Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 118

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

USA > Iowa > Memorial and biographical record of Iowa > Part 118

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

742

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

died when our subject was only two months old, leaving three sons. Thomas, the eldest, enlisted in 1861 for the Civil war, as a mem- ber of the Second Iowa Battery, and died dur- ing the service in St. Louis, in June, 1862. Nathaniel, who was a member of Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, enlisting in 1862, also died in St. Louis, in June, 1863. The maternal grandparents, Nathaniel and Mary Henderson, were natives of Tennessee, and lived and died in Illinois, where they were numbered among the pioneer settlers. The former reached the allotted age of three-score years and ten, while the latter died at the age of sixty years.

On the old home farm Lea Thornton spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and be- came familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On the 27th day of March, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Hester Dunn, who was born in Wiscon- sin, and died in Iowa when about thirty years of age. In 1877 he wedded Miss Maggie Dunn, who was a sister of his first wife and also a native of Green county, Wisconsin. Her par- ents were early settlers of the Badger State, and in 1865 came to Iowa, locating in Dallas county, where they lived until called to the home beyond, the father passing away at the age of seventy-one, while the mother had reached the age of sixty-six years at the time of her death. In their family were seven chil- dren, four sons and three daughters, and Mrs. Thornton and three brothers are yet living.

Upon his marriage Mr. Thornton located on a farm in Van Meter township, Dallas county, Iowa, and was engaged in business as a mer- chant and lumber dealer in connection with his agricultural pursuits. In 1884 he closed out that store and came to Adel, where he has since made his home. In 1890 he opened a clothing store, which he conducted for two years, and after selling that business in 1892 embarked in general merchandising, which he continued until his retirement to private life. He still owns some valuable property, includ- ing a farm in eastern Kansas and some resi-

dence property here and in Perry, in this county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thornton have been born the following children: Letta B., Clara M., Mabel A., Charles H., Herschel H., Hubert M., Walter N., all living, and Anna, who died at the age of two years.

While living in Van Meter township Mr. Thornton filled various local offices and for six years served as County Clerk of Dallas county, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed, and he has always been true to every public and pri- vate interest. He has supported the men and measures of the Republican party since casting his first vote in 1865. Socially, he is con- nected with the Masons, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows when organized at Van Meter, and is a member of the order of the Knights of Pythias. He is also secretary of the County Agricultural So- ciety, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Thornton is a man of sterling worth whose well spent life and excellencies of character have gained for him the highest regard of all with whom he has come in contact. His career has been one of success, owing to honorable, straightforward dealing, close application to business and well directed efforts. To-day he is enjoying a well earned rest and the confidence and regard of many friends.

B ENJAMIN DELANY, one of the early settlers of Guthrie county, Iowa, be- longs to that element of citizenship which had its origin in Pennsylvania and has formed an important factor in the pro- gress and development of this State.

Mr. Delany was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1825, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Callen) Delany, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1798. The Callens, Mr. Delany's grandpar-

743

RECORD OF IOWA

ents, were Irish, and Mrs. Delany was born near Philadelphia. She is still living and has attained the ripe old age of ninety-three years. Jonathan Delany died in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, at the age of seventy-five. He was by occupation a farmer, his religion was that of the Baptist Church, and his political views were those advocated by the Democratic party. This worthy couple were the parents of five children: Benjamin, Samuel C., Mary, Nathan, and John.

Benjamin Delany was reared in his native State, received a common-school education and learned the trade of shoemaker, which trade he followed for a number of years. In 1848 he camne West to Illinois and located at Freeport, Stephenson county, where he worked at the trade of stone-mason and also as a team- ster until 1855, and in the winter of that year came over into Iowa, crossing the Mississippi river on the ice. That winter was memorable for its severity. The following year he worked for Mr. Benjamin Lavan, making brick. In the meantime, on his first arrival here, he took claim to a tract of Government land, 160 acres in extent. The second year he settled on a farm west of where he now lives and continued to reside on it until 1864, when he came to his present place in Baker township, this farm comprising eighty acres of rich bottom land, as fine soil as there is to be found anywhere in Iowa. Among its improvements we note a comfortable residence, good barn and nice orchard, and it is well watered by springs and creek and also has a good well. Its location is five miles and a half west of Guthrie Center.

While in Illinois,. in 1854, Mr. Delany wedded Miss Louisa S. May, a native of Cana- da, who died June 14, 1857, leaving an only child, Mary, who is now the wife of Lewis Winebrenner, of Baker township. March 10, 1859, Mr. Delany married for his second wife Miss Malinda Simmons, daughter of Reuben Siminons, one of the pioneer settlers of this county. She died March 13, 1888, leaving two children, namely : Erwin L., who owns a farm of eighty acres in this county; and Alma

S., wife of John Cliperton, of Greene county, Iowa. Mrs. Delany was a member of the Free Methodist Church, of which Mr. Delany also is a member, he having been identified with it for a quarter of a century and having served as Steward and Trustee.

a DWARD A. SHAW, dealer in lumber, sash, doors and blinds, Atlantic, Iowa, is foremost among the enterprising business men of this place.

Mr. Shaw is a native of New England, born in Massachusetts, May 14, 1851, son of George S. and Mary (Ross) Shaw, natives of the "Green Mountain State " and descendants of English ancestors. His father is now a prominent lumber merchant and manufacturer of Minnesota. Edward A. is the second son and was the second born in their family of six children, and when he was thirteen years old the family moved out to Iowa and located at Davenport. In that city he completed his schooling and learned the trade of carpenter of his father, and on attaining manhood en- tered into partnership with his father. For nine years they were engaged in business together at Davenport. During that time they proved themselves prominent factors in the building up and beautifying of the city, and as showing the magnitude of their work we state that in one hundred months of this period they aver- aged 'building one house per month. They made three additions to Davenport, known as the Shaw additions.

On disposing of his interests in Davenport, Mr. Shaw came to Atlantic and engaged in the same business here, forming a partnership with Mr. Crombie, with whom he has since been as- sociated, and has froni the first done a thriving business here. In addition to their establish- ment in Atlantic, they have branch offices and lumber yards located at the following named places, all in Cass county: Lewis, Griswold, Wiota and Lorah.

Mr. Shaw was married September, 1874, to Emma Harvey, a native of Buffalo, New

744

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

York, and a daughter of Judge Harvey, of Cedar Rapids. They have two charming daughters, Leila and Mary. Mr. Shaw's resi- dence is, without exception, the finest in At- lantic, and in their delightful home he and his family are surrounded with all the comforts and luxuries of life.

Fraternally he is identified with the F. & A. M., and maintains a membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery, all of Atlan- tic. His political views are those advanced by the Republican party, with which party he has acted ever since he was a voter.

3 OHN O. WORSTER, deceased, was a venerable citizen of Adel, Iowa, a rep- resentative man of Dallas county, whose life history should be incorporated in this work.

He was born in Fayette county, Indiana, June 10, 1817, son of James Worster, a native of Pennsylvania and grandson of Robert Wor- ster, an Englishman. Robert Worster was the first Methodist Episcopal minister to cross the Alleghany mountains, and Wooster, Ohio, was named in honor of him while he was there doing mission work and teaching school. His whole life was spent as an itinerant preacher. In many respects he was a remarkable man. He lived to the advanced age of 105 years, and died in Fayette county, Indiana. His good wife, whose maiden name was Mary Gorman, also died in Fayette county, Indiana, being eighty years old at the time of death. James Worster, our subject's father, by occu- pation a farmer, was a participant in the war of 1812, and as early as 1813 became a resi- dent of Indiana. His wife, nee Nancy Milenor, was of Kentucky birth. Both died in Fayette county, Indiana, he at the age of sixty-nine years and she at eighty-four. In their family were nine children, seven of whom are yet living, John O. being their fifth born.

John O. Worster, only a year younger than the State of Indiana, was reared on his father's frontier farm and became familiar with

every phase of pioneer life. The subscription schools which he attended in his boyhood were held in a log school-house,-one of the typical school-houses of that period, having a stick chimney, slab benches, and greased paper for windows.

Mr. Worster was married three times. May 28, 1837, before heattained his majority, he was united in marriage to Miss Betsey Bun- drant, a native of Virginia. She died in Dela- ware county, Indiana, at the age of thirty-six years. The children of this union were eight in number, and three are yet living. For his second wife he married Miss Mary Hoover, a Virginian by birth, who died soon after mar- riage. For his third wife he married, in 1857, Miss Mary Slaughter, a native of Franklin county, Indiana, and by her had two children. Mr. Worster's children are all married and settled in life, and his grandchildren are sixteen in number, seven of whom are grown and the others young children.

After his first marriage Mr. Worster settled in Delaware county, Indiana, where he bought eighty acres of Government land, at the time of his marriage having received $100 as a present from his father. He lived there until after the death of his wife, as above recorded, when he sold out and went to Illinois, settling in Edgar county and making that place his home three years. His next move was to Missouri. He bought a farm in Grant county, that State, but met with misfortune there and lost all he had. He remained in Missouri only long enough to transact some business there, and then went direct to Lancaster, Wisconsin, where he conducted a hotel. Still, however, not being satisfied with his location, he re- turned to his native State and was residing in Indiana at the time the war broke out.

In the first year of the war he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, and was on duty with his command for a period of thirteen months. From that time until the war closed he was in the secret service. Then he settled down to farming in Fayette county, Indiana, where he continued to reside for nine

V. E. Q'Bleness.

745

RECORD OF IOWA.

years, at the end of which time he came out to Iowa and located in Dallas county. Here he bought eighty acres of wild land, which he improved and on which he made his home for about twenty years. For two years during his early residence here he was in a store. Finally he sold his farm, built a nice home in town, and thereafter lived retired.

He was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. For forty years he was a Class-leader in the church, always active in the work and generous in his contribution toward its support. Mrs. Worster also is a member of that church. Politically, Mr. Worster was a Republican. His experience when a mere lad, under the guidance of his brother-in-law, a member of the Society of Friends, in carrying slaves over the border, made him an Aboli- tionist. He was one of the few men who voted for both the Harrisons, his first presidential vote having been cast for General William Henry Harrison. A veteran of the Civil war, he was of course a member of that popular or- ganization known as the G. A. R. Early in life he was initiated into the mysteries of Free- masonry, and finally came to be regarded as one of the oldest Masons in the State of Iowa. He died at his home in Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, Sunday morning December 29, 1895.

Such is an epitome of the life of one of Iowa's worthy citizens, -John O. Worster, - whose honorable and upright life entitled him to the high esteem in which he was held.

E. O'BLENESS, Commissioner of Labor of Iowa, was born in Polk county, on the 23d of October, 1861, and still makes his home in the capital city of his native State. His par- ents, James and Sarah (Cree) O'Bleness, were natives of Ohio and had seven children, - four sons and three daughters, - namely: Hamilton C .; Letitia, wife of L. J. Sisley; Stephen H .; Theresa, wife of Elijah M. Trent; John M .; Mary E., wife of Jacob Wit- mer; and William E. The father of this fam- 47

ily was a farmer who came to Iowa in. 1854, locating in Polk county. When the war broke out he felt that his country needed his services, and enlisted in Company C, Twenty- third Iowa Infantry. He gave his life in de- fense of the Union, being killed at Milliken's Bend, June 7, 1863. He was a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Church. His wife still survives him and has since married H. H. . Badley, of Polk county. She too is a faithful member of the Methodist Church.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Henry O'Bleness, was born in the Buckeye State and was of Holland descent. The founders of the family in America were Henry and Mary (Devoe) O'Bleness, who crossed the Atlantic to this country, locating in New York, where in time they amassed consider- able property, owning a large portion of the central part of Manhattan island. They had thirteen children, among whom were John, Frederick, Henry, Abraham, Maria, Elizabeth, . Lydia and Betsy. John, the eldest son, came into possession of nearly all the estate by tak- ing the advantage which the British laws gave him. He went to sea, and, being shipwrecked and suffering many privations, squandered nearly all his possessions and subsequently went to Nova Scotia, where he died a poor man. Henry, the' third son of the above mentioned family, was born in New York city, March 15, 1771, and was married there on the 5th of May, 1796, to Rachel (Rickman) Davenport, a widow. In 1817 he emigrated to Ohio, entered land in Washington county, near Marietta, and died in that vicinity, in the month of June, 1842, at the age of seventy- one years. His son Henry was born in New York city, March 3, 1797, and at the age of sixteen went up the Hudson river in one of Robert Fulton's boats, landing in Orange county, where he lived for four years. He afterward emigrated with his father's family to Washington county, Ohio, in 1817, and there followed farming through the summer months, while in the winter season he engaged in teaching school. He afterward removed to

746

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Posey county, Indiana, thence to Farmers- ville, about three miles north of Mount Vernon. His first marriage was on the 14th of October, 1819, when he wedded Letitia Mckibben, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Sharp) Mc- Kibben. By that union were born thirteen children. His second marriage was cele- brated September 27, 1850, Miss Deborah Wall, daughter of Elisha and Mary Wall, be- coming his wife. She died February 25, 1858, and on the 19th day of September, 1858, he wedded Emily Wright, a daughter of Jonathan and Eleanor (Woodward) Wright. They had two children. The father, Henry O'Bleness, died September 13, 1878, at Farin- ersville, Indiana, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, six months and ten days. For about six years prior to his death he was totally blind.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Hamilton Cree, was a native of Ohio and a farmer by occupation. He was a large man, very strong, was kindhearted and true, and always pleasant and agreeable in manner, rel- ishing fun in a high degree. He came to Iowa during the early settlement of the State, and died in Boone county, on Thanksgiving Day of 1890, having reached the advanced age of ninety years.

William E. O'Bleness grew to manhood in the county of his nativity and acquired his edu- cation in the schools of the neighborhood. He lived upon the home farin, aiding in the labors of the field until eighteen years of age, when, wishing to follow some other pursuit than that which claimed his attention through his boy- hood, he came to Des Moines and began serving an apprenticeship in the printing-office of Mills & Company, State printers. He fol- lowed that business until April 1, 1894, when he was appointed by the Governor of the State as Commissioner of Labor Statistics, a position which he is now acceptably filling.

On the 22d day of February, 1887, Mr. O'Bleness was united in marriage with Miss Ida L. McKitrick, a daughter of Alexander and Mary E. (Stewart) McKitrick. Three

children grace this union, but Ralph died at the age of five years. George and Charles still brighten the home with their presence. They reside at No. 830 West Eleventh street, and in the community they have many warm friends.

In his political connections, Mr. O'Bleness is a Republican, and socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. £

His wife holds membership with the United Pres- byterian Church. Having always lived in Polk county, Mr. O'Bleness is widely known and his well-spent life has made him highly respected.

S TEPHEN N. FELLOWS, A. M., D. D .- During the last thirty years no educator of Iowa has been more public-spirited or labored more zeal- ously outside of the class-room to mould pub- lic opinion, exerting his influence in shaping the educational thought and movements of the State, than this gentleman. For twenty years he was well known as professor of mental and moral science and didactics in the Iowa State University, and his name is inseparably con- nected with the mental and moral develop- ment of this commonwealth.

Dr. Fellows was born May 30, 1830, in North Sandwich, New Hampshire, and is the youngest of the eight sons of Stephen and Rachel Fellows, who were of English descent. His ancestors came to this country in the seventeenth century. When he was a child of four years the family removed to Dixon, Illinois, where in the midst of the privations of frontier life his boyhood was spent. When he was a child of ten years his father died, leav- ing the widow and children to struggle with poverty and the hardships of pioneer settle- ment. Thus early thrown npon his own re- sources he became self-reliant and industrious, and his life furnishes a splendid example of what may be attained through perseverance, industry and energy. His early educational advantages were meager, but throughout his

747

RECORD OF IOWA.

boyhood he had a thirst for knowledge which led him to peruse eagerly all books and news- papers within his reach. Hard work and hard fare on the farm developed a strong physical frame, and prepared him for the struggle of securing an advanced education.

At the age of eighteen Mr. Fellows entered the Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris, Illi- nois; but his means being exhausted at the end of the fourth term, he was obliged to discontinue his studies in school for a time. In 1851 he entered the Asbury, now the De Pauw, University, of Greencastle, Indiana, and by teaching, working on a farm, and boarding himself while in school, he was enabled to meet the expenses of the college course, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1854. During his junior and senior years he was a tutor in Latin and mathematics. Just previous to his graduation he was elected professor of mathematics and natural science in Cornell College, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and capably served in that position from 1854 until 1860. In 1856 he joined the Upper Iowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His chief motive in seeking an edu- cation was to fit him for the work of the min- istry, and he engaged in teaching in order only to earn money to enable him to enter upon his duties in this field unembarrassed by debt.

In 1860 Professor Fellows resigned his po- sition in Cornell College to engage in pastoral work, and for several years had charge of the various churches located at Dyersville, Tipton, Lyons and Marshalltown. In the same year in which he joined the conference he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah L. Matson, daughter of Dr. S. G. Matson, of Anamosa, a lady of fine qualities and attractive manner. They have had six children, four of whom, two sons and two daughters, are still living. The sons occupy responsible and lucrative positions in New York, while the daughters are under the parental roof.

In August, 1867, by unanimous vote and without solicitation, Dr. Fellows was elected principal of the normal department of the

Iowa State University, and for twenty years held that position, during which time he was always a zealous supporter of the University, thoroughly devoted to every interest of the in- stitution and to every duty that devolved upon him. In the lecture field, as well as in the class-room, he did excellent work for the school, having worked in normal institutes and lectured in more than sixty counties in Iowa. A few years ago a prominent Iowa educator said through the daily press that he believed Professor Fellows had done more to unite the university and the public schools than any other man in the institution.

The normal department of the university was established as a low-grade normal school in 1855. The times demanded such an insti- tution and it was thus conducted for about ten or twelve years. At that period the State neither made provision for any higher normal course nor planned to do so; but Professor Fellows recognized the need of this higher education of teachers, and it was largely through his influence that the standard of the normal department was raised. As president of the State Teachers' Association, in 1869, he was also made chairman of a committee on this subject, and a paragraph in his report read as follows :

" Your committee would suggest, as the university is at the head of the free schools, so the nornial department should be the recog- nized head of the normal schools of the State; that there be established also, from year to year, such a number of normal schools as the wants of the State may require; that these normal schools be properly distributed through- out the State; and that they shall all be of the same grade, each having a limited course of study and furnished with all the facilities of a training school, where teachers in large num- bers may be gathered and receive preparation for teaching in the primary grades and in the common or district schools of the State. The normal department should have a more ex- tended course of study, and facilities for a more complete scientific and professional

748

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

training; so that even graduates of the ele- mentary normal schools, may, if they desire, attend the university, and in the normal and other departments pursue a more extended course of reading, study and lectures, profes- sional and scientific, and receive a certificate or diploma corresponding to their proficiency."

This report was unanimously adopted by the association, and though the recommenda- tions were not at once carried out it still was the nucleus around which centered the success of the enterprise.

Again in 1872, as president of the State Teachers' Association, Dr. Fellows devoted his address to the discussion of public and pri- vate schools, their work and their relations. It was an able defense of denominational academies and colleges, and certainly no less able in defense of high schools and State uni- versities. The address was referred to a com- mittee, and its fundamental positions re- affirmed in their report and unanimously adopted.

In 1873, through the efforts of Dr. Fel- lows, the elementary normal department of the university was transformed and became the chair of didactics, and united with that of mental and moral science. For six years this was the only chair of didactics in any American college or university. It was founded on the idea of Dr. Fellows that since a large number of the graduates of the university become prin- cipals and superintendents of schools in the higher positions in the State they should have some professional training in the last years of their university course to fit them for their positions. Since the founding of the chair in 1873 an average of more than one-half of the number in the successive senior classes of the university have been enrolled in the didactic classes. This gives some idea of the influence which has been exerted by Dr. Fellows in his class-room and the educational work of the State, the results of which will not be lost for generations to come.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 118

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