmaster," may not be a postal truism, but in the case of Charles H. Shircliff, of Solon, Iowa, it applies almost literally. Beginning as a young man in the postoffice at Newark, Ohio, as clerk, Mr. Shircliff held the position of "Nasby" for a period of nearly forty years, or until his retirement eight years ago to reside upon his farm near Solon. His term at Newark was two years prior to 1853, in which year he removed with his father's family to Johnson county, Iowa. On arrival, our subject entered the general store of Mr. McCune, at Solon, in which the postoffice was then located, and, of course, his knowledge of the mail service was put into immediate practical use in his new position. He con-
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES H. SHIRCLIFF
tinued in the employ of Mr. McCune about five years, at the end of which time he engaged in the mercantile business for him- self, eventually securing the postmastership, which he retained for about thirty years. His retirement from active mercantile life took out of the business ranks of Johnson county one of the most widely known citizens of Big Grove township.
Charles H. Shircliff was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Au- gust 5, 1836. He is the son of Lewis and Mary (Conley) Shir- cliff, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Vir- ginia. The parents were married in Maryland, and directly after their union emigrated to Ohio, where they resided for
156
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
about forty years, their children being all born in that state. In November, 1853, they removed to Johnson county, settling on a farm near the present town of Solon. The elder Shircliff pursued the occupation of farming until his death, January 19, 1881. His wife died July 8, 1878. Lewis Shircliff's father, our subject's grandfather, was a soldier in the revolution, and was a participant in the famous battle of Brandywine. Lewis was himself a soldier in the War of 1812 from the beginning to the end. Eight children were born to Lewis and Mary Shircliff : Edward, Harriet, Anna, William, Charles II., Michael, Har- riet, and Margaret. All are dead, with the exception of our subject and Michael, who lives in Solon, and Harriet, residing in Kansas.
Our subject took for his wife Miss Eliza Fisher, a native of Solon, whose parents were early settlers in the township. Two children have blessed their union : Margaret and Lucille, both living at home. Mr. Shircliff is a democrat, and has held many local offices. He is widely known, honored, trusted, and re- spected.
ANTHONY WAYNE BEUTER
Since he was a young man twenty-three years of age, An- thony Wayne Beuter has farmed the old homestead taken up by his father, Joseph Beuter, in Big Grove township, in 1843. Five years later, or in 1848, the family located upon this home- stead, a period of sixty-four years of continuous, faithful, and intelligent effort as an agriculturist. Mr. Beuter is now seventy-five years of age, vigorous, active, alert - a splendid type of the Iowa farmer. It is upon the citizenship represent- ed by such men as he that the progressive commonwealth of Iowa rests - secure in its position in the front ranks of the great sisterhood of American states, an abiding place for an industrious, loyal, intelligent, prosperous people. The posses- sions of such men as Anthony Wayne Benter extend beyond the metes and bounds of their original homesteads - they overlap and intertwine with the aggregate wealth of the state ; that wealth of public institutions and utilities, including the school house, the university, the church, the railway, the elee- trie energies, the network of good roads, the manufactories.
-
A. W. BEUTER
157
BIOGRAPHICAL
and all the elements of trade and industry. For the efforts and ambitions and sacrifices of such men as he have made pos- sible the completed structure of statehood which is the admira- tion of the nation and the prond possession of the sons and danghters of Iowa. The rewards of their efforts are all aronnd these valiant builders of the commonwealth - they share with their posterity, and rightfully, the peaceful fruits of progressive statehood.
Anthony Wayne Benter is a native of Taylorsville, Mus- kingmm county, Ohio. The date of his birth was May 16, 1836. His parents were Joseph and Anna (Staasy) Beuter, born in Germany, and married in their native country. They settled
---
RESIDENCE OF ANTHONY WAYNE BEUTER
in Taylorsville in 1833. The elder Benter was a cooper, and worked at that trade for fifteen years. In 1843 he made a trip of investigation to Johnson county, Towa, at which time he purchased 120 acres of land. `He then returned to Ohio, where he remained five years, at the end of which time he removed with his family overland to Johnson county and settled per- manently upon the farm which he had previously purchased. This farm he lived upon until his death, January 23, 1873. His active work thereon ceased, however, in 1861. Mother Beuter survived until 1888. Six children were born to this couple : A. J., married, and lived in Solon a good many years, now deceased; Lney, married to John Eckler, of Iowa City, both deceased; Nicholas L., a vohmteer in the Civil War, killed
158
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
in Arkansas; our subject; Genevieve, now Mrs. Edward Lilly, living in Pocahontas county, Iowa.
In 1859 our subject took active charge of the work on the old homestead. Eleven years later (1870) he decided that it was not well to be alone and took as a life companion Miss Marga- ret Williams, a native of Pennsylvania, whose parents came to Big Grove township in the early sixties. Mr. and Mrs. Beuter have three children living: Wayne, married to Miss Rose Kroma, father of eight children, Marie, Harvey, Nicholas, Charles, Genevieve, Bernard, Joseph, and Anna - his wife died December 3, 1910; he was married to Margaret J. Kroma, November 8, 1911; Mary, now Mrs. Thomas Eggen- berg, living on a farm near Coralville, has one daughter, Clara ; Ray, married to Miss Caroline Brecht, living in Benton county.
Anthony Beuter has always been a consistent democrat. He held the position of township trustee for fifteen years and secretary of the school board for over twenty-five years, be- sides other offices in the county. His life has been that of a typical American citizen, his interest in all proper public en- terprises being keen and practical. He is among the oldest settlers of the county living today, is one of the best known of its citizens, and commands universal respect. No man could ask or receive a greater reward for the labors of a well-spent life.
MICHAEL S. SHIRCLIFF
The history of the Shircliff family has been quite fully set forth in the biographical sketch of Charles H. Shircliff, printed in this volume, to which the attention of the reader is directed. Michael S., the subject of this sketch, is the only surviving brother of Charles II., and is a respected citizen of Solon, Iowa, having retired from active business about ten years ago. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, February 29, 1842, and removed to Johnson county, Iowa, with the family in 1853. Our subject was eleven years of age when he reached Big Grove township, and for some time thereafter attended the public schools of the neighborhood. On leaving school, he entered the mercantile business in company with his brother
159
BIOGRAPHICAL
Charles, and continued therein up to the time of his retire- ment from active business life in 1901.
Mr. Shircliff was married in 1870 to Miss Helen McCune, a daughter of one of the pioneer merchants of Solon. She died in 1885, and our subject remarried in 1888, taking for his sec- ond wife Miss Addie Pratt, daughter of D. A. and Rachel
RESIDENCE OF MICHAEL S. SHIRCLIFF
Pratt, who came to Johnson county in 1840, in which county Miss Addie was born. Mr. Shircliff has one child by his second wife, Lois H., now Mrs. G. I. Fleming, residing on a farm near Ely, Iowa.
Our subject, though near the three score and ten limit, is still an active factor in the social life of his community. He is a democrat in politics.
DR. LEWIS WILLIAM HARDING
One of the most respected medical practitioners of Johnson county is Dr. Lewis William Harding, of Solon. For twenty- one years the doctor has administered to the sick and the in- jured of his neighborhood, adhering religiously to the ethics of his noble profession ; in readiness at morning, noon or night, in storm or sunshine, in heat or cold, to respond to the call of need; to face danger of tempest, or flood, or contagion.
Dr. Harding was born June 8, 1866, in Washington county,
160
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Iowa, and there his aged parents, Thomas and Alvina (Sears) Harding, are still living at the advanced ages of eighty-three and eighty-one respectively, having enjoyed together sixty-one years of wedded life. The father and mother are natives of Ohio and were married in that state. Soon after their mar- riage they removed to Rock Island county, Illinois, where they resided two years, thence removing to Washington county, Iowa, where they have since continuously resided. Both are in excellent health at this writing (1911). Seven children were born to Thomas and Alvina Harding. In the order of birth they are: B. H., married and living at What Cheer, Iowa, en-
E
PALMER HOUSE
gaged in railroad work ; Mary, wife of Dr. J. T. Glaze, died in Solon about twenty-two years ago; Minnie, now Mrs. F. B. Jackson, living in Washington county; Charles. who died in infancy; Ella, now Mrs. A. E. Hefer, living in Solon ; our sub- ject ; Margaret, now Mrs. Dr. J. T. Hay, living in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Our subject received his publie school education in Wash- ington county, graduating from the Ainsworth high school. Thereafter he entered the Medical Department of the State University of Iowa, graduating therefrom in 1898. He imme- diately began the practice of medicine at Solon, Iowa, where he has resided continuously. On April 6, 1892, Dr. Harding was married to Miss Anna Grace Beuter, daughter of A. J.
161
BIOGRAPHICAL
Beuter, who was an important factor in the early history of Solon, having owned at one time all the land whereon the southern part of Solon is now located. This land he platted and sold out in lots. Mr. Beuter was county supervisor for a number of years, was very influential in politics and business, and was regarded as one of the stanch men of the county.
Dr. and Mrs. Harding have two children: Meryle Cleone, attending Cornell college at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, having gradu- ated from the Solon high school in 1909; Donnan Beuter, now fifteen years old, a graduate of the Solon high school, class of 1911.
In politics Dr. Harding is a republican ; in religion, a Metho- (list. He is a member of the Johnson County Medical Society, the Eastern Iowa Medical Society, the Rock Island Railroad Surgical Association, the Iowa State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.
JACOB Y. STOVER
The subject of this sketch is one of the few now remaining who were among the first of the pioneers of Johnson county. Seventy-three years have passed since the Stover family first set foot in Towa and located on the site of the old homestead, which is still in possession of the family.
Jacob Stover was then fifteen years of age, and it is diffilult to realize that during his lifetime this area which now com- prises the county has emerged from one unbroken wilderness to a proud position among the foremost commonwealths of the United States ; that men are now living who have witnessed this entire transformation seems almost incredible.
Mr. Stover was born in Wayne county, Indiana, August 4, 1823. His parents, Joseph and Ester (Yount) Stover, were natives of Virginia and Tennessee respectively. At an early day they settled in Ohio, but after a short stay there they re- moved to Hagerstown, Wayne county, Indiana, where they lived for about thirty years. In 1836 they removed to St. Joe, Indiana, and about one year later. or in 1837, the father made a trip to Iowa and, after looking the country over to some ex- tent, he returned to Indiana and in 1838 he removed with his
162
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
family to Johnson county, arriving there after a long and tedious journey on the 6th of May, 1838. It was the time of year when the new country possessed a peculiar charm, when earth and sky combined to make delightful to the eye the grandeur and majesty of the rolling prairies covered with wild flowers and waving grasses. The Iowa river and smaller streams were heavily timbered and it was in the wooded por- tions that the new settler usually established his home. South of what is now Iowa City and in Pleasant Valley township. not far from the Iowa river, the Stovers selected the location for their future dwelling. That was two years previous to any
RESIDENCE OF JACOB Y. STOVEP.
appearance of the town of Iowa City. They lived there two years and then removed to a farm they had purchased within one mile of Iowa City, and this became the old family home- stead and is still in possession of Mr. Stover. Here on the old farm Mr. Stover grew to manhood, assisting in the labor of home building and in bringing the soil into cultivation, expe- riencing the usual lot of pioneer settlers.
Ten years later, Mr. Stover began to hear some of the stories of the wonderful country lying far towards the setting sun, and in response to the lure of gold and wild adventure he. in company with some others, set out for California. After a
163
BIOGRAPHICAL
long journey across the plains and meeting with many strange adventures, he finally reached his destination. He remained there for three years, where he had a varied and interesting experience, some of which is told in the first volume of this work. Returning home, he remained on the farm for about one year and then engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Iowa City. It was during the time of "wild cat" money, when a person could go to bed at night with a roll of bank notes that were good and wake up in the morning to find them worthless, owing to the uncertain and precarious conditions of the country's finance, and unstable banking system, all of which caused a loss in the enterprise of about $20,000.
In 1859 Mr. Stover made the second trip to California. The journey was eventful in many ways, and, after encountering many dangers and enduring many hardships, found himself again in the "golden west." It was his intention to remain in that country, but after three years' residence, during which time he had prospered very well, he received word from his father, who was getting very old, and in November, 1862, he returned to the old homestead in Johnson county, where he remained until 1896. He then retired from the farm and re- moved to Iowa City, where he now resides on Court street in a very comfortable home.
Mr. Stover was married July 12, 1863, to Susan R. Switzer, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Switzer, both natives of Maryland. (See sketch of Switzer family.) To this union were born eight children, six of whom are now living: U. S. Grant, married to Miss Eva Allen, of Lone Tree, and residing in Burlington, Iowa ; Chas. C. Switzer, married to Miss Annie Zimmerman, of Wellman, Iowa, they reside in Minneapolis ; Sarah Emma resides at Iowa City and is employed in Citizens Bank; Jacob Edwin, postal clerk on C. M. & St. P. R. R., re- sides at Davenport; Bessie E. Stover, librarian in the Univer- sity library, resides at home; Samuel K. resides in Minneapo- lis, where he is an electric engineer.
Mr. Stover votes the republican ticket, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the M. E. church.
164
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
SAMUEL DANFORTH WHITING
Samuel Danforth Whiting, the subject of this sketeh, is en- titled to write his name among the first families of New Eng- land. His ancestors were among the founders of Boston, and Lowell, Massachusetts, is located on the Whiting farm. His father's ancestry dates back to the seventeenth century in Massachusetts. Timothy Whiting and Mary A. Dudley, his parents, however, are natives of New York state, both being born in Jefferson county. Happily, both are now living, the father in honorable retirement, at Iowa City with our subject. The mother is a practicing physician at Los Angeles, Califor-
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL DANFORTH WHITING
mia. Timothy Whiting, in early life, was a railroad engineer (civil), but later took up in connection with his profession the business of brick and tile. He is well and favorably known throughout Iowa, having done a large amount of surveying in the state. He was at one time in company with Ex-Governor Larrabee in the brick and tile business at Clermont, Iowa. The Whiting family came west to Fayette county, Iowa, about 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, and resided in that county until 1885, where Mr. Whiting was county supervisor, when they removed to Iowa City in order that the children might have the educational advantages of the University city. Five
165
BIOGRAPHICAL
children were born to this excellent conple, all of whom are living at this writing.
Samuel Danforth Whiting, the third in order of birth, was born in 1875 in Clermont, Fayette county, Iowa, and came with his parents to Iowa City when he was ten years of age. Here he grew to manhood, was educated, entered business, and still resides. He graduated from the Iowa City high school in the class of 1892, and from the State University of Iowa in the class of 1896, with the degree of A. B. Following his gradua- tion he became principal of the Jefferson Township high school, Sheyville, Iowa, for one year. He was then elected county school superintendent and served from 1898 to 1902. Thereafter Mr. Whiting entered the Law Department of the S. U. I. and graduated in the class of 1904, with the degree of LL.B. He immediately put out his "shingle" and began the practice of law. Being an expert French, German, and Bo- hemian scholar, his pathway to professional snecess has been uniformly progressive, and he is regarded as one of the suc- cessful members of the JJohnson County Bar Association.
Mr. Whiting married Caroline Buresh, of Shueyville, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kahoun) Buresh, both de- ceased. Mr. Buresh was a farmer of Jefferson township. He was a native of Bohemia, born in April, 1838, and came to America in 1864. He accidentally shot and killed himself while hunting, in 1883. His marriage to Miss Kahoun took place in Cleveland, Ohio, December 25, 1869, where he lived for ten years and was employed by a glass company. Miss Kahoun was a native of Bohemia, and came to America when sixteen years old. She was the fifth child in her father's family.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whiting: Nathan, Samuel, Mary, and Joseph. The family resides on a forty-acre tract north of the Kimball road, facing North Sum- mit avenne, a sightly, beautifully shaded place, famous for its products of fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting are members of the Congregational church.
STEPHEN ALFRED SWISHER
The name of Swisher bulks largely in the history of John- son county. It is one of the early names of this section of the
166
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
state, and figures prominently in the financial, educational, and religious development of the commonwealth. No name is more honored in Iowa City, where prominent members of the family reside. Wilson Swisher, a deceased brother of our subject, had the honor of being the first male white child born in Jefferson township. His father and mother were distin- guished as the first couple to be married in that township. Thus it will be seen that the origin of the family dates back to the beginnings of civilization in Iowa. The fact that it has kept pace with the development of the state, identifying itself with the affairs thereof, and today occupies a prominent and important place, speaks more loudly than words of the sterling worth of the Swisher household.
Our subject is the youngest of the eight children of Benja- min and Elizabeth Smith Whitemore, six of whom reached maturity. Benjamin Swisher was born in Piqua county, Ohio, April 2, 1817, and died a resident of Johnson county in 1885. He was a son of John and Catherine Swisher, and was left fatherless at four and motherless at seven years of age. On the death of his parents, the orphan boy went to live with his uncle Leeds, and remained with him until he reached his ma- jority. In 1840 he turned his face westward and became a resident of Van Buren county, Iowa, then a territory. In March, 1841, he removed to Monroe township, Johnson county, where he resided until 1844, when he settled in Jefferson town- ship in Section 7. In this township he became a large land owner, accumulating over 400 acres. On May 16, 1841, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Smith) Whitemore, a widow, their marriage, as stated previously, being the first to be celebrated in the township. The homestead established by Benjamin and Elizabeth Swisher is one of the best known and most cele- brated in this section of the state. It was "dedicated by the father and mother to their country and their God." A writer, in speaking of it, says: "No home has done more for John- son county and Iowa than this old farm in the hills, and its influence shall abide when the waves of another ocean surge above it." The country was sparsely settled in those early days. Only one dwelling stood in all the country between the Swisher home and Cedar Rapids, while but three or four had been built between it and the then little village of Iowa City.
167
BIOGRAPHICAL
In spite of the social isolation, however, the home was the scene of ideal fellowship, in which the comradeships of par- ents and children were wrought ont in an atmosphere of per- petual sunshine. Strong family attachments were therefore inevitable, and these are a distinctive characteristic of the Swisher family.
In this old "home in the hills" the eight children of Benja- min and Elizabeth Swisher were born. Wilson, the eldest, died in childhood; Abraham E., died in August, 1909; John P., died in February, 1881 ; Catherine Bollard, died September 9, 1885. The names of the survivors are: Lovell A., cashier of the First National bank of Iowa City; Benjamin F., Stephen
RESIDENCE OF STEPHEN ALFRED SWISHER
Alfred, our subject. The eighth child died in infancy. The mother died August 9, 1875.
Stephen Alfred Swisher was born February 4, 1856, in the log cabin home in Jefferson township. He was raised on the old homestead, and, of course, took part in the farm work in his younger days. His education, begun in the common schools of the county, was continued in the Iowa City Academy and the State University of Iowa. In October, 1879, he began the business of general insurance, in which he has continued until the present time. He represents the following compan- ies : Aetna ; Hartford ; Home; Franklin ; Insurance Company of North America ; Liverpool, London & Globe; Connecticut
168
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Insurance Company ; Iowa Manufacturers ; Travelers of Hart- ford; Mutual Benefit of Newark, New Jersey; Metropolitan Casualty Company; Maryland Casualty Company. He has been signally successful in his chosen avocation, and ranks as one of the best informed men in the insurance line in the state and has been the leading man in his profession for 28 years. A remarkably retentive memory has been a distinct advantage to him in his business relations.
Mr. Swisher's interest in educational, commercial, and so- cial matters has always been pronounced. At the sixteenth session of the Iowa Society of Colonial Wars he was reelected governor for 1911-12. He is a member of the Sons of the Rev- olution, securing his eligibility in this order from his mother's descent from Thomas Rose of Rhode Island, who was the first member of the Rose family in this country and traces back to the old Red Rose family of England, seven generations dis- tant. He is an active member of the Country Club of Iowa City and of the Iowa City Commercial Club. His standing in the Methodist Episcopal church of Iowa City is indicated by the fact that he is secretary of the board of trustees and has been secretary of the Sunday school since 1882.
On September 14, 1886, he was married to Miss Nell G. Cluster, daughter of Paul and Gabriella (Wallingford) Custer, who were natives respectively of New York and Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher have five children: Pauline, wife of Dr. Lester A. Royal, of West Liberty, Iowa; Stephen A., Jr .; John Custer: Thomas Rose: Gretchen Eleanor. The family reside at 120 Fairchild street, Iowa City.
ABRAHAM E. SWISHER, deceased, brother of our sub- ject, was a prominent factor in Iowa City. His death, in August, 1909, was widely deplored. Ile was one of the or- ganizers of the Citizens Savings & Trust Company of Iowa City, and was elected its first cashier, later being made its president. Born on the old homestead in Jefferson township March 6, 1855, his early days were devoted to agriculture. He was a student in the common schools, a graduate of the S. U. I. class of 1872, also of the law department, class of 1874, at which time he received the degree of M. A. He began the practice of law in Iowa City, and later was made local attor- ney for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, the Bur-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.