Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 117

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

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tated for work for thirteen months. In 1890 he was elected City Treasurer of Burlington, and this position he has since ably filled, his service being characterized by promptness and accuracy and giving entire satisfaction to all concerned.

Mr. Mason was married April 5, 1855, to Mrs. Margaret J. (Brown) Bissell, daughter of Robert and Caroline (Wilson) Brown, of Jef- ferson county, Iowa. They have three daugh- ters: Laura C., Clara B. and Mary D. Mary D. is the wife of George F. Houseworth and lives at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. They have a daughter, Ruth. Miss Clara B. Mason is a successful teacher and occupies a position in the public schools of Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Mason is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Fraternally Mr. Mason is identified with the A. F. & A. M., having some forty-three years ago been initiated into the mysteries of that order. His political views are those of the Democratic party.

EORGE SMITH, who occupies the position of County Sheriff of Des Moines county, Iowa, has been a resi- dent of Burlington for a period of twenty-seven years, and by reason of both his official position and his long residence here he is deserving of specific consideration in a work of this character.

Mr. Smith was born in Waterloo county, Ontario, Canada, July 15, 1854, his parents being Lewis and Margaret (Schupp) Smith, he a native of Bavaria, Germany, and she of New York State. To this worthy couple were born nine children, six of whom are now living: George; Mattie, widow of J. W. Shattuck; John; Barbara, wife of Joel O'Keefe; Charles; and Anna, widow of George Brockhaden. Their father was a contractor and builder and also ran a hotel at Wellsley, Canada, where he died in 1868, at the age of forty-nine years. The same year of his death his widow removed to Michigan, and in Berrien county, that State, spent the rest of her life, her death occurring

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in Chicago, in 1876. They were Lutherans. Of our subject's paternal grandfather little is known beyond the fact that he lived and died in Germany, and that he was the father of seven or eight children. The maternal grand- father was Joseph Schupp. He was a native of New York, was by trade a wagonmaker, and lived to the advanced age of ninety years, dying in Canada, in 1892.

George Smith spent his boyhood days in his native place and received his early school- ing there, and when he was fourteen he came to Burlington, Iowa. Here he learned the trade of cigar-maker, after which he traveled for about four years. Then he established a cigar factory in Burlington, which he ran for fifteen years, doing a prosperous business. In the fall of 1893 he was elected County Sheriff, on January I of the following year assumed the duties of his office, and by his promptness in discharging the duties of his office is proving himself to be an able official.

He was married November 16, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Butke, daughter of Henry Butke, and they are the parents of four chil- dren: Ada, Wesley, Mabel and Valva. The family residence is at No. 1701 Main street.

Mr. Smith's political views are in accord with the principles advocated by the Democratic party, and he is a stanch supporter of the same. Fraternally he is identified with the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.

ILLIAM T. HARPER, SR .- For forty-two years has this gentleman figured as one of the respected citi- zens and leading business men of Ottumwa, Iowa; and in consideration of his long residence here and the prominent and active part he has played in its affairs we take pleasure in referring biographically to him in this volume.

It was in Muskingum county, Ohio, and on the 12th of April, 1833, that William T. Har- per was born, his parents being Samuel and Mary (Poling) Harper, the former a native of

Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. Eleven children composed their family, and of this number seven are now living, namely : Lydia, widow of Samuel Guthrie; William T., Sr .; Eliza, wife of Aaron Arick; Joseph L .; Samuel H. ; Frances E., wife of Edward Martin; and Austin. Their father's trade was that ofsalt boiler, at which he was employed in early life, but later he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1853 he came west and located in Ottumwa, Iowa, and bought a farm, which our subject now owns; and here, at the age of sixty-five years, he died, 1865 being the date of his death. His widow survives, now having attained her eighty-sixth year. She has long been a devoted member of the Baptist Church, with which Mr. Harper also was prominently identified. They helped to organize the Bap- tist Church at Ottumwa.

Ebenezer Harper, the grandfather of Will- iam T., was a native of Pennsylvania, descend- ing from one of the two Englishmen by the name of Harper who were the first settlers of Harper's Ferry and in honor of whom that place was named. This Ebenezer Harper was a soldier in the war of 1812, followed the quiet life of a farmer, and lived to the age of about seventy-three years. He had a family of four sons and three daughters. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Roger Poling. He was born in Maryland, of German descent, aud was one of the early settlers of Muskingum county, Ohio, where his life was passed on a farm and where he died, at the age of seventy- six years.

William T. Harper spent his boyhood days on a farm in his native county, remaining there until he reached his twentieth year, when, in 1853, he came out west to Iowa. Here at first he worked at whatever honorable employ- ment he could secure and for the most part took his pay in " store trade." Then for four years he taught and attended school alter- nately, and in 1860 he began learning the drug business, to which line he gave his attention until 1875, he having in the meantime bought a fourth interest in the drug business of C. F.

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Blake. Their establishment was conducted under the firm name of Taylor, Blake & Company. In 1875, having severed his connection with the firm, he and Mr. Will- iam Doggett built the Ottumwa Oil Mills, and from that time until 1884 operated them suc- cessfully in partnership. Then Mr. Harper purchased Mr. Doggett's interest and has since been sole owner and conducted a prosperous business.

In 1889 Messrs. J. W. Edgerly, C. F. Har- lan and William T. Harper bought the large wholesale drug business of Blake, Bruce & Company, the firm which had bought out J. L. Taylor & Company, and thus has Mr. Harper again become associated with the same busi- ness. The present firm is incorporated and known as J. W. Edgerly & Company, of which Mr. Harper is president. They have no less than five traveling men employed all the time and at Ottumwa they have in their em- ploy a large force.

As already stated, Mr. Harper owns the old homestead, a fine farm of 191 acres located three and a half miles southwest of Ottumwa. His residence is situated at No. 1008 North Court street.

Mr. Harper was married in December, 1862, to Miss Melissa Jane Shaw, daughter of Amon and Melissa Jane (George) Shaw. But their happy married life was of short duration, being ended by her death in December, 1868. She was a devoted Christian and a member of the Baptist Church. The children of this union, two in number, are William T., Jr., who married Miss Alice Beaman, their two children being Ruth and Dorothy; and Emma, wife of Edward Jones, one of the proprietors and pub- lishers of the Ottumwa Press. In November, 1871, Mr. Harper married for his second wife Miss Mary Eleanor Knight, daughter of Henry E. Knight, and they have had five children, three sons and two daughters: Henry C., Ralph S., Charles K., Mary Eleanor and Dolly. Dolly died in her fifth year.

Mr. and Mrs. Harper worship at the Bap- tist church, of which both are members and

he a Trustee. He has always taken a deep in- terest in educational matters, served for fifteen years as a member of the School Board in this city, and during that time exerted an influence that has told for good in the line of school ad- vancement. In political matters he affiliates with the Republican party.

1. ILS ANDERSON, County Recorder of Des Moines county, Iowa, has for twenty-five years maintained his resi- dence in Burlington, and by virtue of his long residence here and the prominent offi- cial position which he occupies, he is entitled to more than passing mention in this work.

Nils Anderson was born in Kristianstad, Sweden, November 10, 1848, son of Sven and Lucy (Tufveson) Anderson, both natives of Sweden. Of their family of seven children, only two are now living: Anna, wife of Anders Nilson, of Sweden; and Nils, the subject of this article. Their father was an architect. He died in his native land about the year 1853, at the age of forty-four years, and his wife passed away in September, 1857, at the age of thirty-nine. Both were members of the Lu- theran Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Anders Lok. He was a sol- dier in the war in which Sweden took part against Napoleon I., and prior to that was in the regular army. After the war he was a pensioner. He was born in 1775 and died in 1880, nearly 105 years old. In his family were twelve children. Grandfather Tufveson was a farmer and was about seventy years old when he died.

Mr. Nils Anderson was reared at his native place, attended the public schools until he was thirteen, and then took a partial course in the Kristianstad Elementar Læroverk. At the age of sixteen he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of shoemaker, which trade he fol- lowed a number of years. He came to America in 1870, and located in Burlington, Iowa. Here at first he worked as a journeyman, later established a business of his own, and still

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later was employed as clerk in the wholesale and retail clothing house of A. Kaiser. Next we find him occupied as bookkeeper in the land department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. In the fall of 1886 he was elected County Recorder of Des Moines county, has been re-elected four times, and is now serving his fifth term. During his long residence here he has made some good investments, and in addition to his property at this place he has real-estate interests in North Dakota.

September 5, 1875, Mr. Anderson married Miss Matilda Turnquist. One child was born to them, now deceased, and Mrs. Anderson died December 17, 1877. November 6, 1883, he married for his second wife Miss Auguste Turnquist, a sister of his former companion, and their union has been blessed by the birth of three children: Carl Plato, Matilda and Roscoe Isadore.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and he is one of its Trustees. Also he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the National Union. Politically he is a Democrat. Personally Mr. Anderson is a man of fine appearance, rugged constitution, broad and liberal in his views and public-spirited. Best of all, he is an affable gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet,- modest and retiring in manner, without the slightest inclination to boast. His being so frequently returned to the office of County Recorder is an evidence of his efficiency and fitness for the place, and an index to his char- acter, as well as an assurance that he has a host of friends.

MILLER is one of the most popu- lar and esteemed citizens of Taylor county, Iowa, a fact which is indi- cated by two elections to the office of County Auditor. He is the first Democratic incumbent, which certainly speaks highly in his favor. He was born in Petersburg, Vir- ginia, September 30, 1849, and is a son of

J. C. Miller, who descended from an ancient Colonial family that for 200 years has been connected with Norfolk county, Virginia. The father was born in 1825, and at the age of fourteen left the family plantation, becom- ing a cabinet-maker in Petersburg, where he has since followed that business. He has been married three times, his first union being with Miss Adeline Freeuian, of Petersburg, who be- came the mother of our subject. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Miller, and the great- grandfather, Alexander Miller, were both Vir- ginian farmers. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch lived in his native city until twenty years of age. On the 13th of August, 1870, he went to Baltimore, Mary- land, where he enlisted in the United States Army, serving for five years. He seemed specially fitted for military life, and served with distinction during that period, after which he was honorably discharged, on the 13th of August, 1875, at Fort Warren, in Boston har- bor. He was Sergeant of Battery "H," Third United States Artillery, which place he credit- ably and satisfactorily filled, gaining the confi- dence of his superiors, and the respect of those under him.

In November, 1875, Mr. Miller arrived in Iowa, having determined to try his fortune on the broad prairies of the West. He first lo- cated in Leon, Decatur county, and turned his attention to the business of marble-cutting, which he thoroughly mastered, both in prin- ciple and in detail. After two and a half years he removed to Bedford, in 1878, and began business on his own account. He was un- known here, but his excellent workmanship soon gained him a fair trade, which has been steadily increased by his honorable dealing and courteous treatment until it has assumed quite extensive proportions. He is recognized as one of the worthy representatives of commer- cial interests in this place, -a position. to which he is justly entitled.

On the 10th of June, 1879, in Decatur county, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Gillhamn, of Leon, whose father was a

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Union soldier during the late war, serving as a member of Company D, Fourth Iowa Infantry. His interest centers in his home, for he is a man of domestic tastes and finds his greatest enjoyment in the companionship of his wife and friends. He is of a social, genial nature and his circle of friends is constantly increasing.

Mr. Miller's interest in military affairs has never abated, and in 1887 he was elected Lieutenant of Company I, Fifth Regiment, Iowa National Guards. On the 14th of Feb- ruary, 1889, he was elected Captain, at which time the company presented him with a fine sword and belt as a token of their high esteem. He is well liked by all, and while thoroughly versed in military tactics and requiring the obedience and discipline necessary in such a life, he is yet a considerate commander and very popular with his company.

In his political views Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat, and has served his second term as County Auditor of Taylor county. In November, 1889, he was called to the office, and, entering upon the discharge of his official duties on the Ist of January following, he so ad- ministered affairs as to win the commendation and support of all. So faithful was he that on the expiration of his first term he was re- elected. His second term expired January I, 1895, when he refused to become a candidate again and resumed his business as a marble dealer. In business, political and social life he is alike prominent, a man of genuine worth, well deserving of representation in the history of his adopted State.

E. HAWLEY, County Auditor of Fremont county, and one of the rep- resentative and successful citizens, was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 6, 1849, and is one of a family of eight children. His father, E. R. Hawley, was born in Vermont about seventy years ago, and in 1864 came to Iowa. For some years he engaged in agricultural pursuits near Perci- val, but for about twelve years past has en-

gaged in merchandising in that place, and is one of its wide-awake business men. He mar- ried a Miss Sheldon, whose father, William Sheldon, was born in the Empire State, and was a farmer. Eight children grace this mar- riage, namely : Ann Eliza, wife of Duane Rogers, of Fremont county; Henry E .; Mary, wife of O. K. Paddock, now in South Omaha, Nebraska; Frank, who is living in Percival; Etta, wife of Floyd Wadhams, of Percival; Artie, wife of Jay Rogers; Jay, who is living in Percival; and Bert, whose home is in South Omaha, Nebraska.

Our subject was a youth of fifteen when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He was equipped for life's duties in the schools of Tabor, this State, and completed his career as a student with a course in the Burlington (Iowa) Commercial College. He secured a position as operator on the railroad, but soon abandoned that line of endeavor to engage in school-teaching, which he followed until 1883, when he began merchandising, securing a clerkship with O. K. Paddock, of Percival. Subsequently he purchased his em- ployer's interest, and became the proprietor of a general store, which he is still conducting. As a business man he is energetic and pro- gressive, and his honorable dealing and well- directed efforts are bringing to him a deserved success.

On the 20th of October, 1876, Mr. Hawley was united in marriage with Miss Flora, a daughter of Henry Wadhams, who came from Ithaca, New York, to Fremont county in the '6os, has been engaged in various lines of mer- chandising, and is now a lumber dealer of Tabor, Iowa. In his early manhood he mar- ried Adelia Clark, and to them were born four children, namely : Floyd, Elbert, Mrs. Haw- ley, and Edith, wife of Milo Lyman. Six children grace the union of our subject and his wife, namely : Gertrude, Grace, Floyd, Edith, Ethel and Winnifred.

Even before attaining his majority Mr. Hawley was recognized as a stalwart advocate of the Republican party, which cause he has

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always championed. While residing in Benton township he was several times elected as Clerk, and in the fall of 1894 was elected County Auditor by the handsome majority of 385, taking possession of the office in January, 1895. His administration of affairs has given general satisfaction, he applying to the dis- charge of his duties the same systematic methods which characterize his business career. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His long residence in Fremont county has made him widely known, and his genuine worth and strict integrity have won for him the high regard of many friends.

℮ STEPHENS, manager of the busi- ness of the Rand Lumber Company, of Bedford, Iowa, and one of the popu- lar and substantial business men of the town, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in the year 1837.

His father, Daniel Stephens, was born in New Jersey, in the year 1798, and was a de- scendant, through Revolutionary stock, of Scotch ancestors. In 1849 he brought his family West to Kane county, Illinois, and in the public schools of that county the subject of our sketch received his education. In that county the father died, in 1854, leaving eight children, with the responsibilties of the farm devolving upon our subject. Bravely he took up the work of its management and continued in charge of the homestead until he was twen- ty-six years old, when he married and settled in a home of his own. Of his brothers and sisters we would further record that five are now living, as follows: Charlotte, wife of R. P. Stepheno, of New Jersey; Mrs. Adaline Everts, Fort Scott, Kansas; Elizabeth J., Chicago; Imla, also of Chicago; and William E., Downer's Grove, Illinois.

Four years after he left the home farmn Mr. E. Stephens purchased it and was engaged in farming there until the spring of 1868, when he engaged in the grocery business in Elgin. In the spring of 1870 he came to Bedford,

Iowa, and the next ten years was variously employed. To be specific, he was Deputy County Treasurer; bookkeeper for Crum & Van Fleet, bankers; was engaged in the im- plement trade with A. S. Houck; and next turned his attention to the lumber business, at first with Henry McConville, next with Crum & Walker, and finally in 1883 began his long service with the Rand Lumber Company.

Mr. Stephens was married March 21, 1863, to Elizabeth J. Hight, daughter of David and Sarah (Kitchen) Hight, natives of New Jer- sey and Pennsylvania respectively. Kenneth E., their only child, was born in Bedford, Iowa, November 21, 1876.

Personally, Mr. Stephens is of stout build and carries his years well, and in manner he is genial but somewhat reserved. Frater- nally, he is identified with the lodge and chap- ter, F. &. A. M., and he is a consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.

ONROE TAYLOR FINLEY, a popular and representative citizen of Dawson, Iowa, is a native of the neighboring State of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Stark county, on the 5th of June, 1858, and he is a son of William P. and Cynthia (Witter) Finley. The father was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and the mother was born in Seneca county, of the same State. The former, who was a farmer by occupation, enlisted in 1862 in Company F, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infan- try, and was killed at Knoxville, Tennes- see, being buried among the unknown dead on the 18th of November, 1863. He was only about thirty-three at the time of his death. His wife passed away in Stark county, Illinois, at the age of twenty-nine. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, four yet living. The family removed to Illinois about 1837, and since 1839 sonie of its mem- bers have resided on the same farm. The paternal grandparents were John and Rebecca (Gaffney) Finley, and at an early day they em-

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igrated to Stark county, Illinois, where their deaths occurred, the former at the age of eighty-two, and the latter when fifty years of age. The grandfather was a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, while his father was born in Maryland and belonged to one of the prominent families of the Middle States. The great-great-great-grandfather of our subject was born in Ireland. His maternal grandpar- ents, Isaac and Tishia (Cole) Witter, were born in the Buckeye State and died in Stark county, Illinois, the former at the advanced age of eighty-five, and the latter at sixty four years.

Mr. Finley, whose name introduces this record, was reared to agricultural pursuits, but missed the guiding care of parents, as his father died when he was only five years old, and his mother when he was three. His primary edu- cation begun in the public schools was sup- plemented by a course in Hedding College, at Abingdon, Illinois. At the age of fourteen he came to Iowa, and later returned to Illinois, where he lived until 1878, when he became a resident of Dallas county, and engaged in the cultivation of rented land.

On the 4th of July, 1882, Mr. Finley led to the marriage altar Miss Eliza J. Ridnour, who was born in Carroll county, Illinois, and is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Seneff) Ridnour, natives of Pennsylvania and among the earliest settlers of both Illinois and Iowa. They now make their home in Dallas county. Four children have been born to our subject and his wife: Bessie J., Leone A., Blaine G. and Donald R.

On beginning his domestic life, Mr. Finley lived on rented land for two years, while for the following two years he served as Deputy Clerk of the Courts, living during that time in Adel. For the same length of time he then kept books and clerked in Dawson, and in 1889 opened a store there, which he conduct- ed for several years, also serving as Postmas- ter for six years; he is at present engaged in buying grain and stock.

Since casting his first vote for James A.

Garfield, Mr. Finley has given his support to the Republican party, but was appointed Post- master during President Cleveland's first term and served through Harrison's administration. He assisted in laying out the village of Daw- son, where he has erected several houses and is numbered among its prominent and enterpris- ing citizens. Since 1888 he has served as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public; he is School Treasurer and Assessor, and has filled other local offices, including those of Township Clerk and president of the School Board. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, of Adel, and now holds a membership in that order at Jamaica and the Modern Woodmen at Dawson. He is also connected with the Sons of Veterans, an organization in which he takes great pride. Himself and wife are active and faithful members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has been a Class- leader for years.

· EA THORNTON, who, after a pros- perous and honorable business career, is now living in Adel, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, July I, 1844. He traces his ancestry back to his great-grandparents, who were natives of New- foundland. His grandparents were natives of Vermont, and his father, Isaac Thornton, was born in Wayne county, Indiana: he was both a farmer and carpenter. When a young man he emigrated to Illinois, locating in Vermilion county about 1836. He there continued his residence until 1846, when he removed to Polk county, Iowa, and purchased a tract of wild land. In 1851 he came to Dallas county, where he again purchased land which was in its primitive condition, and developed a farm upon which he spent his remaining days. In 1876 he visited the Centennial in Philadelphia, and while on the return journey was killed in a railroad accident in Ohio. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna Henderson, and was a native of Vermilion county, Illinois. She

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 117

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