Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 106

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

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where he worked by the day and month until the fall of 1856. He then entered the office of Dr. E. H. Saunders, where he studied med- icine for a year, later spending three years in the office of Dr. A. M. Nelson. On the ex- piration of that period he entered the medical college of Keokuk, Iowa, at which he was graduated in the class of 1861.

In 1861, after his graduation, he located in Adel, where he opened an office and embarked in the practice of his chosen profession. There he continued until 1864, when he felt that his country needed his services, and became a sur- geon of the Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, in which he remained until the close of the war. He did much to alleviate the sufferings of his fellow men and was a loyal advocate of the Union cause.

On the close of the war, Dr. Caldwell re- turned to Adel, and later went to Philadelphia, where he spent one year, taking a general course in medicine in that city. To his prac- tice in Adel he then devoted his energy until the winter of 1876-7, when he entered the Bellevue College of New York, making a spe- cialty of the study of women's diseases. He is a most thorough student, a man of deep re- search, and has spared neither labor nor ex- pense in perfecting himself in his chosen call- ing. He is devoted to his profession from a true love of the science of medicine and an earnest desire to be a benefit to his fellow men. Again he entered college in the winter of 1891-2, where he took a post-graduate course in New York, and also spent one winter in New Or- leans in the study of medicine. His superior knowledge and ability have given him rank among the foremost members of the profession in Iowa, and no physician in the State is held in higher regard than Dr. Caldwell. He is a member of the American Medical Association, joined the State Medical Society in 1867, and for two years served as its president. He is a charter member of the Dallas County Medical Association, has several times served as its president, and is an honored and valued mem- ber of these various organizations.

Socially, Dr. Caldwellis a prominent Mason, a member of the Odd Fellows' order, the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Legion. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and their earnest, consistent Christian lives have won them the high regard of all. They are friends to the poor and needy, and extend their sympathy to the distressed. In politics the Doctor is a Republican, having sup- ported that party since casting his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln. His ster- ling worth and ability led to his selection for public office, and for two years he served as a member of the House, while for eight years he represented his district in the State Senate, and was the author of several important bills, which have proved of great importace to the people of the State. He also served on vari- ous important committees, and his long con- tinuance in the Assembly well indicates his fidelity to the trust reposed in him. There is no man in Adel who has done more for the upbuilding of the town or has been a more important factor in its upbuilding and progress. He has erected many fine blocks here and is just completing a handsome structure which will stand as a monument to his enterprise and public spirit. He is president of the Adel Bank, and was also president of the first rail- road which was built through this section from Waukee to Panora. He is president of the Adel Improvement Company and is always the leader in any enterprise that is calculated to benefit the town. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, practical as well as progressive; and he is indeed a self-educated and self-made man. Entirely through his own efforts he has worked his way upward to a po- sition of eminence. His life is above re- proach, his example worthy of emulation, and Iowa numbers him among its most prominent and influential citizens.

Dr. Caldwell has been twice married. Sep- tember 30, 1861, he married Miss Melissa V. Maulsby, who died in 1890. His second mar- riage was celebrated in 1891, wedding Miss Ella Garoutte, a native of Dallas county, Iowa.

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RECORD OF IOWA.

EORGE WILLARD PROFFITT is now living retired three miles north of Pleasantville, enjoying a rest that he has truly earned and richly de- serves. A native of East Tennessee, he was born on the 6th of April, 1836, and is a son of William B. and Melinda (Willard) Proffitt, who also were natives of the same State. On the paternal side the family is of Irish origin, and on the maternal side of German lineage. Our subject is the fourth in order of birth among six children, and was reared to manhood in the locality of his birth, remaining there until twenty-two years of age.

In 1858 Mr. Proffitt determined to try his fortune in the West, thinking that he might benefit his financial condition in a new coun- try where competition was not so great and where land could be secured at cheaper rates. Accordingly he came to Marion county, Iowa, and located in Swan township, where he pur- chased forty acres of land. His life has been one of earnest labor. From early morning until late at night he worked in the fields, transforming the wild prairie into rich and arable land. At length his care and cultiva- tion were rewarded by bounteous harvests, and as his financial resources were increased he made judicious investments in real estate, and is now the owner of 500 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. He is straightforward in all his dealings, and was never known to wrong a single individual out of a penny. His integrity is above question, and his word is as good as his bond.

On the 3 Ist of May, 1857, Mr. Proffitt was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Smith, a native of East Tennessee, and to them were born twelve children: Rachel Melinda, Chris- tina, Sarah C., Mary Frances, Melissa, Prudy, Ida, Eunice, Dicy, Josiah Winton, Charles C., and William D.

In his political views Mr. Proffitt is a stal- wart Republican, unswerving in support of the principles of that party. He has served as Township Treasurer, as Constable and as School Director, discharging the duties of these vari-

ous positions in a most creditable and accepta- ble manner. He and his family attend the Methodist Church, and he takes a deep inter- est in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its upbuilding. He is fond of travel, and has found his chief source of rest and recreation in this way.

ENRY C. RANEY, who is one of the representative members of the bar of Jefferson county and an honored citizen of Fairfield, is a native of the county and has practically passed his entire life here, working forward to a position indicative of high professional prestige and to a place in the respect and esteem of the community where he has thus gained distinctive success.

Mr. Raney was born on a farm in Cedar township, this county, on the IIth of Decem- ber, 1855, being the son of William and Hannah M. (Loomis) Raney. William Raney was a native of the Old Dominion State, having been born in Berkeley county, Virginia (now West Virginia), on the 8th of August, 1821, the son of James Raney, who likewise was a native of Virginia. His father, who was of Scotch-Irish lineage, emigrated to the United States from the north of Ireland, where he was born. The father of our subject was reared principally in the State of Ohio, whither his parents had emigrated when he was a boy of eight years, having located on a pioneer farm in Greene county. Upon attaining manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Alexander, and in 1846 he removed with his family to Van Buren county, Iowa, settling in Lick Creek township, where his wife died some two years later. He then returned to Ohio, where he remained about two years, after which he re- traced his steps to Iowa and was married to Hannah M. Loomis, this union having been consummated in 1850. Mrs. Raney, who still retains her residence in Fairfield, was the daughter of Nathaniel Loomis, who was a native of Connecticut, and who became one of the pioneers of Iowa. His daughter, the

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mother of our subject, was born in Ohio. After his second marriage William Raney passed one year in Ohio and then returned to Iowa, in 1851, and settled on a tract of 160 acres in Cedar township, Jefferson county, subsequently adding to his landed estate until he was the owner of a fine farm of 230 acres, which he brought under most effective cul- tivation, erecting substantial buildings and devoting his attention to general farming until the fall of 1891, when he retired from the active work which had engrossed his attention for so many years and which had yielded him due returns, thereupon removing to Fairfield, where he continued to reside until he was sum- moned into eternal life, his death occurring on the 17th of October, 1892. He was a man of absolute honor and integrity, was industrious, and directed his efforts with that intelligence and discrimination that resulted in bringing him success. He was held in high esteem in the county, and was known as one of its representative farmers. The old homestead in Cedar township was the birthplace of our subject and is still retained in the possession of the family.

Henry C. Raney is the eldest of the four surviving children of his father's second mar- riage, the sister and one of the brothers being residents of this county, while the other brother resides at Salt Lake City, Utah. Our sub- ject received his rudimentary educational train- ing in the district schools, supplementing the discipline thus secured by attending the Bir- mingham Academy, in Van Buren county, and subsequently Parsons College, in Fairfield, graduating at the latter institution in the year 1880, being a member of the first class to graduate in the same. Having determined to prepare himself for the legal profession, he entered the office of Leggett & McKemey, of Fairfield, and continued his technical reading under their effective preceptorage until he ren- dered himself eligible for examination, being admitted to the bar at the regular term of the district court of Fairfield, in August, 1882. He began his practice in Fairfield by associa-

ting hiinself with his former preceptors, and this association continued until December 4, 1883, when he began his individual practice by opening an office at the northwest corner of the Public Square, continuing alone until Feb- ruary, 1891, when he entered into his present professional alliance with E. F. Simmons, the practice of the firm extending into all of the courts, and their clientage being of large and representative character. Mr. Raney is recog- nized as a strong trial lawyer and a wise coun- selor, being well read in his profession and having a thorough knowledge of jurisprudence, precedents, etc., while his natural endowment of vigor and versatility, as conjoined to mani- fest earnestness and honesty of purpose, gain him the respect and confidence of the court, the jury and of his professional confreres. In politics our subject is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party. For eight consecutive years he held the office of City Solicitor, proving a most faithful and efficient incumbent.

Mr. Raney has maintained a lively interest in all that tends to conserve the moral ad- vancement and the substantial industrial pros- perity of Fairfield, and he is actively concerned in the most prominent manufacturing enter- prise of the place. In 1886 he effected the purchase of a half interest in the brick and tile factory in this city, the same having been es- tablished in 1879, by Messenger & Elliott, the latter of whom our subject succeeded. March 1, 1896, he and his brother purchased the interest of Mr. Messenger in the business, and it is now conducted under the firm name of Raney Brothers. The present firm of Mes- senger & Raney work a fine quality of clay and manufacture building brick and all kinds of drain tile, the annual output being very ex- tensive and the enterprise being one which has important bearing upon the industrial activities of the county.

On the 8th of February, 1883, were spoken the words which united the life destinies of Mr. Raney and Miss Mary M. Bogle, a daughter of S. A. Bogle, of Birmingham, Iowa, and of this

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union have been born two sons: Frank C. and Ellery M. Mr. and Mrs. Raney are zeal- ous members of the Presbyterian Church, and our subject has served for the past decade as a Trustee of the local organization.

a APTAIN JOHN W. HORINE, who is now living on section 19, Swan township, Marion county, is one of the honored veterans of the late war, who at the country's call for troops offered his services to the Government and marched to the front as a defender of the Union. Through- out the trying scenes of the Civil war he was always found at his post of duty, faithfully de- fending the old flag and the cause it repre- sented, and when at last the war was over he returned with an honorable military record, which he may well be proud to transmit to his descendants.

The Captain was born in Washington county, Maryland, April 27, 1820, being a son of John Horine, who spent the greater part of his life in Washington county. Our subject remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he started out to make his own way in the world, going to Montgomery county, where he learned the tinner's trade, seven miles south- west of Dayton. In 1844 he returned to Williamsport, Maryland, where he worked at his trade for a time, and then entered the service of the company engaged in the con- struction of the Chesapeake & Ohio canal to Washington, D. C. In December, 1846, he returned to Dayton, where he followed his trade until the spring of 1850. At that time he removed to Huntsville, Madison county, Indiana, where he engaged in the same line of business until August, 1854, when with his family he located on a farm of 100 acres which he and his brother had purchased. In the spring of 1855 he removed to Vandalia, Indi- iana, and, in partnership with John Q. Dea- con and D. W. Shearer, built a circular-saw mill, which he operated for two years, when he sold out and began the erection of a mill

for other parties at Mitchellville. When this was done and the machinery in operation he returned to Vandalia, where he engaged in hotel-keeping, erecting a building for the pur- pose. This he successfully conducted until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when he closed out the business, although the family still lived in the hotel property.

On President Lincoln's second call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union, roused by a spirit of patriotism, he made preparation to go to the front. Rais- ing a company, he was commissioned its First Lieutenant on the 4th of November, 1861. With the regiment he took his troops to St. Louis on the 23d of January, 1862, and soon after he was detailed to act as recruiting of- ficer and was sent north to Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, where he remained until ordered to join his company at Shiloh. He arrived just after the battle of that place, but was in time to participate in the entire siege of Cor- inth, where his regiment formed a part of the brigade consisting of the Eighth, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa regiments and the Fifty- eighth Illinois, under General Tom Sweeney. After the evacuation of Corinth, Captain Horine was taken ill and was sent to Keokuk, where he remained until August 14, 1862, when he was assigned to duty at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. A few days after landing he was com- missioned Post Adjutant at that place, where he served until the 10th of April, 1863. He then joined his command, went to Cairo, Illi- nois, and thence to Columbus, Kentucky. On the IIth of July, 1863, he was detailed to act as Adjutant of the Fourteenth Regiment, but subsequently he was forced to resign and re- turned to his family.

Going to Vandalia, the Captain worked at his trade until 1866, when he removed to Pleasantville, Iowa. There he engaged in teaming, also followed the butchering business to a limited extent, and ran a harness and shoe shop. In ['882 he engaged in the hotel busi- ness, but traded his hotel property for a farm in 1884. He, however, rented the hotel a

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year longer before removing to his farm. He now owns eighty acres of land, to the cultiva- tion of which he has devoted his energies since 1886, and the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them.

On the Ist of August, 1844, Captain Horine was united in marriage with Miss Ellen E. Cheney, who was born and reared in Wash- ington county, Maryland, although their wed- ding was celebrated in Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. She died February 4, 1852, leaving three children : Susan, who was born January 17, 1846, and is now the wife of B. D. Brewer, by whom she has two children; William H., who was born October 23, 1848, and now resides in Pleasantville; and Arthur W., who died October 10, 1851, at the age of two years. September 2, 1852, the Captain was again married, his second union being with Miss Ann R. Reese, who was born in Turcarawas county, Ohio, and when five years of age removed to Indiana with her parents, David and Ann (Albaugh) Reese, the former of Welsh and the latter of German descent. The children of the second marriage are : John W., who was born February 27, 1854; Ann R., who was born January 8, 1857; Ellen M., who was born September 8, 1859, and is the widow of George Prince; Siegel F., born February 24, 1862; Rose M., born May 12, 1864; and Samuel L., born March 6, 1867.

The parents hold membership with the Christian Church. The Captain cast his first presidental vote for Zachary Taylor, and was a supporter of Henry Clay and the Whig party until the Republican party was formed to pre- vent the further extension of slavery, when he joined its ranks and has since been one of its stalwart advocates. He has served as Town- ship Treasurer, School Director and Township Clerk, and has been Justice of the Peace both in Swan and Pleasant Grove townships, dis- charging his duties in a most satisfactory man- ner. Socially he is a member of Pendleton Lodge, No. 88, I. O. O. F., of Madison county, Indiana, and of Pendleton Lodge, No.

44, F. & A. M., having joined both organiza- tions in 1853. He is a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, true to every trust reposed in him, and Marion county numbers him among its valued citizens.

O SCAR W. WHALEY, the popular and efficient station agent of Swan, Iowa, is numbered among the native sons of Marion county, his birth hav- ing occurred here on the 7th of November, 1868. His parents were Wilson S. and Mary E. (Armstrong) Whaley, the former of Irish lineage. Their children were six in number, and Oscar was the fourth in order of birth. He was reared on his father's farm, and at the age of seventeen went to Durham, Marion county, where he entered the telegraph office and learned the business. His close applica- tion and persistent effort made him so profi- cient that at the end of nine months he was given charge of the office at Ford. Fourteen months later he was put on the extra force, where he served for three months, and was then given charge of the office in which he is now serving on the Albia & Des Moines branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Road. This is an excellent position and he is one of the most trusted and efficient employes of the company, while his courteous demeanor has won him popularity with the public.

On the 25th of December, 1891, Mr. Whaley was united in marriage with Miss Liz- zie Camp, an esteemed young lady who was born in Marion county, being a daughter of C. H. Camp. Their union has been blessed with one child, Paul C., who was born on the 14th of July, 1894. Their home is one of the beautiful residences of the town. Besides his residence, Mr. Whaley owns three lots in Swan and is also the owner of an excellent farm of eighty-seven acres, valued at $50 per acre, which he rents, deriving therefrom a good in- come. He is a lover of fine horses and in- dulges his taste in this direction by keeping a good driving team.

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In his political relations Mr. Whaley was a Democrat until 1894, but, becoming disgusted with the incompetent methods and the policy of that party, he joined the ranks of the Re- publican party. In 1892 he was elected and served as City Clerk of Swan, capably dis- charging his duties. He holds membership with the Christian Church and his estimable wife belongs to the Advent Church. In social circles they occupy an enviable position.

a HARLES JAMES METCALF, one of the rising young men of Marion county, who is carrying on agricultural pur- suits on section 2, Pleasant Grove township, is a son of Isaac E. and Sarah Olive (Swafford) Metcalf. Their family num- bered seven children, and he was the fourth in order of birth. The father was a native of England and spent his boyhood days in that country. When a young man he sailed for America, taking up his residence in Iowa, where he met and married Miss Swafford, a native of Indiana. The father died March 29, 1889, at the age of fifty-five years, but the mother is still living in the house where oc- curred the birth of our subject, on the 9th of November, 1871.

Mr. Metcalf of this review spent the days of his childhood and youth in his parents' home, and after the death of his father re- mained with his mother until twenty-two years of age. He then started out to make his own way in the world, and rented the sixty acres of land on which he is now living. He has since carried on general farming and stock-raising, and is meeting with good success in his under- takings, for he is an energetic and wide-awake young man, who carries on his work after the most approved methods.

On the 30th of August, 1893, Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage with Miss Della Strod- ley, who was born and reared in Jefferson county, Iowa. One child graces their union, Loa O., who was born July 5, 1894. In poli- tics our subject is a Republican, but has no

political aspirations. He has always lived in this county, and has many warm friends, in- cluding many who have known him from boy- hood.

SAAC M. METCALF, a progressive and well known farmer residing on section 9, Pleasant Grove township, Marion coun- ty, was born on the 13th of February, 1830, and was the second in a family of ten children, eight of whom reached mature years. The parents were Joseph and Sarah (Heck) Metcalf. The father was a native of Ohio, and was of English and Irish lineage, while the mother, who was born in Kentucky, was of German descent. Their marriage was cele- brated in Indiana, and for some years they resided in Kosciusko county. About 1852 they emigrated with their family to Iowa, taking up their residence in Swan township, Marion county, where they resided until 1866. The father died March 8, 1877, at the age of sixty-eight years, and the mother passed away in 1866, when fifty-nine years of age. They were highly esteemed people, their sterling worth and strict integrity having won them the regard of all.

Our subject was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on the 13th of February, 1830, but was reared in Kosciusko county. When twen- ty-two years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa and aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. In 1862, during the time of the gold excitenient in Colorado, he crossed the plains with an ox team to that State, but after a short time re- turned to his home. In 1866 he purchased his present farm and to-day has a valuable tract of 210 acres, all under a high state of culti- vation and well improved. In addition to general farming he carries on stock-raising, is a man of good business and executive ability, and by his own well directed efforts has won success.

On the 18th of August, 1854, Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann

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Young, who was born in Illinois, July 3, 1832, and was descended from one of the old fami- lies of Kentucky. Eight children have been born of this union, namely: Havila, deceased; Joseph Larkin, deceased; Mary Alice; Homer Lawrence; Clark Balandingham; Rosella; Sa- rah Melinda; and James Henry, deceased. The children of the family are being provided with good school privileges to fit them for life's prac- tical duties. The parents are consistent mem- bers of the Christian Church, and have the warm friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. In politics, Mr. Metcalf is a stalwart Demo- crat, and has acceptedly served in the offices of Township Clerk, Road Supervisor and Jus- tice of the Peace. He was also Assessor for four terms, and in 1886, 1887, and 1888 he acceptably discharged the duties of County Supervisor. He is a man of domestic tastes and finds his greatest happiness in his home. His life has been an honorable and upright one, and his fidelity to every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature, has gained him the high regard of all.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 106

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