Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 105

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360

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Mr. Packel's connection with the County Clerk's office began in 1889, when, entirely unsolicited, he received the appointment as Deputy Clerk. Accepting the office, he served in that capacity for five years, and in 1894 re- ceived the nomination of his party for the office of County Clerk. So acceptably had he served as Deputy that this was equal to an election, and after the balloting was over, as all expected, he was the successful candidate, and is now acceptably and creditably serving. He has always been a stalwart Democrat, and takes a deep interest in the growth of his party.

On the 12th of June, 1895, Mr. Packels was united in marriage with Lucy Cunning- ham, daughter of John Cunningham, a retired farmer residing in Waverly. She was born in Illinois, September 28, 1867, and is a most estimable lady, sharing in the high regard which is so fully given her husband. They attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, although Mr. Packels was reared in the German Lutheran Church. His devotion to duty, whether of a public or private nature, is one of his marked characteristics, and has gained him the confi- dence and good will of all.

ILLIAM EDWARD THORN- BURGH is a wide-awake, enter- prising Western man, and may well be numbered among the representa- tive citizens of Iowa. He is now living in Pleasant Grove township, where he owns a finely improved farm. His birth occurred in Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana, April 29, 1845, and he is the only one of the children

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now living. In 1851 the parents came to Iowa, taking up their residence in Warren county, where they made their home for a year, and then removed to Marion county, purchasing a claim. The father turned his attention to the development and improve- ment of his land, and afterward added to his property, until at the time of his death he owned a valuable tract of 211 acres in Marion county and a 400-acre farin in Kansas. He passed away in 1876.

Under the parental roof our subject spent the days of his childhood, and early became familiar with farm labors. His education was of the common-school order. At the age of eighteen he offered his services to the Govern- ment, enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, in 1863. The following year he returned to his home, but soon afterward re-entered the service as a member of the First Indiana Artillery, con- tinuing at the front until after the close of the war, when, on the 22d of July, 1865, he was honorably discharged at New Orleans.

Mr. Thornburgh then returned to his home, and in 1868, at the age of twenty-three years, was united in marriage with Miss Emma J. Bristow. He then settled upon a seventy-acre farm which he rented of his father, and four years later, with the capital he had acquired through his industry and sagacity, he pur- chased eighty acres, a part of his present farm. To this he has added until he now owns 108 acres of rich land, all under cultivation. It is one of the best improved farms in the county. In 1870 he erected thereon a substantial resi- dence at a cost of $2,000. In 1877 he built a good barn, and has also built a granary and smoke-house, and made other improvements which add to the value and attractive appear- ance of the place. He has five wells and a large cistern upon the farm, thus furnishing an ample water supply for his stock and for do- mestic use.

In 1882 Mr. Thornburgh was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the Ioth of May, leaving three children: Edward

James, born April 12, 1869; Nora Esther, born October 6, 1873; and Earnest A., born July 16, 1876. The family attend the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Thornburgh gives his polit- ical support to the Republican party, but has had neither time nor inclination for public office. He is a member of Rutman Post, G. A. R., and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of generous nature, providing liberally for his family, and is a gen- ial, popular gentleman who has many friends.

S YLVESTER M. DEVENY, who is numbered among the farmers and stock-dealers of Marion county, re- sides on section 20, Swan township. He claims Indiana as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Marshall county, on the 7th of April, 1856. He is the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children, whose parents were Timothy F. and Julia Ann (Cart) Deveny, natives of Pennsylvania. He has been a resident of the Hawkeye State from the age of nine years, at which time he came to Iowa in company with a married cousin and an older brother. He then lived upon his uncle's farm until twenty-two years of age, aided in its cultivation, and became well acquainted with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.

Mr. Deveny then made preparations for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Emma E. Camp, a native of Marion county, Iowa. They began their domestic life upon the farm which is now their home, and have since made it their place of residence. He now owns eighty acres of rich and valuable land, all of which is under a high state of cultiva- tion. The place is divided into fields of con- venient size by well kept fences. He has erected a substantial and commodious barn, and the place is one of the neat and well kept farms of Marion county. In connection with the cultivation of cereals adapted to this cli- mate, Mr. Deveny has quite extensively and successfully engaged in stock-raising, making

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a specialty of the breeding of Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle.

Mr. and Mrs. Deveny have become the par- ents of six children, but two are now deceased. Those still living are: Stella, Jacob Ross, Ed- son C., Wilma. He has provided his children with excellent educational privileges, thereby fitting them for life's practical and responsible duties. In politics Mr. Deveny is a stalwart Republican, always giving his support to the inen and measures of that party. For six years he served as Township Trustee, was School Director for three years, and was also Road Supervisor. With the Christian Church he holds membership, and is now serving as Dea- con. He is fond of travel, and has spent some of his most enjoyable hours in travel through the West.

0 AVID PHILLIPS, who resides on section 3, Pleasant Grove township, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Marion county. He has witnessed the growth and development of this region from the days of its infancy, has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, has watched the upbuilding of towns and cities, and has ever borne his part in the work of progress. He therefore deserves mention among those residents who have been valued factors in the county's progress, and with pleasure we present the record of his life to our readers.

Mr. Phillips was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children whose parents were David and Martha (Wilson) Phillips. The father was born near Hartford, Connecticut, and was of English descent. Emigrating to Ohio, he was there united in marriage with Miss Wilson, who was born in Virginia, of Irish parentage, and who during her girlhood went to Kentucky, whence she afterward re- moved to Ross county, Ohio. There they continued their residence until 1834, when they removed to Indiana.

Our subject was born in Ross county, Ohio,

September 26, 1823, and was therefore only eleven years of age when he became a resident of the Hoosier State. Amidst the scenes of frontier life in Indiana he grew to manhood, and then, in company with his brother, started to seek a home beyond the Mississippi. They journeyed by team and at length reached Marion county, Iowa, where they made a claim, comprising three forty-acre tracts of land. They then returned to the old home- stead and spent the winter there, but in the spring again came to this State. Mr. Phillips at once began the improvement of his property, planted a crop and built a cabin. From early morning until late at night he worked in the fields, continuing their cultivation until the wild land was transformed into a valuable tract. In 1867 he fenced the place and erected a com- fortable modern residence, in place of the cabin home. As the years have passed he has continued the work of development and im- provement until he now has one of the most desirable farms in the county.

On the 14th of January, 1855, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Metcalf, who was born in Fayette county, Indiana, January 12, 1833, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Heck) Metcalf, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Kentucky. In the family were five sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Phillips was the fourth in order of birth. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, ten of whom are now living: Martha, wife of F. T. Williams; Sarah, wife of F. P. Kise; John W. and James H., who also are married; Prudence, wife of J. S. Proffitt, of Kansas; Charles M., who is married; Mary M., wife of W. E. Hodgson; Arletta, wife of J. W. Proffitt; Anna, deceased; C. W., deceased; Chester D .; and Marvin E. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips also have thirty-eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In politics our subject has always been a stalwart Republican, and served as Township Treasurer, Road Supervisor and School Director. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Christian Church. He has made several long

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journeys, and is very fond of travel, having visited many of the scenes of interest in this country.

J ACOB H. CAMP, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock- raising on section 9, Pleasant Grove township, is one of the native sons of Marion county and is an enterprising business man. His father was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and when a child of twelve years removed with his parents to Rich- land county, Ohio, where through his own re- sources he acquired his education and fitted himself for teaching. He was a great reader and student, and was recognized as one of the best informed men in his section of the State. At the age of thirty he removed to Marion county, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, passing away on the 28th of January, 1884, at the age of fifty-nine years. He was twice married and by the first union had six children. His second marriage was with Mrs. Martha E. Murray, nee Sınith, who was born near La Fayette, Indiana, and came to Iowa with her parents when a young lady. She came of an old Virginian family of German ori- gin. Four children were born of the second marriage.

Jacob H. Camp of this review was the eld- est. His birth occurred on the 28th of May, 1868, in Marion county, and he was only fif- teen years of age at the time of his father's death. He remained in school until nineteen years of age, when he took a trip to Colorado, hoping to find a favorable opening for business where he might make money rapidly, but a year convinced him that there were few bet- ter places than his native county, and he re- turned home to take charge of his father's es- tate. When twenty-three years of age he sold his interest in the same and removed to Lin- den, Dallas county, Iowa, where he organized the Farmers and Merchants' Bank, success- fully managing the affairs of that institution until his health failed him, in the spring of

1893, when he sold out and returned home. After a time he accepted a position as cashier in the Pleasantville Bank, but in June was forced to resign this on account of continued ill health. He is a young man of excellent business ability, undaunted energy and deter- mination, and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

On the 14th of June, 1893, Mr. Camp was united in marriage with Miss Alta Jordan, the beautiful and talented daughter of the late William Riley Jordan, who was one of the most prominent citizens of Pleasantville. She was born November 30, '1873, and they now have an interesting little daughter, Grace, born Feb- ruary 9, 1895.

On the 14th of August, 1893, Mr. Camp purchased his present home, comprising 1823 acres of rich and arable land, valued at $75 per acre, and all under a high state of cultivation. He is now extensively engaged in the raising of pure-bred Poland-China hogs and high-bred stock generally. He has upon the place ex- cellent farm buildings, commodious in size and substantial in structure, and the neat appear- ance of the place indicates his careful super- vision.

In his political views Mr. Camp was a Dem- ocrat until 1895, but owing to what he termed " the general incompetency of the party " he left its ranks and is now a supporter of Re- publican principles. His wife is a member of the Christian Church, and they occupy a very high position in social circles. Mr. Camp is a man of domestic tastes and finds his greatest pleasure in the home.

AMES LOGAN is one of the most prom- inent business men of Marion county. He also belongs to that class known as self-made men, who, without capital save youth's bright hope of the future and a determination to succeed, start out on life's journey and work their way steadily upward from a humble position to one of prominence,

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gaining a handsome competence by their ear- nest labor and capable management.

Mr. Logan is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Beaver county December 28, 1844, and is a son of Hugh and Mary (Hughes) Logan, the former of Scotch-Irish lineage and the latter of French descent. In 1855 they came to Iowa, locating in Marion county. The father is still living, at the advanced age of ninety years, but retains the vigor of a man of sixty. His wife passed away in 1858, at the age of forty-five years. They became the par- ents of ten children, of whom James was the fourth in order of birth. He was only nine years of age when the family arrived in Marion county, and with the hardships and trials of frontier life he early became familiar. At the age of fifteen he began to earn his own living by working as a farm hand, and from 1858 un- til 1861 was in the employ of J. J. Galvin.

In the latter year Mr. Logan responded to the country's call for troops, and made a record in the war of the Rebellion which is worthy of being placed in enduring form that other gen- erations may gain some knowledge of the sac- rifice made to perpetuate the liberties of this country and transmit them as a legacy to the future. He was hardly seventeen years of age when he offered his services to the Govern- ment, and became a member of Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry. He participated in the battle of Guntown, the capture of Selma, the capture of Montgomery and battle of Colum- bus, and was wounded in a skirmish by a minie ball, which lodged in his shoulder. He was also taken prisoner and for three months and twenty-five days was confined in the prison at Little Rock, Arkansas. When his first term of service expired he immediately re-enlisted and continued at the front until after the close of the war, when, on the 9th of August, 1865, he was honorably discharged.

Mr. Logan at once returned to his Iowa home, but soon after he went to Kansas, where he remained for a year. On again returning to this State he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1876, when he took a trip to

California, spending six months in viewing the scenes of interest and beauty on the Pacific slope. During several years succeeding he gave his entire time and attention to his farm- ing interests, carrying on operations along that line until 1892, when he retired. The following year he sold 280 acres of land and came to Swan, where he purchased the Farmers' Bank of Jordan & Son. Since that time he has successfully engaged in the bank- ing business, and is also acting as Notary Public.

On the 20th of September, 1870, Mr. Logan was united in marriage with Pruda A. Moffitt, widow of Seth Moffitt, and a native of Indiana. Four daughters graced this union, but the third, Dora, is now deceased. The others are : Cora, born February 12, 1872; Nora R., who was born August 10, 1874, and is now the wife of Lawrence Jolly; and Bertha J., who was born April 16, 1881.

In politics, Mr. Logan has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. His fellow citi- zens, appreciating his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office, wherein he has discharged his duties with credit to him- self and satisfaction to all. He has served as Justice of the Peace, was Mayor of Swan for two terms, and has also been president of the School Board. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and he has done effective service in its interests. Socially he is con- nected with Mutual Lodge, No. 473, F. & A. M., of Swan, and he and his wife are con- sistent members of the Christian Church. As a citizen he is as true to his duties in the days of peace as when he followed the old flag on Southern battle-fields, and his genuine worth has won him high regard.

J AMES MADISON REYNOLDS is a re- tired farmer and stock dealer living in Pleasantville, Iowa. When we see a man who started out in life with no capital save energy and a resolute purpose and

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worked his way steadily upward, overcoming all obstacles, until he has secured a comfort- able competence, we are forced to acknowledge that in America labor is king. Such a man is Mr. Reynolds, who by his own indefatigable efforts and commendable ambition has secured a handsome property, while such has been his upright life that he has the confidence and es- teem of all who know him.

Mr. Reynolds was born in Benton county, Indiana, November 8, 1837, and is the eldest in a family of eight children, whose parents were Louis and Jane (Terwilliger) Reynolds, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. When our subject was a child of six years they removed to Louisa county, Iowa, and a year later went to Mahaska county, where they remained for a year. In the spring of 1846 they took up their residence in Marion county, and the father entered 200 acres of land from the Government, a half mile south of where the city of Pleasantville now stands. There were only three families living in the township at that time, and our subject drove the ox team which turned the first furrow within its borders. He also has in his posses- sion tax receipts which were made out after the primitive fashion of those days, -written in ink, for there were then no printers in the neighbor- hood. One of these, given to his father, reads as follows:

"Received, December 1, 1847, from Louis Reynolds, one dollar 92-100 in full for taxes in 1 847. "L. D. DURHAM."

The Reynolds family since that early day has been prominently connected with the his- tory of this county. The parents have now passed away. The mother died in Iowa, in 1885, at the age of sixty-five years, and the father died July 28, 1895, when more than eighty years of age.

Our subject was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and with the family shared in all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. He is familiar with all the ex- periences of such a settlement, including the arduous task of developing new land, and

transforming wild prairie into richly cultivated fields. His parents were in limited circum- stances, and had to make the most of their few possessions. The first pair of shoes which Mr. Reynolds ever had were made out of the tops of his father's boots and he was seventeen years of age before he had a pair of "store boots."

On the 8th of January, 1859, Mr. Rey- nolds was united in marriage with Miss Bar- bara Ann Shepherd, a native of Illinois, born January 4, 1843. They became the parents of five children: Clara Jane, who was born August 28, 1861, and died in Denver, Colorado, October 4, 1862; Charles Everett, who was born in Denver, August 4, 1863, and now re- sides with his wife and five children, on a farm near Pleasantville; Albert D., who was born June 13, 1867, and lives on a farm near Pleas- antville; Emma Madora, who was born No- vember 29, 1869, in Marion county, Iowa, and is the wife of Overton Sutton, by whom she has one child; and Thomas Brown, born July 6, 1877. All were provided with good edu- cational privileges and thus fitted for life's practical duties. Mr. Reynolds had received few advantages in this direction himself, his father having had to split rails in order to pay for his son's education. He realized therefore the need of school privileges and resolved that his children should not suffer from the same lack. He is to-day, however, a well informed man, and through extensive reading and ob- servation has become well posted on all cur- rent events.

From early childhood Mr. Reynolds had a desire to see the wild West, and in 1862 he took his family to Denver, Colorado, where he remained until 1863. During that time he en- gaged in teaming from Denver to Salt Lake City. In 1863 he drove across the plains with his family to California, and locating in Stock- ton engaged in hauling eggs from that place to Carson City, Nevada. He and his brother-in- law hauled as many as 1,800 dozen at one time, and sold them at fifty cents per dozen. In the summer of 1864 he removed to Mon-

T.J. Caldwell.

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tana, where he contracted a disease that threatened his life, and he was obliged to re- turn to his Iowa home. When he married his earthly possessions consisted only of one horse; but he has ever been a hard worker and his in- dustry and enterprise enabled him within a few years to secure several hundred acres of choice land. He also prospered in the West; but money easily gained is easily spent and the exhorbitant prices charged left him little real profit. He started on the return trip with $300, but they journeyed leisurely and so high were the prices asked for food that when he reached Iowa he had exactly $7 remaining. His landed possessions now aggregate 660 acres, valued at $50 per acre, all of which is situated in Pleasant Grove township, and is under a high state of cultivation. He also has five acres in the city valued at $4, 500, includ- ing his residence, which is one of the finest in the county, having been erected at a cost of $2,250.

In his political views Mr. Reynolds is a Democrat on questions of national importance, but at local elections he votes for the man best qualified for office regardless of party affilia- tions. He has frequently been solicited to accept office himself, but has steadily refused, having served only for one year as School Di- rector. His attention and time have been de- voted exclusively to his business interests, in which he has met with such signal success. As a citizen he is highly esteemed and no resi- dent of the community has more friends than James M. Reynolds. It should be mentioned that Mrs. Reynolds has ably aided and en- couraged her husband, and much of his success is due to her wise suggestions.

ON. TIMOTHY JORDAN CALD -. WELL, M. D .- The deserved re- ward of a well spent life is an honored retirement from business in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful and beneficial career, Dr. Caldwell is 42

quietly living at his home in Adel, Iowa, a town which largely stands as a monument to his enterprise and progressive spirit. He was its pioneer physician and has been the chief promoter of all interests that are calculated to advance the general welfare.

Dr. Caldwell is a native of Indiana. His father, William Caldwell, was born in North Carolina, and the grandfather, Rev. John Caldwell, a Baptist minister, was one of the first settlers of Ohio, where he died at a very old age. His wife Lucinda died in Indiana, where the family removed soon after the death of the husband and father. William Caldwell went to Indiana in his early years and was married there, at the age of thirty, to Miss Mary Jordan, who was born in Kentucky, while her parents were natives of North Caro- lina. At a very early day they located in In- diana, where they both died. The Doctor's mother spent her last days in Vermillion coun- ty, Indiana, where she passed away at the age of thirty-eight. The father died in 1885. In their family were nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, and five are yet living. One son, James, served in the late war and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness; another son, Perry, is a prominent minister of the United Brethren Church; the third, John, is a leading physician of Oakland, California; Pantha A., wife of Erwin Maulsby, a resident of Redfield, Iowa; Martha, wife of W. E. Alum- baugh, M. D., physician of Oakland.

Timothy J. Caldwell was reared in the usual manner of farmers' lads, receiving no school privileges until the time he was eighteen years of age, except the meager advantages which were afforded by the district schools which he attended during the winter months, and one year spent in a village school. He had to work hard when a boy, for his people were poor; yet he managed to secure education enough to get him the position of assistant teacher at one of the best village schools of Indiana. With the hope of bettering his financial condition in the West he left his old home in 1853 and located near Redfield, Iowa,

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 105

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1360

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360