Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 107

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

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HORNTON THOMAS WILLIAMS, the popular and genial editor of the Sentinel, of Marion, Iowa, was born in the city which is still his home, August 25, 1857. His father, William M. Williams, was born near the city of Pittsburg, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1828, and was a son of Jesse Williams, of Welsh descent. Jesse Williams was born March 8, 1800, and died October 15, 1867. His wife, nee Mary Sloan, was born May 14, 1803, and died May 10, 1869. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Catherine Brisbine, and was born in New Lis- bon, Columbiana county, Ohio, June 6, 1831. Her father, James Brisbine, was born June 6, 1793, and died May, 1871. His wife, ucc Achsah Whitacre, was born February 29, 1796, and died April 24, 1864. In 1854 the parents of our subject came to Iowa and cast in their lot with the early settlers of Marion,

froni which time until his death, June 24, 1888, the father took a prominent part in the development of Linn county, and was an im- portant factor in its upbuilding and progress. By trade he was a tailor and followed that business in Marion. His widow still survives him. They were the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, but one son died in infancy. The others are Laura, who is en- gaged in the millinery business in Marion; Ella, a teacher in the public schools of this city; Thornton T .; Fannie, wife of Fred A. Rowe, a contractor and builder, and proprietor of a large planing-mill in Marion; Nan, who is engaged in clerking in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Phoebe, the wife of Charles W. Mentzer, a member of the firm of Mentzer Brothers, lum- bermen of Tacoma, Washington; and Bessie, who is living with her mother.

Mr. Williams, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared in his native city, and dur- ing his minority attended the public schools, acquiring a good English education. His con- nection with the printing business began at the age of sixteen years, when he entered the office of Thomas G. Newman, editor of the Linn County Liberal. He afterward worked in various printing offices in Marion until 1881, when he went to Marshalltown, Iowa, and worked one year at the same business. In 1882 he removed to Minneapolis, where he was engaged as compositor on the Minneapolis Journal until 1889. In March of that year he returned to Marion, and on the 19th of Sep- tember, 1891, he purchased the printing estab- lishment which he now owns and which he has since successfully conducted. His paper is one of the largest weeklies and undoubtedly one of the best in the State. It is well edited, its articles are interesting and up to date. Mr. Williams is an able writer and handles judi- ciously and fairly the questions of the day. His office is fitted up with the most modern machinery and his presses are run by electric- motor power.

Mr. Williams has been twice married. While residing in Minneapolis he wedded Miss

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Lillian Young, who survived her marriage only about two years. On the 14th of March, 1894, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, he wedded Anna Virginia Tucker, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Isaac and Virginia Tucker. They have one daughter, Virginia Catherine, born July 9, 1895.

In connection with his other interests, Mr. Williams is a member of the B. F. Mentzer Hose & Drill Company. He belongs to Mariola Lodge, No. 8, K. of P., is Past Chancellor Commander, has filled all the offices in the or- der, and is at present serving as Deputy Grand Chancellor of Iowa. He holds membership with the Christian Church, and through the columns of his paper and by substantial aid he gives a hearty support to all matters calculated to promote the general welfare.

ENRY C. ESCHBACH, M. D., a representative physician and surgeon of Albia, Iowa, who has already gained a foremost place in the ranks of the medical fraternity in this section of the State, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born near Milton, in Northumberland county, on the 23d of October, 1856, and is a son of David and Sarah (Eschbach) Eschbach. The family is of German origin, and the grand- father, Nathan Eschbach, was a native of Ger- many, who, crossing the Atlantic, became one of the early settlers of that portion of North- ampton county which afterward became Le- high county. The Doctor's father was born in the Keystone State, and by occupation was a farmer.

Thus our subject is one more representa- tive of that class of farmer boys who have en- tered professional life to become prominent in their chosen calling. He was reared on the old family homestead near Milton, and the dis- trict schools afforded him his preliminary edu- cation. Subsequently he entered Turbotville Academy, and later Franklin and Marshall Academy at Lancaster. His preparatory work now being completed, he became a student in

Franklin and Marshall College, and there con- tinued his literary education. His taste and inclination seeming to call him to the medical profession, he began reading text-books on this subject, and later became a student in the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the medical department with the class of 1883. He at once came to the West, locating in Des Moines, where he engaged in practice for two years. He then removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where he also practiced two years. In 1887 he came to Albia, where he is now well established in business, having a large and lucrative patronage.

In 1892 Mr. Eschbach was united in mar- riage to Miss Augusta Coe, of Peterboro, New York, daughter of Duane W. Coe. They have one daughter, Florence. Widely and favora- bly known in Albia, their friends are many.

The Doctor is deeply interested in his pro- fession, and sees in it something beyond the remuneration it may bring. He is a close stu- dent, who keeps thoroughly abreast with the progress of the times, and therefore is con- stantly improving. He is now a member and director of the Des Moines Valley Medical As- sociation and a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Na- tional Association of Railroad Surgeons.

a PHRAIM STOUT is successfully en- gaged in the practice of law in Swan, Iowa. He has a keen analytical mind and quick perceptive powers, is thor- oughly versed in the law, and has won an en- viable reputation at the bar of Marion county. A brief record of his career is as follows: He was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, August 25, 1830, being the twelfth in order of birth in a family of fourteen children, whose parents were David and Elizabeth (Carlwyle) Stout, both natives of Tennessee, the father of English descent and the mother of Scotch and Irish lineage. The family of Stouts in the United States trace their ancestry back to Daniel

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Stout, who came to the United States about the time Daniel Boone made his way into the wilds of Kentucky. Daniel Stout also joined the band of pioneers that had located in the West. About this time a peculiar incident oc- curred. A young girl, scalped and horribly mutilated, was found nailed to a tree, the nails being driven through her hands and feet! Life was not extinct when she was seen, so she was tenderly taken down and in due time recov- ered. A few years later she became the wife of Daniel Stout, and from them descended the family in America. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war and was serving as one of Washing- ton's aids-de-camp at the time Cornwallis sur- rendered.

The paternal grandfather of our subject served for eight years in the Revolutionary war and for three years in the Indian war. In an early day David Stout emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, and after several years to Lee county, Iowa, where he entered a claim. This he afterward sold and removed to Washington county, thence to Keokuk county, where he purchased another farm, His death occurred in 1854, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1866, at the age of seventy-eight years. In politics he was a Dem - ocrat, but seven of his eight sons became sup- porters of the Republican party.

Our subject accompanied his parents on their various removals during his early life, and shared in many of the hardships and expe- riences incident to a residence on the frontier. When the family first came to Iowa, they were thirty-five miles from a mill. On one occasion Ephraim was sent to mill with a wagon-load of grain, his instructions being to remain there until he could get it ground. There were several others ahead of him, but he obeyed his orders and for fourteen nights slept on his wagon; but finally returned home with his flour. He was then only fourteen years of age. He acquired his literary education in the public schools, and through his own efforts acquired his legal edu- cation, close application and resolute purpose

winning him an extensive knowledge along this line. Although he has never applied for ad- mission to the bar he has a large clientage and lucrative practice. He also pays the pensions for this district.

In February, 1852, Mr. Stout was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth C. Harris, a native of Indiana. In 1860 they removed to Colorado, but returned the same year. In 1872 they went to Story county, Iowa, but four years later sold their farm there and have since been residents of Marion county. They have had ten children, eight of whom are yet living, and all are married with the exception of two. Of the large family of which our subject is a member, only he and one brother are now liv- ing, the latter a farmer near Chapman Station, Nebraska.

In politics Mr. Stout is an unfaltering sup- porter of the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, but has had no aspiration for pub- lic office. He, however, served as Deputy Sheriff and as Constable, but has refused other political positions. As a citizen he is public- spirited and progressive, manifesting a com- mendable interest in public affairs, and those who know him hold him in high regard.

0 THNIEL BROWN, a dealer in real estate, and a stockholder in a coal company of Albia, has been an impor- tant promoter of the business inter- ests of this locality, especially in the develop- ment of the coal resources. He is recognized as one of the enterprising citizens, and occu- pies a leading position in business circles.

Mr. Brown was born in Madison county, New York, in the vicinity of Peterboro, Sep- tember 10, 1833, and is a son of Othniel and Hannah (Elting) Brown. The father was born in Massachusetts, and his father, also named Othniel Brown, was a native of Massachusetts, and was of French descent. The Elting fam- ily originated in Holland, and Mrs. Brown was a native of Ulster county, New York. The father of our subject carried on agricultural

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RECORD OF IOWA.

pursuits, and both he and his wife spent the greater part of their lives on their farm in Madison county, New York. Their last days, however, were passed in Peterboro. They had a family of several children, one of whom, Wes- ley Brown, is an attorney at Hornellsville, New York. Edward D. is a resident of Wisconsin, and Everett resides at Peterboro. Helen I. and Annett both live at the old home in Peter- boro.

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch lived in his parents' home until eighteen years of age, aided in the labors of the farm, and attended the public schools of the neigh- borhood. He then went to Wisconsin, but subsequently returned to New York to look after his father's business. About this time he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Mc Williams, daughter of Hugh McWilliams, of Peterboro.

Mr. Brown dates his residence in Iowa from 1867, at which time he took up his resi- dence in Mt. Pleasant, owning a farm in Henry county. To its development and cultivation he devoted his energies until the spring of 1869, when he came to Albia, and entered into mer- cantile business, which he continued for about three years, then sold out. His next venture was in the line of milling. He purchased the Albia City Flouring Mills, which he operated for three years, and at the same time was in- terested in coal mining. He was among the first to organize a coal company for the pur- pose of developing the coal fields in Monroe county. Withdrawing from the first company he aided in the organization of the Enterprise Coal Company, and has since been the general manager and has paid for labor and material over one million dollars in the last ten years, showing how valuable an enterprise this is for Monroe county. The company own and lease a tract of 350 acres which is underlaid with coal, the veins ranging from three to seven feet. They supplied coal to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad until it devel- oped mines of its own in the same district.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have a family of three

children, two sons and a daughter: Everett W., who is buyer for the firm of Marshall Field & Company, of Chicago; Mabel C., wife of W. J. O. Bowles, of Albia; and Ralph O., a student in the State University, of Iowa City. The home of the family is a large, substantial and pleasant residence, wherein hospitality abounds, and the friends of the family are many. In his- business Mr. Brown has won success. With a mind to plan and will to exe- cute he has carried forward several undertak- ings to successful completion, and by his care- ful management, his foresight, and his in- domitable perseverance he has gained a com- fortable competence.

a OLONEL DANIEL ANDERSON was born in Monroe county, Indiana, April 5, 1821, of Scotch extraction. His boyhood days were passed on a farm, where he acquired a thorough knowl- edge of agriculture, and he also had advantage, at the proper age, of three months' attend- ance during the winter season at the old log school-house, where the children were taught by the "Hoosier School-master." After he grew to man's estate he enjoyed other and bet- ter advantages, and through diligent applica- tion became well informed.

As a farmer, teacher and student of law Col. Anderson passed the time until 1847, when he was admitted to the bar. Coming to Iowa in March of the ensuing year he sojourned for a time in Keokuk, and in May, 1849, lo- cated in Albia, where, in October of the same year, he married Amanda M. Harrow, and to them were born seven children, five of whom are now living: A. L. ("Curg"), publisher of the Grundy Republican; D. C., a merchant of this thriving city; C. F., a blacksmith re- siding at Eddyville; D. M., lawyer and at present Mayor of this city; and S. O. ("Ned"), of the well-known cigar firm of Tobey & An- derson.

Honored by his fellow citizens, Colonel Anderson has been chosen to fill various posi-

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tions of trust and confidence. In 1854 he was elected to the State Senate, and three years later re-elected, serving through regular and two special sessions. From the Senate Mr. An- derson entered the Union army as Captain of Company H, First Iowa Cavalry, and for three years served in turn as Captain, Major, Lieu- tenant-Colonel and Colonel, retiring at the ex- piration of his term of service with the proud distinction of having aided in the preservation of the Union as a faithful and efficient officer.

In 1864, at the time of Abraham Lincoln's re-election to the Presidency he was Presiden- tial Elector. He was Register in Bankruptcy from 1867 until the law was repealed some years afterward. As his life occupation he has practiced law when not interrupted by offi- cial or inilitary duty. A man of large public spirit he is deeply interested in every enter- prise promising to advance the welfare of so- ciety. His leading moral qualities are fidelity to duty, unflinching integrity and active benev- olence. He is one of those men of whom the number is none too large, who have given their time, almost without reservation, to promote public interests and private happiness. He re- tired from the practice of law in the fall of 1894 on account of failing health and is suc- ceeded by his son, D. M. Anderson. The Colonel is now taking life as easy as his physi- cal infirmities will perinit, well satisfied with the work accomplished during his career.

J OHN R. DUNCAN is a prominent rep- resentative of the commercial interests of Albia, now carrying on a good busi- ness as a dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware. A reliable citizen, he belongs to that class whose energy and enterprise are im- portant factors in the material prosperity of the community, and he has also taken an act- ive part in promoting the moral and educational welfare of his adopted county.

Mr. Duncan was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in the vicinity of Lordstown, October 24, 1832, being a son of Thomas and Susan

(Leach) Duncan. The father was born in Trumbull county, in 1805, and was a farmer by occupation. His father was John Duncan, a gentleman of Scotch descent. The mother was born in New Jersey, and was the daughter of Benjamin Leach, also a native of that State. His ancestors located in New England in an early day of American history. Our sub- ject was the second in order of birth in the family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, who reached mature years. He passed his boyhood days in the county of his nativity, acquired his preliminary education in the common schools, and subsequently attended the Lordstown Academy. At the age of six- teen he began teaching in the country schools of Ohio, and was subsequently thus engaged in Iowa. In 1854 he became a resident of Monroe county, Iowa, making his first location in Urbana township. He followed the teach- er's profession until 1861, when his fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability called him to public office, electing him Treas- urer and Recorder of Monroe county for a term of two years. So acceptably did he fill that position that he was re-elected in 1863; and in 1864, when the office of Recorder was set aside from that of Treasurer, he was again elected to the former position and most accept- ably discharged his duties, his capable admin- istration placing the affairs of the office in an excellent condition.

On the expiration of his third term Mr. Duncan retired, and entered into merchandis- ing. He formed a partnership with Henry & D. M. Miller, under the firm name of Miller, Duncan & Miller, dealers in dry goods, and for three years carried on operations along that line. He then sold out to his partners and embarked in the grain and lumber business in company with his brother, R. W. Duncan, under the firm name of Duncan & Duncan. His operations along this line of endeavor con- tinued for three years, at the end of which time he sold his lumber interests, but con- tinued in the grain trade. At the same time he began dealing in hardware, and devoted his

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energies to the dual occupation until 1888, when he sold his grain and hardware business to his brother. In the same year he bought the hardware stock of C. F. Shultz and re- moved it to his present stand on the south side of the square. Here he has a fine store-room, 22 X 132 feet, in which he carries a large and well assorted stock of shelf and heavy hard- ware, tinware, stoves and ranges. He is en- joying an excellent trade, for his pleasing and courteous manner and honorable dealing have secured him a liberal patronage.

In 1859 Mr. Duncan was united in mar- riage to Miss Lora A. Taylor, a native of Albia, Iowa, and a daughter of I. M. Taylor. They have three children: Carrie S., who is mar- ried and resides in McCook, Nebraska, and Charles S. and Thomas E., who assist their father in the store.

In addition to his other property Mr. Dun- can owns a good farm of 160 acres, in Monroe county, which is highly improved, and the rental from which adds not a little to his in- come. In Albia he has a pleasant home with good surroundings, and his property has been acquired entirely through his own indomitable energy, enterprise and well directed efforts. he has served for four years as City Treasurer of Albia, and has ever taken a commendable interest in promoting the city's welfare. So- cially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife are prominent members and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ILLIAM GUTCH, M. D., is a prom- inent physician and surgeon of Al- bia, Iowa, and one of the oldest practitioners in the southern part of the State, having for almost half a century de- voted his life to the relief of suffering humanity. He is now in his seventy-second year, but has . the vigor of a man many years his junior, and is yet an able representative of the calling to which he has given his manhood efforts.

The Doctor was born in England, March

22, 1824, and his parents were James and Fan- nie (Tauton) Gutch. His father was a manu- facturer of England, where he spent his entire life. Our subject spent his early boyhood in his native land, but when a young man crossed the Atlantic to Canada, and took up the study of medicine with Dr. Flint, of Ontario. Sub- sequently, in the winter of 1846-47, he pur- sued a course of lectures at the Medical Col- lege of Cleveland, Ohio, and in the latter year he came to Iowa, locating at Blakesburg, which is situated in the corner of Wapello county, almost at the point where this county joins Monroe, Appanoose and Davis counties. There he made his home for thirty-one years, engaging in practice in all those counties, his business extending over a wide range of terri- tory. During the earlier portion of his stay there the surrounding country was sparsely set- tled, physicians were few, and he was fre- quently called long distances. The hardships of a physician's life on the frontier can hardly be overestimated. Through the storms of win- ter and the rains of summer he would fre- quently have to ride across almost trackless prairies, fording the unbridged streams; but no matter what the atmospheric conditions, or what hardships he might have to meet, he never failed to respond to a call for aid from the sick and suffering. He did not hesitate to go even if he knew there would be little and perhaps no pecuniary compensation. A real interest in and sympathy for his fellow men has been one of the characteristics of his life, and he has won the gratitude and highest re- gard of many.

In 1854 the Doctor took a second course of lectures at the Cleveland Medical College. He then returned to Blakesburg, where he fol- lowed his profession and reared his family. His home was situated on a farm, the cultiva- tion of which he left to his sons while he gave his attention to his extensive practice. In 1873 on account of failing health he took a trip to England and visited the different hos- pitals, being absent three months, hoping that the sea air and the rest might prove beneficial.

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Nor was he disappointed in this. He went to California in 1890, and again in 1891, and there spent about six weeks each time, but pre- ferring his Iowa home he returned to this State, and resumed active practice in Albia. Although he has passed the alotted age of three- score years and ten, he yet follows the profes- sion which has brought to him a high reputa- tion and a handsome competence.

The Doctor has been twice married. In 1853 he was joined in wedlock with Cornelia Tyrell, and they had nine children, seven sons and two daughters, of whom the follow- ing named reached years of maturity: Frank- lin and Harry, who are farmers; William, who died in 1889; James and Alfred B., who also carry on agricultural pursuits; Ernest, who is now studying medicine; and George, a student in the high school. The mother of these children died in 1886, and in 1889 the Doctor wedded Miss Isabel Martin, by whom he has a bright little son, Edmund, now five months old (December, 1895). Dr. Gutch purchased fifteen acres of land within the cor- porate limits of Albia, in 1889, and erected upon it a large, substantial brick residence, one of the most pleasant homes in the city, to which he removed his family.

The Doctor has been a member of the American Medical Association since 1876; also a member of the Des Moines Valley Medical Society, of which he has served as president, and is a member of the State Medical Society. He has ever been found on the side of progress, has been a deep student of sciences, and is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen.

LISHA HARDIN, a prominent bank- er, farmer and capitalist of Iowa, now living in Pleasantville, is numbered among the pioneers of the State. In the year in which Iowa was admitted to the Union he became identified with its interests and has aided largely in opening up to civil- ization the region now comprised within Marion county. He has been prominent in the devel-

opment of its agricultural and business inter- ests, and, as a result of his marked ability, great executive capacity, industry and perse- verance, has arisen to a place among the wealthy men of the State. A native of Indi- ana, he was born in the vicinity of Hardins- burg, Washington county, February 22, 1822. His father, John Hardin, was born in North Carolina, July 5, 1795, and by occupation was a farmer and stock-raiser. He was reared to manhood in the State of his nativity, whence he removed to Tennessee, and later went with a brother to Washington county, Indiana. There he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen, daughter of Abram Colclaseur. As a mere boy he served during the war of 1812 in the capacity of a hostler. After his marriage he and his wife began their domestic life in Wash- ington county, but subsequently removed to Ef- fingham county, Illinois, where the father died in 1885, in his eighty-eighth year. His wife passed away at the same place, in the eighty- second year of her age. The paternal grand- father of our subject, John Hardin, was born and reared in North Carolina, but spent his last days in Indiana. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father was Eichabud Hardin, who emigrated from England to the United States and reared a family of thirteen sons, all of whom reached years of maturity.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 107

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